Chapter 342 - 342: A Crippled Body But Not A Crippled Will

Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation

Upon hearing this, the young man’s gaze darkened slightly. “Father, I’ve consulted numerous divine physicians about my leg. I’d rather not.”

“It is different. Think of it as a visit to her home, a chance to enjoy delicious food better than what the palace chefs can make.”

Seeing the emperor so excited, he reluctantly agreed to prevent hurting his father’s feelings.

The next day, the emperor skipped the morning court session and brought his beloved son, Li Yuxuan, to Lucky Garden.

Upon seeing the eleventh prince, Qiao Mai nodded approvingly.

“Looks good.”

Li Yuxuan looked at the emperor in confusion, who immediately explained. “Address her as Aunt. She is the future mother-in-law of your sister Jiamei.”

“Uncle, Aunt, good to see you!”

After everyone was seated, Qiao Mai went straight to the point, instructing the eunuch to bring Li Yuxuan’s wheelchair closer.

Facing each other, Li Yuxuan felt a bit nervous.

“Aunt, what are you going to do?”

“Could I eat you in front of your father? Just kidding. Give me your hand; let me check your pulse.”

Understanding, he obediently extended his hand, and Qiao Mai pressed on his pulse point.

Upon touching the pulse, Qiao Mai carefully observed him. Despite his thin frame, his overall health seemed good except for his legs.

Her spiritual scan revealed he had profound internal strength from martial arts, a fact the emperor was likely unaware of.

“Roll up his pants.”

Given the prince’s consent, servants rolled up his pants, revealing his legs.

“What a beautiful color, black with a hint of brightness. The poison has likely been accumulating for over ten years.”

The emperor felt hopeful and smiled.

Li Yuxuan was taken aback. Could the divine physician mentioned by the emperor be this gentle woman in front of him?

“I was poisoned at the age of two. It’s been fifteen years now.”

“Enduring for fifteen years is not easy. It seems a divine physician helped you push all the toxins to your legs?”

“Yes, it was the only way to save my life.”

“You are resilient. If you had met me a year later, you might not have survived.”

Li Yuxuan chuckled self-deprecatingly. “The divine physician said I wouldn’t live past twenty.”

“Lay him flat on the round table, legs exposed to the calves.”

“Madam Qiao, what are you doing?” “I’m treating him. Don’t you want that?”

“Ah, can this illness be treated?”

“Of course. He can live to a hundred. Why wouldn’t it be treatable? It’s just poisoning.”

Qiao Mai instructed the servants to follow her orders. The emperor, Yuan Jiaqi, and Yuan Haichuan watched with curiosity.

Li Yuxuan gritted his teeth and turned his head to glance at the palace servants. “Do as Aunt instructed.”

The palace servants brought over a large round table and expertly placed the eleventh prince on top.

Approaching the table, Qiao Mai instructed a servant to bring a large basin filled with water.

With a swift motion, she produced a jade bottle, uncorked it, and poured a pill into Li Yuxuan’s mouth.

She then took another bottle and dropped a pill into the basin.

After tying his legs with ropes, Qiao Mai took a hollow bone needle used in her previous treatment for cerebral hemorrhage.

She found two thick veins on his legs and swiftly inserted the needle, resulting in a foul smell filling the room.

Qiao Mai fanned the air in disdain, then had someone bring a chair to keep watch over the eleventh prince.

The old emperor stepped forward. “My child, endure it. This is your only chance.”

The old emperor had reservations about letting this woman, whom he felt was playing games, treat a condition that numerous renowned physicians couldn’t cure.

Nevertheless, with a glimmer of hope, he decided to proceed. He only had a year left. If the treatment worked, great; if not, he had long accepted his fate.

Qiao Mai glanced at him disdainfully. “What, you don’t trust my medical skills?”

“No, but I’ve been treated by many doctors. I’ve become somewhat numb.”

“I’ll have you walking in no time. Believe it or not?”

