The speed at which the four great medical halls operated was as efficient as their medical practice.
As more and more common folk came to seek treatment, the rumors spread even faster.
In less than half a day, rumors were flying all over the imperial city.
This finally made the Diao family unable to sit still.
At noon, Madam Diao personally visited the Four Great Medical Halls, immediately accusing them of defamation.
When Wang Can and Xin Bi saw Madam Diao, their eyes practically gleamed with greed.
Madam Diao, huh?
Come, let's talk.
What's this? You say it's petty for us to gossip behind your backs?
Fine, then let's speak face to face!
Since your imperial court has done such a shameless thing, are you afraid of us speaking? Don't try to scare us by constantly talking about the court being heaven's will. If you say this is the court's decision, then let's go to the palace gates now and beat the drum of remonstrance, so His Majesty can judge!
Madam Diao found herself unable to win against the scolding and arguing of the two fiery men, Xin Bi and Wang Can.
Moreover, she absolutely could not escalate the matter to the palace. What else could she do but leave!
Madam Diao's defeat and return left the Diao family utterly bewildered.
Now, the rumors in the imperial city were fiercer than a winter wind. How could a single Diao family suppress them?
When Emperor Xiaochang heard of this matter, his anger was as expected. He even shattered the celestial blue glazed teacup in his hand.
The imperial court was currently as poor as a beggar, so he naturally wanted to save money.
At first, the Minister of Works had guaranteed him that it would be a tenfold profit. Only then did he agree to let the Ministry of Works handle the matter.
And this was the result?
Even bandits who plundered homes wouldn't do something so utterly shameless!
"Summon the Minister of Works to see me!"
"Yes."
When Ji Zizhao finished her shift, she saw a minister in official robes of the third rank entering the palace gates.
Looking at his sorrowful face, as if he were visiting a grave, she surmised it must be Minister Diao.
Minister Diao clearly also saw Ji Zizhao, especially when he noticed her official uniform. His eyes nearly bulged out. "A mere clerk, daring not to salute and greet this official upon seeing him. Truly, you have no upbringing!"
Ji Zizhao nodded slightly with good-naturedness, her smile unchanged. "Minister Diao has a kind disposition, even when summoned by the Emperor, you can stand here and lecture this humble official."
His Majesty is waiting, yet you dare to waste time here. Lightning should strike you for such foolishness.
Minister Diao: "..."
What was she saying?
Minister Diao felt as if he were being subtly mocked, but Ji Zizhao's gentle expression left him unable to find any fault.
Thinking of the heavenly lightning awaiting him in the imperial study, Minister Diao could only leave in hurried dissatisfaction.
Ji Zizhao left the imperial palace and got into her carriage. Leaning back on the soft couch lined with fox fur, she closed her eyes to rest, her thoughts churning incessantly.
How many people could establish a foothold in court without revealing their emotions?
It seemed that the Diao family's current position relied solely on Consort Xi in the palace.
It was likely for this reason that the Emperor doted on Consort Xi so much.
After all, with the Diao family's intellect, it would be as difficult as ascending to heaven for them to stir up trouble in court.
The art of rulership lies in balance.
The Emperor has supported Consort Xi for so many years, perhaps not without the intention of suppressing the Empress.
Does the Emperor not know what the Diao family is?
Perhaps not.
But now that the rumors in the imperial city were escalating, and the Emperor had only summoned Minister Diao without alarming Consort Xi, it showed the Emperor's true favoritism towards Consort Xi. Furthermore, the matter of the Fifth Prince had been delayed for so long without resolution, it was likely the Emperor was still showing tenderness to Consort Xi.
However, Consort Xi had deep roots in the palace; even the Empress could only suppress her indirectly.
To shake a great tree would not happen overnight.
A cool breeze swept into the carriage, and suddenly another presence filled the carriage.
Ji Zizhao opened her eyes and saw Tao Hua, whom she hadn't seen in a long time, sitting on the ground with a wide smile.
With red lips, white teeth, round eyes, and long lashes, just looking at him brought joy to the heart.
But when a certain person spoke, it wasn't quite so pleasant. "I specifically calculated your departure time from the palace to wait here. Today, you don't have those two lackeys by your side. Let's see how you can escape from my grasp."
Ji Zizhao calmly withdrew her gaze and casually took a long incense stick from beneath the low table, lighting it.
Instantly, a faint, cold fragrance spread.
Tao Hua shivered from the cold. "Lighting cold incense in this cold weather, what's wrong with you?"
Ji Zizhao did not answer but picked up the teapot from the low table again.
Tao Hua watched as Ji Zizhao opened the small drawers beneath the low table and added pinches of herbs he couldn't name.
Soon, a cup of fragrant tea was pushed before him.
Tao Hua: "..."
This scene was somewhat familiar.
Ji Zizhao looked at Tao Hua and said, "Drink some tea first to warm yourself up."
"Do you really think I'm an idiot?" Tao Hua swept the teacup in front of him out the window. The last cup of tea he drank nearly cost him his life. Drink more?
Ji Zizhao looked out the window with a hint of regret, then picked up her own teacup and took a sip. "What a shame for that good tea."
"I'm here to kill you, not to taste tea with you. Ji Zizhao, don't blame me for being ruthless. Blame yourself for provoking someone you shouldn't have!" Tao Hua said, suddenly drawing the cyan light dagger from his waist.
A cold light flashed, blindingly bright.
Seeing Tao Hua suddenly twist the cyan light dagger in his hand, he immediately heard, "Clink..."
The cyan light dagger, covered in barbs, fell onto the carriage before it could even be thrust forward.
Tao Hua: "..."
What happened?
Ji Zizhao looked at him and said, "One and a half qian of Huangjing, one and a half qian of Baiziren, two qian of Jiuguilongkuiflower, three liang of Huanxincao, mixed and simmered. The initial dose causes weakness in the limbs, fatigue, and palpitations. After the effects wear off, it can nourish the kidney meridian and calm the spirit to aid sleep."
To put it simply, it was an improved version of a knockout drug.
Tao Hua was furious. "I didn't drink the tea!"
Ji Zizhao raised her teacup and gently swirled it. "The tea is the antidote."
With that said, she glanced at the burning incense beside them.
Tao Hua: "..."
This woman was more venomous than a viper, utterly pervasive!
Ji Zizhao still had to return to her manor and had no time to glare at Tao Hua. She pried open his mouth and poured the tea from her own cup into him. "Take this antidote, and you'll be able to move freely soon. However, to recover your internal energy, you will need to wait another four hours."
Tao Hua was stunned. "Four hours?!"
It would be dark by then!
Ji Zizhao smiled. "Otherwise, shall I add some other ingredients to help you pass this boring time?"
What kind of person was Tao Hua? He could be tough when circumstances demanded and degenerate when offered riches. He immediately said, "No need. Lying here is quite comfortable..."
Seeing that he had surrendered, Ji Zizhao did not make things difficult for him. Noticing there was still some distance to the Ji family, she simply took out a medical book and began to read.
Silence returned to the carriage, so quiet that even breathing was barely audible.
Tao Hua, lying on the low table, was boredly counting sheep. As he counted, he suddenly remembered something and said, "Right, the Fourth Prince of your Yulin asked me to tell you that the wind is tight these days, so it's not convenient to meet for the time being. But don't worry, he promised something and will not deceive you. He told you to wait for him obediently."
The mention of the Fourth Prince caused Ji Zizhao's steadily beating heart to tremble unconsciously.