"The Grand Emperor, the Grand Emperor has awakened!"
"Your Majesty, you've finally regained consciousness..."
Amidst the excited cries, An Ning instinctively took a step back, allowing the imperial physicians who had narrowly escaped death to rush forward and check the Grand Emperor's pulse.
Their expressions soon turned incredulous.
Though still faint, the pulse condition beneath their fingers unmistakably indicated that the Grand Emperor's previously exhausted vitality had miraculously "revived"...
If not for the remaining pills being securely held by Chief Eunuch Dai, the head physician would have lunged forward to seize them for closer examination.
What ingredients had this Miss Chen used earlier?
But most importantly, the Grand Emperor could be saved—which meant they too might survive this ordeal...
In truth, their words were unnecessary. Through the crowd, the Grand Emperor's slightly clouded gaze burned with intensity as it fixed upon the young woman in a moon-white dress, her features delicate and refined.
As someone well-versed in medicine himself, the Grand Emperor knew his own condition all too well. The faint stirrings of vitality within his body now were a stark contrast to the hopeless heaviness and stiffness he had endured while lying bedridden, waiting for death.
Recalling those desperate days when he had stared death in the face, Emperor Qianlong's expression darkened briefly before he forced down the porridge offered to him. His sharp gaze swiftly turned to Dai Quan beside him.
A seasoned attendant who had served the Grand Emperor for decades, Chief Eunuch Dai immediately understood. His usually stern face blossomed into a chrysanthemum-like smile:
"Miss Chen must be exhausted from her journey. This humble servant has already prepared a bath for you..." He kicked a young eunuch nearby. "What are you dawdling for? Escort the young lady at once!"
"Mind your manners! If the young lady feels the slightest discomfort, I'll have your hides!"
Turning back to the silent young woman, he beamed:
"Miss Chen, please rest for now. The imperial kitchen will have your meal ready shortly."
An Ning responded with only a slight nod.
Fifteen minutes later:
Soaking in the warm water as maids diligently massaged her shoulders, An Ning appeared like an aloof immortal with her eyes lightly closed. In reality, she had quietly activated her surveillance system.
As expected, Chief Eunuch Dai was now bowing low beside Emperor Qianlong's bed, undoubtedly reporting details about her:
"Your Majesty, according to reports, this Miss Chen seems reserved by nature and spoke little during her journey..."
Dai Quan was being diplomatic—truthfully, the young woman had seemed rather reluctant. Consulting his notes, he cleared his throat:
"Though exceptionally skilled in medicine, Miss Chen remains virtually unknown in Yangzhou..."
Meaning she had no interest in fame or practicing medicine openly.
"However, investigations reveal she has great passion for crafting medicines and perfumes, specializing in restorative treatments and showing particular interest in rare herbs. Apart from the two pills Young Master Xu brought, the famous health-boosting pills circulating in Yangzhou City in recent years were her creation."
"She maintains limited connections, chiefly with the Lin family. Her only close relations are her master and elder sister, who recently became engaged to the second son of a mid-tier merchant family, the Huangs."
Though how much she valued this relationship was questionable. To Dai Quan's observation, Miss Chen seemed genuinely detached.
With her extraordinary medical skills and Commissioner Lin's backing, securing a better match for her sister would have been simple had she shown any ambition. Yet she had allowed her sister to marry into a lowly merchant family.
"In summary, Your Majesty need not worry about Miss Chen's background..."
It was her temperament that posed problems!
Normally, Dai Quan wouldn't concern himself with some commoner woman's attitude—no matter how skilled or stubborn, imperial authority could crush any resistance.
But this was different. Even with the physicians' vague statements, it was clear his master's body had been at death's door—this wasn't an illness but exhausted lifespan.
Currently, his master's life depended entirely on her medicine.
The potency of her concoctions was undeniable. Just the two non-specific pills months ago had prolonged the Grand Emperor's life beyond physicians' predictions...
Life extension—whether by months or years—wasn't like curing disease with immediate results. How much effort she chose to exert wasn't something they could discern.
Threats? Her demeanor suggested defiance. Offend her, and that five-year extension might covertly become one.
Threaten burial companionship? Remember there's a proper new emperor next door!
With her unparalleled life-extending skills and youth, her future potential was limitless—does Your Majesty truly think the current emperor would execute her?
More likely, a secret decree would spirit her away for his own use.
Stealing a glance at his master, Dai Quan concluded this was why the emperor now showed interest in a commoner girl.
Since threats were inadvisable, only favors remained...
Watching the aged emperor's thoughtful expression through her screen, An Ning felt confirmed:
Indeed, a young emperor might gamble, but one who had tasted death wouldn't risk the slightest uncertainty—especially regarding what the powerful throughout history valued most.
As warm steam enveloped her, An Ning smiled contentedly:
After bathing and dining, when summoned again, even Emperor Qianlong wore rare gentleness. With regained strength, he eagerly asked:
"By Physician Chen's estimation, how many years remain for this emperor?"
An Ning paused oddly.
Didn't he already know?
Reading her unspoken thoughts, the emperor stiffened momentarily before persisting:
"If Physician Chen exerts full effort, with access to all rare medicines?"
Recognizing his determination, An Ning deliberated, checked his pulse again, and finally answered:
"With my current capability, at least three years, potentially over ten—depending entirely on Your Majesty's cooperation."
"Over ten years?" The emperor latched onto this like a stimulant, ignoring the lower estimate. "What cooperation does Physician Chen require?"