Mei Lan was full of confusion. "Your Highness, are you feeling unwell, which is why you sent for Imperial Physician Zhang?"
"Don't worry about that for now. Just go and fetch Imperial Physician Zhang for me."
Mei Lan hesitated, then, worried about Lin Qinghe, quickly said, "Yes, I'll go right away!"
Less than fifteen minutes after Mei Lan left, Imperial Physician Zhang was brought back.
"Your Highness, Imperial Physician Zhang is here."
Lin Qinghe's eyes narrowed slightly, a sharp glint flashing across them. "Mm, you may all withdraw. This princess has something to discuss with Imperial Physician Zhang."
At this, Mei Lan and You Yue were even more bewildered.
So, the princess had summoned Imperial Physician Zhang not because she was unwell, but because she had something to discuss with him?
They dared not ask further. They curtsied and said in unison, "Yes, we will take our leave."
All the palace attendants in the sleeping quarters withdrew, the doors were closed, and Imperial Physician Zhang became uneasy, looking nervously at Lin Qinghe. "Your Highness, for what reason have you summoned this minister?" Su Dan Novel Network.
From Lin Qinghe's words, he understood that she had not summoned him because she was feeling unwell.
Lin Qinghe pondered for a moment and said, "Imperial Physician Zhang, this princess summoned you today to ask if there is any medicine that, when consumed, can present the signs of being gravely injured and near death, yet without actually taking a life. Is there such a medicine?"
Imperial Physician Zhang asked in confusion, "Your Highness, why are you inquiring about such a medicine when you are perfectly well?"
"This... this princess has her uses. Imperial Physician Zhang, you only need to tell me if such a medicine exists."
"This minister must think carefully..."
Imperial Physician Zhang knitted his brows and pondered deeply. After a long while, he suddenly remembered and clasped his hands in salute. "Your Highness, there is indeed a medicine similar to what you described. It is an herb called Purple Illusion. Upon consumption, it causes one to vomit blood and appear gravely injured, but it does not harm the person's life. The person will fall into a coma for three to seven days, but their life will not be in danger."
Lin Qinghe's eyes lit up. "Does Imperial Physician Zhang happen to have this herb on hand?"
"I do. I came across it in a medical text previously. Out of curiosity, I entrusted someone to find a plant outside the palace with great difficulty. I currently have it at my residence."
Lin Qinghe smiled with satisfaction. "Excellent. Imperial Physician Zhang, this princess commands you to prepare this Purple Illusion into pills and send them to Yaohua Palace."
Imperial Physician Zhang's expression changed slightly. "Your Highness, you wish for me to prepare Purple Illusion into pills... are you intending to..."
Lin Qinghe smiled, not answering, and instead asked another question. "Oh, right. Imperial Physician Zhang, your medical skills are superb. You should also know of any medicine that can make horses go mad, shouldn't you?"
Imperial Physician Zhang sensed that something was amiss, and tiny beads of sweat appeared on his forehead. "Your Highness, this minister does know, but Your Highness, you... you... why are you asking about these things?"
Lin Qinghe smiled meaningfully. "It's like this. This princess has some matters that require Imperial Physician Zhang's cooperation."
Imperial Physician Zhang finally reacted, sensing that things were truly not right. He swallowed nervously, his mouth dry, and stammered, "I... I don't know... what Your Highness is referring to? Please clarify, Your Highness..."
Lin Qinghe said, "It's very simple. For Imperial Physician Zhang, it will be mere trifles. As long as you agree, this princess will certainly not treat you poorly..."
Half an hour later.
Imperial Physician Zhang emerged from Yaohua Palace with a panicked expression and a pale face. His legs were weak as he stood outside. He raised his arm to wipe the sweat from his brow.
Although it was already autumn and the breeze was cool, his back was soaked with sweat.
Who would have thought that the Fifth Princess would threaten him into doing these things? If discovered, it would be a crime of deceiving the emperor!
But if he refused, given how doting the Emperor was on the Fifth Princess, he would not escape death. He could only brace himself and agree.
After Imperial Physician Zhang left, Mei Lan and You Yue re-entered the sleeping quarters. They saw Lin Qinghe, who had shed her earlier gloom and appeared refreshed.
You Yue muttered doubtfully, "Is Imperial Physician Zhang's medical skill so extraordinary? He came to Yaohua Palace just once, without even prescribing any medicine, and yet Your Highness has recovered so quickly?"
Hearing this, Lin Qinghe couldn't help but chuckle and shake her head, but she offered no explanation. The matter she had discussed with Imperial Physician Zhang was of utmost importance. The fewer people who knew, the safer it would be. For now, she did not wish for others to know.
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One day later.
Lin Qinghe had just finished her morning ablutions when Mei Lan entered, curtsied, and announced, "Your Highness, Imperial Physician Zhang is here. He says he wishes to see you."
Lin Qinghe said eagerly, "Come! Please escort Imperial Physician Zhang in!"
"Yes, Your Highness."
Mei Lan withdrew to bring Imperial Physician Zhang in. Lin Qinghe then instructed her to withdraw first. After Mei Lan left, Lin Qinghe immediately asked, "Imperial Physician Zhang, did you bring the Purple Illusion as discussed the other day?"
Imperial Physician Zhang cupped his hands. "Your Highness, yes." He then took out a white porcelain bottle from his wide sleeve and handed it over. "Your Highness, please examine this. These are the pills made from Purple Illusion. However, this minister must reiterate that although Purple Illusion does not take a life, it is still harmful to the body and may lead to ailments such as intolerance to cold. You must be cautious..."
Lin Qinghe interrupted him. "This princess is aware. Imperial Physician Zhang need not worry. Just act according to what this princess has instructed."
As long as it was not fatal, Lin Qinghe did not care. Her mission would soon be completed, and she would immediately move to the next world. The body in this world was only temporary.
Since Lin Qinghe had said so, Imperial Physician Zhang had nothing more to say. He then took out another packet of powder and handed it over. "Your Highness, this is the other medicine you requested. The horses will go mad within fifteen minutes of smelling this scent and will be beyond anyone's control."
Lin Qinghe took the packet of powder and nodded slightly. "This princess understands. Thank you for your hard work, Imperial Physician Zhang. In two days, this princess will still need your assistance to act as instructed."
"Yes, Your Highness, this minister obeys!"
She had Mei Lan personally escort Imperial Physician Zhang out of Yaohua Palace. Lin Qinghe sat alone at the table, her eyes lowered, her delicate face lost in thought.
Her method for eliminating Wang Wan was the simplest and most swift: frame him for attempting to murder her!
If successful, given the Emperor's fondness for her original body, Wang Wan would surely die!
Lin Qinghe's plan was also straightforward. On the day of the horse race, she would find a way to get the powder that could induce madness onto Wang Wan. Then, she would have Wang Wan approach the horse she was riding. She would have preemptively consumed the pills made from Purple Illusion to create the appearance of her horse going mad, causing her to fall and appear gravely injured and near death.
The Emperor would be furious and would surely order a thorough investigation. At that point, the powder on Wang Wan that made the horse go mad would be discovered, and it would be concluded that Wang Wan had attempted to murder a princess of the court!