Married Thrice to Salted Fish

Chapter 59

Chapter 59

Since Lin Qingyu was promoted to the fifth-rank imperial physician, he and Chu Zhengde would go to the Emperor every day to diagnose his pulse. Though he was able to go in and out of the Emperor’s sleeping chambers, so long as he got even a little bit close to the Eastern Palace, the guards on duty would be on high alert. But as long as he and Shen Huaishi were within the palace compound, there would be chances for them to meet.

Chu Zhengde was getting old and it is inevitable that his body would not be able to keep up with everything that he wanted to do. For the past few days, he had been suffering from a cold and had taken leave to recuperate at home. Lin Qingyu was the only imperial physician serving the emperor for the time being.

That night, the Emperor’s headache returned. Lin Qingyu happened to be on duty and was invited to the Emperor’s palace.

Tonight, the one serving the emperor in bed was the same young man Lin Qingyu had seen last time. Though said to be ‘serving in bed’, with the emperor’s sick body, he couldn’t actually do anything and he simply let the young man warm his bed and pour him tea.

Lin Qingyu applied acupuncture for the emperor and the emperor’s headache eased. When he opened his eyes, he saw Lin Qingyu and his male pet standing beside the dragon bed, side by side. The male pet blushed and whispered, “Your Majesty”. Lin Qingyu, however, as calm and composed as ever said, “Autumn is fast approaching. With its coming, the yang energy will gradually shrink and the yin energy will gradually grow. The Emperor’s prescription must also be changed to match the way of yin and yang. This official will return to the Imperial Hospital to prepare a new prescription for Your Majesty.”

The emperor looked at him. Himself not knowing what muscle he’d pulled wrong, he said, “I have pen and paper here. Wou can write it here and show me when you are done.”

Lin Qingyu paused and said, “Yes.”

The emperor sat up with the help of his male pet. He looked at the beauty in official uniform writing under the lamp; long eyelashes thick like butterfly wings. Even though his temperament was cold, it was difficult to overlook the flirtatious look seen between his brows and the corners of his eyes. In particular, the tear-shaped mole under his eyes made the emperor’s heart itch.

But itch was all it did. He was old and had been sick for so long. He had not added a new person to his harem for a long time. When he gets better, maybe he can invite more beauties. It was a pity that he didn’t have enough energy now. So after Lin Qingyu finished drawing up the recipe, he allowed him to withdraw.

Lin Qingyu followed Xue Ying out of the sleeping chamblers. Looking back at the bright yellow dragon curtains, his eyes grew dark and cold.

It seemed that even without the emperor forcing a marriage upon Gu Fuzhou, sooner or later, there would have also been reason for Lin Qingyu to set his hands upon His Majesty.

Xiao Cheng heard that the emperor was ill and to show his filial piety, he came late at night and happened to run into Lin Qingyu who had been exiting the sleeping chambers. Lin Qingyu glanced at him, and his eyes fell on Shen Huaishi behind him.

Shen Huaishi also looked back at him and then Xiao Cheng said coldly, “Have you looked enough?”

Shen Huaishi quickly retracted his gaze. “This subordinates dares not.”

Xiao Cheng smiled. “Why wouldn’t you dare? Xiao Qingyu was born with a face that drives men crazy. You should look more if given the chance. You might not have the chance to see it again in the future.” Saying so, he gave a ‘hmph’ and follow Xue Ying into the sleeping chamber.

Another eunuch came with a lantern. “Imperial Physician Lin, I will take you back to the Imperial Hospital.”

Shen Huaishi could only stand watch outside. When Lin Qingyu brushed past him, he whispered, “Find time to come to my house to find me.”

Shen Huaishi was startled, and subconsciously glanced in the direction of the sleeping chamber. He then gave a low “en”.

Shen Huaishi didn’t make Lin Qingyu wait for long. And three days later, late into the night, he appeared in Lin Qingyu’s residence like a ghost. Lin Qingyu was dispensing medicine at his table and as soon as he looked up, he saw Shen Huaishi standing behind the window. “Imperial Physician Lin.”

Lin Qingyu opened the window. “Come in.”

Shen Huaishi was a little nervous. “I can’t stay for long. If His Highness finds out that I still have contact with you... Imperial Physician Lin, what have you sought me out for?”

Lin Qingyu said, “I have found the person you are looking for.”

Shen Huaishi was stunned and said excitedly, “You mean, the owner of that jade tablet?”

Lin Qingyu nodded lightly. “Come out.”

With a clack, the door to the room adjacent to the study slowly opened and Zhu Yongxin walked out. “Young Master.”

Shen Huaishi’s eyes widened and he said in disbelief, “Zhu Dage?!”

