Chapter 162: Feigning Illness - Rebirth of the Noble Daughter
Chapter 162: Feigning Illness
The crowd wanted to exclaim in surprise, but they were interrupted by Doctor Zhang’s cough.
He then lowered his voice and asked, “Did the Prime Minister take the Heart-Eroding Pill?”
Having just woken up, Prime Minister Bai showed no fear upon seeing Doctor Zhang. Instead, he smiled faintly, “You really can’t be fooled.”
“That stuff is harmful. You should avoid it in the future. I’ll leave you a prescription. If you really need to feign illness, use it.”
Feign illness? Was it fake? And the Prime Minister took the pill himself?
Everyone present was stunned by Doctor Zhang’s words.
Before anyone could speak, Doctor Zhang cleared his throat and said, “The Prime Minister’s condition is dangerous. We need to find a thousand-year-old Lingzhi and Frost Grass. Using them as medicinal guides, there might still be hope. Otherwise, even I am powerless.”
Those outside, standing not too far away, could hear most of what he said.
“I will now perform acupuncture on the Prime Minister to wake him up so he can take the medicine.”
The imperial physician outside was genuinely impressed. Regardless of anything else, the Prime Minister, whom he had almost declared a hopeless case, was still savable in Doctor Zhang’s eyes?
Though thousand-year-old Lingzhi and Frost Grass are rare, given the Prime Minister’s current status, the Emperor would likely do everything to help. Perhaps the Prime Minister could indeed be saved by Doctor Zhang.
For a long while, there was no movement inside.
Those waiting outside grew anxious but didn’t dare to force their way in, fearing they might disrupt Doctor Zhang’s acupuncture, which no one could afford to risk.
Inside, they communicated silently using pen and paper.
Prime Minister Bai pretended to be ill for the sake of the Bai and Feng families.
Firstly, Duke Wei was pressing his son-in-law Feng Hai in court, which was suspicious. Recalling what Feng Jinyao had mentioned to him a few days ago, he had to be cautious.
Secondly, he had promised Prince Ding to help his candidate secure the position of Director of the Canal Transport Department. Although it was unclear who would be sent, it certainly wouldn’t be Liang Quanbin. Letting him ascend to that position would be aiding the enemy.
Thus, he decided to fake a critical illness to disrupt Duke Wei’s plans.
Arranging things privately would also be easier.
His eldest son had conveyed his intentions to Feng Jinxu a few days ago, so he should be taking action soon.
Bai Sifu quickly wrote back after reading his father’s note.
“Father, rest assured. While you ‘recover at home,’ Fourth Brother and I will stay and look after everything.”
Prime Minister Bai nodded, satisfied with this arrangement.
This would lead people to believe that the Bai and Feng families had encountered some misfortune, resulting in successive crises. This way, they could openly build roads while secretly preparing for battle.
Doctor Zhang didn’t know what they were plotting, but he knew the Heart-Eroding Pill was involved. Only that brat had it, so he must have struck some deal with Prime Minister Bai.
He really did have close ties with the Bai and Feng families.
After setting everything up, Prime Minister Bai lay back on the bed. The door opened from inside, and Bai Chaohai came out with tears in his eyes, saying, “Father has woken up!”
The imperial physician was stunned. Who said wandering doctors weren’t trustworthy?
He rushed inside even faster than the two madams. Sure enough, Prime Minister Bai had his eyes half-open, mumbling as if trying to speak, but no one could understand him.
Madam Bai quickly leaned in to listen, then told the physician, “The Prime Minister asks you to report to the Emperor that he is not in grave danger.”
The physician nearly burst into tears. Prime Minister Bai truly was loyal to the Emperor and the country. He immediately bowed and said, “Rest assured, Prime Minister. I will report to the Emperor truthfully. But, Doctor Zhang, what did you diagnose? I need to report accurately.”
“Hmph, can’t even diagnose the condition? The Imperial Medical Academy really needs to broaden its horizons.”
Doctor Zhang’s sharp tongue left no one unscathed.
The physician smiled bitterly. He knew Doctor Zhang was right and deeply bowed, sincerely asking, “Please enlighten me, Doctor Zhang.”
“Forget it, there’s no point arguing with a junior. The Prime Minister is just overworked, with a blockage in his chest. If not for the golden needle removing the blockage, he would’ve been gone in three days.” He then revealed the large bruise on the Prime Minister’s chest to the physician.
“I see. It was my incompetence that nearly cost the Prime Minister’s life.” He was about to kneel in apology, but Bai Chaohai quickly stopped him, reassuring him.
“The physician treats the royal family daily. There’s no need to be so harsh on yourself.”
“Thank you for your understanding.”
At this point, the Prime Minister was exhausted. The medicine had cooled to the right temperature, and a servant brought it in. Doctor Zhang sniffed it and quickly recited his own prescription.
“You do have some skill.” Doctor Zhang’s praise was sincere. The Heart-Eroding Pill was rare. Without prior knowledge of its properties, it would be hard to diagnose the Prime Minister’s condition. The fact that the physician managed to prescribe the right medicine was commendable.
“Compared to you, Doctor Zhang, I am nothing. Since the Prime Minister has someone to treat him, I will return to the palace.”
“Physician, I’ll see you out.” With the Prime Minister awake, Bai Chaohai could now manage other affairs.
Soon, news of the Prime Minister’s grave illness spread. While the common folk knew little, the nobility was abuzz.
After all, he had collapsed in court, and everyone had seen it.
In the palace, Emperor Qi heard that the Prime Minister had regained consciousness but was still weak. As the physician had predicted, he immediately sent the precious thousand-year-old Lingzhi and Frost Grass from the royal storeroom to the Bai family to show imperial grace and the harmony between the ruler and his ministers.
The Bai family received these life-saving items with immense gratitude, kneeling in thanks towards the northern palace.
With these ingredients and Doctor Zhang’s miraculous skills, the Prime Minister’s condition stabilized.
For seven or eight days, the Bai household declined all visitors.
The Xu family visited under the pretense of delivering medicine, which the Bai family accepted. When the Wei family attempted to do the same, they were refused.
This infuriated Wei Dalang, who cursed at home, but Duke Wei remained calm.
“Falling ill is even better. This way, Liang Quanbin’s appointment will be simpler.”
“But father, didn’t the Emperor say this matter was postponed?”
“It can be delayed, but it still needs to be resolved. We can delay, but can Zhejiang? The position of Director of the Canal Transport Department is too powerful for anyone but our Wei family to handle.”
His boldness was not unfounded but nurtured over the years.
Wei Dalang, standing nearby, felt more at ease after hearing this. “Hmph, the Xu family is ungrateful and the Bai family is no good either. When the Ninth Prince’s grand plan succeeds, they’ll be the first to go!”
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