Chapter 529: Vouching for Her

Chapter 529: Guaranteeing for Her

"I promise to make all the civil and military officials understand the Empress Dowager's hardships and win their heartfelt admiration."

Nanny An looked at Ji Yuntang with a satisfied smile. "Talking to a smart person saves so much effort."

"Doctor Yun is not only highly skilled in medicine, but also has a sweet tongue. I believe that once you accomplish this task well, you will soon become the Empress Dowager's trusted confidante. Then we can serve the Empress Dowager together!"

Ji Yuntang kept a smile on her face and said to Nanny An, "Of course. Being able to serve the Empress Dowager is a blessing I've earned over eight lifetimes."

But inside, she was seething: Her, serve that old hag? As if she deserved it!

She'd be doing her a favor by not killing her, let alone waiting on her hand and foot. They sure had some nerve.

Soon, Ji Yuntang and Nanny An arrived before the palace hall. From a distance, she could see a crowd of ministers swarming around Empress Dowager Yuan.

The Empress Dowager was slumped in her chair, out cold.

Nanny An walked over and immediately said, "Please make way, everyone. I have brought the doctor here. Let her examine the Empress Dowager first."

Upon hearing this, the ministers stepped aside. When some ministers saw how young Ji Yuntang was, they sneered.

"Nanny An, the Empress Dowager's body is precious and her status is extremely noble. Why didn't you call Imperial Physician Wei instead of bringing this young girl here?"

"If she ends up causing any harm to the Empress Dowager, can you take responsibility for that?"

Another minister chimed in, "Exactly. After what just happened with the Crown Prince, if anything happens to the Empress Dowager, what's to become of our Xishu Kingdom?"

"Nanny An, you should quickly send this girl away and summon Imperial Physician Wei to treat the Empress Dowager. That's what should be done."

"..."

The ministers took turns mocking Ji Yuntang. Shen Xiangming, standing nearby, had had enough. He stepped forward and said coldly, "You're all past fifty, yet you're still this narrow-minded?"

"You keep going on about Doctor Yun being too young and shouldn't treat the Empress Dowager. But who said being young means you can't heal people, or that your skills are worse than some old physician's?"

"Sure, Imperial Physician Wei is older, but he's been treating her forever and hasn't cured her headaches yet."

"If you truly care about the Empress Dowager's health, stop making snide comments and make way for Doctor Yun to treat her. If you delay her treatment, can you handle the consequences?"

At that, nearly all the ministers stared at Shen Xiangming in shock.

Because as far as they knew, Shen Xiangming was never one to talk much.

He was arrogant, hot-tempered, and kept to himself. He was used to doing his own thing in court and never stepped forward to defend anyone.

But just now, he actually stood up for some young girl and tore into all these big-shot ministers.

This embarrassed some ministers.

A minister over sixty stepped forward and protested, "General Shen, I don't appreciate you talking like that!"

"We're just looking out for the Empress Dowager's health! This girl is a total stranger—none of us have ever laid eyes on her. Who knows if she's a spy who snuck into the palace from outside?"

"How can we be so reckless with the Empress Dowager's life?"

Shen Xiangming's face went cold. He said in a deep voice, "Prime Minister Zhang, Doctor Yun is no spy. She's an honored guest of our Zhenguo General's residence."

"A few days ago, my daughter accidentally fell into the water. We summoned both palace physicians and doctors from outside the palace to treat her, but none could cure her. Luckily, Doctor Yun showed up in time and saved her. My daughter woke up and was out of danger."

"I'd stake my life on her medical skills. If Doctor Yun can't cure the Empress Dowager, I'll take my own life to make up for it."

The ministers were speechless.

The ministers were stunned.

No one expected Shen Xiangming to go this far for Ji Yuntang.

Even Ji Yuntang herself was deeply shocked.

She only knew Shen Xiangming because of Hua Feixue. Even for treating Shen Shiran, she had accepted ten thousand taels of gold as payment.

But just now, she could tell he wasn't kidding.

Ji Yuntang's feelings were all over the place. She was confident in her skills, but she couldn't stand the thought of a near-stranger betting their life on her.

That was too much pressure!

Just as Ji Yuntang was about to say something, Nanny An stepped forward.

"Enough, everyone, stop arguing. Doctor Yun was personally summoned by me on the Empress Dowager's orders from the Zhenguo General's Mansion. She is now the Empress Dowager's personal imperial physician."

"Her medical skills have been recognized by the Empress Dowager. The Empress Dowager's headache condition has already improved under her treatment. Now, are you all reassured?"

The ministers looked somewhat embarrassed and turned to Ji Yuntang one by one to apologize.

"Doctor Yun, I'm truly sorry. This old minister failed to recognize your worth. Please be magnanimous and don't hold it against me."

Another minister with graying hair said, "Doctor Yun has gained the Empress Dowager's appreciation at such a young age. Truly, the younger generation is formidable. You're far better than us old bones. Please don't take our words to heart!"

He laughed heartily after speaking, and Ji Yuntang smiled along. "You gentlemen are joking. You are my elders, and I am your junior. How could I possibly be angry with you?"

"If you have no more objections to me, please make way. I need to take the Empress Dowager's pulse."

The smug looks on their faces disappeared, and they awkwardly shuffled out of the way.

Ji Yuntang then stepped forward to take Empress Dowager Yuan's pulse.

While taking her pulse, she caught a glimpse of a red mark on the Empress Dowager's neck.

Most of it was hidden by her collar, but a little bit was still showing. Ji Yuntang had a sudden idea and a plan took shape in her head.

Continuing to take the pulse, she said, "The Empress Dowager has kidney-yang deficiency, and her pulse is thin and fast. This is a case of too much yang and not enough yin. She just needs to boost her yang and warm her kidneys."

"Also, her tongue has a white coating and she's breathing fast. This means she was overworked last night and completely drained. Add in some emotional stress, and that's why she passed out."

"No worries. I'll just stick a few needles in her chest, and she'll wake right up!"

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