SFS Chapter 330 (65 words added)
Chapter 330 (65 words added)
The Regent stood with sword-like eyebrows, bright eyes, and a high-bridged nose; his thin lips were slightly pursed, giving him a cold and aloof air. He wore a black brocade robe embroidered with subtle silver patterns that shimmered mysteriously in the candlelight. A black belt cinched his waist, inlaid with a round, dark jade, adding to his noble bearing.
He strode into the main hall with steady steps, and everyone knelt down to pay their respects. His eyes, sharp as an eagle's, swept over everyone in the hall, as if he could see through their thoughts.
Afterwards, he discussed some state affairs with several ministers, his arguments clear and his decisions decisive. Once the discussions were finished, he turned and left. His tall, imposing figure, under the gaze of the crowd, appeared exceptionally imposing and mysterious, as if concealing boundless power and strategy. The Regent, with a face like jade, though slightly pale, had just stepped out of the hall when a dark figure emerged from the shadows and knelt on one knee: "Your Highness, a secret agent reports that there seems to be unusual activity in the inner palace; someone is secretly contacting ministers." The Regent's face darkened, his eyes instantly turning icy: "Investigate! Find out who's behind this!"
Back at the Regent's Palace, he didn't rest but continued handling state affairs in his study. At that moment, his personal guard reported that the Emperor's chief eunuch requested an audience. The Regent's eyes narrowed, and he gestured for him to enter. The chief eunuch respectfully presented a brocade box, saying, "His Majesty, mindful of Your Highness's tireless work, has bestowed this box of nourishing substances upon you." The Regent opened the box; inside were some precious medicinal herbs. A slight smile played on his lips, but the joy didn't reach his eyes. After the chief eunuch left, he summoned his secret guards: "Investigate whether there's anything wrong with this." Then, he rubbed his temples, silently pondering how to resolve the chaotic situation in the harem and the court. Xue Ruanruan curtsied and asked softly, "Your Highness, what brings you here?" The Regent coughed lightly and said, "Miss Xue, have you heard anything about the affairs of the inner palace lately?" Xue Ruanruan's eyes flickered, and after a moment's thought, she said, "I've heard a little. I've heard that several concubines in the inner palace seem to be trying to consolidate their power." The Regent's gaze deepened, and he continued, "Do you know which ministers they are trying to win over?" Xue Ruanruan shook her head slightly, "I don't know the specifics, but I've heard that they have dealings with the Minister of Revenue." The Regent stroked his chin, lost in thought. The Ministry of Revenue controls the finances; if someone were to collude with it, the consequences would be unimaginable. "Keep an eye on this matter and report back immediately if there's any news." Xue Ruanruan curtsied and replied, "Yes, Your Highness." Just then, a guard rushed in to report, "Your Highness, we've discovered that the disturbances in the harem are related to Consort Xian. She has secretly contacted several ministers, intending to exert pressure in the court." The Regent's eyes turned cold. "This Consort Xian is certainly restless." He decisively ordered, "Pass on my orders to closely monitor Consort Xian's every move, and at the same time investigate those ministers she has won over." A covert battle surrounding the harem and the court was quietly unfolding. "Only Doctor Xue can cure my illness." Xue Ruanruan was slightly taken aback, then curtsied and said, "Your Highness is too kind; I will certainly do my utmost." After saying this, she stepped forward to take the Regent's pulse. After a moment, Xue Ruanruan's eyebrows furrowed slightly, secretly surprised. The Regent's pulse was complex, seemingly indicating multiple hidden ailments. "Your Highness, your illness requires long-term treatment. I will prescribe some medicine for you to take on time." Xue Ruanruan picked up her pen and wrote down the prescription. The Regent, watching her focused expression, felt a strange unease. Just then, a guard reported, "Your Highness, the Consort Xian and the Minister of Revenue are becoming increasingly close, seemingly plotting something big." The Regent's face darkened. "Speed up the investigation and gather evidence against them." Xue Ruanruan was shocked; she hadn't expected the turmoil in the palace to be so severe. She looked at the Regent, whose eyes were firm, radiating a reassuring aura. "Miss Xue, please don't spread this around. Just focus on treating my illness." "The Regent said softly. Xue Ruanruan nodded, secretly resolving to help the Regent untangle the chaos in the palace and court. 'I've heard of your miraculous healing skills. My ailment has tormented me for a long time, so I've come to invite you to the palace for treatment.' Xue Ruanruan frowned slightly, hesitated for a moment, and then said, 'Your Highness, I only have a rudimentary understanding of medicine. There are many imperial physicians in the palace, and they are probably more capable than I am.' The Regent's lips curled into a faint smile. 'Miss Xue, there's no need for modesty. I've already inquired, and your medical skills are highly regarded among the common people.' The Regent's tone left no room for argument. Xue Ruanruan inwardly groaned. She didn't want to get involved in this complicated court intrigue, but she couldn't disobey the Regent's order. Helpless, Xue Ruanruan could only agree: 'Since Your Highness trusts me so much, I will accompany you to the palace to give it a try.'"
