Chapter 288 Did Physician Zhou once possess a Rejuvenating Herb?
"Yes, it doesn't affect us much, but it's the Fourth Prince..."
"Yes, I thought the Fourth Prince could..."
Xie Yunyang took a deep breath, trying her best not to listen to what the imperial physicians were saying, but even if she covered her ears, she could still hear those words in her heart.
Yes, the fourth prince could have had a chance to cure his leg ailment!
The Rejuvenating Herb... could it really be the Empress Dowager...?
Xie Yun-yang dared not think any further. If it really was Empress Zheng who was behind this, how could he face Xie Yun-wen?
Xie Yunyang was swaying slightly, and Shen Sheng grabbed him and calmly instructed Zijuan and Huang Ying: "Brother is not in the palace. Zhuifeng, go and tell Father about this matter first, and let Father decide. Huang Ying, take the imperial physician to Yuqing Palace to see Xiaobai and get rid of that drug first."
Chasing Wind: "Yes, Princess."
The oriole replied, "Yes, Princess."
Each of them performed their duties and soon headed off in their respective directions.
Huang Ying led a royal physician back to Yuqing Palace first, her voice filled with worry for Xie Yunwen in the palace, her mind in turmoil.
With no progress on the matter at the Imperial Hospital, Sheng Sheng simply pulled Xie Yun-yang along, wanting to go back to the palace first to check on Xie Yun-wen and the situation at Yuqing Palace.
"Crown Prince, shall we go to Yuqing Palace too?"
Xie Yunyang suppressed the strange feeling in her heart and said, "Mm."
I was worried that Xie Yunwen would be in a bad state after seeing that my hope of curing my leg had been shattered, but before I even saw Xie Yunwen, someone else's leg had already broken down.
The imperial physician Zhou, who was closest to the two, noticed Xie Yun's emotional fluctuations and his mind was racing.
The only person who could make His Highness the Crown Prince act this way is the Empress.
Could it be...
Physician Zhou lowered his head, his hands clenched into fists, his emotions a jumble of thoughts.
Xie Yun was in a daze, feeling more fear than anger.
Sheng Sheng was heartbroken. She knew that Xie Yun-yang was afraid that this matter was related to Empress Zheng, and therefore she could not face Xie Yun-wen.
She gently reassured him, "It's alright, Your Highness, things haven't been settled yet."
Xie Yunyang smiled, but it looked worse than crying.
"Actually, even if it really is what we think, so what? It's not your fault, Crown Prince."
Xie Yunyang's Adam's apple bobbed, and her voice trembled slightly: "I know, but..."
However, if this was indeed done by Empress Zheng, it must have been done "for him".
The whole thing started because of him, how can he be at peace with himself?
"No buts. If you think like this, then it's your fault that Fifth Brother couldn't memorize 'Exhortation to Learning' even after ten days of memorization."
Xie Yun was a little confused: "Why?"
"Because you, Crown Prince, didn't urge Fifth Prince on. If you had urged him every day, Fifth Prince might have memorized it in a day. Isn't that your fault, Crown Prince?"
Xie Yun paused, clearly stunned by this statement.
Seeing his reaction, she firmly grasped his hand and said, "That's fine then, Crown Prince. You see, some things don't have to be imposed on you. There are no 'buts.' As long as you have a clear conscience, that's enough."
If you take all the blame upon yourself, you'll live a very tiring life.
Xie Yunyang's heart skipped a beat. She repeated the sentence to herself several times before chuckling softly, "Okay."
Sheng Sheng smiled at him.
Xie Yunyang rallied his spirits, adopted the demeanor of a crown prince to appease the people of the Imperial Medical Academy, and then led Shengsheng to Yuqing Palace.
The two had only walked a few steps out of the Imperial Hospital when Physician Zhou caught up with them.
"Your Highness, Second Princess, please wait!"
The two stopped in their tracks and looked at the approaching Physician Zhou.
Physician Zhou's eyes were resolute, as if he had made up his mind.
Sheng Sheng was wondering if it was because Physician Zhou had suddenly remembered some details.
"What's wrong with Physician Zhou?"
Imperial Physician Zhou took a deep breath and said, "I have something to report."
The two exchanged a glance and both became serious.
"As I mentioned before, many years ago when I traveled with my master, I had the opportunity to treat cholera with the divine physician Sikong in a village called Licun. At that time, I was fortunate enough to see the Rejuvenating Herb."
Physician Zhou paused, then lowered his head. "Actually, I lied about something. At that time, there was no cure for cholera, and it was extremely dangerous. Therefore, the only doctors who stayed were Physician Sikong and his apprentice, as well as myself and my apprentice. Later, after Physician Sikong's apprentice successfully found a cure to cure the epidemic, Physician Sikong, to express his gratitude to my master and me for staying to help, gave my master a Rejuvenating Herb. Later, when I entered the Imperial Medical Academy, my master, to encourage me, gave me that Rejuvenating Herb. Therefore, when I told His Highness the Crown Prince and the Second Prince that I hadn't seen the Rejuvenating Herb for decades—I lied!"
Sheng Sheng was a little taken aback, but since she didn't know the specifics of the conversation between Physician Zhou and the two men, she didn't rush to speak.
Xie Yun was somewhat surprised, but quickly grasped the key point: "You said you had a Rejuvenating Herb before, so why did you say that to Fourth Brother all those years ago?"
Xie Yun-yang recalled that Physician Zhou said at the time that it was because there was no more Rejuvenating Herb, so there was "no cure".
But now Physician Zhou says that he actually has a Rejuvenating Herb in his possession. How is that possible?
Imperial Physician Zhou knelt down with a thud: "Your Majesty, I am ashamed. I have deceived the Fourth Prince, the Second Prince, and the Crown Prince!"
Sheng Sheng naturally did not miss the guilt in Physician Zhou's eyes. Physician Zhou was able to struggle for so long before finally choosing to be honest with them. He must have been forced to do so and had thought about it for a long time.
"Physician Zhou, please rise quickly. Now is not the time to admit mistakes. Physician Zhou, please tell us what exactly happened back then." Sheng Sheng helped him up. "Sheng Sheng, guess what? This Rejuvenating Herb wasn't actually hidden away by Physician Zhou, was it?"
"Yes." Imperial Physician Zhou nodded slowly and said in a deep voice, "Actually, the Rejuvenating Herb in my possession was... was..."
Physician Zhou glanced at Xie Yunyang, who gasped, guessing what was going on. She gritted her teeth and squeezed out a sentence, "Speak freely."
"It was taken by the Empress and given to the Third Prince."
Oh dear, how did this involve the Third Prince, who passed away many years ago?
Sheng Sheng became increasingly confused as he listened, looking at this and that, scratching his head to indicate that he didn't understand.
Xie Yunyang gasped, "What did you say?"
Physician Zhou said urgently, "Please believe me, Your Highness. Although I have lied to you before, every word I say now is absolutely true, and I dare not hide anything from you again!"
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