Chapter 340: Li Wenzhong Takes the Pill

The eighteenth year of Hongwu, June 21.

Zhu Yong entered the palace early in the morning, intending to go to Kunning Palace to pay his respects to Empress Ma, but halfway he changed his mind and turned toward the Imperial Hospital.

He hadn't slept well last night.

Lying in bed, tossing and turning, his mind was filled with the wax‑yellow face of Li Wenzhong.

A man in his early forties, so thin that his speech was weak and feeble.

He had read in a book in his previous life that Li Wenzhong died of illness in the seventeenth year of Hongwu.

But in this life, having clearly altered so many things, why was his cousin still fallen ill?

The Imperial Hospital lies in the southeast corner of the Imperial City, a courtyard with three entrances.

Two locust trees are planted at the gate, their dense foliage casting a thick shade.

Zhu Yong had just reached the gate when he saw several imperial physicians emerging, speaking in low tones, their faces looking unwell.

"I, the lowly official, have the honor of seeing Prince Wu," the leading senior physician said upon seeing Zhu Yong, and quickly bowed.

Zhu Yong waved his hand and bluntly said, "I, the prince, have come to inquire about Lord Cao's illness—what exactly is the condition?"

The physicians exchanged glances, their expressions uneasy.

The senior physician hesitated briefly, then whispered, "Your Highness, may I have a word in private?"

Zhu Yong followed him into the main hall of the Imperial Hospital.

The senior physician, surnamed Hu, is the chief of the Imperial Hospital, in his sixties, his hair graying, having served there for thirty years, and his medical skill is top‑notch.

He invited Zhu Yong to sit, poured a cup of tea himself, and then sighed.

"Your Highness, Lord Cao's illness... we truly are powerless,"

Zhu Yong furrowed his brows, "What do you mean by powerless?"

Physician Hu gave a wry smile, "Your Highness, Lord Cao fought in campaigns in his youth, bearing countless old wounds; in recent years he has been overburdened with military duties, overwork has turned into disease, and his five organs are all depleted."

He paused, then continued, "If it were only that, we could still use medicine to slowly treat him, but a few years ago Lord Cao contracted a wind‑cold, his fever wouldn't abate, and it harmed his very foundation."

Now…

"What about now?"

"Now Lord Cao's pulse is feeble and floating, appearing intermittently; even with the finest medicines we can only barely sustain him, and as for how long he can hold on…" Physician Hu shook his head and fell silent.

Zhu Yong remained silent for a long while.

He recalled the sight of Li Wenzhong at Cao Guo Gong Fu yesterday.

So thin, his complexion wax‑yellow, his speech lacking strength.

Yet his eyes were still bright, and he smiled, saying, "Your Highness, no need to worry."

"Is there no way?" Zhu Yong asked.

Physician Hu hesitated, then whispered, "Your Highness, I have an improper request."

"Speak."

"Your Highness, back when you were in the army, you used a celestial elixir to save General Chang and the Crown Prince's lives; that elixir... I wonder if any remains?"

Zhu Yong felt something stir inside.

That pill still had seven pieces left.

He had kept them, thinking that if any family member fell into trouble someday.

But this medicine is life‑saving; could it be used for Li Wenzhong's illness?

"I will return and think it over," he said, standing up.

Physician Hu escorted him to the door, then fell silent.

Zhu Yong turned back, "Anything else?"

Physician Hu whispered, "Your Highness, Lord Cao's illness cannot be delayed; at most… two months."

Zhu Yong nodded, and strode out of the Imperial Hospital.

After leaving the Imperial Hospital, Zhu Yong went straight to the Eastern Palace.

Zhu Biao was in the study reviewing documents; when he saw Zhu Yong enter, he set his brush down.

"Second brother, what's wrong? Your face looks so pale."

Zhu Yong sat opposite him and said gravely, "Elder brother, I just came from the Imperial Hospital and inquired about cousin Li Wenzhong's illness."

