All the doctors looked ashen. They had never imagined that after practicing medicine for decades, they would encounter such a bizarre case.
Xiao Xiao, on the side, had already grown impatient. Looking at the doctors' expressions, she had a rough idea in mind.
"So you simply can't figure out why the Empress Dowager has fallen into a coma, right?"
The leading doctor, who was the most skilled in the entire Jincheng, shook his head helplessly.
"Auntie, our medical skills are still insufficient. None of us can tell the reason for the Empress Dowager's coma. I heard that the Empress Dowager has an acquaintance with the divine doctor. Why not invite the divine doctor to take a look? It would at least give us some clarity."
Looking at Doctor Li, who was respected as a master by others, Xiao Xiao gritted her teeth.
"If the divine doctor could come now, I wouldn't have summoned you incompetent quacks."
She spoke bluntly without sparing anyone's feelings, which made the doctors present feel embarrassed.
Although the leading doctor still spoke politely, there was less respect in his eyes.
"Medical skills vary in proficiency. How can you judge all of us to be quacks just based on one patient? Auntie should watch her words. After all, the Emperor is not here at the moment. Only us so - called quacks can save the Empress Dowager."
Hearing Doctor Li's words, her gaze turned cold.
"So you're threatening me? Do you think I'll be scared by your empty threats?"
If Doctor Li were a stove, he would probably be smoking from all seven orifices by now.
It had to be said that Xiao Xiao was really sharp - tongued.
He waved his sleeve, showing his usual arrogance, and was reluctant to stay any longer.
"Since Auntie doesn't trust our medical skills, there's no point for us to stay. We'll take our leave."
He led the other doctors and was about to leave, but was stopped at the door by several shadow guards who suddenly appeared.
Seeing this, Doctor Li clenched his fists.
"Does Auntie want to kill us? Don't forget, this is not the capital city of Changjing."
"Yes, although this is not Changjing, it is still the Great Liang. I'm sure you don't need me to remind you whose surname the royal family bears, right?"
"So what? We've always been honest and upright. We won't be intimidated by such words."
"If you can't figure out the Empress Dowager's illness today, not only you but also your families may not see the sunrise tomorrow."
Doctor Li's eyes widened. He had never been threatened like this before.
"You! You simply don't put the law in your eyes."
"My mistress is on the verge of death. Whoever wants to abide by that so - called law can do so."
Xiao Xiao's desperate attitude scared Doctor Li. He had no choice but to soften his tone.
"Auntie Xiao, we've never seen a disease like the Empress Dowager's. We really don't know how to treat it. There may be only a few people in the world who can."
"So you're just going to watch the Empress Dowager die? Don't forget that after the Empress Dowager came to Jincheng, she did a lot of good deeds. It's all thanks to the Empress Dowager that your children can go to school."
They of course wouldn't forget such kindness, but their abilities were limited. They couldn't just administer medicine regardless of the Empress Dowager's safety. If something went wrong with the Empress Dowager, they would still lose their lives. After hearing Doctor Li's words, Xiao Xiao looked dejected.
"Is there really no way? My mistress has finally come this far."
Hearing her words, Doctor Li suddenly remembered something.
"Actually, it's not entirely hopeless. According to ancient books, if several Chinese herbal medicines are combined, they can sustain a person's life. However, this prescription has never been tried before, and we don't know if it will have any other adverse effects."
Xiao Xiao understood his implication. They could first use this Chinese herbal medicine to sustain Shi Muwǎn's life while she went to invite the divine doctor. Once the divine doctor arrived, her mistress would surely be fine.
After careful consideration for a moment, she gritted her teeth and agreed.
But Qin Feng, who had just rushed over, tried to dissuade her: "Auntie, why don't you think it over carefully? I've also heard of this prescription. The process is extremely painful. I'm not sure if the Empress Dowager, being so noble, can bear it."
Xiao Xiao looked into his eyes, and exhaustion suddenly appeared in them.
"I don't have any other choices now, do I? As long as there's a glimmer of hope, I'll seize it. The Empress Dowager is still waiting for the young master to return."
After saying that, she ordered someone to prepare for it.
Qin Feng looked at her busy profile and finally said after a long time:
"Since it's your choice, I'm willing to share the responsibility with you."
The two looked at each other. Xiao Xiao seemed to be burned and quickly averted her gaze, blushing.
Just like this, Shi Muwǎn took the ancient prescription. Doctor Li arranged for some doctors to take turns watching over her. After a day passed and it was confirmed that she had no adverse reactions, Doctor Li led his men back.
"If there's anything wrong, miss, feel free to come to my mansion."
"Thank you. I'm sorry for my rudeness to Doctor Li before. I hope you can understand."
"Don't worry."
As soon as Xiao Xiao turned around, she saw a disheveled man.
A man as elegant and calm as Cui Qizhou actually dressed like this one day. It was really astonishing.
She closed her mouth and blocked the door.
"I wonder what the purpose of the National Teacher's visit is?"
The man craned his neck to look inside and didn't notice the disgust in her eyes at all.
"Of course, it's to see your mistress. I heard that the Empress Dowager has fallen into a coma. No matter what, shouldn't you let me go in and take a look?"
"The Empress Dowager needs to rest. The doctors have already instructed us. It's better for the National Teacher to wait until the Empress Dowager wakes up if you have anything to say."
Even though she tried to stop him, the man was insistent, and she couldn't stop him in the end.
Cui Qizhou rushed into the room and saw the girl on the bed with her eyes tightly closed, looking lifeless. His heart ached as if being pricked by needles.
He finally managed to suppress those feelings: "Why did the Empress Dowager suddenly become like this? Did you encounter assassins when you went out?"
"No. The doctors haven't been able to figure out the specific reason. National Teacher, it's better for you to go back first. Your health is not good. If my mistress wakes up and sees you like this, she may scold me."
"No need. Go and get me a set of clothes. I'll change and stay here to watch over the Empress Dowager."
These words left Xiao Xiao stunned. There was a hint of disbelief in her eyes.
"Men and women should keep a proper distance, and our statuses are different. If the National Teacher does this, people may spread rumors about my mistress. Please go back. I'll take good care of my mistress."