"Is the Empress Dowager’s illness really cured like this?" The Old Palace Maid expressed her doubts.

No wonder, the many Imperial Physicians at the Imperial Medical Institute were all helpless against the Empress Dowager’s illness. Situtu Xueer just did a few needles and claimed the illness was cured; she naturally couldn’t believe it.

Xuexue did not argue with her and said, "No matter what I say now, you won’t believe it. We’ll see the effect tomorrow."

Having said that, she sat on a bench nearby, leisurely sipping tea, waiting for the time it takes an incense stick to burn, before removing the needles from the Empress Dowager’s head.

Xuexue’s calm demeanor reassured the Old Palace Maid. If anything truly happened to the Empress Dowager, Madam Situ certainly couldn’t escape blame. The fact that she was so composed meant the Empress Dowager would be fine.

"The Emperor is arriving!"

Suddenly, a sharp shout from a eunuch was heard from outside.

Upon hearing this, Situtu Xueer and the Old Palace Maid quickly stood up from the bench and knelt on the ground in greeting for the Emperor’s arrival.

Surrounded by palace maids and the Fourth Prince, the Emperor walked in.

The two knelt on the ground and spoke in unison, "Long live the Emperor, long live, long, long live."

The Emperor’s thoughts were wholly focused on the Empress Dowager; he didn’t spare them a glance and merely responded calmly, "Rise!"

He then hurried to the bedside to check on the Empress Dowager.

"Thank you, Emperor."

Xuexue and the Old Palace Maid stood aside.

At this moment, the Emperor suddenly exclaimed, "Oh no! What’s wrong with the Empress Mother’s head?"

Immediately after, realizing something, the Emperor roared, "Who did this? Such audacity, I was gone for just a few hours, and you dare to harm the Empress Dowager?"

The Old Palace Maid was so frightened she prostrated herself on the ground, fervently kowtowing, saying, "Emperor, it’s a misunderstanding, just a misunderstanding."

The Emperor, still angry, said, "Explain this misunderstanding then! I have seen it with my own eyes, the evidence is undeniable, yet you dare to argue! You ungrateful servant, the Empress Dowager valued you so much and kept you by her side. Now this happens and this is how you repay her."

The Emperor was furious, and the Old Palace Maid, already suspicious of Situtu Xueer’s medical skills, was scared half to death, trembling on the ground, "Emperor, I have been wronged! The needles in the Empress Dowager’s head were placed by Madam Situ, it’s unrelated to me."

"What? Madam Situ? Did she enter the palace? How can I not know about this?" The Emperor was surprised to hear Situtu Xueer’s name.

The Old Palace Maid was feeling wretched and said with a trembling voice, "Your Majesty, Madam Situ is standing beside you."

"Beside me?" The Emperor looked up and scanned his surroundings.

Xuexue stepped forward and asked, "Emperor, are you looking for your subject?"

The Emperor’s expression was extremely puzzled, "You... you... why are you here?"

At this time, Eunuch Li stepped forward and whispered a few words in the Emperor’s ear.

Only then did the Emperor realize and, looking at Situtu Xueer, said, "So you’re the one who won the Imperial Edict today?"

Xuexue maintained her composure and smiled slightly, "Yes, it is your subject."

The Emperor’s eyes briefly showed a cold glint before he resumed his gentle expression, asking, "Madam Situ, I wish to ask, what kind of treatment is this? Why are there so many needles on the Empress Mother’s head?"

Xuexue replied, "To the Emperor, this is the Hibiscus Needle Technique, used to treat difficult and complicated diseases, and it is very effective."

The Emperor remained doubtful, "Is it?"

"Yes."

As Xuexue spoke, she walked towards the bed, just about to reach for the needles in the Empress Dowager’s head, when she heard the Emperor shout, "Stop."

Xuexue turned back, naturally looking at the Emperor, and softly asked, "Emperor, can we discuss this later? The time for the needles is up, allow me to first remove the silver needles."

Having said this, she reached out again to remove them.

"Wait a moment." Seeing this, the Emperor grew anxious again and shouted.