Painting Doctor Jinhua

Chapter 160: Fame Again

Gao Changgong hesitated for a moment before answering, "Your Majesty has found the person who forged the imperial edict. It was Lu Yi, the official of the Imperial Guard. Your Majesty has caned him in front of me and demoted Han Changluan from his position as the governor. You have asked them to atone for their sins by taking official positions!"

Hearing this, Xiao Jinyu smiled teasingly.

"It is true. Gao Zhan's favoritism towards He Shikai is even greater than Chen Xu's partiality towards his relatives!"

Gao Changgong could not help but feel worried: "Ayu, before Gao Zhan ascended the throne, Zhaojun Wang Gao Rui and my elder brother Gao Xiaoyu were both good friends with him, but after he ascended the throne, he favored He Shikai more than the royal family members.

My elder brother Gao Xiaoyu was defeated in the fight with He Shikai and was slandered and framed to death by this treacherous official. I am still worried about you..."

"Don't be afraid, Chang Gong. Xie Zhen is not a member of the royal family and has no military power. He will not be feared by the emperor of your Qi State!"

As she spoke, she put her arms around his neck again. Her tone was very firm, which calmed Gao Changgong's slightly confused heart a little.

"There is one more thing I want to explain to you, but don't be angry!"

"Okay, tell me!"

"When I went to see His Majesty, Zheng Daozhong, the head of the Zheng family, also came to see His Majesty. He asked His Majesty to grant me Zheng Yue in marriage, so that I could follow the example of Jia Chong in the Jin Dynasty and have two wives... However, I refused on the spot!"

Having said that, pity appeared in his eyes, and he touched the arrow mark on her face again. After taking the antidote, the red rash on her face disappeared, but the arrow mark remained.

"Ayu, I won't let anyone make you unhappy. You've suffered so much in the past, and I won't let you suffer any injustice or hardship in the future!"

After saying that, he asked Ah Xiu to take the ointment made by Xiao Jinyu and carefully apply it to the scars on her face.

After applying it, he held her in his arms again.

As if every moment with her was extremely cherished and cherished, Xiao Jinyu leaned on his chest, felt his nervousness and worry, and asked: "Chang Gong, did His Majesty say anything else to you?"

Gao Changgong was a little stunned. Thinking of Gao Zhan's face that was extremely frivolous due to excessive drinking and sex, he asked him half-jokingly: "Changgong, is your princess really disfigured? Or are you deliberately hiding it from me? I asked you to go on a diplomatic mission to Southern Chen and bring me one or two southern beauties. Why did you keep them all to yourself?"

He was very angry at the time and only said: "Ayu is my wife, I hope Your Majesty will be careful with your words and show respect!"

Gao Zhan's face turned black on the spot, but he still suppressed his anger, laughed it off, and let him leave Zhaoyang Palace.

But he knew that perhaps in Gao Zhan's heart, he had been included in the emperor's assassination list!

Facing Xiao Jinyu's question, Gao Changgong just shook his head and smiled, kissed her cheek, and said, "Nothing, Gao Zhan said your paintings are very good, he hung your painting of the night banquet at Bingjingtai in his bedroom, and he would look at it for several hours every day."

"Really? I hope he can see it. I also hope he can find his own conscience from the painting..."

……

At this time, in the emperor's bedroom, Gao Zhan had just lost his temper and the palace maids were still somewhat silent.

He Shikai played the pipa for him and even danced the Hu Xuan dance to make the emperor smile.

"Your Majesty, please don't be angry. Gao Changgong is so ungrateful and arrogant. Why not just..."

Gao Zhan waved his hand, signaling him to shut up, and looked at the painting of a night banquet at Bingjingtai hanging on the wall. He had been looking at this painting for a whole day, and he never got tired of it. The more he looked at it, the more he was immersed in it. Even He Shikai's Pipa and Hu Xuan Dance lost its appeal.

He Shikai was a little unhappy and asked, "Your Majesty, is this painting really that beautiful?"

