Chinese monarch system

  The next evening, Shi Daoren indeed brought back a tall and thin old man. In order not to let others know, he was accompanied by this person each time he took the horse carriage in through the back door, and then went directly to Liu Bian's study.

  The imperial physician's name was Zhao Tingde, and he came from a family of imperial physicians that dated back to his grandfather's generation. His hair and beard were flecked with white, his face was lined with wrinkles, and his eyes had lost some of their luster.

  "This humble official Zhao Tingde pays his respects to Your Highness."

  "Dispense with the formalities, please get up and sit down." Liu Bian helped Shi Daoren to help Zhao Yuanyi up, gave him a seat, and smiled at him: "I've long heard that Mr. Zhao's medical skills are profound, among the imperial physicians in the palace, he is the best, today I see you, Mr. Zhao, and indeed feel admiration."

  "Your Highness is overpraising me, but I don't know why you summoned me here, what instructions do you have?"

  "Master Zhao is a royal physician, and I called you over naturally to have you help me with my illness."

  "What's wrong with the prince?"

  "This king's here is uncomfortable." Liu Bian pointed to his own chest and continued, "Yesterday, the emperor had a banquet for all officials, preparing to discuss the establishment of the crown prince. I suppose Lord Zhao has also heard about it? This king has been feeling uncomfortable since returning from the banquet."

  "With all due respect, Your Highness, this is a case of lovesickness."

  "Not bad, Lord Zhao has spoken extremely correctly. This king indeed has a heart disease, I wonder if Lord Zhao has any good medicine?"

  "This, Your Highness, a heart disease requires medicine for the heart to be cured. I'm afraid we don't have the kind of medicine you need here. So, it's a case of having the will but not the power." Zhao Tingde, although only an imperial physician, understood Liu Bian's thoughts as there was also intrigue and competition among the imperial physicians in the palace.

  "Is that so? I was planning to let Lord Zhao take charge of the Imperial Hospital as the Chief Imperial Physician once I recover from my illness, but it seems he has no such intention. In that case, I'll have to find someone else."

  Liu Bian had already understood the situation from Shi Daoren, and Zhao Tingde was currently competing with another imperial physician for the position of chief imperial physician. He was eager to become the chief because his grandfather and father had both held the position in the past, and he was now over 50 years old. If he couldn't become the chief this time, he would likely never have the opportunity again, which would be a loss of face for him when meeting his ancestors.

  "Director Zhao, the Prince hasn't even asked you to do anything yet, why are you so quick to refuse? We've known each other for over a decade now, when have I ever wronged you? Now that the eldest prince is about to become the crown prince, if you support him, you'll be an elder statesman from then on. Once the eldest prince ascends to the throne, what glory and wealth won't be yours for the taking? Who knows how many people envy this opportunity?"

  Shi Daoren was also on the side, persuading Zhao Tingde with all his might. Liu Bian didn't say much, took out a package and opened it in front of Zhao Tingde. Inside were all gold, pearls and other treasures, making Zhao Tingde's eyes shine brightly at once.

  This was Liu Bian's second weakness against Zhao Tingde. After learning that Zhao Tingde was a greedy person, he exchanged these gold, silver and jewels, which were worth a city when combined, and couldn't help but move Zhao Tingde's heart.

  "This, this, Your Highness is so generous, I will certainly do my best to serve you, but what is the medicine that Your Highness desires?"

  "The Emperor's hesitation in appointing me as the Crown Prince is all because of the influence of that woman Wang Meiren on him. But now, I've heard that Wang Meiren has fallen ill with a strange disease, and even the Emperor hasn't visited her palace for a long time. I wonder what kind of strange illness she's contracted?"

  "Since the king asked, the king must have known that I was treating Wang Meiren's illness. I won't hide it from the king either. Wang Meiren has a gynecological disease, her lower body is already festering and suppurating. How can the emperor still go to her? Of course, the king may not know what a gynecological disease is. In fact, it means that the woman's body inside is rotten, some are completely rotten, extremely disgusting, no one wants to see their appearance, no matter how beautiful they look. So even if Wang Meiren recovers from her illness in the future, I'm afraid the emperor won't touch her again."

  "I see. However, although I don't know what illness she has, hearing you describe her suffering is unbearable, so I hope you can think of a way to alleviate her pain."

  "Your Highness, it's hard to alleviate her suffering. Although some medicines can numb people's senses, they don't have much effect on her illness. If we really want to reduce her pain, it would be better for her to die and end it thoroughly." Zhao Tingde said bluntly.

  "Heh heh, Lord Zhao is indeed clever. This method can indeed bring a lasting solution, and she should be grateful to you for it. So I'll leave this matter in your hands, Lord Zhao. You must make sure it takes effect within ten days."

  "Don't worry, Your Highness. I always plan carefully before acting and will definitely help her thoroughly alleviate her suffering within ten days, which is also a good deed."

  "After the task is accomplished, there will be a heavy reward, and you will also become the Imperial Chief Physician."

  Zhao Tingde hugged a bag of treasure and took a horse-drawn carriage, quietly leaving the Shi mansion under the cover of night, while secretly rejoicing in his heart that he had achieved his lifelong goal.

  At the same time as Liu Bian's actions, Empress He also took action and bribed a palace maid in Wang Meiren's palace. She was specifically responsible for brewing medicine and serving Wang Meiren, and her family members were also in Luoyang City. So when Empress He mentioned her family members, she agreed to everything.

  Over the next three days, Wang Meiren's condition suddenly worsened, with her ulcers becoming more severe and emitting a foul odor that made even the eunuchs and palace maids reluctant to approach her.

  The Emperor of Ling had originally planned to come over and take a look at her after the morning court session, but as soon as he walked to the gate of the palace, he smelled a foul odor and hastily turned around and left. Moreover, he made a vow in his heart that he would never come to see her again.

  "See the Emperor."

  Just then, Imperial Physician Zhao Tingde came out from inside and saw the Emperor. He hastily stepped forward to pay his respects, and the Emperor looked at him before asking: "Zhao Gong, what is going on with Wang Meiren's illness?"

  "Returning to Your Majesty, the Queen's illness is a rare and strange disease, even in medical books it is rarely seen. I have been practicing medicine for decades and this is my first encounter with such an illness. Moreover, the condition has worsened, and it is feared that it will be difficult to cure. Please forgive me, Your Majesty, all the imperial physicians at the Imperial Hospital have collectively diagnosed her, but no one has a solution."

  "Alas, beauty is indeed short-lived."

  The Emperor sighed, waved his hand to let Zhao Tingde leave, and then turned around to head towards the Ning'an Palace. He planned to spend the night at the Ning'an Palace tonight, after all, Empress He's body was also one of his obsessions.

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