Yun Chu’s expression was somewhat complicated.

All along, she had allowed Xie Shiyun to associate with Changsheng, not because she trusted Xie Shiyun so much, but rather because Xie Shiyun posed no danger. If Xie Shiyun ever harbored any ill intentions, she could deal with it immediately, and it would also serve as a harsh lesson for the naturally kind-hearted Changsheng.

What she hadn’t expected was that at a life-or-death moment, Xie Shiyun, who was born with the Xie family’s callous and selfish nature, would actually choose to save Changsheng.

Xie Shiyun was only just over seven years old this year.

“Mother, he’s so pitiful…” Chu Changsheng’s voice choked with emotion. “Save him, we must save him.”

Just as she finished speaking, Xie Shiyun, who had been lying on the bed, suddenly opened his eyes.

He opened them and closed them again, then opened them once more after closing them. A trace of confusion showed through his black pupils: “You… who are you?”

Chu Changsheng said happily, “Shiyun, you’re awake! That’s wonderful! Xian is fine too, we’re all fine!”

Xie Shiyun’s eyes still showed confusion.

Yun Chu immediately called for the imperial physician to come in for an examination.

The imperial physician entered with a bowed back and checked Xie Shiyun’s pulse. After examining his entire body, he said with his head lowered, “In reply to the Crown Princess, although the patient has fortunately regained consciousness, the blood clot in his brain remains. It will take at least a year or even more years to dissipate. Until the blood clot disperses, he will remain in this amnesiac state.”

Chu Changsheng’s face filled with astonishment: “Imperial Physician Uncle, do you mean he’s forgotten everything from before?”

The imperial physician nodded. “It’s also possible he may never remember for his entire life.”

“This…” Chu Changsheng’s expression froze, then she sighed. “Perhaps this is actually a good thing.”

She had asked Xie Shiyun about his family situation before. Xie Shiyun was always unwilling to discuss it, wishing he wasn’t part of the Xie family at all.

Since he had forgotten, then he might as well stop being a member of the Xie family.

“Mother, don’t send him back to the Xie family.” Chu Changsheng tugged at Yun Chu’s sleeve, her bright eyes wide open. “Let him start anew.”

Yun Chu paused before speaking: “Do you want him to stay at the prince’s manor?”

“Of course not, Mother. Where did your mind go?” Chu Changsheng’s voice was soft and gentle. “I’m friends with him because he’s too pitiful, but I know in my heart that your attitude toward him and Xie Xian is different. You don’t like him and are afraid he’ll hurt me… Mother, how about this—send him to the Compassionate Orphan Hall.”

The Compassionate Orphan Hall was the facility Yun Chu had previously established specifically to shelter orphans.

Although she tried to avoid it, such a place inevitably had conflicts, with children competing for limited resources among themselves.

Even though Xie Shiyun had lost his memory, Xie Jingyu’s blood still flowed in his bones. Growing up in a place like the Compassionate Orphan Hall, he would likely easily become a second Xie Shi’an.

“Changsheng, Mother has an idea.” Yun Chu spoke slowly. “In Luochuan, your father’s fief, we’ll find a couple without sons and send Xie Shiyun to them as their son.”

“Wonderful.” Chu Changsheng smiled. “We must find a kind couple who will treat Shiyun well. Shiyun is always secretly sad by himself. He needs care.”

Yun Chu immediately had someone handle this matter.

That very day, Xie Shiyun was sent off on a carriage to Luochuan. A physician with decent medical skills accompanied him, while simultaneously arrangements were made for people to quickly go to Luochuan to find a reliable couple…

As for the Xie family—Yuan Shi was currently selling off the Xie family estate, preparing to set off for Jizhou. With Xie Shiyun missing, Yuan Shi probably wouldn’t have the energy to search for him either.

While Yun Chu was handling Xie Shiyun’s matter, Chu Yi was in the Imperial Study.

The Imperial Study was filled with important court officials. The Emperor’s expression was grim: “Yi’er, are you certain that those who abducted Changsheng were from the Dongling Kingdom?”