After entering the palace, Xue Ruanruan was led to the Emperor's bedchamber. The Emperor lay on his couch, looking haggard. Xue Ruanruan stepped forward to take the Emperor's pulse, secretly surprised. The Emperor's illness was somewhat similar to that of the Regent. Could there be a hidden story behind it?
Just as she was pondering, Consort Xian suddenly walked in and said in a sarcastic tone, "Oh, so this is the folk doctor the Regent Prince has found?" Xue Ruanruan bowed and said, "Greetings, Consort Xian." Consort Xian snorted coldly, "If you cannot cure the Emperor's illness, you cannot bear the responsibility." Xue Ruanruan calmly replied, "This commoner will do her best."
At this moment, the Regent Prince entered the bedchamber. He glanced at Consort Xian, then his gaze fell on Xue Ruanruan, and he nodded slightly. Xue Ruanruan felt a warmth in her heart, further strengthening her resolve to cure the Emperor. She carefully considered her prescription and wrote one. However, Consort Xian made things difficult, trying to prevent the medication from being taken. A struggle over the Emperor's illness and the power of the harem thus unfolded in this small bedchamber. "Then... this humble woman will give it a try," she replied helplessly.
After entering the palace, Xue Ruanruan followed the Regent to a side hall. A faint medicinal fragrance filled the hall, and a pale-faced concubine lay on the bed. Xue Ruanruan stepped forward, took the concubine's pulse, and silently pondered her illness. Just then, a commotion arose outside the door. It turned out that Consort Xian had barged in with a group of people. Consort Xian, with an arrogant expression, glanced at Xue Ruanruan and sneered, "Regent, where did you find this quack doctor? Are you trying to harm my dear sister?" The Regent's eyes were icy. "Consort Xian, Doctor Xue's medical skills are superb; I trust her." Consort Xian snorted. "Hmph, who knows if it's true or not? What if she has ulterior motives?" Xue Ruanruan said neither humbly nor arrogantly, "Your Highness, if I have lied in the slightest, I am willing to pay with my life. But right now, saving this lady is the priority." Just as Consort Xian was about to launch another attack, the concubine on the bed said weakly, "Sister, let this doctor give it a try." Consort Xian reluctantly shut her mouth. Xue Ruanruan focused on the diagnosis and, after a moment, wrote a prescription. Consort Xian objected, saying, "This medicine can't be used; who knows if there's anything wrong with it?" The Regent frowned, "Consort Xian, don't be unreasonable. Can you bear the consequences if you delay the patient's treatment?" Consort Xian was speechless, and could only watch helplessly as Xue Ruanruan had the medicine prepared. After the medicine was prepared and fed to her, the consort's complexion gradually improved, and the storm temporarily subsided. However, Xue Ruanruan knew that the struggles in the palace were far from over. Consort Xian glared fiercely at Xue Ruanruan and sneered, "Where did this wild girl come from, daring to treat my sister?" The Regent frowned and said coldly, "Miss Xue's medical skills are superb; I personally invited her. Consort Xian, you'd better not be unreasonable." Consort Xian was speechless, her face turning pale and then red, but she was already secretly plotting how to deal with Xue Ruanruan. "I trust Doctor Xue's abilities. If you can cure my illness, I will reward you handsomely." Xue Ruanruan had no choice but to agree. She entered the palace and went to the Regent's chambers. She carefully took his pulse; it was erratic and unusual, not the pulse of an ordinary patient. Suspicious, Xue Ruanruan inquired about the Regent's symptoms and medical history. During their conversation, she sensed that the Regent seemed to have something difficult to say. After the surrounding attendants withdrew, the Regent slowly revealed that he had been poisoned, and that this poison was likely a conspiracy within the palace intrigue. Xue Ruanruan pondered for a long time, then took out several herbs from her medicine box and brewed a medicinal soup. After drinking it, the Regent felt much better. Xue Ruanruan continued, "Your Highness, although the poison has been temporarily suppressed, its eradication requires finding the source. I humbly request permission to investigate within the palace." The Regent, seeing the determination in Xue Ruanruan's eyes, nodded in agreement. Xue Ruanruan was startled. Although her medical skills were good, treating the Regent could be life-threatening if anything went wrong. However, seeing the Regent's weak state, she couldn't bear to refuse and had to reluctantly agree. Xue Ruanruan began her investigation in the palace, starting with the Regent's attendants, carefully questioning them about their daily lives. However, the attendants all said there was nothing unusual. Just when she was at a loss, she overheard that