After the emperor read her mind, the salted fish concubine effortlessly won the title of empress.

Chapter 243 If You Die...

Shen Shixi summoned the imperial physician again and asked him what was wrong.

The imperial physician had already examined the patient's pulse once and discussed the matter for a while before giving his conclusion.

The Emperor was too tired in the days before and after the New Year. He ate a lot, stayed up late, and drank alcohol. His body was already exhausted, and his mind was constantly tense. So when he fell ill, it came on fiercely.

In later generations, that would be considered a viral infection.

"Alright, Physician Jiang, you decide what to do. It must be due to excessive internal heat. You should focus on clearing heat and detoxifying." Shen Shixi didn't quite understand either. Anyway, in later generations, colds were divided into wind-cold and wind-heat colds.

She thought Li Yuanke just had a common cold caused by wind-heat. She suggested he drink some Puji Lan (a traditional Chinese medicine) to fight the virus, and take some cold medicine such as chrysanthemum, isatis root, and honeysuckle, and he should be fine.

Imperial Physician Zhang said, "Your Majesty, this is a direction we should take, and I also believe it should be so."

Jiang Lingyou agreed, and thus, the controversial treatment plan was finalized.

When the medical record and prescription were presented, Shen Shixi couldn't understand them, but she recognized a few of the herbs. Seeing that Puji Lan was missing, she asked, "Have you considered adding Puji Lan?"

She just felt that in her past life, whenever she was sick, the hospital liked to prescribe heat-clearing and detoxifying medicines such as Puji Lan and honeysuckle.

Jiangling Youdao said, "If we add Puji Lan, the medicine might be a bit too strong."

I had heard before that the Imperial Medical Academy always tried to play it safe and dared not use medicine when treating patients, and it turns out that it was true.

"His Majesty has a high fever, why aren't we using strong medication? What are we waiting for if we don't bring the fever down quickly?"

Shen Shixi asked them to adjust the prescription. Ice was brought in and melted into water. She wrung out a handkerchief and began to use physical methods to cool Li Yuanke down, applying it to his forehead, armpits, and neck. After demonstrating, she handed the task over to Caiying and the others.

She was too tired to do it, and her hands were cold.

There's no need to show it in pictures, especially since it's not essential.

The prescription was presented again. Jianglingyou said, "As per Your Majesty's request, this prescription is stronger than the previous one. However, His Majesty's health has also been taken into consideration. Please take a look, Your Majesty."

Shen Shixi glanced at it; she didn't actually understand. She handed it to Li Fude and said, "Keep an eye on the decoction. Use brand new medicine pots and lids. Watch them closely and don't let anyone tamper with them."

"This servant obeys the decree!"

Li Yuanke's temperature gradually decreased. The imperial physicians were still waiting, and since they had nothing else to do, Shen Shixi inquired about the current smallpox situation, asking, "I've heard about a method of inoculating people with smallpox. Would you like to investigate it?"

Judge Zhang was intrigued and asked, "What does 'vaccination' mean?"

Shen Shixi said, "As far as I know, smallpox is also a poison. If you get it and recover, you will never get it again in your life, is that right?"

"That's right, Your Majesty is absolutely right," said Judge Zhang.

"Since it's a virus, the degree of virulence is crucial. If the virus is highly virulent, it's very difficult for a person to survive. But if the virulence isn't so strong, meaning the infection isn't so severe, the danger won't be so great."

"If that's the case, why not think of a way to give someone a mild dose of smallpox, so they can easily recover? Once they recover, wouldn't they never have to worry about it again?"

Smallpox is extremely deadly and highly contagious; once someone contracts it, it becomes a living hell.

There was no effective cure for it until later generations.

Shen Shixi also thought of this point after Li Yuanke fell ill this time, and it was better to take precautions.

If someone were to die of smallpox, that would be too tragic.

"Your Majesty is truly insightful. This method may be worth a try."

Shen Shixi said, "I have heard that cows can also get smallpox, which usually appears on their breasts. After the pustules scab over, the scabs are removed, ground into powder, mixed with water or human milk, and placed in the nasal cavity for six hours. This will cause a very mild infection of smallpox in people. Once they recover, the inoculation is considered successful."

Go and look for cows with pimples. If you find any, I'd like to be the first to try it.

Another issue is that using fresh acne pus directly is highly toxic and can easily lead to serious infections.

