Uncle from a poor family

Chapter 416 Hello, Hello, Hello, Everyone

Zhu Jianshen did not wake up for several days, and he could not even be helped up to take medicine.

Several times when taking medicine, he had to rely on Zhang Luan's nasogastric feeding method. Even some porridge and vegetables had to be fed into the emperor's stomach in this way. As for excretion... it could only be done on the spot.

People's expectations for Liu Wentai did not even last more than an hour. That evening, Liu Wentai was thrown into the imperial prison by the new commander-in-chief of the East Factory, the eunuch Tan Chang, to await interrogation.

But everyone knew at this moment that it was impossible for Liu Wentai to be convicted. After all, when one is desperate, one will try any possible cure. If someone's medicine is ineffective, he will be held accountable. Who would dare to take the blame?
Finally, it was Empress Dowager Zhou who stepped in and issued an imperial decree to send Liu Wentai home, allowing him to reflect on his mistakes at home for a while. Even his salary was not stopped, but he was not allowed to work in the Imperial Medical Service... All that was left was to wait for the final result.

July 26th.

The emperor's condition was extremely critical. He couldn't even breathe for several times and was in a coma. The people around him had no idea what to do. They could only ask Zhang Luan to try his best to find a solution, but Zhang Luan was helpless... When his son didn't give him a treatment plan, he was no better than an ordinary doctor.

Later, Wang Ji stepped forward to give the emperor acupuncture, and finally temporarily stopped the emperor's strange behavior, such as spreading his arms and other weird movements, and the emperor's breathing became a little stable.

Wang Ji came out of the inner hall, called Zhang Luan aside, and said bluntly: "Sir, I'm afraid that His Majesty's illness...can't hold out for much longer."

Even Wang Ji said so. Zhang Luan knew that the emperor might not be able to hold on for even a day.

Zhang Luan asked, "Shengzhi, let me ask you, among the liver disease patients you treated before, did any of them who developed into your Majesty's condition... have a last-minute lucidity phenomenon before they died?"

"I don't understand what you mean, sir."

Wang Ji was a little confused.

Zhang Luan looked around and made sure no one was paying attention to this side, then he whispered: "I have only been treating liver diseases for a short time and don't have much practical experience. Now I am very worried that His Majesty may mention the issue of changing the crown prince when he regains consciousness. I wonder how to prevent it?"

Wang Ji then realized that Zhang Luan’s concern was no longer about the emperor’s illness.

Wang Ji thought to himself, Mr. Zhang is indeed extraordinary. He is such a capable person, he says whatever he wants, he doesn't shy away from the fact that he has little experience in treating illnesses, and he doesn't hesitate to ask questions from people who are less experienced.

What is even more valuable is that he has never forgotten to remind me, making me understand that the focus of treating the emperor is not on the treatment itself, but on the more profound political level.

"Probably...no!"

Wang Ji said, "But sometimes it's really hard to infer when someone is having a last moment of consciousness. Some people have clearly been in a coma for a long time, but they can wake up before they die, and can even clearly talk about some human affairs, but it usually doesn't last long."

Zhang Luan nodded: "I understand. In other words, we have to be on guard."

Wang Ji asked: "How should we prevent it?"

Zhang Luan said: "For now, we can only ask the prince to guard outside the palace and not leave for a moment."

"what?"

Wang Ji thought, can you mobilize the prince now?

If you ask the prince to come, will he come?

Zhang Luan said, "I will find someone immediately to inform the Queen Mother and have her inform the Crown Prince... At this point, other matters should be put aside for the time being. Ensuring the orderly succession of the Ming Dynasty is the most important thing at this moment."

Wang Ji took a deep breath and thought, it turns out that I am not suitable to be a royal physician.

In terms of political awareness alone, I am far behind Mr. Zhang.

What he didn't know was that Zhang Luan didn't know how to treat illnesses, but he had learned a lot about conspiracy from his son. He was also quite smart, so playing politics was much easier for him than considering the emperor's illness.

……

……

After receiving Chen Gui's report, Empress Dowager Zhou immediately realized that her son would not survive the night.

She was not at all vague. Instead of going to find her eldest grandson immediately, she ordered people to seal off the harem first.

