Chapter 28

Yang Yanzong suddenly stood up, his sharp eyes like a hawk staring intently at the end of the vermilion palace corridor. Snowflakes fluttered down, and the vast white marble square bore the marks of time. The ancient and majestic palace exuded a suffocating tension in the biting cold wind. In the silent stillness, the faint sound of boots hitting the ground became extremely clear. Step by step, each one felt like it was treading on a person’s heart.

Su Ci was a bit nervous. She also stood up, carefully looking outside, her hand resting on his waist as she hid behind Yang Yanzong.

Yang Yanzong turned his hand and grasped her palm with his calloused hand, saying in a deep voice, “Don’t be afraid.”

It’s hard not to be afraid!

As the moment approached, Su Ci was still nervous because this scene wasn’t in the original plot. She was terrified that her butterfly wings would cause some unforeseen result, affecting the final outcome.

Don’t be afraid, don’t be afraid.

Yang Yanzong’s success was because of this person. This person was alive and could adapt to changes. His character and abilities determined the final outcome, not the outcome that determined him. He wasn’t an NPC; he wouldn’t collapse just because the plot deviated.

Yes, that’s right!

Su Ci licked her lips and stared unblinkingly outside. After a while, the footsteps had already approached the door. A eunuch dressed in a sapphire blue robe embroidered with silver thread and a four-clawed dragon pattern stepped out in front of the door.

A middle-aged man with a pale, beardless face and sharp eyes stood outside the threshold, looking down at the two people inside the room. In a voice characteristic of eunuchs, soft yet commanding, he announced, “Summoning the Pacification Commissioner of Zhenxi and General Yang Yanzong to an audience—”

His voice wasn’t loud, but it carried an inherent authority. Su Ci couldn’t distinguish the rank of eunuch uniforms, but she could tell from the intricate embroidery and exquisite details that this eunuch held a high rank—likely a chief eunuch, possibly even one close to the emperor.

Su Ci wasn’t wrong. This was a fourth-rank eunuch, the highest rank for eunuchs, and the person was none other than the emperor’s chief eunuch, Sun Shiping!

Su Ci might not recognize him, but Yang Yanzong certainly did. His heart tightened at the sight of this person. He immediately stepped forward and bowed, “Minister Yang Yanzong, at your command!”

“General Yang, let’s go.” Sun Shiping flicked his duster, glanced briefly at Su Ci, and then turned to leave without pausing.

Yang Yanzong followed Sun Shiping out.

Su Ci: “…”

The cold wind whistled, leaving her alone. What was going on? Why did the emperor only summon Yang Yanzong?

This made her anxious. With no one to ask and not daring to inquire, Su Ci paced back and forth in the room, hoping Yang Yanzong would return soon.

Another set of footsteps approached. She quickly looked up, but instead of Yang Yanzong, another eunuch appeared.

The eunuch, around forty years old, was not dressed as elaborately as Sun Shiping but still wore a robe that indicated a higher rank than a junior eunuch. He glanced at Su Ci with a neutral expression and said, “The Emperor summons you, Miss Su. Follow me.”

Su Ci swallowed and had no choice but to follow. This eunuch and Sun Shiping arrived almost simultaneously, but the old emperor had summoned them separately, not together. This show of power was quite intimidating.

Su Ci followed the unfamiliar eunuch along the palace corridor, turning corners and walking through side doors. They were heading towards the highest building in the imperial city, the Shangyang Hall. Along the way, guards stood solemnly with their spears, stationed every few steps, their blades glinting coldly in the daylight, creating an atmosphere of sternness and killing intent.

Su Ci suddenly realized with great clarity that she was stepping into the very heart of the dynasty’s power, where the emperor’s wrath could mean the death of millions.

The emperor held the power of life and death over the entire realm. A single word from him could cause heads to roll, including hers.

Su Ci took several deep breaths and exhaled slowly to avoid stumbling. The invisible pressure was immense. She kept her head down, staring at the ground three feet ahead, a habit she had picked up from observing others along the way. As they ascended the steps, even the eunuch in the blue robe ahead of her didn’t dare to lift his head, hunching his shoulders.

Su Ci was stopped outside the hall’s door while he stepped over the threshold. She heard him announce inside, “Your Majesty, Miss Su has arrived.”

Not knowing what was said inside, the eunuch turned around and announced loudly, “Summoning Miss Su, daughter of Captain Su Di, to an audience!”

