Chapter 455: Chapter 277: The Nation Cannot Be Without a Sovereign for Even a Day

A nation cannot go a day without a ruler!

The Emperor has passed away, and there is an edict transferring authority; the Crown Prince’s position as the new Emperor is already determined.

The Empress and the Crown Prince’s faction breathed a huge sigh of relief.

They immediately knelt to request the Crown Prince to ascend the throne.

The Crown Prince naturally had to decline three times, planning to arrange the affairs of the Empress Dowager and the late Emperor before ascending the throne.

This is indeed reasonable.

However, with two great figures gone at once, it is also a test for the Crown Prince.

“Elder brother Crown Prince, don’t be afraid, Panpan will help you.”

“Alright.”

The Crown Prince stroked her head, “Panpan, as long as I’m here, I will protect you.”

“Alright, Panpan will also protect elder brother Crown Prince.”

The Empress… Who said I… no, now that I’m the widow, having not birthed two, Panpan is no worse than if she were my own!

The siblings protecting each other, that’s very well.

Indeed, the Empress’s gratitude towards Panpan is beyond words.

If it weren’t for her, who knows how much trouble Prince Su’s faction could have stirred up.

In their deadlock, a single sentence from Panpan resolved a major issue.

Of course, the Crown Prince is also very formidable.

After so many years of patience, the time to settle scores has come.

“Your Highness, the burial date for the Empress Dowager has been calculated.”

The Astronomical Bureau truly has a tough job, needing to calculate for the Empress Dowager’s funeral date; for the late Emperor’s funeral date; and for the auspicious time the Crown Prince will ascend the throne… plus the previous date of the Crown Prince’s wedding, my, what a busy year it is!

“Very well, pass it on and do it like this.”

The Crown Prince nodded, leaving everything to the Ministry of Rites.

He deeply understood that as the king of a nation, the main task is to stay steady, no matter the situation, you must maintain composure!

“Your Highness, the Crown Princess Consort fainted while mourning.”

A eunuch came to report.

The Crown Prince… What’s going on with her, fainting while mourning?

Is it real or fake?

If she’s pretending, it’s over the top, for she is to become the Queen in the future; such demeanor won’t do!

“Summon the Imperial Physician.”

If she’s fainted, why come to me? I’m not an Imperial Physician, able to solve this problem.

“Elder brother Crown Prince is going to be a father.”

What?

Panpan’s words greatly shocked the Empress: “Panpan, is what you’re saying true?”

“Yes, it’s true.”

“Hurry, I must go see for myself.”

The Empress really wanted to say ’we’ but as long as the son hasn’t ascended the throne, she cannot change her address.

At the Eastern Palace, two Imperial Physicians took turns feeling the pulse, yet couldn’t determine the situation.

In the end, they concluded: The Crown Princess Consort is overly saddened.

“Hold on.” The Empress frowned at this conclusion: “Doctor Zhong, Doctor Hu, please feel the pulse once more, I’ll watch over this.”

The Empress is a person of the deep palace, well aware of all the corruption involved.

If it weren’t for Panpan’s reminder, this gambit would have been set!

Doctors Zhong and Hu checked the pulse again, and the conclusion remained unchanged.

“Send word, have all the Imperial Physicians from the Imperial Hospital come.”

She just couldn’t believe it, in such a large imperial palace, all the Imperial Physicians are unreliable.

To the Empress’s surprise, as she expected, no one spoke of any other issues.

The Physicians all consistently believed the Crown Princess Consort fainted due to excessive sadness.

“Summon the wife of the Marquis.”

The Empress laughed bitterly, trusting Panpan’s words completely, thus believing these Imperial Physicians were either evil or foolish, looking around, there wasn’t a single useful person!

The wife of the Marquis is the Empress’s mother.

“This humble woman greets Your Majesty.”

“Madam Marquis, are there any capable physicians in the capital?”

“In the capital, there are indeed a few capable physicians, but I don’t know whom Your Majesty wishes to consult…”

“The Crown Princess Consort fainted, I need a physician to diagnose her.”

Madam Marquis glanced at the Imperial Physicians standing silently in a row and suddenly understood something.

“Replying to Your Majesty, Doctor Yu from Kangyang Hall, Doctor Qian from Qianjin Hall, and Doctor Guan from Hundred Herbs Hall are well reputed in the community.”

“Summon Doctor Yu from Kangyang Hall, Doctor Qian from Qianjin Hall, and Doctor Guan from Hundred Herbs Hall to the palace.”

The Imperial Physicians felt a wave of disdain: Are we Imperial Physicians not even comparable to mere herbalists from the people?

Or are these doctors being called to collaborate with the Empress for some scheme?

They exchanged glances, then some widened their eyes with suspicion: Could it be?

“Empress, this humble official, ventures to ask for another pulse examination on the Crown Princess Consort.”

Doctor Tang wiped the sweat from his forehead as he stepped forward.

“Empress, this humble official also wishes to conduct another pulse examination on the Crown Princess Consort.”

Doctor Zhou also understood a bit, goodness, it’s time to choose sides!

Don’t choose wrong!

“Are you certain you want to conduct another pulse examination?”

The Empress smiled with anger, these people, their thoughts are truly intricate!

So, what they’re skilled in isn’t medicine, but the ability to gauge people’s intentions!

What kind of people have infiltrated the Imperial Hospital?

She really missed Doctor Xiao… Yes, using this matter, she would have Doctor Xiao’s family pardoned and returned to the capital.

The Empress was firm in her decision, sitting there waiting for the three folk doctors to enter the palace.

The three doctors met at the palace gate, unsure of what was happening.

Truthfully, if they could, they would never want to step into this gate, serving the emperor is like serving a tiger; they were fully aware.

The three unanimously thought of that virtuous and talented Doctor Xiao.

They say colleagues are rivals, but Doctor Xiao was not.

Running a pharmacy, they inevitably encountered various problems, even those who caused trouble intentionally; whenever they faced difficulties, they’d seek Doctor Xiao, and he would stand up to clear their name. Just like the government ensured their innocence.

When encountering medical quandaries, they’d consult Doctor Xiao, who’d always guide them patiently, never holding back!

So, they all received some genuine teachings from Doctor Xiao.

What a good old man he was!

Yet he ended up in such a situation.

Over the years, they witnessed the Xiao family’s plight, worried yet helpless.

They wanted to help but dared not move, mainly because they weren’t individuals, but families, involving the life and death of hundreds of people.

For this, they felt deeply guilty.

Since Xiao Chunyu married General Xia, the burden in their hearts lifted, feeling that the Xiao family’s days of regaining prominence were near.

Now, is this the opportunity?

The three shared a tacit understanding, with a mindset of risking everything!

After all, the one who issued the decree is gone, and Miss Xiao’s daughter now holds this position, this is the opportunity!

“This commoner greets the Empress.”

This palace truly is a place one should not enter; upon meeting, one must kneel.

“Please, rise, esteemed doctors.”

Since they were personally identified by her mother, it meant their character was, at least, credible.

“I invited you three into the palace hoping you could examine the pulse of the Crown Princess Consort and determine her ailment.”

The three were momentarily stunned: What’s going on? Are those standing Imperial Physicians just occupying space?

“All of you go to examine their pulse, and after that, write down your diagnosis. At that time, I’ll open them to view the results.” The Empress addressed the Imperial Physicians: “Does anyone else wish to re-examine the pulse?”

This time, all the Imperial Physicians wanted to examine the pulse.

The Empress inwardly coldly laughed: A bunch of incompetents!

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