Forced Into the Palace: Becoming the Emperor's Favorite-Chapter 413: Dong Family’s Secret Medicine
The sight of the messy room made Eldest Master Dong very angry.
But the servants of the Dong Family were quick-handed and hurried to tidy up Old Master Dong’s main house.
Although some details still appeared chaotic, at least there was a place where several people could sit down.
Uncle Li had someone serve tea, and then withdrew.
In the main house, there were only Princess Hui Xian, the Fourth Prince, and the three Dong family fathers and sons.
"Since I am acting as the mediator between the two families today, allow me the privilege to sit in the middle, and I ask Uncle not to blame me."
Given her status, sitting in the middle was indeed not an issue.
The Dong Family could not refute, and the Fourth Prince nodded in agreement.
Next, Princess Hui Xian asked the Fourth Prince.
"Uncle, isn’t the Fourth Prince Consort’s condition getting worse? But just a few days ago, when I was at a banquet, I saw her full of vigor."
Mentioning his Princess Consort, the Fourth Prince, who had just taken a breath, seemed to be unable to keep it down.
His eyes revealed worry and sadness.
"Alas, I have been wed with the Princess Consort for decades. If it weren’t really so, would I curse her to die early? In fact, before inviting the Second Madam, I had already sought all the famous doctors in the Capital City. Not a single one could determine the cause, let alone prescribe the right medicine."
"After much difficulty, I summoned the Second Madam from the estate outside the city to diagnose her, only to hear that the possibility of recovery was slim. Without the Dong Family’s Secret Medicine, I’m afraid she won’t survive this winter."
"That’s why I was so anxious to come for the medicine. I even almost knelt before the Dong Family, yet they still refuse to hand over the secret medicine, so I..."
The Fourth Prince spoke while feeling a twinge in his nose.
In his eyes, no one in the world was more important than the Fourth Prince Consort.
If the Fourth Prince Consort were gone, he feared he wouldn’t live much longer either.
Hearing this, Princess Hui Xian sighed.
Seldom seen in the Imperial Family are couples with such genuine affection.
The Fourth Prince and the Fourth Prince Consort indeed share true love, that much was certain.
Therefore, from the heart, Princess Hui Xian wished that the Fourth Prince could obtain the secret medicine.
Thus, she comforted him.
"The Fourth Prince Consort has always been kind to us juniors. I also hope she can overcome this ordeal and live a long life."
The Fourth Prince’s eyes reddened, but a man does not easily shed tears.
Ultimately, he held it back.
Seeing this, the silent Old Master Dong also began to speak.
"Actually, since the Fourth Prince came seeking the medicine, the Dong Family would certainly help if possible. After all, no matter what, the Imperial Concubine in the palace has been cared for many days by the Fourth Prince and the Fourth Prince Consort, and our Dong Family ought to reciprocate. However, this secret medicine involves a secret that generations of our family have guarded, so we dare not take it out lightly. Just as I couldn’t even say a word, and the Fourth Prince started drawing his sword, I, as a father, couldn’t stand seeing someone want to kill my son, how could I bear it?"
Old Master Dong’s words explained the unpleasant scene that just occurred.
It also provided an explanation for both sides.
In the end, everyone was doing it for their loved ones, so it’s only natural to be understanding and accommodating.
The Fourth Prince, hearing this, also climbed down from his high horse.
After all, the medicine was still in their hands, so he should indeed show more respect.
So he cupped his fists and said, "Earlier, I was too anxious and injured the young master. I apologize; soon, I will send some healing medicine over, the kind I usually use in the army; it heals quickly and won’t damage the muscles or bones."
As he said this, the atmosphere became much more relaxed than before.
The Dong Family was not one to hold grudges, especially when the person sitting across couldn’t tolerate further impertinence.
Therefore, the Old Master Dong seized the moment to say, "There is a reason for everything, and I kindly ask the Fourth Prince to forgive us. It’s not that we are unwilling to give the secret medicine, but there are too many implications behind it. If this becomes known, there might be chaos in the palace as well." 𝐟𝕣𝗲𝕖𝕨𝗲𝐛𝗻𝗼𝐯𝗲𝚕.𝗰𝚘𝐦
Hearing this, not just the Fourth Prince, but even Princess Hui Xian was overwhelmed with curiosity.
How could a medicine correlate with palace chaos?
Could there be some unspeakable secret?
Thus, she opened her mouth and asked, "Old Master, please tell us, what is this secret medicine about? How does it involve palace chaos? Even I am quite curious."
Princess Hui Xian asked straightforwardly.
Since she had spoken, naturally, Old Master Dong knew he couldn’t keep it concealed. After a few sighs, he began to narrate the long-kept secret.
"Tracing back dozens of generations, my Dong Family maintained our lineage through farming and studying, with only a few acres of land, living in poverty. Thus, our ancestors ventured out to earn a living, braving winds and rains, slowly accumulating some family wealth."
As Old Master Dong spoke, the past of the Dong Family gradually unfolded before everyone’s eyes like a lantern.
"It wasn’t until my grandfather’s generation that the business gradually expanded. The whole family moved from Lingzhou to Shengjing City, partly to expand business connections, partly to cover up the secret."
"What secret?"
Princess Hui Xian, intrigued by Old Master Dong’s words, asked immediately.
"Ah, you and the Fourth Prince must have heard of the matters of the Ancient Goddess clan."
Upon mentioning this, the Fourth Prince pretended to widen his eyes.
He acted as if this secret did not just slip from his lips shortly before.
All the while feigning amazement, he also had to admire Old Master Dong.
In such a short time, he could weave the story so captivatingly and convincingly.
Truly a remarkable skill!
But before Princess Hui Xian, he dared not reveal any of it.
Similarly, his surprise was matched by Princess Hui Xian’s.
After all, as members of the Imperial Family, they did know quite a lot of the secrets they should know.
She then quickly processed her thoughts and looked at Old Master Dong with disbelief.
"Would your grandfather have had ties with the Divine Woman Clan?"
Hearing her question, Old Master Dong did not respond with the anticipated pride but with restraint and sorrow.
As if some calamity had occurred.
He took several deep breaths before he was willing to speak.
"Yes, back when my grandfather was young, seeking rare herbs to sell for a good price in the city, he entered the deep mountains and accidentally fell into a pool. When he awoke, he was rescued by someone, my grandmother, who was also a member of the Ancient Goddess clan that had hidden for years."
"During the convalescence, they developed feelings for each other since both of them had lost their parents. When they married, it was witnessed by the clan leader and the clansmen, and they held a grand ceremony."
