Chapter 243 Don't be ungrateful
Ye Wanning was in charge of diagnosis and prescription, while Pei Zhi was in charge of coordinating medicine, delivering food, and maintaining order.
In their leisure time, they would sit outside the tent, watch the sunset over the border, and chat about interesting things in the capital, creating an ambiguous yet warm atmosphere.
Ye Wanning knew that her feelings for Pei Zhi had already deepened to the point of no return.
Pei Zhi's gaze toward her grew increasingly tender and passionate.
Both of them sensed each other's feelings, but due to their social status, they didn't confess their feelings.
A week later, there were no new cases of COVID-19 at the border.
The emperor sent envoys to commend him and bestowed upon him a large amount of gold, silver and silk.
On the day the border was reopened, the streets were packed with people seeing them off.
They were all civilians and soldiers from the border region, holding flowers and fruit, weeping as they thanked the two men for saving their lives.
Ye Wanning sat in the carriage, gazing at the gradually receding border, filled with reluctance.
Pei Zhi sat down beside her and held her hand tightly: "From now on, I will never let you face danger alone again."
Upon returning to the capital, their reputation reached its peak, and everyone said they were a match made in heaven.
Many ministers in the court suggested that the emperor grant them a marriage.
However, undercurrents were brewing in the court at this time, and the emperor, being old, became increasingly suspicious.
In addition, some people with ulterior motives were stirring up trouble, saying that Pei Zhi held a large army and had too much prestige, and that he might have rebellious intentions.
The emperor gradually grew wary of Pei Zhi and began to be on guard against him in every way.
One day, Ye Wanning received a summons from the palace. The emperor wanted to appoint her as the Imperial Physician, to manage the Imperial Medical Academy, and to reside permanently in the palace.
"Your Majesty, I thank you for your trust, but the Heritage Hall cannot do without me, and I am afraid I am not up to the task," Ye Wanning quickly declined.
"Ye Wanning, this is my decree, you cannot refuse!" The emperor's tone was filled with unquestionable authority.
"The Imperial Medical Academy needs talents like you. Everyone in the palace needs your medical care. Staying in the palace means serving the country."
Ye Wanning knew that the emperor summoned her to the palace not because he valued her medical skills, but because he wanted to use her as a pawn to control Pei Zhi.
She cannot enter the palace, otherwise she will become Pei Zhi's leverage and it will also make it difficult for her to extricate herself.
“Your Majesty, the Inheritance Hall has many disciples to teach and people to heal, so I really cannot stay in the palace for long.”
She knelt on the ground and said, "If Your Majesty needs me, I am ready to enter the palace to treat you at any time. There is no need for me to stay here permanently."
"You dare defy the imperial decree?!" The emperor's face darkened. "Ye Wanning, your mother's exoneration and the stability of the Heritage Hall are all thanks to my grace!"
"I'm doing you a favor by letting you into the palace, don't be ungrateful!"
Ye Wanning felt a chill in her heart, knowing that the emperor was angry.
Just as she was about to explain further, the eunuch Li Dequan beside her secretly gave her a wink, signaling her to agree first.
Ye Wanning understood and could only yield: "Your Majesty, I obey your decree. However, the affairs of the Heritage Hall need to be handed over, so I humbly request Your Majesty to grant me three days."
The emperor's anger subsided somewhat when he saw that she had agreed: "Granted. You must enter the palace in three days, without fail!"
As Ye Wanning left the palace, her heart felt heavy.
Li Dequan quietly followed him out: "Doctor Ye, His Majesty has been suspicious lately, listening to the slander of petty people and becoming suspicious of Lord Pei."
"That's why I wanted to keep you in the palace to keep Lord Pei in check."
"Eunuch Li, what should I do?" Ye Wanning asked anxiously.
“Lord Pei is a loyal minister, His Majesty knows this, he was just confused for a moment,” Li Dequan said.
"You hold the line for now. This old servant will send a message to Lord Pei and tell him to make preparations as soon as possible."
"Thank you, Eunuch Li," Ye Wanning said.
