The renovation work on Jingyang Palace was already in full swing.
But according to Chief Steward Shang, the renovation work would likely last for several months.
This was much longer than the Three Little Ones had anticipated, meaning they would have to stay outside the palace during this period.
During this time, the competition in the Imperial Garden and going to Thousand Stars Pavilion to read could not be delayed, so the Three Little Ones had no choice but to travel back and forth between Xingqing Palace and the Royal Palace for a while.
However, these two activities only occurred once a month, so it was not too much trouble.
Moreover, Li Xuan was even a little relieved about this.
At this point, it was a good thing to stay away from those people in the Royal Palace.
After Princess Ankang won the last Autumn Hunt competition, she accumulated another point on the scoreboard, reaching five points, further widening the gap with the Second Prince.
The First Prince had originally reached three points by winning the palace investigation competition two months ago, with only a one-point difference from Princess Ankang.
He had hoped to catch up, but then Princess Ankang left him behind again.
It was now late August, approaching September.
Li Xuan counted on his fingers; there were only four months left, which meant four more Imperial Garden competitions.
Many princes and princesses had completely lost their qualifications to compete for victory, and even those with points had a huge gap between them and Princess Ankang.
Only the First Prince still had some hope of turning the tables.
In such a situation, who knew what crazy things Consort Zhang would do, so it was better to stay far away.
...
On this day, Li Xuan was in Xingqing Palace, accompanying Princess Ankang and Yuer, basking in the sun and practicing Stone Flicking Technique.
Suddenly, someone requested an audience from outside the palace; it turned out to be Imperial Physician Xue.
Upon hearing that Imperial Physician Xue had arrived, Li Xuan immediately felt a bit awkward.
Originally, Li Xuan should have gone to find Imperial Physician Xue a long time ago.
Because they had previously agreed that the next time Li Xuan absorbed the cold from Princess Ankang, Imperial Physician Xue would observe to better understand what was going on with the cold in Princess Ankang's body.
However, the last time Li Xuan absorbed the cold from Princess Ankang, he deliberately did not notify Imperial Physician Xue.
At that time, Chief Steward Shang had just told Li Xuan that Empress Wu might be unfavorable to Princess Ankang.
Li Xuan was flustered at the time and inevitably began to guess Imperial Physician Xue's stance.
Given his connection with Fang Muyang, Li Xuan was not too worried that Imperial Physician Xue would defect to Empress Wu.
If he hadn't clearly seen Imperial Physician Xue's character and how much Imperial Physician Xue cared about his disciple Fang Muyang, he wouldn't have easily established a connection with him.
However, Imperial Physician Xue was a pure person completely engrossed in medicine, and Li Xuan did not want him to get involved in the power struggles within the palace.
Once involved, it would be difficult to get out.
Li Xuan thought that there must have been constant rumors in the palace these past few days, as the renovation of Jingyang Palace and Princess Ankang's temporary stay in Xingqing Palace were not small matters.
As for Empress Wu's plot against Princess Ankang, under the Emperor Yongyuan's deliberate spreading, Imperial Physician Xue should have heard about it.
"Is this old man fearless?"
"Or was he forced to come?"
Li Xuan frowned slightly, unable to guess Imperial Physician Xue's intention.
"Li Xuan..."
Upon receiving the notification, Princess Ankang looked at Li Xuan.
Li Xuan had also told the two maids about his concerns regarding Imperial Physician Xue.
The purpose was to make Imperial Physician Xue a cover for Princess Ankang's recovery, so there was no need to involve the old man in great trouble with them.
Princess Ankang and Yuer also agreed with Li Xuan's opinion on this matter.
But today, Imperial Physician Xue took the initiative to come to Xingqing Palace to find them.
Seeing Princess Ankang looking at him with an inquiring look, Li Xuan nodded at her.
"Let's meet him and see what Imperial Physician Xue's intention is."
"Perhaps he's already in trouble."
If Imperial Physician Xue was being troubled because of Jingyang Palace, Li Xuan couldn't just ignore it, as the matter originated from them.
But when the Three Little Ones saw Imperial Physician Xue, they all collectively breathed a sigh of relief.
At least, from his appearance, the old man seemed to be in a good mood, with no hint of a troubled expression.
"Your Highness, how have you been recently?"
As soon as he entered, Imperial Physician Xue greeted them with a smile.
"Imperial Physician Xue, it's been a while."
Princess Ankang returned the greeting, and looking at Imperial Physician Xue's complexion, it was indeed the same as usual.
This, in turn, made Princess Ankang a little confused.
She didn't speculate further and asked directly:
"Imperial Physician Xue, are you here today for a follow-up consultation?"
"Uh, yes, yes, for a follow-up consultation." Imperial Physician Xue's gaze flickered, and then he added, "Besides that, I also want to borrow Li Xuan for a bit."
Upon hearing this, Li Xuan immediately became wary.
"Why borrow me out of the blue?"
"Is it a trap?!"
Imperial Physician Xue saw the wariness on Li Xuan's face and said irritably:
"You little cat, are you so forgetful?"
