Bai Qingchen added, “After taking this pill, the imperial physician will detect that you are in a comatose state and unconscious when he checks your pulse. After he leaves, I will give you the antidote.”
An San rushed in, “Master, Chief Steward Qin has arrived at the manor gate with Imperial Physician Chen.”
Nangong Li’s phoenix eyes turned cold. “They’re here sooner than expected. Bring me the medicine.”
Bai Qingchen took out an embroidered box from his medicine chest, retrieved a pill, and handed it to Nangong Li along with a cup of water. After Nangong Li swallowed it, the others stood on either side.
When Chief Steward Qin arrived, he saw the once-feared God of War, who had made enemy armies tremble, now lying unconscious on a sickbed. Pale and covered in blood from his body to his legs, the chief steward couldn’t help but feel a pang of pity.
Anger surged within him, and he exclaimed, “Whoever did this to the Seventh Prince deserves divine punishment! This old servant will report everything truthfully to His Majesty and ensure the culprit is severely punished. Imperial Physician Chen, please examine His Highness at once.”
Imperial Physician Chen sat on a nearby chair, placing one hand on Prince Li’s wrist while stroking his graying beard. He shook his head and sighed at times, nodding at others, as if he had already confirmed Nangong Li’s condition.
After a while, Imperial Physician Chen stood up.
Chief Steward Qin hurriedly asked, “Imperial Physician Chen, how is Prince Li?”
Imperial Physician Chen shook his head and sighed. “His Highness has fallen into a coma due to excessive blood loss. Over the years, the poison has penetrated deeply, damaging his internal organs. The toxins have accumulated in his legs, and I fear he may never walk again.”
Eunuch Qin grew anxious and grabbed Imperial Physician Chen’s hand. “Physician Chen, you must have a solution. The Seventh Prince is still young and has always been proud. Being unable to walk would be worse than death for him. Please think again and see if there’s any other way!”
Imperial Physician Chen looked troubled. “Chief Steward, judging by his pulse, I must admit my medical skills are insufficient.”
Qin Huai’s face fell with disappointment. “Can you at least wake His Highness up?”
“I will prescribe a formula. After a few days of taking it, His Highness will surely awaken.”
Imperial Physician Chen was deeply troubled. A brave and skilled prince who had defended the nation had been reduced to this state by those pampered, worthless scoundrels. It didn’t take much to guess who was responsible. The next time they fell ill, he vowed to prescribe them some potent medicine.
Chief Steward Qin wiped the corners of his tear-filled eyes with the back of his hand. “Imperial Physician Chen, I leave this matter to you. I must return to report to His Majesty.”
An Yi gestured politely. “Chief Steward, allow me to escort you out.”
Throughout the journey back, Chief Steward Qin felt a heavy sense of injustice. Returning to the palace, his expression remained gloomy, as if he had lost a parent.
With tears welling in his eyes, he said, “This old servant… this old servant greets Your Majesty.”
Seeing Qin Huai so distraught for the first time, Nangong Yuntian’s heart sank, tightening with anxiety. Frowning deeply, he rose from his seat, his hands resting on the table, his face etched with worry. “How is my seventh son? What did the imperial physician say?”
Chief Steward Qin wiped away his tears, his voice choked with emotion. “Your Majesty, you must brace yourself… please accept this with fortitude!”
For the Son of Heaven, these words shattered his last line of emotional defense. Unable to suppress his guilt any longer, tears streamed down his face.
He slumped into his seat with a thud. “My seventh son… my seventh son has finally fallen victim to those unfilial sons’ schemes. You, too, are about to leave me. Consort Jing, I have failed you!”
Chief Steward Qin pursed his lips. “Your Majesty, the Seventh Prince is not dead. It’s just… just…”
“Just what?” the Emperor demanded urgently.
“According to Imperial Physician Chen, the Seventh Prince may never be able to walk again.
When His Highness wakes up, he will surely be unable to accept this reality.
Originally, he had less than a year to live, and now with this additional blow, how will he survive in the future? This old servant pities the Seventh Prince!”
Nangong Yuntian spoke with a hint of anger, reprimanding, “Qin Huai, can you not speak clearly all at once?”
