If you had to choose an identity to go undercover, you'd choose a gynecologist.

"Minister Gao, is your rhinitis acting up again?" Chen Qing put down his wine glass, his gaze falling on Gao Zongwu's reddened nose, and asked with concern.

Gao Zongwu blew his nose, his voice thick with nasal congestion, and said with a wry smile, "That's right, it's an old problem, but for some reason, it's particularly severe today."

As he spoke, he couldn't help but sneeze again, looking quite disheveled and completely lacking the dignity of a foreign minister.

Chen Qing then looked at Tao Xisheng, his gaze sweeping over his slightly stiff posture and the hand resting on his knee, and said softly, "Minister Tao, is your knee uncomfortable again? I noticed that when you got up just now, your steps seemed a little unsteady."

Tao Xisheng's heart stirred, and he looked up at Chen Qing, a hint of surprise flashing in his eyes.

He rarely showed his rheumatism to outsiders, and even his colleagues rarely knew about it. Yet Dr. Chen saw through it at a glance.

He forced a smile and nodded in admission: "My old leg pain, which I developed years ago, suddenly feels really heavy today. I guess it's because I've been sitting at this banquet for too long."

Chen Qing said sincerely, "Both of you suffer from chronic ailments, and you should avoid overexertion, prolonged sitting, and emotional distress. Minister Tao's rheumatism has long been caused by cold and dampness seeping into his bones. He may be able to suppress it on a normal day, but it is easy to aggravate when he sits for long periods without moving and his blood and qi are not flowing smoothly. Minister Gao's rhinitis is caused by poor lung qi circulation and difficulty in dispelling stagnant qi. Today, with so many people at the banquet, the stuffiness, the stimulation of tobacco and alcohol, and his restless state of mind, it is natural that it is easy for it to flare up severely."

These words struck a chord with both of them. Tao Xisheng's rheumatism was now causing him to sweat profusely, making it difficult for him to even concentrate on listening to what others were saying. He felt aches and swelling in his knees and wished he could immediately find a place to lie down and apply a hot compress.

Gao Zongwu's rhinitis made it difficult for him to breathe, and his throat was dry and itchy. As a result, he became increasingly irritable. He was already frustrated because he was sidelined by Zhou Fuhai and held the title of minister but had no real power. Now that his old illness had worsened, it was like adding insult to injury. He felt that life in the Wang Jingwei regime was becoming more and more unbearable.

"Dr. Chen's medical skills are superb; he diagnosed the problem at a glance. Is there any way to alleviate it? This old ailment is really torturous." Tao Xisheng's tone had lost much of its previous aloofness, replaced by a genuine plea for help.

Gao Zongwu quickly chimed in, "Yes, Dr. Chen. When my rhinitis flares up, I can't eat or sit properly. If you have any remedies, please feel free to share them."

Chen Qing waved his hand: "Please don't worry, my old ailment is troublesome, but it's not incurable. It's just that the banquet is too noisy today to examine you properly. When you have time another day, I will come to your residence to take your pulses and prescribe some herbal decoctions, ointments, and nasal discharge powder. I will also supplement with acupuncture. I think it won't be long before you feel much better."

He did not immediately offer a cure, but only touched upon the topic, thus demonstrating his medical skills while leaving the two with something to look forward to.

Tao Xisheng and Gao Zongwu were already resentful because of their difficult situation. Now, their old illnesses suddenly worsened, and they were tormented day and night. They could not find a suitable treatment. Chen Qing's appearance just happened to become their hope for getting rid of their suffering.

Minglou then returned to the table and, seeing the three chatting happily, jokingly remarked, "It seems that Dr. Chen and the two ministers get along very well."

Tao Xisheng said, "There's no time like the present. After the banquet, let's find a place and have Doctor Chen treat us, shall we?"

Gao Zongwu quickly echoed, saying that such a matter could not be delayed. They had finally encountered a miraculous doctor, so they should seize the opportunity.

Chen Qing quickly said, "It is an honor for me to communicate with the two ministers. I am now the director of the medical room at No. 76. Why don't you two come to No. 76 after the banquet and I will treat you?"

The two readily agreed, but had no appetite and were only hoping that the banquet would end soon.

After the banquet, the three of them headed to No. 76.

The car stopped in front of the clinic. Tao Xisheng was helped out of the car by the driver. His right leg was still a little stiff, and with each step, the soreness in his knee was a persistent ache.

Emperor Gaozong followed closely behind, covering his nose with one hand.

Chen Qing told the two to rest first, and then began preparing for the acupuncture.

"Minister Tao, Minister Gao! Your presence at No. 76 is truly an honor!" Liang Zhongchun greeted the two men with a fawning smile.

He had just finished delivering the full-month gift to Zhou Fuhai and was not entitled to stay for dinner at the Shanghai Hotel. He was sitting in his office, feeling stifled, drinking tea, when he heard that the two ministers had come to No. 76 together and gone straight to the infirmary. He hurriedly ran over to pay his respects.

These two were Wang Tianhai's close associates and ministerial-level figures, so he dared not neglect them.

