Chapter 719: I Need to Relieve Myself!

Shopping all the way till the end of the hour.

Lin Miao finally returned to the inn. The capital city is indeed different; if it were Dongshan, the inn would have closed long ago, yet when he returned.

The inn’s gate was still open, and there were still people sitting in the hall chatting and drinking tea.

He nodded slightly to show agreement.

Lin Miao went upstairs and returned to his room.

He only asked for a regular room, staying alone, a bed was sufficient, no need for extravagance while traveling.

Moreover, he would stay just one night; early the next day, he had to submit his report to the Communication Department. He was summoned by the Emperor’s decree; now that he had arrived, he naturally needed to report and await the audience.

He ordered to have a warm bath prepared, to relieve fatigue, and then he planned to go to bed.

After traveling for several days, although he hadn’t exhausted much energy, he was still somewhat tired. He wondered how the bathhouses in the capital were.

Otherwise, he would have liked to experience them.

Knock knock!

“Come in.” Lin Miao felt the footsteps were light, thought it was the inn staff coming to add water, and didn’t pay much attention. Anyway, if someone meant him harm, he would detect it once they got close.

Constant vigilance is exhausting.

“My lord.” Lin Miao opened his eyes and saw Su Yi in front of him, smiling sweetly. He couldn’t help but be startled. How did she know he was here?

“My lord must be wondering how I knew you were here?” Su Yi gently put her hands on Lin Miao’s shoulders and started massaging, reminiscent of a gentle and virtuous wife.

“The capital is your domain now, and you are the famous Pavilion Master of Duobao Pavilion. Isn’t it easy to find out my whereabouts?” Lin Miao chuckled, pulling her from behind straight into the bath.

He came to the capital simply, with only one person and one horse, without deliberately concealing his presence. As a sixth-rank imperial physician, who would target him except those with ulterior motives?

He even intended to lure some to attack him, but unfortunately, the Shenxiao Dao and Carefree Hall people were all cowards, not daring to cause trouble.

“My lord, you’re so bad!”

“Su Yi, this is your true nature, isn’t it?” Lin Miao held Su Yi’s chin, smiled playfully.

This woman had ambition and cunning. No wonder she was titled a talented woman; if it weren’t for the confirmed rumors of “husband-killer,” any family she married into would surely gain.

“Don’t all you men like women to be graceful and proper outside, but at home, behind closed doors, to be at your beck and call?”

“So are you offering yourself up tonight?”

“Mr. Lin, I’ve just learned… Would you like to try it?” Su Yi swept her tongue across Lin Miao’s earlobe, breathed softly like orchid fragrance.

“The soundproofing here isn’t great. Shall we switch places?” Lin Miao, stirred by her, felt tempted after having traveled alone for days.

“Duobao Pavilion has prepared a room for me…”

“Alright, lead the way, let’s go.” Lin Miao leapt out of the tub, his inner energy coursing through him, drying instantly, and dressed, he carried Su Yi away in a flash from the inn.

It was so fast!

Su Yi had never experienced being carried through the air; it deepened her affection for Lin Miao.

A powerful and wealthy man.

Tonight, she would be the happiest woman.

…

Satisfaction, unprecedented satisfaction. Though Su Yi didn’t know about other men, having lived nearly thirty years, this man granted her unparalleled joy, both physical and mental.

“My lord, I’m so joyful!” Su Yi lay in Lin Miao’s arms, her eyes dazed. Yet, she couldn’t solely possess this man.

In reality, she was highly content already.

At her age and status, marriage wouldn’t be a problem, but to marry into a good family, leading a harmonious life, would be challenging.

It’s not about not having good candidates, but rather the likelihood of meeting them.

It’s better to become a concubine to a man with whom she can connect both spiritually and physically than to be a legitimate wife to a dull man. At least now, she felt happy, having her thriving career and a man who fulfilled her emotionally and physically.

Moreover, this man wasn’t just young, but terrifyingly strong in that particular aspect.

She really couldn’t handle him alone. Had she known, she would’ve brought Liuli over; she wasn’t foolish and had seen early on that Liuli was Lin Miao’s woman.

Women are quite sensitive about these matters.

“My lord, our glass mirrors have shocked the entire Li Jing. Duobao Pavilion became an instant sensation. Now, numerous noblewomen in the capital are seeking a glass mirror as a status symbol. According to your instructions, we’re releasing the first batch slowly, yet there’s still a shortage. The black market prices have doubled compared to Duobao Pavilion’s. It’s made me want to secretly sell them in the black market for higher profits.” Su Yi said, soft like clay.

“Did you sell them?”

“No, I dare not violate the rules set by you, my lord.” Su Yi raised her head, her red lips gently kissed Lin Miao’s cheek. The scent of this man was so enticing, intoxicating her again.

“My lord…”

“Still want more?”

“I’ve been hungry for quite a while…”

Women in their thirties are different from those in their twenties; they eat more and feel hungry faster, especially when they recover fast.

Truly a woman with an appetite.

…

Early the next morning, Lin Miao left the inn feeling refreshed, and headed straight for the Communication Department, handing over his official credential.

