Chapter 61
Lin Qingyu stayed at home for a day, but no news came from the palace. He also asked Huan Tong to go to Hu Ji's house to inquire. Hu Ji had not returned home yet, and he was most likely still waiting in the East Palace.
On the second night after the incident in the Eastern Palace, Lin Qingyu returned to the Imperial Hospital to be on duty. Some of the imperial doctors who went to the East Palace that day have already returned. They were all in a hurry and were very secretive about the prince's condition. Lin Qingyu asked several times, but they all said that the prince had a sudden illness and needed to rest for some time.
This is treating people like fools. Although Lin Qingyu couldn't see their prescription, he knew that Xiao Cheng had suffered serious external injuries and was bleeding profusely by looking at what medicine was missing from the medicine cabinet, most likely in the chest and lungs.
On the third day after the accident, Hu Ji finally returned to the Imperial Hospital. His official uniform had not been washed for three days, and the sleeves were stained with blood. He was so tired that he was in a daze.
Lin Qingyu offered to take him back home. In the carriage, Hu Ji told Lin Qingyu that the Crown Prince was not ill, but was wounded by a sword.
"When I arrived at the East Palace that day, the prince had been carried to the bed. He was only wearing his nightgown, with a bloody hole on his chest, his whole body stained with blood, his eyes wide open, and his mind still clear, but he couldn't speak." Recalling the scene at that time, Hu Ji was still frightened, "I rushed forward to stop the bleeding for the prince, and suddenly he grabbed my clothes, and I heard him say 'come back'... Then the prince fainted, and he hadn't woken up until I left."
Lin Qingyu didn't care what Xiao Cheng said before he fell into a coma, he just wanted to know when Xiao Cheng would die. "How confident are you that you can wake the prince up?"
Hu Ji smiled bitterly and shook his head: "Less than 30%."
Thirty percent... is still too much.
Hu Ji added: "However, the prince's left lung was injured. Even if he survives this time, he will probably have to take medicine all the time in the future and live like a medicine bottle."
Lin Qingyu still felt unwilling. The left lung was nothing. If Shen Huaishi's sword had been a little more off-center and pierced Xiao Cheng's heart, that would have been what he would have liked to see.
Lin Qingyu hesitated for a moment and said, "Hu Ji, no matter who the patient is, will you treat him with all your heart?"
Hu Ji said without hesitation: "Of course, this is my medical knowledge."
Lin Qingyu said no more. Hu Ji studied medicine in order to save lives and heal the wounded. Even if the patient was a heinous criminal, he would probably save the person first and then send him to the government. He studied medicine, poisons, and witchcraft because he liked them, and he would also use them to harm others. He respected Hu Ji's ideas and didn't want to ruin Hu Ji's medical skills.
The most important thing is that even if Hu Ji wanted to do something, the other imperial doctors are not blind. Every bowl of medicine in the Eastern Palace would be tested for poison. If he was not careful, he might end up suffering the consequences instead of being able to make the final move. Murdering the prince is a capital crime punishable by execution of the entire family. Even for the sake of his family, he cannot act rashly.
Could it be that we can only leave it to fate?
Hu Ji was so tired that he could not open his eyes, but he did not forget to instruct Lin Qingyu: "By the way, the emperor has issued a death order. The assassination of the prince must not be spread. Doctor Lin, please do not tell anyone else about this."
Lin Qingyu nodded and said, "Don't worry, I will keep my mouth shut."
Having said that, Lin Qingyu turned around and told Gu Fuzhou the news.
In the past few days, Gu Fuzhou would run to his house whenever he had nothing to do. It would be unreasonable to say that they were sworn brothers, but he didn't have the heart to care about these things at the moment.
Gu Fuzhou learned that Xiao Cheng had a 30% chance of survival and was not optimistic: "Hu Ji said 30%, so it must be at least 90%."
"How can you say that?"
"Xiao Cheng is the protagonist of the original book, and protagonists always have halos around them. Let me explain it to you this way. Even if thousands of arrows were fired at Xiao Cheng, he would probably remain unscathed."
Lin Qingyu said: "In short, he is very lucky?"
Gu Fuzhou smiled and said, "You can understand it that way."
"Shen Huaishi is also the protagonist, will he also have a halo?"
"Yes. Don't look at him in such a miserable state, he will definitely not die. Ordinary people who assassinate the crown prince can only fight for a one-for-one exchange at most. He stabbed Xiao Cheng in the chest and was able to escape unscathed. Isn't this a halo?"
Lin Qingyu was skeptical: "Shen Huaishi was able to escape from the palace, isn't it because of his good skills?"
As the two were talking, Huantong came running over to tell them that a little kid, whose family they didn't know, was knocking on the door. After he opened the door, the child handed him a note without saying a word. By the time he reacted, the child had disappeared.
"Where's the note?" Lin Qingyu asked, "Bring it here for me to see."
