Xie Yunhuai had stayed away from the capital all these years simply because he didn't want to see Xie Ji, fearing he might be unable to restrain his desire to kill his own father.
He had never forgotten his hatred for a single day, maintaining connections and operations within the capital. Over the years, he had sought out renowned physicians throughout the land. To study medicine, he endured every hardship, mastering exceptional medical skills that also helped him build connections and foster goodwill.
If he wanted to investigate something, even if it involved the imperial palace, it wouldn't be difficult for him.
By the time he returned to the Princess Manor, nearly two hours had passed. He went straight to Shen Xihe's bedchamber, where Biyu and Hongyu were keeping watch.
"Has the Princess shown any signs of waking?" Xie Yunhuai asked as he walked around the screen.
Biyu's eyes were red-rimmed, her brows furrowed with lingering anxiety. She slowly shook her head: "None."
Xie Yunhuai had previously explained what signs to watch for indicating recovery, and they had been staring intently without missing any detail, yet there were no signs at all. With only about an hour left before dawn, the situation looked grim.
Xie Yunhuai sat on the edge of the bed and checked Shen Xihe's pulse again, finding it completely unchanged from before. His gaze grew heavy and contemplative.
His reaction made Biyu and the others even more anxious.
After a moment of silence, Xie Yunhuai said: "We must wait a while longer."
At this point, waiting was their only option. Biyu and the others cursed themselves for not having studied medicine—otherwise they wouldn't be so helpless and frantic.
"Doctor Qi, please forgive my impertinence," Biyu said after much hesitation. "Perhaps we should report to the palace and request imperial physicians. It's not that I distrust your skills, but two heads are better than one..."
Maybe having more people would bring more ideas?
Xie Yunhuai showed no blame or anger, instead replying gently and patiently: "I understand your urgency to save your mistress. It's not that I'm being arrogant or looking down on the physicians of the Imperial Hospital. The truth is, with the Crown Prince unconscious, all imperial physicians are stationed at the Eastern Palace. Even if you went to request them, you wouldn't be able to get the Chief Imperial Physician or his deputy.
Moreover, even if you managed to bring the Chief Imperial Physician here against all odds, the moment he checks her pulse, he would certainly ask how the Princess came to be in this state. Would you truthfully tell him about the Bone Shedding Pill?"
If the Bone Shedding Pill were revealed, Shen Xihe would likely never have peace again—who wouldn't want such a miraculous medicine? Especially with Shen Xihe's gradually improving health serving as proof of its efficacy.
"Finally, the person who harmed the Princess has connections to the palace. The Princess Manor is heavily guarded, and so far no information has leaked. I've been investigating while ensuring we don't alert them. If we request physicians from the Imperial Hospital, the variables would increase significantly."
They had no allies in the Imperial Hospital, making it extremely difficult to prevent information leaks. Worse yet, the physician sent might have been planted by the very person who harmed Shen Xihe, delivering the final blow.
Cold sweat broke out on Biyu's back. She curtseyed: "This maid was too reckless earlier. Please forgive me, Doctor Qi."
Xie Yunhuai had always held Shen Xihe's maids in high regard: "Despite your anxiety, you didn't seek imperial physicians from the palace while I was away. That's truly remarkable."
This showed great trust and respect for him.
Seeing Xie Yunhuai so approachable, Biyu ventured another question: "Doctor Qi, will the Princess wake up?"
Xie Yunhuai looked up, scanning their extremely tense faces, and answered firmly with one word: "Yes."
She would wake up. Fortunately, Shen Xihe had been recuperating well over the past month, building up some foundation. Moreover, he had figured out the properties of the Bone Shedding Pill and mentally prepared responses for all possible complications, which was why his treatment had been appropriate.However, over a month of arduous effort had been wasted. It was uncertain how weak her constitution would be upon waking, or whether she could continue taking the Bone Shedding Pill with melted snow water.
At this thought, a sharp glint flashed through Xie Yunhuai's eyes.
Setting aside his friendship with Shen Xihe, as a physician, his patient was his treasure—especially one he had painstakingly nursed back to health with such care, only to have their progress destroyed in an instant. How could he not be furious?
Dawn broke, the rising sun piercing through the morning clouds and illuminating the gauzy curtains.
Warm sunlight enveloped the elegant room, yet Shen Xihe remained unconscious, her face ashen.
Brew these herbs into a bath for the princess to soak in. Also fetch some Bone Shedding Pills—the dosage..." After handing the prepared herbs to Hongyu, Xie Yunhuai deliberated for a moment before instructing Biyu, "Use half the usual dosage." Xie Yunhuai had become the pillar of strength for Biyu and the others.
As Shen Xihe soaked in the medicinal bath, Xie Yunhuai dissolved some Bone Shedding Pills in snow water and had Biyu administer it to her using their special method. Soon after, Shen Xihe's face flushed crimson, and the exposed skin of her neck and shoulders turned a startling, fiery red.
Xie Yunhuai immediately began acupuncture. After inserting over a dozen needles, the redness receded from Shen Xihe's body, replaced by an increasingly pale, cold pallor. When Biyu accidentally brushed against Shen Xihe's fingertips, the icy touch nearly startled her soul from her body.
Beads of sweat gradually formed on Xie Yunhuai's forehead, yet he never paused: "Add more hot water."
Bucket after bucket of boiling water was poured into the tub, overflowing and refilling repeatedly. This exhausting process continued until nightfall when Shen Xihe's body finally began to warm. Everyone noticed her eyelids twitch.
Holding their breath, they waited—whether for a long time or mere moments, none could tell—until Shen Xihe finally let out a delirious murmur: "Cold..."Change the bath tub," Xie Yunhuai ordered before stepping out to maintain propriety.
Another tub had been prepared nearby, filled with a different medicinal decoction. Only after Moyu transferred Shen Xihe into the new bath did Xie Yunhuai return to perform acupuncture again, this time using only five needles.
After roughly another half-hour, as the water cooled, Xie Yunhuai—who had been continuously monitoring Shen Xihe's pulse—finally relaxed his expression. He staggered back weakly, leaning against a pillar: "It's done. The princess will wake naturally after sufficient rest."
After a full day and night of tense, exhausting effort, they had finally managed to save Shen Xihe's life.
Though Xie Yunhuai remained confident she would awaken, no one—including himself—dared let their guard down. They kept vigil through another night until the first rays of morning light pierced the clouds, when Shen Xihe finally stirred awake.
"Princess, have some congee first."" Hongyu offered a bowl kept at perfect warmth. The princess hadn't eaten for a full day and two nights.
To ensure Shen Xihe could have freshly warmed congee whenever she woke, Hongyu had simultaneously tended over a dozen earthenware pots—uncertain of her awakening time, but ensuring one would always be ready.
Though feeling weak all over, Shen Xihe first motioned the congee away. Biyu promptly brought medicated mouth rinse. After a brief rinsing of the mouth, Shen Xihe finally consumed the congee. One bowl later, aside from slightly clearer consciousness, she remained utterly weak.
"Don't rush, princess." Your vitality has been damaged this time—you'll need at least three to five days of bed rest." Xie Yunhuai checked her pulse again.
Shen Xihe's expression remained unchanged upon hearing this. With effort, she uttered three faint words: "Bone Shedding Pill..."Understanding her meaning, Xie Yunhuai sighed softly, "The Bone Shedding Pill cannot be taken for now."
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