After ten years of accompanying me in my studies, the entire court begged me to shut up.

Chapter 94 Summoning the Medicine King

As dawn broke, Yang Shen headed straight for the capital.

After entering the city, he didn't even go home, and went straight to the East Palace.

Seeing Yang Shen's hurried appearance, Zhu Houzhao asked, "Yang, you're back so soon?"

Yang Shen, panting heavily, said, "Your Highness, I have urgent business to attend to!"

Seeing his strange expression, Zhu Houzhao asked, "What's wrong?"

Yang Shen took out the two small porcelain bottles from his pocket and repeated Liu Qing's words verbatim.

Zhu Houzhao's expression changed after hearing this.

"You mean, this medicine can kill people?"

Yang Shen nodded: "His Highness has witnessed Miss Liu's medical skills, so her words are quite credible."

Zhu Houzhao paced back and forth in the palace, then suddenly stopped: "I'm going to find my father!"

"Your Highness————"

Yang Shen tried to stop him, but Zhu Houzhao had already run out.

About half an hour later, Zhu Houzhao returned, looking rather unwell.

Yang Shen stepped forward: "What did His Majesty say?"

Zhu Houzhao scratched his head, looking somewhat embarrassed: "Father said that we should focus on the development zone and not interfere in everything."

Yang Shen sighed heavily.

Zhu Houzhao continued, "Father also said that everyone has their own expertise. The head and judge of the Imperial Medical Academy have all examined the medicine and confirmed that it is safe. We are young and do not understand medical principles, so we should not worry about it."

Yang Shen remained silent for a long while before saying, "His Majesty must stop taking the medicine."

Zhu Houzhao scratched his head: "But what if Father doesn't believe me?"

The two looked worried when a light footstep came from outside.

Immediately following was Xiao Jing's voice: "What troubles Your Highness? Your Highness, Attendant Yang is here too!"

Zhu Houzhao asked, "Eunuch Xiao, what is it?"

Xiao Jing said, "His Majesty is today appointing a new leader for the Medicine King Sect. Your Highness must accompany him."

Yang Shen couldn't help but ask, "Can a sect leader be appointed?"

Xiao Jing smiled and nodded, saying, "The Medicine King Sect is dedicated to saving lives and helping people. His Majesty has shown favor by bestowing upon us this honor."

Zhu Houzhao asked in a low voice, "Yang, what should we do? Should we go or not?"

Yang Shen replied, "Of course we'll go, but we can't act rashly. Let's observe first."

The two followed Xiao Jing out of the house, and a moment later, they arrived at the Qianqing Palace.

In a side hall of the Qianqing Palace, the Hongzhi Emperor sat behind his desk, looking much better than he had a few days ago, with a rosier complexion.

Standing at the lower end was a man named Qian Xuzi, the new leader of the Medicine King Sect. He was about forty years old, dressed in a gray-blue Taoist robe, with neat hair and beard, and a lean face, giving him a somewhat otherworldly and venerable appearance.

The Hongzhi Emperor was speaking to him in a very kind tone.

"Master Qian's donation of medicine has relieved my pain, and I am very pleased."

Qian Xuzi bowed slightly, his voice gentle: "Your Majesty is too kind! My family has practiced medicine for generations, taking it upon ourselves to help the world and save lives. Hearing that Your Majesty is unwell, how could I sit idly by? I have only done my small part."

The Hongzhi Emperor nodded: "I have heard that the Medicine King Sect set up an altar outside the city to distribute medicine, and the people flocked to it. This shows that your medicine is indeed miraculous."

Qian Xuzi smiled and said, "I am humbled by the people's kindness. However, although this medicine is good, it also depends on fate. Those who are destined to be cured will be cured with just one dose. Those who are not destined cannot be cured by force."

Emperor Hongzhi remarked, "Master Qian's words truly embody the essence of Taoism."

As the two were talking, Zhu Houzhao's voice came from outside the door.

"Father!"

The Hongzhi Emperor glanced at the doorway.

Zhu Houzhao strode in, followed by Yang Shen.

"Your subject greets Your Majesty!"

Yang Shen also knelt down and bowed, saying, "Your subject Yang Shen pays his respects to Your Majesty."

The Hongzhi Emperor gently raised his hand: "Rise!"

Zhu Houzhao said with a smile, "Father's health seems much better. I heard that the leader of the Medicine King Sect is here, so I'll take this opportunity to thank him in person."

The Hongzhi Emperor nodded and said, "This is Qian Xuzi, the leader of the Medicine King Sect."