"It's really beautiful. I don't know why, but looking at this painting, I feel like crying."

"Why is this?"

"This painting reminds me of my father, brothers, and all the loved ones around me.

Back when my father was a powerful official in the Eastern Wei Dynasty, he fought in many battles. During a siege of Yubi, he met Wei Xiaokuan, the most famous general of the Western Wei Dynasty. My father had never met an opponent in his life, but he lost to Wei Xiaokuan in this battle and became ill due to worry and anger, and eventually died of illness.

My elder brother Gao Cheng was assassinated on the eve of Emperor Wei's abdication. He was only 29 years old when he died.

My second elder brother, Gao Yang, built a 4,000-li Great Wall, set up 25 border towns, and repeatedly defeated the Turks and Khitans. But later on, he became violent and bloodthirsty, and eventually died suddenly from excessive drinking. He was only 34 years old when he died.

There is also my sixth brother Gao Yan, who set up many granaries and made great efforts to cultivate land, but unfortunately he died young at the age of 27!

Sometimes I wonder if the heirs to the throne of my Gao family are cursed by heaven and destined to not live past the age of forty?"

At this point, Gao Zhan started coughing violently because of a sip of strong liquor he had just drunk. He already suffered from asthma and was very fond of drinking. Originally, there was a famous doctor like Xu Zhicai who treated him. However, Xu Zhicai said that the cause of his illness was "excessive lust and severe weakness", and repeatedly advised him to quit drinking and sex, which made Gao Zhan very unhappy. In addition, He Shikai slandered Xu Zhicai in his ears as disrespectful, so he simply demoted Xu Zhicai and sent him to another place.

There is no imperial physician around him who can surpass Xu Zhicai.

Seeing Gao Zhan coughing, He Shikai stroked his chest and back while advising him with tears in his eyes: "Your Majesty, don't be sad. You were born with wisdom teeth, which means you are a wise and long-lived person. You are not a celestial being, but a celestial emperor. You are different from Emperor Wenxuan and Emperor Xiaozhao. You will definitely live a long life!"

Gao Zhan started laughing. He always enjoyed these flattering words from He Shikai, and he felt particularly cheerful after hearing them.

Seeing that he was happy, He Shikai lowered his voice and said, "However, Your Majesty, I feel that if this painting makes Your Majesty unhappy, it is not a good painting. And Your Majesty, don't you think that the Princess of Lanling deliberately painted me very small?"

Gao Zhan looked at the painting again and said with a smile, "Yes, Yan Tong is a little smaller, but that's because you are behind me, so it's nothing strange!"

"Your Majesty, this Princess Lanling is calling me a villain!"

Gao Zhan couldn't help but burst out laughing after hearing this.

"She's just a little woman, Yan Tong, don't bother with her."

He Shikai lowered his head and said nothing.

The smile on Gao Zhan's face suddenly disappeared.

"If this woman is really hiding her appearance as you said, then what should I do? Today I just tested her and asked Chang Gong to marry the Zheng family's daughter as his right wife, but he was unwilling. It seems that he really has feelings for this Xiao family girl!"

"Your Majesty, in my opinion..."

"I know what you are going to say. You can't hide the fact of forging the imperial edict from me. Although it was not done by you, it may not be your intention. I have found a scapegoat for you to appease his heart, but let's not discuss killing him for now. There will be a war between Qi and Zhou. Even if Gao Changgong dies, it must be after Qi severely damages the Zhou army!

Compared to the Xianbei nobles Duan Shao and Hulugu, I feel more at ease using him!"

Duan Shao is the nephew of Empress Dowager Lou, and now serves as Grand Marshal. He is in charge of military affairs and participates in state affairs. His reputation is well-known in the court and the country. He is also very good at strategy and is deeply loved by the officers and soldiers.

Hulugu was also a very noble minister with outstanding achievements. He commanded the troops and never killed people indiscriminately. All the generals and soldiers were willing to die for him.

Like Wei Xiaokuan of Northern Zhou, these two people were the mainstay of Northern Qi.

