Chapter 369: The Empress’s Intentions
Goodness! I can’t even examine the Emperor’s body?
She had been planning to draw his blood for testing and even bring him into her hospital for a full-body examination. But now, with the Empress guarding him like a mother hen, how was she supposed to proceed?
Suppressing her frustration, Ye Jiamei deliberately infused her voice and expression with fear, catering to the Empress’s vanity to avoid trouble.
“Hmph! Truly a commoner—so ignorant of protocol!”
The Empress scoffed, flicking her wide sleeves, then turned her back to Ye Jiamei, her icy gaze shifting toward the Crown Prince, Consort De, and the Crown Princess.
“Crown Prince, can you vouch for this so-called doctor?”
Her voice was sharp, filled with contempt.
“The imperial physicians have already stated that His Majesty cannot be exposed to drafts. Yet this foolish woman dares to touch him? What if she worsens his condition?”
A foolish woman? Ha!
Your whole family are fools!
Kneeling with her head lowered, Ye Jiamei silently cursed in her heart but wisely held her tongue.
The Crown Prince, facing his mother’s interrogation, cast a brief glance at Ye Jiamei before lifting his eyes to meet the Empress’s gaze. He clasped his hands and bowed respectfully.
“Mother, I went to great lengths to find Doctor Ye. Though she is a woman, her medical skills rival those of the palace physicians.”
His tone remained calm, but firm.
“The three hundred imperial doctors and renowned physicians outside the palace have all failed. Rather than dismissing her, why not allow Doctor Ye to try?”
“Hmph! Let her try?”
The Empress sneered.
“What if she’s a fraud? If His Majesty’s condition worsens, are you prepared to take responsibility?”
There it was.
She had been waiting for this moment—an opportunity to pin any failure on the Crown Prince.
Everyone present was well aware of her scheme.
The Crown Prince’s fists clenched behind his back.
He knew that if his father passed away, the Empress would use it as an excuse to strip him of his title.
With the court already leaning toward the Empress’s faction, his position as heir was precarious.
His heart burned with rage, but he knew he couldn’t act impulsively.
Just as doubt flickered in his eyes, Consort De stepped forward, gracefully curtsying before the Empress.
“Your Majesty, may I speak?”
The Empress regarded her coldly.
“Speak if you must. Why such pretense?”
Consort De ignored her mocking tone, smiling serenely as she turned to Ye Jiamei.
“Your Majesty worries that Doctor Ye might be a fraud,” she said smoothly, “but His Majesty is already bedridden, unable to take medicine. No physician has succeeded thus far. Do you have a better alternative?”
Her words dripped with sarcasm.
She then gracefully approached Ye Jiamei, extending a hand to help her up before turning back to the Empress.
“Surely, Your Majesty realizes that delaying treatment is also a form of neglect. Why not let Doctor Ye try?”
“Hah! So now I’m the one obstructing treatment?”
The Empress’s voice hardened, her expression frosty.
“Fine! Let her examine His Majesty. But if his condition worsens, don’t blame me for being ruthless!”
Ye Jiamei smirked internally.
What a joke!
If lifting a blanket could worsen the Emperor’s illness, then what about traditional doctors who used acupuncture and bloodletting?
This had nothing to do with concern for the Emperor’s health—the Empress simply wanted to exert control over the situation.
Unexpectedly, Consort De came to her defense.
It made sense—the Second Prince’s mother wouldn’t let the Empress crush their only chance before it even began.
The Empress narrowed her eyes, clearly unprepared for Ye Jiamei’s boldness.
She hadn’t expected Consort De and this lowly village woman to work together, cornering her in front of everyone.
Her lips curled into a cold smile.
“Oh? Are you blaming me now?”
She turned her icy gaze to the Crown Prince.
“I never forbade this doctor from treating His Majesty. I simply wanted you to take responsibility should anything go wrong.”
The Crown Prince’s expression darkened.
Before he could respond, Ye Jiamei stepped forward and bowed deeply.
“Your Majesty, is this not an unreasonable demand?”
She lifted her head slightly, her eyes glinting with mischief.
“If over three hundred imperial physicians couldn’t cure His Majesty, what makes you think I could guarantee success before even conducting an examination?”
Her voice was calm yet pointed.
“What doctor would dare promise a cure without first diagnosing the patient?”
The Empress’s eyes flashed with anger, but before she could retort—
A frail yet commanding voice echoed from the entrance.
“What’s all this noise?”
Ye Jiamei’s heart skipped a beat as everyone turned toward the doorway.
The Empress, the Crown Prince, Consort De, and all the palace staff immediately bowed deeply.
“Greetings, Empress Dowager.”
Ye Jiamei, realizing who had arrived, quickly knelt again.
A regal old woman, dressed in majestic robes, entered the hall, her sharp eyes scanning the room.
She waved a wrinkled hand dismissively.
“Rise.”
The court stood, but Ye Jiamei remained kneeling, keeping her head down as the Empress Dowager scrutinized her.
“So this is the doctor the Crown Prince found?”
Her voice carried both doubt and amusement.
“She’s so young… and a woman?”
The Empress Dowager’s sharp gaze lingered on Ye Jiamei, assessing her carefully.
For the first time, Ye Jiamei felt that the real battle had just begun.
