The emperor would rather have a

Chapter 170 The Empress is Awake!

"Useless things……"

Chai Rong stepped outside and saw a group of imperial physicians still kneeling on the ground, which reignited his anger. He immediately let out a cold snort.

The imperial physicians kneeling under the eaves trembled upon hearing this, their foreheads pressed against the cold blue bricks, their breaths even freezing.

"All of you, get over here!" Chai Rong flicked his sleeve, gesturing for them to come forward.

The Imperial Physician immediately crawled several steps on his knees, and the other imperial physicians followed suit. They all knelt and kowtowed, saying, "We deserve to die a thousand deaths!"

"Damn it?" Chai Rong said with a gloomy face, "If your lives can bring about the Empress's recovery, I will have you all beheaded immediately!"

Upon hearing this, no one dared to say a word. Their trembling bodies shook uncontrollably, fearing that if the emperor gave an order, their lives would be in danger.

"I ask you," Chai Rong said, his brow furrowed. "What illness does the Empress have? Is it just typhoid fever?"

"It is undoubtedly typhoid fever!" The Imperial Physician said with certainty, and then explained, "Her Majesty's illness is caused by external cold and internal damage from food, which leads to dampness and turbidity accumulating in the middle jiao and transforming into heat toxin."

The Treatise on Cold Damage states: "Cold damage is caused by pathogenic factors entering through the mouth. This is because unclean drinking water or eating rotten or foul food leads to the invasion of foul toxins, which first damage the Taiyin meridian and then spread and change."

"The symptoms are often fever and chills, headache and body aches, thick and greasy tongue coating, and a wiry and rapid pulse... Its progression is the fastest and the most damaging, which is why the Empress's condition has deteriorated to such an extent!"

Although Chai Rong couldn't understand medical terminology, he could tell that the Empress's condition was not optimistic.

He stood with his hands behind his back, his gaze sweeping over the crowd like a knife, and said in a deep voice, "Since the diagnosis is clear and the medicine is being prescribed, why is there still no improvement?"

The Imperial Physician's forehead was beaded with sweat as he replied in a trembling voice, "Your Majesty, Her Majesty's health is precious, and we dare not prescribe medicine rashly. Moreover, typhoid fever is a highly variable condition and must be treated gradually..."

"Stop spouting nonsense!" Chai Rong shouted coldly, startling everyone. "You have been treating him for several days, yet there is still no improvement. I only want to ask, besides the prescriptions you have already used, is there really no other way?"

Upon hearing this, the imperial physicians exchanged glances, as if they had thought of something, and all turned their gazes toward the chief physician of the Imperial Medical Bureau at the front.

Seeing this, Chai Rong knew that these imperial physicians must be holding back. He frowned slightly and said, "Speak up if you have any ideas. As long as you have done your best, even if it is still beyond saving, I will not blame you."

Upon hearing this, the Imperial Physician gritted his teeth and said, "Your Majesty, there is indeed an ancient prescription that might be effective for the Empress's illness. However..."

Chai Rong's gaze darkened, and he said coldly, "But what?"

The Imperial Physician knelt on the ground, his voice trembling, and said, "However, this prescription is extremely potent. If used improperly, it may be life-threatening. Moreover, even if it is effective, it will damage the Empress's vital energy, and she may suffer from weakness, cold intolerance, and insufficient blood and qi in the future."

Chai Rong remained silent for a moment before slowly speaking: "If this prescription is not used, is there any hope for the Empress to recover?"

The imperial physicians exchanged glances, and finally the Vice Director of the Imperial Medical Bureau whispered, "We... dare not speak recklessly."

Chai Rong closed his eyes, feeling a pang of sadness.

He knew all too well that his wife's life was hanging by a thread, and if they delayed any longer, they might lose even this last chance.

However, if this strong medicine is used, even if the patient's life is saved, they may suffer from illness for a long time afterward.