As long as Concubine Shao did not appear at the emperor's bedside, there would be no deviation before the emperor's death. As for whether the crown prince was there... the crown prince had to discuss state affairs with the ministers in the court in the morning, so she would not rush to disturb him. After all, it would not have a good influence. As the emperor's mother, she had to go to the Qianqing Palace to guard it first.

"Grandfather, are you going like this? It won't be too late after lunch." Chen Gui advised.

Queen Mother Zhou said angrily, "My son is dying, and you want me to eat? Can a mother be so cruel?"

After saying this, Empress Dowager Zhou rushed towards the Qianqing Palace with this momentum.

When she got there, she was almost mad to death.

The crown prince had not been notified yet, but Concubine Shao got the news from somewhere. Before she sent people to seal off the inner palace, Concubine Shao had already brought her son, Prince Xing Zhu Youlang, to wait outside the Qianqing Palace to see the emperor.

"Hurry up and pay your respects to your royal grandmother."

Concubine Shao quickly asked Zhu Youlang to come forward and pay his respects to Queen Mother Zhou.

Even though Empress Dowager Zhou was unhappy, she only had a prejudice against Concubine Shao. After all, in their early years, Concubine Shao and Concubine Wan were so close that they almost wore the same pants. It was only after Concubine Wan's death that Concubine Shao showed more respect to her, an old woman.

Concubine Shao was never a troublemaker, but the problem was that she was too close to Concubine Wan before, and she never dared to disobey Concubine Wan and show her courtesy to Empress Dowager Zhou. Who would have thought that Concubine Wan died before Empress Dowager Zhou, which meant that Concubine Shao's investment in the relationship between mother-in-law and daughter-in-law was almost negative, and now it finally backfired.

Queen Mother Zhou only nodded slightly to her grandson who came over to pay her respects. Then she pointed and said, "My dear grandson, go aside first. I have something to say to your mother."

"Yes, Imperial Grandmother."

Zhu Youlang was relatively well-behaved and obedient, and seemed very smart, at least much better than Zhu Youtang who seemed very dull. Upon hearing what was said, he immediately walked to the porch about twenty or thirty feet away, then stopped and looked back, watching his grandmother and mother talking from a distance.

Empress Dowager Zhou retracted her gaze and walked in front of Concubine Shao.

Concubine Shao quickly bowed.

Queen Mother Zhou asked, "What are you doing here?"

Concubine Shao said, "In reply to your majesty, I came here to inquire about your majesty's condition... I know your majesty's condition has worsened, and I am worried... I can't sleep or eat well..."

Queen Mother Zhou nodded and said, "She is a thoughtful woman... Let me ask you, it's fine if you come here, but why did you bring the child here?"

"He...the child also misses his father." Concubine Shao said.

"Oh, since you miss your father, why don't you take your remaining children with you?" Queen Mother Zhou pressed.

You still dare to say you are not here for the throne? You only brought your eldest son with you, and you pretend to be pitiful here. When my son wakes up, his heart softens, or his mind gets confused, he will designate your son as the successor to the Ming Dynasty in public?

Why do you want all the good things?
Concubine Shao replied seriously, "The remaining children are still young."

"That's your fault." Queen Mother Zhou said, "Look, the prince hasn't even come yet, but you brought the child here. What would others think if they knew? If you knew the rules and etiquette, you should take the child back and wait in peace. If there is any news here, someone will notify you."

Concubine Shao gritted her teeth and said stubbornly: "I don't want to leave... I just want to stay here and wait for the good news of your majesty's recovery."

Queen Mother Zhou was extremely angry. She stamped her feet and pointed at Concubine Shao's nose and scolded, "What if my son can't recover in a short time? You don't have any medical skills, why do you have to stay here and make trouble? Don't my words as a mother-in-law count?"

This really put Concubine Shao in a difficult position.

He finally found an opportunity to come here and even brought his son with him, but he ended up running into Empress Dowager Zhou head-on. Isn't this like a scholar encountering a soldier and being unable to explain himself?

If he did not obey the orders of Queen Mother Zhou, he would most likely be accused of being disloyal and unfilial, and if the situation got out of hand, the situation would become increasingly unfavorable to him.

