Chapter 009: The Supreme Ghost Doctor
He maintained a consistently calm demeanor, an icy aura radiating from him that discouraged anyone from drawing near.
The crowd erupted in astonishment—why had Zhan Lianjing intervened in this matter? Was it to repay Le Qianxue for saving his life? Or… after that scandal, had the two already crossed the point of no return?
The Virtuous Consort turned back. “Prince Zhan, Le Yongcheng’s murder of my imperial son is an unforgivable crime!”
Haoyue interjected, “But if Miss Le hadn’t saved the Fourth Prince, even if you executed General Le, it wouldn’t bring the prince back.”
Just as the Virtuous Consort was about to speak, Le Qianxue said, “Your Grace, if the Fourth Prince dies, I am willing to die with him. Would that satisfy you?”
The Virtuous Consort froze, glancing at Yu Nanfeng, then at Le Qianxue. If her son died, taking Le Qianxue as a burial companion was indeed a fitting revenge.
She agreed, “Very well! Remember what you have promised, Le Qianxue!”
Le Qianxue nodded. “And Your Grace must also honor your word.”
She sat by the bedside, examining the deep wound on Yu Nanfeng’s chest. For any other healer, it would be hopeless, but with her intervention, things would be different.
In her previous life, she was known as the Phantom Healer—no injury was too much for her, not even bullet wounds. She spoke without turning her head, “Everyone, leave.”
The Virtuous Consort stepped forward. “No! I must stay and watch you!”
If Le Qianxue tried any trickery, all would be lost.
Le Qianxue replied, “Your Grace, you’ve already imprisoned my father. What more is there to fear?”
Yu Guhan approached the Virtuous Consort, gently persuading, “Your Grace, let us go for now. Too many people will only hinder Qianxue’s work.”
After some hesitation, the Virtuous Consort relented, placing her son’s well-being first. Everyone withdrew, Zhan Lianjing included, all waiting outside.
Haoyue frowned. “Your Highness, do you think Miss Le can save the Fourth Prince?”
Zhan Lianjing’s eyes were a deep, intense brown. He pursed his lips. “Have you ever heard of Le Qianxue practicing medicine before?”
It seemed she was far more than a mere poison specialist. She was a pearl hidden in dust, about to reveal her brilliance at last.
Haoyue was taken aback. “Everyone says the eldest daughter of the General’s Manor is good for nothing, chasing after the Fourth Prince all day, far inferior to her younger sister. I never heard she knew medicine. And only three months ago, she was gravely ill—General Le sought every physician to no avail, and was about to go to Medicine King Valley for help when she suddenly recovered on her own.”
Zhan Lianjing pressed his lips together. Now, they would see if Le Qianxue could truly bring someone back from the brink of death.
Inside the room.
Le Qianxue took out a small wooden box, opening it to reveal several compartments, each filled with different pills. It was modeled after modern medicine cases—convenient and always kept on her for emergencies.
She first gave Yu Nanfeng a Heart-Fortifying Pill; instantly, his pulse grew stronger. Only then did she open her acupuncture kit, her gaze sharpening as she swiftly inserted silver needles into his chest.
Yu Nanfeng had been poised to step through death’s door. In the darkness, he glimpsed a ray of light, and a hand reached out to him. Unwilling to die, he grabbed that hand and let himself be pulled back.
He felt warmth, though pain in his chest made him frown and open his eyes a sliver. A blurry figure swayed before him—was that… Le Qianxue?
With a flicker of consciousness, he soon slipped back into unconsciousness.
Le Qianxue knew his life was saved. She set to work with silver needles and silk thread, stitching his wound closed. It was not large, but very deep. She had already applied medicine inside; with a few days’ rest, he would recover.
Though she was a master of alchemy, she hadn’t stitched many wounds, and the result was rather ugly.
“It’s been far too long since I’ve done this,” she muttered, relieved to see the wound finally closed. She let out a sigh of relief.
She checked his pulse. Though he had lost much blood, the Heart-Fortifying Pill had dragged him back from the jaws of death.
Still, it pained her. The pill was hard to refine, the ingredients even harder to find. It had taken three months to make just three, and now Yu Nanfeng had used up one.
Only an hour had passed, but Le Qianxue had no intention of going out yet. Yu Nanfeng was not out of danger; letting others in now could disrupt his recovery and endanger him anew.
