Chapter 371

Over the past year, a considerable amount of merit points had been used, reducing from the initial 1635 points to the current 815 points.

Since receiving Xiao Xi’s reminder, Jiaojiao had been diligently using the Merit Store to save lives, no longer feeling hesitant.

Now, she completely emptied her mind. Only when she felt the “Revival Awakening Talisman” fully integrate into the Empress Dowager’s body did she subtly withdraw her hand.

Everyone in the room held their breath, motionless, observing the Empress Dowager.

Zou Qi stood nearby, watching the Empress Dowager show no response, sighing inwardly, about to admit his own incompetence.

Unexpectedly, at that moment, an elderly maid beside him suddenly whispered, “She moved! Your Highness! This servant saw the Empress Dowager’s eyelids move!”

The next moment, under everyone’s anxious gaze, the Empress Dowager slowly opened her eyes!

Jiaojiao couldn’t help but rejoice inwardly.

[“Truly, the ‘golden finger’ from King of Hell works wonders!”]

“Mother?”

Baili Chengyou’s voice trembled as he cautiously called out.

The Empress Dowager seemed distracted, glancing around in confusion. When her gaze settled on Baili Chengyou’s face, she still seemed dazed.

“Yao’er?”

Instinctively, the Empress Dowager called out to her son with a gentle tone.

Even though men might shed tears unwillingly, Baili Chengyou couldn’t help but tear up at this moment.

No one knew the anguish he had endured during this time!

“Thank goodness!”

Meng Guxue exclaimed joyfully, her face bright with a smile.

Meanwhile, the elderly maid had already knelt down before Doctor Zou, tears streaming down her face as she praised, “The doctor is truly a miracle worker!”

Doctor Zou: ( •︠灬•︡ )

Wait, why do I suddenly feel a bit guilty?

Has my medical skill truly reached such a pinnacle?

Jiaojiao: (⑅˘̤ ᵕ˘̤)

This baby hides her talents and virtues deeply!

Zou hurriedly bent down to help the elderly maid up, then politely said to Baili Chengyou, “Third Prince, since the Empress has awakened, allow me to remove the needles.”

Baili Chengyou felt deeply grateful towards Doctor Zou and quickly nodded.

“Doctor Zou, please.”

Just as Doctor Zou began to remove the needles, the Empress Dowager’s eyes gradually regained clarity.

As if remembering something, she suddenly grabbed Baili Chengyou’s shoulder and tremulously said, “Yao’er, have you… have you…”

“Third Brother, Eldest Brother has been waiting outside for a long time. By disregarding Father’s summons like this, be careful Father might punish you later!”

At this moment, the voice of the Crown Prince outside rang out again, tinged with impatience.

The Empress Dowager was startled by the sound, her face once again filled with confusion.

Baili Chengyou furrowed his brows and pressed on, “Mother, what were you about to say just now?”

But suddenly, the Empress Dowager became very agitated. She urgently asked, “Yao’er, how long have I been asleep?”

[“Asleep?”]

Jiaojiao keenly caught onto this word.

[“From the sound of it, does the Empress Dowager seem to know she has been in a coma?”]

Baili Chengyou also realized something was amiss in her words.

“Mother, you’ve been unconscious for over two months. Do you… do you know how worried I’ve been?”

“Just over two months?”

The Empress Dowager’s beautiful eyes narrowed slightly, suddenly looking urgent.

“Yao’er, you shouldn’t have awakened me, at least not so soon!”

With these words, not only Jiaojiao and Baili Chengyou but even Meng Guxue froze in shock.

This sounds rather peculiar…

“Mother, what’s going on here?”

Baili Chengyou’s face turned serious. His initial joy was now overshadowed by greater doubts.

“I…,” the Empress Dowager began to speak but quickly noticed the presence of others around her. She stopped herself, as if there were difficult truths she couldn’t voice.

Meanwhile, Doctor Zou had already packed away all his needles. Being astute, he respectfully said, “Your Highness, since the Empress is now well, I should return to report to Master Qiao.”

Meng Guxue understood the implication and immediately chimed in, “Doctor Zou, allow me to accompany you!”

Baili Chengyou glanced at Meng Guxue, nodded, and then apologized to Doctor Zou with regret, “Please forgive me, Doctor Zou. I will host a banquet in the future to express my gratitude.”

Jiaojiao felt a tinge of regret at the situation, sensing there was definitely more to it, but she couldn’t hear further.

As Meng Guxue escorted Jiaojiao out, once they stepped beyond the main hall, two guards swiftly moved in and apprehended Doctor Zou.

Doctor Zou’s face paled with fear, while Meng Guxue’s brows furrowed as she demanded, “What are you doing?”

Baili Chengyou emerged from the hall at the commotion, his expression ice-cold.

“Outrageous!”

He strode forward and quickly intervened to release Doctor Zou from the guards’ grasp.

“Third Brother, Eldest Brother was acting under Father’s orders. He didn’t intrude into the inner hall out of respect for the Empress.”

“Look, isn’t this the outsider?”

A middle-aged man clad in sky-blue brocade leisurely approached.

He was tall and handsome, but perhaps due to neglect, there were faint bruises under his eyes, and a slight protrusion in his belly.

Jiaojiao thought to herself, this must be the Crown Prince Baili Chengye.

Speaking of which, where’s Qiao Bo?

Jiaojiao’s gaze searched and quickly found Qiao Bo and the other Doctors being held by guards in another area.

Qiao Bo remained composed despite the circumstances. When he noticed Jiaojiao looking over, he reassuringly nodded at her.

Jiaojiao remained calm.

On one hand, she trusted Baili Chengyou’s capability. On the other, they had indeed successfully awakened the Empress Dowager!

Regardless of any conspiracy, their merit in this matter was undeniable!

Baili Chengyou stood firm.

“Brother, you always act rashly. An outsider? This is clearly the skilled Doctor Third Brother invited!”

“Skilled Doctor? Hmph…”

The Crown Prince’s face displayed disdain.

Why the Empress Dowager fell into a coma was clear in his mind!

Even if the King of Heaven himself arrived, without Father’s approval, the Empress Dowager would never wake up!

“Third Brother, since you claim this old man is a skilled Doctor, did he truly awaken the Empress Dowager?”

Baili Chengyou heard the Crown Prince’s mocking yet confident tone and a cold light flashed in his eyes.

At that moment, a gentle voice suddenly came from inside the hall.

“Thank you for your concern, Your Highness. I am perfectly fine now. After a brief rest, I will pay respects to the Sovereign.”

“This Doctor has rendered me a great favor and should be treated as an honored guest.”

Hearing this familiar voice, the contempt on the Crown Prince’s face shattered.

He abruptly turned to look at the unremarkable Doctor Zou beside him, his heart filled with astonishment. The Empress Dowager had really been awakened?

After a moment of stupefaction, the shock in the Crown Prince’s eyes turned into keen interest.

Seeing his Third Brother’s expression, he probably didn’t know the true reason behind the Empress Dowager’s coma, did he?

Well, this just got even more interesting…

At that moment, another eunuch hurriedly arrived with an announcement:

“Great Prince, Third Prince, envoys from both countries have arrived. The Sovereign summons both Princes to meet them.”

Jiaojiao’s eyes lit up at the news.

It seemed Dad and Big Brother had entered the palace too!