The driver complied and turned the horse around. Yang Ling lowered his head to look at the ashen-faced Young-niang in his arms. Sticking to her ice-cold cheek, he shed tears and said, "Young-niang, hold on a little longer, don't leave xianggong behind. Xianggong will accompany you to find the doctor. You must hold on. Young-niang, you promised to accompany me for the rest of my life …"
The coachman was a rough and forthright man. Hearing this, he also felt sad and almost cried. He blinked his eyes and whipped the horse's back fiercely. He shouted, "Go!" and drove the carriage toward Hu Guo Temple.
At this time, the young eunuch who had received the imperial edict to leave the palace for the first time led four eunuchs, eight Imperial Bodyguards, and two Han generals to carry the brocade carriage from the palace. They excitedly rushed to Yang Ling's house, only to see General Tie guarding the door. It was the old neighbor who had helped Yang Ling lock the door.
The young eunuch was stunned. What should he do? Return to the palace to hand in the edict? The young eunuch had no idea. He was knocking on every door to inquire when Yang Ling's carriage hurriedly came back to the street. The two Imperial Bodyguards saw the rushing horse and shouted, "Stop! We are here to carry out the imperial edict. Who dares to rush madly?"
Yang Ling was anxious. His mind was muddled and he only wanted to see the doctor as soon as possible. Seeing someone blocking the road, he couldn't help but anxiously asked, "Who is blocking my carriage?"
The young eunuch who delivered the imperial edict had just asked if Yang Ling had taken his family to see the doctor and was not at home. He resentfully walked out of the old man's house. As soon as he saw Yang Ling, he couldn't help but be overjoyed. Yesterday he had followed the Emperor to the Eastern Palace and had seen Yang with his own eyes. Naturally he recognized his appearance. The young eunuch quickly shouted, "Yang, His Majesty has an imperial edict to summon you to the Palace to see the Emperor."
Yang Ling was so anxious that he was sweating. He said without thinking, "I don't have time. Get out of the way. I want to take Young-niang to see a doctor!" As he said this, he waved to the coachman and said, "Let's go, let's go to Hu Guo Temple immediately."
The coachman was speechless. They even dared to refuse an imperial edict. How could they be so awe-inspiring? He did not dare to neglect and quickly waved his whip. The carriage passed by a few guards and went straight to Hu Guo Temple.
Watching the carriage leave, the surrounding commoners were all dumbfounded. The eight Imperial Bodyguards and the four eunuchs all stared at the eunuch. Now that he was the imperial envoy, they naturally had to listen to his orders.
The little eunuch was only fourteen or fifteen years old, an age where he did not understand anything. Today he was sent by the Emperor to announce the imperial edict. He had thought of everything, but he had not expected to encounter such a situation. What should they do if they don't obey the edict? This seems … seems like I've never heard of such a situation. Who should I ask?
The little eunuch was so anxious that he almost cried. Now the Emperor and all the court officials were waiting in the Golden Hall. How could he report to them?
If it was an older eunuch who encountered such a rare situation, he could wave his horsetail whisk and go back to the palace to reverse the edict. The Emperor's father would be furious. Whether he killed the whole family of the ghoul or exterminated his whole family, it was none of his business. If he encountered a cruel and merciless person who could make the decision, he might immediately order the Imperial Bodyguards to kill the officials who resisted the edict on the spot.
But the little eunuch had no idea. He only wanted to bring Yang Ling back. Otherwise, if the Emperor was angry, his butt would be punished. He spun around twice on the spot, waved his hand with grief and indignation, and screamed, "Go, follow Scholar Yang!"
Well, since the imperial envoy had spoken, then he would follow. The eunuch and the Imperial Bodyguards led the horses. Two generals carried the carriage. The eunuch led the way and chased after Yang Ling.
The pedestrians on the street and the people who had just finished the first exam and were preparing to take the exam in the afternoon saw this strange scene. They asked the people who chased after the little eunuch to see what happened. They couldn't help but be surprised and laughed. They felt that Yang Ling who disobeyed the edict was really absurd, but they secretly admired his courage.
Some girls and wives were even moved to tears. Such an infatuated man couldn't be found on the stage. For a time, the strange story of the emperor disobeyed the edict and a sixth-ranked scholar who carried his wife to seek medical treatment spread throughout the capital at an astonishing speed.
The little eunuch chased to Huguo Temple and happened to see Yang Ling carrying a woman and stumbling out of the door. Several foreigners with high noses and blue eyes shook their heads and chased after him. Their fingers were drawing on their chests and foreheads.
