The Heaven-Worshipping Ceremony of the Heaven-Beseeching War Prayer Grand Rite finally came to an end, but the lingering echoes of the heavy bronze bells continued to reverberate through the vast expanse of white mist.
The side hall of the Purification Palace was roughly three zhang square, its furnishings exceedingly simple. It could not compare to the imperial study in the inner palace, but in this solemn place within the Temple of Heaven, it was already considered quite spacious. The hall was divided into two sections. The outer room was where the emperor reviewed brief documents, ate, and rested during his purification period, while the inner room served as a temporary bedchamber.
Behind the desk, the emperor had already changed out of his elaborate sacrificial robes embroidered with the Twelve Symbols, replacing them with a set of dignified everyday attire.
On the desk lay an ancient inkstone, a wolf-hair brush, a stack of untouched plain white paper, and a celadon teacup from which wisps of steam were rising.
Guided by Liu Changzhong, the eunuch who attended the emperor, Xiao Ying crossed the tall threshold and bowed respectfully.
The backlash deep within his body had long since become like thousands of needles piercing him. Nevertheless, he maintained the usual hint of carefree amusement on his face and smiled as he said,
“May I ask what important matter Father Emperor has summoned Your Son for? It is just that I stood rigidly in front of the grand altar for two shichen earlier, and my legs are truly rather sore and weak…”
There was a hint of harmless complaint in his tone as his gaze casually settled on a straight-backed wooden chair about five paces opposite the imperial desk.
Seeing that his complexion was indeed pale, the emperor did not reprimand him. He merely waved his hand indifferently. “Sit.”
“Thank you, Father Emperor, for granting Your Son a seat.”
Xiao Ying sat down on the straight-backed wooden chair.
The wood was hard and cold, without even a cushion. When his body struck it, a wave of numb pain spread through him. Yet at this moment, he desperately needed this brief support to sustain his body, which felt as though it were about to fall apart.
Even after sitting down, the dull pain in his upper abdomen continued to surge back like an undercurrent, each wave more intense than the last.
By all rights, the emergency pills Lan Ningcheng had given him beforehand should have lasted longer, enough to support him until he could return home in good condition. Yet this frail body, battered by years of hardship, had already begun to spiral out of control.
Had he not spent so many years relying on sheer willpower and an elegant mask to hold himself together, he would have exposed his weakness long ago.
He quietly regulated his breathing, forcing the surging blood and qi back down into his stomach.
…After this, he truly ought to begin taking his health seriously.
The side hall was frighteningly quiet.
Apart from him and the emperor, the only other person present was Liu Changzhong, who stood attending them nearby. All the other palace attendants had already been quietly dismissed.
With his usual faint smile on his lips, Xiao Ying gently broke the silence. “Your Son came in such a hurry that I had no time to send someone to inform Chief Steward Lan. I am a little worried he will be unable to find me and will be anxiously waiting outside again…”
The emperor raised his deep-set eyes and glanced at him before withdrawing his gaze. He then instructed indifferently, “Changzhong, go pass along a message. Tell him Prince Yi is here with Me.”
“This old servant obeys.”
Liu Changzhong bowed and withdrew, conveniently closing the wooden door of the side hall behind him.
As the heavy door shut, only the supreme ruler and the prince, who were father and son in name, remained in the vast side hall.
“I heard that during these past few months at the Imperial Clan Court, you have been quite methodical in sorting through and organizing the old records.”
The emperor lifted the celadon teacup and took a sip. His tone was casual, as though he had merely brought it up in passing.
Xiao Ying lowered his head, appearing exceedingly humble. “Your Son merely follows Imperial Uncle’s instructions and takes care of some miscellaneous tasks within my abilities.”
“Prince Gong is advanced in years, and the affairs of the Imperial Clan Court are both burdensome and disorganized.”
The emperor set the teacup heavily back on the desk with a soft clink. “I intend to give you an official title so that you may assist him in a proper and legitimate capacity. The position of Left Director of the Imperial Clan Court has been vacant for a long time. What do you think of taking that position?”
