Yun Jinnian shook his head.
"I don’t know, but I will do my best to have the Emperor wake up sooner!"
Having said that, Yun Jinnian turned around to stop the bleeding for the Emperor. Hemei immediately grabbed a cloth towel and placed it in the empty basin beside her.
The Empress Dowager opened her mouth but then thought of the many Imperial Physicians who only knew that the Emperor was poisoned, without knowing what poison it was, not to mention extracting worms.
They didn’t dare to speak the truth like Yun Jinnian did.
One by one, they only knew to cry out, "This humble official is incompetent, I beg the Empress Dowager for mercy!"
Compared to those spineless ones who sought only to protect themselves, she indeed preferred someone like Yun Jinnian who dared to speak their mind.
A calf doesn’t fear the tiger; indeed, it was worth regarding him more highly.
Therefore, looking at Yun Jinnian, her expression softened a bit; there was less disdain than before and her tone became slightly gentler, "Whatever herbs you need, just tell Xiao Haizi, if Xiao Haizi doesn’t have the authority to fetch them, then ask the Empress or myself!"
Yun Jinnian gave a small bow.
Ever since the Empress Dowager had learned of the Emperor’s incident, she had been keeping vigil in Yangxin Hall, and by now was utterly exhausted. The Empress hurriedly said, "Mother, you should go back to Cining Palace to rest. This concubine will watch over here. Once the Emperor wakes, someone will be sent to report to you immediately!"
The Empress Dowager shook her head slightly, "No need, I’ll just take a short rest on the soft couch over there. How can I rest assured and return to Cining Palace if the Emperor doesn’t wake up!"
The Empress knew what the Empress Dowager was afraid of and did not insist, arranging for people to attend to her as she rested on the soft couch.
Sitting by the bed, she watched Yun Jinnian prescribe medicine for the Emperor.
Yet, she didn’t take out the elixir to administer to the Emperor, feeling surprised but also secretly pleased.
Thinking about the medicine pills her sister-in-law had sent into the palace, even though there were only two, she knew they were no ordinary items.
She knew somewhat of her sister-in-law’s intentions; naturally, she was willing to facilitate a match between her and Brother Bo, hoping they would find a perfect union.
Yun Jinnian was very serious about taking the Emperor’s pulse and prescribing medicine.
But he didn’t dare to rashly apply needles to wake the Emperor up.
The Emperor’s body was already hollowed out; if the medicine wasn’t boiled properly and the person woke up only to not be able to bear it, he would be gone.
He didn’t dare to offer any tonics, either, as a weak body can’t bear heavy supplements.
Once the prescription was ready, Yun Jinnian said to Eunuch Hai, "Use a gentle flame to boil three bowls of water down to one, and hurry!"
Eunuch Hai took the prescription to the side hall where the head of the Imperial Medical Bureau saw it, "What do you think?"
"Replying to Eunuch Hai, the nature of the medicine in this prescription is very mild. Given the Emperor’s current weakened state, it is indeed appropriate," the head, surnamed Pan, said.
Occupying the head’s seat, one’s ability was secondary; it was more important to be good at maneuvering.
He was also a person of the Noble Consort; with the support and guidance of the Prince and the Noble Consort, no one dared to openly provoke him.
"Since there is no problem, then go quickly and prepare the medicine and bring it here; the Emperor is waiting to drink it!"
Head Pan did not dare say more and immediately sent someone to prepare the medicine, respectfully handing it over to Eunuch Hai.
After breathing a sigh of relief, he sent someone to report to the Noble Consort.
Since the Emperor was just too weak without an immediate threat to his life, he spoke to the Empress Dowager, "Your Highness, may I see those who served in His Majesty’s chambers last night...?"
He didn’t know their ranks or how to address them.
Should it be "Your Highness"? Or "My lady"?
"They don’t have any official rank; they have only served His Majesty this night. Everything waits until the Emperor wakes up to confer titles. Since you want to see them, let them come over!" the Empress Dowager said, glancing at Mama Ma, who immediately withdrew.
"How is the Emperor now?" the Empress Dowager asked, glancing at the soft couch where the Empress Dowager lay asleep, snoring. The Empress couldn’t help but sigh.
How much of this concern was sincere? How much was using him, how much was calculation?
Was it truly a deep bond between mother and son, or was there another reason? Only the Empress Dowager herself knew the answer.