Han Yan stared steadily at Imperial Physician Wu: “Irina can cure his illness, can’t she?”
Imperial Physician Wu started, looking at Han Yan, and said: “Not cure exactly. The Xi Rong people are skilled in the use of Gu. The Princess only used one of her Gu worms to temporarily control the Cold Poison, but it cannot be eliminated. If the Gu worm is overcome by the Cold Poison, Fu Yun Xi will still be in danger. However…” Imperial Physician Wu raised his eyes and said: “He didn’t accept the Princess’s Gu worm.”
Hadn’t accepted Irina’s Gu worm? Han Yan was shocked. But Irina had moved into Prince Xuan Qing’s mansion, and Fu Yun Xi hadn’t refused her. If he hadn’t accepted her Gu worm, then why would he do this?
Imperial Physician Wu said: “His Cold Poison attacks have been getting increasingly severe lately. When he returned yesterday, he was seriously injured. This old man went to treat his wounds. The Prince still carries the poison and now has new injuries. I’m truly at my wit’s end. Young lady, you’ve always been resourceful. I’m telling you all this today hoping that if you have any solution, you won’t hesitate to share it and save the Prince.” He paused, then continued: “This old man can see that your feelings for the Prince are genuine.”
Han Yan gave a bitter smile: “The Imperial Physician thinks too highly of me. But there’s one thing I still don’t understand – does the Emperor know about the Prince’s serious condition?”
Imperial Physician Wu nodded: “Of course, he knows. It was the Emperor who ordered this old man to treat the Prince.”
Han Yan pondered briefly. Today it had been confirmed that yesterday’s attempt on her life was by the Emperor’s order. Yet the Emperor also knew that Fu Yun Xi was critically ill, which meant he knew Fu Yun Xi’s actions toward her weren’t of his own will. If she had truly died at the Emperor’s hand, Fu Yun Xi certainly wouldn’t have let it rest. But the Emperor still went ahead with it – what made him risk alienating his brother to eliminate her? Could there be other reasons?
As for Fu Yun Xi, while refusing the Gu worm, he practically forced her out of Prince Xuan Qing’s mansion. What was he trying to do? One possibility was that Fu Yun Xi didn’t want her to know about his condition. If she knew about his Cold Poison, she would surely be heartbroken. He didn’t want to cause her pain or burden her, so he used this method to break off their engagement, setting her free. But Han Yan felt that Fu Yun Xi wasn’t that kind of person. With his personality, he would have told her directly and let her go gracefully. That left only one other possibility. Fu Yun Xi pushed her away out of necessity. He severed their relationship so thoroughly – could he be protecting her? Could his actions be related to the Emperor’s decision?
Han Yan felt her mind was shrouded in fog, but when she thought about how Fu Yun Xi had taken a blade for her yesterday, her heart ached unbearably. She spoke with difficulty: “How is he now?”
Imperial Physician Wu naturally understood that “he” referred to Fu Yun Xi and sighed deeply: “Not good. His injuries are too severe, and the Cold Poison is too aggressive. He won’t use the Princess’s Gu worm – I don’t know how much longer he can hold on.”
Han Yan’s heart tightened: “Is there no cure?”
Imperial Physician Wu smiled bitterly: “This old man is powerless.”
Han Yan lowered her eyes, saying nothing. Imperial Physician Wu looked out the window, then shook his sleeves and stood up: “This old man should return now. If it gets too late, people might become suspicious. The common people in the capital don’t know about the Prince’s poisoning and critical condition. If someone with ulterior motives were to use this information, it would be disastrous.”
Han Yan nodded, and Imperial Physician Wu took his leave. She remained seated by the window, with Ji Lan and Shu Hong standing silently behind her. Neither had expected to hear such shocking news. The seemingly illustrious Prince Xuan Qing was suffering no less than their young mistress – the palace intrigues were even more terrifying.
Han Yan smiled bleakly. She had been given a chance at rebirth, but what about Fu Yun Xi? If he died, he would truly be gone – there would never again be a Fu Yun Xi in this world. She could avenge herself because she was still alive, but if Fu Yun Xi died with his great revenge unfulfilled, the Empress Dowager would remain high above – was Heaven truly watching this world?
Han Yan’s hand habitually reached for her hair, only to find that the Blue Field Jade hairpin was no longer there. A lost hairpin could be replaced, but a lost person meant everything was gone.
After a long while, she stood up, her eyes particularly bright in the pitch-black night. She said: “Return to the Zhuang Manor.”
Shu Hong looked at Han Yan with surprise, thinking she would rush to Prince Xuan Qing’s mansion after learning this news.
But Han Yan frowned. Fu Yun Xi’s attitude toward her couldn’t be explained by the Cold Poison alone. The only way forward was to investigate her relationship with the Empress Dowager. Though the reason wasn’t clear yet, even the Emperor had tried to kill her – there must be a special reason.
Zhuo Qi should have found something by now.
When they returned to the Zhuang Manor, it was almost completely dark. There wasn’t a single lantern-bearer outside, as if Han Yan had been completely overlooked. When Madam Chen saw them return, she finally relaxed: “Young Miss, where did you go? Returning so late, and without any guards – what if something had happened?”
Han Yan finally managed to persuade her to rest. She walked toward Qing Qiu Court. Recently, Zhuang Shi Yang had been unusually well-behaved. Zhuang Han Ming had moved from the Imperial Academy to the unified training grounds, leaving Han Yan practically alone in the entire Zhuang Manor. She didn’t know what Zhuang Shi Yang was planning, but she could guess it involved Seventh Prince Wei Wang. While unclear about the Empress Dowager’s role, Han Yan was certain she was involved.
Just as she pushed open her chamber door, she saw a dark figure standing by her bed. Even when the lamp was lit, he didn’t flinch or avoid it – it was Zhuo Qi. Seeing Han Yan return, he smiled: “I thought you weren’t coming back.”
Han Yan glared at him. This person always entered the Zhuang Manor as if it were his backyard, coming and going like a ghost – truly annoying. However, it did save her trouble; with his skills, no one would suspect a stranger had entered the manor.
Ji Lan quickly closed the doors and windows, drew the curtains, and brought Han Yan a chair. Zhuo Qi sat on Han Yan’s bed, while Shu Hong and Ji Lan stood behind Han Yan. Han Yan didn’t exclude them from her conversation with Zhuo Qi. He used to find Han Yan’s trust in these two maids strange, but now he was used to it.
Han Yan didn’t waste words with him, asking directly: “What did you find out?”
This time, Zhuo Qi didn’t joke around with Han Yan as usual. Instead, he looked quite seriously at Ji Lan and Shu Hong, who both froze, looking uncertainly toward Han Yan.