The number one imperial physician of the previous dynasty, Laojun Mei, had been idle at home for many years.
The late Emperor bestowed upon him a luxurious mansion on the outskirts of the city. Every day, the old man would stay at home and play with his grandchildren. When he had nothing to do, he would play with flowers and birds, passing his days in leisure.
This tranquility was only broken when a carriage made of camphor wood stopped in front of the door.
Lord Laojun Mei personally led the entire family to kneel at the door and shouted, "Long live the emperor!"
Qianwandi jumped down from the carriage and reached inside to grab something, but the chiffon curtain blocked him from seeing the situation inside.
Everyone lowered their heads. After a long while, there was still no movement. A few bold children secretly raised their heads to look.
With just a glance, those with sharp eyes saw Qianwandi pulling a person out of the car with one hand. That person was making a big fuss, grabbing Qianwandi's hand and pushing him out.
The Emperor coaxed him in a low voice, but in the end, he was impatient. He raised his hand and lifted the man up by the waist, and walked in with large strides.
Old Lord Lao Jun's old face did not move. He stared steadily at the ground and watched as the Emperor's bright yellow dragon boots passed by him. Only then did he hear Eunuch Zhang Kuo's shrill voice: "The Emperor has decreed, rise …"
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Everyone kowtowed heavily, then stood up with their heads bowed: "Thank you for your grace, Your Majesty!"
Qianwandi was, after all, an emperor who grew up on horseback. He was too lazy to pay attention to these empty formalities.
He strode into the central room, threw Mingde onto the huge seat of honor, and warned him in a low voice, "If you dare to embarrass me in someone else's house, just try it!"
Shangguan Mingde was struggling rather awkwardly, and Qianwandi carried him all the way in. His face was flushed red, and his eyes were watery, which made people's hearts itch and ache.
Qianwandi's heart softened. Before he could say anything, he heard Shangguan Mingde say coldly, "This subject accepts the decree."
That expression was more or less saying: Your Majesty, please conduct yourself with dignity!
Stay away from me!
Qianwandi was rather annoyed. He laughed coldly and patted Fan Xian's shoulder, saying, "It's good that my beloved subject knows his own limits."
Laojun Mei was wearing the court robes of the Imperial Academy of Medicine. She knelt respectfully on the ground and pretended not to see anything.
When he saw Qianwandi walking over, he asked in a low voice, "Is the little noble that Your Majesty said was sent here for treatment this young master?"
Qianwandi sneered and said, "This person has a sharp tongue and likes to flaunt his superiority. If you are not careful, he will injure others. The imperial physician must be careful when dealing with him."
The Grand Supreme Elder looked at the young master. He was wrapped in a snow-white fur coat, revealing only half of his face. His eyes were sharp enough to make one's heart turn cold, but his features were picturesque and incomparably cold.
After all, he had been in the palace for a long time. He had seen all kinds of obscene and absurd things. It was not strange for him to know that there were beautiful youths by the emperor's side. Thus, with a glance, he knew what was going on. He hurriedly said, "This old subject does not dare, does not dare."
He stepped forward and reached out to take Shangguan Mingde's pulse. The young master's temper was too big. He withdrew his hand and tilted his head, not saying a word.
Laojun Mei only knew that this child was favored, so he was beaten and angered by some concubine of the palace. Although he did not agree in his heart, he did not show it on his face. He respectfully said, "This little noble, please reach out your hand and let this old subject take your pulse."
Mingde did not make a sound, acting as if he did not hear anything.
Laojun Mei had good self-restraint and said, "If you don't reach out your hand, how can this old subject diagnose and prescribe medicine for you?"
Qianwandi walked over in large strides. He grabbed Mingde's shoulder with one hand and forcefully pulled his wrist over with the other.
These few movements were too forceful. Mingde kicked Qianwandi's body. The high and mighty Emperor gritted his teeth and endured the kick. "… Oh!
You're rebelling! "
Laojun Mei hurriedly retreated half a step and apologized. He then pressed down on Mingde's wrist through the yellow silk.
With this check, he found that his qi and blood were weak, his pulse was chaotic, and the sea of qi in his chest was boiling. He must be seriously injured.
Laojun Mei frowned and took Mingde's pulse for a while. He gently put down Mingde's wrist and knelt to ask, "I've offended you. Young master, please take off your clothes and let this old subject take a look at your injuries."
Mingde sneered and said, "Daren, how can I dare to say these words?
Now that the world is at peace and the palace is peaceful, you insist that I am injured. Then tell me, where did I get this injury?
Could it be that I got into a fight or caused trouble and injured someone? "
Laojun Mei was confused. On the other hand, when Qianwandi heard Laojun Mei say that he wanted to check his injuries, his heart was a little flustered.
Subconsciously, he still felt that Shangguan Mingde was one of his people. His people were beautiful and envied by others. That was his face. But if it was just the face and also the body, then it was unbearable.
Qianwandi coughed and said, "This …"
Before he finished speaking, he was interrupted by Laojun Mei with a stern expression. "Young master, what are you saying!