Xiao Ying’s heart stirred slightly.
The Left Director ranked below the Director of the Imperial Clan and the Chief Director. The official rank was neither particularly high nor low, yet the position came with legitimate authority to consult the Imperial Clan Court’s historical genealogies and secret royal records.
On the surface, the emperor’s move appeared to be both a reward and a test. In reality, it was still a precisely calculated probe. He was offering Xiao Ying an official title without granting him any real military authority or influence over court affairs, testing whether he dared to accept it.
Although the position could not be filled merely by the emperor’s verbal appointment and still required a court recommendation, it was ultimately only a matter of following the proper procedures.
In the past, Xiao Ying would certainly have declined repeatedly, first probing the emperor’s intentions before deciding how to respond.
But now, the excruciating pain was steadily consuming his strength, and he no longer had the inclination to engage in a pointless back-and-forth.
Moreover, although the position of Left Director might not allow him to interfere in the affairs of the outer court, it would be enough to grant him legitimate access to even more historical records concerning the imperial clan.
This position was both a test and an opportunity.
Since Father Emperor had already placed the road before him, he might as well accept it first and see what the other party truly wanted from him.
“…If Father Emperor considers Your Son suitable, then I shall accept the position.” This time, Xiao Ying did not refuse. His agreement was unusually obedient.
The emperor’s eyebrows rose almost imperceptibly, clearly somewhat surprised by his straightforward response.
“I thought you would refuse as you have in the past.”
Xiao Ying lowered his eyelashes slightly and gave a bitter smile. “Father Emperor’s admonition is entirely correct. Your Son is indeed no longer young, and it is time for me to rein in the playfulness of my younger days. Although I am dull-witted and lacking in talent, I still have no desire to become involved in the struggles of the court. I merely wish to keep to my place and live peacefully with the person I love.”
“Keep to your place?”
The emperor suddenly let out a cold laugh, his voice chilling to the bone.
“You have practically turned the Imperial Clan Court’s old records and genealogies upside down. You call that keeping to your place?”
Xiao Ying was not surprised by this.
Naturally, someone had been reporting every move he made at the Imperial Clan Court to the emperor, in its entirety.
Yet he also understood perfectly well that when Father Emperor had initially taken advantage of the circumstances to place him in the Imperial Clan Court, he had already intended to use Xiao Ying as a hidden blade to pry open old cases.
Now that the doors and windows had already been opened, Xiao Ying had no intention of continuing to act out the charade of knowing nothing.
He restrained the playful smile on his face, his expression becoming unusually solemn and serious.
“What Your Son seeks in a ‘peaceful life’ must ultimately be built upon the foundation of Great Sheng’s realm remaining as stable as a mountain. After having long conversations with Imperial Uncle at the Imperial Clan Court, Your Son once considered following his example and withdrawing from public life to spend the rest of my days in peace. However… the current situation leaves me no choice but to stop pretending not to hear or see anything.”
He took another breath. His breathing had become faintly weak and hurried, but he forcibly suppressed the turmoil in his chest before continuing.
“In the old records at the Imperial Clan Court, Your Son came across several doubts that I could not make sense of, no matter how much I pondered them. Father Emperor should originally have had nineteen sons, yet only nine remain alive today. Among the brothers who survived, their maternal families have either long since declined and fallen into obscurity, or they lost the protection of their imperial consorts at an early age…”
The emperor stared intently at him. Deep within those dragon eyes, there was not the slightest trace of paternal warmth, only a cold scrutiny so oppressive that it made one’s heart tremble.
“What are you trying to say?” the emperor asked, each word icy cold. A heavy pressure that made breathing difficult filled the air.
Xiao Ying’s breathing grew heavier. He secretly clenched his teeth, forcing his voice to remain steady.
“Your Son would not dare make reckless claims. I am merely reporting the suspicions I discovered in the old records of the Imperial Clan Court to Father Emperor truthfully.”
