071

071

Upon hearing this, Jiang Chaoyu's heart felt as unsettled as a fish darting about in a pond.

"What is it?" No longer paying attention to the fish in the pond, she turned her gaze to the study. Just now, she saw that Zeng Chenhua had come out, holding his jade cane and swaying with a limp.

Her mind was completely focused on Zeng Chenhua, and she probably wouldn't have noticed if Cui Cui hadn't spoken up.

"The Emperor summoned the Second Prince to the palace, but did not say what it was about."

Even without being told what it was about, Jiang Chaoyu could guess. She turned and went back to her room, grabbed a jacket, and hurriedly walked up to Zeng Chenhua. "It's cold at night, take this with you, don't get cold."

Looking up at the worry in Jiang Chaoyu's eyes, Zeng Chenhua, who had been carefree before, felt worried for the first time. For the first time, he felt that it was really good to have someone at home. He took the xx and touched Jiang Chaoyu's cheek. Her face was cold from the wind.

Unfortunately, he had to go to the palace first. "Yam, bring a hot water bottle for the lady."

Then he continued to say to Jiang Chaoyu, "Don't worry, I'll be back soon." As he spoke, he slowly moved closer to Jiang Chaoyu's ear and whispered in her ear, "I hope you will warm the bed for me, it's very cold outside."

His seemingly joking tone reassured Jiang Chaoyu, and Jiang Chaoyu understood his meaning, simply saying "okay."

Then his figure quickly disappeared before her eyes, vanished through the doorway, leaving her standing there quietly watching. The wind carried raindrops onto Jiang Chaoyu's face as she murmured, "It seems he didn't bring an oil-paper umbrella."

But the voice was too soft, and even Cui Cui beside her couldn't hear it clearly. "Madam, what did you say?"

Jiang Chaoyu remained silent, simply turning and leaving.

After pondering for a long time, I figured it must be about the Eldest Princess. I had already asked Xu Ninghui, and although he said the Eldest Princess wouldn't wake up, there's always someone more capable than you. The imperial physicians in the Imperial Hospital aren't just for show; I've heard one of them can even bring someone back from the brink of death.

As for this kind of drug to feign death, that person must have a way to do it, making this a very risky move. But if, as Xu Ninghui said, there's no antidote, then the person who gave the poison must be…

At this time, the people of the Imperial Hospital were still making pills. Physician Yan had already found a way, and once the medicine was made, it would surely wake up the princess.

Zeng Chenhua didn't understand why the emperor was summoning him at this time. This scene never happened in his previous life, and the princess had successfully escaped, unless Xie Yunyin had been in cahoots with him.

With the worst-case scenario in mind, he figured that the people around the emperor must have found a way to revive the princess.

As soon as Zeng Chenhua opened the door, he saw a screen behind the emperor's room. Through the screen, a bed was faintly visible, and there seemed to be someone lying on it, presumably the eldest princess. "Greetings, Father Emperor. May I ask why you have summoned me?"

Zeng Chenhua, exempted from the formalities, stood quietly with his head bowed, waiting for the emperor's response. However, the emperor remained silent, so Zeng Chenhua could only stand there.

At this moment, besides him, the only other person in the room was the one lying down.

Since the emperor remained silent, Zeng Chenhua was willing to wait; he could simply linger there.

But before long, someone rushed in to report.

"Your Majesty, the Imperial Medical Academy has completed the medicine reporting." Only after hearing this did the emperor put down the memorial in his hand.

No need for formalities.

"Thank you, Father Emperor!"

The announcement was so loud it could penetrate the screen, sounding as if it were addressed to Zeng Chenhua, or perhaps to the deceased Princess Xu Huanong.

Zeng Chenhua wasn't surprised to hear the announcement; he had already anticipated this outcome on his way here, and sure enough, it happened. However, he hadn't expected the Imperial Hospital to take such a large-scale action.

He turned aside and had someone bring in the medicine. A palace maid then carried the medicine behind the screen. Zeng Chenhua saw Imperial Physician Yan standing to the side, looking at his confident expression. It seemed that the princess would definitely come back to life.

Zeng Chenhua felt a tightness in his chest, thinking that the man must be confident.

After a while, the palace maid went inside and then came out, saying, "Your Majesty, the Princess has woken up."

Zeng Chenhua looked at the emperor and saw that his eyebrows were slightly raised, his previously furrowed brows had relaxed, and he looked relaxed.

Since that's the case, it seems the eldest princess can't escape this fate. It's just unknown whether anyone will be able to save her.

Xu Huanong opened her eyes slightly, but the light was too bright, and she couldn't adjust for a moment, so she closed them again. After a while, she opened her eyes and saw familiar buildings. The dragon's eye above her head was staring intently at her, which gave her a chill.

Xu Huanong unconsciously gripped the blanket tightly, suddenly realizing that she hadn't actually faked her death.

I vaguely heard the palace maid beside me calling for His Majesty. The worst outcome is that I won't be able to escape.

Step by step, the footsteps drew closer to her, each step feeling like it was treading on her heart. With the help of a palace maid, she slowly sat up and looked up to see the emperor standing before her.

Xu Huanong pretended not to know anything and stared blankly at the emperor. The emperor spoke first, "Nong'er, are you feeling any better?"

