Chapter 342: The Body May Be Broken, Yet the Will Remains Unbroken

Hearing this, the young man's eyes darkened slightly, and he said, "Father Emperor, my son's legs have been examined by countless Divine Physicians; perhaps we should just give up."

This time is different; treat it as a visit to her residence to unwind, and we can sample some delicacies—far tastier than those prepared by the palace chefs.

Seeing the Emperor's enthusiasm so high, and not wanting to hurt Father Emperor's feelings, he reluctantly agreed.

The next day, the Emperor missed the Morning Court and brought his beloved son Li Yuxian to Jixiang Yuan.

When she saw the Eleventh Prince, Qiao Mai nodded.

He's good-looking.

Li Yuxian looked at the Emperor puzzled, and the Emperor immediately said.

First call her "Aunt", this is your sister Jia Mei's future mother-in-law.

Uncle, Aunt, hello!

Pull up his pant leg.

Qiao Mai sneered, "If my family can't protect your son, then your palace is even worse."

It's just that his temperament is a bit cold,

Qiao Mai snorted, "If I step in, of course it's fine; you've been unable to walk for over ten years, your legs need recovery, so stay at my house; this place is beneficial to your health."

Time passed slowly again, and the Eleventh Prince's calves finally regained their natural skin tone, the fluid that seeped out turning red.

Fine, if you think you're capable, be proud; I won't argue with you.

Very well, then I'll leave my son here, let them have more interaction; shall I send the Dark Guard over?

When the Emperor heard there was a way, his smile widened even more.

Qiao Mai gave him a sidelong glance, "What, you don't trust my medical skill?"

On his two calves, she located two robust blood vessels and promptly inserted them.

How long will my imperial son be kept here under your care?

I see, he obediently extended his hand, and Qiao Mai instantly placed it on his pulse.

Hmm, everything depends on destiny.

Otherwise, if time passes and the vessels don't circulate, the lower half will become completely paralyzed.

The Emperor, munching fruit, asked Qiao Mai proudly, "Mother-in-law, how is my son?"

Qiao Mai removed the needle, took away the rope, and placed a Pill into his mouth.

While he was bleeding, Qiao Mai gave him a Pill; his face, which had turned pale from blood loss, brightened considerably after taking it, prompting the Emperor to stare hungrily and ask, "Where did this celestial medicine come from? It's so effective."

Lady Qiao, what is this?

Mother, send the son to the kitchen and have them set the meal quickly.

Everyone took their seats, and Qiao Mai got straight to the point, having the eunuch who pushes the wheelchair bring him to her.

He's not only good-looking, his talent is also impressive, and he has also cultivated some internal skills.

The Emperor, excited, grabbed his son's hand, "Does it hurt?"

She flicked her hand, a Jade Bottle appeared in her grasp; she opened the lid, poured out a Pill, and without hesitation forced it into Li Yuxian's mouth.

Yes, Aunt!

Aunt, you?

In a moment I can make you walk; do you believe it?

But even if there's hope, let's treat him; after all it's only a year, it's best if he recovers, and if not, he would have already accepted his fate.

There is a reason: his mother consort died early, and he lived in a remote corner of the palace, so his cold temperament is understandable.

Truly strong; if you meet me a year later, your life will be over.

Li Yuxian gritted his teeth, glanced back at a palace attendant, "Do as Aunt instructed."

Have someone open all the windows, ventilate, and let fresh air in.

Treat him, why? Do you not want to cure him?

Li Yuxian laughed self‑deprecatingly, "Even the Divine Physician said I won't live past twenty."

The palace attendant, with the Eleventh Prince's permission, rolled up his pant legs.

Then, using two ropes, she bound his thighs tightly and retrieved the Hollow Bone Needle previously used to treat a brain hemorrhage patient.

It doesn't hurt, not at all—my leg is healed?

Qiao Mai came to the table, instructed a servant to bring a large basin, which contained just under half a basin of water.

Then she took out a Jade Bottle, poured a Pill into the basin.

An hour passed, the black turned purple; another hour, the purple turned bluish‑purple; the lunch hour passed, and no one felt hungry.