Tao Xisheng, who was leaning against the door frame and catching his breath, simply waved his hand upon hearing this, his tone revealing barely concealed impatience: "Director Liang, you're too kind. We've come to see Dr. Chen for treatment. Let's talk another day."

His knees were throbbing with pain, and he had no time to deal with Liang Zhongchun's feigned politeness.

Gao Zongwu echoed in a muffled voice, "Yes, if you're not feeling well, getting treatment is the most important thing."

He sniffed, and the itch in his nasal cavity returned. He couldn't help but turn his head and sneeze softly, looking quite disheveled.

Liang Zhongchun's smile froze for a moment. His gaze swept over the two men, and he wisely dropped his fawning tone, quickly saying, "Yes, yes, getting well is the most important thing! Doctor Chen's medical skills are superb; he will surely cure you both! Then I won't bother you any longer; I'll visit you another day!"

After saying that, he bowed again and slowly retreated with a hint of embarrassment.

Chen Qing had already instructed the nurses on duty to prepare hot water and a clean examination bed. He gestured for Tao Xisheng to lie down on the bed further inside, while Gao Zongwu sat on the chair on the outside. Rheumatism required lying down for acupuncture, while rhinitis could be treated by sitting.

Tao Xisheng lay down as instructed, took off his trousers, and Chen Qing rubbed his hands together to warm them. He placed his fingertips on Tao Xisheng's knees and pressed them gently for a moment. Then he took out silver needles, quickly sterilized them over an alcohol lamp, and with a few deft movements, the silver needles were precisely inserted into acupoints such as the knee eye, Yanglingquan, and Zusanli. His movements were fast and steady.

Tao Xisheng closed his eyes, feeling the warmth in his knees. The piercing pain slowly receded like the tide, replaced by a tingling, aching sensation. His stiff joints gradually became more flexible, and the numbness in his calves disappeared.

He couldn't help but move his ankle, and to his surprise, it was now able to move flexibly, no longer as stiff as before.

On the other side, Gao Zongwu sat up straight, tilted his head back to relax his neck, and Chen Qing took a short needle and gently inserted it into his acupoints such as Yingxiang, Yintang, and Hegu. At the same time, he handed him a cup of warm herbal tea: "Minister Gao, this is to regulate your Qi and clear your nose. Please drink it slowly."

As Chen Qing gently twisted the needle tip, a warm current flowed along the meridians, and the previously tense nasal mucosa seemed to relax a lot, and breathing gradually became smoother.

About half an hour later, Chen Qing gently removed the silver needles from the two men's bodies one by one. "Alright, you two can try moving around a bit."

Tao Xisheng slowly sat up, tentatively straightened his right leg, and then slowly bent it. The soreness in his knee had mostly subsided, leaving only a slight ache. Compared to the previous excruciating pain, it was a world of difference.

He stood up, took two steps in place, his steps steady, no longer staggering as before, and a look of joy immediately appeared on his face.

Gao Zongwu took a deep breath, his nasal cavity was clear and unobstructed, the itching and soreness in his nose completely disappeared, and the dryness and itchiness in his throat were also relieved a lot. He felt refreshed and invigorated.

He nodded repeatedly, "Dr. Chen is truly a miracle doctor! This acupuncture is incredibly effective, more so than any medicine!"

Tao Xisheng chimed in, "Just a moment ago I was in so much pain I couldn't walk, but now I can move around freely. Dr. Chen's medical skills truly live up to their reputation!"

Chen Qing smiled faintly: "You two are too kind. This is only a temporary relief. Both of you suffer from chronic illnesses, with cold and dampness and stagnation deeply penetrating your bodies. To completely suppress them, you will need further treatment. I can guarantee that there will be no relapse in the next few days. When I have some free time in a few days, I will visit you at your home to provide further treatment."

Upon hearing this, Gao Zongwu quickly asked, "Dr. Chen, this ailment has plagued me for many years. Is there really no way to cure it completely?"

Chen Qing pondered for a moment, then slowly said, "There is a way to cure it, but... the root of your illnesses is not in your bodies. The pain in your bodies is caused by stagnant qi and cold dampness, but where does this stagnant qi come from, and why is the cold dampness so difficult to dispel? It is probably closely related to your circumstances and state of mind. To truly cure the root of the problem, we still need to see your good fortune."

Chen Qing's words were cryptic, leaving Tao Xisheng and Gao Zongwu looking at each other in bewilderment.

Emperor Gaozong asked, "Fortune? What does Doctor Chen mean by that?"

Tao Xisheng followed up with, "Please enlighten me, Dr. Chen, what is meant by 'good fortune'?"

Chen Qing smiled but did not answer, only waving his hand: "The secrets of heaven cannot be revealed. When the time comes, you two will naturally understand."

Although the two were completely confused, they knew it was inappropriate to ask too many questions. Chen Qing prescribed medicine for them, and after exchanging a few more pleasantries, the two made an appointment with Chen Qing for their next treatment and then took their leave.

As Chen Qing watched the two cars drive away, he knew that the first step of his plan had succeeded. However, he wouldn't be foolish enough to do all the work and let others take all the credit like last time. This time, he would make Chongqing understand his importance.

As long as there is sufficient value, that madman Wang Tianfeng would naturally not dare to let himself be used as cannon fodder.