A Foodie Transmigrated into the Palace

Zhao Qichen had already forgotten how long it took him to recover.

Even though he didn’t understand medicine, he was still clear about what the symptoms of tuberculosis meant.

Seeing two venerable old physicians terrified by him, he supported his feeble arms and gestured for them to stand up.

Li Deming stepped forward to help the two old physicians up and stood by their side.

Looking at them, Zhao Qichen finally took a long breath, bracing himself to ask the question he feared the most.

”Approximately...how much time is left?”

Silence.

Death-like silence.

The two physicians looked at each other, thinking the Emperor was the one sick, they knelt down again.

”Your Majesty, solely relying on the pulse case is not accurate; if possible, it’s best to personally have a pulse diagnosis for a conclusive judgment!”

Zhao Qichen was in difficulty.

Would his father and mother, who kept it so tightly under wraps, be willing to come for a pulse diagnosis?

Moreover, they hid it from him with good intentions; revealing it would ruin their painstaking efforts.

He shook his head with a wry smile.

”The patient cannot come!”

Oh, so it wasn’t the Emperor who was sick! But why did his face appear so pale?

The two old physicians had no choice but to tremble and stand again.

”It’s fine; just give an approximate estimate,” Zhao Qichen added.

The two slightly nodded, exchanged opinions, and then solemnly spoke.

”Reporting to Your Majesty, in the humble opinion of a commoner, the patient’s symptoms are relatively mild; with attention to rest and timely medication, using the best medicine, three to five years should be manageable!”

Upon hearing the words, Zhao Qichen closed his eyes.

Three to five years...

Judging by the physician’s tone, three to five years is already quite long; after all, this disease is an incurable one.

But to him, it’s not enough, far from enough!

His heart ached as if being cut by a knife, and he couldn’t breathe.

The two old physicians dared not say more and kept their heads down.

In fact, they considered three to five years as long, surviving so long with this disease was already a miracle.

Among commoners, having this disease and being gone within a year or two is quite normal!

However, whether it’s three to five years or one or two, having a loved one suffer from this disease is heart-wrenching, which is only human.

After a long while, Zhao Qichen waved his hand.

”Li Deming, reward them well, and see them out!”

Li Deming understood and, after saluting, escorted the two out.

Each received a pouch of a hundred taels of silver, along with solemn instructions.

”Keep your lips sealed tight, and it’ll be as if nothing happened!”

”If there’s any leakage, the whole family will be buried!”

The two physicians were terrified, thanking for the reward and hurriedly departing.

They wouldn’t dare to leak any news, even with a hundred lives!

...

Upon returning, Li Deming saw the Emperor had risen and was standing by the window with folded arms.

He cautiously stepped forward to offer counsel.

”Your Majesty...”

”Out!”

The Emperor was irritable.

Li Deming touched his nose, alright, this servant shall leave.

...

The floods in Guangnan, his father’s illness, and other court affairs all combined like a massive net, draining all his passion and leaving him breathless.

That night, he tossed and turned, sleepless.

With thoughts swirling in his mind, he finally decided to summon the Imperial Physician.

Whatever method or medicine it took, as long as his father could live comfortably and less painfully, he was willing to try.

Once the decision was made, the implementation was easier.

After the court session.

He didn’t summon any ministers nor review memorials.

He just picked a few names of Imperial Physicians, had Li Deming call them over, and then sealed off the Eastern Palace completely.

In the study.

Five or six Imperial Physicians knelt in a row; Zhao Qichen stood above them.

He scanned them sharply, again and again, until the physicians were utterly frightened.

He finally spoke.

”I know you have things hidden from me!”

”But I don’t blame you; today... I have some questions for you!”

”Rest assured, I won’t make things too difficult for you!!”

The Imperial Physicians knew what the Emperor was referring to, terrified but unable to admit it.

Between the Taishang Huang and the Empress Dowager on one side and the current Emperor on the other, offending neither was possible.

They chose to remain silent, quietly kneeling and waiting for the Emperor’s questions.

”What is the cause of tuberculosis?” Zhao Qichen posed the first question.

This question was easy to answer.

One physician quickly provided a straightforward reply.

”Reporting to Your Majesty, tuberculosis is not contracted overnight; it’s typically accumulated from years of overwork combined with improper care during harsh winters and intense summers, gradually leading to this condition!”

Indeed, caused by years of excessive labor!

Father, you truly devoted your entire life to the Great Chu Dynasty.

Zhao Qichen’s gaze was filled with intense heartbreak, yet his face remained as calm as ever.

”Besides using the best medicine, what other ways can make the patient more comfortable?”

This question was simple too.

Another physician promptly stepped forward.

”Reporting to Your Majesty, tuberculosis damages the heart and lungs; as long as the patient stays calm and rested, visits scenic places, and maintains a tranquil state of mind, it would benefit the patient!”

Zhao Qichen relaxed.

He had already abandoned the hope of curing, as long as his father and mother are happy and comfortable, he is satisfied.

”I understand!”

Lastly, he inquired about a few other matters and let the physicians leave.

Before they left, his gaze suddenly turned sharp.

”If today’s matter leaks even half a word!”

The group of physicians quickly kowtowed deeply to express their stance.

”Rest assured, Your Majesty, nothing happened today!”

Zhao Qichen waved his hand contentedly.

”You may leave!”

...

After spending two days to finally understand everything, Zhao Qichen felt no joy, rather filled with worries.

His father’s condition, besides his mother, was likely only known to him.

Henger and Yeye who went traveling were still missing.

Yue Er just had a child, established her own family.

She seemed to be soaking in happiness, abruptly pulling her out might be too cruel!

After a round of considerations, Zhao Qichen sighed deeply.

’Forget it, since Father has made a decision, let’s respect it!’

”What are you thinking?”

As the words lingered, a pair of broad hands was already placed on his shoulders.

Turning his head, Zhao Qichen saw his father standing behind him, looking at him with concern.

He was startled, quickly adjusting his expression to show a natural smile.

”Nothing, just...”

”Still worrying about Guangnan?”

Zhao Junyao had already sat in the chair beside him, pouring and drinking tea on his own.

He wanted to cough, fortunately a cup of tea eased it a lot, he held it back, and Chenchen didn’t notice.

Zhao Qichen glanced at the cup in his father’s hand, the smile was a bit forced.

”Yes, the floods in Guangnan, countless civilians lost their lives, became homeless...”

While speaking, he discreetly placed another pot of hot tea in front of his father.

Drinking hot would be better for his health.