After the imperial physician's diagnosis, it was determined that Wang Nie was suffering from dehydration that damaged his stomach, along with a surge of blood and qi caused by extreme anger. He needed to be carried back for a proper rest.
Thus, the matter of the marriage alliance was temporarily put on hold.
When the man was carried into the Huitong Envoy Guest House, Qi Xiong instantly flew into a rage.
"What did you do? Minister Wang is the envoy sent by our Shuobei Kingdom to your Dongzhao Kingdom to propose a marriage alliance. How could you beat him?"
The Imperial Guards placed the stretcher on the ground.
"We didn't beat him. He fainted because his own constitution is too weak. Yandu is thousands of miles away from the capital; next time you send an envoy, please find someone with a robust physique."
Watching the Imperial Guards flick their sleeves and leave, Qi Xiong grabbed the official who had accompanied Wang Nie into the palace, his tone angry and anxious.
"What exactly happened? Did the Emperor of Dongzhao agree to the marriage alliance?"
The official cried foul with a bitter face, recounting the matter from beginning to end without missing a single word.
"Not only did they refuse, but they also humiliated us in return. Minister Wang fainted from their infuriating words."
Anger completely twisted Qi Xiong's face into that of a bear, his thick black eyebrows furrowing uglier than caterpillars.
"Preposterous! We haven't fought them in a few years and their courage has grown. How dare they look down upon our Shuobei Kingdom."
"I will immediately write a memorial to inform the Emperor. We absolutely cannot let this go easily this time."
Inside the Prince of Qi's Manor, Xiao Rongche was lying miserably on the edge of the bed, vomiting.
The sour-smelling food residue was mixed with threads of bright red blood.
Gu Jupu stood beside him with a hunched back, jumping with anxiety.
"Your Highness, the blood stasis in your body has not yet dissipated. You must not get angry at this time, otherwise, once your condition worsens, I fear you might contract consumption."
His vision was pitch black. Xiao Rongche wept as he uncomfortably touched his left eye with his hand.
"Why can't my eyes see? I could still see shadows yesterday."
His voice grew louder as he shouted, his fist smashing against the wooden board of the bedframe, each strike heavier than the last.
Gu Jupu stood by helplessly, wanting to pull him back but not daring to.
"Your Highness has been overthinking and harboring pent-up frustrations. Coupled with your extreme emotional agitation yesterday, it caused an excess of liver fire, which worsened the condition of your eyes."
Unable to accept this, Xiao Rongche roared at Gu Jupu, "Heal my eyes immediately! Right now!"
Gu Jupu knelt down and kowtowed, "This humble minister's medical skills are shallow. I beg Your Highness the Prince of Qi for forgiveness."
Xiao Rongche shook his head in disbelief, constantly muttering the word "Impossible."
"It was clearly promised that my left eye would be saved. How can I not see?"
"Go find Song Jinzhao! Bring her to me—" His hoarse voice choked halfway through the roar.
Under the terrified gazes of the crowd, the lofty Xiao Rongche fell from the bed, his body crashing into the puddle of vomit.
"Your Highness!" The servants rushed forward to turn him over, but he had already lost consciousness.
Gu Jupu knelt on the ground, his body turning icy cold, the fingers resting on his thighs trembling.
Song Jinzhao had just come out of the palace. Before her front foot even crossed the threshold, the guards from the Prince of Qi's Manor rode frantically to the gate of the County Princess's Manor, even taking a tumble as they dismounted.
His face was covered in a mess of snot and tears, terrified that if Xiao Rongche died, he would be buried with him.
"County Princess, please hurry over and take a look. My Highness is dying."
Song Jinzhao furrowed her brows slightly, a look of displeasure appearing on her face.
"Is Court Envoy Gu not there?"
The guard wailed, "It was Court Envoy Gu who ordered this servant to come find you."
Less than half an hour later, Song Jinzhao walked into Xiao Rongche's courtyard. Before she even entered the door, she heard crying.
The Princess Consort and the concubines filled the entire room, two of them even holding children.
Is he dead and they are mourning?
Seeing Song Jinzhao enter, the pale-faced Gu Jupu immediately rushed up to plead for help.
"County Princess, please quickly take a look at His Highness the Prince of Qi. No matter how I apply the acupuncture needles, he won't wake up."
Hearing this sentence, the Princess Consort of Qi, who was wiping her tears, seemed to have triggered an alarm. She rushed up like the wind, grabbed Song Jinzhao's arm, and was about to kneel.
"County Princess Linghui, nothing can happen to His Highness."
Song Jinzhao glanced at Gu Jupu. Is the situation really this serious?
He seemed fine yesterday.
After a very careful examination, Song Jinzhao withdrew her hand from taking his pulse.
The situation was more serious than she had expected.
If this continued, not only would he have a short life, but sudden death was possible at any moment.
"How did the Prince of Qi get so angry?"
Gu Jupu replied, "His Highness's left eye has also gone completely blind."
Hearing this, Song Jinzhao looked calmly at Xiao Rongche.
This outcome was bound to happen sooner or later. What made matters worse was that he had fallen into despair after being given hope, causing his emotions to completely collapse.
