Reborn as the Crippled King's Beloved

Chapter 71: Chapter 71 The Emperor is too Enthralled
 

“The claim of misreading the pulse is merely a euphemistic expression,”

the Empress suspected that the young Imperial Doctor Xiao Sun had been bribed by Murong Jiu.

The other two imperial physicians, Imperial Doctor Xu was her man and would not be bribed, while Imperial Doctor Chen was known for his old-fashioned integrity among the imperial physicians, beholden to no one.

Imperial Doctor Chen said, “Although Imperial Doctor Xiao Sun has only recently joined the Imperial Medical Office, he is proficient in his craft and should not have misread the happy pulse.”

He was defending Imperial Doctor Xiao Sun’s reputation, as it was he who had recruited him; if his medical skill were lacking, would it not reflect poorly on himself?

Having spoken, Imperial Doctor Chen went to take Murong Jiu’s pulse.

Although the Empress was displeased, she said nothing; she waited for Imperial Doctor Chen to announce that Murong Jiu had been pregnant for three months.

“Indeed, it is a happy pulse for Princess Consort Ling,”

Imperial Doctor Chen nodded and said.

The Fifth Princess immediately asked, “How long has the Imperial Sister-in-Law been pregnant?”

“It’s early, about a month or so,”

The Emperor revealed a smile and nodded, saying, “Good, I didn’t expect that my eldest son, whom I was most worried about, would be the first to have a child. I thought I would have to wait for several years to see my grandchild.”

The Empress’s face looked somewhat displeased.

The Second Prince frowned, thinking this couldn’t be possible.

The Fifth Princess was even more incredulous, biting her lip, she said, “Father, since Imperial Doctor Xu is also here, why not have him check on the Imperial Sister-in-Law too? The three imperial physicians could then jointly consider some remedies to ease the Imperial Sister-in-Law’s morning sickness.”

The Emperor nodded, allowing Imperial Doctor Xu to examine her.

Imperial Doctor Xu’s forehead was sweating; he knew Imperial Doctor Chen – a man who neither lied nor was easily bribed – which meant that Princess Consort Ling had indeed only been pregnant for a month.

Then he took the pulse – should he speak the truth, or make something up?

With the Emperor present, he dared not delay and quickly stepped forward, placing his hand on Murong Jiu’s pulse.

As he had expected, it was smooth as pearls, flowing fluently – a slippery pulse, but because the duration was short, it needed careful discernment.

He was preoccupied with how to begin speaking.

The Empress spoke up, “Imperial Doctor Xu, what is it? Your brow is furrowed; is there something unusual about the pulse?”

She was pressing him to declare an issue with Princess Consort Ling’s pulse.

Imperial Doctor Xu hastily responded, “Your Majesty, the pulse of Princess Consort Ling is somewhat uncertain to me; it seems clear at times and vague at others, as if someone has tampered with it.”

Murong Jiu’s heart tightened.

Imperial Doctor Xu was right – her pulse had been tampered with; before entering the palace, her master had given her a pill that made her pulse appear as though she had just become pregnant.

Yet, Imperial Doctor Xu could not possibly have detected it, as she herself had felt it, and the pulse was very steady.

She looked calmly at Imperial Doctor Xu and said, “Since ancient times, no one has ever heard of anyone tampering with the pulse of a pregnant woman. Imperial Doctor Xu, if your eyesight has grown dim and your medical skills are lacking, perhaps you should consider retiring early.”

The Fifth Princess immediately said, “Imperial Sister-in-Law, you can’t speak like that. There was none before, but who knows about now? Besides, you have medical knowledge yourself; if you tampered with your pulse, we wouldn’t be able to tell.”

“What do you mean by that, Leyang? Now that Ah Jiu is carrying my child, it should be a joyous occasion. Why are you so bent on proving this child isn’t mine?”

Jun Yuyan suddenly said coldly.

Noble Consort Qi also chimed in, “Whether the child is Yu Yan’s or not, Yu Yan knows better than anyone. Although Murong Jiu might lack talent and beauty, she is not so low as to commit such a despicable act. Your Majesty, I also think that Imperial Doctor Xu has grown old and his medical abilities may be lacking,”

suggesting this as an opportunity to coerce the Empress’s imperial physician out of the palace.

The Empress frowned, “Your Majesty, Imperial Doctor Xu has always been a pillar of the Imperial Medical Office, and his medical skills are well known throughout the palace.”

