Chapter 2642 - 2575: Sneaking a Bite

The Emperor sat on the couch with a solemn face without speaking, while Manbao placed the medicine box aside and stood respectfully with her head lowered.

The Emperor remained quietly by himself for a moment, contemplating his own thoughts before raising his head to look at Zhou Man, and asked, "Is there really no other method for treating Lord Wei’s condition?"

Manbao replied with an "Indeed," pondering for a moment, and said, "Your Majesty, a person’s spirit is limited, and excessive mental exertion will prevent recovery without calm rest." For example, the Empress.

In the past two years, the Empress’s health seemed much improved, but it was only because of wearing a bracelet, which reduced respiratory ailments.

Yet, her body remained weak, and every now and then, particularly during seasonal changes, she couldn’t withstand the shifts in temperature and fell ill.

The root cause was still excessive mental exertion and physical weakness, making her more susceptible to illness than ordinary people.

Only that the Empress and Wei Zhi displayed it differently; one showed it outwardly, while the other did not, so the Empress always had medication to regulate her health, but Wei Zhi did not.

The Emperor, feeling somewhat saddened, said, "No matter what medicine it takes, I will have people find it."

"Your Majesty, Lord Wei’s illness cannot be treated with strong medicine. Even now, he should prioritize rest, supplemented with decoctions for regulation, and after some time, switch to honey pills, which are milder and less toxic."

The Emperor frowned, "Can’t even good medicine be used?"

"One’s honey is another’s poison," Manbao said, "Lord Wei’s foundation is already damaged and internally empty; he must be nourished slowly and gently. If strong medicine were used suddenly..."

Even though the Emperor didn’t fully understand medicine, he knew what the consequences would be.

The Emperor contemplated, "I remember that Yin Huo’s health has always been poor, and previously, Imperial Doctor Tan also said his foundation wasn’t good and internally empty."

"The two do have similarities, but Lord Wei’s condition is due to his own exhaustion, while Yin Huo’s is congenital. Although their fundamental causes differ, their symptoms are very similar."

"It was long rumored that Yin Huo would die young, yet isn’t he living well now?"

"Yes, he’s living quite well," Manbao replied, "He is not burdened with state affairs nor troubled by academic concerns, resting when tired, relieving his mind when unhappy, consuming honey pills and medicinal diets daily, occasionally receiving acupuncture. Your Majesty, apart from the last two points, which of the earlier ones can Lord Wei achieve?"

"This illness can’t withstand exertion or mental strain, and since neither you nor Lord Wei wants to rest, you’ve cut off the most fundamental solution."

Yin Huo is enjoying life now, once just a tool under the pressure of family lineage, no matter how precious the medicine, it had little effect, frequently falling ill, and every one or two years, a new coffin had to be prepared.

But now, his sixth sister has given birth, named directly with the surname Yin, and now Old Madam only cares about his health, occasionally worrying about his refusal to marry, but no longer pressuring him as before.

He now has his own residence, spending most of his time living freely in his county mansion.

It is even better now; having graduated from the Chongwen Pavilion, he can happily roam the streets, without worrying about food and clothing, freely accessing the family’s wealth;

When unhappy, he can visit the Guardian of the Nation Temple to discuss Zen with Master Zhi Ren or invite Bai Shan and others from both ministries for conversations and chats, living a carefree life.

Can Wei Zhi do that now?

Of course not, the Emperor temporarily cannot do without Wei Zhi, and Wei Zhi does not want to leave the Emperor for now either.

At this moment, it seemed as if the ruler and minister, like lovers being forcibly separated, looked at each other with lingering hesitation, until finally, the Emperor ordered Zhou Man to treat Wei Zhi while forcing Wei Zhi to rest for two days.

The Emperor felt he should consult the Empress for her opinion.

As for the opinions of other court officials, the Emperor did not want to ask, and even instructed Zhou Man to hide the truth about Wei Zhi’s condition, "Once outside, just say you misdiagnosed, and Lord Wei, like me, only suffered from heatstroke."

He further added, "Two official records of his condition are needed, with the real one kept with mine."

Manbao hesitated for a moment before bowing in agreement.

Director Xiao once said that the Imperial Medical Bureau and the Imperial Hospital are no longer the same; the Imperial Medical Bureau is a state institution and does not have to obey the Emperor, focusing on matters as they are;

But the Imperial Hospital still solely obeys the Emperor; his orders are the highest rule, under which all regulations can be altered.

Manbao bowed and retreated, while Bai Shan and Lord Wei had already finished a game of chess, leaving it as it was, and sat conversing about state affairs.

Conveniently, one belonged to the Central Secretariat and the other to the Imperial Secretariat, making them quite a match.

Seeing Zhou Man coming out with the medicine box, both turned their eyes over, and Bai Shan instinctively stood up to greet her but stopped after two steps, then quietly smiled and stood aside.

Lord Wei glanced at him, then asked Zhou Man, "Lord Zhou, where is His Majesty?"

Manbao suddenly recalled she had forgotten something important—forgetting to give the Emperor his medicinal navel paste.

She said somewhat troubledly, "His Majesty is inside. Lord Wei, His Majesty invites you in."

Lord Wei withdrew his gaze from her and went to find the Emperor.

As he left, Bai Shan stepped forward, looked her up and down, and asked, "Did you have your breakfast?"

Manbao paused, then realized she was very hungry, clutching her stomach without speaking.

Bai Shan sighed, "It’s already time for lunch..."

So, you actually haven’t even had breakfast.

Manbao whispered, "I slept too late last night, and it’s so cool in the palace that I accidentally overslept..."

Originally, she planned to have breakfast after practicing the Five Animals Frolics, but who knew the Emperor would suddenly complain of stomach pains?

Bai Shan could only sigh, taking a glance inside, not daring to say much under the watchful eye of the Emperor, he looked around and spotted some snacks on a nearby table, casually bringing them over to the chessboard and handing a piece to her.

Manbao glanced at it, recognized it as the Emperor’s favorite honey sponge cake, and took it, eating quietly.

The plate’s snacks were not much, including the Emperor’s favorite rice and red bean cakes, with a piece of mung bean cake, which Manbao nibbled on slowly.

When the Emperor and Wei Zhi emerged from their conversation, they saw the empty plate between the two.

Bai Shan and Manbao immediately stood and saluted.

The Emperor glanced at them and said, "Let Academic Editor Bai and Courtier Zhou remain to have lunch with us."

Both bowed in response, accompanying the Emperor for lunch.

The Emperor often hosted banquets for his ministers, not only Wei Zhi, but even Manbao didn’t know how many times she had dined with the Emperor, so she wasn’t nervous, and since entering the Hanlin Academy, Bai Shan occasionally had such opportunities, so he was composed as well.

The four sat down for their meal, and as they ate, the Emperor started to sigh, his expression mournful.

Wei Zhi, with a calm face, asked, "Your Majesty, is your stomach still in pain?"