Chapter 55: The Divine Medicine

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Li Qingyao’s presence grew even more imposing: “Of course it is true. I have already brought the medicine back.”

“All that remains is for the imperial physician to verify its authenticity,” she continued.

“Then, right and wrong, truth and falsehood will be revealed in due course.”

“However, I fear that when that time comes, Duke Yang and Earl Kaiyang, you may not have the courage to uphold justice over kinship as you do now.”

“You should be well aware that sabotage of military facilities is a capital offense.”

With a grand sweep of her hand, Li Qingyao gave no room for argument and immediately ordered two special jars to be brought in.

Though identical in appearance, the jars bore different seals.

Many could smell a pungent, acrid alcohol through the seals.

This was no fragrant wine; it was harsh and sharp, making one instinctively rub their nose.

“This is just wine—how could it possibly heal anyone? Your Highness, surely you jest!” Earl Kaiyang, who had been somewhat hesitant, now sneered scornfully upon seeing the two jars.

Others also felt disappointed upon seeing the wine jars, especially Duke Yiguo and Duke Zhengguo.

As military generals, they cared more for the lives of soldiers than anyone else present.

Yet Li Qingyao said firmly, “Wrong. This is not wine—it is alcohol.”

“We all know that on the battlefield, few soldiers die immediately during combat.”

“Most soldiers succumb not to their wounds directly, but to festering ulcers that resist treatment and ultimately prove fatal.”

“Is that not so?”

Duke Yiguo nodded, “Indeed. There is currently no effective treatment for ulcers. The only remedy is to cut open the wound to drain it, then administer decoctions to nurture the body—survival depends on endurance.”

Li Qingyao smiled and said, “Alcohol is the medicine used to cleanse ulcerated wounds.”

“Though the cleansing causes intense pain, it can increase the healing rate of ulcers by thirty percent.”

Duke Zhengguo, seeing the jars, looked skeptical and asked, “Your Highness, I have never heard of wine being used to treat ulcers since ancient times.”

Li Qingyao solemnly replied, “Duke Zhengguo, let me reiterate: this is alcohol. It smells like wine but is not to be ingested. Drinking it causes intestinal erosion and certain death.”

Duke Yang sneered, “That is poison. How can such a substance be called medicine or treat ulcers?”

“Whether it is medicine or not can be tested by bringing ten wounded soldiers, prioritizing those with severe ulcers, and observing how many survive.”

“It will not take long—results will be seen within a day.”

“I humbly request His Majesty’s permission for this trial.”

“This concerns the lives of our brave sons defending the capital’s borders!”

Her tone was resolute.

This also signified her unwavering trust in Qin Hao.

Yet Duke Yang replied coldly, “Your Majesty, this must not be allowed.”

“The Princess is willing to risk soldiers’ lives to exonerate a criminal who broke the capital’s laws. This is tantamount to recklessly sacrificing lives.”

For a moment, the officials representing the noble families began to voice their accusations.

Li Qingyao was furious.

These people always opposed her for their own interests.

She wished to cut them all down.

But she knew using soldiers’ lives to test the medicine was wrong.

Still, there was no other way to prove the efficacy of alcohol.

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At this moment, Emperor Xuande spoke in a stern voice, “Xue Heng, hear the decree.”

Duke Yiguo immediately knelt, “I receive the order, Your Majesty.”

“Recently, there have been multiple anti-bandit campaigns near the capital. Many city guards have been wounded.”

“Among them, numerous cases of severe ulcers. Whether prisoners or soldiers, select ten individuals whose wounds resist all treatments to test the medicine on.”

Emperor Xuande declared coolly.

Duke Yang immediately objected, “Your Majesty, this is not advisable. To use soldiers as test subjects will dampen their morale!”

This time Zhao Rufeng also spoke, “Your Majesty, though the cause is just, if news spreads, it would indeed be inappropriate.”

This was Zhao Rufeng—his every action motivated by concern for Emperor Xuande’s welfare.

The emperor’s gaze swept coldly over both men: “Even the military doctors have declared these men beyond cure. Do you have any better method to save them?”