There were only a few simple words written on the note. When Lin Qingyu saw this, he immediately ordered, "Prepare the car. I want to go to Changsheng Temple."
Lin Qingyu changed into casual clothes and went to Changsheng Temple with Gu Fuzhou. Before getting off the carriage, Lin Qingyu said, "How about you wait for me in the carriage."
"Hmm? Why?"
"There are many people here, are you willing to let others see you and a 'widow' going in and out together?"
Gu Fuzhou pretended to think about it and said, "I am somewhat willing to do so."
Lin Qingyu laughed: "Then let's go together."
It was raining autumn rain outside, drizzling lightly, soaking my clothes. Gu Fuzhou got out of the car first, opened his umbrella, and then went to help Lin Qingyu. Lin Qingyu placed his hand on his palm and used the force to land on the ground. As soon as he stood firm and loosened his hands, he heard a cold snort from behind: "Disgraceful!"
Lin Qingyu looked back and saw an old man staring at the two of them indignantly, his expression as if he had seen something dirty.
Gu Fuzhou asked in a low voice: "Who is this person?"
"The Chief Censor, Yang Geng."
Gu Fuzhou said leisurely: "He is already old, but he is still a fifth-rank civil servant like you. If I were him, I would write the word 'miserable' on my trouser legs with blood."
Yang Geng saw that they were holding the same umbrella and whispering under it. They were mumbling something and covering their faces with their sleeves, as if they wanted to avoid seeing anything.
Gu Fuzhou called him, "Master Yang."
All censors have a stubborn temper, and Yang Geng is no exception. With a sullen face, he walked up to Gu Fuzhou and saluted: "This subordinate greets the general."
Gu Fuzhou asked: "Who were you calling indecent just now?"
"Of course I'm not talking about the general." Yang Geng looked at Lin Qingyu and said sternly, "Doctor Lin, if I remember correctly, it's been less than a year since Young Marquis Lu passed away. You should still be in mourning. How could you be so intimate with another man?"
Gu Fuzhou said: "Doctor Lin is this general's sworn brother."
"My brother-in-law is also a foreign man."
"According to what you said, the emperor is also a stranger, and Imperial Doctor Lin has to check his pulse every day. Isn't the emperor being decent?"
Yang Geng stared with wide eyes, and said angrily: "The general is making specious arguments, how can this be the same——"
"How is it different?" Gu Fuzhou said calmly, "The position of Imperial Physician Lin was given by the Emperor. The Emperor doesn't mind his status as a male wife, but Lord Yang has such a big objection. Why don't you go and tell the Emperor to dismiss Imperial Physician Lin?"
"This..." Yang Geng was speechless. Everyone in the palace knew that the emperor was able to wake up thanks to Lin Qingyu. Asking him to submit a petition to dismiss Lin Qingyu would be to offend the emperor's health. Although Dayu did not kill the censor for giving advice, no one dared to tell the emperor this at this time.
Lin Qingyu said, "General, business is more important. Let's go."
The two walked towards the main hall. Just as Gu Fuzhou was about to scold Yang Geng, he heard Lin Qingyu snort coldly: "Idiot."
Gu Fuzhou was stunned, thinking he had heard wrongly: "What did you just scold him for?"
"Idiot?"
Gu Fuzhou was so shocked that he was incoherent: "How can you talk like that?"
"I learned it from you." Lin Qingyu squinted at him, "You can say it, but I can't?"
"Of course, a beauty cannot swear."
Lin Qingyu said disdainfully: "I'm about to explode."
Gu Fuzhou blamed himself painfully: "It was me who led you astray."
On rainy days, there were far fewer pilgrims at Changsheng Temple than usual, with only a handful of people burning incense and praying in front of the golden Buddha statue. Lin Qingyu looked around and didn't see anything unusual.
The person who wrote the note asked him to meet at Changsheng Temple, so it shouldn't be in the main hall. At this time, a young monk came forward and asked them if they wanted to burn incense, and Lin Qingyu asked for three incense sticks.
Gu Fuzhou asked: "What blessing do you want to pray for?"
Even in front of the Buddha, Lin Qingyu did not hide his malice: "Pray that Xiao Cheng dies soon."
Gu Fuzhou smiled and said, "Isn't it so cute? However, praying in Changsheng Temple doesn't seem to be very accurate."
Lin Qingyu lit the incense and asked casually, "Have you tried it?"
"Yeah." Gu Fuzhou said nonchalantly, "If it were accurate, you wouldn't be unhappy any more."
Lin Qingyu felt a bump on his chest and looked up at the person beside him. Gu Fuzhou seemed to be unaware of what he had said. He met Lin Qingyu's gaze and asked, "Why are you looking at me like that?"
"…It's okay." Lin Qingyu lowered his eyes. "I'll go to the side hall to take a look. The last time I met him in Changsheng Temple was in the side hall."
