It’s obvious that the eunuch was extrely embarrassed. Although his biggest duty usually was to attend to King Fan’s daily needs, the current situation with the King was uncomfortable and even shaful for anyone with a normal mind.
Zhu Yu was unsure of what else to ask before Yan Daoxin’s conclusion. Most matters either needed Yan Daoxin’s judgnt or didn’t require much explanation since the answers were already well understood by them.
For instance, where did the unlucky won in the Prince Mansion co from, arriving driven by the large bounty? Ultimately, those doctors who failed to cure King Fan faced a grim fate.
The answers to these questions were all silently understood among them, and asking would only make things more awkward while exposing such scandals would do no favor for any of them.
Out of anger and sha, not caring about consequences, cutting soone down to silence them, was not uncommon.
Thus, she fell silent too, leaving only an awkward silence between her and the eunuch.
"It’s poison," said Yan Daoxin, who had been silent earlier, suddenly speaking with certainty, "This concoction is cleverly made, and the toxicity is minimal. Initially, it doesn’t show any problems, but with continued consumption daily, year after year, the issue gradually becos more severe."
"Poison?!" The eunuch, who had been silent, almost leapt from his spot, "That’s impossible!
The High Priest was revered by our King precisely because he specially concocted this tonic. It worked exceptionally well!
How could it be... be poisoned? Our King even had people test the dicine initially, using silver needles..."
"Who told you that silver needles can detect all poisons?!" Yan Daoxin glanced at him irritably, "I already said, the poison in each elixir pill is minimal. Whether your King tests it on people or feeds it to dogs, it’s the sa; no one would suddenly die from the poison, so what’s the point of your testing?!"
His words left the eunuch speechless, where he could only stand with downcast eyes and fidgeting hands, looking quite aggrieved.
"Bring the dicine chest." Yan Daoxin nodded at Fu Lu.
Fu Lu stepped forward swiftly, placing the wooden dicine chest he’d carried on his back before Yan Daoxin.
Yan Daoxin opened the chest, carefully selecting the necessary materials. As his hand touched several porcelain bottles, his cheek muscles twitched slightly, almost visibly expressing his ’heartache and dismay.’
But with a life at stake, seeing King Fan nearly on his last breath, Yan Daoxin could only grit his teeth and reluctantly bring out his cherished dicinal treasures.
Zhu Yu gestured to the eunuch, triggered by Yan Daoxin’s words to ponder a question: "Has your King been frail in the past? Why consu such tonic pills for years?"
"Our King was in good health, with no need for supplents, until about a decade ago, when he suddenly fell gravely ill, nearly passing away, requiring considerable effort to preserve his life.
Although his life was retained, his vitality was heavily depleted. Since then, he’s suffered various ailnts, with both minor and major illnesses afflicting him. Not only doctors, but witch doctors have perford countless rituals, attempting to fend off plagues and evil spirits, all without success.
At that ti, the High Priest’s school had fallen, leaving him without a notable na in Bhutan, so initially, when searching for soone to heal the King, the Prince Mansion hadn’t thought of him.
Eventually, out of desperation, soone ntioned a remarkable old witch doctor, whose apprentice may have retained the master’s teachings.
Thus, when seeking outside, they stumbled upon the High Priest. After reviewing the King’s situation, he quickly identified the root cause, instructing people to gather materials to concoct dicine, soon restoring the King’s health completely."
"Ha—Quite capable indeed!" Yan Daoxin muttered sarcastically while busily working.
The eunuch glanced timidly at him, then at Zhu Yu. Zhu Yu nodded, signaling him to continue.
"After the King’s health improved, he noticed the High Priest’s distinguished appearance, so he retained him in the mansion, initially as a dical Officer.
But soon the King realized the High Priest’s capabilities extended far beyond dicine and healing. He wasn’t only proficient in dical skills but also extraordinarily skilled in stargazing and astrology, often observing celestial signs to predict fortune or calamity.
Not just astrology, but even Military Formation, the High Priest was exceptionally adept.
The King gradually recognized the High Priest’s competency, appreciating him more and more, gifting him a residence, servants, and a child attendant, even appointing protectors for him.
After several years, the King increasingly relied on the High Priest, and soon he made this unique and valuable tonic for the King, who was imnsely pleased, thus elevating him to High Priest, a prestigious position in our Bhutan ever since."
"What’s your High Priest’s na?" Zhu Yu asked, "He wasn’t born as a High Priest, he must have his own na?"
The eunuch paused, seemingly confused: "Ever since I joined the mansion, I’ve always called him High Priest. His na... I can’t quite recall imdiately..."
"Yishaen," another eunuch, who finally recovered from shock, interjected to answer for his companion, "The High Priest’s na is Yishaen, I rember soone ntioning it before. Considering his noble status, we dare not address him directly by na regularly."
Zhu Yu nodded. Bhutan has always stood distinct from other places, not just in customs and traditions but in nas, differing significantly from elsewhere.
This might be why they remained estranged from other places over the years. People tend to accept like-minded companions easily, while those with vastly different appearances, habits, and nas are t with wariness.
Furthermore, Bhutan reveres all forms of witchcraft and often uses various peculiar witchcraft dicines for healing, which stirs fear among surrounding people.
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