The poison afflicting Marquis Tie Dan, Li Shu, was unknown to Duan Xu. Upon his return, he scoured numerous ancient texts and collections, but found no record of such a toxin.
He refused to give up, believing that any poison curable must have been studied by predecessors. Perhaps it was merely lost to time, or so mysterious that it remained unknown to physicians.
Duan Xu was indeed devoted to medicine, but his pursuit was tinged with ambition. He dared not claim to be the foremost physician in the realm, but within the imperial city, he was undoubtedly the best.
After all, he was the Imperial Physician-in-Chief!
He never imagined that Li Shu’s poison would lead to such a significant setback, that he would be outmatched by a young girl. Initially, he was relieved that he hadn’t been publicly humiliated, managing to save face. However, the more he pondered it afterward, the more unsettled he felt, sensing that he had missed a colossal opportunity.
An opportunity to elevate his medical skills to an even higher level.
Rumor had it that Li Man’er learned her medical arts from her maternal uncle, Ning Dao Cheng, a man with a considerable reputation in the martial world. Ning Dao Cheng was said to be Qiu Yi Xian’s sole disciple in this world.
The thought of missing out on the chance to study under Qiu Yi Xian made Duan Xu’s intestines twist with regret. Upon hearing that Li Man’er was at Xiaoxiang Hall, and moreover, that she was staying in the palace to help Consort Shu recuperate, he could no longer afford to hesitate. Thus, he rushed over in such haste.
“A true man’s word is his bond,” Duan Xu said, clearing his throat. “Since we agreed that I would take you as my disciple, how could I go back on my word?”
Li Qingshu could not quite fathom Duan Xu’s intentions and could only instruct someone to fetch Li Man’er.
When Li Man’er heard that Duan Xu had arrived and was addressing her as Master, she was utterly stunned. The speed at which this fellow changed his tune was astonishing. He had readily accepted the stepping stones she’d offered earlier; why was he trying to climb back now?
Had something happened?
Did he want her help but feared refusal, so he laid bare the matter of their wager?
“Miss, it’s no good just sitting here! Why not go and ask Imperial Physician Duan directly?”
That made sense.
Li Man’er nodded. “Tidy yourself up briefly and ask Imperial Physician Duan to wait a moment.”
The maid who relayed the message quickly agreed and hurried away.
Upon hearing that Li Man’er was willing to see him, Duan Xu’s taut nerves relaxed considerably. He recalled the prescription Li Man’er had written and then observed Li Qingshu’s complexion. He immediately said, “Your subject shall take Consort’s pulse for her well-being.”
Li Qingshu considered it for a moment and agreed. She asked for a chair to be brought for Duan Xu, then removed her bracelet and handed it to a nearby maid before extending her wrist.
Duan Xu excused himself, placed a silk cloth as thin as cicada wings on Li Qingshu’s wrist, and began to take her pulse with concentration.
Li Qingshu’s body had suffered significant damage, and she had numerous ailments. However, what surprised Duan Xu the most was that Li Qingshu had been poisoned. Although a considerable amount of the toxin had been cleared, her internal organs had sustained varying degrees of damage. At this rate, she did not have long to live.
This…
Duan Xu withdrew his hand and clasped his own. “May I ask, Your Ladyship, which imperial physician is responsible for your condition?”
“Imperial Physician Duan need not probe. I am well aware of my own health.”
Duan Xu felt relieved. “Your Ladyship’s illness lies deep within, beyond the diaphragm and below the viscera, with damage to all internal organs. I fear recovery may be difficult.”
“Who says so?” A voice approached, and it was Li Man’er, who had rushed over.
Upon seeing Li Man’er, Duan Xu rose and bowed to her. “Greetings, Master.”
Li Man’er nearly choked. “Imperial Physician-in-Chief Duan, didn’t we agree earlier? This matter was not to be mentioned again. Why are you…” being so untrustworthy?
The scene was rather comical. Not only did Zi Yan and the others find it amusing, but even Li Qingshu could not help but stifle a giggle.
“How can that be? A true man should act in accordance with his words and keep his promises. How can what I’ve said not count!” Duan Xu adopted a humble posture. “Knowing that Master was in the palace, I rushed here immediately.”
“Imperial Physician Duan, can we speak properly?” Li Man’er felt a headache coming on. This Duan Xu practically had the words “ulterior motives” written all over his face. Yet, he put on an act of wanting to learn from her and keep his word, which was infuriating.
“Master, please accept me as your disciple!”
“I…”
Before she could finish, a somewhat shrill voice sounded from outside the door: “The Emperor has arrived.”
Great, another one to stir up trouble. Who could have imagined that the Emperor would arrive at this precise moment?
Everyone quickly prepared to receive him.
“Your subject, Consort, greets Your Majesty. For my tardiness in greeting you, I beg Your Majesty’s forgiveness.”
Emperor Chenghua took a step forward and personally helped Li Qingshu to her feet. His voice was steady, giving no indication of whether he was pleased or angry. “Rise, my beloved concubine.”
“Thank you, Your Majesty.”
Emperor Chenghua glanced at the others, his gaze immediately falling upon Li Man’er. She kept her head down, her features obscured, but her figure appeared remarkably graceful.
He looked only once and then averted his eyes.
Li Qingshu quickly helped the Emperor to the seat of honor. Emperor Chenghua then said, “You may all rise as well!”
Everyone stood.
“Thank you, Your Majesty.”
“Minister Duan, why are you here?”
Duan Xu quickly replied, “Replying to Your Majesty, I heard that my Master had entered the palace and thus rushed here. I also came to take Consort Shu’s pulse for her well-being.”
“Master?” Emperor Chenghua frowned, casting a confused glance at Eunuch Qian beside him.
Eunuch Qian immediately said, “How could Your Majesty forget? Some days ago, Marquis Tie Dan was poisoned, and Imperial Physician-in-Chief Duan was ordered to treat the Marquis. He then made a wager with the Marquis’s eldest daughter…”
Upon hearing this, Emperor Chenghua remembered.
“That’s the matter the Ninth Prince mentioned.”
“Ah, yes. Ninth Prince served as a witness.”
Emperor Chenghua couldn’t help but laugh. “Minister Duan, even you have moments of failure.”
“Your Majesty speaks the truth. However, there are always people superior to us, and beyond the heavens. The same applies to the path of medicine.” Duan Xu cast all pretense aside and, without concern for his reputation before the Emperor, said, “In the past, people often said that a physician must have a benevolent heart, be knowledgeable, and experienced to alleviate the suffering of patients. I used to think so as well, but after meeting Miss Li, my views have changed considerably.”
“Oh?” Emperor Chenghua seemed to glance at Li Man’er. “What do you mean by that?”
“Miss Li, who is my Master, how old is she? Yet she can treat illnesses I cannot and cure poisons I cannot resolve. In my humble opinion, the art of medicine also relies on talent.”
Li Man’er snorted inwardly, thinking that this old man was spewing compliments for free, surely with no good intentions.