It was the hour of Hai, on the same night.
Upon seeing the face of the person on the bed, Wu Tao, who had always been bold and fearless, couldn't help but gasp for air.
In less than a day, Empress Ma's face, neck, hands, and feet were all covered in small, bead-like poisonous spots.
These spots were vividly colored and exceptionally bright, striking fear into the hearts of all who saw them.
What made the situation even more difficult for Wu Tao and the imperial physicians was Empress Ma's bluish lips and the layer of dark energy shrouding her face, clearly indicating deep poisoning.
To save her life without an antidote would be as difficult as scaling a mountain.
Even with an antidote, it was uncertain whether Empress Ma, whose body had already integrated with the "Thousand Transformations Poison," could be successfully treated.
Wu Tao and dozens of imperial physicians, upon seeing this, furrowed their brows and remained silent.
Wu Tao, having just taken her pulse and examined her face and pupils, had preliminarily concluded that this mixed poison had already infiltrated her internal organs.
Even with an antidote, it could only treat the symptoms, not the root cause. To eradicate each of the various toxins within would be a gamble of luck.
After a series of examinations, the other imperial physicians arrived at results largely similar to Wu Tao's.
Thinking of this, Wu Tao couldn't help but cast a furtive glance at the imperial physicians standing beside him.
The sight almost made Wu Tao furious.
The imperial physicians stood there like wooden figures, clearly unwilling to take responsibility and thus shirking it onto Wu Tao.
Wu Tao silently cursed them in his heart.
"These damnable bastards, afraid to administer the antidote themselves, yet dumping the problem onto me."
However, for the sake of his dignity as the National Preceptor, Wu Tao had to feign a look of deep thought and study, to appear different from the others.
After a while, Zhu Biao couldn't help but ask.
"Venerable Daoist, the antidote is here, can you truly save my mother?"
"Say something, I'm really worried!"
...
"Biao'er, you're too impatient. Don't you see Venerable Daoist Qingyun is trying to figure something out? Be patient!"
Before Wu Qing could answer, Zhu Yuanzhang immediately reprimanded him.
Zhu Biao immediately became quiet, though he still felt somewhat unconvinced.
Seeing this, Wu Tao coughed slightly. His cough reminded everyone in the room that this elderly man was over one hundred and twenty years old.
Even the imperial physicians who had been feigning ignorance blushed slightly, clearly feeling a bit embarrassed.
However, it didn't matter what the people in the room were thinking.
The objective had been achieved, and he didn't want to hear any more arguments between the two.
"This mixed poison has already fused with the Empress's severe toxins. Even with an antidote, it is indeed very troublesome to treat..."
"I cannot guarantee absolute success in detoxifying her, but I can try."
"The detoxification process carries some danger and risks. Does Your Majesty still wish for me to proceed?"
Wu Tao feigned difficulty as he spoke.
For him, it would be even better if he weren't asked to detoxify. Even with the antidote, his chances were slim.
After all, in terms of poisoning, the relationship between the early, middle, and late stages was difficult to explain to outsiders.
Wu Tao's words caused the father and son present, Zhu Yuanzhang and Zhu Biao, to exchange glances, neither daring to agree to his immediate detoxification.
However, besides Wu Tao, it seemed the other imperial physicians were even less capable.
After a long pause, Zhu Yuanzhang suddenly asked:
"Venerable Daoist, what are your chances of saving the Empress?"
"Seventy percent..."
Wu Tao replied without hesitation.
"Very well, Venerable Daoist, proceed with the rescue. If anything unfortunate happens to the Empress, I will not blame you. This is fate."
After careful consideration, Zhu Yuanzhang's face revealed a resolute expression, and he immediately made his decision.
"Father, shouldn't you consider it more? Each to their own specialty. Let the more professional imperial physicians handle it!"
Seeing this, Zhu Biao became anxious and hurriedly tried to dissuade his father from his impulsive decision.
"I've thought it through carefully. If we don't let the Venerable Daoist detoxify her, with these useless physicians here, the Empress likely won't survive the night."
"In battle, we take risks with a thirty percent chance of victory. Now, with a seventy percent chance of saving her, why hesitate?"
Zhu Yuanzhang said.
"This..." Zhu Biao was rendered speechless.
The dozens of highly skilled imperial physicians also hung their heads in shame.
Wu Tao glanced at the other dozens of imperial physicians. Seeing that they had been put in such a position, none dared to step forward and administer the antidote.
He shook his head slightly, further despising these physicians.