The emperor naturally did not believe his glib explanation.
If Xiao Ying were truly as naive and harmless as he appeared, he would not have taken advantage of the opportunity to send the eunuch Liu Changzhong away just now.
The emperor said indifferently, “The deaths of imperial offspring in the inner palace are hardly unusual throughout the dynasties.”
“At first, Your Son thought the same…”
Xiao Ying raised his head and met the emperor’s gaze.
“But whenever I consider the possibility that someone may be quietly pruning the imperial bloodline in places beyond our sight, or that someone has secretly woven an impenetrable net in an attempt to manipulate Great Sheng’s destiny, I cannot help but wonder: If the person behind the scenes has forcibly pruned the once-lush branches of Great Sheng’s imperial clan until only one strong branch remains, what benefit could that bring to the mastermind?”
An oppressive atmosphere flowed through the side hall, suffocating everyone within it.
The emperor had naturally investigated the various undercurrents Xiao Ying mentioned in secret before.
This young Eighth Prince had finally torn away his disguise. He had never truly fallen asleep; he had merely chosen to keep his claws sheathed in the past.
As for whether his words about “keeping to his place” and “living peacefully” were merely excuses, the emperor still did not know.
The emperor asked tentatively, “Do you suspect the Crown Prince’s faction is responsible?”
Xiao Ying shook his head slightly.
“Elder Brother is the legitimate eldest son. Even without anyone pruning the branches, barring any unforeseen changes, the throne of Great Sheng would inevitably be his…”
As he spoke, he glanced briefly at the emperor. Yet the emperor’s expression revealed no flaws.
Xiao Ying continued, “Those capable of accomplishing such a thing, in Your Son’s estimation, are most likely families with extremely deep roots. Only such families could exercise control over so many different aspects simultaneously.”
The emperor remained silent for a long time. The answer Xiao Ying had arrived at was one he had considered himself.
“Then do you have any evidence?” the emperor asked again.
“Not yet,” Xiao Ying answered firmly.
Until he had confirmed everything, even if he obtained the evidence, he could not immediately hand it over to the emperor.
He did not know whether, after the evidence was handed over, it might be obstructed somewhere along the way, instead placing him in a dangerous situation.
However, the emperor remained unconvinced by his answer of “not yet.”
Suddenly, he changed the subject.
“Since you have read so many old records at the Imperial Clan Court, do you know of the Su clan?”
As he spoke, his words carried an obscure and difficult-to-decipher implication.
Xiao Ying suppressed the churning turmoil in his stomach and replied calmly, “…Your Son has indeed seen the name of the Su clan in the old records. I know that five hundred years ago, the Su clan assisted the Sheng clan in founding Great Sheng and creating a golden age of prosperity. But was the Su clan not exterminated four hundred years ago after being convicted of the grave crime of treason?”
The emperor’s gaze was deep and inscrutable, though his voice sounded as if he were merely bringing up the matter casually.
“Indeed. It was truly a regrettable affair. The Su clan left behind many foundations for Great Sheng and once guarded the northern frontier. I have heard… that there is an extraordinary person beside Prince Su, who happens to bear the surname Su as well.”
Xiao Ying’s expression did not change. He naturally deflected the question.
“Your Son knows little about the affairs of Seventh Brother’s household. Besides, there are countless people in the world with the surname Su. Perhaps it is merely a coincidence…”
“Then do you know about that ‘room’ inside the Imperial Clan Court?”
The emperor barely gave him time to catch his breath before continuing with another question.
Xiao Ying was slightly taken aback and replied cautiously, “…Does Father Emperor mean the forbidden chamber that no one is permitted to open without authorization? Your Son did once ask Imperial Uncle about it, but I only know that it is a restricted royal area where entry is forbidden.”
“Only those chosen by Heaven’s will can truly understand the meaning contained within that room,” the emperor said in a distant, mysterious tone.
