Dugu Jingyao is reborn as Li Chu's beloved

Chapter 527 An unexpected gain

After Dugu Jingyao learned that Murong Linzhi had returned to Chang'an, she sent Si Jian to deliver a message, asking Murong Linzhi to enter the palace with her.

Although Murong Linzhi didn't know what was going on, she understood that something must have happened, otherwise they wouldn't be so anxious to let her come back.

The next morning, Murong Linzhi had breakfast at home, dressed up, and headed to the Prince of Chu's mansion. However, she did not enter through the main gate, but asked Si Jian to bring her in through the back door.

When Murong Linzhi arrived, Dugu Jingyao was feeding Li Shi and Li Ying rice porridge with the wet nurse. The two little guys drank it with gusto, and Li Ying's mouth made a "click-click" sound from time to time, looking very cute.

Murong Linzhi saw that she hadn't seen the two little guys for a long time and missed them very much. As she walked in, she said, "Auntie, I haven't seen you for a long time. I miss you so much!"

As soon as Li Ying heard Murong Linzhi's voice, she immediately shifted her attention and looked curiously in the direction of Murong Linzhi.

Dugu Jingyao heard Murong Linzhi's voice and turned around to look at her with a smile and said, "Linzhi is here, please sit down. Have you had breakfast yet?"

Murong Linzhi sat next to Dugu Jingyao and said, "No need to prepare anything. I'll come here after I finish eating."

The two were talking when Li Ying mumbled something over there. Murong Linzhi was amused by Li Ying's expression and asked, "Do you miss your aunt? Come on, let your aunt hug you."

In fact, with a child this old and not seen for a long time, it is not certain that she can remember who this person is, but Li Ying is just like that. So, she broke free from the wet nurse and reached out in the direction of Murong Linzhi.

Murong Linzhi took Li Ying and looked at the delicate little doll in front of him. He weighed her and said, "It's been a while since I last saw her. Ying'er has become much calmer."

Dugu Jingyao smiled and said, "This is the advantage of being a child. They are carefree and now they just eat, drink and have fun."

Murong Linzhi could hear a hint of desolation in Dugu Jingyao's words, presumably because she was worried about Li Chu. "Jingyao, don't worry," he said. "The prince is blessed with good fortune, and this trip will go smoothly."

Dugu Jingyao nodded slightly and said, "Yes, I will." Then she said, "Okay, okay Ying'er, let Aunt Lin Zhi rest for a while, don't tire her out."

Li Ying was quite well-behaved. After Dugu Jingyao finished speaking, the wet nurse went to hold Li Ying, and Li Ying followed the wet nurse.

After they finished their breakfast, the wet nurse took Li Shi and Li Ying back to the side hall, while Dugu Jingyao took Murong Linzhi back to the bedroom.

Dugu Jingyao needed to dress up before entering the palace, so she asked Murong Linzhi to sit on the chaise longue and wait for her.

Dugu Jingyao asked, "Lin Zhi, how is Li Xi's illness? Is he suspicious?"

Murong Linzhi took a sip of water and said, "Because the epidemic is now under control, we can't let him be sick for too long. Before I came back, I met the imperial physician sent by His Majesty. In order to prevent the imperial physician from discovering any flaws, I had to start him on normal prescriptions for the epidemic. Now it looks like he'll be fully recovered in two or three days at most. He may have had some suspicions at first, but his subordinates couldn't find anything, so they probably thought he was just overworked and infected."

Dugu Jingyao said, "It's good that you don't suspect anything. As for not being able to delay it for too long, that's fine too. My father is almost near Jinling now, so I believe the matter in Jinling will be resolved soon."

Murong Linzhi then told Dugu Jingyao, "By the way, Jingyao, you don't have to worry too much about the Prince of Nanyang in the future. Even if he is a prince, he may not be able to compete with him."

Dugu Jingyao was a little confused and asked, "Oh? How did Lin Zhi know?"

Murong Linzhi walked over to Dugu Jingyao and whispered in her ear, "I've discovered that people who have this disease will have their fertility affected."

Dugu Jingyao didn't expect there would be an unexpected gain. She turned to look at Murong Linzhi and asked, "Are you serious?" Murong Linzhi nodded firmly.

Dugu Jingyao asked again: "What about Tinglan?"

Murong Linzhi added: "Don't worry, I checked her pulse before I came back, and she's pregnant."

Dugu Jingyao smiled slyly and said, "That's good. If she's smart, maybe she can use this child to delay the return journey for a few more days. Since the prince hasn't returned yet, she might be able to delay the Li family for a few days."

After discussing this topic, Murong Linzhi asked, "Jingyao, why are you calling me back so urgently? What's the matter?"

Dugu Jingyao said, "Your Majesty has not looked well these past two days. I wonder if he is in good health. I would like you to take his pulse under the pretext of reporting on this epidemic."

