After giving his last instructions, Wei Yutang left, mounted his horse, and headed towards a certain place. Now, he was unusually grateful for the young emperor's high regard and trust in him, which allowed him to lend a helping hand in this situation.
This highly contagious disease, based on Wei Yutang's understanding, was basically never cured. In the end, the infected people were usually locked up together, and their bodies were burned after they died.
This was done in such an extreme way that the disease was barely brought under control, rather than a cure or a way to save lives.
Throughout history, there have been many renowned physicians, yet none of them have ever been able to cure an epidemic.
It would be a lie to say he wasn't worried about Chu Qing, but he had no other choice in this situation. Wei Yutang sat there forcing himself to focus on the things he needed to deal with, took a deep breath, but still couldn't calm down.
After carefully examining the young emperor's symptoms, Chu Qing in the palace also examined all those who had the same symptoms.
Perhaps because he himself was a doctor and was very clear about these things, he was not as afraid as outsiders, nor did he have any intention of avoiding them.
To be honest, he seemed to know very well that if he handled things properly, he wouldn't get infected himself.
There has never been a record of a similar situation, which means that Chu Qing needs to figure it out slowly. Fortunately, the palace has a full range of medicinal herbs, so there is no need to worry about not being able to use them.
The young emperor lay in bed, and it was clear that he was beginning to lose weight.
Chu Qing first prescribed some medicinal herbs to nourish the body, ensuring that the young emperor's health would not be completely depleted, and then began preparing other prescriptions.
The imperial physicians of the Imperial Medical Academy were completely at a loss as to how to handle the situation, so they could only follow behind Chu Qing and assist him.
They did exactly as Chu Qing instructed.
First, the maids were given the medicine prescribed by Chu Qing. Only after confirming that her spirits had recovered considerably after taking the medicine did the eunuchs serving the Emperor dare to give the medicine to the Emperor.
That very night, His Majesty awoke and ate a small bowl of porridge while leaning against the headboard.
The young emperor had only fainted; he wasn't completely unconscious. Seeing his wife and husband standing there, he felt a rare pang of guilt.
"It is my fault. You must be worried at home."
From their few previous meetings, the young emperor could tell that his master really liked Doctor Chu. Even when he didn't bring Doctor Chu with him, he would often mention him.
Especially when they occasionally see something here, they always imply that Doctor Chu likes it.
"He is worried about His Majesty's safety; His Majesty needs to recover soon."
Upon hearing this, the young emperor smiled. He knew that his master was also worried about him, but not as much as Doctor Chu. He had never thought of competing with his master's partner for the emperor's favor.
"Can my illness be cured?"
When the young emperor first discovered that his disease was contagious, he did think of Doctor Chu, but after much deliberation, he still did not ask anyone around him to summon Doctor Chu.
It's not easy for a person to meet their soulmate in this world.
In his early years, he was not favored by his parents and was sent to the border at a young age. If it weren't for his outstanding talent, he probably would have died there at a young age.
Later, because of himself, he returned to the capital and did many things for him. Later, in order to return the power to him and also to avoid many unfounded suspicions, he was forced to leave the capital and live in anonymity.
The young emperor couldn't bear to see his teacher go through so much already, only to have to endure this again.
"Your Majesty, please rest assured."
Chu Qing didn't dare to give His Majesty any guarantees yet, as he wasn't sure if he could be cured. However, at least he had seen hope of being cured.
The young emperor waved his hand, signaling them all to leave first, as he wanted to rest for a while. After everyone had left, he forced himself to get out of bed.
He walked to the desk and saw the eunuch who had stayed by his side. He instructed the eunuch to start grinding ink for him.
As an emperor, even death is not his own choice. Even now, with his life hanging by a thread, he still has to think about the throne.
Although he had concubines in his harem, he had no children. His father had a bad relationship with his uncles. When he first ascended the throne, if it weren't for his tutor, his uncles would have wanted to devour him alive.
After considering it over, the young emperor among the imperial family also felt that it was not quite appropriate. Finally, as he held the brush, the face of his teacher suddenly appeared before his eyes.
He took a deep breath and wrote down an imperial edict.
If something were to happen, he would rather have his teacher come than anyone else, even if his father blamed him for being unfilial in the afterlife.
After writing the imperial edict, the young emperor coughed twice. Even though he had regained consciousness today, he was still somewhat weak after lying in bed for so long.
He picked up the Imperial Seal of the State from the side, stamped it on, leaned back in his chair, and gave the order:
"Help me to rest."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
After the young emperor regained consciousness, things became much simpler for Chu Qing. Many of the medicines he had previously considered had to be taken into account because the young emperor was too weak to withstand them.
But now His Majesty has regained consciousness, and he can use some of the medicines. Several more medicines have been added to the prescription.
It would be a lie to say that the other imperial physicians weren't shocked when they saw Chu Qing's prescription. The ingredients used were too daring. Although they didn't quite agree with it, they couldn't come up with a better prescription, so they could only follow Chu Qing's instructions.
The young emperor's health was improving day by day. The palace maid who was the first to receive Chu Qing's medicine had fully recovered. This good news was sent out, and Wei Yutang, who hadn't slept for days and nights, was finally able to relax.
Once the young emperor had fully recovered and everyone in the palace had also recovered, Chu Qing, who had endured such a long period of suffering, reached out and rubbed her aching temples.
This was really too hard for him.
Just then, someone outside announced that the Great General had arrived. Upon hearing this, the young emperor hurriedly ordered his servants to help him change his clothes.
The dragon robe he wore before was now noticeably looser on him. Even though he had recovered, he had lost a lot of weight in recent days and needed to rest and recuperate.
"gentlemen."
"Yes, it's good that you're safe."