At that time, Western medicine was only good at surgery. Because microscopes, stethoscopes and other instruments had not been invented yet, internal medicine was far behind surgery. The doctors who were good at piercing the skull, bleeding, and inducing vomiting were not suitable for Young-niang's fever.
When these missionaries came to the east, they did bring some Western medicine to treat colds, but the efficacy of the medicine was not good. Moreover, they had been used up in the past few years, so they could not help Young-niang's illness.
The little eunuch caught up with Yang Ling. His face was red with excitement. He quickly rushed over and grabbed Yang Ling. He begged, "Mr Yang, His Majesty is waiting in the Golden Hall. You … you take your wife to the doctor and let him take care of her. Let's go see His Majesty first."
Yang Ling smiled sadly. "See His Majesty for what? To get promoted and get rich? You go back to the Palace. I want to take Young-niang home. "He bitterly looked at Young-niang and said," Ever since I came to the capital, I have not been able to accompany her. Every day I leave her alone at home. Now I want to go back to accompany her. Go back to accompany her. "
Yang Ling was completely disheartened. Not to mention that he did not have long to live. Even if he could live to a hundred years old, without Young-niang by his side, what was the point? Right now the sun was high in the sky, but his heart was cold to the bone.
The little eunuch foolishly stood at the door. He thought for a moment and wanted to continue the chase. The several Palace Imperial Bodyguards saw that there were too many onlookers. They could not help but move closer to the little eunuch and said in a low voice, "Gong-gong, let's go back to the Palace to report. If we continue to chase like this, where is the dignity of the Imperial Family?"
The little eunuch was out of his wits. Looking at the sun, it was almost noon. He was afraid that the Emperor would be impatient. He stamped his feet and angrily said, "Let's go back to the Palace. Immediately return to the Palace to report!"
He left the two big Han generals carrying the empty carriage slowly. He and the others galloped on their horses, heading straight for the Imperial Palace.
※ ※ ※
Hongzhi Emperor discussed the government affairs with his officials. Seeing that it was early and the morning court should be dismissed, he called off the morning court. He ordered the civil and military officials to return to their positions. Only the Grand Scholar of Jin Shen Dian Li Dongyang, the Grand Scholar of Hua Gai Dian Xie Qian, the Grand Scholar of Wu Ying Dian Liu Jian, the Minister of Ministry of Rites Wang Qiong, and the Marquis of Jianchang Zhang Yanling were left to dine in the Palace.
Hongzhi wanted to use the opportunity of the banquet to ease the enmity between the Emperor's relatives and the Grand Scholars. After all, if the old officials that he relied on were always fighting with the Emperor's relatives, it would really be a headache.
He had already secretly instructed Liu Jian and Li Dongyang to plead for Zhang Heling at the lunch banquet. Then he would release the Marquis Of Shouning in front of Zhang Yanling. At the same time, he would invite them to examine Yang Ling's knowledge. With these people's approval, no one would object to the granting of an official position to Yang Ling. Because it was a family banquet, Hongzhi had specially summoned the Empress to accompany her younger brother to eat together.
Zhang Yanling had been on tenterhooks since he went to court today. Seeing that the Emperor's attitude was easygoing and that he had even summoned Empress jiejie to accompany him, he finally calmed down. Yesterday, as soon as his mother Jin Furen had returned home, she had looked for him in a panic and told him the news that the Crown Prince had been beaten. Zhang Yanling had also jumped in fright when he heard this. He did not dare to be negligent and immediately rushed to his older brother's fu to inquire about the cause of the fight that day.
At the time, Yan Kuan had been lying on his bed pretending to be dead. Hearing that the Second Marquis had come, he thought that his backbone had come. He hurriedly stooped and jumped like an old shrimp in front of him. When he saw him, he cried and wailed as he recounted the sequence of events, begging him to make a decision for him.
After the Marquis of Jianchang finished listening to his story, he knew that the little scholar that he had beaten that day was undoubtedly the Crown Prince. Zhang Yanling couldn't help but grit his teeth in hatred. His older brother's imprisonment was all because of this traitor, and he was still encouraging him to stand up for him. If the Zhang family lost the Emperor's favor because of this, even chopping off his head wouldn't be able to bring it back.
After this Second Master Zhang finished listening to Yan Kuan's tearful complaint, without a second word, he jumped up and kicked an eagle like a rabbit. Yan Kuan immediately gave a blood-curdling scream and rolled on the ground to play with the bird. People say that nephews are like uncles, but today, the uncle had learned from the nephew. The Marquis of Jianchang's kick was strangely accurate, it landed exactly where Zhu Houzhao had stomped last time. The root of Yan Kuan's thigh suffered another kick. Immediately, he gave a blood-curdling scream and rolled on the ground a few times before he gasped and fainted.