Zhu Biao's expression also grew solemn.

"What did the physicians say?"

"They said at most two months."

Zhu Biao's brush slapped onto the desk with a "thwack," he closed his eyes and remained silent for a long time.

Zhu Yong watched him without urging.

He knew his elder brother was in inner anguish.

Li Wenzhong was their paternal cousin, having grown up together since childhood.

In their youth, Li Wenzhong often took the brothers riding and shooting in the palace, teaching them how to grip a sword and draw a bow.

When Zhu Yuanzhang was conquering the realm, Li Wenzhong was only in his teens yet already on the battlefield, fighting the Northern Yuan, Chen Youliang, and Zhang Shicheng, earning brilliant war merits.

After Great Ming was founded, he continued campaigning, pacifying the borders and defending a region.

All the wounds on his body were earned fighting for Great Ming.

Moreover, his knowledge of warfare was all taught by Li Wenzhong.

"Second brother..." Zhu Biao opened his eyes, his voice a little hoarse.

"Elder brother, you say..."

"Can that medicine of yours still be used?"

Zhu Yong nodded: "There are seven more."

Zhu Biao was silent for a moment, then softly said: "Second brother, I know that medicine is kept for saving lives and shouldn't be used casually, but cousin Wen Zhong…"

"Elder brother, no need to say more, I'm going to deliver the medicine," Zhu Yong interrupted him.

Zhu Biao lifted his head, looked at him, his eyes slightly red.

"Second brother…"

"Elder brother, cousin Wen Zhong is our close cousin, raised us since childhood. Over these years he has risked his life for Great Ming; every wound on his body is one he took for our Zhu family. I am willing in my heart to let him use this medicine."

Zhu Biao stood up, walked to Zhu Yong, and gave his shoulder a firm pat.

"Alright, alright, elder brother, on behalf of cousin Wen Zhong, thank you."

Zhu Yong shook his head and said: "Elder brother, why thank me?"

The two brothers glanced at each other and both smiled.

Zhu Yong left the Eastern Palace and went straight to Cao Guo Gong Fu.

Li Wenzhong felt a bit better today, leaning on the bed, speaking with Li Zhen.

Seeing Zhu Yong come in, Li Wenzhong's eyes lit up, he struggled to get up.

Zhu Yong quickly pressed him down and said: "Cousin, stay lying down, don't move."

Li Wenzhong smiled: "Prince, my frail body makes you look embarrassed."

Zhu Yong sat at his bedside, took a small porcelain bottle from his pocket.

"Cousin, this is the medicine I got years ago from the White-bearded Old Man; it saved General Chang's life, also saved elder brother's life. Today, I bring it to you."

Li Wenzhong was stunned.

Li Zhen was also stunned.

"Prince, this…" Li Wenzhong looked at the porcelain bottle, his eyes suddenly red.

He, of course, knew this medicine.

Back then, Chang Yuchun was disarmed at Liu River, on the brink of death, and this medicine saved him.

A few years ago, Crown Prince Zhu Biao suddenly fell ill, and this medicine saved him as well.

This is a life‑saving medicine, more precious than any gold.

"Prince, this medicine is too precious, I cannot accept it," Li Wenzhong shook his head.

Zhu Yong thrust the porcelain bottle into his hand: "Cousin, why be so polite with me? You are a meritorious official of Great Ming, a relative of our Zhu family.

If not you, who else would use this medicine?"

Li Wenzhong clutched the porcelain bottle, his hands trembling.

Li Zhen, standing nearby, turned his head away and quietly wiped away a tear.

"Prince, your old servant…" Li Wenzhong opened his mouth, unable to speak.

Zhu Yong patted his hand and said: "Cousin, say nothing else, rest well; when you recover, I'm still waiting to drink Wine with you."

Li Wenzhong nodded vigorously, tears streaming down his cheeks.