Chapter 83: Turmoil in the Imperial Court (Part 1)

Bai Fan walked out of Chief Examiner Shen Linfeng's study, still feeling excited and nervous about the assessment.

Shortly after, Bai Fan followed Chief Examiner Shen Linfeng into the Imperial Court.

The atmosphere here was heavy, with officials in official robes standing around, each looking serious.

Rende Emperor sat on the high throne, his brow exuding majesty and wisdom, his gaze like a torch, scrutinizing the approaching Bai Fan.

"Bai Fan, I heard you performed outstandingly at Wenlin Hall, so I specially invited you to the Imperial Court to meet me."

Rende Emperor spoke, his voice steady and powerful, as if it could instantly dispel the surrounding tension.

Bai Fan felt a surge of nervousness and respectfully replied: "Your subject, Bai Fan, greets Your Majesty."

Rende Emperor nodded slightly, his gaze deep, revealing a hint of appreciation.

"Bai Fan, I am very satisfied with the content of your exam. I know you risked your life to save the Ninth Prince, embodying both civil and martial loyalty."

"I should have promoted you immediately, but I heard you are a successor of Medicine God Valley. I wonder if you can cure a stubborn illness of mine?"

Bai Fan was slightly stunned, and countless doubts surged in his heart.

The Emperor was seriously ill, and many physicians in the Imperial Court were helpless; now that Your Majesty mentioned it himself, could it be that he still held hope?

"Reporting to Your Majesty, although this subject has studied medicine since childhood, I am young and ignorant, and my learning is still shallow. I hope Your Majesty will forgive me."

Bai Fan tried hard to keep calm, not daring to speak rashly.

Rende Emperor shook his head slightly, "My illness has troubled me for many years. Only a few people know about it, and several famous doctors have been helpless."

"Bai Fan, if you can cure it, I will naturally give you heavy rewards. If you cannot, I will not blame you."

Bai Fan was shocked, feeling faintly that this might be an opportunity to change his fate.

"Your Majesty, may I ask what your illness is?"

"My body is weak, often suffering from palpitations and shortness of breath. Although I have sought treatment from many, there has been no improvement."

Rende Emperor's tone revealed a trace of helplessness, his eyes slightly showing a hint of longing and expectation.

Bai Fan nodded, secretly recalling the various prescriptions and medical arts of Medicine God Valley, trying to analyze Your Majesty's condition.

"This subject is willing to treat Your Majesty, but I need to understand the condition in detail and find the true source of the illness before I can prescribe medicine."

Rende Emperor showed relief, "Good, I believe in you. Someone, prepare the Materials and medical supplies!"

Soon after, several guards delivered the Materials and utensils to the hall, and Bai Fan carefully inspected these Materials.

He asked about Rende Emperor's condition one by one, recorded every detail, and thoroughly understood all the information.

"Your Majesty, please come with me behind the screen; I need to take your pulse."

Bai Fan had already begun to ponder, thinking of various possible prescriptions, but decided that he still needed to confirm it by taking the pulse.

Rende Emperor nodded and walked slowly behind the screen, and Bai Fan followed, praying silently that this opportunity would allow him to demonstrate his medical skills.

Gently holding Rende Emperor's wrist, Bai Fan closed his eyes, concentrating on sensing the changes in the pulse, carefully analyzing the mysteries within.

As time passed, Bai Fan's expression gradually became grave, and his brows furrowed slightly.

He was shocked—Rende Emperor was poisoned!? Rende Emperor was poisoned!!

This situation was very dangerous, but he dared not speak out; he could only deal with it cautiously, otherwise, he might not live until tomorrow.

"Your Majesty, your pulse is weak, and there seems to be blood stasis blocking it, with insufficient heart Qi. It may be related to your diet and daily routine."

Bai Fan tried to keep his voice calm.

Rende Emperor looked surprised, "This situation is indeed caused by my irregular lifestyle in recent years. Do you have a good prescription?"

Bai Fan took a deep breath to steady his mind; he had to concoct a treatment that would not arouse suspicion.