“I don’t believe it.”

“At least you’re being honest.”

After releasing his blood, Qiao Mai gave him a pill. The color returned to his face, which had turned pale due to blood loss. The emperor watched eagerly, wondering about the origin of this seemingly miraculous medicine.

“Madam Qiao, what was the medicine you gave to Yuxuan just now?”

“The first one was to protect his heart, and the others were blood-replenishing pills. Otherwise, once the poisonous blood in his legs is drained, he would have been bled dry. Haichuan, pour him a cup of tea; we can’t let him be dehydrated.”

As everyone observed, the black color on the eleventh prince’s legs slowly lightened. Qiao Mai periodically loosened the ropes to ensure blood circulation.

If left for too long, the blood vessels would become blocked, leading to paralysis of the lower body.

An hour passed, and the black color turned into purple. Another hour later, the purple hue transformed into a bluish shade. Lunchtime had come and gone, but no one felt hungry.

At the hall’s entrance, a delicate figure left while leaning against the door frame after discreetly observing for a while.

After a while, Li Yuxuan’s legs had recovered their original skin color, and the discharged water turned red.

Qiao Mai removed the needle, untied the ropes, and gave him another pill.

They opened all the windows, allowing fresh air to circulate.

Everyone observed as the basin of dark blood gradually transformed into clear water, presumably due to the effects of the medicinal pill. The emperor excitedly held his son’s hand. “Does it hurt?”

“Not at all. My legs don’t hurt anymore?”

Qiao Mai coldly snorted, “With my intervention, of course, it’s healed.

However, after a decade of immobility, your legs need time to recover. Stay in my residence; it’s beneficial for your health.”

The prince’s eyes were red. “Thank you, Aunt!”

“You can’t eat now, but you can eat fruits. I’ll send you to Tingfeng Residence. If you feel energetic after waking up, try walking with assistance.”

“Understood, Aunt!”

After he left, the old emperor set aside his dignity and bowed to Qiao Mai.

“Thank you, in-law. Now, someone can share the burden of my responsibilities.”

“Hmm, I’ll accept this gesture. I hope I didn’t save a wolf in sheep’s clothing.”

“No, I trust the character of Xuan’er.’

“Hmph, actions speak louder than words. We’ll see when he’s put to the test.” The emperor was speechless. How dare she talk about her son like that! “Quickly arrange for the meal; I’m about to starve.”

Qiao Mai smirked, “You’re complaining about hunger after missing one meal. Soldiers in battle sometimes don’t eat for a day, yet they don’t act like you.”

“I haven’t been in a battle for many years. I’ve pampered my body.”

He then grabbed a piece of fruit and ate it unceremoniously.

“Mother, I’m going to the kitchen to let them prepare the food,” Haichuan said as he stood up.

The emperor, still eating fruit, proudly asked Qiao Mai, “What do you think of my son?”

“Looks good.”

“He’s more than good! He’s talented and skilled in martial arts.”

“But he’s a bit reserved.”

“That’s because his mother died early. He has been secluded in a remote place in the palace. His temperament is due to circumstances.” “Do you really want to deepen our family ties?” “Yes, it depends on whether your daughter likes him.”

“Well, let fate decide.

As the meal was served, everyone fell silent, engrossed in their food. The emperor noticed Linger’s absence.

“Where is Princess Tianshui?”

“Eating in the shop. It’s inconvenient for her to be around an unfamiliar man treating his illness.”

“You have a point. I’ll leave my son with you for some time. Do you want me to send some guards?”

Qiao Mai sneered. “If my home can’t protect your son, your palace won’t stand a chance.”

“All right. If you have the ability, go ahead. I won’t argue.”

“How long will my son stay here?”

“Come to pick him up in ten days.”

“Alright!”

“Emperor, you better return to the palace. We’ve kept you company for almost a day and are tired too.”

And so, Qiao Mai drove the emperor away..