Tian Dong had been talking until his mouth ran dry. He drained his teacup in one long swallow, then continued: “The full details of how this came about, I’m not entirely clear on myself. I only heard that the one who administered the poison was the prison warden in charge of guarding the cells at the Court of the Imperial Clan.”

“This warden had in truth always been Prince Yan’s man. He administered the poison on Prince Yan’s instigation.”

Prince Yan!

It was him!

Somehow, upon hearing this outcome, Ling Jingshu felt a sensation of “of course it was him” — she was not particularly surprised.

If there was anyone in this world who hated Prince An most, it was undoubtedly Prince Yan.

Prince Yan had been gradually clawing back his position through the Emperor’s favor, and had thought his prospects were looking up again. But then Prince An, in order to save his own skin, had turned around and betrayed him to the Crown Grandson.

Those so-called “iron-clad pieces of evidence” were most likely quietly arranged by the Crown Grandson. With Prince An insisting with one breath that Prince Yan was the mastermind, the already far-from-clean Prince Yan naturally could not escape the consequences.

Prince Yan and Prince An had been imprisoned together in the Court of the Imperial Clan for the better part of half a year now. Prince Yan harbored a hatred for Prince An that went down to his very bones — yet he had bided his time and held back, showing no hand at all. Only when everyone’s vigilance had relaxed did he make use of a man inside the Court of the Imperial Clan’s prison to administer the slow-acting toxin to Prince An. And as it turned out, the strike landed squarely.

“The Crown Grandson personally interrogated Prince Yan, and Prince Yan has already confessed without reservation. He said that he had no patience for a treacherous, unprincipled villain like Prince An — that killing him outright would not vent the rage in his chest — and so he had used a slow-acting poison to let Prince An suffer every torment before dying, as a way to satisfy his burning hatred.”

Tian Dong spoke rapidly and continued: “Upon learning of this, the Emperor flew into such a rage that he fell into convulsions on the spot and lost consciousness. Foam continued to pour from his mouth. Every imperial physician in the Imperial Medical Academy was summoned to the Zichen Hall, yet none could revive him.”

“Empress Wei, in her desperation, had no choice but to send for Imperial Physician Wei to come to the palace at once. For two days and two nights, Empress Wei stood guard beside the Emperor without closing her eyes. Imperial Physician Wei spared no effort, employing every skill at his command, and managed — thank heavens — to snatch the Emperor’s life back from the grip of death. This morning, the Emperor finally regained consciousness.”

“However, the Emperor can no longer speak a single word, nor can he move so much as a finger. All that quiet recuperation before has come to nothing.”

Hearing this, the heart that Ling Jingshu had been holding up high finally sank back, at least partly, to its proper place.

Whatever else might be said, the Emperor’s life had been preserved.

As long as the Emperor lived for even one more day, Empress Wei’s position in the palace would be secure for that one more day.

Even if the Emperor could only hold on for another year or two, that would be something.

Tian Dong continued: “His Majesty’s side cannot be without someone in attendance. Imperial Physician Wei is likely to remain in the palace from now on and will have no time at all to return to the residence. He especially sent me back to deliver this message, so that Young Mistress would not worry.”

Ling Jingshu steadied herself and said: “I understand. Rest here a moment — I’m going to write a letter. Take it back to Wei Yan.”

……

An hour later, Tian Dong took the letter back to the palace.

With the Emperor having collapsed, the Zichen Hall had been thrown into utter upheaval. Given the extreme urgency of his condition, the Crown Prince, the Crown Princess, and the Crown Grandson had all entered the palace and were standing vigil. Preparations were even quietly being made for the aftermath.

Fortunately, after enduring two days and two nights, the Emperor had regained consciousness.

Though he was unable to speak or move, as long as there remained a single breath in him, his life could be said to be preserved. The palace was well-stocked with rare and precious tonics; with attentive nursing, holding on for another year or two was feasible.

The Crown Prince’s health had never been particularly robust. He had kept watch for two days without sleep, and once he knew the Emperor had come round, his heart finally settled — and then he fell ill in turn.

The palace was thrown into another bout of frantic activity.

With Empress Wei standing watch over the Emperor and the Crown Princess standing watch over the Crown Prince, only the Crown Grandson was left to hold the situation together by himself. He had to attend to court affairs while also keeping vigil at the palace in attendance on the sick — and it was only because the Crown Grandson was young and vigorous that he could endure it at all.

Once the Emperor regained consciousness, Wei Yan had Imperial Physician Zhou take over standing watch by the Emperor in his place and went to sleep for two or three hours.

When he woke, Tian Dong had just arrived back to report, carrying Ling Jingshu’s letter.

“Young Mistress’s spirits are fairly good. As instructed, I told her everything that had happened in the palace. She appeared quite composed — and even wrote a letter specifically for me to bring back.”

Tian Dong’s tone was full of admiration.

With such an earth-shaking turn of events having occurred, who could hear of it and not be thrown into anxious turmoil? Ling Jingshu’s calm and composure were truly remarkable.

A thread of pride welled up in Wei Yan’s heart: “Events like this are nothing. Back at the temporary palace, when someone made an attempt on the Crown Prince’s life, she didn’t change color — she was the one who rushed forward to save him.”

Having a wife like that was a source of pride that could not be denied.

Wei Yan broke the seal on the letter, and the familiar, refined brushwork met his eyes.

Everything at home is well — do not worry. Focus your mind on treating the Emperor’s illness. Even for the sake of Her Majesty the Empress, you must do your utmost to let the Emperor enjoy a long and prosperous life — even two more years would be a blessing. I am at home, waiting for you to return.

Below the letter, the closing signature was a single character: Wife.

The simple words carried within them an implicit trust in him and a deep concern for Empress Wei.

Wei Yan read the letter over and over again, warmth without end rising in his heart. With the greatest of care, he folded the letter and placed it inside his robes.

……

In the days that followed, Wei Yan remained at the Emperor’s side without leaving, not once returning to the residence over the course of more than a month. New Year’s Eve was no different — he merely sent Tian Dong home with a letter. The guilt and remorse permeated every word between the lines.

A’Shu, I’m sorry. You only just married me, and already you must keep watch over an empty room. The Emperor’s condition has not improved, and I truly cannot find a way to leave the palace. For this new year, only A’Xiao will be with you…

The letter then went on in bits and pieces about various happenings inside the palace.