However, Gao Zhan was extremely afraid of his high position and power.

He Shikai's heart suddenly jumped, and then he realized that what Gao Zhan feared most were Duan Shao and Hulugu, and Gao Changgong was just a chess piece he wanted to support to compete with these Xianbei nobles.

So even if he was unhappy now, it was impossible for him to kill Gao Changgong immediately.

He almost went against the emperor's wishes.

Seeing that he was silent, Gao Zhan suddenly asked again: "By the way, how is my mother now?"

He benefited from the will passed down by Empress Dowager Lou to become emperor, but at the same time, Empress Dowager Lou made great use of Xianbei nobles and stubbornly held on to military and political power, which restricted his power as the emperor. He didn't know whether he felt more grateful or hated this mother.

As soon as Gao Zhan finished his question, a eunuch came to report: "Your Majesty, the Queen Mother is critically ill. All the imperial doctors from the Imperial Medical Bureau have arrived. Please go to Chongde Palace in the North Palace!"

Ever since Empress Dowager Lou fell ill, Gao Zhan no longer allowed her to participate in court affairs and placed her in Chongde Palace in the North Palace, far away from the Imperial Palace in the South City.

When Gao Zhan heard the word "critically ill" at this moment, he was actually a little happy in his heart, but for the sake of showing filial piety, he still brought He Shikai and a group of imperial guards to Empress Dowager Lou's Chongde Palace.

It took a long journey in the imperial sedan chair before they arrived at the Chongde Hall in the North Palace.

"What's the matter?" He asked impatiently as he entered the hall.

All the imperial doctors shook their heads, and the leading imperial doctor said solemnly: "I'm afraid it's already..."

"Then let the Ministry of Rites take charge of the Empress Dowager's funeral!" Gao Zhan answered decisively.

The imperial doctors all nodded in agreement, not daring to go against his wishes.

At this time, an eunuch outside the door came to report: "Your Majesty, Prince Lanling has brought his princess to treat the Queen Mother!"

"What? Prince Lanling brought his princess to see the Queen Mother?" He Shikai asked in surprise.

Gao Zhan was also somewhat surprised and rebuked:

"Nonsense! The person is already dead. How can a woman like her cure any disease? Let Lanling Wang take her back!"

"Your Majesty, I have heard some rumors in the South that this girl from the Xiao family has threatened in Southern Chen that she will not save anyone unless they are doomed to die! Why not let him come and take a look!" pleaded the leading imperial physician.

Gao Zhan glanced at him, then at the other imperial doctors, and at Empress Dowager Lou who was lying on the couch with her eyes closed. At this moment, even the old woman beside her knelt down and begged, "Your Majesty, please let Princess Lanling have a try. Even if it means letting the Empress Dowager live a few more days, it will help spread your reputation for filial piety and virtue far and wide!"

Gao Zhan was very unhappy. He hated it most that these people used filial piety to kidnap him. But since he had already said it, he couldn't really ignore it. It was just a try, so he might as well!

"Then let her come in and try!"

After the emperor's order was passed out of the palace, Prince Lanling brought Xiao Jinyu to Chongde Hall.

Xiao Jinyu bowed to Gao Zhan, then came to Empress Dowager Lou's bedside and took her pulse.

After a long time, amid the curiosity and expectation of the imperial doctors, Xiao Jinyu only raised her head and said, "Your Majesty, please step aside for a moment. I want to give you acupuncture treatment!"

Seeing that Emperor Gao Zhan was puzzled, Gao Changgong added: "Your Majesty, when Ah Yu is treating someone, she needs to concentrate fully and must not be disturbed!"

"Okay, I'll let them all go out now!"

No matter how unhappy Gao Zhan was, he walked out of the bedroom with the imperial doctors and waited in the hall outside the palace.

This wait lasted for almost two hours, and the imperial doctors were all a little tired.

"I wonder if the Princess of Lanling is really as skilled in medicine as the rumors say, and can bring the dead back to life!"

"No matter how skilled the doctor is, Empress Dowager Lou's health has reached the point where... I'm afraid..."

