My Beloved Concubine Only Wants to Eat Melons

"How strange - why did the Empress Dowager suddenly have a relapse of her old illness?"

After their initial surprise, Yanshu and Yuwen Lan immediately rushed to the Palace of Benevolent Peace to check on her.

When they arrived, they found the Empress Dowager lying in bed with her eyes tightly shut and brows furrowed, appearing to be in great pain.

By her bedside, Zhang Shengkang was taking her pulse. Upon seeing the two arrive, he and the others immediately bowed in greeting.

Seeing this scene, both of them felt their hearts sink.

Yanshu and Yuwen Lan were well aware that Zhang Shengkang was not an honorable man, but unfortunately, the Empress Dowager trusted him completely and always summoned him first whenever she felt unwell.

Of course, he wasn't the main concern right now. Yuwen Lan first commanded everyone to rise, then anxiously asked, "How is the Empress Dowager?"

Zhang Shengkang replied, "Your Majesty, the Empress Dowager is suffering from another attack of her chronic headache."

Yanshu was skeptical and said, "Her Majesty was perfectly fine when I visited this morning. How did she suddenly fall ill?"

In response, Zhang Shengkang quickly explained, "Noble Consort Yi may not be aware, but Her Majesty's condition is highly susceptible to weather changes. In the past, her attacks were usually triggered by cold weather in autumn and winter, when external wind pathogens affected her. I heard Her Majesty went hiking yesterday, so it's very likely that the mountain breeze triggered another episode."

Yanshu remained doubtful.

Really? Yesterday wasn't even cold, and Osmanthus Mountain wasn't very high with barely any wind. Besides, the Empress Dowager had worn a veiled hat after leaving her carriage - how could the wind have affected her?

...Could Zhang Shengkang have poisoned the Empress Dowager?

But just as she was thinking this, she heard Zhang Shengkang's cold laugh in his mind, [What, you think I would poison the Empress Dowager? Hah, would I be that stupid?]

Yanshu: "..."

Well, it seemed he wasn't behind this after all.

Meanwhile, Yuwen Lan silently took in everything he heard, his brows slightly furrowed.

Ever since learning of Zhang Shengkang's poor character, he had also suspected the man might be responsible for the Empress Dowager's recurring illness. However, after secretly listening to his thoughts several times, he never found any trace of the man plotting against her.

So it seemed he truly had nothing to do with the Empress Dowager's condition.

At this moment, hearing Zhang Shengkang's explanation, he could only say to the Empress Dowager, "Mother, how are you feeling now? I was too careless yesterday, causing you to suffer like this."

After he spoke, Yanshu also said with guilt, "It was my idea, so I'm the one to blame."

Hearing them speak this way, the Empress Dowager finally managed to open her eyes and sighed, "Don't blame yourselves. It's my own weakness, don't feel responsible."

She then tightly furrowed her brows again and closed her eyes, looking very much in pain.

The sight made both their hearts clench with worry.

Yanshu quickly asked Zhang Shengkang, "What should we do now? How can we help Her Majesty recover quickly?"

Zhang Shengkang replied, "Noble Consort Yi, for now, the Empress Dowager should focus on taking medicine and resting. She must stay indoors these few days and absolutely avoid catching cold or wind."

As if afraid she wouldn't believe him, he hurriedly explained further, "This type of chronic headache is very stubborn. For all these years, whenever the Empress Dowager has an attack, this has been the treatment. There's no permanent cure."

Yanshu could only nod.

Indeed, in less than a year, she had personally witnessed the Empress Dowager suffer through three attacks. It truly seemed difficult to cure.

But this was her beloved number one supporter! Seeing such a perfect mentor in such pain made her heart ache terribly...

Just then, she heard Zhang Shengkang think to himself, [If it weren't for my intervention, the Empress Dowager would suffer for even longer each year. Little Emperor, you should know that I'm irreplaceable!]

As Yuwen Lan was about to frown at this, he heard Yanshu's explosive thoughts, [What? This old dog dares to call my man that?! Only I get to call him 'Little Emperor'!!!]

Hmph, what does he mean by 'irreplaceable'?

No, this old scoundrel was getting too arrogant. She had to do something about it! She refused to believe that Doctor Jiang couldn't cure the Empress Dowager.

Yuwen Lan thought the same. Based on past evidence, Jiang Nianqi's medical skills were no less than Zhang Shengkang's. He might well be able to cure the Empress Dowager's chronic condition.