Murong Linzhi finally understood: "Dugu Jingyao is worried about the imperial physician in the palace, so she called her back." So he said, "Okay, as long as Your Majesty agrees to let me take your pulse, it will be fine."

Dugu Jingyao said: "Don't worry, I will find a way to let the Queen convince Your Majesty." Murong Linzhi nodded.

After Dugu Jingyao finished dressing up and changed her clothes, she took Li Shi, Li Ying and Murong Linzhi into the palace in a carriage.

When they arrived, Emperor Suzong had just been taken to Fengqi Palace in a sedan chair from the Imperial Study.

Seeing this, Dugu Jingyao brought Murong Linzhi along to greet him: "Your Majesty, your daughter, greets you."

Emperor Suzong got off the sedan chair and raised his hand, saying, "Get up!"

The two thanked him and stood up. Emperor Suzong walked over to Li Shi and Li Ying and teased them for a bit. Then he looked at Murong Linzhi beside Dugu Jingyao and asked, "Who is this?"

Dugu Jingyao replied, "Father, this is Miss Murong Linzhi, the last disciple of Divine Doctor Gongsun."

Upon hearing this, Emperor Suzong looked at Murong Linzhi with a little more appreciation. He said, "Miss Murong is so young to be able to become the apprentice of a genius doctor. She must have some extraordinary qualities."

Murong Linzhi bowed calmly and said, "Your Majesty, I am so kind. Master, I simply do not mind your ignorance."

Emperor Suzong felt that Murong Linzhi was neither arrogant nor impatient and was a good girl. He said, "Okay, don't stand here. Go in quickly and don't keep the Queen waiting for too long."

Dugu Jingyao and Murong Linzhi both showed a calm smile, bowed to Suzong, and followed Suzong into Fengqi Palace.

In the main hall of Fengqi Palace, the Queen was eagerly awaiting the arrival of Dugu Jingyao. She saw Dugu Jingyao and Suzong coming together, with a girl behind them. She seemed familiar, but she couldn't quite place her.

She still stood up gracefully and saluted to greet Emperor Suzong. After the first seat was taken, Dugu Jingyao and Murong Linzhi also paid their respects to the empress before taking their seats.

Suzong and the Queen continued to play with Li Shi and Li Ying for a while. When the two little ones felt a little sleepy, they reluctantly let the wet nurse carry them to the side hall to rest.

The Queen looked down at this moment and then remembered to ask: "This girl looks familiar, I wonder who is her?"

Murong Linzhi stood up and saluted, saying, "Your servant, Murong Linzhi, pays homage to Her Majesty the Queen."

The queen only knew who it was when she heard the name: "I have heard of your name. Are you the apprentice of the miracle doctor? I heard that you are an amazing doctor. You are really a promising young man!"

Murong Linzhi smiled slightly and said, "It is indeed yours, but I do not dare to accept it. I have only learned the basics from my master, and I dare not say that my medical skills are great."

The Queen thought Murong Linzhi was both humble and polite. Wouldn't it be wonderful if she could become her daughter-in-law? However, this was just her one-sided idea. She would ask Aunt Xu to check Murong Linzhi's family background and whether she was married. If not, perhaps she could match her with Li Tan, so that she could find someone to control this kid.

Thinking of this, the Queen's smile became even kinder, and she said, "Miss Murong, please get up and sit down."

Murong Lin expressed his gratitude and returned to his seat.

Emperor Suzong returned to the topic and asked, "Jingyao, why did you bring Miss Murong into the palace today?"

Dugu Jingyao looked at Emperor Suzong and said, "I learned that my second brother had contracted the epidemic. I heard that my father had even sent an imperial physician to the affected area. I'm sure he's worried. It just so happens that Lin Zhi and I have a good relationship. I exchanged letters with her, and she said the situation there has stabilized, so she returned early. So, I thought of having Lin Zhi come to the palace to tell you about the situation in the affected area. I believe it will be more concrete than some memorials."

Emperor Suzong nodded and asked Murong Linzhi, "Miss Murong, what is the situation in the epidemic area? How is the Prince of Nanyang's illness?"

Murong Linzhi bowed and said, "Your Majesty, fortunately, the disease was discovered promptly, and the local county magistrate quickly isolated the patients in a separate area, preventing the disease from spreading widely. Initially, the disease was quite severe, and some people died. However, after research by Master, this minister, and others, we developed an antidote. After taking the antidote, the symptoms of the patients were alleviated. Furthermore, those who entered the affected area were not released until they were fully recovered. Now, the situation is under control, and there are no new cases. I believe that in three to five days, once all the patients in the affected area have recovered, this epidemic will be over. As for the Prince of Nanyang, his condition has also improved. This minister estimates that he will be almost fully recovered in the next two days."