After glancing at him, Wei Yutang, unusually, disregarded the etiquette he had always talked about and went straight to the back. He saw Chu Qing lying there with very obvious dark circles under his eyes, standing beside him with eyes full of heartache.
Chu Qing was just lying there resting for a while when she heard footsteps and then she raised her head.
"Huh? You're here?"
"Yes, I came to pick you up and take you home. Xiaxia missed you, and so did I."
The young emperor, who had followed him in, was somewhat unwilling to believe that this was the teacher he remembered. He gave a wink to the others, and one eunuch went to prepare the carriage, while the rest of them withdrew.
Chu Qing usually didn't like to be close to Wei Yutang in front of many people, but today he was really too tired. When Wei Yutang picked him up, he didn't resist and leaned on Wei Yutang's shoulder, whispering:
"I'm so tired..."
He dared not close his eyes while in the palace, and after only a few hours of rest each day, he would start thinking of prescriptions again.
At that time, the young emperor's health was deteriorating day by day, and he didn't have much time left.
"Go back and get some rest. I'll take you home."
Chu Qing snuggled gently against Wei Yutang in his arms and said "okay".
The young emperor watched them leave, and the first thing he did upon returning home was to burn the imperial edict. He was only relieved after seeing the edict turn to dust with his own eyes.
If something were to really happen to me, then keeping this thing wouldn't be a bad idea. But now that I've recovered, if this thing isn't properly destroyed, and it gets out, it'll be like a sword hanging over your head.
Xiaxia heard her father say that he was going to pick up her father today. She wanted to go with him, but her father wouldn't let her, so she could only wait anxiously at the door.
She finally heard the sound of horses' hooves and thought she could go and see her father, but she was stopped by her father.
"Father has been working hard for several days. Let Father rest for a while, okay?"
Xiaxia tiptoed and glanced at her father, who was covered by a cloak. He did look unwell, so she quickly nodded her head.
"good."
...
After they left, the young emperor in the palace felt increasingly guilty. The teacher had already been given as many titles as possible, and to give him any more would make him a target of public criticism.
As for Doctor Chu... he has worked so hard this time, and under normal circumstances he should be given an imperial title. However, the young emperor knows very well that the master does not want Doctor Chu to be treated this way.
After much thought, the young emperor could only focus his attention on Xiaxia.
He liked the little guy quite a bit, as if he saw a miniature version of Mr. He. He used to like to play pranks and pinch Xiaxia's chubby little cheeks, as if to vent his anger and get revenge on Mr. He for being too strict with him.
While Chu Qing was still resting at home, the imperial decree bestowing honors upon Yu Xi, bestowing upon Xia Xia the title of Prince Xiaoyao.
Xia Xia is not even ten years old yet, but she has already been granted the title of king. There are many people in the court who object, but the young emperor simply doesn't care.
The master once taught him that the most important thing in these matters is to make himself happy. If he listened to all the advice of his ministers, he would be no different from a puppet in their hands.
It is not wrong to listen to the advice of one's ministers, but one must discern for oneself whether it is worthwhile to follow their advice.
Xia Xia, who was playing in the courtyard, was stunned when he heard the news. When he came to his senses, he felt guilty. He remembered that when he went to see His Majesty last time, he did mention it to His Majesty.
The prince's court robes look very imposing...
His Majesty probably didn't take his joke seriously and actually bestow a prince title upon him just for fun, did he?
Old Qi has been away from the capital recently. He was sent by the general to visit his former brothers on the border and to check if they were feeling unwell, and if so, to prescribe some medicine for them.
He only heard the news after returning to the capital. How could he not see that the general had deliberately sent him out? He was both amused and exasperated.
Previously, when the young emperor had not appeared in court for so long, many people in the capital suspected that His Majesty was dead.
However, because Wei Yutang was there, most people were afraid of his elite troops, and even if they had doubts, they dared not seek verification.
Before these people could suppress their doubts and seek the truth, the young emperor, dressed in court robes, appeared in the court. After dealing with the ministers who had been restless recently, he issued several other imperial edicts.
After this incident, Chu Qing's medical skills were recognized by everyone, but he himself did not feel that there was much difference, and he continued to live his life as before.
Xiaxia is growing up day by day. Spoiled by her father, she is becoming more and more unruly and has become a little devil in the capital.
Unfortunately, this troublesome devil not only has a powerful family background, but also a very strong one. Even His Majesty values him highly and summons him to the palace from time to time.
Later, the young emperor's empress also gave birth to a legitimate son, who was immediately named crown prince upon birth.
This crown prince was surrounded by admirers, but unfortunately, he knew from a young age that his position in his father's heart was no match for that annoying Prince Xiaoyao.
When Xiaxia turned eighteen, he took Da Niu and Er Hu to the border, and Mu Mu also bid farewell to her parents.
Chu Qing had known about Wei Yutang's arrangement for a long time, but when she saw Xia Xia, who had grown into a spirited young man, kneeling in front of her to say goodbye, she still felt a little reluctant to part with him.
"be safe."
The words of advice had been repeated countless times before, but now, at the moment of departure, only these four words best expressed Chu Qing's feelings.
"Don't worry, Father, I'll come back to see you during the New Year."
When the twelfth lunar month arrived, Xiaxia did not return to keep her promise. Every winter, the refugees on the grassland would come out to plunder and harass the people on the border because they did not have enough food.
Xiaxia really wanted to come back, but unfortunately she couldn't leave at all. She could only have all the things she had prepared a long time ago sent over.
Wei Yutang took a cloak, draped it over Chu Qing's shoulders, and pulled him into his arms.
"When spring comes next year and the flowers bloom, and we've finished dealing with things in the capital, we can go to the border together to see him."
"Um."