Dingbei Hou's doctor brother

"Cyperus rotundus, dried tangerine peel, costus root, and scorched earth..." Lu Ziqing looked at the prescription carefully.

"According to the prescription, it should be abdominal distension, but from this diagnosis, it seems to be due to deficiency and distension. So this prescription needs to be changed."

Lin Yi took it and looked at it. "How do you think we should add or subtract?"

"Let's put it this way." Lu Ziqing said, "I'll write a new recipe for you based on your symptoms. It's my secret recipe. As long as you follow the recipe and take some medicinal food, you'll recover in less than three months. If you're in poor health, it'll take at most... half a year."

"Really?" Lin Yi's eyes lit up. "You have quite a lot of secret recipes?"

Lu Ziqing hummed, then smiled and said, "I've been traveling around the country, meeting all sorts of patients and talented people, and I've learned a lot from them."

"That's really great." Lin Yi put the prescription back into his arms and coughed lightly, "You... don't want to ask who the prescription is for?"

"No need to ask." Lu Ziqing smiled, his hands behind his back. "I've been in the Imperial Hospital for a few months now. Apart from Judge Xu and Master Chi, even Master Lin is willing to speak up for me, and I wouldn't treat him any differently. I'm very grateful. I'll consider the matter of the prescription as a way of repaying him. I wish Master Lin continued success in the future."

Lin Yi smiled, put his hand on the back of Lu Ziqing's neck, put his arm around his shoulders and walked side by side in the corridor.

"Good brother, when I become rich in the future, I will definitely not forget you."

"Then I've been waiting for this day."

The two of them walked happily across the corridor.

"Oh, that..." Lin Yi let go of Lu Ziqing's shoulders, "What bad things did Chi Musheng say about me in front of you?"

Lu Ziqing smiled and shook his head, then walked into the office.

"You two adults bickering all day is quite entertaining. Why don't you set up a stage and I'll buy a ticket to watch it?"

Four days later, the streets and buildings throughout the capital were decorated with colorful paintings, hung with colorful cloths, and placed with flowers. The people were all dressed in bright clothes, and the atmosphere was lively and festive.

Officials of all ranks from all over the country placed incense tables facing the capital and paid their respects.

The Fengtian Hall was newly decorated, with red silk hung high and guards standing outside. Emperor Shengzhi accepted congratulations from all officials and firecrackers were set off.

The Prince's throne is located to the east of the Imperial Throne, facing the kings to the west, with seats arranged in order from south to east and west.

All the ministers wore auspicious clothes, those above the fourth rank stayed inside the hall, and those below the fifth rank stayed outside the hall.

Those present today are all kings, princes, generals, and high-ranking officials.

Lu Ziqing stood in the corner of the hall. It was the first time he saw such a grand and luxurious scene with so many dignitaries gathered together. His eyes wandered around secretly.

Inadvertently, his eyes met a pair of eyes staring at him.

It’s Xiao Yan!

Today he was wearing a bright red robe with a round gold collar and flying fish pattern, a jade belt, and a black gauze hat.

It is completely different from the ordinary brocade robes and the military robes used for handling cases. It makes his handsome appearance even more noble, and his aura is so unattainable.

Lu Ziqing smiled and nodded slightly to return the smile. At the same time, he felt his arm being slightly bent.

He turned his head and saw Chi Musheng looking towards the hall and whispering to him.

"Did you write a prescription for Lin Yi? Don't believe what he says."

Lu Ziqing glanced away and replied, "It's just a prescription, nothing special. He helped me, so I must give him something in return."

"That's his usual tactic," Chi Musheng said. "Everything he says in front of his colleagues has a deeper meaning. I know him."

There was a gentle breeze at night, and the palace was decorated with lights everywhere. Fireworks exploded in the night sky, and the colorful lights were very beautiful.

The evening was a private banquet, mainly attended by concubines, royal relatives, and some trusted ministers.

After a round of drinks, a young man in a robe with four dragon patterns, followed by his followers holding a brocade box, walked to the center of the hall and knelt down.

It’s Chen Yun.

"Today is the Emperor's birthday. I present you with a pair of porcelain vases to wish you a long and blessed life."

The eunuch opened the brocade box, and inside lay a pair of light blue willow-leaf bottles.

"This bottle has an elegant color, like fat and jade, changing with the light. It is absolutely beautiful. This is..." Emperor Shengzhi's eyes lit up and he raised his hand. "Sky blue glaze... Ru porcelain?"

Chen Yun bowed, "Your Majesty has a discerning eye. I've been searching for this pair of azure-glazed willow-leaf vases for a long time. I hope Your Majesty will like them."

"Good!" Emperor Shengzhi was delighted. "You study antiques and have collected quite a few items. I like this one. The King of Wu is very thoughtful."

Emperor Shengzhi was very satisfied not only with the Ru porcelain, but also with Chen Qijing's "Lanting Preface" and Chen Jing's "A Thousand Miles of Rivers and Mountains".

