When Hong Zhengxuan arrived at the Imperial Hospital, the medical officers in the hospital were busy organizing medicinal materials and recording pulse records. Everything was in order.

However, beneath this calm surface lies an unknown secret, which made Hong Zhengxuan take a deep breath and determined to uncover the mystery.

"Doctor Lu, I would like to ask if there are any archived records of the Imperial Medical Bureau's medical consultations outside the palace in recent years? I would like to borrow them to study." Hong Zhengxuan asked politely.

Fellow doctor Lu thought for a moment and replied, "They're probably all stored on the old bookshelf in the warehouse. But honestly, those records probably won't be of much use to you. Most of them are just routine pulse checks. We don't seek to achieve anything, but to avoid mistakes. There's not much to learn from them."

"Just considering it, thank you very much."

After hearing this, Hong Zhengxuan just nodded without further explanation.

Then he concentrated on preparing the medicinal materials for the nobles in the palace, and while everyone was busy, he walked quietly to the warehouse.

As soon as he entered the house, he was greeted by the raised dust, and Hong Zhengxuan couldn't help but cough twice.

This place is filled with medicinal materials that have been discarded because they have lost their medicinal properties, as well as medical records from past years.

Coming to the old bookshelf against the wall, he scanned the books one by one, muttering silently: "Minister of the Imperial Household, Assistant Commander, Assistant Commander of the River Camp, Mansion of the Earl of Loyalty and Bravery, Mansion of the Prince of Bohai... Mansion of the Marquis of Xingyuan..."

Finally, he found what he wanted - a dusty medical record.

However, during his careful search, a puzzling doubt gradually emerged in his mind.

Over the past decade or so, the Imperial Medical Bureau had been leaving the palace so frequently to provide medical consultations for princes, dukes, and important officials of the court. This was far beyond his understanding and filled him with confusion.

On weekdays in the Imperial Medical Service, the directors and judges would appear hesitant when dealing with common illnesses such as colds, and would spend the rest of their time leisurely in the hospital.

In sharp contrast, the frequency of leaving the palace for medical consultations is so high that it is really puzzling and incredible.

Hong Zhengxuan carefully flipped through the book page by page and found that the earliest records began nine years ago.

At that time, the old marquis Xue Yonghuai's old arrow wound on his back, as well as the third son of the Xue family's winter cough, were both treated by imperial physicians.

However, due to the passage of time, the names of the imperial physicians were not recorded in the records of the early years.

But from the changing handwriting, it is not difficult to judge that several imperial doctors were involved.

When he turned to the record of the young lady's medical consultation, Hong Zhengxuan slowed down, his eyes became more careful, and he murmured.

"Imperial Physician Liao, Imperial Physician Xu, Imperial Physician Qi, Imperial Physician Zhang..." Each of these names represents a period of history of the Imperial Medical Service.

Although Hong Zhengxuan had only worked in the Imperial Medical Service for two years, he was quite familiar with the movements of these predecessors.

Imperial Physicians Liao and Xu had already retired and returned to their hometowns. Imperial Physician Qi unfortunately drowned in a lake during a winter outing just when he started working. Imperial Physician Zhang resigned from his position as chief physician and left the capital last month, citing matters at home.

"This is all just too much of a coincidence," he thought to himself. Based on the timing, Imperial Physician Zhang's last visit to the Xingyuan Marquis's residence to check on her pulse should have been last month. It's likely that was when he learned of the Young Madam's pregnancy.

At that time, everyone in the Imperial Medical Service was deeply saddened by the resignation of Imperial Doctor Zhang. After all, he was favored by the Empress Dowager, and the position of Director of the Imperial Medical Service would be easily within his grasp within a few years.

"Could it be the Queen Mother?"

This thought made Hong Zhengxuan gasp. The relationship between the current Queen Mother and the Xingyuan Marquisate was complicated. Could it be that she would take action against the eldest son of the Marquisate for some purpose, causing him to have no descendants?

The more he thought about it, the more serious the situation seemed. Hong Zhengxuan made a prompt decision. This matter was of no trivial importance and he had to act with caution. He put the record book tightly in his arms and decided to take it back to the Marquis' Mansion and let the old lady decide.

…

At the same time, under the magnificent gatehouse of Taihe Gate in the imperial city, the atmosphere was solemn and dignified. Emperor Li Longze's guard of honor, with dragon flags flying and golden armor shining, demonstrated the supremacy of imperial power.

Civil and military officials, dressed in court robes and with respectful expressions, followed closely behind the emperor, as if they were the moon surrounded by stars.

The Western Rong delegation was about to leave, and the Emperor of the Great Zhou went out of the city in person to see them off. The eunuchs of the Imperial Household Department also accompanied them, except for the eunuch Li Fang, who was old and recuperating from illness.

The rest of the people each had their own responsibilities. Some were responsible for the detailed arrangements of the ceremonial guard, while others paid close attention to the changes around them, ready to deal with emergencies at any time.

The sunlight shines through the clouds and falls on the golden top of the dragon chariot, sparkling with dazzling light.

The city gate slowly opened, revealing the wide road outside and the mountains in the distance. Dust was flying and flags were fluttering on the road.

The members of the Western Rong delegation rode on tall horses, full of energy, demonstrating the bravery and pride of the grassland tribes.

Nurhadu, the leader, sat astride his horse with an upright and proud posture. He had changed into the noble and gorgeous clothes unique to the royal court of Western Rong. The intricate patterns and dazzling decorations blended perfectly with his own majestic and profound temperament, as if he was a natural ruler who came to the mortal world and looked down upon all directions.

His Majesty Li Longze walked slowly and steadily along the red carpet carefully laid for the imperial carriage. His eyes were deep and his expression was calm, demonstrating the dignity and majesty of a king.

"Your Majesty," Nurhadu said in a deep yet powerful voice, "I concealed my identity and entered the palace to meet you. I was forced to do so. Now, as the son of the Left Wise Prince, I offer my sincerest apologies and earnestly ask for your forgiveness."

Li Longze smiled slightly, looking generous and calm. He and Chen Jin had already known Nurhatu's true identity. Seeing that the other party told him frankly, he did not intend to blame him at all.

My dear, there is more to this chapter. Please click on the next page to continue reading. It will be even more exciting later!