Through the screen, Xu Huanong seemed to see other people as well. She turned her gaze back to the emperor, shook her head, and said, "It's nothing." Her voice was hoarse as she spoke. After being unconscious for several days, she had lost all her strength, and those two words seemed to be exhaled from her throat.

Seeing that she was much better now, I felt relieved and quickly comforted her, "In that case, you should rest more. I will have Physician Yan examine you again."

"Thank you, Father Emperor."

Hearing this, Xu Huanong could already foresee her fate. She should have targeted Physician Yan first. That man had said no one could break the poison, which was why they had confidently carried out the plan. But unexpectedly, Physician Yan had still managed to break it.

Fortunately, there was a backup plan. If the emperor announced that the princess was unharmed, his men would surely come to her rescue.

Xu Huanong is currently too weak to muster any strength. However, having been unconscious for several days, her previous medications should have expired. If Imperial Physician Yan were to take her pulse now, he might discover the problem.

Xu Huanong listened quietly to the report from the people outside.

"Your Majesty, now that the Princess has awakened, there is little chance of anything happening. However, we should take her pulse again when the yin energy is at its strongest at night."

Upon hearing this, the emperor said nothing, but instructed Zeng Chenhua, "In that case, Second Prince, you should go with Physician Yan to take a look."

"yes!"

Xu Huanong heard Zeng Chenhua's voice and seemed to have found a lifeline. Then she heard him say, "But Father, should we send the eldest princess back to her princess residence?"

The reason for leaving him here was to prevent others from harming Xu Huanong. Now that he's awake, it's probably hopeless.

"Then send them back. But you must be careful, Second Brother. If anything happens, I will hold you responsible. Also, I will send some more people to your residence."

"Yes, ma'am."

It was a bit chilly in the evening, and the cold air tried to penetrate the blankets to embrace Xu Huanong, but fortunately, Xu Huanong was wrapped up tightly and did not feel the cold at all.

She leaned against the carriage, seemingly lost in thought or perhaps resting.

"Eldest sister, who gave you that medicine?"

Zeng Chenhua spoke first, breaking the silence in the carriage. As soon as he spoke, Xu Huanong opened her eyes, as if trying to see through Zeng Chenhua, but Zeng Chenhua was not afraid at all.

"If you promise me one thing, I will definitely reveal it."

Imperial Physician Yan was still in the carriage behind, and only the two of them knew the details of their conversation. Zeng Chenhua looked at Xu Huanong and probably knew what she wanted.

"Elder sister, your illness is fake, isn't it!" From beginning to end, Zeng Chenhua never believed Xu Huanong's illness; in fact, he was just playing along with her.

Xu Huanong wasn't annoyed at being exposed. Looking at Zeng Chenhua's legs, she said, "Speaking of me, isn't my second brother the same?"

Following her gaze to his own legs, he looked up with a smile in his eyes, "My legs were really injured at first."

"Putting all that aside, is my elder sister's person useless? She was actually able to leak information to me directly?" Zeng Chenhua voiced his suspicions; he wasn't entirely convinced by Xu Huanong's words. On the surface, she seemed only interested in music, chess, calligraphy, and painting, oblivious to the world around her, but based on his understanding of her, her ambitions extended far beyond that.

"Don't worry, my best quality is that I keep my word. If you don't want to help, that's fine too, someone else will come to my rescue, but my second brother's sin will be much greater."

These words sounded like a threat, which reminded Zeng Chenhua of the task the emperor had given him. At this moment, Xu Huanong's life was his mission.

Zeng Chenhua narrowed his eyes, seemingly deep in thought, but after a moment's hesitation, he agreed. "Alright, but words are no proof; I need evidence."

Xu Huanong anticipated Zeng Chenhua's words and lowered her voice. "If you can find a way to get Imperial Physician Yan away, I'll give it to you."

Zeng Chenhua didn't like doing things with uncertainty. "People can leave first, but someone should at least take your pulse." He stroked the jade staff in his hand, remembering that he was a little unaccustomed to using it at first, but now he was quite dependent on it.

"The medicine is with my personal maid. As long as I get through this, I will definitely produce evidence." Xu Huanong said this very firmly, and since she said so, Zeng Chenhua felt relieved.

"Then I'll look forward to it, elder sister."

The person was taken to the room, and Zeng Chenhua sent Shanyao to get the medicine, while he himself stayed in front of Doctor Yan to prevent himself from being suspected.

Night had fallen, and the moon was gradually obscured by clouds. Zeng Chenhua looked up, his heart filled with thoughts of Jiang Chaoyu. She had been worried about him when he left home, and now that it was so late, she must still be awake.

Meanwhile, Jiang Chaoyu, who was being worried about, was sleeping soundly in bed. She had been a little worried about Zeng Chenhua earlier, but after getting into bed, she felt sleepy and fell asleep without realizing it.

Yam walked quickly toward Zeng Chenhua and gestured to him that the medicine had been given to the Princess.

When it was almost time, Zeng Chenhua and Physician Yan entered the room together, but a screen was placed behind them, and they used gold thread to conduct the diagnosis.

Imperial Physician Yan touched the gold thread, seemingly sensing something was amiss, and hissed.