usatvline Chapter 4: Sacrificing His Life for an Elixir to Help Zhu Yuanzhang Resurrect - Zhang Sheng
Chapter 4: Sacrificing His Life for an Elixir to Help Zhu Yuanzhang Resurrect - Zhang Sheng
Zhu Yuanzhang was ill, very ill, and couldn't help but groan.
Under the heavy blow of the Crown Prince's death, this tough man who never shed tears could no longer hold on and fell ill in bed.
Zhu Gaoxi was so frightened that he cried out loudly. When Consort Guo Ning woke up, she touched Zhu Yuanzhang and found that he was burning hot. She quickly sent an eunuch to fetch the imperial physician.
Upon hearing the commotion, Zhu Yunwen rushed over to stand guard beside his grandfather.
Upon hearing the news, Lady Lü rushed over and instructed Zhu Yunwen, as the eldest grandson, to issue an order for all the imperial physicians of the Imperial Hospital to be mobilized and take turns on duty.
At the critical moment, Zhu Yunwen, as Zhu Biao's eldest son, played a crucial role in stabilizing the situation.
It must be said that Lady Lü did have some insight.
The rescue and treatment work is proceeding in an orderly manner.
Zhu Gaoxi was moved to a side hall.
I was filled with anxiety, but I couldn't muster any strength.
Inside the West Warm Pavilion of the Qianqing Palace, Zhu Yunwen and Zhu Yuntong, brothers, took turns caring for Zhu Yuanzhang at his sickbed.
Consort Guo Ning was responsible for stabilizing the concubines in the harem. Without the order of the eldest grandson of the legitimate wife, no one was allowed to move around without permission.
Consort Guo Hui was chosen to take turns attending to Consort Guo Ning when she was ill.
Consort Guo's father was Prince Guo Zixing of Chuyang, and her birth mother was Lady Zhang, a concubine of Guo Zixing, who was also the adoptive mother of Empress Ma.
She had a beautiful face and looked even younger than Consort Guo.
Although she has given birth to five children, she still retains a sense of innocence on her face, which shows that she has been well protected.
Zhu Yuanzhang's eleventh son Zhu Chun, thirteenth son Zhu Gui, nineteenth son Zhu Hui, twelfth daughter, and fifteenth daughter were all her children.
She bore the most children among Zhu Yuanzhang's concubines.
If we judge the degree of favorability solely by the number of children, she undoubtedly received the most affection.
If it weren't for her son Zhu Hui opening the Jin Chuan Gate, her adoptive father wouldn't have been able to enter the capital so easily later. Zhu Gaoxi really wanted to chat with her and build a relationship.
In fact, what Zhu Gaoxi was most worried about was Zhu Yuanzhang's illness. If Zhu Yuanzhang died prematurely, wouldn't he also die?
However, this woman never went to the side hall; she stayed by Zhu Yuanzhang's side with all her heart.
Zhu Gaoxi obtained most of his information from Xu Miaojin and Zhu Yunwen.
When Zhu Yunwen returned to the side hall during his shift break, he often talked to himself while leaning against the crib, perhaps because he was too afraid.
Consort Guo was busy managing the harem and serving Zhu Yuanzhang, so she was unable to take care of Zhu Gaoxi. Therefore, the heavy responsibility of taking care of Zhu Gaoxi fell entirely on Xu Miaojin.
Xu Miaojin supervised and directed the palace servants to feed Zhu Gaoxi, change his diapers, bathe him, and change his clothes.
This little girl, though hot-tempered, remains calm in the face of chaos, has a clear mind, and arranges things in an orderly manner.
The palace servants dared not utter a sound when they saw her.
Zhu Yuanzhang's illness was severe, and despite three days and nights of continuous intensive care, his condition showed no improvement.
An indescribable somber atmosphere permeated the Qianqing Palace.
Outside the palace, Chen, the head of the Imperial Medical Academy, was quietly discussing with the chief physicians and imperial physicians whether to issue a critical condition notice.
Civil officials such as Zhan Hui, Junior Guardian of the Crown Prince and Minister of Personnel, and Ru Chang, Junior Guardian of the Crown Prince and Minister of War, along with military generals such as Feng Sheng, Grand Tutor of the Crown Prince, Fu Youde, Li Jinglong, Grand Tutor of the Crown Prince, and Lan Yu, gathered in the front court to await news.
Zhu Yunwen, Zhu Yuntong, Consort Guo Ning, and Consort Guo Hui finished their shifts and remained at the Qianqing Palace without leaving its side.
