L.F-Hist.Novelist Chapter 165 The Physician Wang's terror: Does His Majesty know he is an undercover agent?
Chapter 165 The Physician Wang's terror: Does His Majesty know he is an undercover agent?
"Your Majesty, Imperial Physician Wang has arrived." Yunluan knelt on one knee, her voice cold and clear.
Qin Mu slowly released Jiang Qingxue's hand and turned around.
"Imperial Physician Wang," Qin Mu said slowly, his voice devoid of much emotion, "you've arrived."
Wang Jimin quickly stepped forward, knelt down nine paces in front of the bed, and touched the ground with his forehead:
"Your humble servant Wang Jimin greets Your Majesty and Consort Xue."
"Rise." Qin Mu waved his hand. "My beloved concubine has suffered a knife wound on her shoulder. Did you bring any medicine for treating external injuries?"
"I brought it."
Wang Jimin quickly opened the medicine box and took out a blue porcelain bottle from the top shelf. "This is Jade Skin Powder, which I developed based on an ancient prescription. It is specially used to treat external injuries from swords and knives. It has the effects of stopping bleeding, promoting tissue regeneration, clearing heat, and detoxifying. In addition, it should be taken internally as Nourishing Blood Decoction to replenish qi and blood and promote healing."
He presented the porcelain bottle with both hands.
Qin Mu took it, weighed it in his palm, and after a moment, his gaze fell on Wang Jimin's face before he slowly said:
"I heard you went to Consort Hua's place a couple of days ago to treat her illness?"
Upon hearing this,
Wang Jimin felt as if an invisible icicle had pierced his spine, and the blood in his body almost froze instantly!
Why would Your Majesty ask that question?
Could it be that His Majesty... knows?
In a flash, countless thoughts raced through Wang Jimin's mind.
Consort Hua's veiled entrustment that day, the subtle, slightly tilted five-petaled plum blossom code, and her secret investigation of the "old eunuch's" actions after returning to the Imperial Hospital...
Has His Majesty seen through everything?
Where did the flaw appear? Did someone in the Imperial Hospital inform on us? Or was there an informant within Huaqing Palace?
Or perhaps... His Majesty has already laid a trap, and everyone's every move is under his control?
Overwhelmed by immense fear, Wang Jimin felt his limbs go numb and his body tremble uncontrollably.
He clenched his teeth so hard that he could even taste a metallic, bloody flavor on his tongue, barely managing to maintain his last shred of clarity and outward composure.
Don't panic! Absolutely don't panic!
His Majesty only "heard" about it and inquired about the illness, without directly revealing anything.
If I lose my composure at this moment, it will only confirm that I have a guilty conscience.
Wang Jimin took a deep breath and used all his strength to force his voice to sound steady.
"Your Majesty, a couple of days ago, Consort Hua did indeed feel unwell and summoned me to check her pulse."
He paused, as if recalling details of the diagnosis, deliberately slowing his speech to appear more credible:
"Your Majesty is in good health. It's just that you've just entered the palace and are experiencing some fluctuations in your body temperature and emotions. In addition, the preparations for the grand ceremony have been arduous, causing some stagnation in your liver qi and a slight deficiency in your blood and qi. Your Majesty has already prescribed a formula to soothe your liver, regulate your qi, calm your mind, and nourish your blood. I have instructed you to rest and recuperate. You should be fine in the coming days."
After saying this, he remained prostrate on the ground, not daring to raise his head. He could only feel his frantic heartbeat pounding like a drum, which sounded exceptionally clear in the silent hall.
Cold sweat had gathered into drops on his forehead, sliding down his temples and seeping into his collar, bringing a cool, damp sensation.
On the soft couch, Jiang Qingxue's heart skipped a beat the moment Qin Mu asked his question.
Through layers of hanging, semi-transparent silk curtains, her clear yet pained gaze was accurately cast upon Wang Jimin, who was kneeling at the edge of the light and shadow.
Wang Jimin?
Did Sister Xu summon him?
Was it just for taking a pulse?
Jiang Qingxue's thoughts raced. What kind of person was Xu Fenghua?
Why would someone easily summon the imperial physician just because they "feel unwell"?
Especially at this sensitive time, any unnecessary contact with the outside world could pose a risk.
Unless... there is a compelling reason to do so.
Jiang Qingxue's eyes flickered slightly.
Qin Mu listened quietly to Wang Jimin's answer, his expression unchanged, still showing a lazy yet slightly concerned look.
He gave a soft "hmm," as if he was quite satisfied with Wang Jimin's answer.
However, he did not immediately ask Wang Jimin to get up, nor did he continue to inquire about the details of Consort Hua's illness.
She just looked at him calmly, her gaze serene, yet it seemed as if a thousand pounds were pressing down on Wang Jimin's back.
Time flowed slowly in silence, each breath feeling as long as a year.
The only sounds in the hall were the faint crackling of the burning candles and the suppressed breathing of a few people.
Just as Wang Jimin felt his nerves were about to snap.
Qin Mu nodded slowly, his tone still calm, even with a hint of leniency:
"Since there's nothing seriously wrong, that's good. Consort Hua is new to the palace and is not used to many things, so your Imperial Hospital needs to pay close attention and take good care of her."
"Your Majesty, I obey your decree! I will do my utmost to ensure Your Majesty's good health!"
Wang Jimin quickly responded, his voice filled with a relieved and submissive tone, but his back was completely soaked with cold sweat.
"Um."
Qin Mu seemed finally satisfied. He withdrew his gaze and looked back at Jiang Qingxue on the couch, his tone becoming more casual as he gave a command.
"In that case, Physician Wang, you may leave now."
"Yes! This humble subject takes his leave!"
