Late at night, Cheng Guang Hall was brightly lit.
Wispy smoke rose from the gilt-carved incense burner, and through layers of curtains, the faint crimson candlelight revealed a figure lying on the huanghuali wood bed.
His eyes were tightly shut, shadows gathering between his brows. His face was deathly pale, yet even in unconsciousness, an undeniable aura of fierce malice remained sharp and intimidating, deterring anyone from approaching.
The Crown Prince furrowed his brow tightly. The poisoned wound sent bone-deep agony through his body, making him feel as though he were trapped in a furnace one moment and plunged into an icy abyss the next.
Meanwhile, fragmented, clamorous voices flooded his ears like tidal waves.
"Why hasn't he woken up yet? We can't even get the medicine down his throat. Could he really be dying?"
"All those years on the frontier couldn't wear him down, and even a poisoned arrow couldn't kill him. His life is truly tenacious."
That was the Empress's voice.
However, the Empress of Da Zhao had always been duplicitous, skilled at putting on a show. Even if she wished for his death in her heart, she would never openly grit her teeth and utter such words in front of others.
Had she grown so impatient since his return to the capital that she no longer bothered to pretend?
Or was he trapped in some bizarre dream?
"Serves him right! This beast slaughtered the innocent, incurring the wrath of both heaven and man! Even the heavens can no longer stand by and watch!"
"Her Majesty the Empress wants us to find a way, but what can we do? The Crown Prince has suffered from chronic ailments since childhood—his head ailment drives him to madness when it flares up. Now, with multiple arrow wounds and poison seeping into his bones, it's truly beyond hope…"
"Heaven help us! Whether the Crown Prince lives or dies, may Your Majesty and Her Majesty the Empress spare us from blame. I have elders and children to care for—my grandson is still waiting for me to buy him candied hawthorns…"
Those were likely the voices of the old rascals from the Imperial Hospital.
From a distance of several yards, the Empress's anxious voice rang out: "If any of you can manage to feed the Crown Prince his medicine, I will reward you with ten taels of gold!"
Then came the chattering of servants nearby, their noise splitting his head with pain.
"Ten taels of gold aren't worth risking my life! Who would dare feed medicine to the King of Hell?"
"What if I can't get the medicine down and His Royal Highness the Crown Prince suddenly wakes up? He might kick me to death…"
"I'm about to burst! I should've gone to the latrine before coming here. It takes at least the time for one incense stick to burn to get back to the wing-room from here… Wait, ten taels of gold? For feeding the Crown Prince? That's enough to buy a house in the capital! More than I'd earn working in the kitchen my whole life! I can do it! I can! Ahhh, I'm going to be rich!"
Noise.
The Crown Prince clenched his brow, wishing he could rise immediately and strangle that chatterbox of a maid.
A moment later, a soft, gentle voice echoed in the hall: "Your Majesty, this humble maid is willing to try."
It was easy to recognize—it came from the same person as the earlier clamorous voice, but now it was noticeably more docile and proper.
As soon as she spoke, everyone in the hall gasped in shock.
The Empress stepped forward and looked down at the maid prostrated on the floor. "Do you truly have a way?"
Yun Kui replied cautiously, "It's just… I beg Your Majesty for an additional favor. If His Royal Highness the Crown Prince awakens and seeks to execute me, could Your Majesty perhaps…"
The Empress stared at her face, which could be described as peerlessly enchanting, then let her gaze drift to her full bosom and slender, willow-like waist. She hadn't expected such a stunning beauty among the palace maids.
After a brief moment of stunned silence, the Empress sneered inwardly.
"Probably another one trying to climb into bed."
The Empress maintained her gentle expression. "Do not worry. Since you have served diligently during the illness, I shall naturally protect you."
"Who is this, valuing money over life!"
"Don't tell me she plans to feed His Royal Highness the Crown Prince mouth-to-mouth?"
"This young girl has ambitions as high as the heavens but a fate as thin as paper. The last one who tried to climb into bed now has grass three feet high over her grave."
Hearing these chaotic voices, the Crown Prince felt a vein bulge on his forehead, throbbing with pain.