Xiao Ying’s brows furrowed slightly. He did not respond, merely storing those words silently in his mind.
The emperor turned to look out the window. For once, a trace of self-mockery appeared in his eyes.
“When I obtained the key back then, I, too, opened that door with the utmost reverence, just as the late emperor had…”
Xiao Ying ultimately could not suppress his curiosity.
“What… exactly is hidden inside that room?”
The emperor suddenly chuckled softly.
“Nothing much. It is merely an ordinary, old, empty room. Inside, there is only a wooden table covered in several inches of dust and a few battered wooden chairs. It is filthy and dilapidated.”
Xiao Ying was filled with suspicion and uncertainty.
Why had Father Emperor voluntarily revealed such highly confidential royal secrets to him today?
The man before him would never simply chat and confide in him out of paternal affection.
“Then do you know… that our Great Sheng imperial clan actually carries a world-shaking secret that has never been revealed to outsiders?”
The emperor lowered his voice considerably, and his expression revealed nothing of his emotions.
The strange words Fifth Prince Xiao Jin had spoken to him among the pine and cypress trees that morning instantly flashed through Xiao Ying’s mind. The alarm bells in his heart rang loudly.
“…Your Son is ignorant and ill-informed. I have never heard of such a thing.”
He was, in truth, exceedingly curious, but he also understood that this was not something he could afford to touch.
If it were something known only to the Crown Prince and the emperor, then he could not ask about it.
The emperor scrutinized him deeply. Finally, his gaze once again sharpened like a blade.
“…In your opinion, will Prince Su be able to successfully recover those three lost territories in the northern frontier this time?”
The dull pain in Xiao Ying’s upper abdomen had already developed into a violent, tearing sensation. Yet the emperor’s gaze was fixed directly upon his face.
Xiao Ying forcibly dug his fingernails into his palm, maintaining a steady voice.
“Your Son dares not make a rash judgment about whether Seventh Brother can recover the lost territories. But compared with an incompetent person like me, Seventh Brother is indeed accomplished in both civil and military affairs. If he can bring long-awaited peace to Great Sheng’s borders, Your Son… will sincerely admire him…”
By the time he finished speaking, Xiao Ying’s brows suddenly drew together. His face had turned almost transparently pale, and the last trace of color had drained from his lips.
The emperor finally noticed something amiss. He looked at Xiao Ying with a slight frown.
“Your complexion… looks terrible.”
“…Perhaps… I did not rest well in the purification chamber last night.”
Xiao Ying forcibly swallowed the metallic sweetness that had surged into his throat and answered with difficulty.
At this point, he could no longer even force a smile.
Seeing this, the emperor said no more and waved his hand indifferently.
“Enough. The main reason I summoned you today was to settle the position of Left Director of the Imperial Clan Court. Since you have agreed, I will have the Ministry of Personnel handle the arrangements as soon as possible. You may withdraw.”
“Your Son… thanks Father Emperor for his gracious favor. Your Son takes his leave.”
Xiao Ying used the last of his strength to rise and bow respectfully.
Although his vision had already darkened in waves and dizziness assaulted him repeatedly, he still forced himself to maintain the impeccable bearing expected of royalty, stepping out of the side hall one step at a time.
The emperor’s gaze remained fixed on his retreating figure, so deep that his emotions were impossible to discern.
Creak—
The heavy doors of the side hall closed behind him.
The bright daylight outside pierced his eyes. Xiao Ying tried to raise his arm to shield himself from the glaring light, only to discover that both arms felt as heavy as a thousand jun. He no longer had the strength even to lift a hand. Even breathing felt laborious, and his heart had been pounding so violently since earlier that it was becoming unbearable.
He staggered forward a few steps on the white stone stairs. Before his eyes lay an expanse of blinding white light, and the surrounding scenery twisted and spun violently.
He used the last of his strength to think: How was he supposed to get back to the carriage now and hurry home to lie down?
It was only then that an anxious voice reached him—
“Your Highness!”