"His Majesty……"

Just then, Fu Shi's soft call came from inside the bedroom. Chai Rong's heart tightened, and he turned around and quickly walked into the room.

Lady Fu leaned against the brocade couch, a faint smile barely appearing on her pale face. She said softly, "Your Majesty... is willing to try." Chai Rong's eyes welled up with tears. He took a deep breath and finally made up his mind: "Alright, we'll use this prescription!"

Upon reaching the bedroom door, the emperor's sharp gaze swept over the assembled imperial physicians, and he declared firmly, "I have stated beforehand that if you perform your duties to the best of your ability, I will not punish you. But if you shirk your responsibilities and fail to treat the patients diligently, I will not let you off the hook!"

The imperial physicians trembled, quickly kowtowed to accept the order, and hastily withdrew to prepare.

……

That night, Chai Rong sat by the bedside and personally fed Fu's medicine, spoonful by spoonful.

The medicine was extremely bitter, and Madam Fu frowned, but still forced herself to swallow it.

After feeding the medicine, Chai Rong chatted with Madam Fu for a while before getting up and leaving the bedroom.

Upon returning to his temporary lodgings, Chai Rong did not rush to rest. Instead, he summoned his ministers and sent someone to the front lines to urge them on the progress of the battle.

Even when his wife was on the verge of death, nothing could stop him from pursuing his important goals!
Back then, Chai Rong's first wife died, his three sons died, and his two daughters died. They all died under the sword of Emperor Yin, Liu Chengyou.

The grief of losing his entire family was profound, yet it did not cause him to become despondent, and nothing could shake his lofty ambitions.

Throughout history, which emperor was not cold-blooded and ruthless?

Chai Rong felt he had been good enough to Fu Shi, but she insisted on going to war with the army. However, she contracted a serious illness, and no one could be blamed for this.

Moreover, with the war at the front lines at a stalemate, the fact that he was able to put aside his important matters to come see her... no matter what the final outcome is, he can say that he has done right by his wife.

Before lying down to rest, Chai Rong instructed his men to keep a close eye on the Fu family's movements and to notify him immediately of any developments.

However, in the middle of the night, Fu suddenly woke up from her sleep, then vomited a mouthful of black blood and began to convulse violently.

Upon hearing the news, Chai Rong immediately got up and rushed over. When he arrived, the imperial physicians were hurriedly taking pulses and administering acupuncture, and the bedroom was in complete chaos.

Chai Rong stood to the side, his five fingers clenched into fists, staring wide-eyed at his wife who was tormented by illness, feeling an indescribable heaviness churning in his chest.

After an unknown amount of time, Fu's breathing finally gradually became steady.

The Imperial Physician breathed a sigh of relief and knelt down to report: "Your Majesty, the medicine has taken effect. Although the Empress's pulse is weak, her life is not in danger... If her condition improves within the next two or three days, I believe the Empress will be able to overcome this difficult time!"

Chai Rong let out a long sigh of relief, his tense body finally relaxing slightly. He slowly walked to the bedside and saw that although Madam Fu was still unconscious, the look of pain between her brows had faded a little.

At this moment, outside the window, the east was gradually turning white, and a ray of morning light pierced through the clouds, shining on the stone steps in front of the courtyard.

Perhaps the strong medicine worked very well, taking effect immediately after use; or perhaps Fu's strong desire to live allowed her to overcome the difficulties through sheer willpower.

By the afternoon, Fu had finally regained consciousness.

She slowly opened her eyes, her vision blurring for a moment before gradually focusing. Before her were familiar curtains and the dozing Wang Shanggong, who was keeping watch by the bedside.

Fu slowly stretched her arm out from under the covers and placed it on Wang Shanggong's shoulder, giving it a gentle push.

Wang Shanggong was startled awake. When she saw the Empress looking at her, she was first taken aback, then excitedly exclaimed, "Your Majesty is awake! Your Majesty is awake!"

(End of this chapter)