Neither Duke Yang nor Zhao Rufeng had a response.

With almost no hope for these men, how could they save them?

They understood the emperor’s intent: to use a desperate measure for desperate cases.

Duke Yiguo rose, ready to leave, but suddenly asked, “Princess, may I ask—was this alcohol developed by Qin Hao?”

“Indeed,” Li Qingyao answered resolutely.

Duke Yiguo said no more and quickly left to find the wounded.

No one else argued; they awaited Duke Yiguo’s return, for facts speak louder than words.

Earl Kaiyang’s expression flickered repeatedly upon hearing that Qin Hao had produced the alcohol. After hesitating, he finally said, “Princess, although my eldest son has some poetic talent, he knows nothing of medicine.”

“If such a remedy truly exists, it would be a divine cure.”

“I know Qin Hao well—he is a habitual liar. Do not be deceived by him.”

Li Qingyao sneered, “Earl Kaiyang, now I understand why Qin Hao always shows disdain when he hears your name.”

“Clearly, you are too arrogant for your own good.”

Earl Kaiyang’s face darkened at the insult.

For the Princess to say he was arrogant was to call him blind—unable to recognize true talent!

Just as Earl Kaiyang was about to respond, Li Qingyao’s tone hardened sharply, “Remember this, Earl Kaiyang: you do not believe Qin Hao, but I do.”

“You disdain Qin Hao, but I value him.”

“From the moment Qin Hao left your household, he has no ties to you.”

“Your son smashed Qin Hao’s winery and injured him.”

“I will pursue this matter to the end!”

“Today is like this, and it will be so in the future.”

“Also, let me make this clear: if anyone dares to harm Qin Hao unjustly again, I will hold them accountable!”

Her words lowered the temperature of the entire imperial study.

Many present now looked at Li Qingyao with new eyes.

Even Zhao Rufeng inwardly admired the Princess’s boldness and decisiveness.

“Your Highness, the results are not yet in. Qin Hao has not yet cleared his name,” Duke Yang said calmly.

But Li Qingyao’s attitude toward Qin Hao today truly shocked him—and not only him.

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Earl Kaiyang was equally bewildered.

He could not fathom why a son he had abandoned would receive such fierce protection from the Princess.

In Emperor Xuande’s eyes gleamed appreciation for his daughter, but more than that, he eagerly awaited the alcohol’s results.

If, as Qin Hao claimed, the alcohol was indeed a miracle cure…

Soon, Duke Yiguo returned.

He brought with him ten severely wounded men.

Each patient was accompanied by a military doctor.

The doctors described the patients’ conditions.

These patients’ surface wounds had ulcerated and been repeatedly incised and drained, yet kept recurring and were difficult to heal.

Four of them were feverish and nearly beyond saving.

Li Qingyao immediately ordered treatment according to Qin Hao’s method.

First, the ulcerated wounds were incised and drained to expel pus.

Then, the wounds were washed multiple times with small amounts of alcohol.

Each wash was spaced fifteen minutes apart.

Three or four washes sufficed.

If pus reappeared, the process was repeated until no pus formed.

Qin Hao had specifically instructed that the wounds must be rinsed, never wiped with cotton or any other material.

The military doctors, upon hearing of a possible treatment for ulcers, were immensely excited.

They did not care whether the liquid smelled of alcohol; they simply applied it.

The compassion inherent in healers compelled them—no matter how slim the chance, they wished to save their patients.

Before Emperor Xuande and the ministers, the doctors performed the incisions.

After pus was drained, they applied the alcohol washes.

All ten patients screamed in agony.

These soldiers and bandits, fearless before sword and spear, could not bear such pain.

Their screams caused many present to pale.

Just watching was enough to make one’s teeth ache and body feel phantom pain.

Earl Kaiyang, still scowling from the Princess’s earlier rebuke, finally spoke upon witnessing the torment.

“Your Highness, such pain—if this is not poison, what else could it be?”

“Seems you have been deceived by my eldest son.”