Upon hearing this, Emperor Suzong was very pleased: "Okay, okay, I can't do without the help of the genius doctor and all of you doctors. Is there any reward you would like?"

How could Murong Linzhi dare to ask for any reward? She quickly said, "Your Majesty, I thank you for your grace on behalf of my master and fellow apprentices. However, curing illnesses and saving lives is a doctor's duty, so I dare not ask for a reward."

Although Suzong thought Murong Linzhi was a good person, he believed that good work deserved rewards, so he said, "That being said, you have helped me solve a major problem, and I deserve a reward. Since you said that curing illnesses and saving lives is a doctor's duty, then I will reward you with some rare medicinal herbs so that you can treat more people. How do you do that?"

Murong Linzhi originally wanted to refuse, but Dugu Jingyao gave her a look, indicating that she should accept the reward, so Murong Linzhi thanked her.

Dugu Jingyao had hoped to catch Suzong in a good mood and persuade him to let Murong Linzhi take his pulse, but unexpectedly, Murong Linzhi mustered up the courage and said, "Your Majesty, I would like to ask for your mercy."

Upon hearing this, Emperor Suzong felt somewhat puzzled. She clearly didn't want anything just now, and was even hesitant about the medicinal herbs that were given as a reward. Why did she want grace now?

The Queen was also puzzled. How could Murong Linzhi change so quickly? Could it be that she didn't know him well?

Dugu Jingyao didn't understand Murong Linzhi's intentions and was worried about her. Just as she was about to plead for her, she heard Suzong's voice from above: "Tell me about it."

Murong Linzhi continued, "As a doctor, I see that your Majesty's face is yellow, suggesting you are ill. I beg Your Majesty to allow me to examine your pulse."

Upon hearing this, Suzong felt that although he did not feel any discomfort in his body, Murong Linzhi, as the apprentice of the genius doctor, would not speak carelessly, so he said, "So this is your request. It just so happens that I have been feeling a little tired recently. Can you come and see me?"

Hearing this, Murong Linzhi stood up and walked forward with the pulse pillow. The queen thought to herself, "It seems I was right about this person."

Dugu Jingyao's heart finally settled down.

After taking the pulse, Murong Linzhi asked, "Your Majesty, have you consumed any special foods or medicines recently?"

Suzong asked suspiciously, "Why do you say that, Miss Murong?"

Murong Linzhi told the truth: "Your Majesty, I have observed your pulse and it seems...it seems that you have been suffering from a chronic poison for some time."

Upon hearing this, the Queen looked at Murong Lin with great concern and asked, "Miss Murong, do you have a way to detoxify?"

Murong Linzhi nodded slightly and said, "I can try a few times, but I cannot guarantee that I can completely detoxify you. Your Majesty's foundation has been greatly depleted by this chronic poison. Moreover, I do not know how Your Majesty was poisoned. Even if I can detoxify you, you may be poisoned again. It is hard to guard against it. Moreover..."

Upon hearing this, Emperor Suzong frowned and said, "What's more?"

Murong Linzhi lowered his head and said, "Besides, being poisoned by this kind of poison will affect fertility."

Suzong didn't care much about this. After all, he already had many children, so it didn't matter even if he couldn't have more.

Dugu Jingyao seemed to grasp the key words when she heard this and asked, "Lin Zhi, can you find out how long His Majesty has been poisoned?"

Murong Linzhi said: "I've been checking the pulse for two or three years."

Suzong was even more enraged by Dugu Jingyao's question. After all, this poison affected fertility, and he had been poisoned for more than a day or two. So where did Concubine Xiao's child come from? This bitch actually betrayed him!

Although he was already burning with anger, he only frowned slightly on the surface. Suzong said, "Okay, then I'll have to trouble Miss Murong to help me prescribe a prescription for treatment. I will also catch the murderer as soon as possible."

After saying this, Emperor Suzong said, "By the way, Miss Murong, please also check on the Queen's health."

Murong Linzhi responded and also checked the Queen's pulse. Judging from the pulse, the Queen seemed to be in good health, so she reported the truth.

Upon hearing this, Emperor Suzong said, "I'm glad you're alright. I just remembered I have something else to deal with, so I'll go back to the Shangshufang first."

The Queen and several others quickly stood up and respectfully saw Suzong off.

The Queen was still somewhat alarmed and asked, "How could His Majesty be poisoned? We often dine together, and I am fine, so why is His Majesty poisoned?"

Murong Linzhi explained, "The poison doesn't necessarily have to be in the food. It could be that it's not poisonous when eaten alone, but becomes poisonous when mixed with something else."

This was an unexpected gain, as it let Emperor Suzong know that Concubine Xiao was now pregnant and must have betrayed him. In the future, Emperor Suzong would definitely not let Concubine Xiao go, and the Li family would not be able to be a match for Li Chu.