"Thank you for your grace, Your Majesty." Yun Kui pressed her lips together and added, "This servant needs to return to the kitchen to fetch something."
Suppressing the impatience in her eyes, the Empress nodded. "Go quickly and return swiftly."
Yun Kui rose and acknowledged the order, then hurried back to the kitchen. First, she quickly relieved herself, then went to the kitchen ingredients and found something, carefully washing it clean before bringing it to Cheng Guang Hall.
The Empress stared at the strange object in her hand, instinctively covering her face with her sleeve. "What is this? Can it truly make the Crown Prince take the medicine?"
"It looks somewhat disgusting."
Hearing this, the Crown Prince: …
Yun Kui truthfully replied, "This is a commonly used ingredient in the kitchen. This servant has already cleaned and deodorized it."
As she spoke, the imperial physicians and everyone in the hall turned their attention to her.
The kitchen staff naturally recognized this item, but bringing it uncooked to feed medicine to the Crown Prince was somewhat demeaning to His Highness.
Most of the imperial physicians also recognized it, though their expressions were quite varied.
The Empress asked the Head Imperial Physician again, "Is there any problem?"
The white-haired Head Physician Zhang blushed, but guessing Yun Kui's intention, he hesitated for a long time before saying, "We can give it a try."
Only then did Yun Kui feel relieved.
The Empress nodded to her. "Since that's the case, you may try."
"Ah, this…"
"This palace maid is truly bold, daring to treat His Royal Highness the Crown Prince like this…"
The unconscious Crown Prince could still hear the various discussions in the hall, and even some voices that shouldn't have been openly expressed kept echoing in his ears.
It seemed like… these people's inner thoughts?
Yun Kui carefully poured the medicinal broth from the bowl into the sheep casing, tightly tying both ends. The casing filled with medicine bulged out, instantly taking on an indescribable shape. Several imperial physicians in the hall averted their eyes uncomfortably.
"Ah, do not look at what is improper, do not look!"
"Hiss, it looks like a large sausage."
"I used two just last night…"
The Crown Prince was slightly surprised in his heart. What exactly was it, and how would she feed him medicine?
What ingredient was so disgusting, but Physician Shen used two?
"Used"?
Yun Kui asked a medical attendant nearby for a silver needle, poked a small hole in one end of the casing, and slowly approached the man lying quietly on the sandalwood bed, murmuring to herself.
"Please, please, you must take the medicine, and definitely don't wake up at this moment! Heaven bless me, I must smoothly obtain those ten taels of gold!"
The Crown Prince's phoenix eyes remained tightly closed, his teeth clenched. After the girl finished her muttering, his eyelids felt slightly heavy, and the faint light he could sense through his thin eyelids disappeared.
Yun Kui was also terrified, her heart nearly jumping out of her throat. Lifting the curtain, she immediately used the handkerchief at hand to cover the Crown Prince's noble face, leaving only a mouth capable of drinking medicine.
This way, she wouldn't have to face that fierce and terrifying face. If the Crown Prince suddenly woke up, he wouldn't see her appearance immediately, and she could promptly seek help from the Empress to save her life.
"Little Sunflower, you're simply too clever!"
Lit-tle-Sun-flo-wer… This crown prince remembers.
His Royal Highness the Crown Prince secretly gritted his molars.
Just you wait. This crown prince will surely tear you limb from—
Suddenly, a soft warmth touched his jaw, carrying the gentle warmth of a woman's breath to his nostrils.
The Crown Prince's mind went blank instantly. Even in his unconscious state, veins bulged faintly on his neck.
No one had ever dared touch him.
Yun Kui held the Crown Prince's chin, her gaze lingering on the jade-like coolness of his skin and the sharp, cold contours of his face. She paused momentarily.
Just this portion of his chin was exquisitely shaped, though his lips were excessively pale, his skin nearly bloodless, feeling colder than winter snow.
Were it not for the faint breath confirming life, His Royal Highness the Crown Prince would resemble a corpse more than an actual dead body.
Yet even blindfolded and unconscious, that overwhelming pressure from one in authority remained palpable, sending chills down one's spine.
Yun Kui took a deep breath.
"Huh, his tongue is quite pink."
Crown Prince: ???
