Chapter 150 Quack Doctors Mislead People
Xiao Dingshan, who was called out, bowed and said, "Your Majesty, I believe that deposing the crown prince is absolutely unacceptable!"
As soon as he finished speaking, the tent fell silent. Minister Du and the others looked up in astonishment, and even Chu Yan glanced at Xiao Dingshan with a hint of displeasure.
"It is a fact that His Highness the Crown Prince was seriously injured in a fall from his horse and his leg injury has not yet healed. However, the Divine Physician He advised the other day that although the Crown Prince's leg injury was severe, it was not entirely hopeless for him to recover. With careful recuperation and the aid of rare medicine, there was still a possibility that he could stand up again."
Now that His Highness is bedridden, what he needs most is stability in the court and unity between the emperor and his ministers. If we were to depose him from his position as crown prince at this time, wouldn't that be tantamount to us preemptively sentencing His Highness to death? It would be far too cold-hearted, both morally and logically!
He paused, his gaze sweeping over the kneeling ministers, his tone growing increasingly solemn: "Moreover, the crown prince is the foundation of the nation. The matter of deposing or establishing a crown prince concerns the ancestral temple system and must be announced to the ancestors and consulted with all members of the imperial family and nobility. It cannot be decided on a whim or based on a few words about 'the will of the people.'"
His Highness the Third Prince has rendered meritorious service in suppressing the rebellion and has managed state affairs with great efficiency, for which I admire. But how can we allow temporary achievements to disrupt the ancestral laws? Such an action would be tantamount to placing His Highness in an unjust position.”
Upon hearing this, the emperor's tightly furrowed brows relaxed.
"What Minister Xiao says makes sense. So, according to you, what should be done about this matter?"
Xiao Dingshan cupped his hands and said, "In my humble opinion, the Third Prince has indeed made great contributions in suppressing the rebellion and protecting the Emperor. He should be rewarded. It would be better to first promote him to the rank of Prince, bestow generous rewards upon him, and entrust him with the important task of assisting in the administration of state affairs. This would not only recognize his merits and stabilize the court, but also allow the Third Prince to better share the burden for His Majesty."
As for the matter of the heir apparent, it is of great importance. I urge Your Majesty to wait until you return to the capital and the Crown Prince's condition has stabilized before making a decision. That would be the most prudent course of action.
The emperor nodded in satisfaction, then looked at the Duke of Dingguo beside him, "Duke of Dingguo, what do you think of what Minister Xiao said?"
The Duke of Dingguo stroked his white beard, stepped forward, and stood beside Xiao Dingshan, echoing in a deep voice: "Your Majesty, what the Marquis of Yongning said is absolutely right! The matter of deposing the heir is too important; if not handled carefully, it could cause turmoil in the court and the country."
His Highness the Crown Prince has not committed any heinous crime of treason, yet he is deposed merely for serious injury; this will likely fail to appease public opinion. The Third Prince has rendered meritorious service; he should be granted a princely title, land, and official rank. Why threaten the position of heir apparent? I agree with the Marquis of Yongning's suggestion.”
With these two heavyweight figures making their statements, some neutral officials also felt that the matter was more prudent and echoed them in hushed tones.
The emperor looked at Xiao Dingshan with satisfaction and slowly nodded:
"Then let it be as Marquis Yongning said. The matter of deposing the crown prince shall not be mentioned again! The Third Prince has rendered meritorious service in protecting the emperor and suppressing the rebellion and managing the affairs of the court. Effective immediately, Chu Yan shall be granted the title of Prince Jing, be granted a Prince Jing Mansion in the capital, and be awarded a thousand taels of gold. He may participate in the administration of the court, but shall not interfere in the affairs of the Crown Prince's Palace!"
A hint of resentment flashed in Chu Yan's eyes, but he knew that this was the only way for the time being.
He hurriedly knelt down to express his gratitude: "Your subject thanks Your Majesty for your grace!"
The officials naturally had nothing to say. Although the Third Prince did not become the Crown Prince, being granted the title of King meant that he held even greater power, and they all knelt down to express their gratitude.
"Your Majesty is wise!"