The Communication Department had long received the emperor’s edict from the inner court, and upon seeing Lin Miao’s credential, they hastily came out to welcome him.

This person may be a minor sixth-rank official, but he was directly listed with the emperor and the Crown Prince. Although the Chief of Communications was of the fourth rank, he was essentially a messenger and dared not be negligent toward such an individual.

About half an hour later.

Within the grand palace, in the Yangxin Hall.

“Report, Your Majesty, and Crown Prince, Deputy Director of the Dongshan Prefecture Medical Bureau, Lin Miao, is waiting outside for an audience!” A young eunuch bowed his head and quickly walked in with small steps.

“Hurry, no, I’ll welcome him personally!” Upon hearing this, Crown Prince Zhao Yuanze was overjoyed and immediately got up from the brocade stool and strode out to greet him.

“Crown Prince!”

“Mr. Lin, no need for formalities, please come in!” Zhao Yuanze quickly reached out to support Lin Miao. “I’ve been longing for your arrival day and night, waiting for you for quite some time.”

“Thank you for your concern, Crown Prince, I…” Lin Miao was about to speak when Crown Prince Zhao Yuanze pulled him into the Yangxin Hall.

…

“How is it? Although my father has awakened, he frequently falls unconscious, and he is paralyzed on one side. Mr. Fu said it’s the aftereffect of a stroke, and it’s a blessing that he’s awakened…” Zhao Yuanze urgently asked Lin Miao, who was diagnosing Emperor Zhao Rui.

“His Majesty indeed had a stroke, but the cause of the stroke was poisoning!” Lin Miao initially thought it was the aftereffect of a stroke, as the symptoms seemed to fit perfectly, and the pulse was similar.

However, when he tried to probe Zhao Rui’s body using a trace of Rejuvenating True Breath, he found something unusual.

Zhao Rui was clearly poisoned by a very special chronic toxin, which was not lethal but slowly eroded his health until a certain point where it suddenly erupted with symptoms identical to a stroke.

“Poisoned?” Fu Qingzhu was shocked upon hearing this. He had examined and found no signs of poisoning in the emperor.

Though not an expert in “poisons,” he felt embarrassed as a celebrated healer for failing to detect any signs of poisoning.

“Mr. Fu did not notice it because the poison was well-concealed. It accumulates slowly, much like salt in food. Salt isn’t poison, but excessive consumption can gradually lead to bodily changes. While not exactly poisoning, it can cause health issues that are only apparent when it’s too late. We physicians often say that illness comes from the mouth. Many diseases affect the wealthy more than the poor. For instance, those who indulge in rich dishes tend to become obese, leading to various illnesses. Would you call those poison?”

“Mr. Lin speaks truth. Excess in anything is harmful.”

“Crown Prince, does His Majesty often consume medicinal foods and tonics?” Lin Miao inquired.

“Yes, my father is very fond of the study of health preservation. The kitchen is always preparing tonic meals for him with nourishing prescriptions. There’s no issue with that, right?”

“For common people, taking some tonic prescriptions, when used correctly, is surely fine. However, ongoing consumption requires substantial wealth, which His Majesty possesses. Consuming over long periods without considering if his body can handle it, combined with having many concubines, desires, and using herbs for potential heirs, how can this body remain healthy?” Lin Miao wasn’t afraid of the emperor’s authority and spoke bluntly.

“I see.”

“Nevertheless, His Majesty was still poisoned, and this poison is the main reason for inducing the stroke. Ordinarily, even if His Majesty’s health deteriorated, having a stroke is not easy. Success in one stroke requires this chronic poison!” Lin Miao continued.

“So, Mr. Lin, what is the poison that afflicted His Majesty?”

“Ipomoea.”

“Ipomoea, what is that?” Fu Qingzhu and the Crown Prince exchanged glances, having never heard of it.

“Ahem, I’ve only heard my master mention it once. I haven’t seen the actual plant, but the symptoms align closely with my master’s description, leading me to this diagnosis,” Lin Miao explained.

“How should it be treated then?”

“The poison is entrenched in the body, requiring gradual strategy. But the most pressing matter is to fully awaken His Majesty first,” Lin Miao advised.

“Does Mr. Lin have a method?”

“I have one, but I can’t completely guarantee success. Would you allow me to try?” Lin Miao had prepared approximately twelve An Gong Niu Huang Pills before coming to Shangjing. These pills have remarkable effects on strokes.

They were initially meant for unforeseen needs.

Upon seeing Emperor Zhao Rui’s condition, it seemed applicable, though how many pills it would take for full awakening was uncertain.

It would depend on his physical condition and willpower.

Lin Miao took out an An Gong Niu Huang Pill, opened the emperor’s mouth, inserted it, and then provided warm water to help swallow it.

The three of them waited quietly nearby. No one felt like speaking, especially the Crown Prince and Fu Qingzhu, who frequently glanced at the emperor on the dragon couch.

Half an hour later, they heard a rumbling sound from the emperor’s stomach.

Soon after, Emperor Zhao Rui slowly opened his eyes. His slightly clouded pupils suddenly saw light and seemed uneasy. He opened his mouth and said, “Come, I need to relieve myself!”