Su Ci kept her eyes down, stepping into the grand, solemn, yet splendidly decorated palace.
…

The first thing Su Ci saw was Yang Yanzong. He had probably just finished his audience with the old emperor. Kneeling three feet in front of the jade steps and a large gilded bronze cauldron, he bowed his head slightly, looking respectful and solemn. As a battle-hardened general, his back was straight, unlike the eunuchs and maids who hunched over.

Su Ci instinctively took small steps to his side and knelt, “Your servant, Su, greets Your Majesty!”

Under the eaves, she obediently kowtowed. Her posture and voice were respectful, but she was bold. Taking advantage of her bowing position, she glanced up and saw an elderly man leaning on the central throne of the jade steps, dressed in a golden dragon robe, with dragon-patterned boots so clean they had no trace of dust.

Due to the angle, she couldn’t see the old emperor’s face, only the hem of his robe hanging from the dragon throne. Even in this casual posture, a sense of majesty and oppression emanated from him, so strong it was almost tangible, and even Su Ci, with her head down, could clearly feel it.
Indeed, he was worthy of being the supreme ruler for over forty years. Yet, despite being the supreme ruler, he was not immune to the troubles of illness and old age. Aged and sleepless for many days, the old emperor’s eyes were bloodshot. If not for this, he wouldn’t have summoned Su Ci to the palace so easily and seen her so quickly.

Like a fierce tiger, he still exuded a commanding presence even when injured or ill. Su Ci didn’t dare to look up. After greeting him, she knelt beside Yang Yanzong with her head bowed. She felt an intense, piercing gaze on her head. After a moment, a deep, authoritative voice, clearly aged, came from above, “Are you the one who created the new medicine and learned extraordinary medical skills from a remarkable teacher?”

“…”

Su Ci didn’t know what Imperial Uncle Kun had said, but she saw him now, standing below the jade steps. Regardless of what he had said, Su Ci had no choice but to admit it. She softly replied, “I dare not boast of my humble skills.”

She was under immense pressure. From the speed of the summons, she could guess the old emperor’s condition was severe. When she entered the hall, she saw a line of imperial physicians kneeling outside and inside, another elderly man with a white beard and hair kneeling with a medicine chest beside him. Judging by his age and attire, this man was likely the chief imperial physician, responsible for the emperor’s care. In the cold weather, the old man was sweating profusely, his collar soaked, and his hands and chin trembling.

Could Su Ci reasonably guess that the emperor’s condition was dire, and even the chief imperial physician was helpless?

Su Ci swallowed nervously. Please, don’t let this fall on her; she didn’t want to lose her head. But what she feared most was happening!

The old emperor didn’t waste many words. After a brief inquiry, he immediately asked Su Ci to step forward and examine his injury.

Su Ci’s legs were numb as she stood up. Yang Yanzong supported her, and since no one objected, he stood up and helped her walk forward step by step. As they got closer, Su Ci finally saw the full view of the jade steps. The emperor was half-lying on the dragon throne, which was padded with cushions and a headrest. Judging by the practiced movements of the palace attendants adjusting the headrest, the old emperor had likely been in this position frequently and for long periods.

Su Ci sneaked a glance at the old emperor’s face. Over seventy years old, he was worn out by injuries and fatigue. His cheeks were sagging, his complexion was dark, and his eyes were bloodshot, showing signs of suppressed discomfort and irritation. In short, his condition was very poor, but his gaze remained unfathomable.

An injured, aging tiger is still a tiger. As long as it breathes, it can easily tear out an intruder’s throat. This was Su Ci’s first impression.

Moreover, with just one look, her heart sank because his complexion was so bad. Amidst the darkness, there was a faint flush, a sign she was all too familiar with, indicating that the old emperor was even running a fever.
When they reached the jade steps, Yang Yanzong was stopped. He let go of her hand, and Su Ci followed Sun Shiping and the old imperial physician, who had just been dragged up. The latter was trembling and stumbling, and Su Ci was really worried he might fall and hurt himself, but she didn’t dare to help.

The thick carpet absorbed all the footsteps, creating a suffocating silence. Apart from the old emperor, she couldn’t hear anyone’s breathing.

Sun Shiping knelt on the ground, gently lifted the blanket covering the old emperor’s lower body, and then raised the hem of the dragon robe. The sound of clothes being adjusted was heard, and Su Ci listened as the old imperial physician quietly explained the emperor’s current condition.

