Kong Xiyou didn't hesitate for long before lifting his wide sleeves to reveal a section of his wrist.
His skin was very white, and the bluish veins seemed to be covered only by a thin, transparent layer of skin, giving the impression that they would bleed if poked.
From this perspective, it appears somewhat pathological.
Tang Zhuyun extended her right hand and placed it on his pulse.
After a long pause, she slowly withdrew her hand, lowered her eyes, and said, "Young Master Kong, it's impossible for your illness to be without symptoms. Do you experience any discomfort at other times?"
Kong Xiyou said softly, "What did Linlin and the Empress say just now?"
Tang Zhuyun: You brat, do you think she cheated?
"Besides headaches, do you sometimes feel nauseous or want to vomit? You might also experience forgetfulness or even temporary memory loss?"
Kong Xiyou's dark pupils widened instantly, then slowly returned to normal.
Tang Zhuyun knew she was right.
In modern medical terms, the Xiyou's illness is most likely a cerebrovascular abnormality.
However, without modern medical equipment, she couldn't say for sure what exactly was wrong.
She couldn't bring herself to perform a craniotomy on him.
This surgery was extremely difficult; even in modern times it requires teamwork, let alone in ancient times when there were no instruments or personnel to assist with it.
The fact that she was able to successfully undergo brain surgery and survive is probably equivalent to her building a rocket in ancient times.
Kong Xiyou didn't speak, but Linlin was already getting a little anxious.
"Aunt, can my senior brother's illness be cured?" He almost blindly worshipped Tang Zhuyun.
Tang Zhuyun shook her head. "No, the best course of action is to take medication to relieve the symptoms."
The rest is up to fate.
For example, cerebral aneurysms can burst before they are even discovered, while others die peacefully without any problems.
Kong Xiyou quickly cupped his hands and said, "Then I'll trouble you, Your Highness."
His attitude was humble and restrained; he showed neither elation nor hesitation or melancholy.
Tang Zhuyun didn't say much; she'd see how it went!
After leaving the prescription, Nanxing escorted her back.
On the way, Nanxing asked her, "Your Majesty, you said that Kong Xiyou made a mistake on the spot and failed the exam. Is it because he fell ill?"
Tang Zhuyun felt that this possibility could not be ruled out.
However, performance on the day is also an important factor in exams, so it's hard to say.
Since he is Linlin's senior brother and the grandson of the Great Confucian Scholar Kong, it is only natural that I should help him if I can.
Tang Zhuyun thought that she would go back and get some more pills to have Linlin bring to him.
When he got home, Xiu'er came to greet him.
"Your Majesty, I think I've killed someone today."
"Huh?" Tang Zhuyun was startled.
"I was only gone for a short while, what person did you kill?"
This girl is so loud and boisterous; she never fails to say something shocking.
Tang Zhuyun didn't believe that she would actually kill someone.
"A man." Xiu'er patted her chest, still shaken. "Really, Your Highness, I was buying flowers with Yanran at the peddler's stall by the back door when suddenly a man rushed out..."
Recalling the scene, Xiu'er still felt quite thrilled.
"... He tried to grab Yanran, and although there were guards around, I still grabbed a few rattles from the peddler's basket and threw them at him."
"And then he was smashed to death?"
That man is such a scoundrel.
Xiu'er nodded repeatedly. "That's right, she collapsed on the ground convulsing, and then Huaishang took her away."
"Huaishang?"
Tang Zhuyun didn't think a person could really be crushed to death like that, but she found it a bit strange that Huaishang would be involved.
Aside from knowing that Huaishang had overheard her twice, it seems he hasn't shown up much lately.
And wasn't it a bit of a coincidence that it happened at the back door?
"That man, was he an assassin? Did Huaishang say anything?"
An assassin who could be hit by Xiu'er... even watered-down pork wouldn't be that watery.
"I don't know," Xiu'er said. "Your Majesty, you scared me to death!"
Tang Zhuyun teased her deliberately, "Kill a few more and you won't be afraid anymore. What about Yanran? Were you frightened?"
"No, she's quite excited," Xiu'er said. "She's probably still with Madam, bragging to her about being assassinated."
Tang Zhuyun: "..."
She's old; she doesn't know that assassination can be used as a source of pride.
If that were the case, wouldn't the Prince of Jin be going to ascend to heaven?
Sigh, that scoundrel is on the road this time, I hope things go smoothly.
She went to Meng Yulan's courtyard and, sure enough, heard Yanran's voice there.
"Aunt, that assassin really didn't look at anyone else, he came straight for me! I'm so important!"
Tang Zhuyun: "..."
I don't know what to say.
After she went inside, Yanran rushed up excitedly. "Mother, someone tried to assassinate me today!"
Tang Zhuyun: Should I praise you for being so great?
She patted Yanran's head. "Are you scared?"
"Don't be afraid, I have guards protecting me!" Yanran said, "It's just..."
"What?"
"I just think that assassin is really useless. How did he even become an assassin?"
My mother always said, "Do what you love, love what you do, and master what you do." This assassin is clearly slacking off.
"Also, I'd better take Jiaojiao with me next time."
After Yanran finished her summary, Tang Zhuyun smiled and said, "Xiu'er was frightened while saving you, go and comfort her."
"Okay, I'll go right away."
Yanran skipped and hopped out.
Meng Yulan had been silent until now, said, "A-Yun, something's not right about this."
"I think so too." Tang Zhuyun nodded. "Even Yanran thinks this assassin is suspicious."
"Yanran just said that the assassin had disheveled hair and a foul stench. People would stare at someone like that on the street. How could someone like that be an assassin?"
"And Yanran also said," Meng Yulan calmly and methodically unraveled the mystery, "That person called her name, and even called her daughter..."
Tang Zhuyun's expression immediately changed.
She thought of Xiao Pang!
The Prince of Jin went to the northwest to search for someone; was he looking for Xiao Pang?
But then there was no further news...
Could it be that Xiao Pang was imprisoned by the Prince of Jin and escaped today?
No, if it's him, then he's the only survivor of the Xiao Family.
Still, something's not right. Last year, when she wanted to break off the engagement, the Prince of Jin told her that his maternal grandmother had passed away and he had to observe a year of mourning...
Tang Zhuyun suddenly felt her mind was in complete disarray.
However, this matter couldn't be explained in detail to Meng Yulan.
Fortunately, Meng Yulan was a smart person and said, "A-Yun, if it's convenient for you, you should still investigate. I'm afraid it might cause future trouble and be bad for Yanran."
"Especially since the Prince is away, if something happens to Yanran, you won't be able to explain it."
Tang Zhuyun nodded.
She could only ask Huaishang Nanxing about this.
But Huaishang seemed to have vanished into thin air; he could no longer be found.
Tang Zhuyun quickly realized that he was avoiding her, afraid that she would ask, so she could only ask Nanxing.
"Nanxing, you said that so-called assassin called Yanran 'daughter,' and Yanran thought he was crazy. Who could he possibly be?"
Nanxing lowered his eyes, his thin lips moved slightly, and he uttered two words: "Xiao Pang."
She actually revealed everything so easily?
Tang Zhuyun stared wide-eyed in surprise.
Nanxing continued, "With the Prince here, he won't hide anything from you; however, Huaishang certainly wouldn't dare to act on his own and would probably have to consult the Prince."
And what about you?
"I am Her Majesty's person, and that's all I know."
(Another chapter will be updated at 10 PM~ Come on, let's urge for more updates, and make it even faster~)