Chapter 11: Du Ruhui Awakens

Li Yi paid no mind to Lady Du’s evident surprise, instead maintaining a serious demeanor as he inquired again, “Madam, aside from these, does Uncle Du exhibit any other symptoms?”

“No, just these,” Lady Du answered, her cheeks regaining composure as she replied to Li Yi with a gentle smile.

“Thank you very much, Madam!” Receiving her definite answer, Li Yi took his leave and approached the bedside, preparing to examine Du Ruhui’s pulse.

From their conversation, Li Shimin and the others gathered that Li Yi truly possessed medical skill. Li Jing’s earlier words were not a fabrication.

Thus, while Li Shimin still harbored some doubts about Li Yi, he was generous enough; before Li Yi could even reach the bedside, Li Shimin stood and made way, clearing space for Li Yi to examine the pulse.

“Thank you, Your Majesty,” Li Yi bowed in gratitude to Li Shimin, then sat at the bedside and earnestly began to take Du Ruhui’s pulse.

Wei Zheng and the others glanced at Li Yi, then looked meaningfully toward Li Jing. Seeing the comforted smile on Li Jing’s face, their hearts grew all the more perplexed.

“What secret is the physician hiding in his gourd?” Wei Zheng, Fang Xuanling and the others speculated silently.

The old imperial physician’s face remained unreadable, patiently awaiting the outcome.

The room grew quiet once more.

After a brief examination, Li Yi noticed that although Du Ruhui’s pulse was chaotic, his condition was not altogether dire.

He then drew a silk cloth from his bosom, gently pried open Du Ruhui’s mouth, and found some foul obstructions inside. Li Yi picked up a small spoon from the bedside and cleared them away.

Next, he lifted Du Ruhui’s eyelids, observing that the pupils quickly returned to normal upon pressure.

Only now did Li Yi feel certain of Du Ruhui’s illness.

—It was indeed tuberculosis!

Yet Du Ruhui’s case was not terminal or beyond hope. His prolonged unconsciousness was merely the result of a relapse, which had weakened his body to the point of a suspended animation.

Upon completing his diagnosis, Li Yi let out a long breath and declared in a calm voice, “Prime Minister Du can still be saved!”

At once, the entire room erupted in astonishment.

He can be saved?

Hadn’t the old imperial physician just asserted he’d done all he could, and that Du Ruhui could not be revived?

How is it that Li Yi now claims otherwise?

Could it be... Li Yi is speaking nonsense?

Wei Zheng and the others frowned deeply; Li Shimin’s eyes narrowed to slits, fixing a suspicious gaze upon Li Yi.

In contrast, the faces of the Du family showed a glimmer of hope.

“Third Young Master Li, quick! Please hurry and save your Uncle Du!” Lady Du cried out, throwing decorum to the wind.

Du Gou echoed her, pleading, “Third Brother, please! Save Father’s life!”

“Rest assured, Madam, I will do my utmost!” Li Yi nodded resolutely, though his expression turned hesitant.

But time was slipping away; Du Ruhui’s condition could not tolerate further delay.

Li Yi suddenly rose, bowed toward Li Shimin, and requested, “Your Majesty, I ask that you and the others withdraw for a moment, leaving only Lady Du and myself in the room. Will Your Majesty permit this?”

His words caused all present to look at him with complex expressions. Even Li Jing regarded Li Yi with skepticism—not doubting his propriety, but wondering why healing required clearing the room. Even the emperor was not to remain?

“Third Son, do not be so discourteous!” Li Jing admonished, only for Li Shimin to take a deep breath and interject, “Very well. I approve. All of you, wait outside with me.”

“...Yes, Your Majesty!” Though displeased, no one dared protest further. All followed Li Shimin out.

Now, only Lady Du and Li Yi remained.

Li Yi ignored the empty formalities.

“Madam, practice with me—inhale deeply, then exhale slowly, just as I do…” Li Yi demonstrated the technique as he spoke.

Lady Du stared in bewilderment.

“Third Young Master Li, aren’t you supposed to save your Uncle Du? Why have me practice this?” she asked, her face showing confusion and urgency.

Li Yi offered a helpless smile and shook his head, “Madam, just follow along. There will be use for this soon.”

“Very well…” Lady Du acquiesced, inwardly hoping he was not deceiving her.

She practiced with Li Yi several times, until he was satisfied. “Madam, that’s enough. Now come over, mouth to mouth with Uncle Du, maintaining the same technique. I will begin the rescue at once!”

His method was simple: employing modern “artificial respiration” combined with cardiac stimulation to revive Du Ruhui.

Surely he could not, as a man, administer artificial respiration himself? Fortunately, Lady Du was present, sparing him embarrassment.

Whether Lady Du felt embarrassed herself was of lesser concern; saving a life was paramount!

Li Yi rolled up his sleeves, flattened his palms, and prepared to compress Du Ruhui’s heart as soon as Lady Du began artificial respiration.

Yet Li Yi waited for quite some time, only to find Lady Du frozen in place.

“Madam, if you don’t hurry, Uncle Du will not wake!” Li Yi’s eyes grew anxious, and he frowned sternly.

Lady Du’s face darkened. Such intimate acts were never to be witnessed by outsiders, and especially not before a young man.

Still, after Li Yi’s stern warning, her frustration gave way to urgency. Swiftly, she stepped forward, bent over, and began to inhale and exhale into Du Ruhui’s mouth.

Thankfully, Lady Du had practiced well; the procedure went smoothly.

Li Yi simultaneously compressed Du Ruhui’s heart.

They worked together for a long while; sweat beaded on Li Yi’s brow, but at last, Du Ruhui began to show signs of consciousness.

...

Outside the room.

Li Shimin stood silent, hands clasped behind his back, expression unreadable.

Wei Zheng and the others were filled with curiosity and anxiety. Could Li Yi truly revive Du Ruhui?

If he failed, Li Jing would be in trouble…

After all, Li Yi had the audacity to drive even Li Shimin from the room.

The old imperial physician, Luo, shook his head and scoffed quietly, “Ah… Young people these days are arrogant, daring to make such bold claims!”

Deeply annoyed, Luo vented without restraint.

Who was he? The preeminent authority of the Imperial Physician Bureau!

Yet today, he’d been publicly challenged by a mere youth—an intolerable affront.

Li Jing, waiting nearby, frowned slightly at Luo’s words, feeling secretly anxious.

Time passed, and impatience grew among those waiting.

Suddenly, from within the long-closed room, a cry of joy and tears rang out—

“My dear, you’re finally awake!!!”