Chapter 711: Midnight Palace Entry (Part 2) – Extra chapter for alliance leader Fan Tun Dou Tian

Xue Lingjun said, "Hu Xiaotian, come with me."

Shi Kuang was stunned for a moment: "Grand Princess..."

Xue Lingjun said, "He's not an outsider; in fact, he's my sworn brother. I'll take him to the Changchun Pavilion to rest, and when the Emperor wakes, just come and inform me."

Shi Kuang dared not defy the Grand Princess's order; he could only obey respectfully.

Hu Xiaotian was glad to leave with Xue Lingjun; it was better than waiting in front of the Hall of Diligent Governance like a punishment, who knows when this Da Yong Emperor will wake up.

The Changchun Pavilion is just northeast of the Hall of Diligent Governance, the distance no more than five hundred steps. A little eunuch holding a lantern led the way for them; Xue Lingjun didn't speak to Hu Xiaotian along the way. Upon arriving at the Changchun Pavilion, Xue Lingjun waved her hand to dismiss the little eunuch, then led Hu Xiaotian inside, where they found Jianping also present.

Jianping obviously hadn't expected Hu Xiaotian to appear here, and exclaimed in surprise.

Hu Xiaotian laughed, "Jianping sister, you're here too! After not seeing you for a few days, you've become even more beautiful."

Jianping, being praised by him in front of the Grand Princess, felt a bit embarrassed; her pretty face flushed, and she shyly said, "Oh come on..."

Xue Lingjun giggled, her beautiful eyes rippling with autumn waves as she fixed her gaze on Hu Xiaotian: "Little brother, your mouth is truly deadly charming." She secretly thought, if this kid weren't a eunuch, who knows how many innocent girls he'd ruin.

Hu Xiaotian sighed, "After staying in the palace so long, some words have become habitual; I blurt them out without thinking, but I speak sincerely. Sister, you're growing more beautiful too, especially those eyes—your glances flow, alluring and moving."

Xue Lingjun said, "Don't flatter me; have you changed your mind again?" She worried Hu Xiaotian might go back on his word. Not to give herself double-eyelid surgery.

Hu Xiaotian said, "A gentleman's word is hard to retract once spoken; having promised you, Sister, I won't change it."

Xue Lingjun greeted Hu Xiaotian to sit at the rosewood round table, had Jianping brew a pot of Green Snail Spring tea, served seven-colored pastries, and softly said, "Tonight we won't be leaving."

Hu Xiaotian took a bite of pastry, then slowly sipped his tea. He then asked, "Sister, has the Emperor encountered something?"

Xue Lingjun sighed, "My imperial brother suddenly felt abdominal pain after his meal this morning. After several imperial physicians consulted and prescribed medicine, he had improved, but who knew it would worsen again after dinner."

Hu Xiaotian secretly breathed a sigh of relief; it seemed the Da Yong Emperor had summoned him to help with the illness. This didn't seem like a major matter.

Xue Lingjun said, "I never expected Physician Xu to recommend you to my imperial brother." She truly hadn't imagined Hu Xiaotian would appear here; although she had once thought of having him come help treat the Emperor, that thought was fleeting, since Hu Xiaotian is not a native of this country. Although Da Yong and Dakang have this marital alliance, who can say how state affairs go? Today friends, tomorrow enemies. Moreover, since Da Yong's founding, friction with Dakang has been constant; proposing a foreign envoy to treat the imperial brother—what if something goes wrong? Even though the Empress Dowager and the Second Prince have been treated before, the Emperor's position differs from theirs.

The safety of the state's ruler is tied to Dakang's altars and grain; thus any matter concerning him must be handled with caution.

Hu Xiaotian said, "I don't even know this Mr. Xu." He pondered that something was off; he and Physician Xu were strangers, so why would Xu recommend him? Perhaps it's another trap.

Xue Lingjun said, "Physician Xu is the top divine doctor of our Da Yong Imperial Medical Institute, having repeatedly relieved our royal family's worries; in Yongdu he and Liu Changsheng of the Shennong Society are like the Tai Shan and Bei Dou of the medical world."

Hu Xiaotian asked, "Has Mr. Liu also come?"

Xue Lingjun said, "Actually, my imperial brother's condition flares up almost every year. Liu Changsheng has also entered the palace to treat him before; both he and Xu BaiChuan treat only the symptoms, not the root. Physician Xu has praised your successful treatment of my mother's ailment without cease, always saying he wanted to meet you; perhaps that's why he recommended you to my imperial brother."

Hu Xiaotian smiled without speaking, feeling Xue Lingjun's reason unconvincing. Treating the Da Yong Emperor's illness is no joke; these physicians are helpless. If I cured him, it would be a great merit; if I failed, they might push all blame onto me, and Xu Shengkang in his fury could even take my head. This Physician Xu isn't recommending me—he's trying to screw me over. Though I have no past grudge with you, Xu BaiChuan, why drag me into this trouble?

Xue Lingjun said, "How come you seem preoccupied?"

"Really?"

Xue Lingjun said, "How did your duel with Qiu Mubai turn out?" She had originally planned to go watch the match, but upon hearing the imperial brother fell ill, she entered the palace to visit; only now seeing Hu Xiaotian did she remember to ask the result.

Hu Xiaotian said, "Seeing me sitting here perfectly fine, Sister, isn't this question a bit redundant?"

