Gu Jupu had barely stepped out of the imperial study when Prince Ying arrived.
"Imperial Father, I have already visited the Duke Zhenguo's estate. Duke Zhenguo's life has been temporarily saved."
Xiao Chengjing gave a careless hum. "I already know. I didn't expect County Princess Linghui's medical skills to truly surpass those of the imperial physicians. It is a great fortune that Duke Zhenguo could be saved."
Xiao Rongyan lowered his eyes to look at the carved dragon patterns on the imperial desk, his long, narrow eyelashes completely concealing the calculation in his eyes.
"If it weren't for saving me, Duke Zhenguo wouldn't have been injured. Had I known an accident would occur, I never would have gone to the western suburban military camp in the first place."
Xiao Chengjing frowned in disapproval. "As a prince, it is only right that he saves you when you encounter danger. It is Duke Zhenguo's duty as a subject."
"Sending you to the western suburban camp was my arrangement. There are not many military generals in the court nowadays. In future times of war, if a prince can personally take the battlefield, it will surely boost military morale and defeat strong enemies in one fell swoop. You ought to learn well."
Xiao Rongyan nodded in agreement with a hint of worry in his expression. "What Imperial Father says is correct. I also wish to expand the territories for you in the future, it's just..."
Xiao Chengjing raised his eyes in confusion. "Just what?"
Xiao Rongyan lowered his head in feigned disappointment. "When I went to visit the Duke Zhenguo's estate just now, the Duke of Qing's attitude was very cold. He must be displeased; after all, Duke Zhenguo was injured to save me."
"But it doesn't matter. Over the next few days, I plan to visit daily. Once Duke Zhenguo's injuries heal, I will bring more gifts to thank them, and surely it will be fine."
Xiao Chengjing stared grimly at the closed posthumous edict on the table. After a long while, he said in a low voice, "You may step down first."
Xiao Chengjing valued the fact that the Duke Zhenguo's estate favored neither Prince Qi nor Prince Ying, but he did not want them to despise imperial power and breed rebellious intentions.
In his view, even if Duke Zhenguo truly died to save Prince Ying, the Chu family must not show the slightest hint of dissatisfaction.
Sensing the dissatisfaction in the Emperor's tone, Xiao Rongyan, with his head still bowed, curled his lips into a smug smile. "I will take my leave."
The news that Duke Zhenguo's life was hanging by a thread after saving Prince Ying, that the entire Imperial Hospital was helpless, and that County Princess Linghui was finally invited to treat him, quickly spread among the nobles and ministers.
Everyone's attention suddenly fell entirely on the Duke Zhenguo's estate.
What was Duke Zhenguo's condition? Was he alive or dead? Could he actually survive?
But it was already late, and it was no longer appropriate to visit.
They could only toss and turn all night with intense curiosity, until they were finally so exhausted that they were forced to fall asleep.
Prince Qi's Manor.
Upon hearing the news, Xiao Rongche gnashed his teeth and pounded his thigh. "Why did Duke Zhenguo have to save Prince Ying? Even if he didn't die, being crippled would have been fine. What a pity!"
Gu Qishan smiled calmly and said, "Your Highness, this accident can be considered a good thing for us."
Xiao Rongche looked at Gu Qishan.
Gu Qishan continued, "Little Mao Mountain, where the avalanche occurred, is very far from the official road. Logically, even if an avalanche happened, it wouldn't reach the official road. So, I went to ask the accompanying soldiers."
"It turns out that on the way back to the city, Prince Ying insisted on hunting and rushed into the fir forest near the foot of Little Mao Mountain. The accompanying soldiers also said that Duke Zhenguo had tried to persuade Prince Ying several times not to go in, because there were steep slopes and cliffs near the fir forest, and the thick snow made it easy to step into nothingness. It was too dangerous, but Prince Ying stubbornly refused to listen."
"In the end, the horses were spooked. To save Prince Ying, Duke Zhenguo fell down the steep slope with him. Now Prince Ying is completely fine, while Duke Zhenguo is severely injured and his life is still uncertain. The Duke of Qing must absolutely hate Prince Ying by now. This is definitely a tremendous boon for us."
