Chapter 717
Chapter 717
“Shen Lang, you must do something, mustn't you? A person without value, a person who is despised, will almost certainly meet their end. Can you truly afford to do neither this nor that?! Not only do many in the Yan Capital dislike you, but many in Mount Budao, the Ends of the Earth Sea Pavilion, and the Vermilion Bird Pavilion also despise you. So, Shen Lang, for your own sake, shouldn't you do something? Choose one of the two options I mentioned before. Either lead the empire's delegation overseas to visit Qiu Yao'er's kingdom, or tell us where the ancient ruins of King Gong are and how to open them.”
“My apologies. I truly lack the ability.”
The Imperial Envoy narrowed his eyes.
“Shen Lang, must you be this way? I have two edicts with me. One declares you guilty, the other innocent. Choose one.”
The Imperial Envoy gave Shen Lang an ultimatum.
“Is the Imperial Envoy close with Yun Mengze?”
The young Imperial Envoy said.
“Whether I am close with someone in the Yan Capital or not is irrelevant. Besides, Yun Mengze's presence is far too insignificant to save you.”
Shen Lang suddenly spoke.
“I have heard—only heard, mind you—that a certain noble in the Yan Capital has fallen ill with a most peculiar disease. They have suddenly become terribly thin, are easily parched, and must eat a great deal of food every day. Furthermore, they lack strength, must urinate frequently, and their weight continues to drop daily. Countless physicians have examined this noble, even people from the Ends of the Earth Sea Pavilion and Mount Budao, but they have not been able to find the cause of the illness.”
Hearing this, the Emperor's envoy flinched slightly. It was a secret, yet not a secret. Shen Lang continued.
“If not treated in time, that noble will not have long to live.”
The Imperial Envoy said coldly.
“Do you dare to curse them?”
“I am merely stating a fact.”
The Imperial Envoy closed his eyes. The person Shen Lang spoke of was the current Emperor's most favored individual. Not only were they doted on by the Emperor, but they were also the apple of the Empress Dowager's eye, cherished so dearly one would fear they might break if touched or melt if held. They were not only the most beloved member of the imperial family but also an incredibly meticulous and supremely intelligent person.
But since falling ill, their condition had only worsened. The disease was now quite advanced, beyond any remedy, and the imperial family was even beginning to prepare for the inevitable. The Emperor, the Empress, and everyone else were heartbroken, and the Empress Dowager was in tears every day. Since the onset of the illness, the empire had tried every possible means, but nothing could save them. They could only watch helplessly as the person wasted away, their vitality fading as they drifted toward death. It was truly agonizing.
They had nearly lost all hope, so it was unexpected for Shen Lang to bring it up. The Emperor's envoy could not afford to ignore Shen Lang's words, for he knew that Shen Lang was a renowned physician who had created miracles several times before. In a way, it was because Shen Lang was a brilliant physician that he had been able to act so audaciously and survive until now.
“Do you know what illness it is?”
Of course, Shen Lang knew the name of the disease. It was Type 1 diabetes. The cause was unclear; it could be a defect in the autoimmune system or a genetic issue. This disease had a very rapid onset, and if not treated in time, it could be fatal. The only way to treat it was with insulin injections. Insulin sounded like a product of highly advanced science and technology, so it was unlikely to exist in this world.
Indeed, artificial insulin was a product of advanced science, even related to genetics. However, the technique for extracting insulin from the pancreases of pigs and cows had been successfully developed as early as 1922. Obtaining highly pure insulin would be relatively difficult with the methods available in this world. It required the use of Hanks' solution—an inorganic or balanced salt solution used in combination with nutrient solutions for animal cell culture—which was made by combining various components like NaCl and KCl. Then, an extremely fine filter mesh of about 200 micrometers was needed, as well as centrifuge tubes. It sounded very sophisticated, didn't it? However, the entire process of extracting insulin could be accomplished using the equipment available in this world. The insulin extracted from pig pancreases would be sufficient to save a person's life.
“The illness is called diabetes.”
Upon hearing this, the Emperor's envoy frowned. The name was unpleasant, as it could tarnish the honor of the supreme imperial family. But the name was not the crucial point.
“Can you cure it?”
“Of course!”
“How quickly can you treat it?”
“The effect will be immediate. I can stabilize the patient's condition at once, but we must act quickly. Her symptoms are extremely urgent; any further delay and her life cannot be saved.”
The Imperial Envoy narrowed his eyes, staring at Shen Lang. This was not part of his plan. He was well aware of his mission: to pressure Shen Lang into accepting one of the two tasks. However, if he could save the person His Majesty the Emperor favored most, it would be a great achievement, one that would dramatically elevate his own status.
“Shen Lang, think carefully. The patient's identity is beyond noble. If any accident occurs during the treatment, you will die instantly. At that point, not even revealing the entrance to King Gong's ancient ruins will save your life.”
“I am eighty to ninety percent confident! But the situation is already dire. Because the Imperial Envoy delayed meeting me for several days, we must head north immediately to save that noble's life. And the patient must not delay either; she must travel south from the Yan Capital at once. We will meet at a midway point, and I will save her then.”
