Chapter 339: Chapter 306: Fortunately, There’s Still Hope
Crown Prince’s Eastern Palace.
"Your Highness, Mr. Li has arrived," the Crown Prince’s close attendant reported.
"Quick, invite him in." Hearing this, Crown Prince Zhao Yuanze immediately showed a hint of joy and directly instructed his attendant.
After the time it takes to drink half a cup of tea, a man in his early forties, wrapped in a large cloak, appeared before Zhao Yuanze.
"Minister Li Songwen pays respects to His Royal Highness!"
"Mr. Li, there’s no need for formalities, please rise." Zhao Yuanze got up from his seat and helped Li Songwen up from the ground.
"Thank you, Your Royal Highness." Li Songwen was once an official under the Crown Prince in the Eastern Palace and is now the official with the most influence and highest power marked by the Crown Prince in the court.
As an assistant to the cabinet, although only at the third rank, his power exceeds that of second-rank chief ministers.
It should be known that Li Songwen ranks first among the three assistants in the cabinet, only below Deputy Prime Minister Tang Jing. Chief Minister Lien Yanru has served through two dynasties and is seventy years old; it’s improbable for him to continue through a third, so he will soon retire.
Unexpectedly, Deputy Prime Minister Tang Jing will take over the cabinet and become the Chief Minister. Tang Jing was promoted single-handedly by the Emperor.
If the Emperor’s days are numbered, he will surely be one of the regents.
At that time, one of the three assistants may become the Deputy Prime Minister, although it’s not guaranteed that the Deputy Prime Minister will be chosen from among the three.
But the opportunity is greatest, and Li Songwen is at the top among the three.
If Zhao Yuanze ascends the throne, there’s no doubt that the position of Deputy Prime Minister will be his, but if it’s the Fifth Prince, then Li Songwen not only cannot stay in the cabinet but may even lose his official position.
One could say Li Songwen’s future is deeply tied to Crown Prince Zhao Yuanze.
"Mr. Li, you met the person, how is it?" Zhao Yuanze asked eagerly.
"I have met the person, he is very young, with superb medical skills, and indeed many patients have recovered under his care and conceived, but..."
"But what?"
"But, this Mr. Lin requires treating infertility for both people together, not just one alone?"
"Why is that?" Zhao Yuanze was puzzled.
"It’s said that Mr. Lin explained that a woman cannot conceive alone; she needs the cooperation of a man, with whom she must have intercourse..." Li Songwen explained.
"That sounds quite reasonable. Did those couples who consulted him all conceive in the end?" Zhao Yuanze inquired.
"After about one or two months of consultation with him, they almost all successfully conceived. If they are unable to conceive, he will directly inform them."
"Can he also determine if one is incapable of conceiving?"
"I used an alias to be tested; his diagnosis of my body was almost identical to Mr. Fu’s, and he prescribed me medicine. After taking it for just seven or eight days, I already felt different," Li Songwen said.
"Father’s health was reportedly also adjusted according to Mr. Lin’s prescription; in just two or three months, his complexion has noticeably improved," Zhao Yuanze said.
"Your Highness, why not invite Mr. Fu over for your treatment as well..."
"No, Mr. Fu is not skilled in this aspect of treatment. Comparatively, he knows father’s condition like the back of his hand. If medication were targeted, it would surely be immediately effective. As for me, seeing just one person probably won’t suffice..." Zhao Yuanze muttered to himself.
"Then what will Your Highness do? The physician is in Dongshan; unless we find a way to bring him to the capital, otherwise you will have to go yourself?"
"Hmm, I’d like to try. I’m thirty-one after the New Year. If I still can’t have children, I’m afraid I won’t retain the position of Crown Prince." Zhao Yuanze clenched his fist tightly as he spoke.
"Your Highness, how will you go?"
"Father has returned, and although he hasn’t actively removed my position as regent, he is waiting for my stance," Zhao Yuanze said. "Since that’s the case, I will resign voluntarily, so I can quietly leave the capital for Dongshan."
"Your Highness, that’s too risky. If news leaks, and since Dongshan is Marquis Lingyang’s territory, if he intends to harm you, it could be dangerous!" Li Songwen hurriedly advised.
"The renowned doctors of the capital, I have tried them all. Have they been of any use to me?" Zhao Yuanze said. "Even a national doctor can’t handle my condition."
"Has Your Highness decided?"
"Hmm, I was waiting for your news before deciding whether to go. Since you’ve seen it with your own eyes, I’ll bet on this once!" Zhao Yuanze gazed forward resolutely.
"Then shall I accompany you?"
"No, you stay in the capital. With my departure, Beijing cannot be without someone. I need to be informed of the capital’s movements at any time," Zhao Yuanze shook his head. "Isn’t Pei Jian in Dongshan? With him there, nothing will happen to me in Dongshan."
"Pei Jian’s relationship with the Third Prince..."
"Yes, he is connected to the third brother, but his son is now in the Eastern Palace, and his second son performed well in this year’s autumn hunt, securing a spot in the Dragon Soaring Camp," Zhao Yuanze said.