It was Lan Ningcheng’s voice.
He had evidently received the message from Liu Changzhong and was now coming along the corridor to meet him.
Xiao Ying felt a slight sense of relief. He had just begun to turn his head to look for the other man’s figure—
Plop…
Plop…
Several drops of thick, crimson liquid suddenly fell onto the cold stone steps and his plain white ceremonial robes, splattering like blood-red plum blossoms.
Xiao Ying instinctively raised his hand to cover his mouth and nose. Yet the turmoil he had suppressed throughout the entire day could no longer be restrained. Warm blood had already surged past his throat, gushing out like a breached dam.
The heavy, metallic stench of blood instantly filled his mouth and nose. Blood streamed through the gaps between his fingers, staining large patches of his pure white ceremonial robes red. Thick, warm, and utterly uncontrollable, it spread across the fabric!
“Your Highness!!”
Lan Ningcheng was shaken to his core. He rushed forward, dropping the ceremonial register in his hand.
The incident had happened so suddenly that, as he lunged forward, he lost his balance and fell onto the cold stone steps together with Xiao Ying.
At the critical instant when Xiao Ying’s body collapsed, Lan Ningcheng precisely positioned his palm beneath the back of Xiao Ying’s head, preventing the back of his head from striking the hard stone and sustaining a potentially fatal injury.
Xiao Ying’s long eyelashes trembled faintly as he struggled to open his eyes a narrow slit.
Before him was a blur of mottled light and shadow, but he could clearly feel that the person holding him close was Lan Ningcheng.
His thin lips parted slightly as he tried to say something, but his throat was already blocked by thick blood. He could not utter even a broken syllable before sinking completely into endless darkness.
Looking at the person in his arms, whose face was as pale as snow, whose lips were stained bright red, and whose breathing was so faint as to be almost imperceptible, Lan Ningcheng’s hands trembled slightly.
The fact that such a shocking scene had occurred immediately after Xiao Ying’s private conversation with the emperor instantly stirred suspicion in his heart.
Holding Xiao Ying in his arms, Lan Ningcheng raised his head and shouted to the nearest imperial guard, “Go get the imperial physicians! Quickly!”
The guard’s body stiffened. He glanced at Lan Ningcheng, whose expression was frighteningly grim, then at the unconscious Prince Yi. A brief hesitation crossed his face.
He was an imperial guard assigned to attend the emperor, not a retainer of Prince Yi’s residence. According to court regulations, he had no obligation to obey the orders of a chief steward from a prince’s household.
However, he ultimately dared not bear the enormous crime of allowing a prince to die suddenly right before his eyes. He immediately barked at his colleague, “I’ll go report this to His Majesty. You go to the duty room on the west side and summon the imperial physicians. Tell them His Highness Prince Yi has suddenly fallen gravely ill. Hurry!”
The guard dashed away.
Lan Ningcheng said nothing further. He merely rested Xiao Ying’s head gently against his chest, his eyes dark and deeply unsettling.
The heavy doors of the side hall were pushed open from within.
The emperor had already heard the commotion outside. He strode out of the side hall and immediately saw the unconscious Xiao Ying and his ceremonial robes soaked in bright red blood. The emperor’s face darkened in an instant, as though water were about to drip from it.
His gaze swept coldly over Lan Ningcheng before he demanded of the guard in a deep voice, “What happened?”
The imperial guard hurriedly knelt and knocked his head to the ground.
“Reporting to Your Majesty, His Highness Prince Yi suddenly vomited blood and fainted just after leaving the side hall!”
The emperor did not question Lan Ningcheng. Instead, he barked coldly, “Where are the imperial physicians?”
A moment later, two imperial physicians came running over with heavy medicine chests, gasping for breath. Behind them followed a young eunuch carrying hot water and clean cloths.
The leading physician knelt beside Xiao Ying and swiftly placed two fingers on his pulse.
