Chapter 140 Prohibition of Elder Abuse

In the Imperial Hospital, a busy crowd came and went. Two young boys blocked the way of the head of the hospital. The head of the hospital bowed and asked, "Greetings, Seventh Prince and Princess. Do you have important business with me?"

Xie Mianmian grinned, revealing dimples at the corners of her mouth, and handed him a piece of paper. "Grandpa Dean, we want you to prepare a medicine for us. It's very important!"

The abbot chuckled as he took the note, thinking the child was just playing house with a prescription. He unfolded it and assumed it would be something like a recipe for plum juice.

To everyone's surprise, the academy magistrate was stunned at first glance, his eyes fixed on the paper, becoming more and more serious as he looked, his brows furrowing deeply.

After a long pause, the abbot's aged voice, slightly hoarse, rang out, "This is... where did this prescription come from? It's so miraculous. The medicinal ingredients used are quite unusual and strange, but when combined, they work together unexpectedly well and are non-toxic."

He stared in astonishment, his mouth slightly agape, his right hand stroking his long beard. "Strange, strange indeed! I can't figure out what ailment this prescription is for."

Xie Mianmian squinted at the Seventh Prince, covered her mouth and chuckled, then asked the head physician, "Can this medicine be made?"

"But there's one ingredient on the prescription, and the Imperial Medical Academy happens to have only one left. This herb comes from the southwest. Although it's precious, its efficacy in other prescriptions is average, but it's the finishing touch in this prescription."

The academy director said thoughtfully, "It turns out that it's not that its medicinal effect is mediocre, but that it's not in a suitable prescription. I have studied medicine for many years, and the road ahead is still long and arduous."

Xie Mianmian said, "Then please trouble Grandpa Academy Master to help us decoct the medicine. We need it urgently."

They urgently needed the money for the crown prince.

The abbot put away the prescription, bowed to the two children, and said, "May I ask if you could tell me the effects of this medicine? I would be extremely grateful."

Xie Mianmian quickly took the academy envoy's hand and said, "We will tell Grandpa academy envoy, but not now. We will tell you the truth after we finish our business!"

The abbot straightened up and looked at them blankly. Although he didn't know what the two children wanted to do, he couldn't refuse.

Not to mention that the medicine is non-toxic, and the only thing he knows is that it will not have any adverse side effects after taking it.

Xie Mianmian winked mischievously, "As Buddha said, it is not to be said, hehe."

"I will go and prepare the medicine right away. Please wait a moment."

But Xie Mianmian couldn't stay still. She pulled the Seventh Prince along and followed the Imperial Physician into the Medicine Hall.

Upon entering the hall, a cool aura rushed towards you, mixed with the unique scent of medicinal herbs, bitter and restrained yet stable, like a poor scholar in a blue robe.

Three walls are lined with medicine cabinets, made of fine nanmu wood, extending from the bottom to the ceiling, densely packed, solemn and rustic.

The abbot brought a wooden ladder, placed it on a platform, and his frail, elderly body climbed up it with trembling steps. It was truly frightening to watch as he was about to fall.

Startled, Xie Mianmian ran over, braced her hands on the wooden ladder, and tried to use her immense strength to save the temple envoy.

"Grandpa Dean, why don't you come down? Or how about letting Mianmian come instead?"

She didn't want to mistreat the elderly.

The academy swayed slightly back and forth, trying to steady himself. "Don't worry, Princess. I've been climbing for decades. This height is no challenge for me."

No matter how old and useless he becomes, he will not let the young princess take risks for him.

The abbot squinted and leaned back, straining with his dim old eyes to make out the medicine. After opening several small medicine cabinets, he finally found the medicine.

Xie Mianmian stood by the wooden ladder, watching the magistrate slowly climb down from the top and land safely. She patted her chest and breathed a sigh of relief, glad that the old man hadn't fallen.

"Oh no, this is bad," the academy director suddenly said.

"What's the matter?"

The abbot rummaged through the medicinal herbs on the small tray. "The medicine hall has clearly taken measures to prevent dampness and heatstroke, but these herbs... are still a bit damp."

Xie Mianmian asked anxiously, "Can this medicine still be used?"

The academy director pondered for a moment, “It can be used, but I’m afraid the efficacy will be greatly reduced. It should be taken within half an hour after being decocted, otherwise, I’m afraid the medicine will not work.”

The Seventh Prince patted Xie Mianmian's back reassuringly and said to the head of the academy, "Then I'll have to trouble you, head of the academy."

Then the academy director climbed and squatted on the wall of the huge medicine cabinet, like a diligent gecko, and quickly gathered all the medicinal herbs.

He entrusted the task to his most trusted apprentice, instructing him to carefully decoct the medicine.

The light-colored liquid gurgled in the medicine pot, and the bittersweet herbal taste gradually faded.

An hour and a half later, the medicine was finally ready and carefully poured into a green porcelain bottle by the herbalist.

The Seventh Prince took the porcelain bottle and said to Xie Mianmian, "Would you like to test the authenticity of the medicine?"

Xie Mianmian nodded in agreement, "It's better to give it a try. Let Mianmian do it."

The child reached out to take it from his hand, but the Seventh Prince dodged to the side, causing her to miss.

"Let me do it."

He was a few years older than Xie Mianmian and a sturdy young man; if there was something wrong with the medicine, he could still hold on.

With a "pop," the Seventh Prince pulled out the small wooden stopper on the porcelain bottle. Xie Mianmian curiously leaned closer, squinted one eye, and peered into the bottle through the narrow opening.

It is colorless and odorless, just like clear water.

"You can think about what questions you want to ask me." Whether he is telling the truth or not, he can tell for himself.

After saying that, the Seventh Prince held the porcelain bottle, tilted his head back and took a sip. Although it was tasteless, he still picked up the teacup next to him and took a big gulp to suppress the unease in his heart.

Xie Mianmian tilted her head, her cheeks puffed out, and slightly pursed her lower lip, deep in thought, trying to figure out what question to ask the Seventh Prince.

"Oh, I've got it!" Her eyes sparkled as she leaned closer. "Seventh Prince, tell Mianmian, what wish did you write on the lotus lantern that day, the Ghost Festival?"

The seventh prince turned his head away, really not wanting to answer, but his mouth just wouldn't listen, defying his master's wishes and becoming frighteningly honest.

"I pray that when I grow up, I can assist my elder brother, the Crown Prince, so that the people of the Great Zhou can live in peace and prosperity and have no worries about food and clothing."

With his beautiful lips pressed into a narrow line, the Seventh Prince stared expressionlessly at the herbs planted to the side. It was a large clump covered with dark blue flowers, blooming quietly and swaying in the wind.

Perhaps no matter how beautiful the scenery, it could not heal the Seventh Prince's wounded heart; his head suddenly felt warm.

It was Xie Mianmian. She stood on a stone bench and gently stroked the Seventh Prince's head. "I'm here. I'll be with you from now on." Good boy.

They no longer needed to argue about the efficacy of the True Word Powder; it was absolutely true. The most important thing now was to give the medicine to the Crown Prince within half an hour.

The Seventh Prince took a chubby little hand off his head and led him away, saying, "If you don't leave soon, the medicine will lose its effect."