Suppressing her inner tension, Yun Kui gripped the Crown Prince's pale, slender jaw. Applying pressure with her fingertips, she slightly parted his lips, then resolutely shot the medicinal broth from the sheep intestine casing directly down his throat.
The imperial physicians: "…"
"She actually managed to pour it down."
"The method is clever, but… the process is rather inelegant."
"I can hardly bear to watch."
The Crown Prince felt a wave of bitter spiciness in his throat and abruptly opened his eyes.
Before he could react, he instinctively swallowed, forcing the bitter medicinal broth down.
Throughout his years in this position, he had maintained extreme vigilance regarding anything entering his mouth. No one had ever dared force-feed him randomly.
This was the first time.
Unaware that the man beneath her had awakened, Yun Kui prepared to squeeze more medicine into his mouth when someone suddenly seized her wrist.
Already engaged in a tiger's den rescue mission, not only did her wrist ache from the grip, but her soul nearly fled in terror. She shuddered violently, dropping the sheep intestine casing from her hand.
Someone in the hall exclaimed: "His Royal Highness has awakened!"
The Empress and the imperial physicians immediately rushed forward to check.
Without time to think, before the Crown Prince could remove the cotton cloth covering his eyes, Yun Kui broke free from the wrist restraint, obediently rolled to the floor, and knelt with her head bowed.
The Empress glanced at her and instructed her chief maid Qingdai: "Take her away for her reward."
Hearing this, Yun Kui felt immensely grateful. Without looking up, she hurriedly expressed thanks and withdrew.
The Crown Prince removed the cloth and slowly sat up.
His pale face in the candlelight appeared sinister and cold, utterly devoid of warmth. His bloodshot crimson eyes seemed to freeze the marrow of anyone who glimpsed them.
The Empress stiffly lifted the corners of her mouth, then revealed a kindly, concerned smile: "Crown Prince, you've finally awakened! Are you still feeling unwell?"
The Crown Prince calmly raised his eyes to gaze at the lavishly dressed woman before him.
After years apart, the Empress had grown even more plump and dignified, yet her gaze toward him remained as gentle and affectionate as ever.
But what the Crown Prince heard was a voice completely at odds with her benevolent appearance.
"Awake already?"
"That Seven-Li Powder they skimped on brewing actually worked immediately?"
"Heavens are blind—why didn't those arrows finish him off!"
The Queen was so unnerved by his stare that she could barely hold her composure. Hurriedly forcing a smile, she turned to the physician behind her: "Chief Physician Zhang."
Chief Physician Zhang immediately stepped forward to take the Crown Prince's pulse. After careful consideration, he furrowed his brow: "The pulse is erratic, with toxins invading the meridians. Your Royal Highness still has residual poison in your system and must continue taking Seven-Li Powder, supplemented with acupuncture to expel the toxins, and apply Golden Sore Ointment externally to prevent the poison from reaching the internal organs and damaging the heart meridian."
"So he hasn't fully recovered yet, excellent!"
The Queen said: "In that case, we must trouble Chief Physician Zhang to take extra care. The Crown Prince must not suffer any mishap."
Chief Physician Zhang bowed with clasped hands: "This is my duty. I will spare no effort."
The Crown Prince rose from his couch, his frame taller and more imposing than three years prior, his aura sharper and more intimidating. His indifferent, sinister gaze swept casually across the people in the hall like piercing ice.
Wherever his eyes fell, everyone became as silent as cicadas in winter, none knowing what he intended to do.
Even the Queen felt uneasy. "Your Royal Highness, your severe injury hasn't healed—how can you be out of bed…"
"What is this madman planning now? Who has offended him this time?"
The Crown Prince's gaze swept over the cowering physicians. He had met these men numerous times in the capital since childhood, having suffered from head ailments daily and frequently dealing with the Imperial Hospital.
"Physician Chen." The Crown Prince stopped before a middle-aged physician.
His voice was calm, his words softly spoken with a faint hint of sickness, yet enough to instill fear.
Suddenly called upon, Physician Chen Yihu shuddered and offered a stumbling bow. "Your Royal Highness the Crown Prince?"