These words were not meant to suggest that they should try it out, but rather that there must have been successful precedents. If the Imperial Medical Academy succeeded, it would be a monumental achievement.

Everyone could tell that the Imperial Noble Consort was giving them credit.

Judge Zhang was the first to kneel and express his gratitude, saying, "Your subject will certainly do his utmost!"

"Alright, I await your good news!"

Shen Shixi also instructed that everyone should take good care of themselves when retrieving the items.

As dawn approached, Li Yuanke's high temperature subsided, but he still had a slight fever; however, his spirits were much better.

Seeing Shen Shixi made him feel at ease. He held her hand and asked in a hoarse voice, "Are you tired? Want to rest?"

"I don't want to sleep in the same bed with you. I'm worried you'll infect me." Shen Shixi pulled up the blanket and covered his mouth and nose, almost suffocating him.

Li Yuanke was lucky he wasn't so angry he died.

Shen Shixi ignored him and said, "Li Fude, bring the medicine over."

Shen Shixi tested the temperature of the medicine and took a sip without any hesitation. She was genuinely afraid of getting infected, so she drank some in advance as a precaution. However, she couldn't refuse to attend to the sick, fearing that someone might take the opportunity to murder the emperor.

The Pei family is eyeing them covetously, and Consort De is no better.

The rumor that the Second Princess was not of the emperor's blood was spread by Consort De, who wanted to sow discord between her and the Empress.

Once Li Yuanke dies, no matter who enthrones the young emperor, the first to be killed will be her, the favored concubine.

Li Yuanke was quite touched. "You don't need to test the medicine; let the people below test it."

[Try it my ass, I'll just have a couple of sips as a precaution, in case you catch it.]

"Your Majesty will feel at ease drinking it only after I've tried it myself!" Shen Shixi handed him the bowl.

Li Yuanke lay there motionless, just watching her. What the hell was he drinking? He might as well be angry to death!

"Sit up!" Shen Shixi urged, "Hurry up!"

Li Fude wanted to kneel down. The Imperial Noble Consort really had no consideration at all. The Emperor was so sick, couldn't she even lend a hand?

Li Yuanke felt like vomiting blood. "Shen Shixi, is this how you serve an ailing emperor? Can't you even lend me a hand?"

Shen Shixi said, "Li Yuanke, you need to understand, you only have a minor illness. Who can guarantee they won't get sick from eating grains and cereals? If you were terminally ill, I would feed you without you even having to say it. It's just a little problem, why are you making such a fuss?"

Li Yuanke cursed, "I'm completely exhausted! I'm terminally ill, and if I were to rely on you, you bastard, I don't know where you'd throw me!"

"Oh, you're pretty good at swearing!" Shen Shixi looked at him coldly.

Helpless, Li Yuanke struggled for a moment. Even Li Fude couldn't bear to watch any longer and came over to help him up. Li Yuanke angrily roared, "Get out! I don't need you!"

His voice was hoarse; he was indeed weak.

Li Fude said, "Your Majesty, His Majesty still has a slight fever!"

"Serves you right!"

Despite her scolding, Shen Shixi still came over to help him up, placing a large pillow behind his back, and handed him the bowl of medicine. "You're so delicate! Beauty Li, drink it!"

"Hey!" Li Yuanke turned his face away instead of picking up the bowl.

Shen Shixi: ...

Fine, I'll just have to put up with it!

This guy is so arrogant!

She scooped up a spoonful and handed it to him, "Oh, good boy, drink your medicine properly, and Mommy will feed you candy in a little while!"

Li Yuanke was about to speak when he heard this, so he pursed his lips and glanced at her sideways.

Li Fude quickly took several steps back; if the Empress Dowager found out, it would be disastrous.

Can't Your Majesty take good care of the sick?

The Emperor is really something. There are other women in the harem, why does he insist on having the Empress come over? Isn't he just making things difficult for himself?

However, Li Fude was also well aware that, in terms of trust, the Emperor trusted the Empress Dowager more than he trusted the Empress Dowager.

Li Yuanke couldn't hold back and laughed, "I'm not drinking anymore, I might as well die."

He was so angry that he wanted to lie down.

Shen Shixi hurriedly grabbed him, "Don't die, Li Yuanke, if you die, really, I can't guarantee what I might do. At the very least, I won't leave you any of those women and children in your harem. I'll wipe them all out."

I might ascend the throne and become an empress, then choose at least seventy-two male consorts, but rest assured, I will always reserve the position of empress for you, even after you are gone…”