“…In the autumn, His Majesty fell from a horse and injured his leg and also suffered an arrow wound. Fortunately, the latter was not severe. Both injuries took over two months to heal. However, less than half a month after recovery, His Majesty felt a hidden pain in the healed leg wound. Pain relief was ineffective, and the condition worsened. Now, there are signs of internal abscesses, which have not healed despite several treatments…”

The old imperial physician had been kneeling for an unknown amount of time, his legs trembling as he shakily described the emperor’s medical history to Su Ci.

Su Ci listened intently, fully aware that there was no turning back. If she couldn’t treat him, neither she nor Yang Yanzong would leave here alive. The row of imperial physicians outside, who were now under strict guard, was a stark reminder of their potential fate.

The dragon throne had been prepared, and Sun Shiping turned back and whispered, “Miss Su.”

Su Ci took a deep breath and stepped forward to examine the injury. The skin on the left thigh was already somewhat wrinkled and dry. From the knee upwards, a large, visibly swollen, red area with a newly healed scar was visible. The skin was intact, indicating a typical case of subcutaneous abscess.

Su Ci washed her hands and carefully pressed and examined the area. As soon as she touched it, a low, hoarse sound of pain came from above her head. Sun Shiping quickly said, “Gently, gently!”

Gently? Why don’t you do it then!

Su Ci thought to herself but didn’t dare say it out loud. Instead, she lightened her touch more, pressing and asking the old imperial physician and the emperor about the pain.

“Does it hurt here? Is there a particularly painful spot? Where did it start hurting?”

Although Su Ci was young, she was skilled. Looking at her pressing technique, one could tell she had some real expertise. Sun Shiping couldn’t help but feel a glimmer of hope and hurriedly tried to recall and answer her questions.

“How exactly was the fracture? Who treated the wound? Can they explain it to me?”

Sun Shiping immediately called in a middle-aged imperial physician who was kneeling outside. The physician detailed the situation and how he had treated it.

“And this area? How does it hurt now? Is it a sharp pain, a dull ache, or a throbbing pain?”

Sun Shiping quickly looked at the emperor. The old emperor said, “Sharp pain, like a needle piercing the bone, continuous and sometimes more intense inside.”

Sun Shiping asked quietly, “How is it, Miss Su? Do you have a plan for His Majesty’s injury?”

Of course, Su Ci had a plan. Based on her examination and the old imperial physician’s information, she had diagnosed the condition.

It wasn’t complicated; it was a case of subcutaneous abscess caused by inadequate treatment of an open fracture.

The old emperor’s leg injury from falling off his horse was quite severe at the time. The Imperial Medical Bureau wasn’t lacking in talent; the middle-aged imperial physician who just left specializes in bone injuries. Without X-rays, he successfully realigned the old emperor’s fractured area using only his eyes and experience and continued to care for the wound until it healed. Considering the emperor’s age, this was quite an impressive feat. If it weren’t for subsequent complications, the old emperor would have merely experienced some difficulty walking and leg pain on rainy days. For someone in their seventies, this treatment could be considered very successful.

Unfortunately, there are no “ifs.” The imperial physician was unlucky enough to encounter one of the most difficult and error-prone types of injury to treat. This type of open fracture often produces bone fragments. Modern hospitals would take X-rays to ensure all bone fragments were cleaned out. The root cause of the old emperor’s recurring injury was the incomplete debridement at the time, leaving bone fragments behind.

Su Ci identified three specific areas where this occurred. After the wound healed, inflammation reappeared, and the situation became dire due to the prolonged delay —No wonder the old imperial physician was powerless. Such an inflammatory infection in ancient times was essentially a death sentence.

The fact that the old emperor lasted this long is a testament to the profound skills of the Imperial Medical Bureau.

Sun Shiping said, “Miss Su, it’s said that your new medicine can bring people back from the dead!”

“…” Su Ci replied, “…How is that possible? Bringing people back from the dead would require a cure-all.”

Sun Shiping, unable to hide his great disappointment, suppressed his anxiety and asked, “Then, Miss Su, do you have any treatment for His Majesty’s injury?”

Ah, about this? “Yes.'”

Su Ci felt the gazes on her increase suddenly, and the pressure was immense.

The old emperor was impatient. He even sat up straight: “What method? Quickly, tell me!”

“Uh, we need to use the knife to cut open the wound, remove the remaining bone fragments, clear the root cause, then assist with debridement and drainage, and there’s a new medicine. The new medicine is very effective for purulent blood conditions.” Su Ci honestly said that surgery was necessary. Really, at this moment, she couldn’t help but think of the poor Mr. Hua Tuo in historical stories.