Seeing this, his younger sister threw herself at him, crying like a pear blossom in the rain. Who knew if this kick from the Marquis of Jianchang had ended the Yan family's lineage. Zhang Yanling's face was ashen. He pointed at his older brother's favorite concubine and said sternly, "What are you crying for? If this bastard dies, I'll roll up the straw mat and throw it into the wild to feed the dogs! If he's lucky, tell him to restrain himself in the future and tuck his tail in the gutter. Don't f * * king go out and cause trouble.
Also, send that document that caused trouble back to the hands of that woman as soon as possible. Damn it! Snatching the Crown Prince's woman, the God of Longevity wants to hang himself, do you think your life is too long? "
His ominous expression swept away. Facing the courtyard full of servants who were as quiet as cicadas in winter, he sternly shouted, "All of you better keep your mouths shut for me. Whoever spits out even a little bit of this matter, I'll cut off his tongue!"
Zhang Yanling gave Yan Kuan a beating. He also ordered the craftsmen to work that very night to quickly dismantle the houses and roads that had been occupied during the expansion, so as to prevent others from having any gossip. It was not until early in the morning that he finally saw some results.
By this time, he saw Hongzhi was talking cheerfully and wittily, not even mentioning the matter of his older brother's impeachment. Gradually he let go of his worries and also bent over to curry favor. For a moment, the host and guest were chatting happily, the atmosphere gradually became warmer.
Just as they were talking, the little eunuch hurriedly rushed back. 'Puff!' he fell to his knees on the ground and sobbed, "Your Majesty, your servant is guilty, your servant has messed up my errand."
Hongzhi doubtfully asked, "What errand? Get up and reply. "
The little eunuch did not dare to get up. Kneeling there, he said, "Your servant went to pass on the edict. When Yang heard the edict, he only said that Madam was suffering from an acute illness and had to accompany her to seek medical treatment. He told your servant to return to the Palace first to reply to the edict. He … he did not comply with the edict. Your servant had no choice but to come back myself."
When the officials at the banquet heard this, their expressions changed. Did this Yang Ling eat a bear's heart and a leopard's gall? If his wife was suffering from an acute illness, even if the sky was raining knives at that time, as soon as he received the imperial edict, he would immediately respond. Today's matter was simply unheard of. This time, how could Hongzhi Emperor not be angry?
Even though Hongzhi was tolerant, when he heard this, his expression also sank. With a 'pa' sound, he slammed the ivory chopsticks heavily on the table. Seeing this, several officials hurriedly got up and kowtowed, kneeling on the ground, not even daring to breathe loudly.
They only heard Hongzhi angrily say, "What a good Yang Ling, how dare he defy the imperial edict!"
※ ※ ※
When Yang Ling returned home, he carried Young-niang out of the car. Just as he walked to the door, he heard a clear voice say, "Yang, what a coincidence. I have just arrived in the capital and was about to pay a visit. I didn't expect … Hey? This is … Ah! What's wrong with your wife? "
Yang Ling turned his head and saw a thin old man in a few steps in front of him, surprised to see Young-niang in his arms. Yang Ling stared at him for a long time, not coming to his senses for a moment. Seeing that he was in a trance, the old man hurriedly said, "I am Wu Jie, the pharmacist of Chicken Cry Inn. Do you still remember me, sir?"
There were also people following Yang Ling to watch the show. Wu Jie did not dare to say his official identity, so he used this identity to remind him. When Yang Ling heard this, he vaguely felt that it was very familiar. He could not help but nod and said, "I remember, you are Wu Jie."
Wu Jie looked at Han Youniang hesitantly and asked, "Mr Yang, what's wrong with your wife?"
Yang Ling smiled sadly and said, "Young-niang has a typhoid fever and is seriously ill."
"Ah?" Imperial Bodyguard Wu Jie said in surprise, "Typhoid fever? I have a prescription, sir, can you try it … "
Yang Ling chuckled and said with a strange expression, "I have seen all the famous doctors in the capital, and no one can cure it. Can you cure it?"
Wu Jie blushed and said, "I only know a little about pharmacology. When it comes to treatment … I am really ashamed. But this prescription was passed down by my uncle, Wu Qingyuan. It is said that it has a miraculous effect on typhoid fever …"
When Yang Ling heard the name Wu Qingyuan, it was as if his soul had suddenly possessed his body. He took a step forward and shouted with his eyes wide open, "Who did you say? Wu Qingyuan? The Director of the Imperial Academy of Medicine, Wu Qingyuan? "
Wu Jie was shocked. He took a step back and stammered, "Yes … yes, it's him. My uncle was indeed the Director of the Imperial Academy of Medicine, but he passed away seven years ago. Sir, have you heard of him?"
