Chapter 191 Mother's hard work has been saved
Ye Wanning seemed to sense the warmth and moved slightly, shifting her position towards the warmer area, her face almost touching it.
Pei Zhi's body stiffened abruptly, his heart pounding uncontrollably, and he could only remain motionless.
I didn't even dare to breathe, for fear of disturbing her sweet dream.
The only sound in the carriage was the steady breathing of the two people. The flickering candlelight cast their shadows together, making them appear exceptionally close.
When Ye Wanning woke up, it was already broad daylight. Seeing Pei Zhi's outer robe covering her and smelling the sandalwood scent emanating from him, her face instantly flushed.
She glanced up discreetly and saw Pei Zhi leaning against the opposite car wall, resting with his eyes closed. There were faint dark circles under his eyes, indicating that he hadn't slept all night.
"You're awake?" Pei Zhi noticed her movement, opened his eyes, and smiled gently.
"It's a bit chilly outside, I'll put on my outer robe to keep warm."
"Thank you." Ye Wanning quickly returned the outer robe to him, her cheeks burning.
She could easily guess how Pei Zhi would cover her with his outer robe without even thinking.
"We'll arrive in the capital in two days." Pei Zhi folded his outer robe and placed it aside.
"Qin Yue is quite famous in the capital now. We can't let the news leak out when we get back. We need to gather evidence first and then find an opportunity to expose him."
“I know.” Ye Wanning nodded. “There are several unique prescriptions in the ‘Secret Essentials of the Green Bag’ that my mother improved later. They were not recorded anywhere and no one knew about them. This is the best evidence.”
“Alright.” Pei Zhi smiled. “We’ll divide the work: I’ll contact trusted people in the court to gather evidence of Qin Yue’s plagiarism; you go to the Imperial Medical Academy, find the original copy of the Qingnang Jiyao and compare it with your medical classic to find more loopholes.”
The two agreed to continue their journey. Over the next two days, the ambiguous atmosphere in the carriage grew increasingly intense.
Ye Wanning no longer avoided Pei Zhi's gaze as before, and would occasionally confide in him.
It was already evening when they arrived in the capital. Pei Zhi arranged for Ye Wanning to stay in a secluded courtyard in the Pei residence, which was far from the main courtyard.
"You should rest well and adjust to the time difference," Pei Zhi said. "I'm going to the palace to report the situation in Jiangnan to the Emperor and also to inquire about Qin Yue's movements."
"Okay, be careful." Ye Wanning nodded.
After Pei Zhi left, Ye Wanning sat by the window looking at the night view of the capital, her heart filled with mixed emotions.
This place was the site of her past life's sorrows, filled with betrayal and pain. But this time, she was no longer alone. She had Pei Zhi, her mother's medical manual, and her own medical skills. She had the courage to face everything.
The next morning, Ye Wanning took the "Qingnang Secrets" and headed straight to the Imperial Hospital. As soon as she arrived, she heard a great commotion inside: "Imperial Physician Qin is truly a miracle worker! The prescriptions in the 'Qingnang Secrets' are incredibly effective; my youngest son's smallpox cleared up in just three days!"
"Yes! Imperial Physician Qin is a great benefactor to the country and its people. It is truly a blessing for the people to have a pillar like you in the Imperial Medical Academy!"
Ye Wanning felt a pang of sadness. These words should have belonged to her mother, but now they belonged to the thief.
She took a deep breath and walked into the Imperial Hospital.
Qin Yue was surrounded by a group of officials and commoners, listening to praise, his face full of pride. Upon seeing Ye Wanning, his smile faltered for a moment, then returned to normal, his tone laced with provocation:
"Isn't this Madam Ye from Jiangnan? What brings you to the Imperial Hospital? Could it be that you're tired of living in this small place in Jiangnan and want to come to the capital to make a living?"
Everyone around Ye Wanning looked at her with curiosity and scrutiny.
"I'm here to take back what's rightfully mine," Ye Wanning said coldly, getting straight to the point.
"Imperial Physician Qin, the contents of your book 'Qing Nang Ji Yao' are too similar to my mother's 'Qing Nang Mi Yao'. Do you dare to say it's not plagiarism?"
