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The matter seemed easy when spoken, but implementing it was extremely challenging.
For a person who lost both legs and wanted to stand up, they had to make a pair of suitable prosthetics. Prosthetics weren't the most difficult part, the challenging part was accepting the socket. Currently, there were no materials suitable for making the socket in the little medicine chest.
Xiao Heng, after visiting Empress Dowager Zhuang, left the palace directly without returning to Bishui Alley. Instead, he first went to the medical hall.
It was already night by this time, and the fragrance of meals wafted out of the medical hall. Classes in the neighboring women's academy had not started yet and it was still deserted. It seemed the medical hall was doing good business, with people coming and going.
Xiao Heng entered the lobby and asked Second Owner behind the counter, "Is Lord Xing still here?"
"He is, he is." Second Owner replied. He already knew that this Lord Xing was unexpectedly a second-rank Minister of the Ministry of Justice. He felt that the medical hall had become much more illustrious.
Xiao Heng wasn't a physician and didn't understand the treatment process much, so he didn't find it strange for the Ministry of Justice’s minister to be still here.
He went upstairs and saw Minister Xing and Physician Song in the innermost room.
Physician Song had already reset Minister Xing's arm, the reason he hadn't left yet was because Physician Song found other issues with him.
After carefully examining his pulse, Physician Song prescribed medicine and asked if Minister Xing wanted to take it back to brew himself or have it made into pills. The latter was more expensive but convenient.
With Minister Xing's wealth, he had no problem with the cost, so he had the medicine boy go and prepare it.
"Is it serious?" Xiao Heng asked Physician Song after understanding the situation.
Physician Song solemnly said, "Issues caused by drinking, if identified early, won't pose significant problems. In the future, pay more attention to diet, take more walks, adjust and balance eating habits, and most importantly..."
At this point, he looked at Minister Xing with particular seriousness, "Avoid alcohol."
Minister Xing, somewhat embarrassed, cleared his throat, "Not even a drop?"
He only had that little habit.
"Not even a drop!" Physician Song said decisively.
"Ah." Minister Xing sighed helplessly, "I've been drinking for half a lifetime, but now I’m suddenly not allowed to drink even a drop. Isn't that too cruel?"
Xiao Heng advised, "Physician Song is thinking for your well-being."
Minister Xing drooped his head and waved his hand dejectedly, "Alright, I won't drink then."
Physician Song looked at him and said, "Don't just say you won't drink; if you secretly drink after going back, I will know when I check your pulse next time."
This was Gu Jiao's catchphrase: whether you did it or not, I will know.
The physicians in the medical hall had all learned this, and it was quite effective on patients.
Minister Xing choked, thinking, can I not come to your medical hall next time?
Physician Song, seeing that Xiao Heng had something to say to Minister Xing, said after instructing all the precautions, "I'll go check on the pills." and then turned and went downstairs.
Minister Xing pointed to the table opposite, "Liulang, pour me something to drink."
Xiao Heng poured a cup of hot tea for Minister Xing. Minister Xing drank the large cup in one breath, "Another, another cup!"
He drank three cups in total before feeling that his throat wasn't as smoky.
"Was it me or him who kept on talking?"
Minister Xing, thinking about being lectured by Physician Song all afternoon, had a headache.
Xiao Heng didn't respond to that.
Minister Xing shook his head, dismissed Physician Song from his mind, and discussed business with Xiao Heng, "You went out for a while, did you find out anything?"
"The top courtesan from Heavenly Music House didn't die." Xiao Heng had already thought about what information he could reveal and what he couldn't on the way here.
Minister Xing was startled, "What? That girl named Mo Qianxue didn't die? Then why do they all say..."
Xiao Heng speculated, "The servant girls from Heavenly Music House probably made a mistake. As for Hua Xiyao, it's not surprising if she's just acting.”
Minister Xing furrowed his brows, "Acting? So, they're in cahoots?"
Xiao Heng nodded, "Yes."
Minister Xing slapped his thigh, "I knew there was something wrong with Heavenly Music House! They staged such a play together, what's their purpose?"
To deal with me, and deal with Gu Jiao.
This situation was set up not only for him but also for Gu Jiao. The mastermind behind it could be Heavenly Music House, or there might be other forces involved.
Xiao Heng hadn't told Minister Xing these things for the time being
Minister Xing asked, "Where is that courtesan now?"
Xiao Heng replied, "At this medical hall."
"This medical hall!" Minister Xing swiftly threw off the covers and got out of bed, "Which room?"
Xiao Heng said, "In a room in the backyard. She was severely injured at that time and was picked up by the physician of this medical hall. Since she is an important witness, let us not alarm her for now."
Minister Xing was puzzled, "Why did she end up being picked up by this medical hall's people? Was it intentional? Is there anything strange about this medical hall?"
Impressive logical reasoning, as expected from someone from the Ministry of Justice. However, Xiao Heng had no intention of informing him about the matter concerning Mo Qianxue targeting Gu Jiao, not because he doubted Minister Xing's character, but because the timing was not right.
Now was definitely not the best time to investigate Mo Qianxue.
Xiao Heng calmly said, "There isn’t anything strange about the medical hall itself, but it has a great reputation. Even Minister Xing yourself has come here. Other noble figures with headaches or fevers also come here. Perhaps she is here to watch someone."
Minister Xing mused, "What you're saying makes sense. Or maybe she simply wants to feign death and conceal her identity. This way, she can act in secret. After all, who would suspect a dead person? Then I'm curious, did the owner of Heavenly Music House really die? If not, where is this person? If he did die, who are they working for?"
There’s also the so-called Young Owner, Xiao Heng added inwardly.
Xiao Heng said, "My wife is also associated with this medical hall. I'll inform her to keep an eye on Mo Qianxue. As long as we watch her, we can always find some clues."
Minister Xing thought for a moment before saying, "Alright, do as you say. Tell your wife to be careful. Mo Qianxue is skilled."
Xiao Heng nodded, "I know."
Minister Xing asked again, "Is there anyone else who knows about these matters?"
"Empress Dowager Zhuang."
……
In the bedchamber of the Renshou Palace, Eunuch Qin softly called out to Empress Dowager Zhuang who was sitting by the window.
Empress Dowager Zhuang snapped back to attention and casually squeezed two candied fruits on her plate, asking, "What's the matter?"
Little Jing Kong was adept at reporting any wrongdoings. Whenever Empress Dowager Zhuang snuck a treat, he was the first to run to Gu Jiao and snitch. contemporary romance
Surprisingly this time, the little fellow sensed Empress Dowager Zhuang's low mood and discreetly gave her two candied fruits.
Eunuch Qin said, "It's nothing. Young Miss Gu instructed this old servant to make some ginseng soup for you before she left. Now that the soup is ready, shall I present it to Your Majesty?"
"Bring it over." Empress Dowager Zhuang said indifferently.
Eunuch Qin turned and picked up the ginseng soup from the tray carried by a young eunuch. He walked over and gently placed it on Empress Dowager Zhuang's table.
Empress Dowager Zhuang didn't move.
Eunuch Qin chuckled, "It's not too hot, drink it while it's still warm. It will cool down in a moment."
Empress Dowager Zhuang lazily picked up the ginseng soup and took a sip.
Eunuch Qin hesitated, "Young Miss Gu instructed us to use less salt, but doesn’t it taste a bit unpleasant?"
Empress Dowager Zhuang snorted, "Humph, if you haven't tasted the dishes cooked by Liulang, you're not qualified to say this tastes bad."
Eunuch Qin: "Erm..."
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