Chapter 573: Chapter 574: Handling Appropriately
Yun Jinnian’s orders were promptly prepared by others.
Henuan placed the medicine box on the table, opened it to take out the silver needles, knives, and porcelain bottles, arranging each one neatly.
"Bring some of the strongest alcohol in the palace!" Jinnian commanded without concern.
Once the water arrived, Yun Jinnian slowly and methodically washed his hands, then took the towel Hemei passed to him and dried them.
Only then did he proceed to take the Emperor’s pulse.
The Empress Dowager watched from the side, taking several deep breaths to prevent herself from making a sound and ordering people to drag Yun Jinnian away to be beaten to death with rods.
Was he implying that the Emperor was dirty by washing and wiping his hands before taking the pulse?
The Empress, observing the scene, was remarkably serious.
So, this was how Yun Jinnian conducted medical examinations?
It seemed somewhat peculiar.
After a long while, Yun Jinnian withdrew his hand.
"How is the Emperor?" the Empress Dowager asked.
Yun Jinnian pondered for a moment before replying, "Not very well!"
"In what way is it not good?" the Empress Dowager pressed.
She was somewhat troubled that Jinnian’s menses had neither come early nor late but had to arrive during these few days, yet she did not blame herself for not resenting the Emperor’s indulgence that led to such a nauseating issue, leaving him weak and unconscious.
It was quite the scandal.
"Bring a cup here!"
Hemei handed over a cup, and Yun Jinnian pulled the Emperor’s hand, took the knife, and with a swift cut on the Emperor’s finger, blood started to flow immediately.
"Audacious! How dare you injure the dragon’s body, a crime worthy of death!" the Empress Dowager exclaimed in anger.
Yun Jinnian looked indifferently toward the Empress Dowager, speaking softly, "Empress Dowager, I am merely a physician right now. If you think that what I’m doing now is an affront to the Emperor and wish to throw me into the dungeon, then you may as well send me to the dungeon now, because what follows will be more than just such a small cut!"
It was not initially necessary to inflict many injuries on the Emperor, but since he had broken his vows, it was imperative to create wounds to allow the potency of the medicine to seep into his body, giving the Emperor the strength to endure the upcoming detoxification.
The Empress Dowager moved her lips but could not bring herself to speak.
The Imperial Physicians of the palace were at a loss, so people were sent to fetch Han Xuzi, who had already left two days prior.
Now, she found herself unable to step down from her stance.
The Empress watched, a surge of satisfaction in her heart.
But she could not allow the Empress Dowager to hold a grudge against Jinnian, quickly speaking up, "Mother, the Fourth Miss’s medical skills are exquisite. She has already cured Prince Yanjun and Prince Rui of their severe poisoning. She knows how to detoxify the Emperor, so let’s just follow the Fourth Miss’s instructions!"
The Empress Dowager uttered a sound of agreement, softening her voice, "You need not harbor other thoughts. I am solely anxious for my son. Once you have detoxified the Emperor, I will reward you handsomely!"
The Emperor could not pass away. Should the Emperor die, she as the Empress Dowager would become the Empress Dowager, and if Prince Rui and the others succeeded in their rebellion, the consequences would be unthinkable.
"Yes!"
Jinnian responded, dropping the blood into the cup and not bandaging the Emperor’s finger, just letting it bleed while placing a thick cloth underneath.
He stood up, took a medicine bottle, opened it, and sprinkled some powder into the cup. Watching the blood disperse, tiny red worms wriggled within.
Just overnight, these worms had turned red, a clear sign of their virulence.
"Empress Dowager, Empress, please take a look. These are the worms wreaking havoc inside the Emperor’s body. Had the Emperor not had intimate contact with a woman, these worms would be white. In just one night, these white worms turned red. What I need to do now is nourish these worms back to white and then proceed with the Emperor’s detoxification!"
The Empress Dowager and the Empress glanced at it, instantly feeling their scalps tingle, with the Empress Dowager barely able to stand steady.
She asked, trembling, "How long will it take to nourish them back?"