Yu Jingchen’s gaze swept across the assembled officials below, but no one stepped forward to take responsibility; instead, they offered excuses.
"Your Majesty, the physician prescribed medication daily according to the symptoms, and then had it delivered," the imperial physician spoke first.
"Then why hasn't she recovered? Did you examine her pulse daily?" Yu Jingchen, naturally, did not believe these words.
"Reporting to Your Majesty, for the first few days, this minister examined her pulse daily. Later, it was because Consort Nan's condition had stabilized. As long as she continued taking the medicine, she would quickly recover completely, which is why this minister did not come here every day," the imperial physician explained.
"Then why was the medicine delivered each time incorrect?" Yu Jingchen asked again. He clearly remembered what Qian Xia had said earlier, and he also remembered that Qian Xia was specifically found by the Empress Dowager to attend to Nan Ziyun and possessed some medical knowledge.
"Your Majesty, please investigate clearly. This minister truly does not know what is happening," the imperial physician stammered in fear.
"Who was responsible for delivering the medicine?" Yu Jingchen asked again.
"Reporting, reporting to Your Majesty, it was this servant," a small eunuch said tremblingly.
"So, what happened?" Yu Jingchen asked.
"This servant... this servant does not know." The little eunuch was shaking violently. Yu Jingchen could tell at a glance that he was hiding something. He had intended to order him to be punished immediately, but thinking of Nan Ziyun's reaction just now, he swallowed the words he was about to say.
"I'll give you one more chance. Do you truly not know? Whatever I wish to investigate, I will find out." Yu Jingchen's voice grew two points colder than before.
"This servant... Your Majesty, have mercy... Your Majesty, have mercy!" The little eunuch ultimately could not withstand the pressure.
"So you replaced the medicine?" Yu Jingchen asked with a dangerous tone.
"Yes... this servant removed some of the important medicinal ingredients, which is why... which is why the medicine had little effect. Your Majesty, spare my life!" the palace servant kowtowed repeatedly.
Yu Jingchen lightly raised his hand, and the palace servant was dragged away.
"The officials in charge of both places will each receive fifty strokes of the cane, and they will no longer hold their positions," Yu Jingchen declared.
"Beat them after dragging them far away," Yu Jingchen added.
Xing Lai, after hearing this, glanced at Nan Ziyun and likely guessed the reason. It seemed Consort Nan's luck was turning. Perhaps she would need to be more careful in the future.
"I recall saying before that you were responsible for her health. Since you failed to do so, there is no need for you to remain as imperial physicians. For deliberately disobeying orders, you will each receive thirty strokes of the cane and be dragged away as well," Yu Jingchen said, his patience wearing thin.
After all these people were dragged away, Yu Jingchen looked at the group below: "If such a thing happens again in the future, the punishment will be severe. Think carefully before acting."
"Yes," the people below naturally understood Yu Jingchen's meaning.
Nan Ziyun's heart stirred slightly, but she did not dare to attribute this incident to her own doing.
"Let's go in," Yu Jingchen suddenly looked at Nan Ziyun.
"Yes..." Nan Ziyun replied and followed Yu Jingchen into the room. The people below, with great discretion, brought tea.
Although Nan Ziyun did not enjoy Yu Jingchen's favor, solely based on her status and the Empress Dowager's affection, she lacked neither money nor rare items. This tea was indeed good tea.
"Your Majesty, please have some tea," Nan Ziyun picked up a cup.
Yu Jingchen noticed Nan Ziyun's slightly trembling hand, which also seemed to have a burn mark, likely from the previous incident that had not fully healed.
Nan Ziyun's trembling was due to her fear that Yu Jingchen would directly knock over the cup and that her actions might incur his displeasure.
Yu Jingchen took the tea.