Xie Jingyan stared intently at Shen Wan.
Shen Wan looked at the corner of the carriage.
The carriage traveled from the Ling Prince's residence all the way into the palace, and Shen Wan didn't even glance at Xie Jingyan.
When the carriage entered the palace and stopped at the horse parking area, before it had even come to a complete stop, Shen Wan quickly lifted the curtain and crawled out. She had almost suffocated the whole way.
Fortunately, her maternal grandfather and cousin arrived as well, so Shen Wan didn't have to be alone with Xie Jingyan. She quickly walked towards them and happily called out, "Grandfather."
She then looked at Yun Qi and called out, "Cousin."
Grandpa Yun was all smiles.
For a mere merchant like him, the fact that he had the honor of seeing the Emperor at the banquet in the Ling Prince's mansion was already a stroke of good luck. He never imagined he would have the chance to enter the palace and meet the Emperor. It was like a dream, all thanks to Yue'er and the Ling Prince.
Yun Qi then walked towards Xie Jingyan, exchanged a few pleasantries, and a palace servant came to lead the way. Xie Jingyan then led them toward the Imperial Study.
From the horse parking area to the imperial study, every palace maid and eunuch who passed by stopped to look at Xie Jingyan.
Xie Jingyan was handsome, and there was no one in the entire capital who was more handsome than him. Even when he was in a wheelchair, it did not affect his good looks. Now that he stood up, he was so majestic and upright that one could not help but feel happy after looking at him for a while.
I used to wonder why Princess Ling would choose Prince Ling, who was in a wheelchair, over Prince Jin, who had a bright future. Now it seems that she was blinded by lust.
In terms of looks, Prince Ling is far superior to Prince Jin.
Being pampered and cherished by such a handsome man, even the position of empress doesn't seem so appealing anymore!
Countless envious, jealous, and hateful gazes flew towards Shen Wan.
But Shen Wan felt no joy, only depression.
The Imperial Study was quite far away, and it took quite a while to get there. We even encountered the Emperor and his ministers handling state affairs. We waited outside for about half a cup of tea's time before Eunuch Yuan came out and invited them in.
The Emperor sat on the dragon throne, with memorials piled up on the dragon table covered with bright yellow silk. He had a smile on his face, indicating that he was in a good mood, but the inherent majesty of a ruler, even with his gentle expression, made people dare not take it lightly.
Upon stepping forward, Old Master Yun, Yun Qi, and Doctor Tao knelt down to pay their respects to the Emperor.
Shen Wan and Xie Jingyan don't need to perform such a grand ceremony; a normal greeting is fine.
The Emperor said, "No need for formalities, please rise."
"Thank you, Your Majesty."
After Yun Qi got up, he helped Old Master Yun to his feet.
The Emperor looked at Doctor Tao and felt he looked familiar. Eunuch Yuan, who was standing next to the Emperor, recognized Doctor Tao at first glance and wanted to introduce him to the Emperor. However, because it involved Consort Chen, he held back his words. Eunuch Yuan really did not expect that the one who cured Prince Ling was Doctor Tao, who had been saved by Consort Chen's intercession back then.
When Consort Chen saved someone, she said she was helping Prince Ling accumulate good fortune, and it was indeed true.
Consort Chen was once very favored by the emperor. She was kind-hearted and often advised the emperor to be lenient towards officials and palace servants who had made mistakes. Even now, there are still many eunuchs and nannies in the palace who have received Consort Chen's kindness.
The Emperor looked at Old Master Yun and Yun Qi, "Was it your Yun family who specifically sought out Doctor Tao to come to the capital to treat Prince Ling's leg ailment?"
On the way to the Imperial Study, Shen Wan specifically reminded Old Master Yun and Yun Qi not to mention that Doctor Tao initially refused to come to the capital, but only did so after learning that he was going to treat Xie Jingyan's leg. The Yun family had also heard about Consort Chen's matter, so they should naturally avoid mentioning it.
Furthermore, since Yun Qi and Princess Qinghe are mutually attracted to each other, and the kindness of curing Xie Jingyan adds a glimmer of hope.
My cousin's status is far too different from that of the Princess of Qinghe County. If my cousin wants to get what he wants, he has to start planning now. Who knows how much effort he will have to put in to achieve that goal?
