kvmb Chapter 442
Chapter 442
Chapter 442
Inside the Golden Palace, the atmosphere was so oppressive it seemed as if water could be squeezed out of it. Upon hearing that Dongfang Wan'er had saved the Regent, the Emperor's face instantly turned frosty. He then let out a cold snort, his voice sharp and icy, as if carrying the chill of the twelfth lunar month: "You saved the Regent, but you ruined my plans. This is a grave crime." Each word was like a knife, resounding with force.
Dongfang Wan'er remained calm and composed. She moved gracefully, bowed slightly, and replied neither servilely nor arrogantly, "Your Majesty is wise, but if you frame a loyal minister for your own selfish desires and stir up trouble in the court, you may lose the hearts of the people if this continues." Her clear voice echoed in the spacious hall, each word carrying immense weight.
Upon hearing this, the emperor's face instantly turned extremely ugly. His lips trembled slightly as he tried to refute, but he was speechless for a moment, his face turning red with embarrassment. In a fit of anger and embarrassment, he angrily flicked his sleeve.
Just as tensions were running high, the Empress gracefully emerged from behind the Emperor. Her figure was elegant, and a gentle smile graced her face as she said sweetly, "Your Majesty, please don't be angry. Miss Wan'er meant well." As she spoke, she subtly winked at Dongfang Wan'er. In truth, the Empress had long been displeased with the Emperor's actions, knowing full well that mishandling the matter could potentially destabilize the court and jeopardize the nation.
Dongfang Wan'er was incredibly clever and immediately understood. She gracefully bowed and said, "Your Majesty, I have a way to fulfill Your Majesty's wish without causing any discord." The emperor's originally gloomy face raised an eyebrow slightly, and a hint of curiosity flashed in his eyes, signaling him to continue.
Dongfang Wan'er composed herself and slowly said, "Your Majesty, I am skilled in medicine and can develop new medicines to improve the Regent's health. Once the Regent's health improves, we can announce to the public that he has recovered. In this way, Your Majesty can take back some of the power held by the Regent. This will not give others any reason to criticize us, and it will also stabilize the court."
After listening, the emperor frowned and fell into deep thought. He weighed the pros and cons, repeatedly considering the feasibility of the proposal. After a moment, he nodded slightly: "This matter will be handled as you say. If it is done well, I will reward you handsomely; if it is not done well, don't blame me for being impolite."
Dongfang Wan'er secretly breathed a sigh of relief and curtsied in gratitude. With this, the crisis facing the Duke of Zhenguo's mansion was completely resolved.
After this battle, Dongfang Wan'er's reputation soared, and high-ranking officials and nobles flocked to her seeking her medical help. She, however, remained true to her original aspirations, using her superb medical skills to heal the sick and save lives. The relationships within the court and the imperial court also underwent subtle changes after this turmoil. Everyone knew that this was only a temporary calm, and everyone was secretly awaiting the next upheaval; a new power struggle might be brewing in the shadows.
Upon hearing the Emperor's approval, Dongfang Wan'er finally felt a huge weight lifted from her heart. She gracefully bowed, expressing her gratitude, before slowly retreating from the palace. She knew this matter was of utmost importance and time was of the essence; not a moment could be wasted. As soon as she stepped out of the palace gates, she anxiously boarded the waiting carriage and sped back to her residence.
Back at the Duke of Zhenguo's mansion, Dongfang Wan'er didn't even have a moment to rest before heading straight to her pharmacy. Her eyes scanned eagerly across the rows of cabinets filled with medicinal herbs, her mind quickly selecting the herbs she needed. Following her instructions, the maids hurried about the pharmacy, bustling about and handing her the herbs one by one.
For the next few days and nights, the lights in the pharmacy never went out. Dongfang Wan'er sat at the table, her eyes bloodshot, yet she remained completely focused on the herbs and medical books before her. Sometimes she would pick up a herb and examine it carefully, sometimes she would grind and mix different herbs, placing them in a specially made medicine stove to brew. She meticulously considered each step, daring not to slacken in the slightest. Sweat streamed down her face, dampening the medical books before her, but she remained oblivious.
Finally, after countless trials and meticulous preparations, the new medicine was successfully created. The medicine emitted a unique aroma, and the pale golden powder shimmered faintly in the sunlight, as if carrying the hopes of everyone.
Dongfang Wan'er carefully packed the new medicine into a box and hurriedly headed to the Regent's Palace. Led by the palace steward, she met the Regent. The Regent's face was still somewhat pale, his eyes revealing the weakness of a prolonged illness, but a glimmer of expectation flashed in his eyes when he saw the medicine box in Dongfang Wan'er's hands. After hearing Dongfang Wan'er explain her purpose, the Regent inevitably had some doubts, after all, this medicine concerned his health and the future of the court, but seeing the resolute look in Dongfang Wan'er's eyes, and remembering that she had saved him in a time of crisis, he ultimately chose to trust her.
From that day on, the Regent took his medicine on time as instructed by Dongfang Wan'er. For the first few days, there were no noticeable changes in his health, which made him somewhat uneasy. However, just when everyone was about to lose hope, a miracle occurred. On the seventh day after taking the medicine, the Regent found that his appetite was gradually improving, and the fatigue he often felt had lessened considerably. A few days later, he was able to walk in the palace gardens, and his spirits were becoming increasingly vigorous.
Upon learning of the Regent's improved health, the Emperor was overjoyed, a long-absent smile returning to his face. He began to systematically and gradually reclaim the Regent's power. During this period, Dongfang Wan'er remained vigilant, visiting the Regent's residence daily to carefully observe his condition, inquire about his feelings after taking the medicine, and adjust the prescription accordingly. Simultaneously, she had to carefully navigate the probing attacks from various factions within the court. Ministers with ulterior motives either sent valuable gifts, attempting to extract court secrets from her, or subtly probed her relationship with the Regent and the Emperor. However, Dongfang Wan'er skillfully evaded these attempts each time, neither offending any faction nor revealing any crucial information.
With the smooth transfer of power by the regent, the court gradually stabilized. The undercurrents of power struggles that had previously arisen subsided, and ministers performed their duties diligently, resulting in a well-ordered court. Seeing this, the emperor was filled with gratitude and admiration for Dongfang Wan'er. To recognize her achievements, the emperor bestowed upon her ten thousand taels of gold in court and appointed her as the imperial physician, in charge of medical affairs within the palace.
Dongfang Wan'er gladly accepted the reward, knowing it was not only an honor but also a responsibility. From then on, she devoted herself to medical research. In the palace, she established a special pharmacy, collecting rare medicinal herbs from all over the land and diligently studying illnesses and prescriptions. Occasionally, when the emperor or concubines were unwell, she would enter the palace to recuperate them. Whether treating difficult and complex diseases or providing daily health maintenance, she was extremely dedicated, earning the respect and praise of everyone with her superb medical skills.