"Why has the Crown Prince summoned me so suddenly? Could he have discovered I omitted three ingredients from the Seven-Li Powder? Impossible…"
The Crown Prince stared at him with a faint, ambiguous smile. "I trust you've been well."
Chen Yi wiped cold sweat from his forehead, finding the Crown Prince's smiling-yet-threatening demeanor particularly chilling. Why would he say such a thing out of the blue? What connection did he have with the Crown Prince?
The Crown Prince then turned to Chief Physician Zhang. "If I recall correctly, Chief Physician Zhang's grandson is already five years old?"
Suddenly questioned, especially about his grandson, Chief Physician Zhang broke into a cold sweat and tremulously affirmed it was so.
The Crown Prince said: "Chief Physician Zhang is advanced in years. Wouldn't it be better to return home early to enjoy time with your grandson? As for the position of Chief Physician, I believe Physician Chen is qualified to assume it."
This Crown Prince had always been arbitrary and unpredictable, making promotions and dismissals on a whim.
With just a few words, one physician was promoted to Chief Physician while another was forced into retirement. Both stood frozen, exchanging bewildered glances.
The Queen exchanged a look with Chen Yi and said: "We shall follow the Crown Prince's suggestion. I will inform His Majesty tomorrow."
Chen Yi, snapping out of his daze, hurried forward to express his gratitude.
The Crown Prince's lips curled slightly. "In that case, I entrust my arrow wound to Chief Physician Chen."
"I will certainly do my best."
Chen Yi, unexpectedly promoted, was naturally delighted. After all, the position of Chief Physician was the highest rank in the Imperial Hospital, something many aspired to but couldn't attain. With his qualifications, he would have had to strive for at least ten more years—yet now it had fallen into his lap so effortlessly, truly a heavenly blessing.
But he couldn't shake a chilling sensation down his spine, feeling that something was amiss.
Sure enough.
The next moment, a cold, sinister voice murmured softly: "Merely doing your best won't suffice."
"I have always been clear in rewarding and punishing. If Chief Physician Chen can cure me, I will reward you with a hundred taels of gold. If you cannot… I will have no choice but to convict you of dereliction of duty, sentencing you to confiscation of property and execution. How does that sound?"
Chen Yi’s legs gave way, and he knelt directly on the floor. “Your Highness, spare my life! This humble official…”
“Spare your life?” The Crown Prince let out a humorless laugh. “Does Chief Physician Chen believe my poisoning is incurable, that I won’t live past a month, and have already prepared for the confiscation of my family’s property and execution?”
Chen Yi’s face turned deathly pale, his entire body trembling. “This humble official… did not mean that.”
The Empress took a deep breath, secretly clenching her fists.
Has this madman discovered something? Impossible! He’s been away from the capital for years and has been unconscious these past few days. How could he possibly know that Physician Chen is one of my people?
Hearing the Empress’s inner thoughts, the Crown Prince responded with a cold sneer.
His gaze swept over the terrified faces in the hall. As expected, most were unfamiliar. A few might have served him three years ago, but he had little recollection of them.
Noticing his thoughts, the Empress quickly explained, “During your years away at war, some of the Eastern Palace staff were reassigned elsewhere, while others were released from service upon reaching the appropriate age. These are all recent additions over the past two years. Use them for now, and if you find any unsatisfactory…”
The Crown Prince cut her off bluntly, “Unsatisfactory.”
The Empress’s expression tightened, though she forced a smile.
This Empress’s position is utterly humiliating! Even the sons of those lowborn concubines address me as ‘Imperial Mother,’ yet this illegitimate spawn of the Late Emperor shows no respect, putting on airs and acting like a mad ancestor. Just die already! I’ve had enough of this!
Her cold eyes swept over the trembling maids on the floor before she managed a strained smile. “Indeed, some are rather useless. Tomorrow, I shall order the Imperial Household Department to select a few steady and reliable ones to serve you.”
The Crown Prince offered no response, his dark gaze lowering to a pale, intestine-like object on the carpet.
Realizing what it was, his expression gradually darkened, even tinged with irritation.
His eyes scanned the hall, but no suspicious figures stood out.
The young maid who had just fed him medicine… had she fled?