A doctor has the heart of a parent. Since you came to seek treatment, then you are this old subject's patient. Even if you got into a fight or caused trouble and injured people, that is the government's business. It has nothing to do with this old subject.
This old subject only wishes to treat young master's injuries. What does anything else have to do with me?
Young Master, using words like fighting to suppress me, you are really slandering the intentions of a medical practitioner! "
"…" Mingde was speechless. He stared at Laojun Mei for a long time before slowly unbuttoning his lapel. "… Lord, please forgive me."
Laojun Mei originally thought that the injury was just from being beaten with a plank or being whipped, the kind of injury that the palace was used to punish people. Who would have thought that when Ming De's clothes fell off, she saw a foot-long knife wound above his chest. It was just a careless bandage, but blood had seeped through the bandage. In addition, his lungs were slightly greenish black, a sign that he had been forced to use his internal energy to suppress the injury.
With just one look, anyone with a discerning eye could tell that it was an injury left behind by an expert. She then checked the young master's pulse. Although it was weak, there was a faint flow of internal energy. There was also an internal energy supporting his chest.
Laojun Mei was secretly astonished. Could it be that this frail and handsome young master in front of him was a hidden expert?
He knew that once one's martial arts reached a certain level, even those who looked incomparably thin and weak on the surface could have unique skills. However, he never thought that this little brother, who was similar to the emperor's exclusive pet, was also such a person.
Qianwandi's face sank. He asked faintly, "Imperial Physician, are you only going to look and not treat?"
Laojun Mei was startled and hurriedly bowed. "Your Majesty, please forgive me.
External injuries are easy to treat, but internal injuries are difficult to heal. This old subject has checked his pulse. This young master's internal energy and blood are stagnant. If he wants to dissolve his internal injuries, he will probably have to suffer a bit. "
Qianwandi said faintly, "… What does it matter?
As long as he is cured, it is fine. Suffering a bit is not a bad thing for him.
“
Laojun Mei glanced at Mingde. This young master's face did not have any expression. If there was one, it could be summed up with the word 'cold'.
At that moment, the old imperial physician inexplicably sighed. Living in the imperial family, one's body was filled with riches and honor. To outsiders, it was incomparably glorious, but in reality, only they knew how much hardship they had suffered.
Laojun Mei had served in the imperial hospital for many years and was the best at treating internal injuries.
Shangguan Mingde was young and impetuous. When he was injured, he did not take advantage of the situation to avoid it. Instead, he stubbornly stood in place. He did not lose face, but his inner strength was greatly damaged.
Originally, he had a lot on his mind. In addition to his internal injuries, he was even more depressed. It was very difficult to completely dissolve it.
Not only was it difficult, but he also had to suffer a lot.
The hundred-year-old Imperial Physician forced him to swallow it. Then, he used a heavy hand to press and knead until the stagnant blood was forced to disperse. Then, he steamed it with medicine until all the blood vessels in his body were rejuvenated. This continued for half a month.
Mingde was still young and weak. This kind of pain was very difficult to endure. When Laojun Mei treated him on the first day, he could not endure it. It was so painful that his entire mind was unclear. He waved his hand and slapped the top of his head.
Fortunately, Qianwandi was by his side. He grabbed his wrist and tied it to the bed.
Mingde was in extreme pain. He struggled with all his might and begged Qianwandi, "I don't want to be treated!
Just let me die!
I don't want to be treated! "
Qianwandi looked at him.
The effect of the ginseng was too strong. Mingde's body could not withstand it. His cheeks were red from the heat. At first glance, his face looked as beautiful as a peach blossom.
He reached out and gently hugged Shangguan Mingde. His hand was not heavy, but he covered all his struggles in his arms.
On this day, Mingde was treated by the medicine and fell into a deep sleep. Qianwandi had just gotten up when he heard someone knock on the door in a low voice. "Reporting to Your Majesty, there is something strange in the palace."
Something strange?
These words were too vague and unclear.
Qianwandi glanced at Mingde, got up, and walked out of the door. He lowered his voice and asked, "What is strange?"
The secret guard said, "The imperial concubine in the cold palace has been affected. I'm afraid … the dragon seed is in danger."
Mingde waited for a long time, but Old Master Junmei did not come. He sat in a chair and picked up a popular chivalrous novel to read. He was impatient, but he did not see the old imperial physician.
"Where is the imperial physician?"
The manservant respectfully came to serve tea. In the end, he said, "Young master, please wait a little longer. The imperial physician has gone to the palace."
Mingde suddenly sat up straight and asked the manservant with a slight smile, "To the palace?
Who is sick? "
The manservant rubbed his hands and said vaguely, "Who knows? It's a matter of the palace. As servants, haha …"
Mingde gently patted the manservant's hand and quietly handed over a piece of silver from his sleeve.
The manservant hurriedly withdrew his hand. He felt that the silver was at least two taels. He was so excited that his face turned red. "How can I ask young master to spend money!
How can I! "
Mingde shook his head slightly and motioned for him to speak.
