CHAPTER 1560: CHAPTER 1535: INQUIRIES

Director Xiao paused and thought, if they don’t come up with a solution, the emperor is certain to have another fever. No, the next fever is inevitable, and all they can think about is to find a way to cool down and then reduce inflammation.

"Everyone, think about it, is there any prescription at hand, let’s come up with another recipe together,"

Manbao said, "The inflammation in His Majesty’s body is too severe, and now the old wounds have relapsed. The medicine given is simply not enough to deal with the inflammation in the throat. I see today’s weather is still very hot, and we can’t use ice basins in the room. After tonight, I’m afraid it will get even worse."

Imperial Doctor Fang wiped the sweat from his forehead and glanced outside. It was not yet lunchtime, and the weather was already unbearably hot. Indeed, this year’s climate is very strange.

He hesitated for a moment and asked softly, "What about increasing the dosage by two fen..."

"No," before Manbao could object, Director Xiao had already rejected it with a stern face, saying in a low voice, "His Majesty damaged his health in his early years due to battles. When he is not ill or injured, it’s fine, but now if we increase the dosage, it might lead to trouble."

Manbao nodded repeatedly and said softly, "Today’s medicine was already a bit strong, and His Majesty’s breathing has become much heavier."

Using strong medicine might bring temporary relief, but it will deteriorate the foundations. And in the emperor’s current situation, increasing the dosage is not just a matter of damaging the foundations.

There is a significant risk of an unforeseen incident occurring.

"Then what should we do? Strong medicine can’t be used, the inflammation in the body is aggressive, and stable prescriptions might not be enough to balance it," Imperial Doctor Fang whispered, "With the way His Majesty is now, he might still have a fever tonight."

Director Xiao shook his head heavily and said, "I’m afraid he won’t make it to the evening."

All four fell silent at this, and Manbao instinctively glanced at Keke in her mind. Keke, understanding the situation, brought out a vial of red potion, which flashed in her mind...

Manbao thought: The emperor is different from others. If she can’t find a solution by tonight, she’d have to find a way to administer this medicine to the emperor.

But before that, she would have to consult Teacher Mo.

In this world, even Director Xiao has no solution; she could only ask Teacher Mo.

Seeing that no one had any ideas, Manbao turned and said, "Why don’t we all disperse and think separately? We can come back together once someone comes up with something."

Director Xiao, having no better idea, nodded. However, before dispersing, he quietly united everyone, "This is a time of shared difficulty, and I hope everyone cooperates sincerely to bring His Majesty back, no matter what it takes."

All four agreed in unison, and Imperial Doctor Liu said, "It is the duty of those who benefit from the emperor’s grace to be faithful; rest assured, Director, no one dares to slack off with His Majesty’s matter."

Director Xiao nodded, and pointing to Imperial Doctor Lu, he said, "Imperial Doctor Lu and I will stay with His Majesty first, switching with Imperial Doctor Liu and Imperial Doctor Fang after Shen Hour."

He then looked at Manbao and said softly, "Doctor Zhou, your acupuncture skills are the best. Whether it’s cooling His Majesty down or administering medicine, you’ll be needed. Please rest in the side hall where we can call you easily."

This was the first time Director Xiao addressed Manbao as a doctor, and Manbao hurriedly agreed.

Manbao, Imperial Doctor Liu, and Imperial Doctor Fang all moved to the side hall, which was furnished with tables, chairs, writing brushes, ink, paper, and inkstones.

Standing at the table, the three pondered for a moment. Imperial Doctor Liu said, "I need to return to the Imperial Hospital to find some manuals."

Imperial Doctor Fang said, "I’ll accompany you."

The two of them looked at Manbao, who had just sent a message to Teacher Mo, hoping he would see it and reply quickly. Once back to her senses and seeing the two looking at her, she asked confusedly, "What is it?"

Seeing that Manbao was thinking about something, Imperial Doctor Liu didn’t mind and, nodding to her, said, "Doctor Zhou, please assist Director Xiao by staying here. We shall bid farewell for now."

Manbao nodded and saw them to the door before returning to the table to sit down.

Eunuch Wu quietly slipped in from somewhere. There were no palace attendants in the side hall, and everyone was focused on the main hall, busy with affairs there.

He brought out a tray of snacks for Manbao and said softly, "Doctor Zhou Junior, would you like to eat something? Everyone is busy, so they might not be able to arrange your lunch."

Manbao thanked him and asked, "Have you eaten?"

Eunuch Wu smiled and said, "Rest assured, Doctor Zhou Junior, I will not go hungry."

Manbao picked up a piece of snack, and seeing her absent-minded look, Eunuch Wu couldn’t help but lower his voice and ask, "Doctor Zhou Junior, His Majesty’s illness..."

Manbao frowned and looked at him.

Eunuch Wu hurriedly said, "I don’t mean to inquire, but I just came from behind the ear chamber and saw an unfamiliar palace maid standing by the back window. Because of the tree, I couldn’t see her face clearly. When I went over, she ran away..."

Manbao’s mouth opened wide.

Eunuch Wu lowered his voice and said, "Doctor Zhou Junior, if you don’t believe me, you can ask Princess Mingda. At that time, the Empress’s maid Aunt Shang was about to send Princess Mingda back to the side hall to rest and saw it with me."

Thinking of what they had just discussed in the ear chamber, Manbao broke out in a cold sweat.

Seeing her face turn pale, Eunuch Wu lowered his voice and asked, "Doctor Zhou Junior, His Majesty’s illness..."

Manbao looked deeply at Eunuch Wu and, after a while, softly said, "Though dangerous, it should be manageable..."

Eunuch Wu’s expression relaxed into a smile, which he quickly concealed. He meaningfully said to Manbao, "This is also the Crown Prince’s wish. After all, the Crown Princess is about to give birth, and it would be good for His Majesty to see the Crown Prince’s firstborn."

Manbao slowly nodded, thinking how the palace was indeed full of pitfalls. She still didn’t know who had been eavesdropping on them from behind the ear chamber.

But whoever it was, it wasn’t Manbao’s concern. The most pressing matter was to get His Majesty fully recovered from the fever.

Putting down the snack in her hand, Manbao stood up and said, "Eunuch Wu, I want to go back to the East Palace to fetch something, but I can’t leave right now. How about I write a letter, and you deliver it to Bai Shan at the Chongwen Pavilion so he can prepare it and bring it to me?"

Eunuch Wu softly replied, "Young Master Bai cannot come here without a summons. However, I can send my apprentice personally, and once Young Master Bai has the items ready, he will bring them to you."

Manbao nodded and then ground the ink to write a note, which she handed to Eunuch Wu.

Eunuch Wu tucked it into his sleeve and, seeing no one noticing, quietly slipped out.

He belonged to the Crown Prince’s faction, and if found contacting the Imperial Doctor at this time, people would be skeptical even if he did nothing wrong. Moreover, he indeed had done something.

Inquiring about His Majesty’s condition at this time is a serious taboo.

Even the usually straightforward Wei Zhi didn’t dare to inquire about the emperor’s condition now but waited anxiously outside the main hall with State Duke Zhao and others.

Once Manbao and the others left, she sat in her chair, leaned back, and simply closed her eyes, submerging her consciousness into the system, saying, "Keke, keep a lookout outside for me."