Chapter 21 Her Aura
In mid-November, military doctor He Bailing finally returned to the capital secretly under the protection of the Crown Prince's personal guards.
Compared to Physician Zheng, He Bailing was not only proficient in medical theory and experienced, but also had a deep understanding of various difficult and complicated diseases, and was familiar with various herbs and poisons because he had been rooted in the countryside. He also served in the army for many years, which is why he was able to develop such miraculous healing skills.
After examining the wound, He Bailing, who was troubled by arrow poisoning, had an idea in mind.
However, the treatment was quite tricky. First, the flesh was cut out and the sores were gouged out. Then, his unique detoxifying powder was applied externally, followed by acupuncture to gradually drain the toxic blood. Finally, the wound was stitched up with needles and thread.
Before making the cut, He Bailing hesitated for a rare moment.
Qin Ge immediately asked, "What concerns does the military doctor have?"
He Bailing said, "The pain of cutting flesh and bleeding is unbearable for ordinary people. Datura, which can numb the nerves, has both medicinal and toxic properties. Although patients can relieve pain in a short time, they will also experience symptoms such as headache, dizziness, and mental confusion. Your Highness's headache may be exacerbated by this."
He Bailing was confident he could handle other ailments, but he had never found a cure for his headaches and could only relieve the symptoms with acupuncture.
Without even thinking, the prince said, "Then we won't use mandalas, let's just get it."
The way He Bailing looked at the Crown Prince was the unspoken understanding between a general and a military doctor who had fought side by side through thick and thin.
As the scalpel in his hand passed over the fire and sliced through the flesh, the prince closed his eyes, cold sweat pouring down his forehead.
Healing wounds is a major undertaking, and because the arrow wound on the prince's body had been delayed for too long, the poisonous blood had spread throughout his body. Even though He Bailing was skilled, the bloodletting treatment did not end until the evening of the next day.
The prince lay on the bed, his face completely pale, the candlelight casting a desolate and lifeless glow, with only the clearly throbbing veins on his neck indicating a faint sign of life.
Bloodstained gauze piled up under the bed, and basin after basin of bloody water was poured out until the last silver needle was pulled out. Only then did He Bailing wipe the sweat from his forehead.
Cao Yuanlu brought in ginseng soup and prepared a bowl for He Bailing as well.
After taking the ginseng soup, the prince's expression finally eased. "Thank you for your hard work, army doctor."
He Bailing sighed, "It is Your Highness's unwavering will that allows you to endure what ordinary people cannot. Otherwise, if this wound had been left untreated until today, even a god descending to earth would have been powerless to save it."
Cao Yuanlu asked with concern, "May I ask the military doctor, when will His Highness be fully recovered?"
He Bailing said, "The arrow wound will heal in less than half a month. However, this serious injury has aggravated my headache, so I was particularly worried. I did not expect Your Highness's condition to be much better than I imagined."
The Crown Prince pursed his lips and did not answer. Just then, De Shun came from outside the hall and reported, "Imperial Physician Liang requests an audience with Your Highness."
The news of He Bailing's entry into the palace was not leaked out, otherwise someone might have come to disturb him at any time, and Liang Jin would naturally have been unaware of it.
Just as Cao Yuanlu was about to send Deshun to report back, he heard the Crown Prince's deep, hoarse voice behind him: "Summon him."
Liang Jin came today to check on the Crown Prince's injuries as usual, and to improve upon the previous incense recipe, and to prepare a new incense to present to the Crown Prince.
Upon entering Chengguang Hall, Liang Jin was startled by the overwhelming stench of blood. He thought something had happened to the Crown Prince. When he reached the inner hall, he saw a bloodstained handkerchief still lying on the floor. He was greatly alarmed and stepped forward to ask, "Your Highness, has the arrow poison taken effect?"
After speaking, he glanced at the unfamiliar faces in the hall. They were thin and graceful, with long beards reaching their chests, exuding an air of otherworldly elegance.
He didn't dare look any longer, and looked away after just one glance.
The prince had no intention of explaining further, only saying "It's alright," and asked about the blended incense first.
Liang Jin immediately placed the incense in the burner and lit it.
Wisps of smoke drifted away, and a faint scent of grass slowly spread through the intricately carved goldwork.
After returning home, Liang Jin, based on the Crown Prince's suggestion, added gardenia and honey to the original formula, making the aroma even fresher and sweeter, which should be the closest to the scent of the palace maid who served him. Liang Jin waited anxiously for the Crown Prince's evaluation.
The Crown Prince showed no expression, only nodding slightly in acknowledgment, "Physician Liang has gone to great lengths."
Liang Jin's one sentence is enough.
He bowed forward and continued to take the prince's pulse. He found that the remaining poison in the prince's body had been cleared. Liang Jin's face lit up with joy. He glanced at He Bailing and hesitated, "Is this the famous military doctor He?"
Although he had never met He Bailing in person, he knew that He Bailing was a doctor with uncanny medical skills and the ability to bring the dead back to life. Combined with the widely circulated folk tale of his long beard and high cheekbones, it was not difficult for him to recognize him.
He Bailing stepped forward, cupped his hands in a respectful and humble manner.
Liang Jin said with delight, "With Doctor He here, Master can rest assured."
After everyone left, only He Bailing and Cao Yuanlu remained in the hall.
He Bailing had been paying close attention to the spices from earlier. After examining them carefully, he said, "This fragrance is sweet and pleasant, warm but not drying. It may be beneficial to Your Highness's headache, and there is nothing wrong with it."
Cao Yuanlu felt that the fragrance was somewhat familiar, as if he had smelled it somewhere before, but he couldn't remember where.
The crown prince didn't keep him in suspense and said directly, "It's the fragrance from one of the palace maids who serves me in bed."
Both of them looked surprised.
Cao Yuanlu: "Is it Yun Kui?"
The Crown Prince nodded. “I have shared a bed with her for many days, and my headache has indeed improved. So I had Liang Jin mix a fragrance that is similar to her body scent. But even if the scent is similar, it is not as relaxing as having her by my side. I had a peaceful night.”
Cao Yuanlu suddenly realized why his prince, who was not interested in beautiful women, only summoned Yun Kui to serve him in bed and kept her alive all this time, even ignoring the evidence in the room. It turned out that it was not a test, but that her unique body fragrance could relieve the prince's headache.
Cao Yuanlu was both happy and worried. He was happy that the prince's chronic illness, which had plagued him for many years, could finally be cured. He was worried because the girl was the empress's person and shared a bed with the prince every night. If she were to be seduced or threatened, she might secretly harm the prince. It would be impossible to guard against her.
He Bailing took the remaining incense cakes and smelled them carefully for a while. "Incense is dead, but people are alive. No matter how good the blended incense is, it can't compare to the warmth and vitality of a person's breath."
He stroked his beard and said, "Furthermore, what pleases Your Highness may not only be her scent, but also the touch of skin, the warmth of lips and teeth, the perfect harmony, all of which could make Your Highness..."
The prince's brow furrowed even more, and he couldn't help but interrupt, "...The military doctor should be careful what he says."
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