The “Master Wang” that Emperor Tai’an addressed was actually the previous dynasty’s Imperial Preceptor, Daoist Mingxin.

Daoist Mingxin was led to the Eastern Palace by Eunuch Liu Chuan. Emperor Tai’an, concerned for his son, also followed along.

When the group arrived, the Crown Prince was groaning in pain.

With Daoist Mingxin present, the Crown Prince’s performance made Emperor Tai’an somewhat lose face, but his attention was quickly diverted by the Crown Prince’s call.

“Father Emperor, did you find someone?”

“We found someone. This is Master Wang.” Toward people with real ability, Emperor Tai’an showed a bit more courtesy.

The Crown Prince looked toward Daoist Mingxin with a pained expression.

Daoist Mingxin performed courtesies: “I have met Your Highness.”

“Stop being long-winded and quickly relieve my pain.” Having never suffered such hardship before, the Crown Prince had completely lost patience with everyone except Emperor Tai’an.

Emperor Tai’an frowned slightly but ultimately said nothing. He said to Daoist Mingxin: “Please administer acupuncture to the Crown Prince, Master Wang.”

The Emperor spoke courteously, but when Daoist Mingxin approached the Crown Prince, people stood on both sides, staring intently at his movements without blinking.

Daoist Mingxin paid no attention whatsoever. His movements were gentle as he unwrapped the gauze on the Crown Prince’s arm and examined the wound.

The wound caused by the flying dagger originally was not deep, but after scraping the bone to treat the poison, it had become rather horrifying.

Daoist Mingxin’s examination was very brief, but to the Crown Prince it felt unbearably long.

Veins bulged at his temples, his expression twisted: “Why haven’t you started yet?”

Daoist Mingxin said nothing but extended his hand toward Liu Chuan.

The golden needles for treating the Crown Prince had been newly replaced and were being held by this head eunuch who had deeply earned Emperor Tai’an’s trust.

Liu Chuan opened the box. On soft cloth, golden needles were fixed in rows.

Daoist Mingxin picked up a golden needle and cautioned: “Your Highness, please do not move.”

Upon seeing that gleaming golden long needle, the Crown Prince immediately tensed all over and blurted out: “Wait!”

The golden needle in Daoist Mingxin’s hand did not pause in the slightest as it pierced into the Crown Prince’s arm. He asked earnestly: “What is the matter, Your Highness?”

The Crown Prince looked down at the slightly trembling needle tail, unable to believe it.

It had actually been inserted!

Since it was already inserted, what could he say!

Seeing the Crown Prince’s tense face and silence, Daoist Mingxin picked up another golden needle and inserted it.

The long needle piercing flesh and skin actually only caused slight pain, yet the Crown Prince’s expression was ugly as he asked through gritted teeth: “How many needles must be inserted?”

“If Your Highness is afraid, you can look over there.” Daoist Mingxin pointed in a direction.

The Crown Prince instinctively looked over. On a tall sandalwood stand was a red porcelain vase with a small mouth and square shoulders. In the vase, a spray of wintersweet bloomed quietly.

What was there to look at in a broken vase?

When the Crown Prince came back to his senses, he discovered his arm was already full of needles.

Emperor Tai’an’s brow furrowed slightly.

He did not know if it was an illusion, but the needles inserted in the Crown Prince seemed to be more numerous than those previously inserted in the guard.

“You—”

The Crown Prince was just about to get angry at Daoist Mingxin’s misdirection when he heard the other person ask: “How does Your Highness feel?”

The Crown Prince was stunned. He looked at his injured arm in disbelief.

It did not hurt anymore?

He waited, confirming it was not an illusion, and his expression eased: “Much better.”

“Wait a moment, then the golden needles will be removed.”

The Crown Prince’s expression changed: “Will it hurt again after they’re removed?”

Daoist Mingxin said patiently: “It can relieve pain for a certain time. If needles are applied three times a day, you can be free from suffering all day.”

The Crown Prince was overjoyed upon hearing this: “That’s good then.”

He truly could not bear it any longer.

“Thank you, Master.” The Crown Prince rarely gave thanks with genuine feeling.

Daoist Mingxin’s lips moved, wanting to speak but stopping himself.

Emperor Tai’an noticed and asked: “Does Master Wang have something else to explain?”

