Leng Ruo Li smiled.
Mama Fang glanced at Leng Ruo Li with a gentle gaze and turned to attend to the Empress Dowager.
Leng Ruo Li tidied up her medicine box by the side.
Director Zhang had been watching her intently, and now he seized the opportunity to ask the young girl his questions.
"Miss, about how long do you estimate it will take to completely cure the Empress Dowager's illness?" Director Zhang asked with anticipation.
"To completely cure the Empress Dowager's lung consumption, it will roughly take three months. However, this is contingent on her cooperating with my treatment," Leng Ruo Li told Director Zhang.
"Alas, I am ashamed. After researching this lung consumption for so many years, I am still helpless. Yet, you, a young lady, can cure it in three months." Director Zhang's expression was neither happy nor resigned as he said this.
"I wonder how your medicinal liquids are made," Director Zhang asked, full of curiosity.
"Oh, these medicinal liquids are extracted from the herbs using a special method. They can be directly administered into the body, shortening the patient's recovery time," Leng Ruo Li replied in a concise and clear manner.
Director Zhang, half-understanding, pondered for a moment.
"Then, could I also cool down the herbal decoction I've boiled and use your device to administer it to the patient?"
Director Zhang's words startled Leng Ruo Li. "Absolutely not! That would be fatal. My medicinal liquids are extracted using a very special method. Director Zhang, please do not act rashly."
"Oh, I was merely asking. After all, your treatment method is something I, with decades of medical practice, have never encountered before. May I inquire which esteemed master you studied under?"
Leng Ruo Li had anticipated this question and had already prepared her response.
"My master was an expert recluse who passed away not long ago. It was my mysterious master who taught me this treatment method."
"So, that is the case. What a pity. If only I could have met him and discussed medical arts, I would have no regrets even if I were to die tomorrow."
Hearing Director Zhang's words, Leng Ruo Li was left speechless.
"Uh..."
Another medical enthusiast!
Leng Ruo Li pressed her forehead, turning away in exasperation and sticking out her tongue. Forgive me, forgive me, she had lied again.
Just then, Mama Fang's voice reached her ears, "Miss, the Empress Dowager's infusion has run out."
Leng Ruo Li took another bottle of medicinal liquid from her medicine box and hurried to the bedside, changing the Empress Dowager's infusion.
Director Zhang followed closely behind her, examining it carefully. He then voiced another question, "Miss, why do all the medicinal liquids in your medicine box look the same? Are you using the same liquid for everything?"
"No, each of my medicines cannot be used indiscriminately. They each correspond to specific ailments," Leng Ruo Li explained patiently.
"I am greatly interested in your treatment methods. If these healing methods could be popularized throughout Tianwu Kingdom, think of how many ordinary citizens of Tianwu Kingdom could be saved."
Director Zhang secretly resolved that if Leng Ruo Li could cure the Empress Dowager's lung consumption, he would immediately become her disciple.
The next morning
Morning sunlight streamed in through the window, casting a warm glow upon the Empress Dowager's phoenix bed through the gauze curtains.
The Empress Dowager slowly opened her eyes. She felt comfortable throughout her body, no longer experiencing the discomfort of the previous night. She had also slept soundly, a feat she hadn't accomplished in over half a year. Her coughing had also subsided, and she felt as if she had been resurrected.
"Empress Dowager, are you awake?" Leng Ruo Li asked with a smile.
Seeing Leng Ruo Li and Mama Fang standing by her bed, her gaze became even more benevolent towards them.
She said to Leng Ruo Li, "Miss, this humble one thanks you for saving this old woman's life. I never expected someone so young to possess such profound medical skills."
"Empress Dowager, saving lives and treating illnesses is my duty as a physician. Being able to cure your illness is also this young lady's good fortune," Leng Ruo Li said with a smile.
"Empress Dowager, Miss Leng stayed up with you all night. I tried several times to have her rest, but she refused to leave, insisting on personally attending to you," Mama Fang interjected.
"You are truly a kind-hearted child. This humble one thanks you!"
The Empress Dowager said emotionally, attempting to struggle to sit up. Her complexion had improved significantly that morning, regaining some of its color.
Earlier that morning, Leng Ruo Li had asked Mama Fang to prepare a light meal of vegetable and lean meat congee for the Empress Dowager. Now that the Empress Dowager had woken up, after assisting her with her ablutions, she would be fed some congee.
