The weather gradually turned cold, and Situ Jue was too ill to get out of bed.
More than a dozen imperial physicians were at a loss, kneeling before Emperor Changwu in unison, stating that the Prince of Ning's illness was truly strange, beyond their comprehension and experience. They implored His Majesty to post an imperial decree to search for renowned physicians, or the Prince of Ning might not survive the winter.
Ji Jin stood beside Emperor Changwu, his gaze lowered, concealing all emotions within.
Winter? Heh, calculating the days, he had at most half a month left.
Emperor Changwu had witnessed the infighting of the harem since childhood and had placed many spies in the back palace after his children were born. Thus, except for the first prince's premature death and the fourth prince's disfigurement, all other children had grown up safely. To suddenly hear that Situ Jue was dying, he was utterly stunned.
He took a step back and almost fell, but was steadied by Li Furui. Tears welled up in Li Furui's eyes, "Your Majesty, your health is paramount!"
Emperor Changwu closed his eyes and said heavily, "Do you have no solutions at all?"
The dozen imperial physicians looked at each other, none daring to speak. Emperor Changwu then turned to Ji Jin, "Minister Ji, what about you?"
Ji Jin knelt before him, "Your Majesty, your humble servant understands your intentions, but there are no signs of poisoning on the Prince of Ning. Furthermore, your servant has used four different methods to induce parasites, and there has been no reaction within the Prince of Ning's body."
"Like treating a headache, by using parasitic worms in medicine?"
"Your humble servant is incompetent, ignorant of the Prince of Ning's illness, let alone what kind of parasite to use." He kowtowed heavily, feeling somewhat guilty towards the old man.
Because he had cured his headache, Emperor Changwu had always given him the highest preferential treatment, otherwise, he wouldn't have thrived so smoothly in the Imperial Hospital.
But he had still poisoned his son and stood by watching.
However, he did not regret it. Situ Jue was not a good person; having committed all sorts of wrongdoings, could he not be allowed to seek revenge?
Emperor Changwu was not a tyrannical ruler and never resorted to scapegoating. However, the impending grief of losing a son ignited his anger. The entire Imperial Hospital, from top to bottom, was punished, each receiving thirty strokes of the cane.
He spent so much money to maintain the Imperial Hospital, which was said to house the most elite physicians in the Great Yin.
Yet, they couldn't even ascertain the cause of his son's illness, dragging it on for over two months, leading to a critical state. It was already merciful that they weren't made to accompany his son in death.
They were all doctors who prescribed remedies with pen and ink, at most using needles to stimulate acupuncture points. Which doctor could withstand the caning? Moreover, those admitted to the Imperial Hospital were generally not very young, so they were all in a panic, constantly exchanging glances with Ji Jin, hoping he, as the head of the hospital, would intercede for them.
But Ji Jin calmly kowtowed, "Your humble servant accepts the punishment."
Well, there was no hope left.
Li Furui, however, became anxious, "Your Majesty, if the entire Imperial Hospital is punished, what if you or the consorts catch a cold or have a headache? Who will you turn to?"
Especially Imperial Physician Ji, he was His Majesty's personal imperial physician.
Whenever he felt unwell, it was he who managed his health. His Majesty had often praised him for his miraculous healing abilities. If these thirty strokes were administered, let alone whether it would make Imperial Physician Ji disheartened, what if something untoward happened from the caning? Where would His Majesty find such a satisfactory physician in the short term?
Emperor Changwu, consumed by grief, was angered by this and ordered, "Immediately post an imperial decree outside the palace. Whoever can save Jue'er's life, I will reward them with ten thousand taels of gold and appoint them an official in the palace."
Li Furui knew he couldn't persuade him further and went to carry out the order.
Before long, all the imperial physicians in the Imperial Hospital were brought out and beaten.
Imperial physicians were much like frail scholars; few could withstand a beating. Even though the executioners were afraid of killing one or two and did not strike with full force, after thirty strokes, all the imperial physicians collapsed. They were all carried out of the palace on stretchers, their bodies bloody and bruised.
Others were fine; they had families, spouses, and people to care for them. At the very least, their households had servants.
Only Ji Jin was a solitary man. Due to his cleanliness, he didn't even have a servant at home, making the eunuch who escorted him back unable to help but pity him. Ji Jin, however, was indifferent. He refused the eunuch's offer to help him apply medicine and, supporting himself by the doorframe, limped into the kitchen.
Covered in blood, he couldn't go to bed without bathing.
News of the entire Imperial Hospital being caned due to the Prince of Ning's illness quickly spread throughout the three palaces and six courtyards. The consorts, though angered, dared not speak out. Only Noble Consort Jian felt the punishment was not severe enough. After smashing a vase, she cursed, "These quacks should all be dragged out and beaten to death."
"A bunch of quacks, unable to cure even a minor illness."
"Wuwuwu, my imperial son."
As she cursed, she began to cry. Tears streamed down her unadorned face, revealing the fine lines clearly.
She cried heartbrokenly, her appearance and demeanor, which she usually cherished most, long forgotten.
Emperor Changwu, who had not visited Shenfang Palace for a long time, gestured for silence outside the palace. He dismissed everyone and entered the room, sighing, "Jue'er is gravely ill. Go out of the palace and accompany him."