Outside, the Virtuous Consort was growing frantic. Why was Le Qianxue taking so long? Had something happened to her son?
She nearly burst in, but was blocked by Zhuixing. “Your Grace, please wait for Miss Le to come out first.”
She pursed her lips. This was Zhan Lianjing’s order, and he had already left, but kept Zhuixing here to guard.
“How is my son, Le Qianxue?” she called.
Le Qianxue was lighting a candle. Hearing the question, she glanced at Yu Nanfeng, then rolled her eyes and replied, “The Fourth Prince is safe, but Your Grace must be careful not to disturb his rest when you come in.”
Yu Nanfeng had been unconscious for half a day. Now, in a daze, he woke, hearing Le Qianxue’s voice. At first, he was annoyed, wanting her to be quiet, but he could not speak.
Yet now, watching Le Qianxue change his dressing with such focus, he found her unexpectedly beautiful.
He didn’t know why, but suddenly Le Qianxue didn’t seem so disagreeable.
She had always chased him, calling him her destined one, and he had despised this useless young lady. But now, he realized she could be gentle too…
Just then, a voice outside the courtyard cried, “Her Majesty the Empress arrives!”
Both the Virtuous Consort and Yu Guhan were taken aback. The Empress had left the palace?
She approached in plain palace robes, still regal and dignified, while the Virtuous Consort, worn with worry, looked haggard by comparison.
The Virtuous Consort offered her respect, but her words were barbed. “Sister Empress, what is the meaning of this attire?”
The Empress wore funeral clothes, as if in mourning. Was she cursing Yu Nanfeng to die?
The Virtuous Consort, usually adept at flattery to survive in court, would not tolerate such a slight against her son.
The Empress sighed. “I mean nothing. That girl Le Qianxue is useless. So much time has passed without a word—do you still not understand what that means, dear sister?”
The Virtuous Consort’s face drained of color—this was a clear provocation.
She clenched her fists. “Let’s not jump to conclusions, Your Majesty. My son is blessed and will survive this ordeal.”
The Empress laughed lightly. “Why deceive yourself? Even the imperial physicians were helpless, yet you think Le Qianxue alone can save the Fourth Prince?”
The Virtuous Consort’s complexion paled further, almost as white as paper.
Seeing her silent, the Empress smiled triumphantly. “Open the door. Le Qianxue is only stalling for time inside.”
But just as the eunuch approached, the door swung open from within.
Le Qianxue stood in the doorway, weary of the commotion. She glanced at the Empress, then at the Virtuous Consort. “Your Majesty, you honor us with your presence. My greetings.”
Le Qianxue was no fool. The Empress was targeting her family—the Yang clan, her mother’s family, sought dominance in the court, while Le Yongcheng would not stoop to their level and had long been their target.
This was just an excuse for Empress Yang to eradicate the Le family. If so… her family was truly in peril.
Empress Yang was surprised to see Le Qianxue emerge, full of confidence. Could she really have saved Yu Nanfeng?
The Virtuous Consort hurried forward, her voice trembling. “Le Qianxue, how is my son?”
Understanding a mother’s heart, Le Qianxue stepped aside. “The Fourth Prince is safe. Your Grace, please see for yourself.”
The Virtuous Consort rushed in, and upon seeing Yu Nanfeng looking far better, her heart finally settled. His complexion had improved in just half a day.
Her nose tingled, and she quickly summoned the imperial physician to check his pulse.
Physician Li, an elder of the Imperial Medical Bureau, had earlier declared Yu Nanfeng beyond hope. Yet now, his pulse was almost normal, only slightly weak—an impossible change in so little time!
Physician Li was startled and examined the wound, noticing it had been stitched with some unknown method.
“How is this possible…” His hand trembled.
Yu Nanfeng had been at death’s door, yet now his condition had so dramatically improved—it defied belief.
The Virtuous Consort pressed him, “Well? How is the Fourth Prince?”
Physician Li finally gathered himself. “Your Grace, the Fourth Prince is unhurt, though still a bit weak. With careful care, he will recover fully.”
At last, the Virtuous Consort breathed easy, clutching Yu Nanfeng’s hand and nearly bursting into tears.
She had spent the entire day on edge, barely able to endure.