But before he could speak, the smell of medicine wafted over - Dan Shuang, a palace maid from the Palace of Benevolent Peace, had arrived with freshly brewed medicine.

Seeing this, Yanshu quickly said, "Let me do it."

She took the bowl of medicine, sat by the bed, and began helping the Empress Dowager drink it.

As she did so, she couldn't help but feel heartbroken, thinking to herself: This medicine smells so bitter, why must her mentor suffer like this after enduring hardship for most of her life? Please get better soon.

After finishing the bowl of medicine, the Empress Dowager forced her eyes open and said to them, "It's getting late. Your Majesty should go rest, and Noble Consort Yi is carrying the imperial heir - don't exhaust yourself worrying about me."

But Yanshu replied, "I have nothing urgent to attend to. I can't rest easy seeing you like this, Your Majesty. Let me stay with you a while longer."

She then turned to Zhang Shengkang and said, "Doctor Zhang, you must be tired too. Please go have your meal first."

Seeing this, Zhang Shengkang could only bow and withdraw.

With the annoying presence gone from the chamber, Yanshu quickly said to the Empress Dowager, "I understand you've always trusted Doctor Zhang, but different doctors might have different approaches. Why don't we invite Doctor Jiang to examine you as well?"

The Empress Dowager sighed and said, "It's all the same. I know my own illness - there's no good solution."

Seeing this, Yuwen Lan quickly added, "Mother, you've seen Doctor Jiang's medical skills yourself recently. He might be even more capable than Zhang Shengkang. Why not let him try? Your health is what matters most."

Hearing him speak thus, the Empress Dowager finally agreed.

Soon after, Doctor Jiang arrived hurriedly upon receiving the summons.

After taking the Empress Dowager's pulse for a while, he reported to the two, "Your Majesty, Noble Consort Yi, from the pulse, it appears Her Majesty is suffering from spleen deficiency, blood and qi deficiency, liver qi stagnation, and poor blood circulation blocking the channels, causing yang energy to fail to rise and nourish the head."

This medical terminology was quite technical - Yanshu couldn't really understand it. Looking at the emperor, she saw him slightly furrowing his brows, seemingly not comprehending either.

The Empress Dowager was already drowsy, so after some thought, Yanshu simply had a palace maid stay to attend to her while she led the emperor and Doctor Jiang to the outer chamber to talk.

With no other people around, she immediately asked Doctor Jiang, "The Empress Dowager's illness is chronic, flaring up every year and causing her great suffering. In your opinion, can it be completely cured?"

After she spoke, Yuwen Lan nodded, looking at Doctor Jiang.

Both of them were full of hope, truly wanting to help the Empress Dowager.

However, Doctor Jiang bowed his head and said, "Your Highness, chronic headaches are indeed difficult to cure completely. Most prescriptions can only provide relief."

What?

Both were stunned - could even Doctor Jiang do nothing?

Yanshu refused to accept this and pressed, "How can that be? You could even cure aconite poisoning! How can you not cure a mere headache?"

Doctor Jiang showed an ashamed expression and said, "I am inadequate and have disappointed Your Highness. Usually, external injuries and acute illnesses are relatively easy to treat. The Empress Dowager's condition is an internal illness and a long-standing one at that, which truly is difficult to cure completely."

Yanshu: "..."

Was there really no way to help her beloved mentor?

Just as she was about to despair, Doctor Jiang continued, "When I treated the aconite poisoning last time, it was an emergency with only one option - I had to take the risk to save the person. But while others can risk such treatment, how could we casually risk the Empress Dowager's wellbeing?"

Risk?

Yanshu paused, thinking that this implied there might be a solution after all?

Yuwen Lan had caught on as well. After some thought, he said, "If you have any ideas, please speak freely. I know you're very knowledgeable, surely more so than others."

Upon hearing these words, Doctor Jiang paused before responding, "Your Majesty, I do know that there was once a famous physician in the capital named Xun Ji. He authored a book called 'Medical Records Collection,' which documented numerous difficult cases and their treatments. Years ago, I had the fortune to glimpse this book, and I vaguely remember it contained methods for treating stubborn migraines. Unfortunately, I only had a brief look and couldn't study it thoroughly. Now I can only recall a few of the medicines mentioned, not the complete prescription, so I dare not rashly treat the Empress Dowager."

As his words fell, both Yuwen Lan and Yanshu froze.

Had Doctor Jiang just mentioned his own father?

