Bai Jinshu remained calm and composed, her cool gaze sweeping over the several Imperial Physicians with a hint of faint mockery in her tone. "This medicine was refined by myself, based on a secret formula passed down within my sect and never disclosed to outsiders. I must beg your pardon, esteemed physicians, but I cannot reveal it."
Before they could speak, Zongzheng Ling, who had been quiet all along, suddenly smiled and said, "The medicine has only just been administered. There's no need for such haste, gentlemen. Perhaps if you wait a little longer, you may no longer hold such views."
Originally, the Imperial Physicians might have dared to argue a point or two against Bai Jinshu's words, but when it came from this lord, they could only lower their heads in silence, their expressions a mix of suppressed anger and speechlessness.
Emperor Jiaqing frowned almost imperceptibly but said nothing.
A while later.
Indeed, as time passed, the antidote took effect. The Emperor Emeritus's pulse, breathing, and heartbeat grew increasingly steady.
Even the Imperial Noble Consort, who knew nothing of medicine, could see that in this state, the Emperor Emeritus had truly been temporarily pulled from danger. Overwhelmed with emotion, she grasped his hand, weeping with joy.
The Imperial Physicians were utterly astonished.
When they looked at Bai Jinshu again, their expressions had changed, becoming complex—filled with doubt, confusion, and an involuntary sense of shame and embarrassment.
The Emperor Emeritus had clearly been unable to swallow; how had she administered the medicine?
How strange.
Emperor Jiaqing was also greatly pleased, asking Bai Jinshu several questions in succession—when the Emperor Emeritus would wake up, whether he would relapse after waking, and so on. Bai Jinshu patiently answered each one.
In truth, the Emperor Emeritus had been poisoned with a slow-acting toxin. Its onset was gradual, but its toxicity was potent. Moreover, this poison was cunning, lying deeply dormant. Many symptoms might only manifest after death, so it wasn't entirely impossible for these Imperial Physicians to have missed it.
Of course, this didn't mean their medical skills were entirely lacking.
Only a poison physician who had grown up playing with toxins, familiar with all kinds of poisons and having studied various toxic substances, could diagnose it without the aid of any instruments.
For example, Bai Jinshu.
As the sect master of Guiluomen, the five elders within the sect, each proficient in various medical arts, were her masters. Identifying and neutralizing poisons were among her most basic childhood lessons.
Bai Jinshu informed Emperor Jiaqing that the Emperor Emeritus would not wake until after dawn at the earliest. Moreover, he would require further treatment for some time before his illness could be completely cured.
Immediately, Emperor Jiaqing issued an order for Bai Jinshu to remain in Chaoyang Hall tonight to attend to the Emperor Emeritus, with two Imperial Physicians left at her disposal. The others were to return.
After giving the order, Emperor Jiaqing departed first, planning to return after dawn.
The Imperial Noble Consort, still uneasy, insisted on staying until the Emperor Emeritus woke.
The Empress did not linger long. She asked Ao Jing to visit her before leaving the palace, seemingly having something to say to him. As for Bai Jinshu, though she had inadvertently stolen the spotlight, the Empress still showed her no favor.
Bai Jinshu paid no mind to this whatsoever.
Those outside the bedchamber, lacking permission, dared not enter and disturb, so they gradually departed one after another.
Soon, only Bai Jinshu, Ao Jing, and Zongzheng Ling remained in the hall.
While the Emperor Emeritus was still unconscious, the Imperial Noble Consort urged Bai Jinshu to rest for a while in the side hall. Worried she might be hungry, she also instructed Nanny Wei to prepare some food and send it to her.
As they stepped out of the main hall, Ao Jing followed behind her.
"Princess Jinshu."
He had a bellyful of questions and was just about to open his mouth to ask, when Zongzheng Ling's low, pleasant voice came from behind them.
Bai Jinshu turned to look.
This man was somewhat unfathomable to her.
In fact, she was beginning to doubt whether he was really that terrifying man she had encountered in the cave last night.
In the original host's memories, she and Prince Ling had no connection whatsoever. Why would he help her?
"You…"
"It's nothing. I have some questions I'd like to consult you about. Nanny Wei has prepared a late-night snack. Shall we talk while we eat?"
Zongzheng Ling's expression was indifferent, a faint smile curling at the corners of his thin lips. He appeared entirely gentle and courteous, without the slightest hint of discomfort.
Yet for some reason, Bai Jinshu still felt that he gave off a very strong presence. Beneath his gentle tone was an air of unquestionable authority.
"Prince Ling, she is my Princess Consort. You should address her as the Princess Consort of Jing, not Princess Jinshu."
Before Bai Jinshu could reply, Ao Jing couldn't help but coldly correct him.
His face was grim; it was clear he was suppressing his anger.
"Princess Consort of Jing?"
The smile at the corner of Zongzheng Ling's lips slowly deepened, as if he had heard an especially amusing joke. After laughing, his expression gradually faded, turning deep and stern in an instant: "Soon, she won't be."