Jun Yuyan said, “Does that mean, in Your opinion, someone is manipulating Imperial Doctor Xu from behind?”

Imperial Doctor Xu fell to his knees with a thud, “Prince Ling, you misunderstand; I have no one manipulating me behind the scenes – I am only telling the truth!”

Imperial Doctor Chen said, “Your Majesty, I just took her pulse. Princess Consort Ling’s pulse shows no anomalies and is just as it should be for someone who has recently become pregnant.”

Imperial Doctor Xiao Sun also said, “Perhaps Imperial Doctor Xu was mistaken.”

The Emperor glanced at Imperial Doctor Xu, whose head was hung low, making it impossible to discern whether he was feeling guilty or not.

However, Princess Consort Ling had an open and untroubled expression, with no hint of timidity in her eyes.

The Emperor already had a notion in his mind.

At that moment, Noble Lady Hui, who had not spoken until then, suddenly said:

“Your Majesty, Imperial Doctor Xu always treats Consort Yun Pin and often sees to my own health as well. As you know, I have been suffering from back pain recently, and it was Imperial Doctor Xu’s acupuncture that alleviated it. When it comes to medicine, I fear no one in the palace can match Imperial Doctor Xu.”

Her voice was tender and melodious. Coming from Jiangnan Water Towns just like Consort Yun Pin, she gave the impression of a delicate beauty from the south, but unlike Consort Yun Pin, she carried herself with slightly more allure.

The Emperor had recently become quite infatuated with her, and as she began to speak, a fragrant breeze drifted over. The Emperor, who had had a bit of wine, felt himself becoming somewhat enchanted.

“Hmm, My Love speaks the truth. Imperial Doctor Xu’s skills in medicine are indeed witnessed by all.”

This sly temptress!

Noble Consort Qi clenched her fists tightly.

Murong Jiu’s eyes slightly squinted.

She was highly sensitive to the smell of medicine and noticed that when Noble Lady Hui stood up to speak, some medicated powder drifted from her onto the Emperor.

Under so many watchful eyes, she dared to use such a substance. She truly had a lot of nerve.

“My Love, come over here.”

The Emperor was indeed a bit addicted and couldn’t help but wave Noble Lady Hui over, wanting to savor her scent more fully.

She must not be allowed to go over.

Murong Jiu realized that the Emperor’s infatuation with Noble Lady Hui was deeper than she had imagined. No wonder Prince Ling was unable to expose the matter directly.

She suspected that Noble Lady Hui had subsequently used some other hallucinogenic drug on the Emperor— the kind that could damage the brain.

Should Noble Lady Hui go over now, the Emperor’s reasoning would only worsen, possibly reaching the point where he, like someone high on drugs, would forget his actions.

This could not go on; the Emperor would sooner or later face disaster. At that time, the Empress would benefit, and Prince Ling would face trouble.

“Prince Ling.”

She whispered, firmly grasping Jun Yuyan’s hand.

Jun Yuyan was initially startled, thinking Ah Jiu wanted to hold hands. Only when he felt something unusual in his palm did he realize he had misunderstood.

He quickly caught on and from Ah Jiu’s gaze, understood her intent.

Just as Noble Lady Hui gracefully moved towards the Emperor, Murong Jiu pretended to vomit and stood up to find a place outside to retch.

“Ah Jiu!”

Jun Yuyan followed closely behind. As Murong Jiu intentionally bumped into Noble Lady Hui, he steadied Murong Jiu while crushing a pill in his hand and dropping it into Noble Lady Hui’s neckline.

“Ah!”

Although she wasn’t actually hit, Noble Lady Hui was still a bit startled.

She thought Murong Jiu had intentionally bumped into her, aiming to cause a miscarriage and frame her—a scenario not unheard of in the Imperial Palace before.

“Noble Lady Hui was startled. I will take my wife to vomit and then come back to apologize to you,” said Jun Yuyan loudly.

Noble Lady Hui waved it off: “It’s nothing; I just didn’t expect Princess Consort Ling to have such a strong reaction. It really doesn’t seem like she’s just become pregnant.”

She seized the opportunity to imply this, making an offhand comment with deeper implications. She planned to further insinuate into the Emperor’s ear later, ensuring that Princess Consort Ling could not simply return as if nothing had happened. This was her chance to earn merits for the Empress.