In front of your Father Emperor, I could still eat you, extend your hand, take the pulse.

Saying that, he grabbed a fruit nearby and ate it without ceremony; Hai Chuan stood up.

The Old Emperor also stepped forward, "Son, endure; this is your only chance."

Lay him flat on the round table, exposing his legs up to the calves.

Yes, it depends whether your lady finds him suitable.

Li Yuxian was startled—could the Divine Physician the Father Emperor mentioned be this particularly benevolent woman standing before him?

Yes, Aunt, the poison that entered me at age two has now lasted fifteen years.

The first Pill protects the heart, the others replenish blood; otherwise, when the poisonous blood in the legs finishes draining, it must be completely drained. Hai Chuan, pour him a cup of tea; he must not be without water.

The Eleventh Prince's eyes were red, "Thank you, Aunt!"

Yuan Jiaqi, Yuan Haichuan, and the Emperor all swallowed, as if they were merely playing.

You still can't eat solid food, but fruit is fine; I'll have someone send you to stay at Tingfeng Pavilion, eat more fruit to replenish sugar, then drink water, rest, and when you wake you'll be refreshed; have someone support you as you try to walk.

Holding out until fifteen wasn't easy; surely a Divine Physician helped force all the toxins into...

"Hmm, I accept this gift, but I hope you don't go rescuing a White-eyed Wolf."

Sitting face to face, Li Yuxian was still a bit nervous.

"No, it's just that I've been treated a lot, so I'm a bit numb."

"I don't believe it."

"Eating in the shop, there are outsiders at home, not to mention needing treatment; it's inconvenient for her."

"Ah, can this illness be cured?"

When she first felt his pulse, Qiao Mai examined him closely; despite his thinness, he was the kind of lean, slender build, and aside from his legs his complexion was fine; she scanned his body with her spiritual power.

The palace attendant pursed his lips, lifted a large round table, and two attendants placed the Eleventh Prince on it, doing it very neatly.

To be honest, many illnesses are beyond a Divine Physician's cure; now letting this woman treat it, he truly feels uncertain, as if it's just a game.

"Yes, to preserve one's life, it can only be done this way."

A foul, fishy odor instantly spread throughout the Keting, Qiao Mai disdainfully fanned the air, then had someone bring a chair to guard the Eleventh Prince.

"Where is the Tianshui Princess?"

Qiao Mai pursed her lips, "Just one meal and you're already starving; soldiers in battle can go a whole day without food and they don't look like you."

"Lady Qiao, what medicine did you just give Xian'er?"

"Hmph, whether it's a mule or a horse, you'll know once you let it run."

At the hall entrance, a delicate figure secretly leaned against the doorframe, looked around for a while, then left.

"Looks good,"

"No, I still trust Xian'er's character."

"Do you really want to make it even more kin?"

Watching the black discoloration on the Eleventh Prince's leg gradually fade, Qiao Mai loosened the rope a little every so often.

"I haven't gone to war for many years; my body has become delicate."

"Indeed, that's speaking frankly."

"This color is truly beautiful, black with a shine; I suspect the poisoning has been for ten years or more."

When the person left, the Old Emperor, rarely shedding his airs, performed a bow to Qiao Mai,

"Thank you, mother‑in‑law; now someone can share my pressure."

A black line drooped from the Emperor's forehead; I am a dragon, my son is a little dragon—what mule or horse, humph!

"Hurry and serve the meal; I'm about to faint from hunger."

"Of course; if he meets me he can live a hundred years, so why can't it be cured? It's just a poison, after all."

The Meal was placed, and several people fell silent, all eating quietly; the Emperor, not seeing Ling'er, asked while eating.

"Fine, a crippled body but an unbroken will, still practiced martial arts, and his internal force is remarkably deep; I suppose the Old Emperor shouldn't know about this."

Everyone watched as that large bowl of black blood turned into a bowl of clear water; it must have been because of that pill.

"Come fetch him after ten days."

"Alright!"

"Your Majesty handles countless affairs daily; better return to the palace early. Our family of three has been with you for almost a day and we're tired."

And so, Qiao Mai drove the Emperor away!

(End of chapter)