Eunuch Qin wiped his tears again: “Your Majesty, forgive this old servant for speaking bluntly, but these words have been bottled up for several years.
Consort Xian shows endless affection for Prince Li in front of Your Majesty.
But once Your Majesty leaves, she beats and scolds the Seventh Prince, leaving His Highness covered in wounds.”
Nangong Yuntian’s imperial countenance turned furious: “She has no son of her own, what is she fighting for!
Unless she has reached an agreement with others to suppress the Seventh Prince.”
Qin Huai dared not speak further; it was enough to have stirred the Emperor’s anger. The Seventh Prince had suffered injustice, it was truly pitiful.
Nangong Yuntian’s eyes flashed with uncontrollable rage. After several shifts in expression, his entire face took on an indescribably complex look.
Gradually, everything seemed to calm down, leaving only a deep, contemplative expression, thick as fog.
Those in the rear palace were closely connected to the court.
Pulling one hair could move the whole body; they could not be easily dealt with, or it would cause turmoil in the court.
This was also the reason he had endured these past few years. He was waiting for the right moment to strike, to catch them off guard and ensure they could never rise again.
Emperor Huiwen’s expression was grim; a barely concealed ferocity surfaced on his originally near-cruel face.
“Has Consort Xian gone to Li Prince Manor?”
Eunuch Qin replied: “No, only the Seventh Prince’s senior martial brother and An Yi were present at the time.
As far as this old servant knows, since Prince Li established his manor, Consort Xian has never once visited.”
“Good, what is not one’s own flesh and blood will never truly belong. How can mutton stick to dog meat?”
Nangong Yuntian’s expression turned fierce, his voice low: “Consort Xian, I have favored you, hoping only that you would take better care of the Seventh Prince.
I never expected you to feign compliance while secretly colluding with others right under my nose. This is the price you must pay.”
He took out an account book from a cabinet and said sternly: “I will cut off their claws one by one!”
His eyes gleamed coldly, the corners of his mouth slightly upturned: “Shen Qing!”
Imperial Guard Commander Shen Qing entered, cupping his fists: “Your Majesty!”
Nangong Yuntian’s gaze shot cold light: “Chief Minister of the Court of State Ceremonial Song Furen has abused his power for personal gain and colluded with rebels. Execute his entire family and confiscate all their property.
All officials involved in this account book shall be punished with the same crime. Order Chancellor Feng to oversee the execution and let him learn a lesson.
If they do not repent and continue to participate in the struggle for the heir’s position, that will soon be their fate as well.
Make a big commotion, shake the mountain to scare the tiger.”
“Yes!”
Chief Steward Qin handed the account book to Shen Qing, inwardly pleased: Serves you right, serves you right, Consort Xian, for colluding with the Empress to bully Prince Li.
We rootless creatures can sometimes be hungry wolves too, biting you to death at the critical moment.
But he showed none of this on his face.
Shen Qing led his men to carry out the confiscation with great fanfare.
Nangong Yuntian seemed to have vented some resentment. He clenched his fist and slammed it hard on the imperial desk, his eyes gleaming with calculation: “This is only the beginning!”
Any slight movement in the imperial study would be known in the rear palace; those women were also spies for their maternal families.
…………
At this moment, a young eunuch hurried toward Xianfu Palace. After being announced along the way, he was brought to the inner hall.
“Your Highness, a great calamity has occurred. Lord Song and his entire family have been sentenced to execution by beheading.”
Consort Xian, who had been sipping tea, spat out a mouthful in shock.
She stood up, her face filled with astonishment. “What did you say? What happened to my elder brother?”
“Your Highness, for some reason, the Emperor flew into a rage and ordered the execution of Lord Song and his entire family. Commander Shen has already taken a ledger and led his men out of the palace.”
Consort Xian slumped into her chair, her expression dazed.
“How could this happen? My elder brother has always been law-abiding and dutiful. How could he face such a calamity of extermination?”
Her personal maid, Yu Liu, took out a silver ingot. The young eunuch accepted it gratefully, saying, “Thank you, Your Highness!”
He tucked the silver away and walked out.