Chapter 513: Treatment

Chapter 513: Treatment

Even though Empress Dowager Yuan eventually took her revenge personally, her resentment toward him burned as fiercely as ever.

"Empress Dowager, Empress Dowager..."

The sound of Nanny An's voice snapped Empress Dowager Yuan out of her memories.

She closed her eyes, bottling up the hatred in her heart. When she opened them again, she had already regained her usual composure.

Empress Dowager Yuan looked up at Ji Yuntang and asked coldly, "Everything you just said, is it all true?"

She knew she had suffered from headaches for many years, but she had never known that headaches could kill or cause paralysis.

Having ruled as regent for so many years, the thought of lying in bed like a useless invalid for the rest of her life was worse than death to her.

And precisely because she feared death so much, Ji Yuntang's words had put her on edge.

She knew very well in her heart that what Ji Yuntang had said was true—she just didn't want to admit it!

Seeing her like this, Ji Yuntang knew her words had hit home. She spoke up, "Every word is true. I'm just a doctor who treats the sick and saves lives. There's no reason for me to deceive Your Majesty, nor would I dare to gamble with my own life."

"I've already treated many of your servants just now. By now, you must have witnessed my medical skills—I'm just as good as the imperial physicians in the palace."

"I can assure you, Empress Dowager, that I can cure your illness. It just comes down to whether you're willing to trust me!"

Empress Dowager Yuan pondered for a long while before she seemed to make up her mind. She raised her hand and said, "Release her."

The two guards immediately released Ji Yuntang. Empress Dowager Yuan looked at her coldly and said, "You say you can cure me, so I'll give you a chance."

"I heard that you only entered the city yesterday. You're probably not from the Xishu Kingdom. If anything should happen to me, you, your brother and sister-in-law, and even your entire family—all of you will be put to death with me."

Ji Yuntang cursed inwardly. That old witch really lives up to her reputation—in such a short time, she had already investigated her background and the identities of her companions!

Fortunately, before coming to the Xishu Kingdom, Ji Yuntang had already forged the identity information for herself, Xie Liuzheng, and her brother and sister-in-law. She had spent money to obtain the identity papers of three missing persons and had stamped them with counterfeit official seals.

So she was not afraid of Empress Dowager Yuan's investigation, because those three identity papers were genuine.

Even if the Empress Dowager wanted to get revenge on her, she would not have the chance.

Ji Yuntang said, "Don't worry, Empress Dowager. I'll do exactly what I said."

Empress Dowager Yuan glanced at her and asked again, "Then you must at least tell me—how long will the treatment take before my head stops aching and my chest stops feeling heavy?"

"There's got to be a timeframe, right? You can't expect me to wait forever."

Ji Yuntang knew she would ask this, so she had her answer ready.

She held up three fingers. "Three days. Give me three days, Empress Dowager, and that's all I need."

"After three days, I guarantee your head will no longer ache, and you'll feel ten years younger."

After all, in two days, the False Crown Prince was to be buried. Hua Feixue needed to stop that from happening, which meant Ji Yuntang had to earn Empress Dowager Yuan's trust as quickly as possible.

Three days. For Ji Yuntang, that was plenty!

Hearing this, Empress Dowager Yuan was thrilled.

"Even better!"

If her head ailment could be cured in three days, she could proceed with the False Crown Prince's burial and, at the same time, quickly install a new Crown Prince and have him ascend the throne.

To keep the other four great families from causing trouble, Empress Dowager Yuan had not yet allowed any of them to meet Yuanchao.

So what if he's a sickly young man? As long as her son ascended the throne, the world would belong to the Yuan family.

With the Yuan family as his backing, military power in his hands, and the support of both herself and the National Preceptor, how could she worry about him failing to secure the throne?

Empress Dowager Yuan had it all figured out. She felt that once her illness was cured, everything would be even more perfect!

When she looked up, she caught sight of Ji Yuntang bringing over a row of silver needles. It gave her a real scare.

"How dare you! Are you trying to stab me with needles?"

Ji Yuntang's lips twitched slightly. She wondered what the Old Witch had been so deep in thought about.

She had already said several times that she was going to perform acupuncture on her, but the Empress Dowager hadn't even responded.

Nanny An chimed in, "Empress Dowager, Doctor Yun is not trying to stick needles into you—she wants to perform acupuncture on your head."

"It is said that acupuncture can unclog the blood vessels in your brain, accelerate blood circulation, and ensure that your head won't ache anymore."

Empress Dowager Yuan let out a small sigh of relief. "I see. I have misunderstood Doctor Yun!"

Ji Yuntang deliberately pulled out the thickest silver needle and said, "Empress Dowager, because your head ailment has been going on for years, the thickest needle is needed to clear the blocked blood vessels more quickly."

"Don't worry, this needling technique of mine is called the Nine-Turn Soul-Reviving Needle, handed down from ancient medical texts. I've used it to cure many people's headaches so far, so you can trust my needling skills."

Despite Ji Yuntang's reassuring explanation, Empress Dowager Yuan was still afraid.

The needle she had taken out was three times thicker and five times longer than an embroidery needle. Sticking nine of those into your head would make anyone nervous, right?

"Doctor Yun, when you insert the needles, go slowly. Don't hit the wrong spot."

Empress Dowager Yuan's voice trembled slightly. Ji Yuntang gave a reassuring smile. "Don't worry, nothing will go wrong."

She removed the pile of jewelry and hair ornaments from Empress Dowager Yuan's head, then began the acupuncture.

At first, Empress Dowager Yuan still felt a throbbing pain in her head, as if it were about to explode.

Gradually, a warm sensation spread through her, the pain slowly subsided, and her entire body felt as if she were basking in sunlight.

Empress Dowager Yuan felt more relaxed than she ever had before, so much so that she closed her eyes.

The acupuncture session lasted a full hour. It wasn't until Ji Yuntang had removed all the needles that Empress Dowager Yuan slowly opened her eyes.

Ji Yuntang asked, "How are you feeling, Empress Dowager?"

Empress Dowager Yuan got up and paced around. Although she still felt a slight dull ache in her head, it had already eased considerably.

She said, "I feel quite well. Doctor Yun's medical skills are truly remarkable."

Ji Yuntang smiled slightly. "If you take the medicine I've prescribed, it'll work even better."

Empress Dowager Yuan immediately ordered, "Bring Doctor Yun some paper and a brush right away."

Nanny An brought over paper and a brush. Ji Yuntang wrote out the prescription, went over some things to watch out for, and then said, "Empress Dowager, today's treatment ends here. Tomorrow afternoon, I will return to the palace to continue with your second acupuncture session, until we finish the three days of treatment."

Empress Dowager Yuan smiled approvingly. "Excellent, excellent."

"Doctor Yun has eased my headache today. I'll reward you well."

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