"Get in here."
Ao Jing was seething with anger when he heard the voice of the guard captain, Xiao Qi. Grasping at this lifeline, he hurriedly ordered him to enter.
The door was pushed open, and a foul stench assaulted the senses.
Xiao Qi quickly covered his nose and mouth, feeling somewhat overwhelmed.
What was this smell? Had the prince relieved himself in the room?
His gaze swept across the room, and upon seeing the situation inside, his expression changed. He hurried over to Ao Jing's side, drew his sword, and cut the ropes.
"Your Highness, what happened? Who tied you up?"
Ao Jing cast a dark glance at Bai Jinshu, who stood motionless in place, then immediately strode out of the suffocating room.
Xiao Qi was puzzled and shot a surprised look at Bai Jinshu before quickly following. "Your Highness, the Emperor Emeritus has taken ill. The Emperor has ordered all members of the imperial family to enter the palace immediately."
"What happened?"
"I'm not entirely sure of the details, but it seems to be a sudden illness. I'm afraid…"
Bai Jinshu stepped out of the room just in time to hear their conversation.
She lifted her gaze and faintly caught a fleeting smile at the corner of Ao Jing's lips, but upon closer inspection, it seemed to have vanished.
Ao Jing also saw her and said coldly, "Get ready and accompany me into the palace."
Bai Jinshu knew that the Emperor Emeritus's sudden illness was no small matter. As the Princess Consort of Jing, she had no choice but to enter the palace. Moreover, the Emperor Emeritus was the original host's maternal grandfather, so it was only right for her to go and check on him. She nodded obediently.
Half an hour later.
The Jing Prince's carriage entered the palace gates directly.
Passing through a long, deep palace corridor, they could see towering, mottled red-brick walls on both sides, reaching high into the clouds and inspiring awe.
As soon as they stepped out of the carriage, a magnificent pavilion came into view, resplendent and glorious, with its glazed tile roof reflecting the silvery moonlight.
The Emperor Emeritus resided in the quieter Chaoyang Hall.
Bai Jinshu followed Ao Jing into the main hall, where many people were already kneeling, all dressed in luxurious attire with sorrowful expressions.
These were all the imperial descendants of the Emperor Emeritus, along with their consorts and children.
As the two entered, the Empress immediately gave Ao Jing a meaningful glance, signaling them to kneel beside her.
Ao Jing was the Empress's legitimate son, so no one dared to say anything as he passed the crowd and knelt at the front.
Behind the beaded curtain, Emperor Jiaqing, Ao Hong, stood by the Emperor Emeritus's bedside. The frail Imperial Noble Consort Xiaoxian half-leaned over the Emperor Emeritus, unable to accept that the old man, who had been full of energy just two days ago, had suddenly fallen ill and was now on the brink of death. Tears streamed down her face uncontrollably.
Two rows of Imperial Physicians knelt trembling, not daring to breathe too loudly.
The Emperor Emeritus's breathing was shallow and labored, and the Imperial Physicians had determined that he might pass away at any moment, perhaps within the night.
Bai Jinshu knelt beside Ao Jing, her hands clenched slightly beneath her sleeves.
With the Heaven's Eye of her Medical System, which contained a complete range of medicines, perhaps she could save the Emperor Emeritus's life.
But should she save him or not?
If she were to save him, she would at least need an opportunity to be alone with the Emperor Emeritus. Otherwise, convincing the Emperor to let her treat him would likely be impossible.
Just as she hesitated, unsure whether to intervene, a faint sound of wooden wheels rolling across the floor suddenly came from outside the hall.
Everyone turned to look.
In the night, a pearwood carved wheelchair was slowly pushed into the hall.
Seated in the wheelchair was an extraordinarily handsome man.
A broad, luxurious purple silk robe enveloped a tall, jade-like figure. At the waist hung a piece of exquisite black jade, its shape seemingly rough yet ancient and somber.
His features were as exquisitely carved as a painting, with deep-set eyes and brows. Yet his skin appeared pale, almost bloodless, as if his body were exceedingly frail.
When Bai Jinshu clearly saw that face, her heart jolted in shock.
It was him?
That man from last night, who resembled a demonic monster!
Though the purple veins and bloodstains on his face were gone, and his pupils had turned dark, that face—so bewitching and ghostly—was one Bai Jinshu would never mistake…
"What's wrong? Don't you recognize Prince Ling?"