Several imperial doctors were sighing and discussing when they saw Prince Lanling striding out with his princess in his arms, looking nervous.

"Help me check, how is she now?"

The leading imperial physician came over and took the pulse of Xiao Jinyu who had fallen into a deep sleep.

"Prince, the princess feels weak and cold. This is due to her weak Qi! Could it be because she treated the Queen Mother just now..."

"Just tell me how to cure it."

"Okay, I will prescribe a prescription for you, Prince. Just take good care of yourself!"

The leading doctor, Dr. Sun, went to write a prescription, while the other imperial doctors asked curiously:

"How is the Queen Mother?"

"Yes, how is the Queen Mother? Why hasn't she woken up yet? She just collapsed by herself?"

Gao Changgong no longer had the heart to answer their questions. After Doctor Sun finished writing the prescription, he took it in his hands and strode out of the hall holding Xiao Jinyu.

Just as he stepped out of the Chongde Hall, Gao Zhan shouted, "Wait a minute—"

Immediately, he walked in front of Gao Changgong and raised his hand to reach out to Xiao Jinyu's face which was half covered by the black hair.

Gao Changgong dodged immediately: "What is your majesty going to do?"

Gao Zhan paused in mid-air, his face changed drastically. At this moment, the maidservants in the Queen Mother's bedroom cheered: "The Queen Mother has woken up! The Queen Mother has really been cured!"

alright?

Gao Zhan frowned and walked towards the Queen Mother's bedroom. When he looked back after taking a few steps, Gao Changgong had already run out of the hall with his princess in his arms and got into the carriage.

Gao Zhan looked suspicious and immediately called He Shikai over. He whispered something in his ear before stepping into the Empress Dowager's bedroom.

If he had seen correctly, the red spots that had originally covered half of the Southern Dynasty woman's face had all disappeared, right?

……

After returning to Prince Lanling's Mansion, Gao Changgong immediately called Fenghuang and A Xiu to get and boil medicine for Xiao Jinyu, while he stayed by Xiao Jinyu's side all the time.

"Prince, what happened to the princess?" Lu Yu asked worriedly after seeing this.

"I don't know why, but every time she treats someone with a serious illness, she becomes very weak and falls asleep. This is the second time I've seen her like this!"

"If that's the case, then we can't let the princess treat anyone casually anymore?"

Gao Changgong felt upset and didn't say anything. If he knew this was the case, he would never let her treat others at the cost of exhausting her own body!

In contrast to the worry and fear that permeated Prince Lanling's mansion, the Queen Mother's bedroom was filled with laughter and joy. The news that Princess Lanling had cured the Queen Mother spread quickly throughout the streets and alleys of Yecheng.

"She actually cured the Queen Mother's illness. It turns out that the rumor about her medical skills at the Ribingjingtai was actually true!"

"This Princess Lanling is truly amazing. Not only has His Majesty praised her painting skills, saying that they are superior to Zu Zhongshu, but even her medical skills..."

"They don't have to treat people who are doomed to die!"

"It turns out he is a real miracle doctor!"

"She is not only a miraculous doctor, but also a talented woman. I am afraid she may even become a goddess in the future. She can also pray for rain, right? Moreover, the three days she mentioned are almost here!"

Zheng Yue felt even more disappointed and upset after hearing the news, but since she had already decided to love the one he loved like Chang Gong, she could not back down anymore. So, Zheng Yue knocked on the door of Lanling Prince's Mansion again, but it was Lu Yu who opened the door, saying that the prince didn't want to see anyone at the moment and asked her to leave quickly!

Zheng Yue was once again turned away. At this moment, an extremely dark hatred quietly grew in her heart.

At the same time, the drunk Zheng Shishilang was also knocked into an alley, a sack was put over his head, and he was dragged into a tavern.

When Zheng Shisilang opened his eyes, he saw a huge mica screen in front of him, on which was reflected the graceful silhouette of a woman.

"Who are you? Why did you bring me here?"