Daoist Mingxin glanced at the Crown Prince: “This—”

The Crown Prince’s heart skipped a beat.

What did this mean?

“The Crown Prince’s vital energy was injured. He must rest well.” Daoist Mingxin’s face returned to natural as he gave instructions while removing the golden needles.

Emperor Tai’an knew Daoist Mingxin had something to say and said without revealing anything: “Yuan’er, then rest well.”

Seeing Emperor Tai’an and Daoist Mingxin about to leave, the Crown Prince called them back: “Master Wang, do I have some problem?”

Daoist Mingxin instinctively glanced at Emperor Tai’an.

“Yuan’er, do not overthink. You only have an external injury. After recuperating for some time, you will be fine.”

Without the interference of pain, the Crown Prince’s mind was extraordinarily clear: “Father Emperor, you need not comfort me. Master Wang must have noticed something. Your son is no longer a child. I should know what condition my own body is in.”

Emperor Tai’an hesitated slightly and looked toward Daoist Mingxin: “If the Crown Prince has other conditions, please inform us, Master Wang.”

Emperor Tai’an was somewhat disappointed with the Crown Prince’s performance after being injured. The Crown Prince’s statement “your son is no longer a child” reminded him.

As the heir apparent, he should be able to shoulder responsibilities.

Daoist Mingxin glanced at the Crown Prince and asked: “The injury on the Crown Prince’s arm—was it caused by scraping the bone to treat poison?”

“Precisely. Master Wang’s medical skills are indeed superb.” Emperor Tai’an praised.

Daoist Mingxin was silent for a moment, then said with lowered eyes: “Scraping the bone to treat poison blocked the deadly poison from flowing toward the heart and spleen. It was indeed an appropriate treatment method in a critical situation. However—”

Everyone present, including Emperor Tai’an and the Crown Prince, became tense upon hearing the two words “however,” especially the imperial physicians, whose expressions changed instantly.

Daoist Mingxin continued: “This commoner just examined His Highness’s wound and discovered that some meridians inside were still harmed by the toxin.”

“What will that cause?” Emperor Tai’an asked in a deep voice.

The Crown Prince stared fixedly at Daoist Mingxin, waiting for him to continue.

Daoist Mingxin’s expression was somewhat grave: “His Highness’s left arm may not be as flexible in the future—”

“What did you say?” The Crown Prince suddenly stood up. Because of the acupuncture, his left arm felt little pain, but his face was frighteningly pale.

Daoist Mingxin kept his eyes lowered and did not speak further.

The Crown Prince stepped forward, bloodshot eyes staring as he asked word by word: “Master Wang, what do those words just now mean?”

Emperor Tai’an’s low voice sounded: “Yuan’er, calm down.”

The corners of the Crown Prince’s mouth tightened as he forcibly suppressed his agitation.

Emperor Tai’an appeared much more composed: “Master Wang, to what degree will the Crown Prince’s left arm be affected?”

“In the best case, the left hand cannot bear weight. In the worst case—” Daoist Mingxin paused and looked toward Emperor Tai’an.

“Master Wang, please speak freely.”

“In the worse scenario, it will affect the left hand’s ability to grasp. Of course, the actual degree of impact still depends on the recovery. The Crown Prince has such excellent medical treatment conditions—he should not be too discouraged…”

Do not be too discouraged—the Crown Prince’s mind was full of these words, as if struck by a heavy hammer.

Such pale and powerless comfort—wasn’t this saying his left hand was crippled?

He was the heir apparent, the future emperor. Which ruler of a nation was disabled!

Emperor Tai’an also felt uncomfortable hearing Daoist Mingxin’s words, but his schemes ran deep—he was far more able to maintain composure than the Crown Prince.

“Then I must trouble Master Wang to assist the Crown Prince’s recovery.”

The imperial physicians hiding in the corner playing quail could not help but glance at Daoist Mingxin upon hearing this.

Just like that, he was being kept in the palace.

“Yuan’er, do not overthink. Maintaining a calm mood will aid in healing your injury.”

After leaving the Eastern Palace, Emperor Tai’an instructed Liu Chuan: “Remind everyone who was present today—not a single word about the Crown Prince’s condition may be leaked outside.”

Liu Chuan’s heart went cold with alarm. He hurriedly acknowledged the order.