"If he is truly willing to give anything, then please convey a message to Father Emperor on my behalf," Ya Molian spoke. "The journey to White Blind Mountain is fraught with great danger, and I am in need of a skilled healer. I’ve heard that the National Teacher’s residence has recently acquired a renowned physician. If she could accompany me to White Blind Mountain, then I might consider the proposition."
Princess Consort Lian nearly jumped out of her chair upon hearing his words.
With National Teacher Suyang holding some sway in the Emperor’s presence, how could the newly recruited female physician, currently treating Suyang’s son’s poisoning, possibly leave so readily?
Wasn’t Ya Molian placing the Emperor in a difficult position?
"Mo’er, this matter is rather difficult, I’m afraid."
"Then Mother Consort should return to the palace. This son will see you out," Ya Molian stood up, ready to send Princess Consort Lian away.
Seeing this, Princess Consort Lian quickly raised her hand to indicate that he should sit back down.
"Wait, Mo’er, this is a complex issue. Let your mother discuss it with your Father Emperor before any decision can be made. Do you have any other requests? I can pass them all on to the Emperor at once."
"Requests, of course, there are some."
Ya Molian turned around, his eyes gleaming with calculative light.
"To demand the female physician from the National Teacher’s residence, he is truly presumptuous!"
In the Imperial Study, as soon as Princess Consort Lian returned to the palace, she was brought before the Emperor by a eunuch. After a brief exchange of courtesies, she relayed to the Emperor all that Ya Molian had requested.
The rest could easily be discussed; everything in the national treasury could simply be given to Ya Molian.
But the female physician from the National Teacher’s residence...
"Your Majesty, I have heard that this female physician’s medical skills are exceptional. The journey to White Blind Mountain is laden with dangers, and if we could bring her along, it would add a layer of security to rescuing Prince Lin and should not be a problem," she said.
"Should not be a problem?"
That’s utter nonsense!
The Emperor’s face darkened as he regarded Princess Consort Lian with a cold gaze.
Having heard Suyang mention the female physician as a hermit of great ability, how could she be so easily persuaded to serve our needs, especially to venture into such a perilous place as White Blind Mountain?
"Do you think that female physician is so easily bought? Hmm?"
"Your Majesty, since the female physician was willing to accept the posting to treat Suri, it proves she is part of this worldly realm and indeed fancies such worldly treasures. You could allow her to freely choose a few treasures from the national treasury. In my opinion, she would certainly be willing to accompany Prince Mo to White Blind Mountain," Princess Consort Lian urged.
The Emperor considered her words reasonable. Who wouldn’t love gold and jewels?
But then again, it didn’t seem right.
"I can’t easily deal with the National Teacher," he shook his head.
The female physician was in the midst of treating Suri’s poisoning; how could she leave? Suyang would surely never agree.
Though he was the Emperor and everything in Wei State was ultimately under his command, National Teacher Suyang was still an eminent court official whose support he could not disregard lightly.
"Your Majesty, please think of Prince Lin. He is still on White Blind Mountain," Princess Consort Lian said.
"I’ve heard on the streets just now that Suyang’s son has nearly recovered after two treatments and is already lively and jumping around. Just let him go to White Blind Mountain with Prince Mo, and when they head up the mountain, Suri can wait at the base. What do you think of this arrangement?" she suggested.
It would just be a short venture up the mountain to rescue someone, wouldn’t take much time, right?
The Emperor hesitated, but finding the proposal feasible, he gave a nod.