Seeing a part to understand the whole, although it was just a historical story, it showed the extreme aversion ancient people had towards surgery. The gradual decline and loss of the knife technique actually proved this point.

Su Ci spoke cautiously, and as soon as she finished, she felt the agitation in the air settle down. The atmosphere became extremely heavy and oppressive. She shrank her neck, thinking, “Performing surgery on the emperor’s body, won’t they drag me out and behead me?”

But there was no choice, the old emperor’s injury could only be cured by surgery. Just using medicine wouldn’t work. It would only treat the symptoms, not the root cause. Her heart settled a bit when she saw the old emperor’s injury clearly. Fortunately, although it was troublesome, it was within the scope of surgical treatment. However, the old emperor was too old, had been tormented by pain for so long, and his physical condition was so poor. Performing surgery at this age and in this condition, even Su Ci couldn’t guarantee success.

The vast palace was silent enough to hear a pin drop, but Su Ci still braced herself and said, “Your Majesty, you are already of age. Your body is not as strong as it was in youth, and you have been troubled by injury and illness for a long time, leading to exhaustion… The knife technique combined with the new medicine has a seventy percent chance of curing you.”

The pressure increased even more, even Sun Shiping dared not speak.

Su Ci didn’t dare look at the old emperor’s face. She just lowered her head and secretly glanced at Yang Yanzong with the corner of her eye.

The suffocating low pressure lasted briefly, but it felt like a lifetime. The old emperor at the head said indifferently, “Take them away.”

Su Ci and Yang Yanzong were taken out of Shangyang Palace and placed in a remote, small palace room.

The old emperor didn’t say whether it was good or bad; he just left it at that. The pressure was immense!

Now, the two were only a step away from death. If the emperor refused the surgery, the two, already aware of his condition, would be silenced.
Honestly, hovering on the edge of death felt terrible. The second shoe hadn’t dropped yet, and it was already dark. A palace servant brought some simple, lukewarm food. Su Ci gathered her spirits, heated them with a tea stove, and they ate it quickly. Exhausted, they went to bed.

This small side room was very old, with most curtains removed. There was only one small bed. Having eaten this meal, they didn’t know if there would be another, so asking for an extra bed was impossible. They just slept in the same bed.

The cold wind whistled, and the mattress and quilt were very thin. The bed was small, and Su Ci involuntarily moved towards the heat source. Finally, Yang Yanzong turned sideways, and she curled up in his arms.
It was warm, but tossing and turning, Su Ci whispered, “I can’t sleep.”

“Sleep.”

Yang Yanzong’s voice above her was still concise. He placed his hand on the back of her neck, massaging a certain acupoint for a moment. Su Ci’s consciousness dimmed, and she quickly fell into a deep sleep.

The person’s breathing in his arms became light and long, quieting down. Yang Yanzong released his hand and sat up. The old window screens rustled, the cold and silent night, snow falling quietly, and the lonely red palace walls.

On this cold night, where they might be shattered to pieces by tomorrow, a fierce determination surged in Yang Yanzong’s heart. Thinking of the heir, Ji Yan, his expression turned cold and sharp. The other party had better pray he didn’t get through this! Otherwise, he would show him that relying solely on schemes and tricks was insufficient. He revealed an icy and bloodthirsty smile.
…

The pressure was immense; even the food in their mouths tasted bland. Su Ci joked bitterly, “No wonder they don’t give you good food; they probably know it doesn’t make a difference to you.”

She was extremely worried that at any moment, someone might drag them out and execute them.

In contrast, Yang Yanzong, though on the brink of life and death and inevitably tense, remained calm and unflustered throughout, showing remarkable psychological resilience.

Yang Yanzong grasped her hand in return, squinted his eyes, and stared at a point outside the old window screen amidst the swirling snow, saying, “There might be a turning point.”

As time dragged on, though no one paid attention to them, Yang Yanzong keenly sensed a sign.

“Really, really?” Su Ci’s spirits lifted. Knowing he was a top strategist, she had great faith in his judgment and was overjoyed at his words.

Under tremendous pressure, their familiarity with each other had advanced rapidly over the past two days. Yang Yanzong remained silent, but she didn’t mind, pacing back and forth in the room.

Yang Yanzong sat still, resting with his eyes closed. As Su Ci paced the room hundreds of times, almost wearing out the soles of her shoes, the next day at dusk, a turning point finally arrived. There were hurried footsteps along the red corridor, and with a creak, the half-old red door was pushed open!

The emperor summoned them again!