That farcical consultation, triggered by a bowl of hot and sour noodles, ultimately ended with Xiao Che's "social death" and the Imperial Medical Academy's collective "survival."
Afterwards, Xiao Che, with a dark expression, issued a gag order, strictly forbidding anyone from mentioning the matter again, with violators to be executed immediately.
However, while the emperor's authority could silence speech, it could not erase the profound "psychological trauma" left by that night.
From that moment on, Xiao Che looked at the imperial physicians of the Imperial Hospital with suspicion and distrust. In his view, these so-called medical experts had almost misdiagnosed even the Empress's "serious" ailment of "overeating," so their medical skills were truly worrisome!
He decided that the Empress's health could no longer rely entirely on these "quack doctors." As the Emperor of Liang, the Empress's husband, and her future father, he had to personally oversee the situation and nip any potential risks in the bud!
This determination soon faced its first severe test.
Just a few days after the "indigestion" incident, Lin Wanwan's health took a new turn.
That morning, when she got up, she felt that her legs were a little heavy and her ankles were slightly swollen. When she pressed them, there was a shallow indentation.
"Your Majesty, this is edema during pregnancy, which is quite common." The old imperial physician who came to take your pulse had learned his lesson this time. Having learned from the previous experience, he immediately gave the most authoritative and scientific explanation: "This is caused by the growing fetus pressing on the meridians. It can be relieved by simply walking around more, eating a light diet, and soaking your feet in hot water at night. It is not an illness, so Your Majesty and Your Majesty need not worry."
He believed that his explanation was clear, thorough, and impeccable, enough to dispel any doubts His Majesty might have.
However, he ultimately underestimated the level of obsession of a "master of anxiety" expectant father.
Upon hearing this, Xiao Che felt no relief whatsoever; instead, his brows furrowed even more deeply.
Is this normal?
This is normal!
Last time you all said that feeling "overeaten" is normal! But it ended up keeping me up all night!
In his mind, which was already consumed by anxiety, the seemingly professional explanation from the imperial physicians was automatically translated into a completely different meaning—"We can't cure it; we can only say it's normal."
This is outrageous!
Xiao Che's face instantly darkened.
He believes this is not a simple case of pregnancy edema at all! It must be a "sequela" left by the failure to completely cure the previous "food stagnation," with toxins flowing down the meridians and accumulating in the legs!
These quack doctors are incompetent! They haven't even found the root cause of the illness!
Seeing Xiao Che's cold, knowing gaze, the old imperial physician's heart sank. He opened his mouth, wanting to say something more, but was interrupted by an impatient gesture from Xiao Che.
"Alright, I understand," Xiao Che said coldly. "I am well aware of your capabilities. I have my own way of handling this matter!"
After saying this, he turned and left, leaving behind a room full of imperial physicians who looked at each other in bewilderment, on the verge of tears.
They couldn't understand why His Majesty wouldn't believe them when they were clearly stating the most correct medical principles.
...
The next day, at the Golden Palace.
The atmosphere of the morning court session was as solemn and dignified as ever.
With urgent military matters on the border, the initial success of the southern canal transport reforms, and the imminent implementation of the new personnel assessment method... one after another, major military and national affairs concerning the fate of the empire were being discussed methodically in the imperial court.
Xiao Che, seated on the dragon throne, was focused and had a keen eye. He would occasionally ask a few key questions, demonstrating the wisdom and decisiveness expected of a mature emperor.
The officials and ministers all breathed a sigh of relief as they watched their emperor regain his former wisdom and prowess. It seemed that the absurd "parenting exchange meeting" that had taken place a few days ago due to "family matters" was merely a momentary lapse in judgment on the part of His Majesty after the birth of his heir. Now, everything had returned to normal.
However, they were too quick to celebrate.
After all the important military and national affairs had been discussed, and Prime Minister Chen Xuan had just shouted the routine slogan, "Speak up if you have something to say, otherwise the court is adjourned,"
Xiao Che suddenly raised his hand.
He cleared his throat, and his handsome face, which had just been incredibly serious while discussing military affairs, suddenly changed its tone, and he spoke in an even more serious, even sorrowful, tone.