At this time, Wei Tai heard the quarrel between the mother-in-law and the daughter-in-law, and walked out of the hall. He approached and persuaded them: "Empress Dowager, please calm down first... Concubine, His Majesty is currently unconscious, I am afraid he cannot see you... Please go back to the inner curtain first. According to the rules, you cannot come here without being summoned."

Concubine Shao wiped her tears and bowed sadly to her mother-in-law.

At this time, Prince Xing Zhu Youlang had already trotted over and was about to ask his mother what was wrong. Concubine Shao grabbed her son's hand, turned around and left.

Queen Mother Zhou scolded behind her back: "You may be sad, but please don't cry in front of me. What will the children say if they see it?"

I'm just saying, don't let my grandson think his grandmother is bullying you!
Although Concubine Shao was very sad, she could only wipe away her tears and then left the Qianqing Palace with Zhu Youlang.

……

……

Zhang Luan walked out of the Qianqing Palace only after Concubine Shao and her son left.

"Meet my aunt."

Zhang Luan saluted respectfully.

When Queen Mother Zhou saw Zhang Luan, her bad mood seemed to disappear. She nodded with a look of relief on her face and said, "Laizhan, you did a great job."

Wei Tai, who was standing next to him, heard this and thought, you are saying that I didn't do a good job?

The key point is, I didn't bring Concubine Shao and her son here, nor did I send anyone to notify them. Who knows how they got here?

We can't bite everyone we see or blame everyone we see, right?

Queen Mother Zhou asked, "How is your Majesty's condition?"

Zhang Luan turned his head to glance at Wei Tai, as if to say, I can't answer casually with outsiders here.

Queen Mother Zhou frowned and asked, "Wei Tai, why are you staying here if you are not inside to take care of the emperor's illness?"

"Yes Yes."

Wei Tai quickly turned around and went back to the hall.

Just at this moment, Qin Chang walked out and the two passed each other.

Queen Mother Zhou waved her hand and said, "Qin Chang, come here, I have something to ask you."

The huge difference in treatment is obvious at a glance.

Wei Tai felt very depressed.

It’s broken, it’s broken!
In name I am the superior now, but looking at the situation, the Empress Dowager trusts Qin Chang and not me.

When Tan Chang came to Empress Dowager Zhou, Zhang Luan said hesitantly: "Of course, this diagnosis was not made by me, but by Doctor Wang..."

"Okay, I know you didn't say that." When Queen Mother Zhou heard this, she probably understood that there are some things that really cannot be left unsaid, but it has also come to the point where she has to say them.

"Your Majesty... I'm afraid you won't survive this night."

Zhang Luan said with a sad face.

Queen Mother Zhou took a deep breath and asked anxiously, "Isn't everything fine? Why is it that..."

Zhang Luan said, "That's right. The patient's condition during the day and at night is completely different. After nightfall, the pathogenic factors will become very active, and the patient will usually have a hard time. If they can make it until dawn, they may be able to... hold on for another day."

Tan Chang nodded and said, "Minister Zhang is right. The pain will only get worse at night. I think the same is true for your majesty's illness."

"What about that?"

Queen Mother Zhou asked hurriedly.

Zhang Luan said helplessly: "Many things need to be prepared early."

"Then...will the emperor wake up?"

Empress Dowager Zhou was also very concerned about this.

The emperor died without making any arrangements for his funeral, which seemed to be a win-win situation for everyone.

But if he wakes up, there may be unexpected complications. For example, the arrival of Concubine Shao and her son is obviously utilitarian, and they may be trying to fish in troubled waters.

Zhang Luan said: "Logically speaking, he won't wake up, but if he regains consciousness, many things... will be hard to conclude."

"Let the emperor sleep in peace."

Empress Dowager Zhou choked up and said, "He has experienced many hardships since childhood. When he was young, his father was abducted by the Tartars. He lived in fear in the palace. He lost the position of crown prince again and again, and then lost it again. The suffering he endured is beyond the imagination of ordinary people. He finally ascended the throne and became emperor. At first, he was diligent in government and loved the people. He made the Ming Dynasty peaceful and the people prosperous. He has made some achievements. My son should... have a good ending.

"Send Wan'an and Liu Ji to see you."

(End of this chapter)