The manservant looked around and saw that no one was around. He hurriedly leaned over and whispered, "It is said that the imperial concubine who angered the emperor and was sent to the cold palace. Her family is Minister Ding, and she is pregnant with the dragon seed. Going to the cold palace is just for show. She will be brought back eventually.
Young master saw that the master's fetus was affected, and the emperor asked our family's lord to go over to treat it overnight. It can be seen that he still values the dragon seed that has not been born … Young master, do you know?
Last night, there was a rumor in the palace that our family's lord came out after taking his pulse. He is a prince!
… "
The manservant chuckled. Suddenly, he saw the veins on the back of the young master's hand that was resting on the armrest of the chair. It was a very slender and beautiful hand, and in an instant, it was extremely ferocious.
He was shocked. He looked up and saw Mingde smiling faintly and said, "It's nothing. Thank you very much."
The smile was very faint, but in that fleeting smile, there was a heavy murderous intent. In an instant, it made people's hearts turn cold.
Old Jun Mei was a divine doctor. She wrote a prescription and had someone brew a bowl of medicine to stabilize the fetus. After the imperial concubine drank it, the movements of the fetus in her stomach settled down. She also gradually began to feel sleepy.
Zhang Kuo saw that the imperial concubine was fine and quickly moved aside, saying, "Imperial physician, please come this way. His Majesty is waiting for you outside."
The imperial concubine was half asleep and half awake. The corners of her lips curled up in a charming smile.
Was that so? What did it have to do with seducing the emperor? What did it have to do with seducing the harem?
She was the daughter of a minister, a dignified imperial concubine who was pregnant with the dragon seed. Even if she was sent to the cold palace, there would be a day when she would make a comeback.
Actually, this time, the fetus was affected on purpose.
If the child was born safely, it was very likely that it would be taken away and given to the empress to raise. Then her hard work would have been wasted.
Wasn't there a similar example before?
Eighteen years ago, Empress Ming Rui had somehow angered the emperor. At the time, the emperor was young and impetuous. His temper was extremely bad. He immediately strangled her to death with three feet of white silk and announced that she had died of a sudden illness.
The crown prince she left behind was later given to the current empress to raise. If it wasn't for this crown prince, the current empress who had not given birth would have long been deposed.
She could not walk down the same path as Empress Ming Rui.
She wanted to stir up some trouble and have the emperor notice her. She wanted everyone to remember how much she had suffered for the sake of this dragon seed.
No one should think of taking the credit of giving birth to a prince away from her.
She was already an imperial concubine. As long as she had a prince, the position of empress would not be far from her.
The imperial concubine fell asleep for a while. In a daze, she felt as if someone was sitting beside her. His breathing was calm and long. Although it was very light, there was a cold needle-like aura that always accompanied her, causing the imperial concubine to sleep uneasily.
It wasn't until evening that she suddenly woke up. The faint afterglow of the setting sun passed through the tall carved wooden windows. The crude furnishings in the cold palace were only left with a blurry shadow.
A light young man's voice sounded behind her: "— — Niangniang, how have you been?"
The voice was gentle and quiet. It could even be said that it was shy and gentle.
The imperial concubine suddenly turned her head and saw a young man sitting sideways in the shadow of the flowers by the window. He was looking at her with a slight smile.
The imperial concubine suddenly stood up and her voice changed: "Who are you?
Someone come!
Someone come! "
However, her voice was softer than she imagined. She gurgled a few times in her throat and couldn't say anything else.
Her entire body was numb as she fell onto the bed. The young man stood up and walked over. The imperial concubine was shocked. She suddenly recognized that it was Shangguan Mingde, the one she had tried to frame.
But — — how could it be him?
Wasn't he just the son of an unfavored assistant minister?
How did he get in?
What did he want to do?
Mingde stared at the woman's frightened eyes for a while and asked: "… … You really want to be the empress?"
Being the empress, being the empress dowager, was the dream of every woman in the imperial harem, right?
The imperial concubine couldn't make a sound. Shangguan Mingde gently put his hand on her neck.
"Xia Zhaoyi also really wants to be the empress dowager."
Mingde's side profile was hazy in the shadow of the flowers. It was elegant but cruel.
The imperial concubine suddenly thought of Xia Zhaoyi's death. In that instant, her entire body turned cold.
That woman was much more favored than her and the empress. Of course, her background was also very strong. It could be said that it wasn't impossible for her to be promoted or even become the empress.
When she "suddenly fell ill and died," many people said that it was the imperial concubine who did it. It was just that the emperor favored the imperial concubine and didn't punish her. However, only she knew that Xia Zhaoyi's death had nothing to do with her.
Mingde's hand gradually tightened. The imperial concubine heard the bones in her neck creak as they intertwined.
"In the struggle of the imperial court, the winner is the king and the loser is the bandit. Therefore, you are not strong enough, so don't blame others. Go in peace."
The imperial concubine wanted to wave her fingernails in vain, but she couldn't even move a finger.
Her eyes bulged and a gurgling sound came from her throat. Then her head fell to the side and her body sank.
Mingde quietly stared at her for a while and sighed: "… … I only hope that in the next life, I won't be born into the imperial family."
He turned around and strode out of the luxurious and majestic palace gates.