"Then please bring more people with you. The relationship between Marquis Lingyang and the Green Blade Sect, if he truly utilizes the Green Blade Sect against you, it could be troublesome."
"I know, for this trip, I will request two royal guards to accompany me."
"Will Your Highness tell His Majesty?"
"Of course, on this trip, I cannot hide it from my father, and in fact, it’s impossible to hide. It depends on whether he gives me this opportunity," Zhao Yuanze said. "If he’s already inclined towards my fifth brother, then he certainly wouldn’t let me go out this time, or he might reveal the news to Consort Xue."
"Your Highness, are you playing your cards openly with His Majesty?"
"Yes, at this point, there’s no need to hide anything anymore." Zhao Yuanze sighed deeply.
Hearing Zhao Yuanze say this, Li Songwen said no more.
...
"Miss Ji, do you agree to let me conduct a comprehensive and thorough examination on you?" The next day, Lin Miao found Ji Fei’Er and asked seriously.
"Haven’t I already been examined?"
"This examination is to determine the progression of your illness, and then decide on the surgical plan. Additionally, we need to assess your physical condition," Lin Miao explained.
"Alright." Ji Fei’Er nodded and agreed.
"Miss Ji, what I mean is that this examination will be done by me, not my senior sister," Lin Miao said.
"I know, you’re the one doing the surgery on me, so naturally, you’ll be the one conducting this examination as well," Ji Fei’Er nodded.
"You don’t mind?"
"Why should I mind? You’re doing my surgery; my body has no secrets from you," Ji Fei’Er said. "Besides, even if I did mind, so what?"
"That’s true, but if you feel embarrassed during the examination, I can administer anesthesia," Lin Miao offered.
"No need, I don’t like the feeling of being controlled," Ji Fei’Er refused.
"The examination can be done without anesthesia, but for the surgery, it’s necessary. It ensures you won’t move during the surgery, which could affect its success," Lin Miao explained.
"I can..."
"I know Miss Ji practices martial arts, and quite proficiently, but anesthesia during surgery is essential. Otherwise, if the surgery fails, who will be responsible? Can you accept that risk?" Lin Miao said. "Also, it’s my rule. If you don’t agree, I won’t perform the surgery."
Ji Fei’Er’s face slightly changed: "How do you know I know martial arts?"
"Miss Ji dared to travel such a long distance alone to seek my help for this rare disease. It’s not something a typical weak woman would do. Unless you have martial arts skills, where would you get such courage and determination?" Lin Miao analyzed.
"I now believe that Mr. Lin can cure my illness," Ji Fei’Er smiled slightly.
"Your condition originated from the womb. In this world, aside from me, I’m afraid there’s no second person who can cure you," Lin Miao replied with confidence and a smile.
"Alright, I agree to the anesthesia during the surgery."
"Thank you for understanding, Miss Ji," Lin Miao said. "During the surgery, there will be two people assisting me – my senior sister, whom you’ve met, and my disciple. Don’t worry, she’s also a woman. They will also be present during the examination."
"Alright."
...
This time, Lin Miao conducted the examination himself. He wore a white coat, a mask, and of course, sheep intestine gloves.
Although Ji Fei’Er didn’t understand why an examination required such complexity, the seriousness of it increased her confidence in a cure.
"Senior sister, Xia Zhu, look..."
"The situation is relatively good, more or less what we anticipated. The surgery can be performed but requires some preparation..."
"Senior sister, you should take part. It’s a rare opportunity; seeing such a case may be a once-in-a-lifetime chance. Xia Zhu, the same goes for you."
"Understood, Mr. Lin."
Ji Fei’Er was blushing, truly regretting not agreeing to anesthesia earlier. If she had slept through it, she wouldn’t hear their conversation. Now, she heard everything.
They even discussed how to proceed with marital relations after the surgery, talking about it right in front of her, making her feel so ashamed that she almost wanted to run away from the examination table.
Fortunately, she agreed to anesthesia for the surgery. Otherwise, she couldn’t imagine the awkward situations that might arise.
Also, when the fingers entered, she could feel it, and the in-and-out motion was so stimulating, she had to grit her teeth and suppress the strong sensation.
The examination lasted for the time it takes to burn an incense stick.
Only then did Ji Fei’Er step down, rushing out with a flushed face straight to the restroom.
"I will draft a surgical plan shortly. Let’s practice on a ewe first to ensure no issues before proceeding with Miss Ji’s surgery," Lin Miao said solemnly, removing his sheepskin gloves.
"Do you have confidence, junior brother?"
"Her case is one of the better ones of congenital pyloric stenosis. Of course, it’s been a long time. If surgery were performed at the onset of puberty, she might recover as a normal girl, but now, conservatively, a 70-80% recovery would be good. However, after such prolonged blockage, we don’t know if the womb is damaged, impacting fertility is uncertain," Lin Miao considered.
"Can she still get married?" Xia Zhu asked curiously.
"Certainly, once the passage is opened through surgery, she’ll be like any normal woman, able to marry without any obstacles," Lin Miao stated.
