Chapter 208 The prescription was changed
Qin Song replaced "Angelica sinensis" with "Angelica sinensis tail" and added "Anemarrhena asphodeloides".
While it may seem like a minor change, it is actually the complete opposite of Ye Wanning's previous tonifying prescription.
The Empress Dowager drank the modified medicine and suffered from vomiting and diarrhea that very night, tossing and turning all night.
Her face was deathly pale; she had almost been tortured to death.
Taking advantage of the situation, Consort Li's remaining supporters submitted a memorial to the emperor overnight, impeaching Ye Wanning for "using medicine improperly and plotting to harm the Empress Dowager."
Qin Song also gave false testimony in court, crying and defending himself: "Your Majesty, I warned Ye Wanning long ago that her prescription was wrong!"
"The dosage of angelica is too high and its nature is too hot. Long-term use will damage the stomach, but she won't listen and even said that I was jealous!"
"Now the Empress Dowager has diarrhea after drinking it, it's all Ye Wanning's fault!"
The emperor was furious and immediately sent men to arrest Ye Wanning and bring her to the court for questioning.
Ye Wanning looked at the weeping Qin Song, then at the unpredictable emperor, and felt utterly disheartened.
She knew that this was a trap set by Qin Song and the remaining followers of Consort Li, intended to ruin her reputation.
"Ye Wanning, is what Imperial Physician Qin said true?" the emperor asked coldly.
"Your Majesty, I am innocent!" Ye Wanning said, kneeling on the ground.
"The prescriptions I gave to the Empress Dowager were all prepared in a mixed manner, mainly for warming and nourishing purposes, and could not possibly cause diarrhea."
"Moreover, every prescription has been signed and verified by the hospital director, so there is absolutely no problem!"
"Judge Zhang, is this true?" the emperor asked, looking at Judge Zhang.
Judge Zhang quickly stepped forward and replied, "Your Majesty, what Lady Ye said is true."
“I have personally verified every prescription she gave to the Empress Dowager. The medicines were appropriate in their nourishment and the dosages were precise. There were absolutely no problems.”
"Then why did the Empress Dowager have diarrhea?" the Emperor pressed.
“Your Majesty,” Ye Wanning raised her head and looked directly at Qin Song, “Imperial Physician Qin said that he reminded me that the prescription was wrong. When did you remind me? What evidence do you have?”
Qin Song's expression changed, and he stammered, "I did remind you, but... I have no evidence."
"But the Empress Dowager is taking your prescription; isn't that proof?"
"Hmph, you dare to falsely accuse me without any evidence?" Ye Wanning sneered.
"Your Majesty, I have evidence that the prescription has been tampered with!"
She pulled out the original prescription from her bosom: "This is the original prescription given to the Empress Dowager. It says 'three qian of Angelica sinensis,' not the tail of Angelica sinensis, and it doesn't include Anemarrhena asphodeloides."
"Your Majesty can see from the comparison that Imperial Physician Qin was lying through his teeth!"
The emperor had Qin Song's revised prescription brought to him, and upon comparison, the calligraphy and medicinal ingredients were found to be quite different.
"This...how is this possible?" Qin Song was terrified, staring incredulously at the two prescriptions.
"Furthermore," Ye Wanning added, "Please summon Chief Eunuch Li and the eunuch who prepared the medicine to the palace and ask them if Imperial Physician Qin changed the prescription while I was on leave."
Chief Steward Li and the eunuch who prepared the medicine were soon summoned to the imperial court.
Chief Steward Li kowtowed and admitted his mistake: "Your Majesty, it was this old servant's foolishness!"
"The Imperial Physician Qin presented me with a forged imperial edict, saying that there was a problem with Madam Ye's prescription and that I should revise it. This old servant didn't see any flaws and agreed!"
The eunuch who was preparing the medicine also confessed truthfully: "Your Majesty, it was indeed Physician Qin who changed the prescription, and he instructed me to prepare the medicine according to the changed prescription!"
With the truth revealed, Qin Song lay motionless on the ground, unable to utter another word.
The emperor looked at him, his face extremely grim: "Qin Song, how dare you!"