a new cook had recently joined the Imperial Kitchen. Xue Ruanruan rushed to the Imperial Kitchen and found the new cook. The new cook's eyes darted around, and he stammered when answering questions. Xue Ruanruan became suspicious and was about to press him further when Consort Xian suddenly appeared, followed by several guards. "How dare you, a woman of such audacity, act so recklessly in the Imperial Kitchen!" Consort Xian said with a cold laugh. Xue Ruanruan was fearless. "Your Highness, I am investigating the poisoning of the Regent. This cook's behavior is suspicious, and I have reason to suspect him." Consort Xian's expression changed, a flicker of panic crossing her eyes, but she quickly regained her composure. "What evidence do you have? Don't make baseless accusations." Just as the two sides were at an impasse, the Regent arrived hastily with his men... With a compassionate heart, she gritted her teeth and agreed, "This humble woman will certainly do her best." She then followed the Regent into the carriage, which sped towards the palace. Xue Ruanruan's heart pounded with anxiety, wondering what challenges awaited her. The carriage wheels were as tall and sturdy as the feet of giants, each rotation radiating a chilling power. It seemed nothing could stop its relentless advance—not even iron-hard boulders, towering mountains, or bottomless ravines—all would be easily pulverized and vanish without a trace once the wheels rolled over them. The coachmen, dressed in uniform, resembled well-trained soldiers. Their brightly colored clothes, made of fine fabric embroidered with exquisite patterns and designs, showcased their... The special and noble status of their identities. These clothes were not only beautiful and elegant, but also practical, allowing the drivers to move freely and unrestricted while driving. Their expressions were serious and solemn. The entire carriage exuded an awe-inspiring aura, causing those around to unconsciously give way. In the ensuing battle, the elixir played a crucial role. The carriage bumped along, and Xue Ruanruan pondered the poison that had afflicted the Regent. Upon arriving at the palace, a palace maid reported that the Virtuous Consort had set a trap in the Imperial Garden to make things difficult for Xue Ruanruan. The Regent's face darkened, and he warned Xue Ruanruan to be careful before attending to state affairs. Xue Ruanruan went to the Imperial Garden alone. Upon seeing her, the Virtuous Consort said sarcastically, "If you can find the herb in this garden that can cure all poisons, I will forgive your rudeness today." Xue Ruanruan sneered inwardly. This was clearly a deliberate attempt to make things difficult; how could the Imperial Garden contain a magical herb that could cure all poisons? She remained calm and carefully examined the garden. Suddenly, she noticed an inconspicuous little plant, seemingly ordinary, yet faintly radiating a spiritual aura. A thought struck her—could this be the clue? Just then, a trusted confidante of the Consort Xian secretly stepped forward to destroy the plant, but Xue Ruanruan reacted swiftly, protecting it. Holding the plant up to the Consort Xian, she said, "While this herb cannot cure all poisons, it can aid in treating the poison inflicted on Your Highness." The Consort Xian's expression changed, and she was about to erupt in anger when the Regent strode over, shielding Xue Ruanruan and coldly eyeing the Consort Xian. Another storm seemed about to break out. The soldiers' wounds healed rapidly, their combat effectiveness greatly increased, and they drove the enemy into a retreat. Xue Ruanruan, watching this from the rear, felt a slight sense of relief. However, the enemy seemed to have realized the crucial role of the elixir and sent assassins to infiltrate the camp, their target being Xue Ruanruan. Under the cover of night, the assassins silently approached Xue Ruanruan's tent. Just as the assassins were about to strike, a dark figure suddenly appeared and engaged the assassin in combat. It turned out to be a guard secretly arranged by the Regent. After a fierce struggle, the guards successfully repelled the assassins. The Regent... Upon learning of this, he became even more determined to protect Xue Ruanruan. He placed her by his side, allowing her to continue researching the antidote. Xue Ruanruan lived up to his expectations, studying day and night, and finally found a way to counteract the poison. She began distributing the antidote to the soldiers, and their bodies gradually recovered. With the antidote becoming more widespread, the morale of our army soared, turning the tide of the battle and securing victory. Xue Ruanruan, through her medical skills, also gained a foothold in the court, while developing a more complex relationship with the Regent. The young man witnessed the cruelty of war, further strengthening his resolve to cultivate medical skills and save the people.