Leng Ruo Li personally fed her. In a short while, she had finished a small bowl, much to Mama Fang's tearful joy.
Shortly after, Director Zhang entered.
Seeing that the Empress Dowager could now eat and that her complexion had greatly improved, he was astonished by the miraculous effect of the young lady's medicine. He was once again amazed.
Since the Empress Dowager's lung consumption had worsened, her appetite had diminished daily, her complexion had become sallow and lacked color.
"Your subject pays respects to the Empress Dowager!" Director Zhang performed a kowtow to the Empress Dowager.
The Empress Dowager: "Rise."
Then, the Empress Dowager looked at him again.
"I am aware of the effort you have put into treating my lung consumption. I thank you as well."
"That is what your subject should do."
At this moment, a figure clad in imperial yellow appeared at the entrance of Ren Shou Palace. The Emperor, having just finished his morning court, had rushed to Ren Shou Palace, followed by the Empress, consorts from various palaces, and a host of princes and princesses including Jun Mo Han and Jun Mo Yao.
The Emperor said to a palace maid guarding the entrance of Ren Shou Palace, "Go and announce that the eldest daughter of the Leng family is to come out and see me."
The palace maid curtsied and walked into the inner chambers.
Leng Ruo Li, who was already aware of the commotion outside the door, immediately got up from her stool and walked towards the main entrance.
Upon opening the door, she was greeted by a dense crowd, causing her eyebrows to furrow slightly.
Leng Ruo Li: "Your subject pays respects to the Emperor!"
The Emperor: "Rise!"
"I heard that you can cure the Empress Dowager's lung consumption. Is this true?"
Leng Ruo Li looked up and saw Imperial Physician Chen from the previous night in the crowd, and she immediately understood what was happening.
Seeing his smug expression, she knew he was definitely trying to cause trouble for her.
"Yes, Your Majesty. Your subject has a method to help the Empress Dowager recover from lung consumption."
"Good, good. Once you have cured the Empress Dowager, I shall bestow a generous reward."
"Thank you, Your Majesty!"
"What is the Empress Dowager's condition now?"
"Replying to Your Majesty, the Empress Dowager is somewhat better. She just ate a small bowl of congee."
"Excellent, excellent. It seems the Leng family has produced a divine physician."
"Your Majesty, although the Empress Dowager's condition has improved, it is still highly contagious. It is not advisable to linger here for long," Leng Ruo Li reminded him.
The Emperor's stern eyes swept over the crowd as he commanded, "Did you hear what the eldest daughter of the Leng family said? Everyone disperse."
The Emperor, leading the throng, departed. However, just as she turned to re-enter the room, a tall and slender figure swiftly darted inside, immediately covering her mouth.
"Shh! Ugly woman, don't make a sound."
"Leng... Mmmph..."
Jun Mo Han lowered his head, burying his face in her neck and gently blowing warm air into her nape, tickling her ears and causing her face to flush crimson.
Mama Fang, who had come out looking for her, happened to witness this scene.
"Oh my, I saw nothing. Please continue, continue..." Mama Fang said with delight.
"..."
What did Mama Fang mean by that? She was being held captive, for goodness sake!
Didn't she see her mouth was being covered?
Jun Mo Han's handsome brows rose, a slight smile playing on his lips. Mama Fang's imagination was running wild.
Then, Jun Mo Han quickly released his hand from Leng Ruo Li's mouth.
"Your Highness Prince Leng, the Empress Dowager's lung consumption is highly contagious. You cannot come in."
"My body is perfectly fine, I'm not afraid."
"Still, you cannot. You must leave Ren Shou Palace immediately."
"Yes, Your Highness Prince Leng, please return quickly. The Empress Dowager has just fallen asleep again. If she wakes up and knows you snuck into Ren Shou Palace, she will be angry again," Mama Fang urged.
"Mama Fang, please just let me see my Imperial Grandmother. I haven't seen her for over half a year."
"This..."
"How about this, Miss Leng, you can also give Your Highness Prince Leng an injection of that preventative medicine for lung consumption."
"Alright."
Leng Ruo Li walked into the inner room and took out a syringe from her medicine box.
Jun Mo Han looked at the strange object in Leng Ruo Li's hand and asked.
"What is this thing?"