He was usually preoccupied with state affairs and was in a bad mood, so it was a rare opportunity for him to have some fun. He raised his glass and drank two cups with his ministers.

After a while, he started coughing. Gao Jian went forward and rubbed his back, and it took a while for the cough to subside.

The Queen Mother's face was filled with worry. "The Emperor is not feeling well. It's better not to drink. The weather is getting colder. Eat something hot to warm your stomach."

"Yes, Your Majesty," the Queen continued, having a maid bring over the hot porridge from her table. "Although today is your birthday and you should drink to your heart's content, if you have a weak stomach, you should drink less. At least have some hot porridge to fill your stomach."

Emperor Shengzhi put down his wine glass and chuckled, "It's okay, this is my medicinal wine, I drink a little every day."

He stirred the porridge with a spoon. The rice porridge was mixed with vegetables and minced meat. It looked unappetizing, so he put it down and picked a grape to chew.

The queen's mood became solemn. She sat not far away and spoke in a low voice.

"Your Majesty, even if you have no appetite, you must force yourself to eat a few bites. If you keep eating less, your stomach will get worse and worse."

"It's the same dishes every year. They're so greasy that I can't eat them." Emperor Shengzhi wiped his mouth with a handkerchief.

"If the emperor thinks these dishes are too greasy, then ask the kitchen to make some more delicious ones," said the empress dowager.

She looked at Gao Jian and was about to speak when Emperor Shengzhi said.

"Don't worry, mother. Your son knows the importance of this matter. You eat the food, and the queen, you eat too."

At this time, the Concubine Chen, who was sitting outside the Queen, took the opportunity to come over and salute, speaking timidly.

"Your Majesty, I know you are still angry, but even so, I have to say that what my mother and sister said just now is right. We can't go hungry one day and full the next. We will all be worried."

Emperor Shengzhi looked at His Highness and sighed lightly without saying anything.

Concubine Chen was embarrassed. She glanced at the other concubines and then turned to the Queen Mother for help.

"If Your Majesty can't eat these dishes, I have already prepared some medicinal soups and medicated meals. Why don't you try them?"

"The emperor's health is important. Since the concubine has prepared it carefully, let's use some of it." The empress dowager advised.

Emperor Shengzhi acted as if he hadn't heard anything. He pointed at the meat in front of him and said, "This roasted quail slices are good. Mother, please try it."

Gao Jian immediately brought the quail meat over. The empress dowager's brows darkened and she didn't know what to say.

The Concubine Chen stood beside the throne and no one paid any attention to her. She was like a transparent person. From time to time, she glanced at other concubines, and without exception, they were all covering their lips and laughing.

In the past, those bitches would never dare to make fun of me like this, but now, because of what happened in my mother's family, I am also being looked down upon.

She rubbed the fabric with her fingertips, bit her lower lip and hesitated for a while, with tears in her eyes.

"Your Majesty, I know you still don't want to see me because of Yuan Qi. It's truly a favor that you allowed me to accompany you on your birthday today. That child did something foolish, and it's our Guo family who is unworthy of Your Majesty's grace. No matter what punishment Your Majesty imposes, we deserve it."

She cried softly, tears streaming down her face.

"This has happened, and I am deeply distressed. I know I cannot face Your Majesty again. During this time, I have considered banishing me to the cold palace, or confining me to Zhaoqing Palace for the rest of my life, hoping that this would offset even a little of Your Majesty's hatred for me."

Emperor Sheng Zhi lowered his eyes to look at the wine glass, and tightened his hands on the table, as if he was listening to her.

Below the throne, princes and ministers toasted to each other, their laughter and joy were drowned out by the sound of fireworks, as well as the tearful confession of self-blame from the Concubine Chen.

"But, when Your Majesty really ignored me for such a long time, my heart felt like it was being eaten away by thousands of insects. It hurt so much that I couldn't breathe. I have done a thousand wrongs and committed a thousand sins. Your Majesty can beat me and scold me, but please don't ignore me."

The originally festive atmosphere was turned into a crying and sad mood. If outsiders saw it, it would lead to criticism.

The Empress Dowager looked at Emperor Shengzhi from the side and said, "Emperor, don't let others laugh at you."

The Queen Mother spoke, and the Empress had to step forward to persuade her, "Yes, Your Majesty, today is your birthday and you should be happy. Please put aside your unhappiness. Sister Chenfei also has good intentions."

The Empress Dowager and the Queen took the lead, and Concubine Wan and the other concubines had no choice but to follow suit.

Emperor Shengzhi rubbed his fist and finally turned to look at Concubine Chen.

She pursed her lips slightly, and tears flowed from her red eyes like a flood, soaking her clothes.

A moment.

Emperor Shengzhi sighed softly, reached out and held Concubine Chen's hand and squeezed it hard.

"I won't say anything unpleasant today. Your mother's family affairs have nothing to do with you. Since you are so kind, I will accept it. Please return to your seat."

The concubine smiled and saluted, "Your Majesty, thank you."

She turned around and wiped her tears, a smug smile immediately appearing under her handkerchief.