Imperial Physician Li was taken aback, quickly realizing that today's matter was far from simple.
He steadied himself.
“I swear every word I speak is true, Your Majesty. If you doubt me, you may summon other physicians to examine the evidence.”
Imperial Physician Li’s skill was unrivaled in the Imperial Academy of Medicine. When other physicians saw him, they treated him with deep respect.
Eunuch Li knew this well.
“Imperial Physician Li, can the Emperor be moved now?”
The Emperor lay unconscious on the ground, beneath a scorching sun.
Even in this short time, Eunuch Li was drenched in sweat. Such exposure would only harm the Emperor’s dragon body further.
Imperial Physician Li nodded.
“Yes, but be careful not to touch the silver needles in His Majesty’s hands!”
“Indeed! We must preserve this evidence!”
“Once His Majesty awakens, he shall see for himself how that Changle used dark sorcery on him!”
A frenzied gleam flickered in Consort Li’s eyes.
Eunuch Li hesitated for a moment, then ordered the young eunuchs to bring a sedan chair.
Holding the Emperor’s hands with utmost care, he directed the other eunuchs—some holding His Majesty’s head, others his legs—to lift him onto the sedan chair.
Imperial Physician Li quietly picked up the cloth bundle from the ground and slipped it into his sleeve.
The group hurried toward the Taiji Palace.
Consort Li turned to glance at the Kunming Palace behind her, a triumphant smile spreading across her face.
“Guards, seal this place!”
“No one is to approach! Disobey, and it means death!”
“As you command.”
Consort Li stroked the guards on her gloves, smirking.
“Hmph!”
“How dare they bully this…” She caught herself before finishing her sentence and turned to rush toward the Taiji Palace with her retinue.
Upon arrival, she was stopped at the gate.
“Consort Li, His Majesty’s dragon body is unwell. The physician has ordered quiet rest. Please return for now.”
Eunuch Li kept his head bowed, his demeanor polite.
Consort Li’s eyes flickered. Dabbing a handkerchief at the corner of her eye, she instantly became tearful.
“Xiao Lizi, how is His Majesty?”
“Should I summon all the physicians from the Imperial Academy to hold a consultation?”
Eunuch Li raised his head briefly, casting a quick glance at her.
“His Majesty said it is not necessary.”
Surprise crossed Consort Li’s face, quickly replaced by a look of joy, though tears still glimmered—making her appear overwhelmed with emotion.
“His Majesty has awakened?” she asked, feigning delight.
Eunuch Li lowered his head again. “Yes, Your Highness. His Majesty regained consciousness for a moment.”
Consort Li breathed an almost imperceptible sigh of relief.
“Then attend to His Majesty at once. If any herbs are needed, have someone inform me.”
“I have a several-hundred-year-old ginseng in my chambers. I’ll have it sent over.”
Eunuch Li bowed to Consort Li, then turned and entered the hall.
The grand doors of the Taiji Palace slowly closed.
Consort Li stood staring at the doors for a long while without moving.
“Your Highness,” her trusted maid said, stepping forward to support her.
As if snapping out of a daze, Consort Li slowly turned and began walking back.
“Go to Prince Ling. Tell him His Majesty is unwell, and bid him come to the palace to attend to the Emperor.”
“Also, send someone to the Detention Office.”
“Inform them they have only one day to uncover the mastermind behind this plot.”
“If they fail, the useless heads on their necks are no longer needed!”
The maid quickly lowered her head.
One day of time—it was practically an order to use brute torture.
“Yes, I will go arrange it at once.”
The palace maid hurried away, and Consort Li returned to her bedchamber.
Soon, news of the Emperor’s collapse spread through the palace.
The consorts within the palace rushed to the Hall of Supreme Harmony, kneeling at the entrance and begging to attend to His Majesty.
The princes outside the palace also received the news quickly.
The Prince of Pingyang’s residence naturally learned of it as well.
Xiao Yi furrowed his brow slightly.
“Collapsed? Why?”
Yunxiao bowed his head. “It’s said someone used witchcraft to curse Your Majesty.”
A sneer curled at the corner of Xiao Yi’s lips.
“Such a crude tactic, and someone still uses it?”
Yunxiao cautiously lifted his head to glance at Xiao Yi.
“Your Highness, will you enter the palace?”
Xiao Yi shot Yunxiao a sidelong look. “Do you think, in this state, I can go into the palace to attend to His Majesty?”
Yunxiao looked worried. “Your Highness, the information we have is that the other princes have already entered the palace.”
“If you alone do not go, won’t someone seize the chance to criticize you?”
“The situation is already delicate now; it could harm you...”
The Emperor collapsed, and there was a throng of attendants at his side—where did it fall to the princes to tend to him?
Still, going or not going was a matter of attitude.
No matter the dynasty, filial piety was held in the highest regard.
If Xiao Yi did not go, it would be considered unfilial!
Then, the ministers would likely impeach Xiao Yi, harming his position.
Xiao Yi pondered for a moment, then shook his head again.
“I won’t go.”
In the palace, Consort Li was furiously hurling a teacup at a palace maid on the ground.
“What did you say? The Punishment Tribunal dares not use torture!”
The palace maid, struck by the teacup, did not dare to move.
Tea drenched her head and face.
“Replying to Your Ladyship, the Punishment Tribunal said that Princess Changle produced Your Majesty’s immunity jade pendant.”
“The tribunal now only dares to detain her and refuses to use any torture.”
“Useless! All of you are useless!” Consort Li fumed, practically steaming.
After sending the person in, the Punishment Tribunal dared not act!
Then what use was this scheme she had set up?
A wild idea flashed through Consort Li’s mind.
“Has Prince Ling entered the palace yet?”
She sat up straight, smoothing the wrinkles on her robes.
“Replying to Your Ladyship, His Highness sent word that he would go to the Hall of Supreme Harmony first, then come here.”
Consort Li glanced at the palace maid who had answered.
“Go, summon His Highness here.”
The palace maid bent her knees in a curtsy. “Yes.”
Outside the Hall of Supreme Harmony, a crowd of consorts knelt.
Prince Ling’s sedan chair arrived first.
He dismounted and, aided by his guards, stepped past the kneeling consorts to the entrance.
“Open the door! I want to see Imperial Father!”
The eunuch at the door quickly bowed. “Reporting to His Highness, Eunuch Li said no one may enter.”
Prince Ling kicked out, and the eunuch fell to the ground, hastily kneeling again.
“Get out of my way! If anything happens to Imperial Father, I’ll have your head!”
Just then, the door opened, and Eunuch Li emerged.
Prince Ling’s eyes flickered when he saw him.
“Eunuch Li, how is Imperial Father?”
Eunuch Li bowed to Prince Ling.
“Your Highness Prince Ling, His Majesty is unwell. The imperial physician says he needs quiet rest. Please return.”
Prince Ling froze for a moment, then immediately stiffened his expression.
“No, I must see Imperial Father!”
Eunuch Li bowed again. “Your Highness Prince Ling, please do not make things difficult for this old servant.”
Prince Ling stared coldly at Eunuch Li.
Are you blocking all of us from entering because you’re plotting something against Imperial Father?