Upon returning to the Heritage Hall, she immediately wrote a letter and had her secret guard deliver it to Pei Zhi.
Upon receiving the letter, Pei Zhi rushed over immediately, his face grim: "His Majesty actually sent you to the palace as a hostage to control me?"
"He's old, how did he become so suspicious and easily swayed by the slander of petty people!"
“Pei Zhi, don’t be impulsive.” Ye Wanning pulled him back. “Eunuch Li said that His Majesty was just confused for a moment. We can’t stand up to him.”
"Otherwise, it would give unscrupulous people an opportunity to take advantage of the situation."
“I know.” Pei Zhi took a deep breath, his eyes resolute. “I have decided to voluntarily relinquish some of my military power and cooperate with the three departments in their investigation.”
"Only in this way can we clear our names."
"It's too dangerous!" Ye Wanning said urgently, "If you hand over your military power, you'll have no way to protect yourself. What if His Majesty really believes the slander..."
“I have no other choice.” Pei Zhi looked at her. “Only in this way can I dispel His Majesty’s doubts and protect you and the Heritage Hall.”
"Don't worry, I have made all the arrangements. Even if I hand over some of my military power, I can still guarantee my safety."
Ye Wanning knew his temperament; once he made a decision, he wouldn't change it. She could only nod and say, "You must be careful. Tell me immediately if anything happens."
"Hmm." Pei Zhi squeezed her hand. "Don't worry, I'll sort things out as soon as possible so you don't have to go to the palace."
In the following days, Pei Zhi submitted a memorial requesting to relinquish some of his military power and asking the Three Departments to verify the accounts and records of the transfer of military power.
The emperor agreed and sent people to expedite the verification.
Ye Wanning repeatedly delayed her entry into the palace, citing the need to "hand over the affairs of the Heritage Hall".
She knew that Pei Zhi's investigation would take time, and she had to fight for him.
During this time, the two could not meet and could only rely on secret guards to deliver letters.
Each letter contained only the words "all is well," yet it was filled with mutual concern and worry.
Every day, Ye Wanning looked at those two words, longing for his appearance and worrying about his safety.
After receiving the letter, Pei Zhi would repeatedly caress it, as if he could touch her breath.
Three days passed quickly, and the emperor summoned Ye Wanning to the palace again.
She knew she couldn't delay any longer and had to find a way to dispel the emperor's suspicions about Pei Zhi.
After entering the palace, Ye Wanning did not go to the Imperial Hospital, but went straight to the emperor's bedroom.
The emperor was reading memorials when she entered. His face darkened with displeasure: "Why are you only arriving now? Do you not wish to enter the palace?"
“Your Majesty, it’s not that I’m unwilling, but I have important matters to report,” Ye Wanning said.
"I have recently prepared a calming formula that can treat palpitations and insomnia."
"Having heard that Your Majesty has been having trouble sleeping lately, I have come specifically to examine and treat Your Majesty."
The emperor has been suffering from insomnia lately because he is suspicious of Pei Zhi and is already feeling uneasy.
He looked at Ye Wanning with some skepticism: "Can you really cure my insomnia? I can't sleep at night."
Ye Wanning knelt down: "Your Majesty, I am willing to give it a try. If I can help Your Majesty recover, I humbly request that Your Majesty allow me to stay in the palace and only manage the Heritage Hall."
"As long as Your Majesty summons me, I will be there immediately."
The emperor pondered her words, half believing and half doubting: "Alright, I'll believe you this once."
"If you can truly cure insomnia, I will grant your wish."
As he spoke, the worry between his brows lessened somewhat.
Ye Wanning immediately examined him and, after determining the illness, prescribed sedative medication.
Considering his health, she prepared a decoction and a calming sachet using herbs such as roasted jujube seeds, cypress seeds, and polygala root.
"Your Majesty, take this medicine before bed and carry the sachet with you. You should be able to sleep soundly in three days at most," Ye Wanning reminded him.
The emperor followed her instructions, taking the medicine and wearing the sachet.
That night, he slept soundly without waking up due to suspicion and anxiety.
The same thing happened on the second and third nights.
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