"This subject is willing to use the Alchemy of Medicine God Valley to prepare a 'Heart-Calming Pill'. This pill can regulate Qi and nourish the heart, helping Your Majesty improve blood circulation."

"Can this pill be taken immediately?" A glimmer of hope flashed in Rende Emperor's eyes.

"Your Majesty, this pill can indeed be taken immediately."

Bai Fan said slowly, thinking to himself that the Heart-Calming Pill was not enough to cure the poisoning, but it could alleviate Your Majesty's symptoms.

"Prepare it quickly!" Rende Emperor ordered, his expression gradually relaxing.

"This subject will go and prepare it immediately, and will not delay." Bai Fan bowed and replied, then quickly walked out from behind the screen, his heart full of anxiety.

In the pharmacy, Bai Fan prepared the Materials for the Heart-Calming Pill, skillfully using his heart to refine it, mixed with his unique internal Qi.

The only thing that could truly cure Rende Emperor was the unique internal Qi of Medicine God Valley within his body.

"Must not be discovered!" Bai Fan controlled his internal Qi to merge into it, masking it with various medicinal aromas.

Currently, Liangjing was turbulent, and the Ninth Prince had been openly assassinated in the palace; even the Imperial Guards could not protect him.

If he knew that Rende Emperor was poisoned and leaked it, he feared his own life would be in danger.

His technique was flexible and precise; as the furnace fire adjusted, the Materials gradually underwent Fusion under the influence of his internal Qi, emitting a faint light.

Finally, the Heart-Calming Pill was successfully refined, emitting bursts of fragrance; Bai Fan relaxed and immediately brought the Medicinal Pill to Rende Emperor.

"Your Majesty, the Heart-Calming Pill has been prepared. I hope Your Majesty will take it as soon as possible."

Bai Fan held the Medicinal Pill in his palm and respectfully handed it to Rende Emperor.

Rende Emperor took the Medicinal Pill, his eyes full of expectation and relief, "Bai Fan, I believe in you!"

Just as he was about to take the Heart-Calming Pill, a sharp shout suddenly rang out: "Your Majesty, wait!"

The person who came was none other than Fu Taiqing, the Superintendent of the Imperial Hospital; he looked grave and quickly stepped forward.

"Your Majesty, please allow me to test the medicine! The Ninth Prince was just assassinated; if something happens to you at this time, what will the people do?"

Rende Emperor frowned and said: "Bai Fan is the one who risked his life to save the Ninth Prince. Could he possibly harm me?"

Fu Taiqing shook his head and said with concern: "Your Majesty, please listen to this old subject. Bai Fan appeared in that quiet alley and just happened to save the Ninth Prince; this is too suspicious."

"Plus, he claims to be a successor of Medicine God Valley. Is that not worth doubting? Could it be that he is in league with the assassin, and this act is to poison you!"

Upon hearing this, Rende Emperor frowned, and then anger flared in his eyes; he slammed the table, making a thunderous sound.

"Someone! Tie Bai Fan up for me!"

Bai Fan's face turned pale, and he could not help but feel a sense of despair in his heart.

"Your Majesty, you must believe me, I have absolutely no such intention!" He hurriedly defended himself, but his voice seemed powerless amidst the anger.

Several guards from the Imperial Guard quickly stepped forward, holding thick hemp ropes; their actions were crisp and neat, and without a word, they tied Bai Fan up tightly.

Rende Emperor scolded inwardly, "Fu Taiqing, you are going too far!"

He knew that Bai Fan was not a bad person, but the current situation was tense, and he must not alert the enemy.

Fu Taiqing smiled coldly: "Your Majesty, even if he is truly innocent, you cannot easily trust him. This matter must be thoroughly investigated."

In the end, Rende Emperor sighed, a flash of hesitation in his eyes, and ordered:

"Take Bai Fan away, watch him strictly, and wait until the truth is found."

Bai Fan was forcibly taken away; before leaving, he saw Rende Emperor's helplessness and knew that all this was just a temporary expedient.