Chương 23: The emperor
Ah Yue Jin walked into the medical hall with a playful smile on his face. As he was about to call his master, the old physician was quick to say:
"Ah Jin, where did you go? I have almost filed a missing person's report to the prime minister!" Old physician Wang said in an annoyed voice.
This apprentice of his never stays in one place for thirty minutes. He keeps disappearing like he appears and it was starting to give him a headache!
"Master, I went to get you this..." Jin brought out a paper bag from behind his back and wiggled it in front of his master while grinning.
"You naughty boy, why didn't you tell me you went to go get me food?" The physician hit him on the head lightly with a book and collected the paper bag from him.
"I wanted to surprise you. You are no fun master and you didn't even thank me." He sulked when he saw that his master had already started eating the bun.
"Ahem," physician Wang cleared his throat. "Go and spread the medical leaves in the sun. The weather seems to be looking promising today. I hope this time around, the medical leaves don't get blown away like the last time." He glared at the sulking young man.
Jin was the definition of a lazy apprentice. There's nothing he knows how to do better. Give him medicine to sun, he would forget about it and let the rain either wash them away, or let the wind blow them away.
Ask him to boil medicine for use. Jin would let the medicine to overcook and sometimes, he would miraculously burn the whole pot of medicinal herbs.
Even though it was so, the boy seemed to be a rare talent and if his laziness is curbed, he would be better than all the doctors in Hua Xia, and as his master, he has made it his life goal to fight off his laziness and bring out the better person in him.
"Master, why are we drying herbs again today? I thought I already did that yesterday and besides, you accepted my leave, have you forgotten?" Jin looked so pitiful that even a cold-hearted person would feel soft when they saw that look.
The old man sighed. "How old are you again? Twenty-two! So stop giving me that face. I will… I will… aiya, forget it."
What can he do? He has grown to love this boy whom he required from his bullies two years ago like his son and tolerating his excesses came as a normal thing to him.
"Second young Miss' ailment needs to be treated immediately and the herbs might be helpful." Old Physician Wang said while taking a bite off another bun.
Jin's sulking face lit up when he heard that. He hurried to his master and sat on the marbled floor by his side. With a beaming face, he asked: "Master, have you found a cure for her?"
Old physician Wang ignored him and continued eating.
Seeing that he was ignored, Jin grabbed his legs and started to massage it.
"Let go of my leg, if you had stayed by my side throughout the morning, you would have known what happened." Physician Wang wiggled his leg from Jin, however the naughty boy still followed the leg and hugged it, not minding sitting on the floor. Physician Wang sighed and let him be.
"The minister has already sent a letter to the crown prince. Hopefully the imperial physicians get here on time and are able to help her, or else, second young Miss will be doomed." Physician Wang sighed again. If only they could get the miracle doctor.
*******
At the Crown Prince's Manor….
Crown prince Xuanyan was seen in his study room reading the reports the emperor gave him.
The emperor hardly gave him work to do, but whenever he did, it was on small matters and the crown prince would take them very seriously. He didn't know if the emperor was testing him.
His guard walked him and bowed. "Crown prince, a message from the prime minister's manor." Mo Lu brought out a letter from his chest and handed it to him.
The crown prince lifted his gaze from the papers and glanced at his right-hand man with his deep black eyes, filled with innocence and love.
His dark straight brows added a beauty touch to his already pretty face. His jet black long hair was packed up and held in place with a small silver crown. His light pink kissable lips were thinned as it was evident he was withholding something.
"Why are you the message bearer?" He asked while taking the letter from Mo Lu.
"I intercepted the message on my way here," Mo Lu answered.
"You did well, you may leave." Mo Lu bowed and left the room.
Crown prince Xuanyan opened the letter and after reading its content, he folded it neatly, and placed it among the neatly arranged reports on the table, then continued what he was doing.
He needed to finish this report before the morning court session.
******
At the palace….
Inside the throne room, the ministers were already gathered for the morning court session.
The crown prince walked inside while the ministers all bowed in greetings to him. "Do not stand on ceremony." He said and stood in the front row beside prime minister Su Tian. "I received your message," He told him in a whisper.
Prime minister Su Tian gave a small nod In response.
Just when the crown prince wanted to speak again, a eunuch announced the emperor's entrance. Following that, everyone in the hall prostrated in greeting.
"Long live, the son of heaven! May you reign for thousands of years to come!" They chorused.
"Rise," the emperor said softly.
"You may all rise!!" The announcer repeated in a loud voice.
The emperor sat on his throne with a face as cold as ice, dark eyes staring at the ministers like they could pierce through their souls and rip out their thoughts.
His straight dark brows were as straight as a sharp sword, just like how sharp and cunning his eyes were. With those eyes that could dissect every scheme, he stared at the ministers who were standing with heads bowed and the corner of his lips tugged into a sneer.
"Let the court session begin," He mumbled.
He has never spoken loudly ever since he ascended the throne. Well, he did twenty years ago and massacre accompanied his roar. Ever since that incident, no one has dared to challenge his authority ever again.
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