Zhu Yongxin was a double agent. Not many people in the Heavenly Prison Sect knew about it; Shen Huaishi was one of them. After Shen Huaishi entered the Tianji Camp, he also looked for Zhu Yongxin. He did not expect to be met with news of his death.

Shen Huaishi... don’t let me down.

Another night on shift, when Hu Ji came back from a doctor’s visit, he saw Lin Qingyu playing with a urn. He leaned over curiously and looked at it, asking, “Imperial Physician Lin, what is this?”

“Golden Silkworm Gu.”

Hu Ji saw the golden multi-legged bugs in the urn and quickly backed away. “Why are you raising such things?”

Lin Qingyu put the lid on the urn and said, downplaying the matter, “Its wings can be used as medicine.”

Hu Ji forced out a laugh. “I see.”

“Did you just come from Sili Jian?” Lin Qingyu asked, “Did you get any news?”

“News?” Hu Ji thought for a while, “Oh, I heard from the eunuch who delivers flowers to the Eastern Palace that His Highness the Crown Prince has been moody and short-tempered these past two days. It seems the shadow guard who often follows him around has suddenly disappeared.”

As expected. Someone as stubborn as Shen Hauishi would need time to fully accept this matter. No one knows though what conclusions he has come to after these past two days of thinking.

In “Huai’s Refusal of the Monarch”, Shen Huaishi will put a knife to Xiao Cheng’s neck after knowing the truth. Now that the “truth” he has learned was even more cruel, shouldn’t his actions be even more pleasing to the eye?

That night, the palace was surprisingly calm. During the second half of the night, the imperial physicians on duty in the Imperial Hospital all dozed off.

Under the moonlight, a palace maid stumbled into the Imperial Hospital, breaking the tranquility. She was almost crying as she said, “Imperial Physician! Imperial Physician to the Eastern Palace!”

Everyone was startled awak and they all stood up one after another. Lin Qingyu though remained sitting, his eyebrows slightly raised.

——Why were they still calling for an Imperial Physician? Could it be that Xiao Cheng could still be saved?

Everyone knew that His Highness the Crown Prince has always been in good health. So urgently calling for a doctor in the middle of the night, he must be suffering from a sudden illness. The palace maid was so flustered, presumably, his condition must be serious.

Hu Ji was the chief physician for the Eastern Palace and he did not dare to slack off at this moment. Medicine box on his back and turned to leave. Lin Qingyu stopped him. “Imperial Physician Hu.”

Hu Ji said anxiously, “Is there something the matter, Imperial Physician Lin?”

Lin Qingyu hesitated for a moment and said, “It’s fine. You should go.”

In addition to Hu Ji, many of the imperial physicians went with him as well. Lin Qingyu was the imperial physician personally assigned to the emperor and he had to remain in the Imperial Hospital on standby in case the Emperor needed him.

Hu Ji and the others were out all night and even though it was already dawn, none of them had come back. The Eastern Palace remained brightly lit through out the night. People could only be seen entering, but no one was coming out. The Eastern Palace seemed to be blocked and Lin Qingyu could not wait for any news.

At Chen Shi, Lin Qingyu ended his shift with a heavy feeling. As soon as he went through the palace gate, he heard someone calling him, “Imperial Physician Lin.”

Gu Fuzhou was wearing his official military uniform. His appearance at the gate of the palace at this hour, he must be heading to court.

Lin Qingyu walked quickly to him. “General.”

Gu Fuzhou appeared careless and sloppy. He didn’t seem to be fully awake. “You must be hungry after spending all night on duty. I’ve prepared some food for you. Once we’re in the carriage, you should eat it while its hot.”

Lin Qingyu took the food box handed over by Gu Fuzhou. “Thank you, general, for your consideration.”

Seeing that Lin Qingyu’s expression wasn’t good, Gu Fuzhou’s remaining sleepiness disappeared at once. He lowered his voice and asked, “What’s wrong? Did Shen Huaishi make a move already?”

“He did but he must still have had reservations. Otherwise, with his skills, how could Xiao Cheng not have been killed with one hit?” Lin Qingyu closed his eyes and endured, holding the food box Gu Fuzhou gave him tightly in his arms , “If Xiao Cheng is lucky enough to make it out alive...”

Gu Fuzhou pondered for a moment. Then his brows smoothed out and he smiled. “Let’s not talk about whether Xiao Cheng made it out alive or not. We don’t know that yet. Even if he is lucky enough to survive, then we’ll just have to work hard. I’ll help you think of a better way.” Gu Fuzhou Raising his hand, using his broad palm to cover the back of Lin Qingyu’s head, “Don’t worry, it’s no big deal. Go back quickly and head to bed. Remember to eat something first. I’ll go to you after morning court.”