The young eunuch immediately grew nervous facing the imposing Jinlin Guards Commander, lowering his head and smiling: “We humble servants are carrying out duties on Director Wei’s orders.”
“Oh, is that so?” Jiang Yuanchao strode over.
The eunuch became even more tense.
Qiao Zhao stood beside the eunuch with her lowered head, secretly clenching her fists.
Jiang Yuanchao had sharp eyes and was familiar with her. Even in such darkness and despite her disguise, he would probably recognize her at a glance.
After he recognized her, what would happen?
Qiao Zhao had never truly understood Jiang Yuanchao. At this moment, clever as she was, she felt somewhat at a loss.
“If that’s the case, then you two eunuchs should hurry back to report to Director Wei.” After a moment of silence, a gentle voice spoke.
Qiao Zhao only felt that penetrating gaze land on her briefly before withdrawing.
Jiang Yuanchao’s expression remained indifferent as he walked past the two of them.
The eunuch breathed a huge sigh of relief, whispering to Qiao Zhao: “Let’s hurry.”
However, Qiao Zhao couldn’t help but turn back to glance at Jiang Yuanchao.
It was impossible he hadn’t recognized her, so was he showing mercy?
As if sensing something, Jiang Yuanchao suddenly turned around.
Qiao Zhao quickly turned back and quickened her pace, following the eunuch through the palace gates.
Jiang Yuanchao stood under a willow tree not far away, gazing at the towering palace buildings with an inscrutable expression.
“Director Wei, Marquis Guanjun’s wife has arrived.”
The door immediately opened, revealing Wei Wuxie’s anxious face: “Madam Marquis has finally come. Please, quickly enter.”
Qiao Zhao was led inside by Wei Wuxie and saw Emperor Mingkang lying on a couch, with Master Zhang and Director Li standing to one side.
“His Majesty has ginseng slices in his mouth, but his pulse is almost gone,” Director Li said as he saw Qiao Zhao approach.
Though he harbored doubts about Qiao Zhao’s medical skills, at this moment he did not incline to question anything—they could only try treating a dead horse as if it were alive.
Qiao Zhao nodded to Director Li, first taking Emperor Mingkang’s pulse, then lifting his eyelids to examine his pupil responses. After a thorough examination, she had a clear understanding of the situation.
“Madam Marquis, how is His Majesty?”
“Given the current condition, he won’t survive the night.”
Wei Wuxie glanced at Director Li.
This assessment was consistent with Director Li’s judgment.
“Is there truly no other way? If this continues, we’ll all lose our heads,” Wei Wuxie said, wiping cold sweat.
Qiao Zhao looked at Emperor Mingkang and hesitated.
“Madam Marquis, please speak freely.”
“I’ve learned a set of acupuncture techniques that can sustain a dying person’s vital energy, but given His Majesty’s current condition, it would only last three days. When the silver needles are removed, it will be beyond salvation.”
Wei Wuxie couldn’t help but feel excited: “Can this make His Majesty wake up?”
“This—”
Before Qiao Zhao could finish her words, knocking sounds came from outside.
“Who is it?” Wei Wuxie asked sternly.
“It’s me.” Shao Mingyuan’s calm voice came through.
Wei Wuxie was stunned. Qiao Zhao said quietly: “It’s the Marquis.”
Wei Wuxie’s heart filled with uncertainty as he walked over to open the door.
Shao Mingyuan, dressed in night clothes, walked in.
“What does the Marquis mean by this?” Wei Wuxie asked in a deep voice.
Shao Mingyuan smiled: “No other meaning. I’ve simply come to take my wife home.”
“The Marquis has trespassed into the traveling palace—this crime could be judged as treason.”
Shao Mingyuan chuckled, interrupting Wei Wuxie: “At this time, shouldn’t Director Wei be concerned about where you should go from here?”
Wei Wuxie was rendered speechless by the question.
Shao Mingyuan strode over and grasped Qiao Zhao’s hand: “Can His Majesty still be saved?”
Qiao Zhao shook her head.
“Then let’s go. We’re returning home.”