In an instant, his brows knitted tightly together. He looked up and urgently said to Lan Ningcheng, “His Highness has sustained severe damage to the stomach collaterals, and the blood is no longer flowing along its proper channels. We must immediately administer acupuncture to stop the bleeding, or his life may be in danger!”
Lan Ningcheng’s voice was hoarse and strained.
“Then stop the bleeding first!”
The physician did not dare hesitate. His fingers flew into the medicine chest and drew out silver needles, which he precisely inserted into several vital acupuncture points.
The emperor looked down at the scene and pressed for an answer in a deep voice.
“What exactly is his condition?”
Cold sweat streamed down the physician’s forehead.
“Reporting to Your Majesty, His Highness Prince Yi is suffering from bleeding in the stomach. I have temporarily stopped the bleeding with acupuncture, but this place is windy and cold. He must be carried indoors immediately and treated while resting in bed.”
The emperor swept his sleeve through the air.
“Carry him into the side hall first.”
The imperial guards carefully lifted Xiao Ying, who had already lost consciousness, and carried him back into the inner room of the side hall he had just left.
Lan Ningcheng followed closely behind without taking a single step away from him.
The emperor stood at the entrance to the side hall, watching coldly as everyone hurried back and forth. He did not utter another word from beginning to end, yet his imperial countenance was even darker and more terrifying than before.
◇◆◇◆◇
Inside the bedchamber of the side hall, palace attendants came and went, carrying away bloody water and soiled cloths.
The two imperial physicians did not dare be careless. They continued treating Prince Yi, deeply afraid that if anything happened to him, their own heads would be the ones to pay for it.
Before long, Chief Imperial Physician He from the Imperial Medical Academy also hurried over from the imperial palace. He carefully examined Prince Yi’s pulse, then questioned Lan Ningcheng in detail about the circumstances surrounding the onset of his illness. Only then did he report to the emperor with a grave expression.
“Reporting to Your Majesty, after examining His Highness Prince Yi’s pulse, we found it thin, rapid, and weak. This is a sign of severe deficiency of qi and blood, along with extreme weakness of the spleen and stomach. His gums and lips are extremely pale, and the inner sides of his eyelids are also white. In addition, there are signs of injury to the stomach collaterals and blood stasis within the body. The substance His Highness vomited was dark red and mixed with blood clots, indicating accumulated blood in the stomach. We believe that ulcers had already begun to develop in His Highness’s stomach some time ago, though they had not previously flared up severely. Recently, he may have overexerted himself or suffered from irregular eating habits, causing the stomach collaterals to rupture and blood to spill into the stomach. During today’s grand ceremony, His Highness stood for a prolonged period and exhausted his body. As the qi and blood flowed downward, the accumulated blood in his stomach surged upward, resulting in this episode. We have already administered acupuncture and emergency medicine. The vomiting of blood has now stopped, and his pulse has temporarily stabilized. However—”
“However, what?” the emperor finally asked, his voice betraying no emotion.
Chief Imperial Physician He bowed even lower.
“However, His Highness’s qi and blood are severely depleted. This is not something that can be restored in a single day. He has consumed alcohol for many years, and the toxicity of the liquor has damaged his spleen and stomach. His stomach collaterals have long since become exceedingly fragile. In addition, he has abstained from alcohol during the purification period these past few days. The sudden cessation of drinking disrupted the circulation of qi and blood, allowing his old stomach injury to flare up. I humbly submit that three parts of His Highness’s illness lie in the stomach, while seven parts depend on proper recuperation. If he cannot rest and recuperate in peace, take his medicine on schedule, and completely abstain from alcohol, I fear…”
The side hall fell silent for a moment.
Chief Imperial Physician He did not finish his sentence, but everyone in the room understood perfectly well what his unfinished words meant.
The emperor remained silent for a long time before waving his hand.
“Rise.”
Chief Imperial Physician He knocked his head to the ground, rose, and retreated to one side.
The emperor glanced at the son lying on the bed, his face as pale as snow.