The Imperial Envoy closed his eyes, thinking deeply, about to make a decision. He had to take responsibility for this matter. If Shen Lang saved the noble, he would have achieved great merit. But if Shen Lang failed and an accident occurred during treatment, he would also have to bear the consequences. What if he ignored Shen Lang's request? That was not an option. To have a clear opportunity to treat the noble and not seize it? That would be a crime. Thus, the Imperial Envoy had no other choice.
“Then move quickly. If you cannot save the noble, both you and I will suffer misfortune!”
A quarter of an hour later, Shen Lang and the Imperial Envoy left the capital of Chu, racing northward like an arrow.
* * *
In the new King of Chu's military camp, another imperial envoy had arrived. It was a familiar face—the Imperial Prince of Yan. He had once been a relative by marriage to Ning Yuanxian, and they were old friends. However, during the recent battle at the border, Ning Yuanxian had feigned weakness and deceived him, leaving the Imperial Prince of Yan deeply hurt and causing a drastic shift in their relationship.
On behalf of the Emperor of the Great Yan Dynasty, the Imperial Prince of Yan first personally offered sacrifices to the late King of Chu, expressing solemn condolences for his passing, and then offered kind words of comfort to the new King of Chu. The new king expressed his gratitude, declaring that the State of Chu would henceforth offer unconditional loyalty to the supreme His Majesty the Emperor. The Imperial Prince of Yan expressed great pleasure at this and publicly declared that he would uncover the complete truth behind the assassination of the previous King of Chu.
Following that, the Imperial Prince of Yan began the interrogation himself. Like in the capital of Chu, he followed the rules meticulously, conducting a detailed inquiry. Every piece of evidence was clearly collected, and every detail was substantiated at every turn. Every word of the interrogation was recorded, and even the tone of voice and the demeanor of the person being questioned were noted in great detail.
The focus of the interrogation fell on three individuals: the Seventh Prince of Chu, Chu Lin; the Grand Eunuch An Liang; and the Third Prince of Yue, Ning Qi. After five full days and nights of questioning, there were hundreds of pieces of evidence related to the case, and the written records exceeded two hundred thousand words. The two secret letters that Chu Lin was supposed to deliver to the King of Chu were examined over a hundred times, and more than thirty alchemists were assigned to test for poison. On the sixth day, the Imperial Prince of Yan secretly summoned Ning Qi to deliver the verdict that would decide his fate.
* * *
“Ning Qi, all the evidence is highly unfavorable to you. It has been proven that Consort An did indeed prepare to assassinate the former King of Chu with An Liang, and Grand Eunuch An Liang has confessed that he intended to use the arrow you shot as a signal to trigger the *gu* worm in the king's body. Therefore, you are the prime culprit in the assassination of the King of Chu. Do you have anything to say in your defense?”
The Third Prince, Ning Qi, knelt and kowtowed.
“I do not. This servant will abide by all of the Imperial Envoy's judgments.”
“Furthermore, this was clearly your doing, so why did you spread rumors to pin the crime of assassinating the King of Chu on Shen Lang and the new king?”
Ning Qi, still kowtowing, said.
“Your Excellency, I did not spread such rumors. The day after the former king's sudden death, I immediately entered the Chu army's barracks to await the empire's investigation. I gave explicit orders that I was not to make any move, and I specifically instructed my men not to frame Shen Lang.”
“Who can be a witness to that?”
“Marquis of Zhenxi, Zhong Yao, and Grand Marshal of Tianyue, Xue Che, can both bear witness.”
“Your royal father summoned you back to Tianyue City. Why did you not return?”
“There is a saying: ‘One must serve Heaven, Earth, Sovereign, Parent, and Teacher.’ His Majesty the Emperor is Heaven, Earth, and Sovereign. I believe it is my duty to first offer my loyalty to the supreme Emperor before I can show loyalty and filial piety to my father, Ning Yuanxian.”
The Imperial Prince of Yan nodded and asked.
“Tell me the truth, just between us. Who do you believe was the direct culprit in the assassination of the King of Chu this time?”
Ning Qi thought for a moment before replying.
“It was probably Shen Lang.”
The Imperial Prince of Yan slammed his hand on the table and said in an angry voice.
“And you still claim you did not try to frame Shen Lang? Those rumors were clearly spread by you. Things have come to this, and you still try to bite at Shen Lang?”
Ning Qi kowtowed and said.
“May the Imperial Envoy quell his anger. This servant was merely speaking the truth.”
“Ning Qi, countless people heard the former king's last words before he died. He shouted that you had colluded with Mount Budao to assassinate him. You must know that you cannot prove your innocence no matter what.”
Ning Qi pressed his forehead to the ground, saying nothing, as the Imperial Prince of Yan's voice grew even more majestic and cold.
“Moreover, you are fully aware of the terrible impact your assassination of the former King of Chu has had. The rulers of the world have been struck with fear, each conducting great purges, to the point where the blood of the purged could fill rivers in a short time.”
Ning Qi, kowtowing, said.
“This servant is guilty.”
The Imperial Prince of Yan said angrily.
“Currently, all the rulers of the world are watching His Majesty intently. And they are worried. They wonder if the empire's policy has changed, if the empire has begun to move against the vassal states, if it has shifted from a kingly way to a hegemonic way. All of this is because of what you have done. You assassinated the King of Chu, causing such a great disturbance for the empire, forcing it to act passively.”
“This servant is ashamed and terrified.”
The Imperial Prince of Yan's expression softened slightly, but he said no more and quietly began to brew tea.