Qian Xuzi quickly rose and performed a kowtow: "This humble Taoist, Qian Xuzi, greets Your Highness the Crown Prince!"

Zhu Houzhao returned the greeting with clasped hands: "Master Qian's medical skills are superb. I thank Master Qian on behalf of my father!"

The Hongzhi Emperor said, "I have indeed felt much better after taking Master Qian's medicine. Crown Prince, please offer Master Qian a cup of tea as a token of my gratitude."

Zhu Houzhao responded, picked up the teacup on the table, and handed it over.

Qian Xuzi accepted the gift with both hands and bowed slightly, saying, "Thank you, Your Highness. This humble Taoist is unworthy of such praise."

Zhu Houzhao watched him drink tea, then suddenly asked, "Sect Leader Qian, what's the name of this medicine again?"

Qian Xuzi put down his teacup and replied, "Your Highness, this medicine is called the Hundred Herbs Pill."

Zhu Houzhao nodded: "Hundred Herbs Pill, what a good name! I've heard that your medicine can cure all diseases?"

Qian Xuzi shook his head and laughed, "Your Highness is joking. What medicine in this world can cure all diseases? This medicine of mine is mainly for replenishing qi and nourishing the body. It's just that some people who are weak have seen remarkable effects after taking it, and this has led to the spread of rumors that it can cure all diseases. I have clarified this many times, but the people just don't believe me."

That was a perfectly watertight statement.

Yang Shen stood behind, secretly on guard.

This person is very experienced in everything he says and does, and is difficult to deal with.

The Hongzhi Emperor was in a good mood and nodded, saying, "Master Qian is right. I do feel much better after taking this medicine, but to say that it cures all diseases is too much of an exaggeration."

Qian Xuzi sighed, "Your Majesty is wise! In truth, my purpose in coming to the capital this time was to help the world and save people, but—"

He paused, looking troubled.

The Hongzhi Emperor asked, "But what?"

Qian Xuzi said, "I did not expect so many people to be seeking medicine. I have not carried enough of the Hundred Herbs Pills. I hope Your Majesty will grant me permission to close my doors to guests in three days and stop distributing Hundred Herbs Pills."

The Hongzhi Emperor frowned slightly and said, "The medicine is gone, we can just make more."

Qian Xuzi smiled helplessly: "Your Majesty is unaware that the preparation of the Hundred Herbs Pill is extremely complex. It requires a hundred kinds of herbs, which must be carefully selected and go through more than a dozen processes, including picking, drying, grinding, boiling, condensing, and sealing. Each process has strict requirements, and it takes forty-nine days to complete one batch of pills. I did not bring many pills with me when I came to the capital, and after distributing them to the people these days, there are very few left."

The Hongzhi Emperor frowned slightly: "So, does this mean the people won't be able to get medicine anymore?"

Qian Xuzi sighed, "I also feel sorry for him, but I still have to supply medicine to His Majesty. This is the best I can do for the people."

Zhu Houzhao, who had been listening intently, suddenly interjected, "Since this medicine is so miraculous, why not hire more people to prepare more?"

Qian Xuzi glanced at Zhu Houzhao, shook his head and smiled, "The process of preparing medicine is extremely complicated, and most people simply cannot master it in a short time. My disciples have studied for more than ten years, and they can only barely assist. I need to personally supervise each batch of pills, never leaving their side. If there is the slightest mistake, the entire batch of pills will be ruined."

Zhu Houzhao was unwilling to give up and said again, "We can ask the Imperial Medical Academy for help! There are so many people in the Imperial Medical Academy who understand medical principles. They can learn from you."

Emperor Hongzhi raised an eyebrow and looked at Qian Xuzi.

Qian Xuzi's smile froze for a moment, then returned to normal. He said with an awkward smile, "Your Highness is too kind, but—this medicine requires a lot of time to prepare. The fire must be kept under control every hour, and someone cannot leave it unattended day or night. The imperial physicians of the Imperial Hospital are busy with their daily duties, treating the nobles in the palace. How can they spare the time? If this delays their duties in the palace, I cannot bear the responsibility."

The Hongzhi Emperor nodded, agreeing with the statement.

He glanced at Zhu Houzhao, his tone tinged with displeasure: "Sect Leader Qian has his own difficulties. You are young and don't understand the ins and outs of this."

Zhu Houzhao opened his mouth, as if he wanted to say something, but was stopped by Emperor Hongzhi raising his hand.

"Alright, you can leave now!"

Zhu Houzhao had no choice but to bow and say, "Your subject takes his leave!"

He turned around and gave Yang Shen a wink.

Yang Shen also bowed and said, "Your subject takes his leave."

>