Chapter 2582 - 2556: Severe Punishment

Follow-up treatment means there is still hope for survival.

Not only the Emperor, but also the Hebei County Prince and others standing by quietly sighed in relief, with their hearts settling somewhat.

Manbao and Chief Physician Xiao Liu stood watching the patient for quite a while, then reached out to feel his pulse. Although the person had not awakened, the pulse pattern was no longer as chaotic and erratic as it was initially.

Thus, Manbao nodded to Chief Physician Xiao.

Chief Physician Xiao went out to report the patient’s condition.

The Emperor frowned, "Only a thirty percent chance?"

Chief Physician Xiao replied with lowered eyes, "Yes, because the injury is in the brain."

Although he knew it would be more beneficial to speak positively, Chief Physician Xiao couldn’t transfer the risk to the Imperial Hospital.

Moreover, he still had more to say but, being tactful, he glanced at the Emperor’s expression and chose not to continue.

The Emperor sighed and instructed, "Use whatever medicine is necessary, make sure Young Master Zheng survives."

He added, "You and Imperial Doctor Liu Zhou Man will alternate duty and oversee personally; if anything happens, I will hold you responsible."

Chief Physician Xiao respectfully agreed, knowing that unless it was a medical accident, he would at most be scolded since he had already stated such a low success rate.

The Emperor glanced at Zheng Wang and then at Hebei County Prince, his face turning serious, "Escort the Hebei County Prince back, Li Gong, you are to stay confined for a few days; if nothing happens to Zheng Erlang, it will be fine. But if something does..."

Hebei County Prince knelt down in response, rose, and was escorted away by the guards.

The Emperor forced a smile at Zheng Wang, "Sir Zheng, go home and rest. Young Master Zheng will stay in the Eastern Palace, where both the Crown Prince and the Imperial Hospital will care for him, so rest assured."

Zheng Wang came to his senses, knowing the Emperor had good relations with Hebei County Prince, he definitely wished Zheng Erlang survives, but he couldn’t leave his nephew and exit the palace, so wiping his tears he requested to remain in the Eastern Palace.

The Emperor persuaded briefly before agreeing, leaving not only Zheng Wang but also State Duke Pi and Lu Zhongyan, since Zheng Erlang’s fiancée was Lu Zhongyan’s niece, and the younger sister of State Duke Pi’s eldest son’s wife.

So the Emperor sent Zheng Erlang to the Eastern Palace not only because the Crown Prince was the heir but also due to a bit of kinship with Zheng Erlang.

Wei Zhi and others did not leave, they just changed places to wait for the Emperor; this issue must be resolved. Even if not today, a plan must be discussed.

The Emperor stood in a garden whispering to Chief Physician Xiao, "Thirty percent chance..."

The Emperor closed his eyes and asked, "Are there other problems?"

Chief Physician Xiao said in a low voice, "Your Majesty, the human brain is very peculiar; if the brain is severely damaged, even if one survives, there may be various issues."

The Emperor listened intently, "Like..."

"Like not awakening, remaining asleep; possibly paralysis with inability to move limbs: or loss of speech, blindness, even becoming a fool..."

The Emperor’s expression darkened, "Is there no solution?"

"Your Majesty, if it were another part of the body, we would have more options, but within the brain, we are limited in our actions."

"What about Zhou Man?"

"Imperial Doctor Zhou mentioned a needle therapy for awakening, but it requires the person to wake up before acupuncture can be performed, and Imperial Doctor Zhou has only heard of this acupuncture method," Chief Physician Xiao said, "Right now we need to stop bleeding and reduce swelling; as for the fractured skull, it can only heal slowly..."

The bone is like this, let alone the brain within.

The Emperor rubbed his aching forehead, "Tell Zhou Man, the medical books of the Hanlin Academy, and the Chongwen Pavilion are at her disposal, the aim must be to save him and let him live healthily!"

Saying that, and Chief Physician Xiao agreed, but whether it can be achieved, who knows?

The Emperor softly said, "This matter should be known only to your Imperial Hospital, not to be leaked outside."

Chief Physician Xiao understood that if the Zheng Family knew about so many aftereffects, they would certainly explode in anger.

Only then did the Emperor leave with Gu Zhong, going to discuss with Wei Zhi and others.

Chief Physician Xiao exhaled only after the Emperor went far away, tiredly returning to find Zhou Man and Imperial Doctor Liu, glancing at the sleeping Young Master Zheng on the bed, saying, "Let’s draw lots for who watches over him this afternoon?"

Manbao raised her hand, "I’ll watch, you two take turns at night."

Chief Physician Xiao and Imperial Doctor Liu silently looked at her, one said, "You have half a month off, someone hasn’t done a day’s duty."

Imperial Doctor Liu sighed, rubbing his lower back, "My old bones..."

Manbao, "...I’m just thinking I’ve just returned from the villa, feeling energized, can watch in the afternoon? Fine, then I’ll watch at night. You two decide for the afternoon..."

Chief Physician Xiao thought over and said, "I’ll watch, Imperial Doctor Liu was on duty last night, surely tired, go back to the Imperial Hospital to rest, and come to take over tomorrow morning."

He said, "Stay alert, although his pulse is more stable now, be careful, if there’s intracranial bleeding again, I’ll send for you."

The two immediately nodded and accepted.

"So for easy communication, stay at the Imperial Hospital."

Thus arrangements were set, but Manbao thought about the small room at the Imperial Hospital, feeling reluctant, thus said to Chief Physician Xiao, "I will go to Princess Mingda’s place, let someone inform me there if needed."

Chief Physician Xiao waved, indicating he understood.

Manbao immediately went joyfully to find Princess Mingda.

Bai Shan was there, having lunch with Bai Erlang Mingda, upon seeing her, stood and quickly greeted, "How is it?"

Manbao replied, "The injury is severe, uncertain if he can survive."

Mingda, upon hearing this, grew worried, having good relations with this cousin from Hebei County Prince, thus when the Emperor in the palace called out to kill Hebei County Prince, the palace informed her to enter and plead.

Bai Erlang comforted her, "The Emperor will not really kill Hebei County Prince, don’t worry."

Everyone knew this, but even if not killed, surely there’d be punishment, and it’s not good to become enemies with the Zheng Clan.

Bai Erlang found Young Master Zheng unfortunate, "He was said to be a prodigy in Xingyang, such bad luck!"

Manbao and Bai Shan also thought him unlucky, asked, "Who sent him to the fields?"

Mingda sighed, "Lord Yin is already investigating."

But she felt it would be difficult to find anything substantial, especially since two overseers engaged in a violent fight, it is a serious matter.

Wei Zhi and others also regarded this as a serious matter, even without Zheng Erlang’s injury, the fight over water remains a grave offense.

Particularly, so many people had died before.

All involved should face strict accountability, yet involving Young Master Zheng complicates the matter.

In such a case, follow the rules and laws, Wei Zhi believed the Zheng and Li families and both overseers deserved severe punishment.