Travels of a Female Physician in the Ming Dynasty

Chapter 153 The storm arises again: Concubine De’s counterattack?

Under the eaves of the Imperial Hospital, the autumn breeze was cool.

I just came back from the Third Prince's bedroom, and I feel exhausted, as if I had been swept by a storm.

Looking at Zhu Yuan's heartless look, I couldn't help but sigh.

"President Yang, we have survived the disaster now, right?" Zhu Yuan came over excitedly, a relaxed smile on his face.

I couldn't help but roll my eyes. "Survived a disaster? You've forgotten that Concubine De's help isn't over yet. The Third Prince may be alright for now, but she definitely won't let it go. We have to be even more careful from now on."

Zhu Yuan was stunned for a moment, and the smile on his face froze instantly: "Then...what should we do? The Defei is a ruthless character! If she sets her sights on us...wouldn't it be..."

I shook my head. "That's why we have to be extra cautious. Empress Defei must be aware that we're investigating her. It's hard to say whether she'll retaliate, but we must be prepared in advance."

Zhu Yuan swallowed, his face pale. "Then...should we hide for a while? Or...should we ask for leave and leave the palace to avoid the limelight?"

I glanced at him helplessly and said, "Do you think you're asking for leave to go to the countryside to farm? If you dare to ask for leave, the emperor will have someone carry you back from the coffin the next day."

Zhu Yuan shrank his neck, completely at a loss: "Then... then I'll listen to you. What should we do next?"

I rubbed my temples, my mind racing.

Empress Defei will definitely not give up easily. If she makes any further moves, they will definitely be more covert.

If we want to find her weakness, we have to predict her next move in advance.

"Zhu Yuan, go to the Imperial Hospital and check if there are any unusual medicinal herbs coming in or out recently, especially those rarely used special herbs." I ordered in a deep voice, "If Concubine De takes action again, she will definitely use medication to control the Third Prince's condition."

Zhu Yuan nodded quickly: "Yes, Judge Yang, I'll check it out right away!"

Zhu Yuan had just left and I was about to organize my thoughts when I suddenly heard hurried footsteps outside the door.

My heart tightened, and I quickly stood up. I saw Eunuch Fu sneaking his head in from the doorway. When he saw me, he immediately smiled flatteringly: "President Yang, you are really busy."

I laughed dryly. "Eunuch Fu, why did you come here in person? Is there something you want to talk to me about?"

The smile on Eunuch Fu's face faded a little, and he lowered his voice mysteriously and said, "Yang Yuanpan, the emperor asked you to go to the imperial study. He said there is something important to discuss."

Important matter?

My heart couldn't help but tighten.

This "important matter" is most likely related to Concubine De.

The emperor is now full of doubts about the situation in the palace, especially about Lord Zhao's faction.

As an ally of Lord Zhao, Concubine De's recent movements must have attracted the Emperor's attention.

"Okay, I'll be there right away." I quickly straightened my clothes and followed Eunuch Fu to the imperial study.

In the imperial study, the emperor was sitting on the dragon throne with a gloomy expression.

As soon as I entered the room, I felt the low pressure in the air. Even Eunuch Fu was very cautious, fearing that he would anger the emperor.

"Your Majesty, your servant Yang Qing, pays homage." I quickly knelt down and saluted, my heart pounding.

The Emperor glanced at me calmly and waved me to stand up. "President Yang, how is the progress of the matter I asked you to investigate?"

My heart tightened, knowing the Emperor was referring to Consort De's scheme. I bowed and said, "Your Majesty, I have confirmed that the Third Prince has indeed been poisoned, and the source of the poison is most likely the 'tonic' Consort De sent."

Hearing this, the emperor's face instantly darkened, and a cold light flashed in his eyes: "It really is her!"

I quickly added, "However, I haven't found any conclusive evidence yet. Empress Defei is extremely secretive, so I'm afraid it will take some time to gather more clues."

The emperor smiled coldly, a murderous look in his eyes. "No matter how secretive she is, she can't hide from my eyes. Yang Yuanpan, I want you to keep a close eye on her and make sure to investigate all her actions. Also, keep an eye on everyone around her."

My heart sank. The emperor's meaning was obvious - not only would he investigate Concubine De, but all her accomplices as well.

"Your Majesty...understands." I agreed reluctantly, but my heart was beating fast.

Empress Defei is not an ordinary person. She is surrounded by her confidants. It is almost impossible to find a breakthrough from her circle.

The Emperor glanced at me and said coldly, "President Yang, you must proceed with caution in this matter. Consort De still holds some power in the palace, and we must not let her detect my actions."

"I understand." I was complaining in my heart, but on the surface I could only pretend to be calm.

When I came out of the imperial study, my mind was full of messy thoughts.

Continue to investigate Concubine De?

Do you want to check the people around her?