Wu Tao administered the antidote to Empress Ma and then poured a purplish-gold pill from his wine gourd into her mouth.
"What is this medicine?"
Watching Wu Tao place the purplish-gold pill into Empress Ma's mouth, Zhu Biao, frantic with worry, couldn't help but ask the question on everyone's mind.
"It's a sacred medicine made by my Qingyun Temple. I hope it will have some effect."
Wu Tao said lightly, though his heart ached like being twisted.
He didn't want anyone to know the name "Purple Gold Great Luo Pill." Who knew if this longevity-extending sacred medicine might bring him trouble? It was better to be low-key.
After taking the antidote and the Purple Gold Great Luo Pill, about the time it took to eat a meal, the dark energy on Empress Ma's face began to fade, the poisonous spots on her body shifted from deep to shallow and began to shrink.
This obvious change indicated to even a layman that the poison in Empress Ma's body was gradually subsiding, and things were moving in a positive direction.
Upon seeing this, everyone in the room breathed a sigh of relief, their faces beaming with joy.
They were all impressed with Wu Tao. Only Zhu Biao, still unable to fully shake off his embarrassment, let out a light snort, but his expression also softened considerably.
Seeing that the "Thousand Transformations Poison" was already receding without any further auxiliary steps, Wu Tao was also somewhat surprised.
It was so effective, exceeding his expectations. Perhaps this poison wasn't as potent as he had imagined, he thought.
As things took a turn for the better, Wu Tao felt somewhat frustrated for two reasons.
The first was what he had already mentioned: the detoxification process involved risks, but the Empress's severe toxins were so easily resolved.
"Isn't this like slapping myself in the face, making others think I deliberately misled them?"
Secondly, the Purple Gold Great Luo Pill was so effective that he felt he had lost out.
Amidst the eager concern of tens of thousands of people in the palace, Wu Tao pushed open the doors of Fengfeng Hall and announced publicly.
"The toxins in Empress's body have been completely cleared. She is expected to awaken tomorrow morning."
Upon hearing this news, endless cheers erupted throughout the palace.
At this moment, whether it was the ordinary eunuchs and palace maids, or Zhu Yuanzhang and Zhu Biao, everyone was excited and happy.
The ordinary eunuchs and palace maids were happy because they no longer had to worry about being buried alive.
In ancient times, the death of an emperor or empress would typically result in the burial of at least a thousand people.
And Zhu Yuanzhang, seeing his wife of many years finally awaken, would have to be a ghost not to be excited and happy.
Zhu Biao's thoughts were almost identical to Zhu Yuanzhang's, save for the difference between wife and mother.
...
The next day.
Fengfeng Hall was crowded.
Zhu Yuanzhang was present; Prince Zhu Biao was present; Zhu Di was present; the Empress's sister was present; the imperial princes were present...
In short, anyone who could be remotely related to Empress was there.
At this moment, no one spoke. All eyes were fixed silently on Empress Ma on her sickbed...
They waited for over an hour.
Finally, Wu Tao cleared his throat and broke the silence of the sickroom.
"Everyone, the time to visit Empress has ended. Those with nothing else to do may leave now!"
Upon hearing Wu Tao's urging, they exchanged glances, nodded in unison, and then gradually left Fengfeng Hall.
Ultimately, only three men remained in the hall.
One was Empress Ma's husband, "Zhu Yuanzhang."
The other two were Empress Ma's two sons, Crown Prince "Zhu Biao" and King of Yan "Zhu Di."
"Father, I apologize. It is my fault for not disciplining my young daughter properly, which has led to Mother's current condition!"
Zhu Biao said in a low voice, apologizing to Zhu Yuanzhang.
Zhu Yuanzhang heard this, shook his head slightly, and replied in an indescribable tone, "This has nothing to do with you!"
"The severe poison in your mother's body was planted many years ago. The sachet that Little Yan brought was merely an accelerant."
"Moreover, this is not the first time your mother has been assassinated, merely never this severe."
"Since the days of conquering the empire, she has endured much hardship with me. Now, when she should be enjoying herself, a group of people want to harm her."
"I have long been mentally prepared for myself, but alas, these spineless cowards always target your mother!"
"This matter is far more complex than it appears. The Caitongtian Merchant Association and the White Lotus Sect alone could not have infiltrated the palace."
"They are merely scapegoats pushed out by the masterminds."
"My son, I suspect that the founding nobles may be involved."
Zhu Biao's heart tightened as he looked at the murderous Zhu Yuanzhang.
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