After everyone left, Chu Yan stood in the center of the tent, as if he suddenly remembered something, and asked his trusted guard, "What about the Divine Physician Crane that Lord Xiao just mentioned?"
The trusted aide quickly went to inquire and reported back, "Your Highness, it has been confirmed that there is indeed such a doctor in the camp, known as 'Crane Physician,' from Medicine King Valley. It is said that his medical skills are superb; the ox-hair needle in the horse's abdomen was also his work, but..."
Chu Yan frowned: "Just what?"
The confidant gave a strange look: "However, I have learned something strange. It is said that this Doctor Crane is aloof and rarely interacts with others except when he is treating the Crown Prince's injuries. However, he is particularly attached to a little eunuch in the Eastern Palace named Xiao Yuzi."
Whether it was eating, preparing medicine, or taking a leisurely stroll, the young eunuch stayed by his side constantly. He, in turn, was exceptionally close to Xiao Yuzi, even sharing his medicine prescriptions with the young eunuch without trying to hide it from him.
"Oh?" A hint of surprise flashed in Chu Yan's eyes. "A renowned physician, clinging to a little eunuch?"
“Exactly.” The confidant nodded. “Many people in the camp are talking about it privately, saying that this Doctor Crane probably has some kind of peculiar fetish to be so concerned about a little eunuch. Because of this, no one dares to get close to him. Apart from the people on the Crown Prince’s side, almost no one dares to disturb him.”
A faint hint of doubt flashed in Chu Yan's eyes.
The people of Medicine King Valley are known for their aloofness, so why would they treat a mere eunuch with such special regard?
He instructed his trusted aides: "Go and investigate that little eunuch's background again, and see if there have been any obvious changes on the Crown Prince's side."
"Your subordinate obeys!" The confidant accepted the order and was about to turn around when Chu Yan called him back.
"Also, tell our people in the Imperial Hospital that the Crown Prince's medicine must be 'safe.' If this Divine Physician Crane can really see something, or tries to give the Crown Prince other medicine... know what to do."
"Yes, Your Highness!"
-
Meanwhile, at the Eastern Palace camp.
The tent was brightly lit, yet filled with a heavy medicinal smell and an atmosphere of sorrow and despair.
Crown Prince Chu Yu lay on the soft pillow, his face pale and his eyes slightly closed, seemingly accustomed to this hopeless wait.
At this moment, two white-haired imperial physicians carefully removed Chu Yu's legs from under the covers, gently pressing and kneading them, asking Chu Yu if she could feel anything.
Chu Yu shook his head numbly.
Those legs were long and shapely, with intact skin, yet they seemed to belong to a body that didn't belong to her. No matter how the two imperial physicians pressed her acupoints or even used silver needles to prick her, there was no reaction.
Physician Wen withdrew his hand, beads of sweat forming on his forehead. He exchanged a somber look with Physician Wang beside him, and both knelt down.
"Your Highness..."
"We...are incompetent. Your Highness's leg bones and tendons are severely damaged, beyond the reach of medicine. Although the blood stasis has cleared, sensation has..."
The imperial physician shook his head; his unspoken words were a deeper sigh.
The Crown Prince's trusted eunuch, Deng, stood to the side, his face filled with worry, yet he forced himself to ask:
"You two imperial physicians, is it really... that you have absolutely no other way?"
Poor His Highness, so young, with the bearing of a dragon and the grace of a phoenix, is it really going to be... his life ends like this?
Imperial Physician Wang kowtowed deeply: "Unless...unless a miracle occurs, Your Highness...I fear you will never be able to stand and walk again in this lifetime."
These words were like a final verdict.
Chu Yu's hand, which was placed at her side, clenched slightly before slowly relaxing. She closed her eyes, as if she had resigned herself to her fate.
"Tsk! Incompetent doctors are no better than this."
Just then, a disdainful snort came from outside the tent.
Everyone was surprised and turned to look. They saw the dignified and otherworldly He Shenyi, dressed in a slightly worn Taoist robe, his hair casually tied up with a wooden hairpin, walking in with an air of nonchalance.
Behind him followed a meek and obedient eunuch, none other than Su Xiaoyu.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com