"Hmph!" Ning Yue snorted coldly and kicked the quack doctor in front of her to the ground. "Does Imperial Physician Fang think I'm that easy to fool?"
Imperial Physician Fang knelt on the ground, trembling, and repeatedly said, "Your subordinate dares not!"
If it were someone else, Imperial Physician Fang wouldn't be so cowardly, but this was the legitimate daughter of the General's mansion! She was someone the current Emperor had personally decreed could carry weapons into the palace.
If she were displeased and had him executed, there wouldn't be a single person who would dare to speak up for him.
Ning Yue said coldly, "Where are the other imperial physicians? Are they all dead?"
"Reporting to the attendant, besides Imperial Physician Fang, all other imperial physicians are... indisposed." The attendant who reported, perhaps feeling how absurd the reason was, lowered his head and dared not say another word.
Imperial Physician Fang was utterly bewildered and trembled all over. Well done, no wonder they had flattered him before and then pushed him out! He had thought it was truly because his medical skills were superior.
Who would have thought! They were all "indisposed."
"All sick? What a coincidence?" Ning Yue was also furious. The Imperial Hospital was filled with such useless people. No wonder Ayuan was unwilling to call them for treatment when she was ill!
Ning Yue suddenly smiled meaningfully and ordered, "Since they are sick, it is understandable. His Majesty has always been compassionate towards the sick. Why not have these people brought out and given twenty heavy blows to sober them up!
So they will know who they are working for!"
"Yes!" The attendant took the order and left.
Imperial Physician Fang trembled even more violently. Killing is but a nod of the head, but this little general was far more formidable than His Majesty. His Majesty would simply behead people, but this person was attacking their very hearts!
"Imperial Physician Fang, what do you think of my proposed solution?" Ning Yue asked kindly, helping Imperial Physician Fang up.
Imperial Physician Fang shivered and stammered, "Your subordinate... what my lord does is naturally correct."
"Since that is the case, then Imperial Physician, please continue your examination! I believe since you are not indisposed, you must have some genuine skill."
Imperial Physician Fang plopped onto the ground, kneeling perfectly straight.
He respectfully said, "Your subordinate's medical skills are lacking, and I willingly accept punishment."
"Hmph!" Ning Yue's expression grew colder. She now believed that this man had indeed discovered something, but Xingyuan had imposed a gag order on them, making them afraid to speak.
"Imperial Physician Fang, have you thought this through?" Ning Yue took out a dagger and played with it, her eyes full of threat.
"I think this dagger of mine is still quite sharp. What do you think, Imperial Physician Fang?"
Imperial Physician Fang buried his head deeply on the ground, not daring to react in any way.
Xingyuan seemed to have been woken by the commotion. She rubbed her eyes in confusion and reached out, pulling Ning Yue, who was standing by the bed, onto the bed.
"What's wrong?" Xingyuan sat up and leaned further into the bed, looking a little uncomfortable.
"Are you still feeling unwell?" Ning Yue gently placed her hand on Xingyuan's forehead, looking at her normal complexion with concern.
Xingyuan shook her head and urged her to leave, "No, thank you, Sister Ning, for staying with me last night."
Xingyuan slowly climbed down from the bed, holding onto it, and then saw someone kneeling on the ground.
A flicker of confusion crossed her eyes, and she asked, "Who is this?"
"An imperial physician," Ning Yue replied, carefully observing Xingyuan's expression.
"Oh!" Xingyuan responded calmly.
She turned to Ning Yue and said, "Sister Ning, you should go back first. You have to attend court later."
"Then, how should this quack doctor be dealt with?" Ning Yue probed.
Xingyuan said indifferently, "Whatever you like! If Sister Ning likes him, you can have him."
After all, no matter what, this person wouldn't reveal any information about her situation. Unless she truly wanted her entire family to be executed, no one would be so foolish.
Ning Yue was intelligent. Hearing this, she understood that she wouldn't be able to get any information from an imperial physician. Moreover, she had always been upright and disdained to use any private torture on an imperial physician who was merely doing his job.
So, she shook her head listlessly, "Forget it. After all, he is His Majesty's man. His Majesty can deal with him himself."
"Your subordinate has other matters, so I shall take my leave."
After speaking, Ning Yue turned and left the palace. She then took a different route and entered the imperial court, pretending to have just arrived.
Xingyuan was determined to be a lazy monarch. Since she ascended the throne, she had changed the morning court from once a day to once every seven days. If it weren't for the fact that the ministers still had a pile of memorials even when not attending court and constantly sought audiences with her, she wouldn't even want to go to court.
"If there is anything to report, speak now. If not, the court is dismissed!" the chief eunuch stood by and loudly announced the words that had been said in every dynasty.
Xingyuan was listless, leaning lazily on the dragon throne, listening to the ministers' traditional nonsense.
After a while, the nonsense finally ended, and they got down to business.
The Minister of Rites stepped forward and respectfully said, "Your Majesty, the state letter from Xi Kingdom arrived the day before yesterday. Does Your Majesty have anyone in mind?"
Xingyuan lazily raised an eyebrow and said slowly, "You. Since you are the Minister of Rites, the important task of receiving the envoys from Xi Kingdom naturally falls to you!"
The Minister of Rites' face turned a little pale upon hearing this. He knew that His Majesty did not like to act according to convention, but he was usually busy with official duties and had no time to entertain foreign envoys!
The Prime Minister could not bear it and respectfully said, "Why don't this old minister accompany Minister Chen to receive the envoys?"
"As you wish!" Xingyuan said perfunctorily, even yawning lazily.
"As for the security of the guards, please, General Ning, take extra care." Mentioning Ning Yue, Xingyuan sat up straight, her eyes full of seriousness.
Ning Yue stepped forward, bowed, and said, "Your subordinate will surely not fail in this mission!"
"Hmm! Is there anything else to report?"
"Your Majesty, there is a matter. There is solid evidence of corruption in the Ministry of Revenue. Your subordinate intends to hand it over to the Grand Court of Revision for public trial, so as to showcase Your Majesty's valor and wisdom."
Xingyuan couldn't help but scoff. These people were truly masters of speaking falsehoods with a straight face! Did she not know if she was wise and sagacious herself?
However, she still encouraged him, "Since my lord is so diligent, then proceed!"
Xingyuan stood up to leave, but the Prime Minister suddenly spoke.
"Your Majesty has just ascended the throne, and the imperial harem is empty. When will the selection of consorts begin? So that we ministers can make preparations."
Xingyuan's face darkened. She glanced nervously at Ning Yue, only to find her with her eyes on her nose and her mouth on her lips, her head bowed, her emotions unreadable.
Xingyuan straightened her expression and pretended to ponder.
Then, she waved her hand and refused, "The selection of consorts is not urgent. We can discuss it later! I feel I am in my prime and have no need to leave behind heirs now. What does my lord think?"
"Your Majesty speaks wisely!" the Prime Minister replied respectfully.
She had nothing more to say. If the ruler of a dynasty said so, and she were to push for the selection of consorts, wouldn't that imply she thought the ruler was short-lived? If His Majesty were to punish her for this, it would be troublesome.
After all, it was indeed she who was "at fault first."