Chapter 1263 - 1099: Poison—Ruo Yin
Chapter 1263: Chapter 1099: Poison—Ruo Yin
"Are you saying the Emperor has been poisoned? That’s impossible, the Emperor receives a Peaceful Pulse each month, so why wasn’t it diagnosed before?"
Pang Chu didn’t care about any Divine Doctor Family or not, he only knew that the Emperor received a Peaceful Pulse each month. If these Imperial Physicians couldn’t diagnose it, it’s simply absurd.
Director Zhang’s face turned somewhat unpleasant, Pang Chu’s words hit him right where it hurt.
"The poisons from the Divine Doctor Family are renowned across the world. One such poison is undetectable in its early stages, only occasionally manifesting. It cannot be diagnosed without taking the pulse during an attack, and only when the symptoms become evident can it be identified. But if unfamiliar with this poison, it would be mistaken as caused by fatigue or chill. I have learned the Qihuang Skills, treating illnesses and saving lives are my duties."
Though Director Zhang was angry, he knew that the most important thing now was the Emperor’s illness.
Recently, the Emperor has been overworked by the National Mourning and state affairs, having several bouts of discomfort in the interim. However, the symptoms were mild, coming quickly and going just as fast.
By the time they came for a pulse diagnosis, the Emperor had already recovered, and there was nothing to detect upon examination. The symptoms were very inconspicuous, just dizziness, and chest tightness.
The Imperial Hospital didn’t diagnose anything abnormal, assuming it was due to fatigue, not even considering the possibility of poisoning.
The Emperor is unlike the late Emperor who had long consumed toxic elixir pills, as the Emperor never touched such things. Moreover, the meals and tea are tested by silver needles and eunuchs. If the food was the issue, the eunuchs who tested them would also show the same symptoms as the Emperor.
"So you mean, even you can’t treat it now?" Pang Chu felt his heart sink with those words.
"This poison is extremely rare, not every member of the Divine Doctor Family can possess it. Those who can wield such poison are but a few, such as the head of the family or the eldest legitimate son. To find the antidote, you must seek out the family head or their Direct Lineage."
Director Zhang frowned deeply; this matter was too difficult. The Divine Doctor Family usually stays hidden from the world, rarely traveling outside. Their standing in the martial arts world is quite high, receiving great respect from others.
But where they reside is unknown to anyone. This family heals the world based on their own whims. They come out if they wish, their whereabouts and length of stay unpredictable.
People from the martial arts world find it incredibly hard to locate them. Unless luck is on your side and you happen upon them, and as long as they are in a good mood, they might just help you casually.
Such an easy-going family, with even their residence unknown, where can they be found?
"Director, you must think of a way! The Emperor is still unconscious, how can this be? You mentioned some Divine Doctor Family, quickly send someone to find them!"
Pang Chu couldn’t stand Director Zhang’s slow demeanor any longer, he was nearly frantic. Truly the Emperor isn’t anxious, but the eunuch is dying of worry!
"Do you think I don’t want to send someone to look for them? But the Divine Doctor Family’s dwelling is unknown, only rumored to be in the Jiangnan region. The exact location is completely unknown."
Director Zhang was at a loss, without knowing the location, how much hope was there in searching blindly?
"What? Unaware of the place? What to do now? Director, you can’t just ignore this!" Pang Chu, looking at the Emperor lying motionless on the Dragon Throne, couldn’t help but tear up.
He had been by the Emperor’s side for years and knew how hard it was for the Emperor to ascend to the throne. After just days on the throne, he’s been poisoned.
"The Empress Dowager has arrived!"
The Empress Dowager stumbled into the hall, and upon seeing the Emperor lying lifeless on the Dragon Throne, her face turned pale with fright.
"My child! What has happened to you?" The Empress Dowager threw herself onto the Dragon Throne, shaking the Emperor’s body forcefully.
Not long ago, the late Emperor also lay lifeless on the Dragon Throne, and the face overlapped with the current one, causing unimaginable heartache for the Empress Dowager.
"Director Zhang, what exactly is wrong with the Emperor? Why doesn’t he wake up?" The Empress Dowager anxiously looked at Director Zhang, sharply questioning him.
The Imperial Hospital had long replaced its staff, yet Director Zhang’s medical skills were still passable, having some real ability, thus he was kept on.
"Reporting to the Empress Dowager, the Emperor is poisoned, and I have already performed acupuncture. He will wake shortly, but this poison cannot be cured by me; it can only be temporarily suppressed."
Director Zhang couldn’t help but again contemplate resigning and returning home, truly feeling unfit for his director position. The late Emperor’s death always left him feeling guilty and responsible.
After all, he was the one diagnosing the late Emperor, failing to detect the toxicity of the elixir pills, leading to the late Emperor’s passing. Ultimately, he was just a sinner!
If it weren’t for the Emperor pardoning him and insisting he stay in the palace for a few more years, he would have long retired.
And now the Emperor is poisoned again; if the Emperor truly cannot recover, perhaps this time he won’t escape punishment.
"Poisoned? How did my child get poisoned? Every meal is tested by the eunuchs first, if the child is poisoned, what about those eunuchs? How are they now?"
The Empress Dowager raised her tear-streaked face and questioned Pang Chu.
Pang Chu finally came to his senses, right! What about those eunuchs who test for poison? He had been too panicked just now and completely forgot.
"This servant will summon them immediately." Pang Chu hurriedly left the chamber and called over Xiao Quanzi to bring the poison-testing eunuchs.
The Empress Dowager forced herself to calm down, if the poison-testing eunuchs are fine, it indicates that the child was not recently poisoned, or maybe it’s not a dietary issue.
"You can’t cure this poison, but is there someone who can?" The Empress Dowager tightly held the Emperor’s hand, asking urgently.
"I can only speculate, if this poison originates from the Divine Doctor Family, it is known as Ruo Yin. Those poisoned with Ruo Yin cannot be diagnosed in the early stages, showing only occasional common symptoms like chest tightness and dizziness. But these are common, easily mistaken for fatigue or a cold, not suspected as Ruo Yin. For Ruo Yin is an extremely rare poison in this world, even within the Divine Doctor Family."
Director Zhang sighed; despite decades of medical research, he never managed to develop an antidote for the world’s rare poisons.
"Judging by the Emperor’s current condition, he must have been poisoned for no less than three months. If this poison is temporarily suppressed, with little exertion and avoiding major emotional fluctuations, he could still live up to three more years."
Such words may be spoken, but for an Emperor, how could it be possible to not strain or not get angry?
The Nine-Five Supreme, ruler of the world, appears infinitely glorious. Yet, as an Emperor, a lifetime is spent laboring for the country and people, one of the reasons for the short lives of emperors throughout history.
"The Divine Doctor Family, I haven’t never heard of them. They are said to be a noble family in the martial world. You, as an Imperial Physician, are quite familiar with this poison, even able to describe its symptoms. I ask you, can you possibly find a way to obtain the antidote?"