Gu Fuzhou nodded: "You go, I won't go." With his status, he has not yet become familiar with Shen Huaishi, so it is not appropriate for them to meet at this time. "I'm going to the back room to see if Xu Junyuan is there."
"National Master?" Lin Qingyu frowned slightly, "Are you going to tell him...about you?"
"That's not the case. At most I'll ask him to tell my fortune."
Lin Qingyu and Gu Fuzhou separated and went to the side hall alone. The side hall was even more deserted than the main hall, and there wasn't even a monk guarding it. The tablet of Lu Wancheng and the eternal lamp are enshrined here. When Lin Qingyu was adding oil to the eternal lamp, he caught a glimpse of a figure behind the stone pillar.
Lin Qingyu turned around and said, "I'm the only one here."
Shen Huaishi walked out from behind the stone pillar and said numbly, “Doctor Lin.”
Shen Huaishi was wearing the rough clothes of an ordinary person, his face was covered with a layer of dust, his beard was all over, his eyes were bloodshot, and he looked extremely down and out. It was unknown how long it had been since he had closed his eyes.
Lin Qingyu asked: "Where have you been these days?"
Shen Huaishi seemed not to hear Lin Qingyu's question, and said to himself: "Thank you, Doctor Lin, for telling me about the Tianyu Gate."
Lin Qingyu asked: "Is Xiao Cheng's serious injury related to you?"
Hearing the word "Xiao Cheng", Shen Huaishi's eyes moved, but he still answered the question irrelevantly: "Please ask Doctor Lin to settle Brother Zhu well, let him go back to Xuzhou, and give him a peaceful life."
"What about you? Where are you going?" Lin Qingyu asked, "Can you escape the pursuit of Tianji Camp?"
Shen Huaishi pulled the corner of his mouth and showed an ugly smile: "Are you... concerned about me?" He slowly lowered his head, "Except for my family, no one has ever cared about me. Doctor Lin, if I don't act like a jerk, will you treat me as a friend?"
Lin Qingyu uttered two words softly: "Maybe."
A glimmer of light flashed in Shen Huaishi’s eyes, but he soon returned to numbness: “Unfortunately, it’s too late.”
Lin Qingyu did not comment, and took out the medicine box he had prepared early in the morning from his sleeve, "Here, you take it."
“…What is it?”
"A fake death drug. You can use it to escape when necessary."
Shen Huaishi put away the medicine box: "Thank you. Then..." He looked at Lin Qingyu deeply, "I'm leaving."
Lin Qingyu watched him leave and suddenly said, "Did you fail that night, or were you too soft-hearted?"
Shen Huaishi paused, shook his head silently, and walked out of the side hall step by step, without telling Lin Qingyu the answer until the end.
Lin Qingyu stayed alone for a while. When he went out, he saw Gu Fuzhou standing under the eaves, looking at the hazy rain, and he seemed to be worried about something.
Raindrops dripped from the eaves and shattered on the mossy stone steps, waking Gu Fuzhou up: "Is it over? Did you see him?"
Lin Qingyu nodded: "I said some useless nonsense." He paused, and then said, "It's not completely nonsense. In short, Shen Huaishi should leave the capital."
Gu Fuzhou smiled and said, "Xiao Cheng will definitely go find him after he wakes up. If he runs away, he will chase him. They will not be able to escape even if they have wings."
Lin Qingyu said unhappily: "Do you still think Xiao Cheng will wake up?"
"Whether Xiao Cheng is dead or alive in the end, we must be prepared for the worst."
"The worst case scenario is that he is still alive and still sitting on the throne of the crown prince. Then we can't touch the emperor."
But the emperor obviously had some feelings for him, and maybe one day he would ask him to stay and sleep with him. Not only Gu Fuzhou needs a second marriage, he also needs it.
"Then the second marriage will be on the agenda." Gu Fuzhou confirmed again, "Qingyu, do you really not want to marry me?"
Lin Qingyu weighed the pros and cons again and again: "No."
Not to mention that he didn't want to marry, even if he did, a first-rank general marrying a fifth-rank imperial physician was a provocation to the censors of the entire Dayu Dynasty.
Gu Fuzhou was unwilling to give up: "Really not going to marry? Would rather die than marry?"
"……Um."
Gu Fuzhou was unsure of Lin Qingyu's meaning: "Are you willing to get married? No, you shouldn't. Don't you always think it's humiliating for a man to wear wedding clothes and red makeup?"
Lin Qingyu said calmly: "Whether it's humiliating or not, I've worn it twice."
"Twice?" Gu Fuzhou asked in surprise, "Where did you mean twice?"
Lin Qingyu was stunned for a moment, then chuckled: "I remembered it wrong."
"Qingyu...?" Lin Qingyu's smile was not a sneer, but rather a gentle and calm one. But for some reason, Gu Fuzhou felt that his smile at this moment was a little sad.
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