Qiao Zhao nodded and followed Shao Mingyuan toward the exit, but was immediately blocked by Wei Wuxie: “Marquis, please wait.”
Shao Mingyuan raised his sword-like eyebrows. This time, he was the one asking: “What does Director Wei mean by this?”
“Marquis, given His Majesty’s current state, how can you, as a subject of Great Liang, simply walk away?”
“What does Director Wei need us, husband and wife, to do?” Shao Mingyuan asked, retreating to advance.
His choice to enter at this moment was certainly not as simple as taking his wife away.
Emperor Mingkang’s life hung by a thread, yet the position of heir remained vacant. Turmoil was inevitable. What he needed to do was emerge unscathed from this turmoil while ensuring a worry-free future life.
“No matter what, please have Madam Marquis perform acupuncture to extend His Majesty’s life by three days. Of course, if she could temporarily wake His Majesty, that would be even better.”
“This marquis cannot possibly leave my wife here for three days.”
Shao Mingyuan’s refusal was quite reasonable. Wei Wuxie steeled himself: “As long as the Marquis helps this servant through this crisis, I will surely repay the Marquis in the future.”
“It’s not that issue. How would it be appropriate for my wife to remain here for three days?”
Wei Wuxie couldn’t help but look toward Qiao Zhao.
“Director Wei needn’t worry about this issue. I don’t need to stay here continuously. After performing the acupuncture, as long as the silver needles aren’t removed, His Majesty can last until the third day,” Qiao Zhao said.
Wei Wuxie secretly breathed a sigh of relief and asked again: “Can His Majesty wake up?”
“After gathering three days’ worth of vital energy in his body, he can wake up for a quarter-hour, then—”
Wei Wuxie understood and asked for instruction: “How can His Majesty be awakened after three days?”
“Very simple. Just remove the silver needles.”
“So His Majesty can only wake up after three days?”
Qiao Zhao nodded.
“Director Wei, if you want to avoid chaos, these three days are crucial,” Shao Mingyuan said indifferently.
“This servant knows. Then, please have Madam Marquis quickly perform acupuncture on His Majesty.”
Shao Mingyuan gave Qiao Zhao a meaningful look.
Qiao Zhao understood and said to Wei Wuxie, “Please help me, Director Wei.”
“Naturally.” Wei Wuxie didn’t suspect anything and readily agreed.
At such a time, anyone would avoid involvement. Of course, Marquis Guanjun’s wife wouldn’t be alone with His Majesty.
Shao Mingyuan and Master Zhang walked outside, naturally having time to speak privately.
“Marquis, you must help this humble Taoist this time, or I won’t be able to get through this crisis.”
“His Majesty won’t survive, will he?”
Master Zhang nodded with a worried expression.
“Since that’s the case, one of the two princes will have to ascend the throne.”
Master Zhang looked at Shao Mingyuan uneasily.
He was just a Taoist priest. Being able to call wind and rain and become revered by Taoists throughout the realm was already satisfying enough. He couldn’t understand these political intricacies at all.
“Master Zhang, find a way to inform Prince Rui of His Majesty’s condition. I’ll handle the rest.”
“Very well. This humble Taoist will follow the Marquis’s instructions.”
Master Zhang trusted Marquis Guanjun completely.
The world thought the foundation of trust was gratitude—what a joke! Of course, it was having leverage over someone!
Marquis Guanjun held evidence of his past swindling and deceptions. If Marquis Guanjun truly wanted to harm him, he wouldn’t have waited until now.
Seeing Master Zhang’s attitude, Shao Mingyuan smiled with relief.
This place wasn’t far from Shanhai Pass. Three days would be enough time for him to mobilize the Shao family army to maintain order, but he couldn’t earn a reputation for privately deploying troops.
So this matter had to be proposed by Prince Rui.
Indeed, as Shao Mingyuan expected, after Prince Rui heard the news from Master Zhang, he immediately sought out Shao Mingyuan while avoiding others’ attention.
“Marquis, help me!” Upon seeing Shao Mingyuan, Prince Rui grasped his hands tightly as if seeing a family member, pleading desperately.