"There's a development regarding the cultivation of the Noon Twin Lotus that we talked about before; we need to go to the Sun Moon Yin Yang Pond, and I can't get in without you!"
Li Xuan was stunned.
"Oh, it seems there really was such a thing."
But Li Xuan didn't believe it, so he went out and asked Chief Steward Shang, and it turned out to be true.
Approaching the end of the month, the Moon Yin Pond of the Sun Moon Yin Yang Pond was at its most gentle.
Imperial Physician Xue hoped to go a few days in advance to observe the effect of the Moon Yin Pond on the cultivation of the Noon Twin Lotus.
After receiving Chief Steward Shang's confirmation, Li Xuan returned satisfied and agreed to go with Imperial Physician Xue.
"A few days apart, Li Xuan's courage has shrunk, huh."
Imperial Physician Xue stroked his beard, mocking with a smile.
Li Xuan's two small ears immediately flattened against his head, pretending not to hear.
At this moment, Imperial Physician Xue had already begun his follow-up consultation for Princess Ankang.
As soon as he took her pulse, the smile on his face suddenly vanished.
Li Xuan knew trouble was coming, so he quickly pulled Imperial Physician Xue out the door and called Chief Steward Shang to immediately prepare a carriage to enter the palace.
"Meow! Meow meow! (Carriage! Where's my Royal carriage!)"
...
Inside Princess Ankang's luxurious carriage, Li Xuan and Imperial Physician Xue sat together.
Li Xuan lay by the window, intently watching the scenery outside, his back of the head receiving a resentful gaze.
Li Xuan gulped, swallowing his saliva, not even daring to turn his head back.
"You don't trust me that much?"
Imperial Physician Xue said coldly.
Seeing Li Xuan restlessly slapping the carriage floor with his tail, Imperial Physician Xue continued on his own:
"I've also heard about Empress Wu's matter."
"You're afraid I've been bribed by Empress Wu and will turn against you, aren't you?"
Li Xuan suddenly turned his head, staring at Imperial Physician Xue with wide eyes, his two front paws waving continuously, looking like, "I never thought that."
Imperial Physician Xue was now accustomed to Li Xuan's lively, human-like demeanor, and merely pursed his lips.
He had lived for so long; couldn't he see through such a simple matter?
Imperial Physician Xue disdainfully blew on his beard, then also looked out the window.
"Although you are a small cat, this concern of yours is correct."
Li Xuan's eyes widened, not expecting this old man to actually agree with him.
"Most of the imperial physicians in the Imperial Hospital who died did so for this reason."
"So there's a saying: Don't fear incompetent doctors, but fear skilled doctors."
Imperial Physician Xue sighed to himself, seemingly quite dissatisfied with the current Imperial Hospital.
But when he turned and saw Li Xuan's puzzled expression, he couldn't help but explain further:
"For a physician, the art is to save lives. One mistake, and it's murder."
"An incompetent doctor neither saves nor kills; a skilled doctor holds the power of life and death."
"No matter how famous these people were before entering the Imperial Hospital, they gradually all became incompetent doctors."
Imperial Physician Xue looked at the scenery outside the carriage, his face full of helplessness and exhaustion.
Li Xuan patted Imperial Physician Xue's hand with his tail, then asked:
"What exactly does that mean?"
"Do the Imperial Physicians in the Imperial Hospital not treat illnesses properly?"
Imperial Physician Xue shook his head and smiled: "That's not quite what I mean."
"Minor illnesses can still be treated quite efficiently."
"But when it comes to 'major' illnesses, they all shake their heads, stroke their beards, and sigh, putting on a difficult expression."
"And these major illnesses, first, the 'illness' is difficult to cure, and second, the 'person' is difficult to cure."
"They all look at each other, and no one dares to rashly attempt treatment; it's better to pretend to be foolish and stay out of it."
"If something really happens, unless a knife is held to these old doctors' necks, you won't see them trying their best for you."
As Imperial Physician Xue spoke, he couldn't help but laugh, as if remembering something.
"But if everyone declines, the palace wouldn't tolerate these imperial physicians, would it?"
Li Xuan found the situation in the Imperial Hospital quite unusual, so he couldn't help but continue to ask.
Imperial Physician Xue waved his hand: "Hah, there aren't that many major illnesses to treat in the palace."
"Moreover, I really can't stand such a trend, so in recent years, I've been the one treating these difficult cases. Other imperial physicians are happy with this, and the nobles also feel at ease with my treatment."
"Over time, all these messy affairs have fallen on my head."
"It's a bit busy, but there's also an advantage: no one will easily touch me."
"Firstly, I was invited by Great Xing to compile books, and secondly, the nobles trust me. They are also afraid of losing me, a skilled doctor who dares to treat their illnesses properly."
"So, you little cat can rest assured, Empress Wu hasn't come looking for me, nor will she."
Imperial Physician Xue spoke with conviction and confidence.
Li Xuan just listened, silently turning his head to the window, continuing to look at the scenery.
