Zuo Ye nodded and brought the Eldest Princess to a small study in the front courtyard.
After the door and windows were closed, the Eldest Princess said urgently, "Doctor Bai, the Emperor is critically ill, and the imperial physicians have been unable to diagnose the cause for a long time. I suspect it is related to the蠱 (gu) poison. I implore Doctor Bai to accompany me into the palace to see if you can treat my father.
After my father wakes up, I have something important to tell him. This concerns the foundation of the Great Xia Kingdom and is of utmost importance. As long as Doctor Bai can cure my father, I will never treat you poorly in the future."
Bai Sheng glanced at Lu Ye, then shifted her gaze to the Eldest Princess and said directly, "Eldest Princess, I am merely a commoner. If I were to involve myself in palace power struggles, I would be in danger, and my family might also be implicated.
The Eldest Princess says she will not treat me poorly, but I am not lacking in gold or silver, nor do I desire official titles or ranks. I would like to know what the Eldest Princess can truly offer me that would make me willing to take such a risk?"
The Eldest Princess was slightly taken aback, staring intently at Bai Sheng. "May I ask what benefits Doctor Bai requires?"
Bai Sheng smiled faintly. "When the Eldest Princess succeeds, help the Baili family to be completely exonerated! Eldest Princess, you do not know, but I am plagued by hundreds of wronged souls and cannot find peace day or night. Therefore, I can only ask the Eldest Princess to help me completely escape the torment of these wronged souls."
When it is accomplished? How would she know! A flicker of immense surprise crossed the Eldest Princess's eyes, but she quickly regained her composure and readily agreed, "Very well, I promise you! However, you must guarantee that you can keep my father conscious for at least one day."
It seemed the Eldest Princess was not truly concerned about her father, nor was she afraid of him dying, but rather afraid of him dying at the wrong time. Bai Sheng gave the Eldest Princess a deep look and smiled, "Of course. Eldest Princess, please provide a written agreement!"
Bai Sheng placed the paper and brush on the desk.
She never trusted verbal promises from outsiders; a written agreement on white paper offered more security.
The Eldest Princess quickly wrote the agreement, affixed her princess seal, and was about to take Bai Sheng into the palace in haste.
Zuo Ye suddenly turned to the Eldest Princess and said respectfully, "Eldest Princess, my wife will undoubtedly face grave danger entering the palace this time. Please allow this humble servant to disguise himself as your personal guard and accompany her to ensure her safety."
The Eldest Princess, eager to rush, agreed, "That would be for the best."
Outside the Emperor's bedchamber, civil and military officials, as well as concubines of various ranks, stood with solemn expressions, awaiting news of the Emperor.
The Empress, the Crown Prince, Consort Mei, and Prince Yu were all present, including the mad Consort Yu, who stood foolishly to the side.
Confident in their knowledge of the Shadowless Gu poison, the Empress and the Crown Prince did not prevent the Eldest Princess from bringing someone into the bedchamber to treat the Emperor. In fact, the more people who examined the Emperor, the more it would help clear their suspicions.
The Empress had seen Zuo Ye and Bai Sheng before. To avoid recognition, Zuo Ye wore a guard's uniform and a mask with an eye patch, while Bai Sheng wore a veil.
Consort Mei and Prince Yu seemed to be conversing in low tones and did not recognize Zuo Ye and Bai Sheng following behind the Eldest Princess.
Upon entering the bedchamber, the imperial physicians saw the Eldest Princess bring such a young female physician to treat the Emperor, and they all thought she was being frivolous. However, due to the Eldest Princess's status, no one dared to say anything to her face.
Bai Sheng finally saw the Emperor spoken of in whispers.
He lay on the bed with his eyes closed. If he were not unconscious, he could indeed be considered a handsome elder. No wonder Consort Mei had been fond of him in her youth.
After escorting Bai Sheng into the hall, the Eldest Princess bowed and moved outside the hall. Zuo Ye, as her "guard," stood beside her, but his eyes remained fixed on the entrance of the bedchamber, constantly monitoring Bai Sheng's movements inside.
