As soon as the medicine was administered, Duan Zhihong anxiously asked: “Lord Xia Hou, is His Highness going to be all right?”

“With this medicine, he should be fine. However, to completely eliminate the Wind Eggplant flower poison from his body, he must take it continuously for at least seven days. Your medicine supply…” Before Xia Houduan could finish speaking, Duan Zhihong urgently replied: “Lord Xia Hou, please rest assured. Although we only found enough of several herbs for two doses, there are so many medicine shops in and around Chang’an City that we can surely find them. If not, please tell us where to find them, and we’ll go up the mountain to gather them ourselves.”

Xia Houduan nodded: “That’s good. Try to find as much of those herbs as possible. Without them, while His Highness won’t die, he will be left with a lifelong ailment that’s difficult to cure.”

Upon hearing this, Duan Zhihong couldn’t rest and hurriedly said: “Very well, I’ll go right now.”

Now to speak of the Hall of Supreme Harmony – after court was dismissed, Li Yuanji walked shoulder to shoulder with Li Jiancheng, saying in a low voice: “According to Duan Zhihong’s report, Second Brother seems to still be alive.”

His words made Li Jiancheng’s long eyebrows furrow even tighter. “Didn’t you say that Wind Eggplant flower was extremely poisonous and would surely take his life?”

“That physician did indeed tell me so.” Li Yuanji thought for a moment and said: “Perhaps after he discovered the poisoning, he immediately summoned a physician to examine him, allowing him to cling to life temporarily, but he can’t hold on much longer.”

“It had better be so. Otherwise, last night’s efforts would not only be in vain, but would also let him know about our affairs. When that time comes, the trouble will be enormous.” In response to Li Jiancheng’s words, Li Yuanji said in a deep voice: “Even before taking action, I had already prepared for the worst outcome and would take full responsibility for this matter. Elder Brother need not worry about that. In comparison, I’m more concerned about why, when Second Brother sent someone to deliver the message, he said it was a sudden illness rather than poisoning. Surely the physician he summoned can distinguish between poison and illness?”

“I’ve been thinking about this matter too. The only answer is that Shimin doesn’t want it exposed.” Before he finished speaking, Li Yuanji decisively said: “This doesn’t make sense. We want to harm him – surely he wouldn’t help us conceal it?”

Li Jiancheng glanced at the palace gates so close at hand and said slowly: “Since we can’t figure it out, why don’t we go ask the person who understands clearly.”

Li Yuanji probed: “Elder Brother means to go to the Prince of Qin’s mansion?”

Li Jiancheng smiled slightly: “Exactly. Didn’t he say he was ill? Let’s go visit him and see what’s really going on.”

When they arrived, Li Shimin was in a deep sleep, with Zhangsun Shi keeping watch beside him. Seeing them enter, she rose to pay her respects.

Li Jiancheng looked over and asked softly: “How is Shimin? Has a physician examined him?”

Zhangsun Shi frowned: “Thank you for the Crown Prince’s concern. A physician has already examined him and said it was due to drinking too much wine last night, combined with being exposed to the night wind, which caused the sudden illness. He’s somewhat better now. When I first came over, his complexion was truly terrible.”

Li Yuanji slapped his forehead: “It’s all my fault. If I had known this would happen, I wouldn’t have made Second Brother drink so much wine last night. I’m the one who made Second Brother ill.”

Li Jiancheng deliberately glared at him: “How dare you say that! Every time you drink, you have no restraint. I’ve advised you so many times, but you refuse to listen. Now that you’ve caused trouble, are you satisfied?”

Li Yuanji hung his head and said quietly: “I didn’t do it on purpose. At most, I just won’t make Second Brother drink next time.”

Zhangsun Shi consoled: “The Prince of Qi only wanted to liven things up. Crown Prince, please don’t blame him. Although His Highness’s illness came on fiercely, the physician said it was caught in time and won’t be serious. He just needs to rest for a few days and take medicine on schedule, and he’ll recover quickly.”

Upon hearing this, Li Yuanji immediately widened his eyes and blurted out: “Second Sister-in-law, you said he’ll recover quickly and won’t be serious?”

Zhangsun Shi was baffled by his question: “Yes, that’s what the physician said. Is there something wrong with that?”

Before Li Yuanji could speak, Li Jiancheng already said: “No, he saw Shimin’s complexion was so poor earlier and thought he would be seriously ill for a long time. He didn’t expect it would only take a few days to recover. Hearing this suddenly, he was a bit surprised.”

Li Yuanji also came to his senses and said: “Yes, I didn’t expect Second Brother would recover so quickly.”

Zhangsun Shi nodded: “I see. This physician’s medical skills are indeed quite good. I saw that after he gave His Highness the medicine, although he hasn’t awakened yet, his complexion really did improve quickly.”

Li Jiancheng’s eyes shifted: “I wonder which imperial physician was summoned?”

“Because it was urgent, we didn’t have time to summon an imperial physician. It was a civilian physician. I remember his surname was…”

Seeing Zhangsun Shi couldn’t remember, Chuyi beside her said: “Your Highness, it was Physician Sun from Peace Hall.”

Reminded by him, Zhangsun Shi also remembered: “Right, right, that’s him. We’re truly fortunate to have summoned him this time, otherwise we don’t know what would have happened to His Highness.”

Li Jiancheng nodded: “That may be so, but we should still have an imperial physician examine him.” With that, he called over Xue Wanche, who had accompanied them: “Go and summon Imperial Physician Zhou.”

Imperial Physician Zhou was Zhou Quan, who had examined Jirong years ago and discovered she had been framed, leading to the false pregnancy incident. Two years ago, with Li Jiancheng’s help, he had entered the Imperial Medical Academy to serve.

Zhangsun Shi hurriedly said: “His Highness is already fine. There’s no need to trouble Imperial Physician Zhou.”

“As an imperial physician, treating patients is his duty. What trouble could there be?” Seeing Li Jiancheng’s firm attitude, Zhangsun Shi couldn’t say more.

After about half an hour, Xue Wanche led Imperial Physician Zhou in. After everyone had exchanged greetings, he sat on a small stool and took Li Shimin’s pulse, who was still unconscious. As time passed, his brow furrowed deeper and deeper. After withdrawing his hand, he said: “Could this humble official examine the prescription written by Physician Sun?”

“Of course.” Saying this, Zhangsun Shi had someone bring the prescription. After carefully examining it, Imperial Physician Zhou said: “Although the Prince of Qin’s pulse is still somewhat irregular, there’s no serious problem. He just needs to continue taking medicine according to the prescription for adjustment, and he’ll recover quickly.”

Li Yuanji interjected: “Then why hasn’t Second Brother awakened yet?”

“After all, it was a sudden illness that greatly damaged his body. He probably won’t wake until evening.” After seeing off Imperial Physician Zhou, Li Jiancheng said: “Since there’s no problem, Yuanji and I will return first. If Shimin wakes up, please have someone notify us so we can be at ease.”

After Zhangsun Shi agreed, he and Li Yuanji left. As soon as they stepped out of the Prince of Qin’s mansion, Li Yuanji couldn’t wait to say: “Elder Brother, how is he…”

“Shut up!” Li Jiancheng’s face darkened as he interrupted him, saying in a low voice: “If you have something to say, say it when we get back!”

Li Yuanji also realized this wasn’t the place to talk, suppressed his questions, and walked silently toward the Eastern Palace. What he didn’t expect was that Imperial Physician Zhou, who had left before them, was actually also at the Eastern Palace.

Seeing them enter, Imperial Physician Zhou set down his barely touched tea and came forward: “This subject pays respects to the Crown Prince and the Prince of Qi!”