It wasn’t long before Eunuch Yu came over with a dish, on which was a small pinch of black ash.

Eunuch Yu placed the dish on the table, not daring to look at the Emperor’s face. Was the Emperor really going to eat this black stuff?

Jiang Youzhi also looked at the Emperor, asking with his eyes, are you really going to eat it?

The Emperor glanced at the black substance, swallowed hard, and felt a stabbing pain in his throat again.

He gritted his teeth and nodded vigorously.

Eunuch Yu took a small spoon and placed it in the dish. The corners of the Emperor’s mouth twitched a few times as he scooped up a spoonful of the black powder and put it in his mouth.

Then he drank a large gulp of water.

Gu Yunjiao saw the Emperor frown while swallowing the water, knowing the fishbone was still unresolved, and said, "Eat a bit more."

The Emperor, truly tormented by the fishbone, swallowed a few more mouthfuls with determination.

After seeing that there wasn’t much left in the dish, just as he was wondering whether to finish it all, he habitually swallowed and suddenly realized the stinging sensation was gone.

Like a child, the Emperor’s eyes widened, "It’s gone, really gone, it doesn’t hurt anymore!"

The Imperial Physicians collectively breathed a sigh of relief; if the Emperor wasn’t cured today, they wouldn’t be getting any sleep tonight.

The Emperor drank another mouthful of water, carefully felt his throat, and nodded, "It’s really cured!"

He couldn’t help but exclaim, "This was all thanks to the National Lady!"

He glanced at Jiang Youzhi, "Alas, if I weren’t worried about displeasing Lord Chief Minister, I would have made the National Lady serve in the palace as an Imperial Physician."

Jiang You coughed lightly, and the Emperor laughed. The unpleasantness and pain caused by the fishbone vanished instantly, leaving him feeling immensely relieved.

Gu Yunjiao handed a bottle of Watermelon Frost to Eunuch Yu, "Earlier, the fishbone was stuck for so long, the Emperor’s throat must be hurt. Later, roll a small tube out of paper, place the medicinal powder inside, and blow it into his throat."

"This will clear heat and detoxify, preventing the wound in the throat from festering."

Eunuch Yu accepted the Watermelon Frost with a smile, "Many thanks, National Lady, it’s thoughtful of you."

The standing Imperial Physicians exchanged glances, wondering if these words were meant as a slight towards them.

A Doctor Zhang suddenly bowed to Gu Yunjiao, "Dare I ask, National Lady, what is the principle behind this prescription?"

Gu Yunjiao replied, "As I recall, the book stated that fish live in water, which belongs to yin, thus the fishbone is also yin."

"Fire is yang, and when the fishbone is burnt to ash, it gains yang energy. Being part of the same fish, the yin and yang attract each other, and the fishbone is drawn down."

"As to whether this is truly the principle, I cannot say."

Doctor Zhang nodded thoughtfully.

A Doctor Liu said, "The National Lady is indeed Great Chu’s foremost medical expert; you’ve read quite a number of medical books."

"I also bought the three medical texts you published last time, and they’ve been very useful."

Doctor Zhang said, "What medical books? How come I haven’t heard of them?"

Doctor Liu smiled and said nothing more.

The Emperor waved his hand, "You all may leave, I want to play chess with Mr. Jiang."

He turned to Gu Yunjiao and smiled, "The National Lady may stay and watch the match."

Gu Yunjiao smiled and saluted, "I take my leave. I wish the Emperor victory over Lord Chief Minister without leaving him a single piece."

The Emperor laughed heartily, while Jiang Youzhi cast a resentful glance at Gu Yunjiao.

Gu Yunjiao and the Imperial Physicians left together.

Doctor Zhang chased after Gu Yunjiao, asking, "National Lady, what are those medical books of yours? Could I borrow them to take a look?"