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Huang Zude took a deep breath, forcefully suppressed the excitement in his heart, and concentrated with all his might as he sat before the Emperor. Bowing his head, he admitted his guilt, then piously raised his hand to take the Emperor’s pulse.

He was a physician of integrity; no matter the situation, as soon as he began to take someone’s pulse, he would quickly become calm.

The Emperor nodded slightly, glancing at him once before his gaze shifted back to Lian Hua.

Feeling his gaze, Lian Hua couldn’t help but curve her eyes and look back at him.

They exchanged smiles without a word, all was said in silence.

The room fell quiet at once, with Chu Yuanzheng seated in front of Lian Hua and Huang Zude in front of the Emperor, while the others waited quietly by the side.

The Emperor’s examination finished quickly for one hand, and Huang Zude asked to check the other.

Seeing that her own examination was not yet complete, Lian Hua couldn’t help but ask anxiously, "Imperial Physician Uncle, I’m alright, aren’t I?"

Chu Yuanzheng felt her pulse, having already heard that Beauty Lian might have some difficult issue that needed discerning. Thus, he looked at it for a longer time.

He carefully sensed the pulse - it was flowing smoothly, responding under the finger like beads rolling on a jade plate, beating powerfully, showing the characteristics of a slippery pulse.

Apart from minor pregnancy irritability, there was nothing abnormal.

Hearing her question, he reassured her in a kind and friendly manner, "Master Lian, my surname is Chu. Your body is precious, and this is the first time I am taking your pulse. Please allow me some extra time and do not be nervous."

Perhaps due to his long experience in medicine, Chu Yuanzheng possessed a comforting presence that eased the minds of those he encountered. With his kind demeanor, Lian Hua could not bring herself to feel resistant.

She bit her lip and nodded, unable to resist glancing towards the Emperor.

Seeing her glance, the Emperor put the hand that had just been examined back down, signaling Huang Zude with his eyes, "Doctor Huang, please examine me carefully, take your time, it needs to be more thorough."

Huang Zude, not catching on, paused and said, "I have examined your right pulse thoroughly already."

His Majesty merely had some minor liver heat, nothing serious, there was no need to look for so long.

The Emperor, catching a glimpse of Little Concubine out of the corner of his eye, saw her eyes wide open, wanting to say something.

He directly commanded, "Doctor Huang, you are too new to the Imperial Medical Bureau. You should take the opportunity to learn from Chu Yuanzheng. However long he diagnoses, you should do the same."

"Oh..." Lian Hua heard this and no longer had anything to say. Indeed, the Director of the Bureau outranked the Medical Deputy, and Charcoal Head was indeed too green for the job. So, it was right that Chu Yuanzheng was taking her pulse.

The Emperor relaxed, thinking that if he was not mistaken, his Little Concubine was probably about to ask why her examination was taking so long.

Huang Zude suddenly understood. His Majesty truly lived up to his title; this was a lesson in being thorough and patient. He had learned something valuable.

Indeed, there was much in Chu Yuanzheng’s medical expertise that he could learn from.

Thus, he stroked his chin and once again focused on taking the pulse. Even though everything seemed normal, he waited until Chu Yuanzheng had finished before stopping.

Now that the pulse examination on one side was complete, both physicians moved to the other side. Finally, the examination was complete for both sides.

Chu Yuanzheng kindly asked Lian Hua, if he may be so bold to examine a few of her acupoints.

Doctor Huang’s thoughts stirred, as if a light had flashed through his mind.

Lian Hua was startled like a little deer, nervously asking if he had discovered any problems.

Chu Yuanzheng, truly a leading figure in the Imperial Medical Bureau and deeply trusted by the Emperor, calmly explained to Lian Hua that her pulse indicated she was very healthy and there was nothing to worry about.

His request to check her acupoints was just routine procedure and not indicative of any problems.

Lian Hua finally felt at ease and looked towards the Emperor.

The Emperor nodded his head, signaling Huang Zude to also look at his.

After the two of them had finished examining, they spoke briefly without revealing any sign of inappropriateness in their words.

Lian Hua, relieved, let out a sigh of relief, turned her head, and looked at the Emperor with bright, sparkling eyes, "Your Majesty, it’s done now."

From behind her, Zhang Qing quickly gave a glance to Chu Yuanzheng and the other, who understood the signal and, following the rehearsal they had practiced, swiftly switched places, and sat down again.

The Emperor saw the movements of the two from the corner of his eye, his gaze shifted slightly, he smiled at Lian Hua, but he raised one hand to the table again.

Lian Hua, all smiles, thinking there was nothing more to worry about, saw the Emperor’s gesture and couldn’t help but ask, "Your Majesty, we’ve finished the pulse diagnosis, why are you extending your hand again?"

The Emperor smiled faintly, signaling her to look in front of her.

Lian Hua, not understanding, still smiling, turned her head back around, and saw Charcoal Head sitting in front of her, Chu Yuanzheng had swapped places with him when she wasn’t aware.

Her smile gradually faded, her mouth slightly agape, a dazed expression on her face as she pondered why this Charcoal Head was haunting her, it was always like this, no matter how much she dragged it out, she still ended up seeing him.

The Emperor felt both compassion and amusement and spoke directly, "Nannan, Chu Yuanzheng is familiar with My body, and Doctor Huang is familiar with yours. Let them take our pulses one more time, just as Nanny Qi did before, is that alright?"

As he spoke, he lifted his hand and pinched her cheek, "Be good, it will be quick, over in a moment."

Then he took her left hand and placed it on the table, onto the examination cushion, and Zhang Qing quickly covered it with a handkerchief.

Everything ready, the Emperor said to Huang Zude, "Begin."

It was all done so swiftly that it was hard for anyone to catch up.

Lian Hua dumbly followed the Emperor’s lead, still not having reacted, wondering why it was Charcoal Head examining her again, hadn’t they already requested for the Pulse of Peace, why another request?

The previous time, was it herself hurrying to offer it?

To be seen once, and then to add another, was it she who had asked for it?

Huang Zude was already familiar with Lian Hua’s pulse and hadn’t noticed much change, he focused on discerning the parts he felt were unusual, it didn’t take him long to finish examining one side.

He addressed Lian Hua as usual, "Master Lian, please extend your right hand."

After speaking, he felt too serious, which seemed inappropriate, especially since it was thanks to this master that he was able to take His Majesty’s pulse, so he squeezed out a smile on his mature face, he wasn’t the type to burn bridges after crossing them.

Lian Hua suddenly snapped to her senses, shivering, then turned and buried herself into the Emperor’s embrace, "Your Majesty, Charcoal Head is smiling, I’m scared."

Huang Zude: "..."

Lian Hua was accustomed to Huang Zude’s stern face; every time he wore that expression, he would scold her, and it was always so, upon careful listening, it was almost always to scare her, nothing serious, she had figured him out.

But now, Huang Zude was smiling at her, looking friendly, and she was no longer sure, wondering if there was something wrong that made this Charcoal Head act this way.

When there was nothing wrong, he would scare her with non-issues to draw attention; when there was something wrong, he would pretend it was nothing to soothe the heart.

Her mother was like this, when she was extremely gentle with her, it meant she was furious, not even her father or brother could stop her mother from punishing her.

To do the opposite, she understood.

Even the Emperor was puzzled; they were nearly at the last step and he didn’t expect to stumble over Huang Zude’s smile.