As if granted a pardon, Wang Jimin immediately adopted the most respectful posture, bowing deeply, and carefully backed away towards the palace gate.
Only when she reached the door did she dare to turn around, gently pull open the palace door, slip out, and silently close the door behind her.
The moonlight spilled into the courtyard, and the cool autumn breeze sent a chill through his slightly sweaty back, which was damp with tension.
Wang Jimin stood under the corridor outside Yuxiu Palace, his eyes flickering.
He subconsciously recalled Consort Hua's words.
"Investigate an old eunuch named Cao Wei with an old scar on his left eyebrow bone. Report immediately."
Xu Fenghua did not explicitly state why she wanted to investigate this person, but Wang Jimin knew that anyone who could make Consort Hua care so much, even to the point of using his long-buried informant, must be extraordinary.
And there's the commotion in the palace tonight.
On his way to Yuxiu Palace, he could clearly feel that the palace was guarded much more heavily than usual, and the frequency of the Imperial Guards' patrols had also increased significantly, with a tense atmosphere permeating the air.
I just found out that His Majesty was assassinated tonight.
Is there any connection between these two things?
So...should we tell Consort Hua this news immediately?
As Xu Fenghua had instructed, he should focus on investigating Cao Wei's whereabouts, and avoid interfering in other matters, especially those involving His Majesty and Consort Xue, to prevent exposure.
But tonight's situation seems a bit special.
Consort Xue was injured, His Majesty was assassinated... Consort Hua should also know about these important events.
Wang Jimin took a deep breath, a resolute glint in his eyes.
He picked up his medicine box and, instead of returning directly to the Imperial Hospital, turned around and strode quickly toward Huaqing Palace.
.........
Outside Huaqing Palace, the palace maid on night watch frowned slightly when she saw Wang Jimin.
"Physician Wang,"
A palace maid stepped forward, blocking his path. "Her Majesty has already retired for the night. What brings you here...?"
Wang Jimin stopped in his tracks, his face showing just the right amount of anxiety and worry:
"Sister, please inform Your Majesty that I have urgent business to discuss with you."
The palace maid looked at him suspiciously: "Is it urgent? Her Majesty didn't summon the imperial physician."
"Yes, Her Majesty did not summon you."
Wang Jimin quickly explained, his tone sincere, "But Your Majesty was unwell a few days ago, and I took your pulse and prescribed a medicine. After returning home, I carefully consulted ancient books and found a more effective prescription that would be more beneficial to Your Majesty's condition."
He paused, then added:
"Her Majesty's condition cannot be delayed. Please, Your Excellency, convey my message: I will simply present the new prescription and leave without further harassment."
He spoke with heartfelt sincerity, perfectly portraying the image of a conscientious and caring imperial physician.
The palace maid hesitated for a moment.
She recalled that the Empress had indeed summoned Physician Wang a few days ago to examine her pulse and prescribe medicine. If, as Physician Wang said, he had a better prescription, then that would be a merit.
"Alright," the palace maid nodded. "Physician Wang, please wait a moment. I will go and inform him."
She turned around and strode into Huaqing Palace.
Wang Jimin stood outside the palace gate. The night breeze carried the bittersweet fragrance of chrysanthemums from the courtyard.
Soon, the palace maid returned.
"Physician Wang, Her Majesty requests your presence."
Her tone was much gentler than before. "However, Her Majesty said it is late and we should not stay any longer. Please, Imperial Physician, make this brief."
"Your Majesty, I understand." Wang Jimin bowed and thanked him, then followed the palace maid into Huaqing Palace.
Inside Huaqing Palace, the lights were slightly dimmer than those in Yuxiu Palace.
Xu Fenghua did not rest, but sat on a rosewood armchair in the main hall, wearing a dark purple silk cloak, her long hair loosely tied up and secured with a white jade hairpin.
Her face was still pale, and there were faint dark circles under her eyes, clearly indicating that she had not slept well for the past few days.
Upon seeing Wang Jimin enter, she waved her hand, dismissing the palace maids who were standing in the hall.
"You may all leave." Her voice was calm, yet carried an undeniable authority.
"Yes." The palace maids bowed and withdrew, and the palace doors closed gently.
Inside the hall, only Xu Fenghua and Wang Jimin remained.
The candlelight flickered gently in the night breeze, casting long shadows of the two people on the wall.
Why did you come at this hour?
Xu Fenghua spoke slowly, her gaze falling on Wang Jimin's face, "Is there any news about that eunuch?"
Her voice was soft, yet every word was clear.
Wang Jimin bowed deeply and said in a low voice:
"Your Majesty, the investigation into the eunuchs is still ongoing. There are quite a few elderly eunuchs in the palace, and several with old scars on their left eyebrow bones. It will take time to verify each one."
Xu Fenghua frowned slightly, a hint of disappointment flashing in her eyes, but she quickly regained her composure.
"Then what brings you here tonight?"
She asked, her sharp gaze sweeping over Wang Jimin, "Could it be... related to the commotion outside tonight?"
A hint of admiration flashed in Wang Jimin's eyes.
Consort Hua was indeed exceptionally intelligent; she could deduce something unusual about the palace simply from his late-night visit.
"Your Majesty is indeed very perceptive."
He lowered his voice, his tone grave, "Your Majesty, I have come here tonight because it is indeed related to the unrest in the palace. Moreover... the matter is of great importance."
Xu Fenghua's heart sank slightly.
She sat up straight, her fingers clenching quietly beneath her cloak:
"explain."
Wang Jimin took a deep breath and slowly said:
"His Majesty was assassinated in the Imperial Garden tonight."
"What?!" Xu Fenghua's pupils suddenly contracted!