Lan Ningcheng was lowering his eyes as he used a damp cloth to wipe the remaining traces of blood from Xiao Ying’s mouth.
Xiao Ying’s eyes were tightly shut. His breathing was faint but steady, as though he had fallen into a deep sleep.
The emperor shifted his gaze slightly and questioned Lan Ningcheng.
“Chief Steward Lan, what exactly is the matter with Prince Yi?”
Lan Ningcheng maintained a respectful demeanor and bowed slightly as he replied, “Reporting to Your Majesty, although His Highness was once rather reckless, ever since entering the Imperial Clan Court, he has restrained himself and begun handling his duties seriously. It is just that… the old injuries from his past have already taken root. As Chief Imperial Physician He said, his current condition was brought about by overwork in recent days combined with abstaining from alcohol during the purification period, causing his old injuries to flare up.”
His tone shifted naturally. His gaze lowered, and a faint trace of sorrow emerged in his voice.
“I once advised His Highness that he need only keep to his proper place. But His Highness said… that although his strength and abilities were limited, he still had a line he wished to defend.”
Upon hearing this, the emperor’s gaze shifted almost imperceptibly.
Lan Ningcheng had always been upright and steady. Although the emperor did not know how much the man understood about the undercurrents in the court, Xiao Ying’s earlier words in the side hall about “living peacefully” seemed to carry a little more sincerity now.
Lan Ningcheng continued, “His Highness was already showing signs of discomfort this morning. I advised him to rest first, but His Highness believed that the war in the northern frontier had yet to be settled, and the imperial clan should not be absent from the ceremony at such a time. I was unable to persuade him, so I could only arrange a soft couch and attendants in case he fell ill along the way.”
The emperor recalled that Xiao Ying’s complexion had indeed been terrible when he entered the hall earlier. He had been utterly devoid of color, yet he had still discussed the Imperial Clan Court and the imperial heirs with him.
It seemed that Xiao Ying had not engaged in his usual evasions today, and had even readily accepted the position of Left Director of the Imperial Clan Court, because he truly had no strength left to play any more games.
“I understand.”
The emperor withdrew his gaze and turned to Chief Imperial Physician He.
“How should Prince Yi be treated now?”
Chief Imperial Physician He replied respectfully, “Reporting to Your Majesty, His Highness must rest in absolute quiet for the next few days and must not be moved casually. The bleeding in his stomach has only just stopped, and the blood clots have not yet stabilized. If he is carried onto a carriage now and jolted all the way home, even a few bumps inside the carriage could dislodge the clots and trigger another bout of bleeding. If that happens, it will not be so easy to stop.”
Lan Ningcheng’s expression darkened.
“Then how long must he wait?”
“At least one day of observation. If he does not vomit blood again within that day and his pulse remains steady, then his condition can be considered stable. He may be transferred tomorrow night or the morning after. However, the carriage must travel slowly, with thick bedding laid inside. His Highness must not sit upright and can only travel in a semi-reclining position. Someone must also watch him closely throughout the journey. If anything seems even slightly wrong, the carriage must stop immediately.”
“What if he bleeds again within that day?” Lan Ningcheng pressed.
Chief Imperial Physician He answered, “Then he must remain here until his condition stabilizes. He can leave only when he is stable.”
The emperor immediately issued his orders.
“Then let him rest quietly in the side hall for one day. Once his condition stabilizes, he can be transferred. If the side hall is not quiet enough, move him to the secluded chamber behind the Purification Palace. Have the imperial physicians take turns examining and treating him. If any medicinal ingredients are insufficient, obtain them directly from the Imperial Medical Academy.”
He looked at Lan Ningcheng, remembering that Prince Yi’s residence had only one chief steward, and said, “If you have household affairs to attend to, you may return to the residence first. There will naturally be people here to look after Prince Yi.”
Lan Ningcheng glanced at Xiao Ying lying on the bed, unable to put his mind at ease.
Every time this person left his sight, something was bound to happen.
