Chapter 7: Critical Condition

Purple Star Hall!

Heavens! The young heir! Summon the imperial physicians at once!

It’s too cold here for proper treatment. Your Majesty, let us bring him to my Cloud Gazing Hall!

Upon hearing Xie Defei’s suggestion, Consort Shen Liang nearly voiced a sarcastic remark but was restrained by the Eldest Princess.

The Emperor’s emotions were even more turbulent now than when he had witnessed Prince Qi’s violent acts.

Speaking of unrelated matters at such a moment would only provoke His Majesty’s wrath.

Though resentful, Consort Shen Liang had no choice but to remain silent—after all, Cloud Gazing Hall was the nearest palace to their current location.

Just as the group prepared to depart, Chancellery Director Cui spoke his first words since entering the side hall:

Your Majesty, the Crown Prince’s condition is critical. I propose moving him to Purple Star Hall.

Their footsteps halted simultaneously, all eyes turning to the esteemed Chancellery Director by the doorway.

Purple Star Hall was the Emperor’s personal residence, where important state affairs were discussed in the front hall. Not even the late Empress Xiao Shi had ever been permitted to stay there. How could the Emperor possibly allow a frail, ailing grandson to enter?

Had Chancellery Director Cui gone mad!

Regardless of others’ thoughts, upon hearing Purple Star Hall, Murong Ji grew so agitated that he coughed up another mouthful of blood.

Murong Ji!

Emperor Zhaoming felt the child in his arms grow lighter, as if he might dissipate like smoke in the wind. Protocol and trivialities were forgotten.

To Purple Star Hall!

Yan Qing couldn’t even interject, forced to watch as the Crown Prince was taken to Purple Star Hall.

He could almost foresee a day years later: a graceful young man in crimson robes standing where Emperor Zhaoming now stood, looking down upon them all from on high.

No matter. As long as Prince Qi remained, the Crown Prince would never ascend the throne.

Yan Qing comforted himself.

—

Inside Purple Star Hall,

only Emperor Zhaoming, Eunuch Gao, and the blood-spitting Crown Prince—now unconscious—remained.

Eunuch Gao lit ambergris incense, moistened a silk cloth with warm water, and approached the Dragon Bed.

Your Majesty, allow this servant to clean you.

The Emperor raised his hand, noticing for the first time that blood had seeped through his black dragon robes onto his arm. The vivid crimson starkly revealed the severity of the Crown Prince’s condition.

Tell me… have I been a worthy grandfather?

Eunuch Gao bowed and took the Emperor’s hand, gently wiping along the skin’s contours.

Your Majesty bears the weight of governing the realm. Had you not encountered the young heir today, his grave condition might have gone unnoticed. If this humble servant may say, it is because you cherish your subjects as your own children and rule with utmost diligence.

Gazing at the Crown Prince’s pallid face, Emperor Zhaoming was suddenly flooded with memories.

I recall Cheng’er was similarly frail in his youth. Each time he fell ill, the entire estate would be thrown into chaos. Qing Wan doted on Cheng’er most of all… yet now… I have failed as a father.

Mentioning the late Empress silenced Eunuch Gao.

Send two more physicians from the Imperial Hospital to attend to Prince Chu. Before his departure for Qingzhou, he may remain in the palace to keep Ji’er company.

Eunuch Gao acknowledged the order and withdrew.

Though his eyes remained closed, Murong Ji retained a faint awareness.

He felt a large, warm hand caressing his cheek. His originally cold palms grew warm, reminding him of his hot-tempered, iron-willed mother.

It seemed an inevitable scolding awaited him upon their next meeting.

She remembered her first time vomiting blood was when she was only half a year old. Murong Ji recalled clearly how flustered the two of them had been back then, because at that time, she too had thought her life would end right there. Yet, several physicians managed to pull her back from the brink.

Afterward, to make it easier to treat her while concealing her gender, her father and mother specially hired a highly skilled and tight-lipped female physician. With the help of the physician A Nuo, the timing of her episodes became increasingly regular, eventually aligning exactly with her father’s.

That was why her father and mother had wanted to take her back to the estate early for treatment.

They didn’t know that Murong Ji had obtained a secret medicine from A Nuo, which could prevent her gender from being exposed during the imperial physician’s examination.

She had been waiting for this day all along.

In a side hall not far from the Purple Star Hall,

Chu Wangfei paced anxiously back and forth, making Prince Chu’s recently calmed head spin again.

Don’t worry. Since Ji’er chose to stay, she must have a plan. Sit down and rest for a while.

How can I…

Fearing the palace attendants stationed outside might overhear, Chu Wangfei leaned close to the bed, opening her mouth wide but whispering fiercely.

How can I not worry! She’s only a child! Even with A Nuo’s medicine, how can she stay right under His Majesty’s watchful eye! What if…

Prince Chu squeezed his wife’s trembling hand. There is no ‘what if.’ You know Ji’er’s temperament better than I do. Whatever she wants, no matter how difficult, she will get it.

But this isn’t the Prince’s estate. We can’t protect her here!

Then we’ll find a way. His Majesty now wants my uncle to return to court. I will seek him out.

Chu Wangfei sneered. Don’t forget Prince Qi. He has practically been cleared of charges now. His Majesty will surely send him to Qingzhou ahead of you as usual.

My uncle won’t pay him any heed.

But what about my uncle’s former subordinates? Faced with Prince Qi, who has meritorious service defending against the Northern Di, might they feel admiration and switch allegiance to him?

Prince Chu fell silent.

Chu Wangfei turned her head away, her heart aching. I know you’ve always believed in brotherly harmony and respecting elders, but in His Majesty’s heart, there is only Prince Qi.

Just as Prince Chu was about to say something, several hurried footsteps sounded outside the room.

As the palace attendant pushed the door open, two imperial physicians rushed in carrying their medicine chests.

Greetings… huff… greetings, Prince Chu, Consort Chu. We have been ordered to come and treat His Highness.

Prince Chu was taken aback, somewhat confused.

Chu Wangfei felt even more awkward. She had just finished speaking ill of His Majesty, and now she was being proven wrong immediately.

Thank you both for coming. However, an imperial physician has already examined His Highness earlier, and he is now out of danger. If you are not in a hurry, please sit and rest with some tea.

Panting like this… is His Majesty truly so concerned about Prince Chu?

Thank… thank you, Consort Chu. The… the Imperial Grandson is still waiting for treatment in the Purple Star Hall. We must take our leave now!

The Purple Star Hall!

Prince Chu and his wife widened their eyes in disbelief.

That little rascal actually managed to get into the Purple Star Hall!

Even they had never received such an honor!

Prince Chu clutched his chest and collapsed back onto the bed, his other hand stretching out stiffly.

Chu Wangfei’s mind was completely occupied with thoughts of the Purple Star Hall. Seeing Prince Chu’s outstretched hand, she slapped it away.

Ji’er is more capable than you.

Prince Chu, with old injuries not yet healed, felt as if he had been stabbed once more.

Chu Wangfei stroked her chin. It seems the estate’s hidden guards can be handed over to Ji’er.

Prince Chu felt like vomiting blood, but unfortunately he had already done so earlier.

Oh, right, don’t you still have people from the Empress Dowager’s side? Hand them over!

Prince Chu gritted his teeth: Those were left to me by Mother!

Chu Wangfei smiled, not bothering to conceal her contempt.

You’re all grown up now. Don’t let them gather dust in the shadows anymore.

Be good and give me a timeline.

Prince Chu snorted coldly: After I return from Qingzhou.

Fine, Ji’er and I will be waiting together.

Author’s Note:

———————-

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