After a moment of contemplation, Zhang Bingzhi realized that anger would not solve anything, so he forced himself to calm down.
After catching his breath, he asked the imperial physician, "Could we use old ginseng to keep him alive?"
"No, you must not use tonics at this time, otherwise it will accelerate the onset of poisoning," Zhang Chongyi said.
This time, Zhang Bingzhi couldn't hold back any longer. He raised his cane, looking as if he was about to smash it on the heads of the two imperial physicians: "This is not allowed, that is not allowed, what should we do!"
He Bei boldly looked at Song Ting and said, "Commander, your martial arts have reached a state of perfection. You can use your internal energy to help the Empress Dowager every day."
Seeing that Song Ting's expression was unperturbed, he explained, "Firstly, it might force out some of the poison, and secondly, it could slow down the spread of the toxin."
This is the only option for now.
Zhang Bingzhi was extremely adept at changing his stance according to the prevailing winds; upon hearing this, he bowed respectfully to the Song court.
“Commander Song, although we often disagree, this matter is of great importance. I hope you can put aside your prejudices for now and work with me to overcome this difficulty.”
Song Ting's face showed little expression. He cupped his hands in greeting to the old fox and said calmly, "Of course."
Zhang Bingzhi was annoyed by his attitude, but unable to do anything about it, so he also put on a cold face and said in a pretentious manner:
"Your Excellency must have exhausted a lot of energy today, so please go back to your room and rest. We will need your help in the coming days. As for the Empress Dowager, please leave her to me for the time being."
Song Ting was in a hurry to go back, and Zhang Bingzhi's suggestion was exactly what he wanted to do. After exchanging a few polite words, he really intended to leave: "Then I'll have to trouble you, Grand Secretary Zhang."
Zhang Bingzhi's words were, of course, just a polite remark; it wouldn't be fair to expect an elderly man like him to be kept awake at night like this.
As a result, Song Ting couldn't understand good or bad, and Zhang Bingzhi was furious. He was indeed a lowly person of humble origin who had never received any etiquette or education.
"Look at him like this!" Zhang Bingzhi slammed his cane heavily on the ground.
The two imperial physicians stood to the side, not daring to speak, only exchanging a glance with helpless, bitter smiles on their faces.
·
In contrast to the tense atmosphere outside the Empress Dowager's palace, the atmosphere was equally tense in a side room in the backyard.
"Song Ting hasn't returned yet?"
"yes."
Qi Zhou is a quiet, unassuming guy who's never given a sound, nowhere near as interesting as Xiao Wu.
Chu Huaixu rested his chin on his hand on the table, staring at the person with a smile: "The Empress Dowager's condition is dangerous. Are you all going to be in trouble this time?"
Qi Zhou replied in a serious tone, "Your Excellency is blessed with boundless good fortune."
"Blessed with boundless good fortune?" Chu Huaixu scoffed. "What a fine 'blessed with boundless good fortune,' why don't you just say 'Long live the Emperor'?"
These words are utterly treasonous. If someone with ulterior motives were to hear them, even if Huaiyue had ten heads, it wouldn't be enough to chop them off, and even Song Ting would probably be implicated.
Qi Zhou's expression changed: "Young Master, please be careful with your words."
Unfortunately, he was not facing Xiao Wu, who always listened to him, but Chu Huaixu, who was rebellious by nature.
The man's smile deepened. He stood up, barefoot, and walked step by step toward Qi Zhou, approaching him:
"What, even you want to tell me what to do?"
"You think you can control everything, but what right do you have to tell me what I say?"
"What if I insist on saying it? Not only will I say it, I will let everyone know that Song Ting is a dog that deserves to be skinned alive..."
"Did he make you follow me every step of the way, afraid that I would take advantage of the chaos to kill the Empress Dowager and jeopardize his position as the imposing commander?"
He drew closer and closer, until he was almost touching Qi Zhou. His glassy eyes darted around as he looked Qi Zhou up and down.
“Young master, I’ve said this before, and I want to say it again. What’s so good about following Song Ting to live a life of licking blood from the edge of a knife? You might as well come with me.”
"I've accumulated quite a bit of wealth over the years. If you take me with you, we can live happily ever after. Wouldn't that be wonderful?"
The man had just bathed and changed clothes a quarter of an hour earlier. At this moment, his long hair was still wet and hung down his side. The collar of his inner garment was mostly open, revealing his delicate collarbone. A faint, cool fragrance lingered around Qi Zhou's nose as he raised his hand.
However, Qi Zhou dared not look or speak. The dignified head of the Shadow Guards was forced into a corner by a man who was powerless to even kill a chicken.
Song Ting returned at this time. As soon as she opened the door, she saw Chu Huaixu with his clothes disheveled, standing very close to Qi Zhou, their bodies almost touching.
His already pale face darkened even further.
Chu Huaixu, however, seemed completely oblivious to the man's displeasure. He lifted his eyelids slightly and casually asked, "You're back?"
The effects of the split pearl pill could only last for six hours. The backlash had already begun while he was still in the Empress Dowager's palace. Song Ting had remained silent until now, partly because his mind was in turmoil, and partly because the waves of intense pain made him too weak to think.
The pain felt like it was seeping out from between my bones; every inch of my body was screaming in agony.
Several times, he almost lost his balance, his fingernails nearly crushing his palms, before he could barely stay conscious.
He was eager to return and see Chu Huaixu; he had many questions for Chu Huaixu.
He was extremely anxious, his heart pounding like thunder.
What I saw instead was a man smiling at others and being affectionate with them.
Even though this other person was his most capable and trusted subordinate.
The excruciating pain and jealousy nearly drove him mad. His eyes were bloodshot as he slowly walked over, not even glancing at Qi Zhou, but his tone was icy cold: "Step back!"
Caught off guard by the unexpected disaster, Qi Zhou nimbly leaped out of the nearby window. Only Chu Huaixu and Song Ting remained in the room.
The latter leaned casually against the wall, half-raising his eyes to look at Song Ting. Only when the man walked up to him did he take the initiative to extend his arms and hook them around Song Ting's neck.
"Is the master angry?"
A storm raged in Song Ting's eyes. He didn't say a word, but instead cupped Chu Huaixu's face and fiercely kissed his lips.
Chu Huaixu instinctively tried to dodge, but was bitten hard on the lower lip.
Chu Huaixu winced in pain and paused for a moment. Song Ting then took the opportunity to pry open his teeth and kiss him fiercely and ruthlessly.
By the time Song Ting had finished kissing, her lips were red and swollen, with a few small cuts that were bleeding slightly.
The spring leaves, glistening with moisture, were even more rosy than usual, displaying a captivating deep red, like ripe fruit, making one irresistibly want to pick them.
Song Ting's eyes darkened, and she lowered her head, about to kiss him again, but Chu Huaixu stopped her with a finger pressed against her lips.
"It seems the backlash from the Splitting Pearl Pill is a bit exaggerated; the master doesn't seem to be in much pain."
He smiled maliciously, as if he was very disappointed that he did not see the scene he had imagined.
But of course it hurts.
It hurts a lot.
Song Ting felt like she was about to die from the pain.
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