Chapter 46: He’s Getting Anxious! He’s Getting Anxious!

The imperial physician Qian stepped forward, bowed respectfully to Zhao Kuangyin, and apologized before placing the pulse pillow on the table. He then invited Zhao Kuangyin to extend his right hand and rest it upon the pillow.

Qian sat diagonally opposite, lowering his gaze as he took the pulse. After a while, he gestured for Zhao Kuangyin to switch to the other hand and continued the examination.

As time passed, Qian’s brows furrowed ever so slightly. It is often said that one fears not the doctor’s cheerful smile but the sudden sigh. Qian’s reaction made Zhao Kuangyin uneasy, his heart tightening with apprehension.

Could it be that he truly had a serious illness?

This time, he had summoned the imperial physician not due to any discomfort or whimsy, but because of the rumors Li Cheng had mentioned about his death. Aside from suspicions that his third brother might kill him, there were whispers of a hidden ailment, something like high blood pressure.

From what he had gathered so far, Zhao Kuangyin realized he had underestimated his third brother’s power. The strength he wielded was indeed formidable. Yet, because they shared the same mother, he did not wish to think too ill of him, still holding onto a glimmer of hope deep within.

Thus, he called the imperial physician to thoroughly examine him, to confirm whether or not there was any ailment. If none was found, that would be ideal; if there was, early treatment could prevent it. This would also serve to prove his brother’s innocence and bring some solace to his troubled heart.

Initially confident in his health, Zhao Kuangyin now grew anxious as he watched Qian’s increasingly grave expression.

After a long pause, Qian ceased taking the pulse and looked at Zhao Kuangyin.

“Your Majesty, do you experience headaches, dizziness, fatigue, or insomnia?”

Zhao Kuangyin thought for a moment and shook his head, denying all such symptoms.

Qian then proceeded with a detailed inquiry, asking about the frequency, appearance, and color of his stools and urine.

Zhao Kuangyin answered each question; all was normal.

Several other imperial physicians, who had not yet examined the emperor, listened attentively. Since Qian had already asked these questions, they would not need to repeat them when their turn came.

After this thorough questioning, everything appeared normal, and the pulse readings were likewise unremarkable.

Yet, all this seemed to confirm Qian’s earlier suspicion: His Majesty truly harbored some hidden ailment.

Taking a deep breath, Qian moved to the critical questions.

“Does Your Majesty feel any itching?”

Zhao Kuangyin shook his head. “No.”

“Any pain?”

“No.”

“Redness or swelling?”

“None.”

Zhao Kuangyin’s brow furrowed slightly, wondering why Qian’s questions had become increasingly odd. How did he come to ask such things?

“Your Majesty, one should not fear medicine. Please be candid, so I may prescribe the proper treatment.”

“I am being truthful, hiding nothing.”

After a moment’s thought, Qian said, “May I humbly request a private examination?”

Zhao Kuangyin nodded, signaling the others to step aside.

His mood grew heavier. It seemed that he truly was ill, and the matter was not trivial.

“Your Majesty, please forgive my boldness. Kindly remove your robe.”

What?!

Zhao Kuangyin was taken aback. This was becoming more and more inappropriate.

“Why is this necessary?”

“Because Your Majesty’s hidden ailment has no obvious symptoms. I must see with my own eyes to understand the nature of the disease and how to treat it.”

Zhao Kuangyin’s face flushed—a rare moment of discomfort.

“I have no hidden ailments! I have always lived a pure life. How could I possibly have such symptoms? I am simply approaching fifty and worried about my health, which is why I summoned you—not because I am ill!”

He was genuinely anxious. This matter had to be clarified!

Now it was Qian’s turn to be stunned.

Had his initial assumptions been wrong?

After a moment of shock, he suddenly knelt, confessing his mistake and overwhelmed with shame.

“Please rise. This is no fault of yours, merely a misunderstanding.”

After repeated apologies, Qian wiped the cold sweat from his brow and stood up, his heart pounding like a drum.

Fortunately, His Majesty was benevolent; otherwise, Qian might have committed a grave offense today.

“Tell me plainly, am I ill or not?”

“No, Your Majesty. I found nothing wrong during the pulse examination. Your Majesty’s having summoned so many physicians must mean there is some discomfort. Since I could not find any disease, my furrowed brow was involuntary…”

Zhao Kuangyin sighed deeply, feeling relieved yet at a loss for words.

Half an hour later, the Hall of Longevity fell quiet once more.

The imperial physicians had all departed.

After careful examination, they found that aside from some internal heat and a few minor ailments of no great concern, Zhao Kuangyin was largely healthy.

Relieved by this result, Zhao Kuangyin’s heart also grew heavy.

Relieved because he truly had no serious illness, as he had felt.

Heavy because this ruled out the possibility that he might suddenly die of disease.

The situation was increasingly pressing toward a harsh truth he was reluctant to accept.

Having taken decisive steps—first proposing to move the capital westward, then appointing Zhao Pu as chancellor—he imagined his third brother must be seething with rage.

Surely he was preparing a countermeasure. It remained to be seen what desperate act he might attempt...

Outside the imperial garden gate, the carefully adorned Princess Zhao Runniang of Chu, accompanied by Lady Hua, Xiao Die, and others, appeared once again.

The imperial guards saluted her before allowing her entry.

Finally, it was the fifth day.

For the first time, she felt time drag unbearably slow.

She had long awaited this day, eager to see what masterpiece Li Xiaolang had composed this time.

The thought quickened her steps and lifted her spirits considerably.

Though it was only to collect a poem, she could have sent Xiao Die instead.

Yet she chose to come personally.

Because she wanted to see the poetry at the earliest moment, unwilling to delay.

Another reason was that Li Xiaolang’s poetic skill was so exceptional that if he produced another work as profound as “Impermanence,” she could not bear to miss the chance to welcome it herself—otherwise, it would be disrespectful to the art.

Yes, her motives were purely for the poetry, nothing else.

Of course, she knew well that it was unlikely to receive another masterpiece like “Impermanence” from Li Xiaolang again.

After all, composing poetry was not as simple as eating and drinking, especially works of such high caliber, which required a sudden burst of inspiration and the perfect alignment of time, place, and circumstance.

Even Li Xiaolang’s extraordinary talent made it difficult to replicate such brilliance within just five days.

But she was willing to accept a slight decline in quality and understood this fully.

With these thoughts, upon entering the imperial garden, she bypassed her favorite withered lotus and headed straight for the flower pavilion...

Meanwhile, someone burst out of the Jin Prince’s mansion in a panic, rushing swiftly toward the palace.

Judging by their appearance, something grave had indeed occurred at the Jin Prince’s residence!