“Your Majesty need not worry. There are no urgent matters at the prince’s residence, and other advisers in the household can handle its affairs in my place. I need only remain here to watch over His Highness.”
The emperor glanced at him and replied, “As you wish.”
Then he turned to Liu Changzhong and instructed him, “Go to Jinglan Courtyard and tell Consort Wan that Prince Yi has fallen ill at the Temple of Heaven. If she wishes to come, let her come.”
Liu Changzhong was slightly taken aback.
Imperial consorts were not permitted to leave the palace without the emperor’s special authorization. Moreover, the Temple of Heaven was a sacred place for imperial sacrifices, not an ordinary location, and there was no precedent for such a thing under court ritual regulations.
The emperor was granting Prince Yi treatment far beyond the usual rules. However, Liu Changzhong did not dare speculate further and hurriedly bowed before withdrawing to carry out the order.
Upon hearing this, Lan Ningcheng understood that this special favor might draw even more attention to Xiao Ying, but he could not refuse it, because Consort Wan truly cared about him.
He knew perfectly well that the emperor’s actions were not simply motivated by concern for Consort Wan or Xiao Ying.
The emperor’s various actions at the Temple of Heaven today had already made his intentions sufficiently clear. He had even deliberately summoned Xiao Ying after the grand ceremony, before the officials and members of the imperial clan had dispersed. It was obvious that he intended to use Xiao Ying to accomplish some imperial purpose.
Now, by making an exception and allowing Consort Wan to leave the palace to visit him, the emperor would further emphasize to the court and the public the special regard he held for Prince Yi.
But for Xiao Ying, who was trying to keep his wings folded and conceal his brilliance, this brought no benefit whatsoever. Instead, it would push him directly into the eye of the storm.
Lan Ningcheng’s fingers quietly clenched beneath his long sleeves.
A short while later, Xiao Ying was carefully transferred by the guards to the secluded chamber behind the Purification Palace.
After the imperial physicians and palace attendants had gradually withdrawn, Lan Ningcheng remained alone by the bedside.
Xiao Ying’s eyes were still tightly closed. His breathing remained shallow, but at least it had become steady. As long as nothing else went wrong, his life was temporarily out of danger.
Lan Ningcheng’s gaze fell upon Xiao Ying’s half-clenched hand. He noticed dark red traces of blood remaining beneath his fingernails.
He reached out to pry the hand open, but the moment he touched it, a tearing pain shot through the back of his own right hand.
That was the wound he had sustained when he lunged forward to protect Xiao Ying earlier. The rough stone steps had scraped the skin open, and the impact had been severe. It was now throbbing faintly.
He set aside his own pain for the time being and carefully pried Xiao Ying’s tightly clenched fingers apart one by one. To his shock, four deep crescent-shaped wounds, nearly bleeding, had been gouged into Xiao Ying’s palm by his own fingernails.
He sighed silently, then turned to retrieve the wound medicine left behind by the Imperial Medical Academy. First, he carefully cleaned and bandaged Xiao Ying’s palm. Only afterward did he casually apply some medicine to the abrasion on the back of his own hand.
“Your Highness…”
Lan Ningcheng’s voice was low, carrying a trace of exhaustion and helplessness that was difficult to detect.
“You are always like this, putting yourself last… How can you expect me to feel at ease?”
He secretly made up his mind that from now on, he would discount every promise Xiao Ying made by thirty percent—or perhaps more—and believe only three-tenths of his words. He would also prepare several backup plans to deal with any unexpected developments.
Yet he also understood all too well that Xiao Ying would not stop moving forward.
Those unresolved old cases had yet to be clarified. The clues hidden in the shadows had yet to be sorted out. The poisonous tumors rooted in the court had yet to be completely removed.
Until all of that was done, Xiao Ying would never stop.
Lan Ningcheng slowly exhaled, the breath falling like a long sigh. He sat down on the wooden chair beside the bed.
For now, all he could do was remain here in this quiet chamber.
And then continue walking alongside him.