Chapter 46: The Method of Fighting Poison with Poison

Even if Concubine Tong Xian wanted to, she dared not speak out.

She had no evidence.

All she could say was, “It’s nothing, but it’s better to be cautious of people outside the palace.”

Li Ning’an only remembered that in her previous life, someone had treated her father, the Emperor, but she didn’t know what that person looked like.

It was because of this uncertainty that she used Shui Mingxi as bait.

This old Taoist did seem unreliable.

In her previous life, her father’s illness had never improved, and Li Ning’an suspected that someone in the Imperial Medical Bureau had been bribed.

Now, the Emperor was being sustained by mild medication; though his life was not in danger, he still hadn’t regained consciousness.

This couldn’t go on.

The Empress was worried about her daughter. The Emperor’s life was certainly important, but if Ning’an took the lead and bore the responsibility, what if something happened to the Emperor?

She wouldn’t be able to escape the blame.

The Empress had already lost two children—she couldn’t afford to lose another.

Ning Zhao also needed her elder sister.

“Children don’t know what’s going on. You go ahead and treat His Majesty. I’ll guarantee that nothing will go wrong.”

Li Ning’an looked at her mother and understood that her actions were somewhat impulsive. She held her mother’s hand and whispered closely, “Mother, don’t worry, nothing will happen.”

With the Empress’s assurance, Concubine Tong Xian finally allowed a few people to proceed.

The doctors took turns checking the Emperor’s pulse, but only the Taoist-looking man confirmed that the Emperor had been poisoned.

The head of the Imperial Medical Bureau couldn’t help but feel embarrassed. “Do you have any proof? Which Taoist temple are you from?”

“I, an old Taoist, wander across the four seas, and belong to no temple,” the Taoist said, stroking his beard, having no whisk in hand.

If it weren’t for the lack of money and hearing about the generous reward from the Duke of Dingguo, he wouldn’t have bothered getting involved.

Dealing with aristocrats was always troublesome.

“I’ve seen plenty of con men like you,” said the head of the Imperial Medical Bureau, relieved. Since that was the case, he would make no apologies.

If this old Taoist were to cure the Emperor, wouldn’t that imply that everyone in the Imperial Medical Bureau was incompetent?

Even though Princess Ning’an or the Empress could vouch that the Taoist meant no harm to the Emperor, it would still damage the reputation of the Imperial Medical Bureau.

If the Emperor woke up and learned of this, what if he dismissed him from his post?

The head of the Imperial Medical Bureau bowed to the Empress and Concubine Tong Xian and said, “This man’s identity is unclear, and his words are baseless.”

“The two doctors Princess Ning’an brought didn’t find anything. Surely the medical expertise of the Imperial Medical Bureau can be trusted?”

“In my opinion, we should continue the slow treatment with mild medication.”

Hearing this, the old Taoist couldn’t help but laugh. He restrained his laughter in Qian Kun Palace.

“With your medical skills, you dare to treat patients? This is clearly a case of deep poisoning, and it cannot be left untreated.”

These words tightened Li Ning’an’s heart.

Could it be that her rebirth had hastened her father’s death?

Li Ning’an felt a pang in her nose, wanting to cry, but she held back, not wanting anyone to notice.

The head of the Imperial Medical Bureau clearly rejected the old Taoist’s opinion. If this continued, the doctors of the Imperial Medical Bureau might threaten to resign.

Li Ning’an decided to give the head of the Bureau some face.

“I’m only thinking of my father’s health. Since the head of the Imperial Medical Bureau insists, take this man to my villa.”

“If he dares deceive me, I will certainly teach him a lesson. You all continue treating my father.”

Li Ning’an gave a signal to Xing’e, who then led the man away.

Yan Suo whispered a few words to the Empress.

The Emperor’s condition couldn’t be delayed any longer; he must wake up.

A message had arrived from the border: the second prince of Beiyue wanted to enter the capital to meet the Emperor.

From the looks of it, he wanted to negotiate peace and return General Tong.

The Empress glanced at the comatose Emperor. “Since the head of the Imperial Medical Bureau has a plan, treat the Emperor quickly. If the Emperor does not wake up…”

Her sharp gaze swept over him. “Your position as head of the Bureau will also come to an end.”

The head of the Imperial Medical Bureau hurriedly knelt. “I will obey, Your Majesty.”

Li Ning’an had already left Qian Kun Palace, taking the old Taoist to the villa.

She appeared as though she intended to break an arm or a leg to vent her frustration over being deceived.

