Chapter 166 Imperial Schemes 04
After Chenghu returned, the mother and her two sons had a sumptuous dinner.
Fanghua then led the two into her bedchamber. After having someone guard the area, she told them about the damage to the Emperor's genitals.
The most surprised was Chengreng, after all, his father, the emperor, had fathered many young children in his later years in his previous life.
In this life, Father Emperor is already past his prime, which is just too, too delightful.
"Empress Mother, who did this? Your son will definitely give him a good opportunity to serve." Chengreng asked excitedly.
Chenghu was speechless. His younger brother was incredibly cunning, coming up with one bad idea after another, which truly broadened his horizons.
"Be careful, don't let it slip out, or Mother Empress will definitely be punished." He knew his father's temperament; he doubted many people knew about this.
If Chengren can't keep his mouth shut, it will be the Empress Dowager who suffers.
"Big brother, do you think I'm that stupid? I'm just too happy." Chengren rolled his eyes at his older brother. "Besides, I would never harm you or Empress Dowager. In this world, you are the only ones who are closest to me."
Chenghu knew he was telling the truth, but he was still worried. "It's good that you know."
Seeing the two brothers bickering, Fanghua quickly interrupted, "I don't know who it is, but your Emperor Father plans to use potent medicine to restore his lineage. That's why he's planning to give Imperial Physician Wu a second chance."
Upon hearing the words "Imperial Physician Wu," the two brothers understood why their Empress Dowager had kept them there.
“Empress Mother, do whatever you want to do. Your son supports you,” Chenghu was the first to express his support.
Chengren was a step behind him, but he immediately expressed his thoughts, "Your son naturally supports Your Majesty, but Your Majesty, I'm afraid Physician Wu cannot be allowed to live."
They knew that Physician Wu was the Empress Dowager's man. If nothing happened, all would be well, but if something did happen, the Empress Dowager would likely be implicated. Therefore, Physician Wu could not be allowed to live.
Fanghua smiled, very satisfied that Chengren was so considerate of her. However, Wu Ming could not die yet; his role had not been fully realized.
"It's alright, there's still plenty of time. You know your father's health better than anyone. If Wu Ming dies now, it won't be easy to arrange for someone else later." Kangxi was always suspicious and couldn't afford to make any mistakes.
Despite his apparent affection for the women in his harem, he is a heartless man at heart.
Instead of hoping to gain his favor, it's better to hold power firmly in your own hands.
Chengreng understood what his mother meant. He gave a bitter smile and said, "Mother Empress." He felt extremely sad. In his previous life, he had trusted his nominal father, the Emperor, too much.
"It's all in the past, it's all in the past." Fanghua gripped his hand tightly, conveying strength. "Our future is bright, we can't let the gloom over us."
Fanghua knew that Chengreng understood what she was saying.
Although Chenghu didn't understand what riddles his mother and brother were playing, he knew that his mother and brother were the people he trusted most and would never hurt him in this lifetime.
"Since the Empress Dowager wants to keep him, then let him stay. He can't escape our grasp anyway. Chengreng, you are the Crown Prince. You should be more careful in the future, lest someone use a handle to bring you down."
His plans with his brother were about to begin, and he didn't want his brother to be harmed by despicable people while he was away.
Empress Dowager has no power to influence the court, so Chengren will have a hard time on his own. Moreover, he will not be able to help him in the future, so he had to give him repeated instructions.
Hearing his elder brother's concern, Chengren felt very warm inside. "Yes, I will be careful."
Seeing how loving the brothers were, Fanghua was very pleased. "Alright, your younger brother still has you as his older brother to help him. He will definitely ascend the throne smoothly." Fanghua affectionately patted their heads, her eyes full of affirmation for them.
The two brothers exchanged a glance and saw a sense of farewell in each other's eyes. They did not intend to tell their mother about this now, knowing how much she loved them and that she would certainly not approve of what they were doing.
It would be better to wait until they have completed their plan before informing the Empress Dowager.
"Yes, we'll definitely achieve our goals."
After discussing it with her sons, Fanghua gave Xiaofeng the prescription and asked her to deliver it to Wu Ming.
It's best not to involve your personal guards in such confidential matters, after all, the emperor's secret guards are not just for show.
On the other side.
Wu Ming found the prescription on his desk as soon as he returned to his palace residence.
He is truly skilled; he knew the purpose of the prescription the moment he saw it.
He hadn't held out much hope anyway. After all, if the Empress really had such a good remedy, she would have already given it to the Emperor. The Emperor was currently worried about having an heir, and if the Empress could help him, her position as Empress would be secure.
Unexpectedly, he received such a grand gift as soon as he returned from his shift. He became even more wary of the Empress because he understood that he was now the Empress's weapon. Although he was under the Emperor's command, he was still someone recommended by the Empress.
