Chapter 1672: [Taking the Light] (Part 2)

Da Yong Mingyuan Palace, a scene of gloomy clouds and bleakness; inside the palace, curtains hung low, outside the curtains a group of palace servants stood with hands bound, in this oppressive atmosphere no one dared to speak lightly, only from their anxious expressions could one infer their current feeling of panic.

Da Yong Imperial Physician Xu Bachuan walked out slowly from behind the curtains, his brows unfurrowed, and waved his hand, saying: "You don't need to stand here."

A eunuch walked over and said: "Sir Dong has arrived."

Xu Bachuan nodded, lowering his voice: "The Emperor is about to see him."

After receiving the report, Minister of Personnel Dong Bingtai walked in from outside, he and Xu Bachuan exchanged a meaningful glance that could be understood but not spoken, then he lowered his voice: "Imperial Physician Xu, how is the Emperor's condition?"

Xu Bachuan sighed, his gaze sweeping over the few palace servants still not leaving. Dong Bingtai coldly said: "What are you doing here? Hurry up and withdraw."

Those few palace servants hurried away, and before they could leave, Xu Bachuan said: "It might be the plague..." Saying this at that moment meant all those palace servants heard it.

Dong Bingtai also sighed and said: "I'll go check on the Emperor."

Xu Bachuan said: "Sir Dong, it's best to take full protective measures."

So-called protective measures merely meant covering the face with a layer of cloth, protecting the nostrils and mouth.

After Xu Bachuan entered the curtains, he saw Xue Daoming's face flushed, lying on the bed, an ice pack on his head, his whole body still drenched in sweat; the condition seemed severe, but Xue Daoming's mind was still fairly clear. Seeing Xu Bachuan enter, he weakly said: "You all withdraw... I... I have something to say to... my uncle..."

The two eunuchs attending him were relieved to hear that; they had also heard Xu Bachuan's earlier words that the Emperor had contracted the plague, and they knew how contagious the plague was, each turning pale at the thought. To personally serve the Emperor, if infected, would be a dead end. Now hearing they were allowed to leave, each felt a great weight lifted and hurriedly withdrew.

Dong Bingtai looked around, then peered through the curtain's gap outward. Confirming everyone had left the chamber, he returned to Xue Daoming's side and lowered his voice: "Your Majesty!"

Xue Daoming snatched the ice pack off his head and said in a low voice: "I'm about to be suffocated."

A hint of a meaningful smile appeared at the corner of Dong Bingtai's mouth: "The Emperor feels stifled, yet someone else is about to die of anxiety."

Xue Daoming sneered: "They wouldn't care whether I live or die; if I died, they could easily find someone else to take my place."

Dong Bingtai shook his head and said in a low voice: "Treacherous wolf with ambition, plotting to usurp the throne, throwing the court into chaos, harming the loyal, causing heaven's wrath and public resentment. This calamity befalling Da Yong arose because of him."

Xue Daoming sighed, although he also wished Li Chenzhou would fall into trouble, but now the problem facing Da Yong was his own as emperor. He also did not want Da Yong's situation to worsen: "Uncle, is the outbreak outside truly the plague?"

Dong Bingtai lowered his voice: "No conclusion yet. Last night there was a rat outbreak that bit many to death; today, those seeking treatment at the medical clinic for bite wounds have filled the place to capacity."

Xue Daoming's face showed panic: "If it truly is the plague, what should we do?"

Dong Bingtai said: "Whether blessing or disaster, both have already befallen Da Yong. Your Majesty should make use of this opportunity to steer the situation in a direction favorable to yourself."

Xue Daoming nodded: "But where should I begin?"

Dong Bingtai was about to speak when he heard an announcement from outside; it turned out to be Imperial Physician Xu Bachuan returning after having left.

Xu Bachuan was Dong Bingtai's confidant and also someone Xue Daoming could currently trust; this time the false appearance of Xue Daoming contracting the plague was conjured up by several of them working together, aiming to disrupt Li Chenzhou's layout.

Xu Bachuan entered the palace; Dong Bingtai went out to meet him, understanding that Xu Bachuan would not disturb their confidential talk unless there was an urgent matter.

Xu Bachuan's expression was rather solemn as he said in a low voice: "The Third Young Master has arrived, and he brought two physicians, claiming they are invited divine doctors to treat the Emperor's illness."

Dong Bingtai's face changed, he snapped: "Nonsense!" He stepped out of the palace gate.

Upon going outside, he indeed saw Dong Tianjiang; Dong Bingtai coldly regarded his son: "What are you doing here?"

Dong Tianjiang stepped forward, bowed deeply to the ground, and said respectfully: "Father, I heard the Emperor has taken a turn for the worse, so I specially invited two divine doctors to come treat His Majesty."

Dong Bingtai said: "We already have Imperial Physician Xu; with him treating the Emperor, there's no need for any other divine doctors." He glanced at the two behind Dong Tianjiang, his expression extremely displeased. He secretly sighed that this meddlesome boy, if he had truly brought any divine doctors, today's affair would surely be exposed.

Dong Tianjiang lowered his voice: "Father, let's speak aside."