Xue Lingjun said, somewhat surprised, "So you're saying you won?"

Hu Xiaotian said, "Could it be you wanted me to lose?"

Xue Lingjun said, "Qiu Mubai is one of the top swordsmen in Yongdu."

Hu Xiaotian said, "How despicable is he?"

Xue Lingjun snorted and laughed, "This kid always lacks decorum; when I speak seriously to him, he insists on joking around."

Outside, the little eunuch's announcement rang out: "Grand Princess, Physician Xu has arrived!"

Xue Lingjun said, "Let him in!"

Hu Xiaotian also steeled himself; this was his first meeting with Physician Xu, who, despite never having met him, recommended him to treat the Da Yong Emperor—whether this guy intends to screw me over or help someone else screw me, either way it bodes no good.

Da Yong Imperial Physician Xu BaiChuan entered the Changchun Pavilion; he is fifty-one years old, looks younger than his age, well-maintained, and quite handsome. Approaching Grand Princess Xue Lingjun, he bowed respectfully: "Your humble servant pays respects to the Grand Princess."

Xue Lingjun said, "It's so late; why aren't you attending by my imperial brother's side, but coming here instead?"

Xu BaiChuan laughed, "The Emperor has already fallen asleep; I took the opportunity to come see Sir Hu." He glanced at Hu Xiaotian, clasped his hands, and said, "Sir Hu, good day; I am Xu BaiChuan of the Da Yong Imperial Medical Institute, I've long heard of your medical skill and long admired you."

Hu Xiaotian hehe-laughed, "Do I really have that much fame? I didn't even know it myself."

Xu BaiChuan said, "Sir Hu's cure of the Empress Dowager's trichiasis has spread throughout Yongdu."

Hu Xiaotian said, "Trichiasis is just a minor ailment."

Xu BaiChuan said, "We often communicate with the Dakang Imperial Medical Institute; we've long heard of Sir Hu's deeds in Dakang."

Hu Xiaotian, hearing Xu BaiChuan speak plausibly, smiled and said, "Sir Xu, may I ask what ailment His Majesty suffers from?"

Xu BaiChuan said, "It should be gallstones!"

"Gallstones?" Hu Xiaotian frowned; if Xu BaiChuan's diagnosis is correct, then Xu Shengkang's condition likely requires surgical treatment.

Xu BaiChuan said, "This ailment has tormented the Emperor for years, flaring up almost annually; we've tried everything, able only to ease His Majesty's symptoms but never eradicate the root, so we wished to consult Sir Hu."

Hu Xiaotian asked, "Has the Emperor awakened?"

Xu BaiChuan shook his head, "He just fell asleep; I've made arrangements—once the Emperor wakes, please have Sir Hu come over. Inviting Sir Hu into the palace this time is indeed somewhat presumptuous; if there's any impropriety, I hope Sir Hu will make allowances for the Emperor's sake."

Hu Xiaotian nodded, "I can understand Sir Xu's good intentions, but I'm young, not from a medical family, and hardly even a proper physician; Physician Xu, don't set your hopes too high on me."

"Sir Hu is being overly modest!"

Xu BaiChuan didn't dare stay too long; after exchanging a few pleasantries with Hu Xiaotian, he returned to the Hall of Diligent Governance.

Xue Lingjun had hardly spoken earlier, quietly observing Hu Xiaotian the whole time, and softly said, "You seem somewhat reluctant."

Hu Xiaotian sighed, "Sister, it's not that I'm unwilling; if I could cure the Emperor's illness, I would certainly do my best, but my talent and learning are shallow, and I may not have that ability." This matter is indeed very troublesome; even if he had the ability, it would be hard to handle. Xu Shengkang is the Da Yong Emperor; if I fail to cure him, I will surely die; if I succeed, from Dakang's perspective I might as well be a national criminal. I fear everyone in Dakang, high and low, wishes Xu Shengkang dead; if he dies, Da Yong will surely fall into chaos, while the declining Dakang might perhaps linger a few more years, or perhaps even regain vitality—who knows.

Xue Lingjun said, "I know exactly what's on your mind."

Hu Xiaotian laughed, "Oh? Then Sister, why not tell me?"

"Not telling you, Xiaotian! You're a smart person; if you really were to treat my imperial brother, even I wouldn't be at ease."

Hu Xiaotian said, "So Xiaotian isn't suited to appear here."

Xue Lingjun sighed softly, "Night has fallen; Jianping, prepare a room for Sir Hu to rest."

Jianping responded, and Hu Xiaotian followed her to the east wing room of the Changchun Pavilion courtyard; before he could even enter, he saw a little eunuch rushing over in a panic: "Sir Hu! Sir Hu, Physician Xu summons you."

Xue Lingjun was also startled, came out from Changchun Pavilion, and spoke softly: "Let's go, I'll follow and have a look."

Returning again outside the Qinzheng Hall, he saw that besides Shi Kuan and those Jinlin Guards, several more imperial physicians had appeared, pacing back and forth, looking quite anxious. Seeing the Princess Long come over, everyone went forward to greet her; Xue Lingjun glanced and said: "Has the Empress not arrived yet?"

Shi Kuan clasped his hands in salute and said: "By order of the Emperor, no one except the Princess Long may be notified."

Thanks to Fan Tun Dou Tian entering the alliance, Piaohong, for the extra chapter! Also thanks to all brothers and sisters who rewarded Zhangyu! (To be continued~^~)