Chu Yi nodded. “Changsheng also told your son that among those who abducted her, there were people from the Great Jin Kingdom. In other words, the Dongling Kingdom has long been operating in our Great Jin’s capital. Not only do they have hideouts, but they’ve also bribed citizens of the Great Jin Kingdom. Their wolfish ambitions are already glaringly obvious.”

The Minister of War’s voice was extremely cold: “A mere tiny territory also dares to covet our Great Jin Kingdom—they’re simply dreaming!”

General Weiwu cupped his hands: “Your Majesty, this humble subject is willing to lead troops and teach the Dongling Kingdom a lesson!”

“I’m afraid that’s rather difficult.” Minister Ji of the Ministry of Justice shook his head. “The Dongling Kingdom is separated from our Great Jin’s eastern coast by a wide sea. If we launch a war against Dongling, the supply lines would be far too long. Provisions and other aspects wouldn’t keep up. Being mired in the battlefield would truly be disadvantageous.”

The Emperor frowned. “The Dongling Kingdom abducted Changsheng, intending to send her back in ten years to bring chaos to our Great Jin. This means that in ten years, the Dongling Kingdom will dare to openly stand against our Great Jin Kingdom. So the current Dongling Kingdom should not be sufficient to contend with the Great Jin!”

“Father Emperor is wise!” Chu Yi pointed at the map. “This is the narrowest passage. Sending troops to land in the Dongling Kingdom from here would result in the lowest losses…”

The Grand Scholar disagreed: “Two years ago, the Great Jin destroyed the Southern Yue Kingdom. If we launch another campaign against Dongling, I fear it will arouse the vigilance of surrounding small kingdoms, causing them to unite and create trouble. The losses would outweigh the gains.”

General Weiwu immediately retorted: “You scholars always like to look forward and backward. If we let the Dongling Kingdom off now, in ten years they’ll definitely attack our Great Jin. Rather than nurturing a tiger that becomes a threat, we might as well chop it down while it’s still a cub. Your Majesty, this humble subject requests to lead troops into battle. Please grant permission, Your Majesty!”

The Emperor was about to speak.

Then his throat felt a bit itchy. He couldn’t help but cough. The more he coughed, the more it itched. As he coughed, his throat suddenly tasted of blood, and he actually coughed up a mouthful of blood.

Upon seeing the blood, the Emperor’s mind wavered, and he directly fainted.

“Your Majesty!”

Eunuch Gao’s expression turned alarmed.

“Quickly, summon the imperial physician!”

With the Emperor coughing up blood and fainting, everyone in the Imperial Study was frightened, but they couldn’t help with anything, so they could only disperse first.

Chu Yi waited nearby.

After three or four imperial physicians took turns checking his pulse, they cupped their hands and said, “Crown Prince, Your Majesty’s wind-cold hasn’t fully recovered, and he caught another wind-cold. After coughing continuously for several months, the cold qi entered his lungs, causing him to cough up blood… Allow this humble subject to prescribe another formula for Your Majesty to take.”

Chu Yi’s expression was ice-cold: “Since last year until now, Father Emperor’s wind-cold symptoms have never improved. He takes medicine every day, yet it gets worse and worse. What use are you!”

The imperial physicians were so frightened they immediately knelt: “Crown Prince, we truly have been prescribing medicine according to the symptoms for Your Majesty. If Your Majesty hasn’t recovered, it may be because he was exposed to wind and caught a chill. Diet also requires more attention…”

“Get out!”

Without waiting for them to finish, Chu Yi directly ordered.

Eunuch Gao hurriedly said, “Your Highness, His Majesty coughed up blood and fainted. He must take medicine, otherwise this illness won’t improve.”

“Since the imperial physicians cannot cure him, then we’ll have someone else treat him.” Chu Yi’s voice was very cold. “I’ll trouble Eunuch Gao to watch over Father Emperor. I’ll go and return shortly.”

He had received Wu Yun’s letter last night, learning he would arrive in the capital early this morning.

But Father Emperor’s condition couldn’t wait.

Chu Yi rode at full speed to personally meet Wu Yun, bringing Wu Yun back to the capital and into the palace on horseback. By this time, it was already evening.