met free Chapter 323 A Slight Heart
Chapter 323 A Slight Heart
Chapter 323: A Slight Sinking Heart
Chapter 323
"Your Majesty, I pay my respects to you!" Ye Yunzhou knelt on one knee, his voice loud and steady.
Luo Shuiyao followed closely behind, bowed, and said softly: "I pay my respects to Your Majesty. Long live Your Majesty."
Emperor Yuanzhen's gaze swept past Ye Yunzhou and landed on the kneeling Luo Shuiyao. Hearing what she said, he couldn't help but chuckle, "I don't know how many people in this world hope for my death. How can I really live to be ten thousand years old? But I do appreciate your kindness."
Luo Shuiyao listened to his seemingly joking words, but she felt no sense of relief, nor was she curious about what he meant. She understood that within the imperial palace, the more common people like her knew, the more dangerous it would be. As for the idea of pitying Emperor Yuan Zhen, it was even more absurd. Even if he was pitiful, he was still the ruler of the country, and his life was far better than hers. It was not her place to feel sorry for him.
Emperor Yuancheng was just saying this casually, not expecting any response. As soon as he finished speaking, he continued, "Get up and come here for me to see."
"I thank you for your grace." Luo Shuiyao kowtowed again and stood up. She subconsciously glanced at Ye Yunzhou. Seeing his eyes filled with both encouragement and comfort, she felt a sense of relief. She suppressed her anxiety and walked forward steadily.
Upon seeing this, Eunuch Su stepped forward quickly and rolled up Emperor Yuanzhen's sleeves.
Luo Shuiyao's heart sank as she gazed at the age spots on Emperor Yuanzhen's skin, visible through his clothing. If her knowledge was correct, he was barely over fifty, yet judging by the condition of his skin, his inner body must have been in dire straits. However, this thought flashed through her mind, and she maintained a calm expression. After Eunuch Su had placed Emperor Yuanzhen's hand, she casually placed her own.
Time ticked by, and the hall was filled with a deathly silence. Luo Shuiyao's brow furrowed ever tighter. At that moment, not only Eunuch Su, but even Emperor Yuanzhen subconsciously held his breath. He knew he shouldn't have held high hopes for this girl to cure the deadly poison he was currently suffering from, but to say he had no hope at all would be a lie. Seeing Luo Shuiyao's expression, Ye Yunzhou beside him couldn't help but hold his breath.
Doctors always treat all patients equally. Luo Shuiyao was different from the staff of the Imperial Hospital. They had long been under the pressure of the court and the emperor. Even if they had inferences, they dared not speak them out, choosing only to flatter them. But Luo Shuiyao was different. Unlike the others, she didn't hold the emperor in such awe. Instead, she held a deep respect for an elder who loved his country and his people. She was completely absorbed in her role as a doctor, forgetting the vast difference in status between herself and Emperor Yuanzhen.
After taking the pulse for half a cup of tea, she released her hand, stood up, and carefully examined Emperor Yuanzhen's face. She asked a few questions and then said, "Your Majesty, please stick out your tongue."
Upon hearing this, Emperor Yuanzhen did not do as she asked, but stared at her with a strange expression, and it was impossible to tell whether he was happy or angry on his face.
Her bold actions had Eunuch Su stunned, and even Ye Yunzhou's heart tightened. Although Emperor Yuanzhen didn't show any anger, Ye Yunzhou couldn't help but step forward to help Luo Shuiyao, but a look from Emperor Yuanzhen stopped him in his tracks.
Luo Shuiyao was unaware of the tense atmosphere around them. Seeing that Emperor Yuanzhen hadn't moved for a while, she urged him again, "Your Majesty, the poison has already invaded your heart and lungs, but you are too weak now. I must carefully consider the medication. Your Majesty, please stick out your tongue so I can examine it. I can determine a prescription based on your physical condition."
Emperor Yuanzhen listened to her unhurried explanation. Though her words seemed respectful and polite, her eyes held no fear, and he couldn't help but admire her even more. This girl's life story had been laid out before him since he first met her. He even knew things about her that she herself didn't know. However, precisely because of this, he became even more curious and interested in the girl before him.
While thinking about this, Emperor Yuanzhen opened his mouth according to Luo Shuiyao's words. After she saw it carefully, he slowly retracted his tongue, and the look of interest in his eyes did not diminish at all.
Ye Yunzhou was standing far away and was blocked by Luo Shuiyao's figure, so he couldn't see the situation clearly.
But Eunuch Su saw it all clearly, and his heart suddenly tightened, a click. As the emperor's chief eunuch, he knew all about Luo Shuiyao and Ye Yunzhou's affairs. After all, Luo Shuiyao was a dear one to Ye Yunzhou. But looking at the situation before him, His Majesty seemed to have taken an interest in this Miss Luo. Although Eunuch Su was a eunuch, he understood the male mind. Generally speaking, once a man falls in love with a woman, he is likely to want her for himself. Eunuch Su couldn't help but worry in his heart, really fearing that he would end up in a situation where "a pear blossom overshadows a crabapple blossom."
Eunuch Su's concerns were not unfounded. The palace held a large-scale beauty pageant every three years, and the girls who entered the palace last year would only be sixteen or seventeen this year. Luo Shuiyao was approaching her coming-of-age ceremony, so it wasn't impossible for His Majesty to develop feelings for her. However, that would offend Governor Ye. His Majesty was nearing old age, and if he really did, who knew how catastrophic the situation would become.
Unlike Eunuch Su, who was preoccupied, Luo Shuiyao didn't notice anything unusual about him. After carefully observing him, she pondered for a moment, then asked Eunuch Su, "Eunuch, could you please bring me some writing brush, ink, paper, and inkstone?"
Eunuch Su, who was in a daze, was interrupted by her voice. He quickly responded and then walked to the table beside him, took out the paper, and started grinding it for her attentively.
Perhaps because he had been serving Emperor Yuanzhen for many years, Eunuch Su's movements in taking the brush, ink, paper and inkstone and grinding the ink were skillful, smooth and quick. Ye Yunzhou had originally stretched out his hand halfway to help, but then silently withdrew it.
Luo Shuiyao didn't care about any of this. Seeing this, she stepped forward, picked up the brush, dipped it in ink, and began to write. The tip of the brush rustled against the paper. After another cup of tea, she put down the brush, picked up the paper, shook it gently, and when the ink was dry, handed it to Eunuch Su and said, "Please find someone you trust as soon as possible to prepare the medicine according to this prescription."