Old Master Yun said, "Doctor Tao's medical skills are superb. The Yun family invited Doctor Tao to the capital to try their luck. It is because Prince Ling is so blessed that even the rarest medicinal materials can be found quickly."
The names of these two medicinal herbs, "Volcanic Lotus" and "Snow Snake Gallbladder," are clearly extraordinary. The palace possesses all the rarest medicinal herbs in the world, but this is the first time His Majesty has ever heard of these two herbs.
The Emperor smiled and said, "Prince Ling is fortunate to have Princess Ling's help. The Yun family has done a great service in helping Prince Ling cure his leg ailment, and I will surely reward them handsomely."
Old Master Yun quickly knelt down, "Thank you for the Emperor's reward."
The Emperor then looked at Doctor Tao and praised his medical skills highly, saying, "Doctor Tao's medical skills are superb, far surpassing those of the imperial physicians in the palace. I wonder if you would be willing to serve in the Imperial Hospital?"
Having nearly lost his life in the Imperial Hospital ten years ago, how could he dare to go again? Without the slightest hesitation, Doctor Tao decisively declined the Emperor's offer.
The Emperor said with some regret, "Since Doctor Tao has no such intention, I will not force you. You have cured my son, is there anything you wish for?"
It seemed as if the Emperor would grant any request from Doctor Tao.
But Dr. Tao didn't really want anything in particular, and if he did, Xie Jingyan would help him get it.
The emperor then bestowed upon Doctor Tao a thousand taels of gold, a hundred acres of fertile land, and some rare medicinal herbs.
Doctor Tao knelt down to express his gratitude.
After the rewards were given, there was nothing more to do. Xie Jingyan was about to take his leave when Shen Wan looked at the Emperor and said, "Doctor Tao's medical skills are quite good. It's rare for him to come to the palace. Let him take Your Majesty's pulse."
The Emperor looked at Shen Wan with surprise, and Xie Jingyan also looked at her.
No, everyone in the Imperial Study was looking at Shen Wan.
Not just anyone is qualified to take the Emperor's pulse. The head of the Imperial Medical Academy is responsible for examining the Emperor, and his health condition is considered a court secret. Princess Ling, who comes from the Pingyang Marquis's family, must know this, so why would she say such a thing...
However, considering that even the head of the Imperial Medical Academy couldn't cure Prince Ling's leg ailment, but Doctor Tao could, it was said that his medical skills were superior to those of the head of the Imperial Medical Academy, and the head of the Imperial Medical Academy couldn't deny it.
Shen Wan knew that her words were abrupt, even reckless, but the opportunity for Doctor Tao to enter the palace might only come once. In her previous life, the emperor passed away half a year later. The emperor was a wise ruler who trusted her father and treated her very well. In her heart, Shen Wan still hoped that the emperor could live a long life than Xie Jingyan could be the emperor. If he could take care of himself in advance like her maternal grandmother, he might be able to extend his lifespan.
So even though she knew she shouldn't have said it, Shen Wan still said it.
But after she finished speaking, the Emperor remained silent, and the Imperial Study fell into silence. Shen Wan immediately regretted her words. Xie Jingyan said, "Didn't I tell you that Father Emperor wouldn't let Doctor Tao take his pulse? Why didn't you believe me..."
Before Xie Jingyan could finish speaking, the Emperor laughed and said, "Princess Ling cares about her father, which pleases me greatly. How could I not grant your filial piety?"
This means... he agreed?
Shen Wan's eyes lit up.
Xie Jingyan saw this and frowned repeatedly. The Imperial Hospital was taking care of his father's health, so why should she interfere so much? She would only be disappointed if she couldn't help.
My intuition tells me that something is wrong with Xie Jingyan.
Since the emperor was sitting on the dragon throne and it was inconvenient to take his pulse, he moved to the Luohan couch and sat down. Doctor Tao knelt down to take the emperor's pulse.
After holding the Emperor's hand for a while, and even having the Emperor switch hands, Eunuch Yuan asked, "Is Your Majesty in good health?"
Doctor Tao said, "His Majesty's pulse is strong, and his health is excellent."
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