"Forging imperial edicts, altering prescriptions, slandering loyal ministers, and plotting against the Empress Dowager—do you know your crimes?"
"Your Majesty, I know my crime! I know my crime!" Qin Song kept kowtowing, beads of blood rolling down his forehead.
"It was all my fault for being foolish and falling into the trap set by Consort Li's remaining followers. I beg Your Majesty to spare my life!"
"Spare your life?" The emperor was furious. "Guards, drag Qin Song out and exile him three thousand miles away, never to return to the capital!"
Qin Song's cries were drowned out by the sound of the eunuchs dragging him.
The remaining associates of Consort Li were also implicated, and the emperor ordered a thorough investigation, resulting in the arrest of all officials and palace servants who had colluded with Qin Song.
Seeing all this, Ye Wanning finally breathed a sigh of relief; this disaster was finally over.
The emperor looked at her, his tone softening considerably: "Ye Wanning, I'm sorry to have troubled you. I was too trusting of a treacherous person and almost ruined you."
"Your Majesty is too kind. I only did what I was supposed to do." Ye Wanning bowed.
"Your medical skills are excellent; I have not misjudged you." The Empress Dowager walked out from behind the palace, supported by palace maids.
Her face was still pale, but her spirits had improved considerably: "Your Majesty, Lady Ye is a loyal and skilled physician. From now on, all medical affairs in the harem shall be handled by her."
"The Empress Dowager is right." The Emperor nodded. "Ye Wanning, I hereby appoint you as the Imperial Physician."
"From now on, you will be in charge of treating the illnesses of all the concubines, maids and eunuchs in the harem, and you will be free to enter and leave all the palaces in the harem."
"Anyone who dares to stand in your way will be severely punished by me!"
"Thank you, Your Majesty! Thank you, Empress Dowager!" Ye Wanning quickly expressed her gratitude.
Outside the palace, sunlight streamed through the clouds, its warmth dazzling the eyes.
Ye Wanning looked up at the sky, her heart filled with mixed feelings.
She won this storm, cleared her name, and gained the trust of the Emperor and Empress, but the misunderstanding between her and Pei Zhi only deepened.
The Cold War continues, and she doesn't know how long this stalemate will last.
What she wanted was not Pei Zhi's protection, but his trust, companionship, and determination to face any difficulties together.
Unexpectedly, just when their relationship seemed destined to remain stagnant, an unexpected message arrived, forcing her to face Pei Zhi once again.
Xiao Lian reported: "Miss, I found out in the palace that Consort Li's palace is hiding a large amount of poison, poison needles, and a detailed account book."
"It contains evidence of her crimes of poisoning and injuring concubines and palace maids!"
Xiao Lian tried to steal the account book, but was discovered by Consort Li's former subordinates, who caught her on the spot and tortured her to extract a confession.
They wanted Xiaolian to admit that Ye Wanning had instructed her to steal the ledger.
Ye Wanning was very anxious when she found out. Xiaolian was her apprentice and also the most important spy in the harem. She couldn't let anything happen to Xiaolian.
She knew that it would be difficult for her to rescue Xiaolian alone, and that she might even alert the enemy and cause them to destroy the evidence.
She had to ask Pei Zhi for help.
But thinking about Pei Zhi's previous attitude, she hesitated: Would he help her? Or would he refuse again?
Time waits for no one. Every second Xiaolian stays in the hands of Consort Li's former subordinates increases her danger.
Ye Wanning took a deep breath and turned to head towards the Pei residence.
Regardless of the outcome, she had to give it a try.
Upon arriving at the Pei residence, Ye Wanning did not have a servant announce her arrival and went straight into the study.
Pei Zhi was working when he saw her come in. He was stunned for a moment, his eyes filled with surprise.
"Why are you here?" He put down his pen, his tone indifferent.
"I need your help." Ye Wanning's eyes were full of urgency. "Xiao Lian has been captured by Consort Li's former subordinates, and they are torturing her to extract a confession."
"I want her to admit that I ordered her to steal the poison ledger. Xiaolian is in danger, I have to save her!"
Pei Zhi's expression changed: "Xiao Lian has been arrested? Where is the ledger?"
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