The emperor was also wary of him and did not trust Imperial Physician Zhang and others.
If he wanted to surpass those old imperial physicians, he would have to demonstrate some real skill. Unfortunately, his skills were limited, and if he wanted to gain the emperor's favor, he would have to rely on the empress.
Naturally, he and the empress would also be tied to the same rope.
He dared to take such a gamble because he wanted to promote his family's medical skills and gain royal recognition. Then, who in the world would dare not recognize the Wu family's medical skills?
However, he dared not directly present the prescription given to the Emperor by the Empress; he wanted to experiment with it until he had results before he could truly present it to the Emperor.
Wu Ming got busy. He had the Emperor's secret order, so he didn't need to worry too much about what he did.
Even if the old imperial physicians were dissatisfied, they dared not disobey the emperor's decree.
They disliked this immodest junior.
But since they were favored by the Emperor, even the likes of them had to show them respect.
Even if he wasn't on duty every day, no one dared to be angry.
Two weeks later, Wu Minggang received some good news and couldn't help but report it to the Emperor.
Emperor Kangxi had been waiting anxiously for the past two weeks, and he had people keeping an eye on Wu Ming's actions.
He knew what Wu Ming was up to, and he was looking forward to it, hoping that Wu Ming would succeed so that his injury could be forgotten.
Even if it's not as good as before, there's still some activity going on; otherwise, how is he any different from a eunuch?
"Your Majesty, Imperial Physician Wu requests an audience." Wei Zhong had long noticed that the Emperor paid too much attention to this newly appointed imperial physician every day. Upon learning that Imperial Physician Wu had come to see him, he immediately reported it to the Emperor.
Emperor Kangxi paused in his work of reviewing memorials, wrote a final annotation with vermilion ink, and then put down his pen, saying, "Let him in."
Wu Ming was quickly brought in by Wei Zhong. As soon as he entered, he happily knelt down and kowtowed to the emperor, then said excitedly, "Your Majesty, Your Majesty, I have lived up to your expectations and have finally succeeded."
Those who don't understand this will be completely confused, but those who do understand will know how weighty his words are.
"really."
Sure enough, the emperor stood up excitedly, completely losing his composure from before.
“Of course, your humble servant would never dare to deceive Your Majesty.” Wu Ming kowtowed again.
Emperor Kangxi strode over to Wu Ming and personally helped him up. "My dear minister, you have worked hard. Please rise and tell me in detail." Then he personally led him to a seat.
The intimacy was something even Wei Zhong, who personally served him, had never shown.
Wu Ming was flattered and nervously sat down on the third of the chair.
Seeing that there were still many servants attending to him in the hall, Wu Ming was at a loss for words.
After all, the matter of the Emperor's genitals being injured was a secret, and he dared not speak of it casually.
I'm afraid that if he speaks now, his death will come later.
"Your Majesty, this matter is confidential. Please dismiss everyone else." Wu Ming looked around and then cupped his hands in greeting.
Kangxi also realized what was happening and looked at Wei Zhong with a serious expression. "All of you, step back. Wei Zhong, stay here. Have Liang Jiugong guard the door."
After giving his instructions, Kangxi's gaze towards Wu Ming became much more sincere.
Wu Ming was, after all, someone recommended by the Empress, so it was normal for the Emperor to be wary of him. As an emperor, how could he so easily trust someone else?
After cleaning, Kangxi couldn't help but ask, "Physician Wu, please tell me quickly."
He couldn't wait any longer. Over the years, he had suppressed countless rumors about the Empress. It was precisely because he knew the inside story that he dared not let the Empress make things too ugly. Otherwise, he would not have taken the initiative to inquire about matters of the harem.
Wu Ming didn't waste any time and immediately told the emperor about his success, praising himself repeatedly and saying that he had worked day and night to develop the formula.
These days, Wu Ming's actions have been under the Emperor's surveillance, and it is true that he has been working tirelessly without sleep. Kangxi was naturally delighted to have such a fine talent.
"You've worked hard. If this matter succeeds, I will certainly not forget your contribution."
Not only was the Emperor watching Wu Ming's side, but Fang Hua was also keeping an eye on him.
Once she learned that his experiment had actually succeeded, she knew he would go to the palace to claim credit.
Things were going exactly as she had hoped, and she was in an exceptionally good mood every day.
Especially after the news broke that Lady Da Guo Luo Luo was pregnant, it caused an uproar in the harem, and Consort Tong inquired everywhere about what secret formula Lady Da Guo Luo Luo had used.
Little Guo Luo's jealous eyes were filled with deep concern and worry.
Every day, rumors from outside reached the ears of the Da Guo Luo Luo clan.
However, Lady Da Guoluo had a guilty conscience, so she was always on edge and constantly frightened. The fact that she was able to keep the pregnancy was largely due to her good health.
