Reborn As Divine Doctor to Rule the World
Chapter 334 - Chapter 334: Chapter 335: Princes Choose Portraits

Chapter 334: Chapter 335: Princes Choose Portraits

A fine banquet had to end prematurely because of the incident, and the ministers all dispersed one after another.

After dismissing the attendants, the Empress Dowager turned her head, looking worriedly at Shao He as she asked, “Now that the surgery room is destroyed, can the surgery still be carried out on schedule?”

“Empress Dowager, please rest assured, the Emperor’s surgery will not be delayed, although it might be more difficult and dangerous.”

If there is no sterile surgery room, the risk of infection will increase. A slight mistake could lead to an infection of the Emperor’s wound, which is a worrying thought,

but now that it has come to this, it’s simply too late to build another sterile surgery room.

“Then what is your level of confidence?” the Empress Dowager asked nervously, clutching her prayer beads tightly.

“I will do my utmost,” answered Doctor Shao, without giving a specific level of confidence.

In such circumstances, she could not guarantee anything.

Although the Empress Dowager was not fully satisfied with this answer, she understood the great risks of the surgery and immediately gave Doctor Shao and her child some gifts as compensation.

Doctor Shao expressed her thanks for the generosity while the other Princes also hurried over, having already heard about the incident with the surgery room and Prince Jing on their way here.

Shao He, holding her child, turned and withdrew.

The Empress Dowager got straight to the point and asked, “Jingyi, after such an incident, do you still have affection for Princess Ninghe?”

Pei Jingyi bowed his head, calculating Xia Zhaohe’s value in his mind. Xia Zhaohe’s direct brother had some military power and could inherit a title, and the Xia family had silver.

He appeared very hesitant, but in his heart, he still desired to take Xia Zhaohe as his wife, since having someone supportive behind him when he himself was without power and influence was certainly better than none.

“Replying to my Imperial Grandmother, though I still wish to marry her, after such an incident, surely the Emperor and you take precedence. If you think it inappropriate, I will cease to pine for this matter,” he respectfully stated.

The Empress Dowager was very satisfied with his answer and said, “Alright, go and propose marriage in half a month. After the Principal Wife is brought in, then let Xia Zhaohe enter.”

Pei Jingyi’s eyes widened with surprise at the unexpected good fortune and he immediately bowed excitedly, “I thank my Imperial Grandmother for her grace.”

Pei Huaian, who was aside, realized that this meant that Xia Zhaohe was to be made a Concubine. Unexpectedly, Pei Jingyi had played his cards right and benefited immensely from the situation.

The Empress Dowager signaled her nanny with a glance, and the nanny had a palace maid bring the portraits of eligible young women in the Capital City.

“You’re all not getting any younger. These are portraits of suitable young women in the Capital City that I have selected for you. Take them back and make your choices at your leisure, but not until after the Emperor’s surgery, to serve as a celebration of his recovery.”

“Yes.”

The Princes each chose several portraits to take back with them, all except for Pei Huaian, who took nothing.

Pei Chengye asked out of curiosity, “Imperial Grandmother, why hasn’t Fifth Brother been given any?”

In truth, he was wondering if the Empress Dowager had a better match in mind for him.

“You are all older than Huaian; where is there ever a case where the elder brother remains unwed while the younger brother weds first?” the Empress Dowager said, casually using an excuse to gloss over the matter.

Everyone understood that it was not for this reason, but since the Empress Dowager had put it that way, they dared not ask any more questions.

After all, the Empress Dowager was not as easy to talk to as the Emperor and was even less likely to show them any mercy.

Only Pei Huaian knew very well; the Empress Dowager must have heard plenty of rumors about him and Doctor Shao lately, and was worried Doctor Shao might not treat the Emperor with due diligence, hence she temporarily withheld a marriage arrangement for him.

Her aim was to make Doctor Shao take the Emperor’s treatment more seriously, perhaps using him as leverage.

“Alright, you may all leave,” she said.

The Empress Dowager gestured them away, and just as the Princes were about to leave, Pei Huaian was suddenly kept back by the nanny.

The Princes had different thoughts, and Pei Chengye mockingly said to Pei Jingyi, “Congratulations to you, Fourth Brother, on acquiring both a Principal Wife and a Concubine at once. What good fortune you have, enjoying the company of both left and right, how delightful indeed.”

“Second Brother jests. I dare not defy the instructions of my Imperial Grandmother,” Pei Jingyi replied, feigning helplessness.

Yet this very expression infuriated Pei Chengye, who clenched his teeth in anger–he had hoped to implicate both him and Pei Huaian in this incident, but in the end, Pei Jingyi had walked away with this massive advantage.

They say a camel, even when starved, is still larger than a horse; Prince Jing still had familiar contacts in the court, and with the Xia family’s ample silver, it was clearly Pei Jingyi who stood to gain the most.

“Don’t be too pleased with yourself, be careful you don’t get dragged into this mess, you’ll have your time to cry,” Pei Chengye spat out harshly, flinging his sleeves as he left.

Pei Siyang and Pei Haolan walked side by side, with Pei Haolan being the first to ask, “Eldest Brother, why did the Empress Dowager not arrange a marriage for Fifth Brother? Could it be there’s already a candidate in place?”

Pei Siyang laughed and shook his head, “Of course not.”

“Then what is it?” Pei Haolan was somewhat puzzled by what the Empress Dowager was thinking.

“The Empress Dowager’s thoughts are extremely meticulous. She surely has seen that there is something unusual between Doctor Shao and Fifth Brother,” Pei Siyang calmly stated.

“And then?” Pei Haolan still didn’t fully understand–what did this have to do with arranging a marriage?

Pei Siyang smiled faintly, “The Empress Dowager is worried that if she were to arrange a marriage for Fifth Brother at this time, it might affect Doctor Shao’s treatment of our father. The surgery is extremely risky, and one wrong move could prove fatal.”

With this hint, Pei Haolan finally understood and slapped his forehead, “Surely, Eldest Brother thinks more thoroughly.”

“It’s not that I am being thorough; it’s that the Empress Dowager thinks further ahead than us,” Pei Siyang chuckled softly, hands clasped behind his back, his steps light as he walked forward, now fully accustomed to his legs.