“No need to help me,” Ji Xuan said, enunciating each word clearly, “I can hold on!”
This feeling was completely different from the angina I usually experience, yet it was just as unbearable.
Every moment makes you want to bang your head against the wall.
However, since his life was not in danger, he could endure any hardship or difficulty.
This is the pride of an emperor!
"Your Majesty, please don't be stubborn," Liu Zhiyuan shook his head, "It will only become more unbearable in a while."
Back when his master was giving him acupuncture, he almost twisted himself into a pretzel; his screams were worse than those of a pig being slaughtered.
This is a once-in-a-lifetime experience; I will never forget it, and I would never want to experience it again.
“It’s alright,” Ji Xuan insisted. “Please proceed with the acupuncture, Minister Liu.”
Upon hearing this, Liu Zhiyuan stopped trying to persuade him.
On the one hand, it was because the emperor's words were law, and on the other hand, it was also to let the emperor experience one's own feelings.
However, it is clear that Liu Zhiyuan greatly underestimated Ji Xuan's patience.
After each needle prick, Ji Xuan only had more sweat on her forehead, a paler complexion, and a tighter clenched mouth.
They didn't make a fool of themselves like him.
Liu Zhiyuan gave Ji Xuan a deep look and bowed respectfully, saying, "Your Majesty's resolve is admirable."
Upon hearing this, Ji Xuan did not respond.
He focused all his attention on fighting the pain, leaving no room for any other thoughts.
"Imperial Physician Liu," Qi Yong said nervously, not daring to blink, as he looked at Ji Xuan's head covered in needles. "What would happen to His Majesty if he bumped his head?"
“It’s dangerous, after all, the head is a fatal point,” Liu Zhiyuan patted Qi Yong on the shoulder, “The safety of the Emperor’s body can only rely on Eunuch Qi.”
"Didn't you say the worst that could happen was a minor injury?" Qi Yong said, very dissatisfied. "What's the situation now?"
How dare you deceive the emperor! Just wait, if anything happens to His Majesty, I will make you and your master pay with your lives.
No, they should also exterminate his entire family!
“If you had been supporting him, this wouldn’t have happened,” Liu Zhiyuan sighed with a bitter face. “His Majesty is determined to do this, what can I do?”
After saying that, he left with his hands behind his back.
"How could you go out?" Qi Yong rushed over anxiously and scolded in a low voice, "His Majesty is still inside, weren't you going to keep an eye on things?"
“Eunuch Qi,” Liu Zhiyuan explained with difficulty, “After the medicinal bath, one needs to nourish oneself, and I have to go and brew the medicine, so I can only entrust this to you.”
Upon hearing this, Qi Yong said with a dark face, "Forget it, the important thing is to brew the medicine. I'll watch over it here, you just brew it over there. If anything happens, I'll call you and you need to come over immediately."
"Rest assured, I know what's important."
After stepping out of the bathroom, Liu Zhiyuan gave Qi Yong a deep look and gently raised the corners of his mouth.
It's better to let you be anxious for a while, so you don't cause yourself unnecessary trouble.
The first incense stick's time is the hardest to endure in this medicinal bath; it gets easier as you go on, and even if that ease is relative, it still helps you persevere.
The injections are finished, and the most difficult time is over.
Ji Xuan also discovered this inside the bathtub.
In stark contrast to the gradual worsening of his condition, he now felt his pain lessening every moment.
Although it's still uncomfortable, it's easier to bear than before.
After a short while, he opened his eyes. "Qi Yong, what time is it now?"
"Your Majesty, it is now 9:45 AM. His Majesty will not be able to come out until 1:30 PM."
"It's still going to take this long!"
"Master," Qi Yong asked anxiously, leaning closer, "How's the medicinal bath? Has it made you feel any better?"
"It's not over yet, so I can't comment."
Upon hearing this, Qi Yong understood, "The Imperial Physician Gu is indeed quite skilled."
He stopped abruptly after speaking.
Even with Gu Cangyu's superb medical skills, he could only extend His Majesty's life by five years. Just how serious is His Majesty's condition?
Perhaps, that jar of wine was even more extraordinary than he had imagined.
Immediately, Qi Yong decided to change his attitude towards the Huang family.
Although that family wasn't exactly likable, they were genuinely capable, and who knows, one day this old man might need their help.
Moreover, it's not that I hate them all. That cow is quite nice; it's sensible, knows right from wrong, and knows how to be close to me.
Thinking this, Qi Yong's tightly furrowed brows relaxed: "I'll give that ox face and not argue with this country bumpkin."
"Um!"
After saying this, Ji Xuan closed her eyes again, and the room gradually quieted down.
On the contrary, at this moment, there was a tense atmosphere at Yimanlou, with a sense of impending conflict.
Jin Yu brought all his young and strong servants with him, a large group of more than thirty people, and barged straight into Yimanlou.
He was indignant after returning home yesterday.
Even though business had plummeted, Wuweilou was still the family's most profitable business. He impulsively pawned it, but still couldn't raise enough money to redeem it.
He immediately began to hate Yi Manlou and Mei Yu.
In the past two weeks, not counting the eight hundred taels, I've spent over five hundred taels in total, but I haven't gotten a single penny.
So much silver, all gone down the drain, without a single sound.
In addition, Madam Jin has been very tight-fisted with money lately, unlike before when she spoiled him. He feels that he is struggling to make ends meet.
With various factors combined, Jin Yu could no longer suppress his resentment and led his men to cause trouble.
He wasn't entirely brainless; the courtesan had a multitude of patrons, many of whom he couldn't afford to offend. Therefore, he deliberately chose this time in the morning.
"Young Master Jin," the madam asked coldly, "are you concerned about the disturbance at the entire establishment?"
I thought he was a brainless fool, but it turns out he's a stubborn and headstrong young man.
They actually brought people to cause trouble.
If I had known this would happen, I would have refunded half the money.
The madam felt a little regretful.
It's not that I'm worried about not being able to handle it, but that I don't want to cause trouble.
Although the Jin family has declined, they still have influence. In today's matter, no matter who wins or loses, they will not fare well.
If they lose, Yimanlou will lose face. If they become the laughingstock of the whole county, even Meiyu, the most beautiful courtesan, will be looked down upon.
If we win, the Jin family won't let it go easily. If they really want to cause trouble, it will be difficult to deal with them.
"You've swindled so much money from me," Jin Yu sneered, "and now you're scared? Too late!"
Since he brought people with him, he had no intention of resolving the matter amicably.
Upon hearing this, the madam, who had originally intended to pay to avoid trouble, immediately withdrew her hand from the silver notes.
Since that's what they said, she can't back down.
"You're still too green to care about the commotion in the building," the madam said, clapping her hands as two groups of people walked in. "As the old saying goes, harmony brings wealth. If Young Master Jin leaves now, I'll pretend nothing happened."
Her tone shifted, becoming more forceful, "If you refuse to give up, Yi Man Lou is not someone to be trifled with."
Having run a brothel in Ping'an County for so many years, what kind of scene hasn't she seen?
He's just a kid, nothing to be afraid of.
It's just because they're wary of the Jin family behind him.
However, although the Jin family was indeed a prominent family, it had declined and its influence was not what it used to be. If we really had to compare, Yi Man Lou was three points stronger than the Jin family.
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