"My beloved ministers, let us conclude our discussion of military and state affairs here for now. Today, I have a matter that is even more urgent and I need to discuss with you all."
These words sent a chill down the spines of all the civil and military officials in the court.
Something even more important than the military situation at the border? Could it be that some earth-shattering event has occurred somewhere?
Everyone's nerves tensed instantly, and the entire Golden Palace was so quiet you could hear a pin drop.
Xiao Che surveyed the entire room, his gaze heavy, and slowly said:
"I have heard that there are many extraordinary people and strange talents among the common people, and there are also hidden masters in the medical field. Recently... the Empress has fallen slightly unwell, with her legs showing some swelling, and the Imperial Hospital is at a loss. I am very worried and cannot sleep at night."
He paused, then his voice suddenly rose, filled with the decisiveness and unquestionable authority of an emperor.
"Therefore, I wish to solicit effective remedies from all the civil and military officials, and even from all the people of the land!"
"Any folk remedy that can treat edema, or any medical expert who is knowledgeable in this field, may be submitted! If this ailment can be relieved for the Empress, I will not hesitate to bestow a reward!"
"..."
"..."
"..."
After Xiao Che finished speaking, the entire Golden Palace fell into a deathly, long, and suffocating silence.
All the civil and military officials, from the white-haired prime minister to the battle-hardened generals and the learned scholars, were dumbfounded.
They all stared wide-eyed, mouths agape, dumbfounded, at the emperor on the dragon throne, whose expression was solemn, as if he were planning a major battle; their minds collectively went blank.
Water... edema?
Folk remedies?
A master of traditional Chinese medicine?
Did they hear me right?
Their esteemed, busy Emperor, after dealing with earth-shattering matters such as border military affairs and national grain transport, actually, in the solemn and dignified Golden Palace, in front of the entire court, earnestly sought a folk remedy for the Empress's leg swelling?!
How absurd! How trivial!
The Minister of Revenue, who had just been giving a passionate speech on the issue of military spending, was now standing with his mouth open, completely forgetting what he was going to say next.
Minister of War Shen Ce, this iron-willed general, held his imperial tablet with a slight tremor in his hand. He simply could not reconcile the man before him who cared about "minor gynecological ailments" with the monarch who had discussed military strategy with him yesterday and acted decisively in battle.
At this moment, the entire court's values seemed to have been subjected to an unprecedented and enormous shock.
However, Xiao Che, seated on the dragon throne, seemed completely oblivious to the strange atmosphere below. Seeing no one respond, he assumed his sincerity was insufficient and added:
"This matter is of paramount importance to me! I hereby order the Ministry of Rites to take the lead, with the Ministry of Revenue allocating funds, to post imperial edicts throughout the country! We must find a foolproof cure for my Empress's ailment!"
Using the entire state apparatus and posting nationwide notices, all for... treating edema?!
He's gone mad! His Majesty must have gone mad!
This was the only thought in the minds of all the ministers.
In this absurd silence, finally, a young, newly appointed censor, unaware of the situation, mustered his courage and stepped forward shakily.
He probably felt that, as a censor, he had a responsibility to bring this "neglecting his duties" emperor back to the "right path".
He took a deep breath, bowed, and began to advise in what he thought was a very tactful tone:
"Your Majesty... Her Majesty the Empress is of noble health, and I am also worried. However... however, edema is just a common ailment during pregnancy, and it should not be a serious matter. Your Majesty really need not make such a fuss over such a trivial matter in the inner palace, causing trouble in the court and delaying... important military and national affairs."
His words were reasonable and reflected the sentiments of most of the officials present.
However, as soon as he finished speaking, a chilling killing intent suddenly erupted from the dragon throne!
"A trivial matter?!"
Xiao Che slammed his hand on the armrest of the dragon throne, and the loud noise made everyone's heart tremble violently!
He suddenly stood up, looking down at the trembling young censor below with his dragon-like eyes that seemed to spit fire.
He pointed at the censor's nose and roared angrily in a domineering tone full of violence and brooking no argument:
"The Empress's affairs are my most important national affairs! Even the loss of a single hair on my Empress's head is more important than the military and national matters you speak of!"
"You dare say it's a small matter?!"
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