Messing with the Imperial Physician (3)

Xuanji tensed once more, causing him to stutter. His fingers never left Ning Lou's pulse, hoping for some changes. Swallowing the nervousness in his throat, he turned to Tang-Mama. "This… This…" He motioned for Tang-Mama to get closer again, trying to make the matter confidential as possible.

Tang-Mama immediately set forth and lent her ear to the Physician.

"Before this, did the Empress show any signs of vomiting blood or any liquid?"

Stiffening up, she glanced at the physician's face to confirm if she misheard it. Seeing the urgency on his face, she shook her head to refute. Just then, Tang-Mama only thought the Empress caught a cold from falling into the pond and nothing grave as much, so she couldn't understand what made the Physician serious.

"The Empress' pulse showed signs of being poisoned. It's getting weaker by the minute. Interrogate the people who were had closed contact with her, and asked if something unusual happened in the last five hours?"

Tang-Mama's breathing quickened after listening to the Physician, but she didn't make a fuss and dismissed the other mamas, leaving her, Xuanji, and the two maids; Xiao Qu and Xiao Yan.

Ning Lou inside was long bored from waiting, so she turned her attention to her newly acquired 'boobs'. Dammit, these pieces of meat would only get in my way, there are no benefits at all!

Back in the modern world, Ning Lou had an androgynous physique, which made swindling an easy feat. Whether it was changing identities, escaping through railings, Ning Lou's unique physique was proven advantageous.

She was currently immersed in herself that the sudden sound from outside startled her a little.

"Niang Niang did vomit blood. Nubi thought that Niang Niang was only pretending that time to escape. So, Nubi didn't tell the matter. Nubi ask for forgiveness, Tang-Mama. Nubi didn't know anything."

"Her Highness was perfectly fine a while ago. Her Highness even talked to us servants. Didn't she Yan'jie?" Xiao Qu was about to continue when she recalled the last sentence she said.

Xuanji continued, "Besides from vomiting blood, what else happened?" His questioned directed to Xiao Yan.

"Niang Niang's body was also in pain. But, Nubi really didn't know the matter about Niang Niang being ill." Xiao Qu started to tremble, hearing Xiao Yan's words.

"Tang-Mama, are we going to be in trouble?" The scared Xiao Qu was paled liked paper.

Tang-Mama calmed herself down and asked Imperial Physician Xuanji. "Imperial Physician Xuanji, we servants are at your service. What are the Imperial Physician's instructions?"

"Bring me a candle, I need to sterilize the needle. We need to confirm if it was indeed poison."

Xiao Yan hurriedly brought the candle and assisted Xuanji.

Ning Lou yawned and nodded, while taking note of the Physician's diagnosis. Weakening pulsation indicates being poisoned. Tapping the mattress with her fingers, Ning Lou thought of the next pulsation.

Again, for the third time, Ning Lou regulated the rhythm, stunning Xuanji in the process.

Xuanji lost hist footing and the needle on his hand grazed his robe. Dumbfounded and confused, he was unable to comprehend what was going on.

Tang-Mama bent and helped the Physician get on his feet. "Imperial Physician, the Empress is too young to die. Please do what you can to save the Empress. Anything you asked, this servant will report it to the Dowager. Rest assured, this servant will ask the Dowager for the access to the Imperial Treasury for any medicine, as long as the Empress lives."

Xuanji broke in sweat and sucked a large mouthful of air. I think I will be the one dead from constant heart attacks. This kind of pulse is impossible for any human being. Is the Empress being possessed, or is it what those bunch called 'black magic'? As someone who despises heretic practice, Xuanji couldn't believe his thoughts.

Xuanji stood and took the Empress' pulse again. During the third time, Ning Lou had her pulse beating regular then quickening. Xuanji dropped his Physician's hat in the corner, and wiped the long accumulated sweats on his forehead.

Over the course of four hours, the four looked disheveled and restless. Xuanji was the worst of the group. Having been concocting medicine after medicine and crushing plants with mortar. His blue robe was filled with stains and redolent smells.

Tang-Mama's knees were aching from the running all over the place, bringing what the Physician asked. The room was filled with different kinds of medicines and herbals plants. Water splattered on the floor and ceramics of all sizes disorganized on top of the cupboards and embellished tables.

Xiao Qu's one bun had come loosely and the green stains on her uniform were visible. Xiao Yan was no better, she lost one of her shoes on their way to the Imperial Treasury, the ends of her were also tattered and unkempt having accidentally fell on a mud pool.

Tang-Mama leaned herself on the wall due to exhaustion. Stretching her aching back, she forcefully lifted her feet and made her way to Xuanji at the foot of the bed, while bumping and stepping the mess. She was beyond impatient and irritated, after taking numerous turns from the Imperial Treasury all for the Physician to change his diagnosis every time Tang-Mama went back. She needed to put a stop to this!