Inside the side hall, Xu Miaojin's tired face revealed deep unease and worry.
Suddenly, a crow swept across the sky, its cawing shrill and chilling.
"Is something terrible about to happen?" Xu Miaojin looked up in surprise and muttered to herself.
We cannot sit idly by and wait for death; we must help Zhu Yuanzhang get through this calamity. Zhu Gaoxi hurriedly put his mind to work and racked his brains.
"Satisfaction level rises to 100, life can be extended for another year," the life extension system suddenly prompted.
How could Zhu Yuanzhang's satisfaction level suddenly soar while he was in a coma?
Is it because you miss me?
Zhu Gaoxi mechanically clicked on the button using his subconscious.
"Life has been successfully extended by one year, with a current lifespan of three years. Satisfaction level is now zero."
"Lifespan Exchange Shop officially launched, minimum purchase of two years' lifespan each time."
Zhu Gaoxi's mind scrolled through the items he could exchange for, including various levels of divine power and all sorts of life-saving elixirs.
Wait, can this life-saving elixir be bought and given to Zhu Yuanzhang?
Thinking of this, Zhu Gaoxi immediately clicked in to view the detailed explanation.
Some were usable, some were not. Zhu Gaoxi chose the cheapest one, which only took one year to live.
His life is short, so we have to be careful with it.
To ensure that the elixir could be fed to Zhu Yuanzhang, he also purchased a level one divine power, which cost him another year of his lifespan.
They risked their lives every time.
This was absolutely terrifying.
"Payment successful, remaining lifespan one year."
After settling the score, Zhu Gaoxi suddenly felt a surge of strength and decided to test his skills by reaching out and tugging at Xu Miaojin's hair.
"Huh, who touched me?" Xu Miaojin turned around in surprise.
Zhu Gaoxi was caught red-handed before he could let go.
"So it was you," Xu Miaojin said without any politeness, prying his hand away.
The initial trial was successful.
Zhu Gaoxi decided to persevere.
Just then, the door creaked open, revealing the imperial eunuch Huang Liang.
"Miss Miaojin, His Majesty wishes to see the imperial grandson."
Xu Miaojin dared not delay and immediately ordered the palace servants to pick up Zhu Gaoxi.
Outside the Qianqing Palace, Duke Feng Sheng of Song, Fu Youde of Ying, Duke Li Jinglong of Cao, and Duke Lan Yu of Liang were waiting to be summoned. Grand Secretary Liu Sanwu of the Hanlin Academy and Minister of War Ru Chang were also standing not far away.
Inside the Qianqing Palace, at Zhu Yuanzhang's sickbed, Consort Guo Ning received Zhu Gaoxi's edict.
Zhu Yunwen and Zhu Yuntong stood by.
Consort Guo Hui was holding Zhu Yuanzhang's hand, tears streaming down her face.
As Zhu Gaoxi approached the bed step by step, he nervously calculated the distance, the effort required, and the safety of his movements.
As he drew closer, he suddenly lunged at Zhu Yuanzhang, shoving his hand into Zhu Yuanzhang's mouth. The elixir had already been smeared onto his hand.
Zhu Gaoxi suddenly fell, startling Consort Guo Ning, who turned pale with fright. Fortunately, the bed caught him.
"Xiang'er," Zhu Yuanzhang called out weakly, opening his cloudy eyes.
Finally, the Emperor woke up! Everyone present was overjoyed and secretly breathed a sigh of relief.
Chen, the Imperial Physician, strode in and took Zhu Yuanzhang's pulse.
Consort Guo picked up Zhu Gaoxi and was about to hand him over to a palace servant to be taken away when she suddenly heard Zhu Yuanzhang say, "Let Xi'er stay here."
"My Emperor is wise indeed, knowing who the true savior is," Zhu Gaoxi thought to himself with deep emotion.
The news of Zhu Yuanzhang's awakening quickly spread throughout the Forbidden City, and the civil and military officials dispersed.
Zhu Gaoxi stayed by his grandfather's side, trying his best to be cute and win his favor. He successfully extended his life twice, which finally offset the previous expenses.
Xu Miaojin was rewarded with fifty taels of gold for her diligent care of Zhu Gaoxi.
Zhu Gaoxi discovered that this young girl was greedy for money, and since she got the gleaming gold, even her temper had become much gentler.
Zhu Yunwen regarded him as a lucky star and would try to get close to him whenever he had a chance.
Thanks to proper care, Zhu Yuanzhang recovered his health at an astonishing speed.
Zhu Gaoxi felt hopeful about life again.