The villa was now managed by Nie Da, father of Nie Rou.

Old Nie was in charge of the kitchen, while Nie Da and his wife handled affairs inside and outside.

Nie Da noticed Princess Ning’an arriving with an old Taoist, her demeanor fierce and threatening.

Li Ning’an entered the hall and noticed that the villa was well-maintained, with the servants behaving properly.

Over at Yan Ziqi’s residence, matters outside were handed over to Ma Nu, while matters inside were managed by Hongxiu. Li Ning’an nodded in satisfaction and praised Nie Da’s wife a few times.

“The other matters are keeping her busy, but when Nie Rou is free, I’ll have her come back to see you all.”

The Nie family knew about what was happening at Manxuan Tower.

Their lives and freedom were in the hands of Princess Ning’an, and they were genuinely grateful to her.

Whenever they were given a task, they made sure to do it to the best of their ability.

If it weren’t for Princess Ning’an, they would either be locked up in the slaves’ quarters or sold off separately.

To still be together as a family was a blessing.

Li Ning’an invited the old Taoist to sit.

The Taoist thought he was in for a beating, but seeing that the princess didn’t seem to want to punish him, he asked, “Could it be that the princess trusts me?”

Li Ning’an didn’t deny it. She simply said, “There’s someone ill in this villa as well. Why don’t you take a look?”

The old Taoist understood this was a test and calmly replied, “I’ll take a look, of course.”

Li Ning’an signaled to Hongxiu, who then took Nie Da’s wife aside and asked her to find a few sick people from the nearby area.

Nie Da’s wife understood immediately.

She went to the neighboring homes and found a few people.

Li Ning’an’s villa was located in the imperial city, so those who lived nearby were of some status.

The opportunity to receive free medical treatment and even connect with Princess Ning’an made people eagerly agree.

Rumors outside said that it was Princess Ning’an’s bold and decisive actions, through the command of Grand Censor Ji, that caused Prince Jing to lower his guard.

With such a chance to meet her, even those who weren’t sick would try to make something up.

Li Ning’an sat in a side hall, while the old Taoist saw patients in the main hall.

They were separated by just one door.

In the end, those sick people didn’t even get to see Princess Ning’an.

However, after a day, Li Ning’an was convinced that this man was indeed a divine healer.

Li Ning’an called him to the side hall, and the Taoist felt that he had passed the princess’s test.

Although he didn’t like dealing with people of power and influence, he still wanted to help save the Emperor.

Especially now, with Beiyue playing tricks that were harmful to the Qi Dynasty.

The Ninth Prince was still young, and the other princes had yet to come of age.

If one of them ascended to the throne, wouldn’t that make them easy prey for Beiyue?

The Taoist, having traveled far and wide, could tell that the Emperor was a wise ruler.

As for the head of the Imperial Medical Bureau, while he had some skill, his narrow vision made it difficult for him to treat the Emperor.

If delayed any longer, the Emperor wouldn’t live past three months.

By then, the Qi Dynasty would be facing turbulent times.

The old Taoist sat down and waited for the princess to take him back to the palace.

Li Ning’an noticed his patience with the patients, so she specifically had Nie Da bring in a few poor commoners from other districts.

Their hands were covered with frostbite, dirt caked under their nails, and their skin wrinkled and rough.

The old Taoist didn’t mind at all, and Li Ning’an guessed that if she weren’t present, he might have even given them some money.

Naturally, Li Ning’an had already instructed Hongxiu to give them money.

If such a divine healer existed in the Qi Dynasty, it would be a blessing for the people.

Yet the head of the Imperial Medical Bureau, for the sake of his position and pride, was willing to risk the Emperor’s life.

Li Ning’an asked the Taoist, “I want to ask you, can Shui Liu Langjun’s illness be cured?”

The Taoist, thinking she was still testing him, replied, “His case is easy, but the Emperor can’t wait.”

Seeing that the princess was truly filial and willing to endure any criticism, he said:

“I can only treat him by fighting poison with poison. But I fear the doctors of the Imperial Medical Bureau won’t agree.”

Because one wrong move could lead to the Emperor’s death.

He’d be meeting the King of Hell directly.

“Poison?” Li Ning’an hadn’t thought of that.

She had assumed it would involve some rare medicinal herb.

Li Ning’an didn’t plan to go through the head of the Imperial Medical Bureau to treat her father, but rather, to do it secretly.

If she poisoned her father again…

Her head might not stay on her shoulders.