Though the tiger skin was warm, it did nothing to alleviate the chill that permeated her body.
The cold was bone-deep.
Just as before, it had not lessened at all.
Lost in thought, Jiang Luoxi hadn't noticed anything amiss. It was only when Zuo Yan spoke that she sensed something was wrong.
However, she did not panic. She trusted Zuo Yan's medical skills.
She extended her wrist. "Examine my pulse."
Compared to Jiang Luoxi's composure, Zuo Yan's face had turned completely ashen.
As his fingers touched her wrist, they trembled uncontrollably.
Especially when he felt her pulse.
He lowered his gaze, falling silent.
Seeing Zuo Yan's rapidly changing expression, Jiang Luoxi sensed that something was amiss.
The Empress Dowager's heart lurched. She stared at Zuo Yan. "What is happening?"
Zuo Yan attempted to speak, but as he opened his lips, they quivered. He was trying his best to control himself, but the shock was too great. "It's not the original medicine!"
"What? What do you mean? How is that possible? How could it not be your medicine? Did, did Yun Shu swap the medicine without us noticing?" the Empress Dowager questioned, her voice laced with suspicion.
In such a short amount of time, under everyone's watchful eyes, could Yun Shu have swapped the medicine?
Upon hearing this, Zuo Yan's expression grew even graver, his face paler. He slowly shook his head. "The medicine was not swapped."
"Then why do you say it's not the original medicine?" the Empress Dowager asked, displeased. If the medicine was the same, why the sudden pretense?
So many things had happened today, already leaving her quite frustrated.
Jiang Luoxi's expression shifted, but her voice remained steady. "Speak, what exactly is happening?"
"The medicine is the same, and it came from my hand, but it's been tampered with! Tampered with in a way I didn't detect at the time. Even taking the antidote wouldn't have much effect! Yun Shu's medical skills are likely not as simple as we thought. She probably saw through the effects of my medicine, so her tampering has a similar effect to my own medicine!" As Zuo Yan spoke these words, his lips and teeth felt a chill.
It was a chill born of underestimating an enemy.
"What?!" the Empress Dowager exclaimed. Even with her vast experience in court intrigue, she was shocked by Zuo Yan's words.
Had she misjudged?
And Jiang Luoxi, who had shown no panic when she learned the medicine was incorrect, her face drastically changed upon hearing Zuo Yan's words.
Zuo Yan also felt a sense of dread. "She could see through the medicine's effects, so by catching us off guard, she gave me the medicine intended for the Emperor, which also means she knew its effects."
Almost no one could discern the ingredients within the medicine he concocted.
He was extremely confident in his medical skills.
He had never encountered an equal.
Even though he had heard of the "Divine Hand Physician" long ago, he had never paid it any mind, believing it to be mere self-promotion.
His medical skills were far superior to any so-called Divine Hand Physician.
Could a general's daughter who had studied medicine for only a few years truly be more skilled than the Divine Hand Physician? Could she see through his medicine?
He suddenly recalled that the Regent had mentioned Yun Shu might be a disciple of the Divine Hand Physician.
If the disciple was this capable, then what about the master?
Suddenly, he became very curious about the Divine Hand Physician he had previously dismissed.
But now was not the time for curiosity. He had to find a cure for Miss Jiang, and for himself as well.
"Can you think of a way to cure this?" Jiang Luoxi asked, her voice deep.
Had she underestimated Yun Shu?
Possessing such profound medical skills?
Then, the King of Night was no longer in a hurry to find renowned physicians across the land? She hadn't heard any news of the King of Night searching for physicians in a long time.
Zuo Yan's expression was grave. "Please give me some time, Your Majesty and Miss. I will certainly be able to concoct an antidote. For now, please take this pill, Miss Jiang, it will help resist the cold."
Jiang Luoxi took it and swallowed it.
Zuo Yan also took a pill for himself.
Then, he quietly withdrew.
He had to develop the antidote in the shortest possible time!
He would show Yun Shu that even her tampering was in vain!
After Zuo Yan left, the Empress Dowager, her brows furrowed, looked at Jiang Luoxi. "Is Yun Shu truly that capable?"
Jiang Luoxi nodded. "Since Zuo Yan says so, it must be true. Your Majesty, we have been overlooking Yun Shu, thinking she has only become smarter since five years ago. Her saving Miss Tang was definitely not a coincidence; her medical skills are truly extraordinary."
The Empress Dowager's brow furrowed deeply, her expression clearly turning grim at Jiang Luoxi's words. "Damn it! Who did she learn medicine from? Could it be, as the Regent said, that hidden physician in the martial world, the Divine Hand Physician whom hardly anyone can find?"
"The Divine Hand Physician?" Jiang Luoxi's face was ashen, her gaze slightly lowered as she softly murmured the words.
In the martial world, it was indeed very difficult to find this Divine Hand Physician.
She had only heard rumors.
"Let's put this matter aside for now, Luoxi. Think about tomorrow!" The Empress Dowager suddenly had a premonition that Yun Shu would disrupt their plans.
She would ruin her grand endeavor!
Jiang Luoxi nodded. "Yes, we must think carefully about this."
She glanced at the tiger skin on her body. Beneath her lowered eyelids, her eyes were cold, chilling to the bone.
...
After leaving the palace, Yun Shu and Zhan Tianye boarded a carriage.
They headed towards the General's mansion.
Soon, they arrived.
Coincidentally, Old Master Qin was also there.
As they stepped into the courtyard, they saw boxes filling the entire space.
Each box gleamed with a golden light, so dazzling it could blind anyone.
Yun Shu was slightly stunned by this grand display.
Old Master Qin was truly wealthy and extravagant.
With this many boxes filling the courtyard, few people in the entire capital could afford such a display so easily.
The servants were clearly still in shock. They informed Yun Shu that Old Master Qin had personally brought them, as her betrothal gifts!
After hearing the servants and looking at the rows of boxes on the ground,
Yun Shu looked at Zhan Tianye.
"These are your maternal grandfather's tokens of affection. Accept them with peace of mind. My betrothal gifts will be delivered tomorrow," Zhan Tianye said, his dark eyes fixed on her, as if in the vast universe, she was the only star he could see.
His tone was exceedingly gentle.
Under his gaze, Yun Shu felt a blush creep onto her cheeks.
Couldn't he temper his gaze a little?
Just now, in the carriage, when they were alone, he had confirmed with her again, wanting to ensure she hadn't agreed to the marriage solely because of Xiao Jing and the others. Under his gaze, she could only tell him the truth.
After spending these past days together,
She had indeed developed some feelings for him.
At that moment, his gaze was the same as it was now, looking at her.
"You're back?! Quick, quick, come in!"
Old Master Qin and Yun Changfeng walked over, spotting Yun Shu and Zhan Tianye from a distance.
Old Master Qin immediately called out to them.