But Imperial Physician Xue couldn't bear it: "Otherwise, I would have exposed all your troublesome affairs long ago; why wait until today?"
"If you don't call me next time you absorb the cold, don't blame this old man for being impolite!"
Imperial Physician Xue was so angry that he gritted his teeth.
He knew what was going on as soon as he took Princess Ankang's pulse at Xingqing Palace earlier.
Princess Ankang's physical condition had advanced further, far exceeding the normal range; her pulse was strong and powerful, like the war drums of an army formation.
This was simply incomprehensible to Imperial Physician Xue.
But Li Xuan, on the other hand, was wary of him and broke their agreement last time by not calling him, so how could Imperial Physician Xue not be angry?
However, Imperial Physician Xue knew that Li Xuan and Princess Ankang might be the only samples in the world, so he had no choice but to seize the opportunity and strongly request to observe next time.
While the man and cat chatted, the carriage entered the palace, and then they walked together to the Royal Bathhouse, Yuqing Pond.
When they entered the palace, Chief Steward Shang did not accompany them but stayed in Xingqing Palace.
And when they arrived in front of Yuqing Pond, they found Zhao Feng already waiting there.
"Li Xuan, it's been a while."
Zhao Feng greeted Li Xuan from afar, and Li Xuan darted onto Zhao Feng's shoulder, meowing back at him.
During these past few days that the Three Little Ones had been staying in Xingqing Palace, Zhao Feng, who came every morning to teach Yuer martial arts, couldn't come either, so it had indeed been some time since they last met.
But now, Yuer's cultivation had long been on the right track, and her cultivation of Flying Dragon Sleeve had progressed rapidly after several real battles, with the next breakthrough already within reach.
"Imperial Physician Xue, you've waited a long time. Please come in with me."
This time, Imperial Physician Xue had received the Emperor Yongyuan's permission to enter Yuqing Pond to attempt cultivating the Noon Twin Lotus.
The two men and one cat went straight into Yuqing Pond, which was still the same as before, always shrouded in steaming mist.
They went directly to the deepest part, the Sun Moon Yin Yang Pond, and from afar, Li Xuan felt that special aura.
"I didn't notice it before, but it turns out this Sun Moon Yin Yang Pond is slowly drawing Yin-Yang Power from heaven and earth!"
Li Xuan was startled; the closer he got to the Sun Moon Yin Yang Pond, the clearer that feeling became.
"No wonder I could gain Yin-Yang Power after completing the bottom-touching trial."
Li Xuan stood on Zhao Feng's shoulder, stretching his neck to look in the direction of the Sun Moon Yin Yang Pond.
He could sense that the way this pond water absorbed Yin-Yang Power from heaven and earth was very similar to the Yin Yang True Qi in his body, both being a slow transformation of the five elements of heaven and earth.
However, the Sun Moon Yin Yang Pond's speed was clearly slower than Li Xuan's.
But this pond had existed for an unknown period, and no one could say how much Yin-Yang Power it had accumulated over the years.
"No wonder Yuqing Pond didn't allow others to enter casually in the past; it turns out there was such a secret."
If Li Xuan hadn't cultivated Yin Yang True Qi by now, he would still be like before, thinking it was just two extreme hot and cold pools.
At this moment, Li Xuan recalled another detail: when he touched the bottom, he had vaguely seen that there seemed to be a formation at the bottom of the Sun Moon Yin Yang Pond.
Li Xuan silently swallowed his saliva, as if he had discovered some shocking secret.
"Does the Emperor Yongyuan know about this?"
"He must know, otherwise, there would be no need for me to accompany him to cultivate the Noon Twin Lotus."
Li Xuan's eyes darted around, wondering what tricks the Emperor Yongyuan was up to and what he was secretly planning.
"If it can help my cultivation, he should just say so..."
At this moment, they had already reached the edge of the pond.
"Imperial Physician Xue, this is the Moon Yin Pond. In a few days, at the beginning of the month, it will be when the Sun Flame Pond is at its hottest, but also when the Moon Yin Pond is at its most gentle."
"If we start cultivating, this period should be more suitable."
After Zhao Feng briefly explained a few words, he stepped aside, leaving the area to Imperial Physician Xue, the professional.
Imperial Physician Xue took out an exquisite cloth pouch from his Arms, filled with sparkling, black and white lotus seeds.
Imperial Physician Xue carefully took out a black lotus seed and then came to the edge of the Moon Yin Pond.
Li Xuan and Zhao Feng both looked on with curiosity, wanting to see how Imperial Physician Xue intended to attempt this cultivation.
But the next moment, Imperial Physician Xue, with a serious and solemn expression, casually tossed the lotus seed, and with a plop, it sank into the Moon Yin Pond, never to be heard from again.
Li Xuan and Zhao Feng both frowned, unable to say anything for a moment.
"..."
Imperial Physician Xue stood with his hands behind his back, leaning slightly forward, looking into the Moon Yin Pond, seemingly unafraid of falling in.
This posture completely confused Li Xuan.
"No, old man, are you messing with me?"