Then, they heard him sigh heavily in his heart, [If only I hadn't been so playful back then, if only I had been more obedient, I wouldn't have wasted my father's life's work...]

Yanshu, listening quietly, thought to herself that this 'Medical Records Collection' must be the secret manual that Zhang Shengkang had stolen.

Suddenly, the system chimed in, [That's right, it's that secret manual.]

Yanshu drew in a sharp breath, [So you're saying Zhang Shengkang has this manual and could cure the Empress Dowager's condition, but deliberately won't?]

The system replied matter-of-factly, [Well, if he cured the Empress Dowager right away, how else would he maintain her favor?]

Yanshu couldn't help but curse Zhang Shengkang as a scoundrel three times!!!

Damn, this dog of a man was truly despicable!!! To treat her number one supporter this way! He had absolutely no conscience!!!

Hearing her curses, Yuwen Lan felt equally angry.

This Zhang Shengkang was just like how he had been with him - knowing the cure but refusing to treat, only seeking merit and favor. Truly detestable!!!

Such a petty man would always be petty, not worthy of any trust.

Of course, after the initial anger subsided, he understood that the most pressing matter now was how to obtain this 'Medical Records Collection.'

Just then, Yanshu asked Doctor Jiang, "So if we could find this 'Medical Records Collection,' you would be able to treat the Empress Dowager?"

Doctor Jiang replied, "I would be ninety percent confident."

Ninety percent?

Yanshu raised an eyebrow. Knowing that physicians rarely made empty promises, Doctor Jiang's confidence was very promising.

At this moment, Yuwen Lan asked Doctor Jiang, "Does the doctor know how we might find this book?"

Yanshu was startled, thinking to herself, hadn't he remembered that the book was with Zhang Shengkang?

Before she could react, Doctor Jiang spoke, "I heard that Master Xun was falsely accused by evil people and died with grievances. The fate of the book remains unknown..."

Just as he was speaking, she heard him sigh in his heart, [Never mind, saving people is what matters.]

Yanshu was startled again—

From his tone, it seemed Doctor Jiang was about to reveal the matter between Xun Ji and Zhang Shengkang?

But wouldn't he fear exposing his own identity change?

This could be considered deceiving the emperor!

No, although his intentions were pure, she couldn't let his entire family be put in danger.

So she quickly exclaimed, "I've heard about this too! That Doctor Xun was extremely skilled, able to treat all sorts of difficult conditions. I heard Zhang Shengkang was his disciple."

Upon hearing this, Doctor Jiang was dumbfounded, "...How does Your Highness know this???"

Yuwen Lan: "..."

However, Yanshu didn't answer and continued, "It seems Doctor Xun's death was related to Zhang Shengkang. Ah, perhaps that book is in Zhang Shengkang's possession right now!"

Doctor Jiang was stunned again, "This... this... how did Your Highness hear about..."

Before he could finish, Yanshu waved her hand dismissively, "Never mind about that, let His Majesty and I handle this. You just go prepare yourself, and once we find the book, you can properly treat the Empress Dowager."

Doctor Jiang: "???"

Yuwen Lan: "..."

Unable to bear seeing Jiang Nianqi's confused expression any longer, he had to say, "Do as Consort Yi says and wait. Don't ask about the rest."

Hearing this, Doctor Jiang finally responded with a "yes," bowed to them both, and took his leave.

Yuwen Lan cleared his throat, about to say something, when Yanshu urgently told him, "Your Majesty, see how awful Zhang Shengkang is! He has the means to cure the Empress Dowager but won't do it. He's a disgrace to physicians and betrays the Empress Dowager's trust!"

Yuwen Lan nodded, trying to speak, but she continued, "However, the Empress Dowager trusts him so much. If we move against him now, firstly, we might shock the Empress Dowager, who can't handle any sudden events right now, and secondly, we might alert him and he could destroy the manual. So for now, getting the manual and treating the Empress Dowager is most important."

Yuwen Lan nodded again, but before he could speak, she added, "I've figured it out - the 'Medical Records Collection' is in Zhang Shengkang's study, on the third shelf of the north wall bookcase, second slot from the left. Tonight, Your Majesty should send the Imperial Guard to steal— no, to retrieve what rightfully belongs to others."

Yuwen Lan: "...Alright."

With his beloved consort around, was there anything in this world that couldn't be accomplished?

Also, he probably wouldn't need to speak at all in the future.