Eunuch Li quickly knelt down and kowtowed. "This servant wouldn't dare!"
The Emperor placed the medicine bottle in the bedside cabinet, making it clear that Eunuch Li was not to touch it.
Seeing that the Emperor had lain down, Eunuch Li stood up and tucked the blanket around him.
Perhaps it was psychological, but the Emperor felt warm all over and very comfortable.
He closed his eyes and soon fell asleep.
This time, the Emperor slept all the way until the hour of Chen (7-9 AM) the next day before waking up.
Eunuch Li had been watching over him with great concern.
Only when he saw the Emperor finally open his eyes did he breathe a sigh of relief.
For the first time in his life, the Emperor felt the true pleasure of waking up.
He lay in bed, reluctant to get up.
"Your Majesty, Consort Xian seeks an audience. She has been waiting outside the hall for a long time."
Hearing this, the Emperor felt his good mood instantly sour at yet another troublesome matter.
He stared at the bed canopy, struggling to suppress his displeasure.
"Tell her I won't see her!"
"Send her back!"
"If she insists on staying, I will demote Prince Rui to a commoner!"
His words sent a chill through Eunuch Li.
He bowed his head and responded, "Yes, Your Majesty! This servant will go at once!"
Eunuch Li went out and relayed the Emperor's words to Consort Xian.
Stunned, Consort Xian was helped away by her maids, looking utterly lost.
Just as Eunuch Li was about to turn back into the hall, he saw Consort Li and Prince Ling approaching.
Today, Prince Ling was not being supported by anyone, as if he had fully recovered.
Eunuch Li bowed to Consort Li and Prince Ling.
"Xiao Lizi, has His Majesty awoken?" Consort Li asked with concern.
Eunuch Li hesitated. "In answer to Your Ladyship, His Majesty has just woken."
Consort Li's face lit up with sudden joy.
She clasped her hands together and bowed toward the east.
"Thank the Bodhisattva! Thank the Bodhisattva for protecting him!"
Eunuch Li kept his head low, maintaining a respectful posture.
"Xiao Lizi, go announce me. I wish to see the Emperor."
Eunuch Li paused. "Your Ladyship, please wait a moment."
He walked into the Hall of Mental Cultivation, where the Emperor had already heard the conversation outside.
Still lying in bed without moving, said calmly, "Let them in."
"Yes, Your Majesty, this servant obeys your decree." Eunuch Li withdrew with small steps.
Soon, Eunuch Li led Consort Li and Prince Ling inside.
The moment Consort Li entered, she let go of Prince Ling's hand, hurried to the bedside, and covered her mouth as she began to cry.
"How wonderful! Your Majesty, you've finally woken!"
"The Bodhisattva must have heard my prayers!"
"Your Majesty, do you feel any discomfort?"
"Xiao Lizi, summon the imperial physician at once!" Consort Li ordered in rapid succession.
Seeing that the Emperor did not object, Eunuch Li instructed a young eunuch to fetch the physician before returning to stand at the bedside.
The Emperor seemed moved. He looked at Consort Li.
"Weren't you ill as well? Why have you come?"
Consort Li quickly wiped away her tears and sat down beside the bed.
She took the Emperor's hand. "Your servant's headache is an old ailment. After taking the doctor's medicine, I am much better."
"Your servant was worried about Your Majesty and could not rest all night."
"My son said that Your Majesty was out of danger, but I was still concerned, so I came to see for myself."
"Xiao Lizi, has His Majesty eaten?"
Eunuch Li quickly replied, "In answer to Your Ladyship, not yet."
"Then why haven't you prepared the meal? How do you attend to His Majesty?" Consort Li asked with displeasure.
Eunuch Li hurried to the door and ordered the young eunuchs to bring the imperial meal.
Soon, several young eunuchs entered, carrying the Emperor's food.
Prince Ling stepped forward. "Imperial Father, allow your son to help you up."
When he saw that the Emperor did not object, Prince Ling carefully extended his hands, supporting the Emperor under his arms as he helped him sit up.
Consort Li personally directed the eunuchs as they set up a small table and arranged the dishes on it.
"Your Majesty, your servant will serve you," Consort Li said, rolling up her sleeves and picking up chopsticks to place food on the Emperor's plate.
The Emperor shook his head. "I have no appetite."
Consort Li's face filled with anxiety.
"Your Majesty, you cannot go without eating. Please, have at least a little!"
The Emperor forced down a single bite and then set down his chopsticks.
"I can't eat," he said, waving his hand slightly to signal that the food should be taken away.
Consort Li glanced at Prince Ling, who quickly brought over a bowl of bird's nest congee.
"Imperial Father, how about some congee? Allow your son to feed you?"
The Emperor looked at Prince Ling, who wore an expression of deep concern.
The Emperor reluctantly nodded.
Prince Ling's face lit up with joy.
He scooped up a small spoonful of congee, gently blew on it, and then offered it to the Emperor.
The Emperor took a small sip, slowly swallowing it down.
Prince Ling looked delighted and scooped up another spoonful.
After three or four mouthfuls, the Emperor waved his hand, indicating he wanted no more.
"Imperial Father, just one more bite. One bite, alright?"
Prince Ling softened his tone, coaxing the Emperor like a child.
The Emperor looked at Prince Ling, who gazed back with devoted affection.
His eyes swept over Prince Ling's face.
Finally, he nodded once more.
Prince Ling broke into a smile and fed the Emperor another spoonful.
After that, the Emperor waved his hand again.
This time, Prince Ling did not press further.
Eunuch Li led the young eunuchs in clearing away the meal.
Just then, Imperial Physician Li arrived.
He entered the hall and bowed to the Emperor and the others.
Consort Li quickly ordered, "Physician Li, take His Majesty's pulse at once!"
Imperial Physician Li respectfully approached, and Prince Ling quickly made room for him.
When his fingers touched the Emperor's wrist, the physician's face showed surprise.
He looked up, about to speak, but caught the warning in the Emperor's eyes.
He blinked and continued his examination.
Noticing that Imperial Physician Li remained silent as he checked the pulse, Consort Li grew anxious.
"Physician Li, what is His Majesty's condition?"
The physician withdrew his hand, stood up, and bowed to Consort Li.
"In answer to Your Ladyship, His Majesty's heart channels have sustained damage due to excessive overwork."
"I have cautioned His Majesty before against overexertion, but he did not take it to heart."
"Damage to the heart channels is not easily cured. It can only be treated through gradual recuperation."
"Furthermore, His Majesty must avoid further overstrain; otherwise, his life may be cut short."
As he spoke, Imperial Physician Li shook his head regretfully.
Consort Li was momentarily stunned, then burst into tears, pressing her handkerchief to her mouth.
"How can this be?"
"Your Majesty is only—he is still so young!"
Prince Ling also wore a sorrowful expression, turning aside to wipe the corners of his eyes discreetly.
The Emperor glared at Imperial Physician Li, clearly displeased.
"You threaten me again! My health is perfectly fine, yet you dare curse me with a shortened life!"
"You must be tired of keeping your head!"
Imperial Physician Li hastily knelt down.
"Your Majesty, frank advice is hard to take, but I must speak the truth!"
"Even if you were to cut off my head, I could not go against my conscience and lie!"
As he finished speaking, he noticed the Emperor looking at him with a peculiar expression.
