Chapter 515: Calling for Reinforcements

Chapter 515: Finding Help

"This acupuncture technique has one major drawback that most people don't know about."

As Ji Yuntang spoke, she took out a silver needle and held it under the light, where it emitted a faint gleam.

"The Nine-Cycle Soul-Reviving Needle, once started, requires anywhere from three to nine days of continuous treatment—not a single day can be skipped in between."

"In other words, when I perform acupuncture on Empress Dowager Yuan, the first one or two sessions will relieve her headaches. But if the third session is suddenly interrupted, her condition will worsen dramatically—at least two to three times worse than before."

"Now do you understand why I agreed to treat her?"

Hua Feixue: "..."

Hua Feixue: "!!!"

She was taken aback. She never expected Ji Yuntang to have so many tricks up her sleeve.

Wasn't this just hurting someone under the pretense of saving them?

Still, she approved of it!

Hua Feixue sat down and asked, "But what if the Old Witch asks you to perform the third session? What will you do then?"

Ji Yuntang smiled slightly. "Have you forgotten what day is coming up the day after tomorrow?"

"The day the False Crown Prince is buried. The Old Witch will be swamped that day—how would she have time for acupuncture?"

Hua Feixue thought about it and realized she was right. Not only were there numerous procedures involved in the False Crown Prince's burial, but she herself would also need to find a way to stop it. There was no way she could let Empress Dowager Yuan send people to dig up her mother's grave.

After finishing her explanation, Ji Yuntang suddenly thought of something and her expression turned serious. "However, when I took her pulse today, I discovered something astonishing."

"The Old Witch gave birth to a child seventeen years ago—a premature one at that."

"If I'm not mistaken, the child was forcibly induced through some kind of medication. That's why she's now suffering from a host of aftereffects."

The moment these words were spoken, Hua Feixue was thunderstruck.

She said in disbelief, "That's impossible! I've never once heard that the Old Witch had a child!"

Xie Liuzheng remarked, "Sister Yuntang said it was seventeen years ago. Think about how old you were back then—you were just a few years old. It's only natural you wouldn't know."

"Besides, since the child was induced with medication, it's clear the child's identity couldn't see the light of day. Most likely, it wasn't the Grand Emperor's offspring. She was afraid of being discovered, so she took a risky move and secretly gave birth, choosing not to raise the child herself. That's understandable."

Hua Feixue thought it over. Seventeen years ago, she had just turned two—too young to remember. Indeed, she wouldn't have known about this.

Moreover, if the Old Witch had truly given birth to the Grand Emperor's child, she would certainly have had her son open the forbidden gate.

She hadn't done that, which meant the child was most likely from some other man.

Ji Yuntang said, "My brother is right. So Empress Dowager Yuan has long since cheated on the Grand Emperor—she's just hidden it too well for you to notice."

Hua Feixue's expression turned grim. She felt she had missed a golden opportunity to bring down Empress Dowager Yuan.

If they had discovered this earlier, the Empress Dowager would have been severely punished for adultery by the Grand Emperor long ago. How could she still be acting so arrogantly now?

Hua Feixue asked Ji Yuntang, "Princess Ye, is there any way to find this child?"

Although seventeen years had passed, if they could locate the child, she might be able to destroy Empress Dowager Yuan.

Ji Yuntang replied, "The kingdom of Xishu is vast. Finding one person won't be easy."

Hua Feixue lowered her head in disappointment, but then Ji Yuntang spoke up again.

"However, if her child is still alive and living in the capital, then there might be a way to find the child after all."

Hua Feixue's heart leaped with joy. "What way?"

Ji Yuntang said slowly, "Empress Dowager Yuan's child was born at seven months, which means they would inevitably be born with deficiencies—the heart or brain likely not fully developed."

"In such cases, they would need rare and precious herbs to sustain them, and one particular ingredient would be absolutely indispensable."

Ji Yuntang took out paper and a writing brush and wrote four characters: "Dendrobium officinale."

"Dendrobium officinale is known as the 'immortal herb that saves lives.' It nourishes the body's vital fluids and strengthens the constitution, especially for children born with deficiencies—it warms the body and prolongs life."

"It's valuable but not extremely rare. Tomorrow, you can send people to the major herbal medicine shops in the capital to inquire whether anyone regularly and continuously purchases this herb. If so, keep a close eye on them—I believe there's a high chance that person is Empress Dowager Yuan's secret child."

This suggestion opened up a new line of thinking for Hua Feixue. Her eyes lit up. "I'm familiar with the pharmacies in the capital. I'll go ask around tomorrow."

As soon as she finished speaking, Ji Yuntang immediately said, "You can't go, and my brother can't either."

"You both came here with me. There's a real chance the Old Witch has sent people to secretly monitor our every move. If you two go, you'd be walking right into her trap. If she gets suspicious, we're done for!"

Xie Liuzheng frowned deeply. "Then what do we do? We're running out of time!"

If they were in the Dongchen Kingdom, he could send people to investigate. But the problem was, they were in the Xishu Kingdom now.

They hadn't brought any men with them, and the Old Witch's spies were everywhere. It felt nearly impossible to investigate anything.

Just as the three of them were thinking hard for a solution, hurried footsteps were heard outside the door.

Ji Yuntang immediately put a finger to her lips and turned toward the door.

There was a knock, and then a woman's voice. "Doctor Yun, are you asleep?"

Recognizing Shen Shiran's voice, everyone let out a sigh of relief.

Hua Feixue went to open the door.

The moment the door opened, a figure dropped to his knees with a thud before Hua Feixue.

His voice trembled with emotion. "Your Highness, your humble servant pays respects to the Crown Prince."

"Forgive me for not recognizing you, Your Highness. Please show mercy."

Hua Feixue was startled, but after recovering, he quickly reached out and pulled Shen Xiangming to his feet.

"General Shen, what are you doing? Please get up."

Shen Xiangming looked at Hua Feixue, who was dressed as a woman, and tears immediately welled up in his eyes.

"You've been through so much, Your Highness."

Hua Feixue's lips moved, but for a moment, he didn't know what to say.

"General Shen, you... you know everything?"

Shen Xiangming nodded. "Ran'er has told me everything. Your Highness has been playing the fool in the palace all these years, constantly targeted by Empress Dowager Yuan. It must have been so hard on you!"

"I thought that charred corpse was really you, Your Highness. Seeing you alive now—it's truly wonderful!"

Hua Feixue turned to look at Shen Shiran, who rubbed her nose guiltily.

"Brother Chu Yi, the three of you seeking revenge against Empress Dowager Yuan is far too dangerous. I want to help too, so I brought my father along to see if he can help out in any way."

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