Xing Yuan's people indeed spent considerable effort to find him.
The problems that exist in a patriarchal society also exist in a matriarchal society.
At first, they didn't believe that the legendary divine doctor was a man. It wasn't until later, after comparing some details and having him demonstrate his medical skills, that they brought him into the palace.
Xing Yuan leaned lazily on the couch, looking up at the elegant man before her, and said, "Divine Doctor, do you think I can still be saved?"
Xiao Yan took two steps back, his attitude respectful, "This commoner is willing to try."
A light of excitement flashed in Xiao Yan's eyes. Someone like Xing Yuan, who had been poisoned with so many kinds of toxins yet could still live steadily, was truly a rare sight in the world.
He had replaced his master, the divine doctor, at such a young age, not only because of his talent but also because of his extreme focus in this area. He had little interest in anything other than medicine.
"This commoner presumes to ask Your Majesty, when do the toxins usually act up..."
Xing Yuan recalled carefully, "Hmm... I don't remember. I didn't keep track of the specifics, as the timing is not fixed. If the Divine Doctor doesn't mind, perhaps I could appoint you as Imperial Physician, and you could then devote yourself wholeheartedly to treating me."
"This commoner's heart is devoted to the study of medicine, and I do not place much value on such worldly possessions. Moreover, if I were to become an Imperial Physician, I would inevitably have to interact with colleagues, which goes against my original intention."
"If Your Majesty truly wishes to recover quickly, perhaps you could simply assign this commoner to a palace chamber closer to you, so that I may take your pulse at any time."
Xiao Yan's words were earnest, his eyes filled with curiosity for a novel case. Xing Yuan nodded and granted his request.
In any case, she had not taken any consorts, so it wouldn't matter to arrange a chamber for an outsider. Her reputation was already poor, so a little worse wouldn't make a difference.
She was afflicted with a complex mix of poisons. At Xiao Yan's request, she reluctantly wrote down the names of the poisons she remembered.
For Xing Yuan, this was a period of considerable pain. Some were forced upon her in her youth, while others were offered as tokens of sincerity to appease or seek peace.
When Xing Yuan arrived here, she was no longer just an observer but a participant. Therefore, their emotions were intertwined, and she could clearly understand why she harbored thoughts of death.
It was because she wanted to completely eradicate those painful, endured memories, and only death could truly and thoroughly erase these things that should not exist.
After researching for several days, Xiao Yan began to concoct medicine. However, some of the poisons Xing Yuan had ingested were contradictory. Over the years, these poisons had become completely integrated with her. If she stopped practicing martial arts, she would soon be exhausted and die without anyone else needing to do anything.
Xing Yuan's body was currently in a relatively balanced state. Without absolute certainty, Xiao Yan dared not directly experiment on an emperor.
The tenth day of each month was when these toxins would collectively erupt. After Xiao Yan finished his observations and extracted a small sample of her blood, Xing Yuan immediately returned to her chambers and lay on the bed, trembling all over.
She ordered someone to send a message to the General's Mansion.
Soon, Ning Yue rushed into the palace.
Upon entering the chamber and seeing Xing Yuan lying on the bed, Ning Wang Yue immediately sensed something was wrong. She gently sat by the bedside, placed the back of her hand on Xing Yuan's forehead, and asked with concern, "A Yuan, what's wrong?"
"Sister~ I feel unwell!" Xing Yuan whimpered, leaning against her, looking extremely aggrieved.
In the past, when the poison acted up, she would also summon people to the palace. However, her internal energy had been well-trained, allowing her to suppress the pale complexion during episodes, so Ning Yue had never noticed anything amiss.
But now, after a period of busyness upon her succession and then actively seeking death, her current physical condition was truly not optimistic.
"Where is the Imperial Physician? Why hasn't he arrived yet?" Ning Yue urged the attendant sternly while channeling internal energy into Xing Yuan.
Xing Yuan shook her head, tugged at her sleeve, and whispered, "I didn't call the Imperial Physician. Sister is my medicine. As long as Sister stays with me, I will recover quickly."
Xing Yuan was acting exceptionally pampered at the moment, her eyes filled with dependence on Ning Yue.
"Alright, I'll stay with you. But you should still have the Imperial Physician examine you when you're not feeling well," Ning Yue coaxed patiently, as if treating a child who refused to take their medicine.
"I don't like Imperial Physicians!" Xing Yuan mumbled, hugging her tighter.
It was as if by doing so, the physical pain would also ease.
Ning Yue sighed, gently tucked her in, and continued to channel internal energy.
Xing Yuan frowned, looking uneasy, her hand tightly gripping Ning Yue. She closed her eyes and fell asleep.
In her dream, she vaguely saw scenes from her youth. Back then, she was a beloved Crown Princess, and Ning Yue was chosen as her companion. They spent their days together, and when she caused trouble, Ning Yue would be responsible for cleaning up the mess.
She was the little tyrant of the capital, and Ning Yue was her accompanying guard. They were so close back then.
But when did things change?
Perhaps it was when she was "abandoned."
Ning Yue secretly came to see her from outside the palace. She saw it but deliberately avoided her. From that moment on, she knew that it would be difficult for them to return to how they were.
She was a sinner in her mother's eyes, while Ning Yue was the only daughter of the General's Mansion at the time. She gradually understood her mother's actions.
The power of her father's family threatened her mother's position, so it had to be eradicated. However, the General's Mansion also threatened her mother, although she couldn't act against it for the time being. But sooner or later, the General's Mansion would follow suit.
In fact, her rebellion began because of this.
She had witnessed the fickleness of human hearts. She didn't want her only friend to suffer the same fate, so she used her, leveraging the power of her family to achieve her goals. From then on, Ning Yue became her medicine.
As long as Ning Yue was not by her side, she would become violent and restless, and the poison outbreaks would even become more frequent. Therefore, she could not allow Ning Yue to leave. She even took an entire dragon with her due to her obsession. The current Xing Yuan's thoughts were very similar to hers.
However, the rational emotions in her mind were slightly more than those of the Xing Yuan in this world.
The Imperial Physician was still summoned by Ning Yue, after Xing Yuan had fallen asleep.
Xing Yuan's influence was deeply rooted. While the entire Imperial Hospital might not have the best medical skills, all its members were compelled to obey her. Without her permission, how would they dare to reveal her true physical condition!
Ning Yue looked at the pensive Imperial Physician and asked with a frown, "How is it?"
"Reporting to Assistant Minister Ning, His Majesty's body is healthy, and everything is normal," the Imperial Physician lied with his eyes open.