Chapter 43: Du Chengfeng Presents a Prescription in the Hall of Supreme Harmony

Thinking of this, Du Chengfeng had no choice but to come up with an excuse and lied, “Brother, I only acquired this prescription recently. If I had had it earlier, wouldn’t I have used it to save Grandfather?”

“Oh, I understand,” Du Wen replied, his voice tinged with loss. In fact, he knew as well that if Du Chengfeng had known this medicine could work such wonders against the infection, he would have brought it forth. He had been so anxious even for a mere household servant who was neither kin nor ally; how could he not have tried to save his own grandfather?

It seemed his brother was once again overcome with sorrow at the memory of their grandfather. Observing his elder brother’s expression, Du Chengfeng was gripped by a wave of unbearable grief. A deep and suffocating melancholy gathered within him like the thick, heavy clouds that precede a rainstorm, slowly blotting out all light in his heart.

Du Chengfeng had known from a young age that he was an orphan taken in by his grandfather, who had never hidden this from him. Thus, the feelings the original Du Chengfeng harbored for the man who had raised him for more than a decade, though not related by blood, ran deep and true.

Perhaps influenced by the original’s emotions, Du Chengfeng too found himself growing sentimental at that moment. Even without such influence, he felt that an elder so selfless and noble was worthy of respect and remembrance.

In these times, poor medical conditions prevailed. Among the common folk there were scarcely any effective means of care or proper physicians, and traditional medicine was difficult to master. As a result, the mortality rate from tetanus was extremely high, especially within the army.

Perhaps he ought to do something—not for any grand reason, but simply for the sake of his late grandfather, that admirable man who had raised him for so many years.

Or perhaps, for the sake of those lives that ought never to have been lost, Du Chengfeng made a firm and momentous decision in his heart.

He exhaled deeply, then beckoned to Hexiang, who was still caught up in her joy, and spoke with grave sincerity, “Hexiang, go to the residence of Lord Chu Suiliang at Changle Ward for me. Tell him this message: let Lord Chu know that tomorrow I will attend court to meet His Majesty, and ask him to come and escort me from home.”

The true cause of his grandfather’s death had moved Du Chengfeng profoundly. He thought of Master Huanzhang, the inventor of the miraculous White Powder in history, who wished as many people as possible could benefit from its healing power. The great Master Huanzhang refused to let the prescription fall into hostile hands, and before his death, he specifically instructed his family to present the complete formula to the nation.

That’s right—Du Chengfeng intended to offer this wondrous remedy’s prescription to the court, free of charge, just as Master Huanzhang had once done. For now, he was but an ordinary citizen; he could not spread the medicine across the land himself. Only by presenting it to Li Shimin could it be put to its best use.

Without a palace connection or an official to escort him into court, he would never gain entry. Forcing his way in was a different matter altogether.

He trusted that, with Chu Suiliang’s intelligence, the man would find a way to bring him into the Hall of Supreme Harmony.

Upon hearing her young master had a task for her, Hexiang quickly composed herself, ran over, and said happily, “Rest assured, young master, I will deliver your message!”

The next morning, as promised, Chu Suiliang arrived early, waiting with his carriage at the entrance to Du Chengfeng’s courtyard. After a quick wash and tidy-up, Du Chengfeng set out.

“Today I must trouble you, Lord Chu,” Du Chengfeng said courteously, seeing Chu Suiliang waiting at the gate.

Chu Suiliang got down from the carriage and personally welcomed Du Chengfeng aboard, replying with humility, “You flatter me, Brother Chengfeng. You have taught the three of us in the arts of letters; calling you ‘teacher’ would not be undue. It is my honor to be of service.”

“Very well, Lord Chu. Let us be off,” Du Chengfeng replied, making no further protest and settling comfortably inside the carriage.

“Hyah! Hyah!” With a flick of his whip, Chu Suiliang drove the carriage swiftly toward the palace.

Thanks to Hexiang’s earlier message, Chu Suiliang had secured an entry token the previous afternoon, so there was no trouble passing through the palace gates. Only when they reached the Hall of Supreme Harmony did Chu Suiliang caution him, “Brother Chengfeng, please wait here for a moment. After His Majesty arrives for court, an attendant will summon you in.”

Du Chengfeng had never attended court before, but thanks to historical dramas and books in his previous life, he understood the procedure well enough from Chu Suiliang’s explanation.

“No trouble at all, Lord Chu. Please go on in; I’ll wait here,” he replied calmly.

Inside the Hall of Supreme Harmony, Li Shimin had not yet arrived. The civil and military officials of fifth rank and above were almost all present.

Fang Xuanling glanced around and was surprised to find that Du Ruhui was absent.

“Why is Brother Du not here at court today?” Fang Xuanling inquired.

It was said that Fang was the strategist and Du the decisive one; together, they had solved many problems for Li Shimin. Today, Fang felt a hint of disappointment at his partner’s absence.

“Minister Fang, Lord Du is unwell and unable to attend court today. He asked me to inform His Majesty on his behalf,” replied an official from a neighboring residence, stepping forward with a bow.

“I see. Please convey my regards and tell Brother Du to take care of his health,” Fang Xuanling said with concern.

At that moment, Li Shimin strode in energetically and took his seat upon the Dragon Throne, his bearing solemn as he gazed down at his assembled ministers. “My loyal subjects, is there any pressing matter to report today?”

At the emperor’s inquiry, the officials were still considering their memorials when Chu Suiliang promptly stepped forward and bowed. “Your Majesty, Du Chengfeng awaits outside the hall and seeks an audience.”

“Du Chengfeng?” Li Shimin was taken aback, momentarily stunned. It seemed almost unbelievable. As he recalled, Du Chengfeng had always been reluctant to join the court, even somewhat averse to officialdom.

What was going on today? Had the sun risen in the west, or was the lad up to something else?

But in the next instant, Li Shimin’s surprise turned to delight. If Du Chengfeng had come of his own accord, he was only too eager to receive him. Perhaps the young man had come to deliver another pleasant surprise.

“Minister Chu, quickly—bring him in at once!” Li Shimin all but leapt from the throne, his excitement barely restrained.

“Yes, Your Majesty!” Chu Suiliang replied, beaming. He knew better than anyone the weight Du Chengfeng carried in the emperor’s heart.

Chu Suiliang walked out with composure, but within the hall, the officials erupted into a flurry of whispers.

Only Yu Shinan and Ouyang Xun, who knew of Du Chengfeng, remained calm; the rest were astonished.

Who was this Du Chengfeng, that the emperor would display such excitement and loss of composure at his arrival?

Anyone who could cause such a reaction from the emperor was clearly no ordinary figure. Yet most of them had never even heard the name; a few recalled someone by that name, but dared not assume it was the same person.

“Brother Chengfeng, His Majesty has granted permission; you may enter!” Chu Suiliang announced cheerfully at the entrance to the Hall of Supreme Harmony.

“Thank you, Lord Chu. After you,” Du Chengfeng replied, following Chu Suiliang inside with composure.

He walked steadily to the steps before the Dragon Throne, where he paused, then bowed respectfully to Li Shimin. “Your subject Du Chengfeng greets Your Majesty.”