The Emperor's severe illness was orchestrated by the Empress and the Crown Prince. If they knew his beloved wife had cured the Emperor, they would undoubtedly retaliate in anger. Therefore, Zuo Ye would never let Bai Sheng enter the palace alone.
Bai Sheng carefully examined the Emperor's body and felt his pulse several times. Based on the external signs and his pulse, there were indeed no symptoms of poisoning.
However, the internal evidence was bound to exist.
Any toxin invading the human body would leave traces.
Bai Sheng turned to the leading imperial physician and asked if the Emperor's blood had been drawn for poison testing.
The leading imperial physician pointed at Bai Sheng and exclaimed in shock, "Draw the Emperor's blood? You... you have immense audacity! Since ancient times, poison testing has relied on observation, listening, questioning, and pulse-taking, examining the eyes, nose, lips, and tongue, listening to chest sounds, observing complexion, and feeling the pulse. There has never been a method of bloodletting for poison testing. Moreover, the one lying here is the Emperor, the Son of Heaven. Who dares to harm His Majesty's dragon body in the slightest?"
Bai Sheng looked at the pedantic old imperial physicians and knew that communicating with them would be futile. She walked directly out of the hall to the Eldest Princess and said respectfully, "Eldest Princess, I wish to draw the Emperor's blood for poison testing. I request the Eldest Princess to pardon my unintentional transgression."
Prince Yu and Consort Mei heard her voice and exchanged shocked glances. This veiled female doctor was actually Bai Sheng?!
The Eldest Princess had sought her out?
"Bloodletting for poison testing?" A hint of hesitation appeared on the Eldest Princess's face.
Bai Sheng stepped forward, leaned close to the Eldest Princess, and said in a very low voice, "When I took the Emperor's pulse earlier, I discovered that his internal organs were severely damaged. If we do not act quickly, I am afraid he will... never wake up."
The Eldest Princess's brows knitted, and she said sternly, "Very well, then proceed with bloodletting for poison testing."
"Let's see who dares to draw the Emperor's blood!" Suddenly, a sharp voice rang out.
Bai Sheng looked up and met the Empress's stern gaze.
"Where did you, a wild girl, come from? Do you even understand medicine? Since when has there been bloodletting for poison testing? The Emperor's noble dragon body cannot tolerate such disrespect from you!" the Empress berated loudly.
Although the Eldest Princess was favored, once the Emperor passed away, she would be nothing. The Empress felt that from this day forward, she no longer needed to show her consideration.
The Crown Prince also said angrily, "All the imperial physicians could not diagnose Father Emperor's illness. How can you, a mere fledgling, figure it out? Do not act mysteriously here! Otherwise, even if you had a hundred lives, it would not be enough to die!"
The Eldest Princess suddenly let out a cold laugh, her usual gentle and virtuous demeanor replaced by a raised voice filled with sarcasm. "Father Emperor has been lying in bed, unconscious for a day and a night. Hundreds of imperial physicians in the palace are helpless, watching as the Emperor is tormented by his illness.
Now, the female physician I have brought is taking an unconventional approach, doing her utmost to treat Father Emperor. As long as it can make Father Emperor wake up, pricking his finger and letting out a little blood will not cause any significant harm to his dragon body. What is the harm in it?!
Are the Empress and the Crown Prince trying to prevent the physician from treating Father Emperor by every means possible because they do not wish for Father Emperor to wake up? Or are they trying to conceal something?"
"Eldest Princess, do not slander us! We simply wish to show respect and protect His Majesty's dragon body!" the Empress retorted angrily.
"If you do not respect Father Emperor's life, then how can you speak of respecting his dragon body!" Prince Yu suddenly stepped forward and said sternly, "Physician, hurry and draw the Emperor's blood for poison testing! If Father Emperor wakes up and wishes to punish, then punish me, Prince Yu!"
The Censorate official Yan Mingkun immediately said, "Prince Yu speaks reasonably. This humble subject also agrees with bloodletting for poison testing!"
"This consort also agrees with bloodletting for poison testing!" Consort Mei declared loudly.
The Eldest Princess looked at Bai Sheng. "Physician, quickly proceed with bloodletting and testing. I will bear all responsibility!"
"Yes! Eldest Princess!" Bai Sheng turned and returned to the bedchamber.