If it were someone with a weaker constitution, this pregnancy would probably have been lost long ago.
After Wu Ming presented his prescription, he became a sixth-rank official in the Imperial Medical Academy.
He was no longer just a royal physician responsible for treating patients, but a court judge.
He was still the Left Imperial Physician, who enjoyed the Emperor's deep trust. It could be said that he and his entire family rose to prominence. The Emperor even issued an edict that from now on, he would only treat the Emperor and no one else could ask him to treat them.
Such preferential treatment was not even given to Imperial Physician Zhang and others, which shows how much Emperor Kangxi trusted Physician Wu at this time.
Yes, he is no longer Physician Wu, but Chief Physician Wu.
The Emperor not only promoted Wu Ming, but also bestowed upon him a mansion. This imperial favor was in no way inferior to that shown to close ministers like Suo'etu.
For a time, many rumors circulated in the capital about this commoner imperial physician.
He was able to enter the Imperial Medical Academy because he found a prescription to control smallpox, and in a short time, Wu Yuanpan gained a great reputation among the people.
Even so, he was still just a doctor, and could not compare to a court official.
Although the Emperor decreed that he was only allowed to treat the Emperor, the Emperor had no say in what happened after he finished his shift.
Therefore, many high-ranking officials and nobles sent generous gifts to the gate of Wu's mansion, all wanting to befriend him, since no one can live without illness or disaster.
Fanghua naturally learned of this matter, and Hesheli had also asked for her opinion, so she naturally told them to follow suit.
After all, such a miraculous doctor deserves some good currying favor.
This is just a passing fad; it'll be over soon.
However, this commotion was quickly overshadowed by the commotion in the inner palace.
"How is this possible?" Fanghua was shocked to learn that Consort Tong was pregnant that day and stood up.
She didn't doubt anything about Tongjia, she just thought she was incredibly lucky.
"If I remember correctly, the Emperor only favored her five times last month."
Five times a month, not many times, but unexpectedly, Consort Tong got pregnant. "She is a lucky woman."
Alas, I had hoped to change her fate, but now it seems I can't.
She didn't believe the Emperor wouldn't see through the Tong family's scheme; this pregnancy was in grave danger.
They hoped she was carrying a princess, otherwise the Uya clan would probably appear again like in the previous life.
Last time, regarding the matter of the princess's tutor, the emperor purged a large number of bondservant families, but unfortunately, the Uya clan was not among them.
It wasn't that the Uya clan was particularly clean, but rather that the Uya clan produced a capable head of the imperial kitchen.
Other bondservant officials took the blame, all in the hope of currying favor with the Uya clan and paving the way for their eventual return.
Everyone knows the truth about this.
The emperor tacitly approved, so the matter was overlooked. After all, it wouldn't be good to kill everyone, since the royal family needed servants.
"Your Majesty, children conceived using this secret formula may not be as healthy as those conceived naturally." Granny Zhang was an experienced woman; she knew all too well the dangers involved.
It wasn't that she was particularly worried about Consort Tong, but rather that she felt that if Consort Tong got into trouble, it would implicate her own mistress.
"Your Majesty, we must be on guard."
Fanghua understood Zhang Mama's worries. Because she understood, she knew how many people were watching Consort Tong's pregnancy.
"It's alright. The royal family has no shortage of precious medicinal herbs and life-saving items. Consort Tong is a blessed woman, and I believe the Emperor will not allow anything to happen to her." Fanghua shook her head, stopping Zhang Mama from saying anything more.
"Don't worry, Granny, I know what to do."
Since Consort Tong hadn't yet spread the news of her pregnancy throughout the palace, the Empress should pretend not to know.
Seeing that her mistress had a plan, Zhang Mama stopped saying anything more.
However, compared to Consort Tong, Fanghua cared more about Lady Da Guoluo, after all, the child in her belly was not the Emperor's.
I wonder how the Emperor will ultimately deal with her.
"Qiaoling, how is the pregnancy of Lady Daguo Luoluo going? Has the imperial physician given any instructions?"
Although Qiaoling didn't know why the Empress was so concerned about the Da Guo Luo Luo clan, she knew that the Empress would not do anything useless.
"Your Majesty, the imperial physician says that Consort Da Guoluo has suffered a miscarriage due to her restlessness and needs to rest quietly."
Resting quietly is interesting.
Before Consort Tong showed no signs of pregnancy, Emperor Kangxi would often go to comfort this only pregnant concubine.
Has His Majesty gone to see it?
Qiaoling shook her head, "Your Majesty, the Emperor has been busy lately and has not visited Yikun Palace."
Haha, this is interesting.
It seems that Lady Da Guoluo is about to be abandoned; I wonder what will become of that close attendant.
But it's none of her business; it's none of her concern anyway.
"Well, since the pregnancy has been affected, send some tonics over, and remember to bring the imperial physician."
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