Xiao Rongche's displeased brows suddenly relaxed, his eyes shining. "If that's the case, wouldn't it be even more advantageous for us if Duke Zhenguo died?"
"..."
Gu Qishan didn't know how to respond for a moment.
Even so, if he could avoid dying, it would be better not to die.
Duke Zhenguo had spent his life in the military, dedicating himself entirely to the court. It would truly be a pity if he died just to save Prince Ying.
When the guards who escorted Song Shixue home returned, they brought back another large chest.
Except for two sets of a change of clothes, the rest was entirely medicine.
Song Jinzhao called the maids guarding the door and handed them three packets of Chinese medicine, saying, "Boil these three medicine packets separately and simmer them over low heat, so they can be drunk immediately when needed. The prescriptions are placed next to them; make sure not to mix them up."
The maids solemnly took the medicine packets and curtsied to Song Jinzhao. "Yes, we will go brew them immediately."
Every half hour, Song Jinzhao would go next door to check on Duke Zhenguo's condition.
Perhaps because he hadn't woken up yet, the dinner at the Duke's estate tasted somewhat bitter.
Approaching the hour of Hai, a high fever developed, just as expected.
Song Jinzhao ordered the maid, "Bring over the fever-reducing decoction."
The maid guarding the door widened her eyes and quickly turned to fetch the medicine.
Chu Liuyun, who had been standing outside the door and hadn't dared to sleep, looked anxiously at Duke Zhenguo lying on the bed. "What's wrong? Has his condition worsened?"
Song Jinzhao said, "He has a fever, and his temperature is rising fast. We need to bring the fever down immediately."
Hearing the voices, Madam Duke Zhenguo ran out anxiously from the room on the right, staring fixedly at Song Jinzhao like a drowning person clutching a piece of driftwood.
"How is he? Has the Duke woken up?"
Song Jinzhao shook her head. "He hasn't woken up. He has developed a fever."
It was as if a bolt of lightning struck right before Madam Duke Zhenguo's eyes, and she stumbled backward weakly.
A fever was definitely not a good sign.
The maid walked over quickly with a tray. Song Jinzhao took the medicine and tested the temperature of the bowl's surface.
There was a slight burning sensation on her fingertips; the temperature was just right.
After pouring the strong medicine down his throat, Song Jinzhao lifted the curtain and instructed the maid, "Go prepare wet towels and ice."
Once the items were brought over, Madam Duke Zhenguo said to the maid, "I'll do it."
She rolled up her sleeves and washed her hands repeatedly with hot water. The scorching heat she felt upon touching him made her eyes redden once again.
Taking a deep breath to hold back her tears, she carefully avoided the wound on Duke Zhenguo's forehead and wiped him with the towel wrapped around the ice.
Song Jinzhao sat quietly on a stool watching, feeling somewhat moved.
In this era, practicing monogamy was truly rare. The Chu family was no ordinary household, and yet, with only one heir, Chu Liuyun, they had not taken any concubines. The couple must be deeply in love.
After two hours, his temperature gradually began to drop, and everyone finally felt a sense of relief.
Song Jinzhao returned to the next room to rest, but Madam Duke Zhenguo could no longer sleep.
She and Chu Liuyun sat outside the curtain keeping watch, not daring to close their eyes as they guarded Duke Zhenguo.
This night felt longer than ever before. It wasn't until the sky began to lighten slightly that a wave of exhaustion washed over them, their bodies reaching the absolute limits of fatigue.
As long as Duke Zhenguo remained unconscious, the Chu family could not set their hearts at ease.
During the morning court assembly, many officials were distracted, wondering about Duke Zhenguo's current condition. There had been no news at all.
After discussing a few state affairs and seeing that no one else had memorials to present, the Emperor simply concluded the morning court.
On the way back to the Imperial Study, Xiao Chengjing instructed the chief eunuch, "Have Gu Jupu go and keep watch at Duke Zhenguo's estate. If there is any news, report back to me immediately."
"Yes, Your Majesty. This servant will see to it right away."