This is like pulling teeth out of a tiger's mouth!

Empress Defei is very cunning and she will notice me if I am not careful.

But I dare not disobey the emperor's order.

Just when I was having a headache, Zhu Yuan rushed over, his face full of anxiety: "President Yang! This is bad!"

I was stunned: "What's wrong? What did you find out?"

Zhu Yuan gasped for breath, his face filled with fear. "I just went to the pharmacy to check, and I found out that Concubine De recently sent someone to bring in a batch of very rare medicinal herbs!"

I frowned: "What medicinal herbs?"

Zhu Yuan swallowed and said in a low voice, "It's 'croton' and 'heartbreak grass'."

I was shocked. Both croton and aconite are highly poisonous, especially aconite. If used skillfully, it can slowly erode the human body and there is almost no cure.

These two medicinal herbs are definitely not used by ordinary palace maids. It is obvious that Concubine De is making a big move by making these things!

"What is she going to do? Could it be..." My mind was racing. Concubine De wanted to use poison to control the Third Prince's illness. Could it be that she also wanted to attack the Emperor?

"No, she shouldn't be that stupid..." I muttered to myself. Zhu Yuan looked at me blankly: "President Yang, what are you mumbling about?"

I waved my hand. "It's nothing. Let's not worry about that for now. We need to find out the purpose of these herbs. Check if anyone has sent a prescription to Concubine De recently, or if she has summoned any imperial physician privately."

Zhu Yuan nodded and hurried to check. I stood there, feeling increasingly uneasy.

Empress Defei's actions are becoming more and more frequent. What is the conspiracy behind this?

At night, the lanterns outside the Imperial Hospital swayed gently in the wind, making it seem particularly quiet.

I sat at the table, looking through the records of medicinal materials coming in and out in recent days, but I still couldn't make sense of it in my mind.

Concubine De's actions are becoming more and more bizarre. The "tonic" she sent has already poisoned the Third Prince, and now she has started to use these highly toxic herbs. Is she really going to risk everything and throw everything at the stake?

"President Yang, President Yang!" Zhu Yuan suddenly rushed in, holding a pile of files in his hands, his face full of panic.

"What's wrong? What happened again?" My heart suddenly tightened and I quickly put down the records in my hand.

Zhu Yuan gasped and said, "I found out that Concubine De secretly summoned a royal doctor recently...it's Royal Doctor Li!"

"Doctor Li?" I frowned, and suddenly had an ominous premonition in my heart.

Doctor Li is one of the most experienced doctors in the Imperial Medical Bureau and has superb medical skills. But if even he is bribed by Concubine De, then this matter will become even more difficult.

"Are you sure it's Doctor Li?" I asked, feeling a little unconvinced.

Zhu Yuan nodded, his expression serious: "I am absolutely sure! Moreover, Doctor Li has been frequently entering and leaving Concubine De's bedroom recently. There is obviously something wrong!"

I frowned and felt even more uneasy.

Imperial Physician Li is so close to Concubine De, I'm afraid things are more complicated than I thought.

Could it be that Concubine De has bribed the imperial physicians of the Imperial Medical Bureau?

Things were getting increasingly difficult, and I had to do something.

"Zhu Yuan, we have to go find Doctor Li and ask him clearly!" I stood up, having made the decision in my heart.

"But Judge Yang, will Imperial Physician Li..." Zhu Yuan looked at me worriedly.

"We can't care about so many things now. We must find out the relationship between him and Concubine De! Otherwise, things will only get worse!" I gritted my teeth, with an ominous premonition in my heart.

Half an hour later, in the backyard of the Imperial Hospital.

Zhu Yuan and I sneaked into Doctor Li's residence.

The light in the room was dim. Through the window, I saw Doctor Li looking down at something with a focused expression.

"President Yang, are we going in like this?" Zhu Yuan asked in a low voice.

I nodded: "Never mind, let's go in and find out!"

So I took a deep breath and pushed the door open.

"Doctor Li, I'm sorry to bother you so late at night." I tried to remain calm and said with a smile.

Doctor Li looked up suddenly. Seeing it was me, a trace of panic flashed across his face. "Yang Yuanpan, why are you here?"

I walked up to him, smiling, "Doctor Li, you've been getting pretty close to Consort De lately. Could you tell me what you're doing to help her?"

Doctor Li's face turned pale instantly, and the file in his hand almost fell to the ground.

He stammered, "Yang... Judge Yang, what are you doing..."

My smile remained unchanged, but my tone was a bit cold. "Doctor Li, we are all colleagues in the Imperial Hospital. If you have anything to say, why not speak frankly? Empress Defei's recent actions are not simple. If you hide anything, I'm afraid it will bring trouble upon yourself."

When Doctor Li heard this, his whole body trembled violently, and a trace of fear flashed in his eyes.

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