Qin Yue's expression changed, then he sneered: "Madam Ye's words are truly laughable. The 'Qing Nang Ji Yao' is the result of my many years of hard study, how could it be plagiarism? On the contrary, you are trying to slander me with some unknown wild book?"
"Unofficial book?" Ye Wanning was so angry she wanted to curse. "My mother, Lin Yuewei, saved the prince's life back then!"
"The Secret Essentials of the Green Bag" is a medical book passed down through generations of the Lin family. Every word is the result of the mother's hard work!
You dared to steal it, and now you're spouting nonsense here!
"Bullshit!" Qin Yue roared. "Lin Yuewei is just a folk doctor, how could she possibly write such a medical book?"
"You're the one trying to extort me because of my fame!"
The two were at loggerheads, and the people around them chimed in with their opinions. Some sided with Qin Yue, thinking Ye Wanning was just trying to ride his coattails; others thought Ye Wanning had a point, given the fame of "The Secret of the Green Bag" in Jiangnan.
Just then, a familiar voice rang out: "Imperial Physician Qin, since you say that you wrote 'Qing Nang Ji Yao', then let me ask you, why is there a herb called Lithospermum in the prescription for treating smallpox in the book? What is the function of Lithospermum?"
Everyone turned around, and Pei Zhi stood at the door, staring coldly at Qin Yue.
Qin Yue's heart skipped a beat. He had simply copied the "Secret Essentials of the Green Bag" and had no idea about the principles behind the prescription, let alone the reason for adding purple gromwell.
"This...this is because purple gromwell can clear heat and detoxify, and treat smallpox!" Qin Yue said, forcing himself to speak, his voice trembling.
"Is that so?" Ye Wanning sneered. "My mother wrote very clearly in the medical book that adding purple gromwell was to prevent the smallpox from leaving scars!"
That's the real reason!
"Imperial Physician Qin, you don't even understand the prescription you 'wrote' yourself, yet you dare to say it's not plagiarism?"
Qin Yue's face turned deathly pale, and he couldn't utter a single word. Those around him also noticed something was wrong and began to whisper among themselves, "It seems Imperial Physician Qin really did plagiarize!"
"That's outrageous! Stealing other people's work and being so arrogant!"
"Madam Ye is right, we should let Imperial Physician Qin explain things clearly!"
Seeing the questioning looks from the crowd, Qin Yue grew increasingly panicked. He knew that if he continued like this, he would be ruined, so he could only scream, "I didn't plagiarize! Ye Wanning is slandering me! She's deliberately trying to frame me!"
"Whether it's slander or not isn't for you or me to decide; let the Emperor judge," Pei Zhi said, pulling Ye Wanning forward. "We are willing to go to the palace to see the Emperor and ask him to make a decision!"
Ye Wanning nodded, her eyes resolute.
The emperor was furious when he found out: "You stole other people's achievements, ruined their reputation, and you still want a chance?"
"Guards! Drag Qin Yue out, strip him of his official rank, and exile him three thousand li away! Burn the entire 'Qing Nang Ji Yao' (Essentials of the Green Bag) and forbid its circulation!"
"Your Majesty, spare me! Your Majesty, spare me!" Qin Yue cried, clinging to the Emperor's leg as he was being led away by the guards.
Ye Wanning watched his retreating figure and breathed a sigh of relief; her mother's hard work had finally been saved.
The Emperor looked at Ye Wanning, his tone softening: "Madam Ye, your mother, Lin Yuewei, was a meritorious official, and you, having inherited her medical skills, are also a meritorious official of mine. 'The Secret Essentials of the Green Bag' is an excellent medical book, and I have decided to include it in the Imperial Medical Academy's collection and distribute it throughout the country so that more people can benefit!"
"Thank you, Your Majesty!" Ye Wanning quickly kowtowed to express her gratitude.
Pei Zhi stood to the side, looking at Ye Wanning with eyes full of pride and tenderness.
Leaving the palace, Ye Wanning was in a particularly good mood. She had finally gotten revenge for her mother, and her mother's medical skills could now benefit more people.
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