Chapter 110 Drug Testing

“But…” Ye Wanning wanted to refuse, but Pei Zhi wouldn’t allow her to object: “There are no buts.”

He held her hand: "You're developing new drugs to save lives, but you don't even dare to try them. How do you know if they'll work? I'm your husband. If I don't try, who will?"

Looking into his determined eyes, Ye Wanning felt a mix of gratitude and worry. Pei Zhi only wanted to support her, but she was still afraid something might happen to him. "Then I'll add a small amount of aconite first and try it slowly."

"Okay, I'll do whatever you say." Pei Zhi nodded.

Ye Wanning immediately prepared the medicine according to the prescription, but added less aconite, and boiled it into a bowl of dark, black liquid. The smell of the medicine was pungent, enough to make one nauseous just by smelling it.

"Is this it?" Pei Zhi frowned as he looked at the medicine bowl.

"Well, if you're scared, then don't try it." Ye Wanning was still worried.

"What's there to be afraid of? I've even drunk poisoned wine before." Pei Zhi picked up the medicine bowl and drank it all in one gulp without saying a word. The medicine was bitter and astringent, with a strange taste, and he barely managed to hold it in.

Ye Wanning looked at him anxiously, her palms sweaty: "How are you? Are you feeling unwell?"

Pei Zhi waved his hand and laughed, "It tastes good, sweeter than your calming tea."

Ye Wanning was amused by him, but she was still worried. Every half day, she would take his pulse and check his body. Pei Zhi not only felt no discomfort, but also felt warm all over, and his joints felt much more comfortable.

"It seems this medicine is still somewhat effective." Pei Zhi stretched his arm. "Tomorrow, we can increase the dosage a little."

Over the next few days, Pei Zhi tested the medication daily, and Ye Wanning adjusted the dosage based on his reactions. Gradually, the dosage was increased to a normal level, and Pei Zhi experienced no side effects; on the contrary, his condition improved.

“We can start testing the drug on patients now,” Pei Zhi said with a smile. “My body is the best proof.”

Ye Wanning nodded and selected several patients with severe conditions to take the new medicine. A few days later, the patients indeed improved—their joints were no longer swollen or painful, and they could walk normally. One patient who had suffered from rheumatism for many years excitedly kowtowed to her, saying, "Miss Ye, you are truly a living Bodhisattva! My rheumatism is finally cured!"

Ye Wanning quickly helped him up: "No need to thank me, it's what I should do."

The news quickly spread throughout the capital, and many rheumatism patients came to Ye Wanning for treatment. Seeing the smiles on the faces of her patients as they recovered, Ye Wanning felt a great sense of accomplishment.

That night, Ye Wanning cooked Pei Zhi his favorite red bean porridge and said with a smile, "Thank you, Pei Zhi. If you hadn't tested the medicine, I really wouldn't have dared to use this prescription."

Pei Zhi sipped his porridge and said with a smile, "Why are you thanking me? We're husband and wife, we should support each other. Besides, my health is getting better and better, maybe I can fight for a few more years."

"You're not allowed to fight anymore." Ye Wanning frowned. "I just want you to be safe and sound."

"Alright, alright, no more fighting." Pei Zhi smiled and held her hand. "Once we deal with the Crown Prince, I'll retire from the army and take you to Begonia Valley, where we'll plant begonias all over the place, and I'll never leave you again."

Ye Wanning and Pei Zhi stood on the reviewing stand, looking at the densely packed infantry below, feeling a slight sense of awe. Every soldier was clad in silver armor, carrying a spear, their posture ramrod straight, even their breathing seemed synchronized.

"Are you nervous?" Pei Zhi turned his head to look at his face, which was red from the wind, and reached out to smooth his cloak. "They will be marching past here in a bit, it will be a bit noisy."

"I'm not nervous, I just find it very impressive." Ye Wanning shook her head, her eyes full of admiration. "You trained all these soldiers?"

"Yes, they were all excellent." Pei Zhi nodded, his tone full of pride. "Last time the Turks invaded, none of them were afraid of death and managed to keep the enemy outside the city gates."

Just then, a bugle call sounded, and the soldiers began to march forward in orderly steps. Thump! Thump! Thump! The sound of their footsteps shook the ground slightly, and the red tassels on their spears fluttered in the wind, particularly striking.

Ye Wanning instinctively tightened her grip on Pei Zhi's hand, her eyes fixed on the soldiers. Just then, the soldiers at the front suddenly stopped and shouted in unison towards the reviewing stand, "Greetings, General! Greetings, Madam Ye!"

The sound was so loud that the leaves on the surrounding trees trembled. Immediately afterward, the soldiers behind them stopped and shouted in unison, "Greetings, General! Greetings, Madam Ye!"

Ye Wanning's cheeks flushed instantly, and she quickly lowered her head, feeling somewhat embarrassed. She was just an ordinary woman; she had never received such a courtesy before.

Pei Zhi smiled, took her hand, raised it, and shouted to the soldiers below, "Everyone! This is Madam Ye! Last time you were injured, she stayed up all night to apply medicine to your wounds; when we ran out of food, she used her own money to buy food for you; when the Turks attacked, she helped me guard the military seal! She is your benefactor and deserves your respect!"

The soldiers responded in unison, "Thank you, Madam Ye! May Madam Ye be well!"

Ye Wanning's eyes instantly reddened. She looked down at the densely packed soldiers below, their eyes filled with sincerity and respect, without a trace of contempt. She knew that this respect was earned through her own efforts, and also something Pei Zhi had fought for for her.

"Say something to your brothers." Pei Zhi gently nudged her, his eyes full of encouragement.

Ye Wanning took a deep breath, raised her head, and shouted loudly to the crowd below: "Everyone! You are all heroes of Dajing! If you get injured or encounter any difficulties in the future, you can come to me, and I will do my best to help you! Let's guard the border and protect our home together!"

Thunderous applause erupted from below, and someone shouted, "Don't worry, Madam Ye! We will fight well and not let you and the General down!"

After the military parade, Pei Zhi led Ye Wanning by the hand as they walked through the military camp. The soldiers all stopped and saluted respectfully: "Greetings, General! Greetings, Madam Ye!"

Ye Wanning smiled and nodded, her heart filled with warmth. She turned to look at Pei Zhi and laughed, "It's all your fault, you made me so nervous just now."

"Why are you so nervous? They should respect you so much." Pei Zhi pinched her cheek, his eyes full of tenderness. "From now on, you will be the female leader of this military camp. Anyone who doesn't respect you will be dealt with severely."

Ye Wanning leaned against him, inhaling the faint scent of gunpowder, and felt a sense of belonging. She knew that with Pei Zhi around, whether in the general's mansion or the military camp, she could stand tall, because Pei Zhi would always stand behind her to protect her and fight for all respect for her.

When the palace servants arrived with the bright yellow imperial edict, Ye Wanning was changing the dressing of an elderly woman in the female physician's clinic. The eunuch delivering the edict loudly proclaimed: "The Empress Dowager is unwell. Ye Wanning is summoned to the palace immediately to examine her pulse. There must be no mistake!"

Ye Wanning's heart tightened, and she quickly put down the medicine bowl, following the eunuch to the palace. Pei Zhi, having received the news, also put aside his military duties and accompanied her.

Upon arriving at the palace gate, the eunuch stopped Pei Zhi: "General Pei, the Empress Dowager only summons Miss Ye to the palace. You can only wait outside the palace gate."