Yang Ling was ecstatic. He shouted at the sky and hurriedly said to Wu Jie, "Quick, quick, come into the room and tell me your prescription!"
…
Inside Yang Ling's room, the doors and windows were closed. Wu Jie and the Tian brothers were standing in the central room, waiting nervously for news from the room.
After Wu Jie copied the prescription, he immediately told the cart driver to get the medicine. The cart driver hurried back to Xinglin Ju. The Tian brothers heard that Wu Qingyuan, the Divine Doctor of the past, had left behind a prescription that could cure this acute cold. They immediately went to get the best medicine and followed him to see what was going on.
Wu Jie's prescription was called Healing Ointment, which was specially used to treat an acute cold. This medicine didn't need to be taken. It only needed to be mixed with Sichuan monkshood, aconitum monkshood, mottled hair, croton, asarum, pepper, alum, dried ginger, and ephedra in a certain amount and ground into fine powder. Using good vinegar, the paste was made into pills and placed under the patient's armpit and leg. Then, holding a pill in each hand, the other person leaned over and clasped their palms together. Then, a thick quilt was used until the patient's entire body was soaked in sweat and then washed with yellow muddy water.
Yang Ling's body was covered with three thick layers of quilts. His hands were tightly clasped with Young-niang's cold little hands. His body was sweating profusely. He was pressed against Young-niang's cheek, and large beads of sweat rolled down and dripped onto Young-niang's forehead.
Feeling her faint breathing, Yang Ling kept calling out in his heart, "Young-niang, wake up! Young-niang, do you hear me? You must come back to life. You promised to accompany me for the rest of your life … "
Below him, Young-niang seemed to hear the call in his heart. After a long time, she let out a faint moan …
* * *
In the palace, the Hongzhi Emperor paced back and forth with his hands behind his back. He didn't speak for a long time. Zhang Yanling couldn't help but say angrily, "Your Majesty favors Yang Ling so much, yet he's so arrogant and disrespectful to the emperor. This is outrageous. Your Majesty, you should behead him immediately to show the world!"
Minister Wang Qiong of the Ministry of Rites was so angry that his white hair fluttered. He also said angrily, "Heaven, Earth, Emperor, and Teacher! Yang Ling has read so many books of sages in vain. He doesn't even understand this logic. If we don't kill this person, where is the dignity of the imperial court? Your Majesty, please give the decree. "
Although Liu Jian and the others cherished talent, Yang Ling's actions this time were too outrageous. The Emperor had an edict but he didn't obey it. This was a great crime that would bring disaster to the nine generations. If he was really killed, it would be letting him off lightly. How could they ask His Majesty to be merciful?
Li Dongyang saw that the Hongzhi Emperor's footsteps were getting slower and slower. He slowly furrowed his eyebrows as if he was about to give the decree. His heart tightened and he suddenly thought of an idea. At this time, he didn't care if it would work. He immediately knelt down and said angrily, "Your Majesty, don't hesitate anymore. I also think that Yang Ling should be killed. Your Majesty summoned him to the palace. Once the Imperial Edict is given, it is the most important matter in the world. Not to mention that his wife is suffering from a serious illness. Even if his house is on fire, he must immediately rush to the palace. How can he go against the norm like this? How can he not distinguish what is important? "
Li Dongyang said forcefully, "Moreover, if the person who is ill is his parents or relatives, then it's fine. At least it's filial piety. But what about his wife? If his wife passes away, he can just marry another one. A real man who has made great achievements, why should he worry about not having beautiful wives and beautiful concubines? This Yang Ling has a wife but no father. He has relatives but no monarch. As the saying goes, a wife is like clothes … "
Liu Jian and Xie Qian were momentarily baffled. Li Dongyang was a literary master of the present age. How could his words be so unbearably vulgar? Besides, His Majesty clearly has the intention of cherishing talent, that's why it was difficult for him to make up his mind to execute him. It's fine if you don't cherish the younger generation, but why are you also throwing stones at someone when he is down?
The two of them had not come back to their senses. Li Dongyang straightened his back, his three-cun not rotten tongue's saliva flew everywhere. He belittled a man's wife to the point that she was not even as good as a pair of underpants. While he was cursing with all his might, Empress Zhang, who was the motherly model of the six palaces under the heavens, blushed and flew into a rage. 'Pa!' she slammed the table, her willowy eyebrows stood up, her phoenix eyebrows opened wide. In a tender voice she scolded, "Li Dongyang, shut your mouth!"
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