Father and son came to a secluded spot; Dong Tianjiang briefly explained the situation. Only then did Dong Bingtai understand what scheme this boy had in mind, though his son believed the Emperor had contracted the plague, and under these circumstances he dared to bring these two into the palace, proving their courage was not small; of course courage alone wasn't enough, they also needed genuine ability. Dong Tianjiang had already revealed Hu Xiaotian's identity to Dong Bingtai, and Dong Bingtai also broke out in a cold sweat due to his son's boldness. Who is Hu Xiaotian? He is an enemy, not a friend, of Da Yong; if Da Yong falls into chaos, it would only benefit him, and he would certainly not genuinely exert himself for the Emperor—clearly he is using his own son.

But upon second thought, Hu Xiaotian also does not know the true situation; he came risking infection with the plague, so he must have some motive. In that case, let him go in and have a look—let's see what these two are actually capable of.

Dong Bingtai made up his mind, went to feigningly seek the Emperor's permission; the result was naturally allowing the two divine doctors to enter, but he did not let his son come inside, keeping some matters concealed from this boy as best he could.

These two divine doctors were none other than Hu Xiaotian and Qin Yutong in disguise; although Hu Xiaotian excelled at surgery, he was not specialized in infectious diseases or internal medicine, and he lacked full confidence in treating the plague. After asking Qin Yutong, who was full of confidence, he invited her as well.

The two arrived beside Xue Daoming; Hu Xiaotian also took full protective measures, wearing mask and gloves. Although he is invulnerable to all poisons, there can always be exceptions—if he were infected, it would be disastrous. As for Qin Yutong, she herself possesses the blood of extraterrestrial visitors, so the plague likely has no effect on her, yet he still urged her to take full precautions.

Xu Bachuan also came to the side; he still had considerable confidence in his medical skills. After the Emperor took his herbal medicine, the symptoms displayed were extremely similar to those of the plague, unless one were a medical master of the caliber of Liu Changsheng of the Shennong Society, an ordinary physician could not detect the flaw.

Qin Yutong examined Xue Daoming briefly, then quickly returned to Hu Xiaotian's side, transmitting via voice: "He has no illness at all; I won't be mistaken."

Upon hearing this, Hu Xiaotian's heart skipped a beat; he immediately understood Xue Daoming's intention in doing this—it seemed Xue Daoming was no simpleton either; at this juncture, it was tantamount to pouring oil on the fire, aiming to burn Li Chenzhou to a crisp.

Hu Xiaotian smiled faintly and said to Xu Bachuan: "Please trouble Imperial Physician Xu to take my junior disciple to get a prescription."

Xu Bachuan hesitated; this was clearly an attempt to sideline him. He glanced at Dong Bingtai, who gave him a look; Xu Bachuan understood his meaning and said to Qin Yutong: "Please!"

Only Hu Xiaotian, Xue Daoming, and Dong Bingtai remained inside Mingyuan Palace.

Xue Daoming already knew his identity, so he deliberately asked: "According to the divine doctor, what illness does the Emperor actually have?"

Hu Xiaotian smiled: "It's a heart ailment!"

Xue Daoming's heart sank; could it be that his feigned illness had already been seen through by this person? There's no reason—Xu Bachuan had clearly said he would never slip up, so how could it be so easily exposed?

Hu Xiaotian, in front of Xue Daoming, slowly lifted the human-skin mask from his face, revealing the true visage beneath.

Xue Daoming saw clearly that the person before him was Hu Xiaotian, and involuntarily drew a sharp breath: "You... it's really you, what audacity!" He had always harbored deep hatred for Hu Xiaotian; seeing him dare to appear in the imperial palace, his first thought was to drag Hu Xiaotian out and behead him.

Hu Xiaotian laughed: "The Da Yong imperial palace is no dragon's pool or tiger's den; though we've known each other for a while, it's not exactly a deep grudge. Hearing the Emperor had contracted the plague, I braved the risk of infection to come treat him, which counts somewhat as feeling toward you. Does the Emperor perhaps intend to repay kindness with enmity, dragging me out to be beheaded?"

His words exactly hit Xue Daoming's train of thought; he coughed once and reflected: the enmity between himself and Hu Xiaotian amounts at most to a personal grudge; his perspective cannot be so narrow. This person risking infection to enter the palace is certainly not merely to treat his illness; before seeing him, he must have assumed Xue Daoming had already contracted the plague. He's right—what drives him to brave such danger to treat him? After Xue Daoming spread the rumor of plague infection, even Li Chenzhou, and even his own maternal aunt Xue Lingjun, dare not enter the palace, lest they avoid it at all costs.

Xue Daoming sat up from the bed, his eyes coldly fixed on Hu Xiaotian, and asked: "What is your purpose in coming to see Me?"

Hu Xiaotian said: "The main reason is to treat the Emperor's illness; if the Emperor truly contracted the plague, there would be few in the world capable of curing him."

Xue Daoming said with a sinister tone: "Aren't you afraid of death?"

Hu Xiaotian replied: "Would the Emperor kill someone who is beneficial to you?"

Xue Daoming sized up the confident Hu Xiaotian before him and asked: "What use are you to me?" Any normal person would doubt Hu Xiaotian's motives, including Xue Daoming and Dong Bingtai, who both believed Hu Xiaotian intended to exploit them.

Hu Xiaotian said: "You need not consider my motives; I only state the benefits I can bring you. The Emperor's illness appears not to require my treatment, but do you know the true situation outside?"

Today I got held up by something and came home late; I'm sending the first update first, will start typing right away, expect to finish the three updates tonight! Brothers, have some patience, (To be continued~^~)