"The Emperor is in route. Idlers, give the way!" In the heavy rain, the emperor's guards of honor and entourage stretched at least ten meters in length as they headed to the Duke of Qingping Palace with drums and gongs, as though they were afraid the common people wouldn't know about the emperor braving the rain to visit the Duke of Qingping. How could the common people see such an excitement on a regular day? Even with the rain, many common folks trailed behind the entourage cautiously and looked from afar.
As for the Duke of Qingping Palace, the front gates were wide open. Two concentrated rows of Ironclad Guards, clad in black armor stood upright in an orderly fashion painted a majestic image at the front gates, even in the rain. Old Lin and Tianshu stood in the center holding umbrellas.
"The emperor is here!" accompanied by the eunuch's shrill announcement, the front line of guards of honor fanned out from both sides. The Imperial Guards stepped forward and created a line straight to the front of the manor. Several luxurious and gorgeous carriages trailed after.
"Greetings and respects to the emperor's arrival. Blessings to the emperor!" Old Lin and Tianshu casted their umbrellas aside and knelt on one knee simultaneously. The royal golden carriage curtains lifted and with the aid of the well-trained eunuchs, the emperor, who was well in his old age but only appeared to be in his fifties stepped down from his Imperial carriage. The maids extended and opened the umbrellas at just the right time. The carriages that followed behind also pulled to a stop one after another as the three cabinet elders, the grand master, and the five ministers stepped out as well respectively one after another. With Wen Yuan still under investigation, the original six departments were missing one member.
"All rise," the emperor stood up slowly and waved his hand. Old Lin and Tianshu stood up. Within the short while, their clothes were already soaked. "The rain outside is heavy and severe. Please come on in, Your Majesty. The Masters."
"Very well," the emperor nodded his head and swept a gaze over the two lines of Ironclad Guards imperceptibly. He entered the Duke of Qingping Palace with one hand led by the eunuch.
The luxury and majesty of the Palace of the Duke of Qingping was something few hadn't heard of, but few had actually ever experienced and seen it for themselves. Throughout history. every generation of Duke of Qingping preferred quietness and avoided banquets and liveliness. However, when Pei Yuanxian came to assume the title, he had even replaced his servants with the majestic Ironclad Guards. Throughout the entire manor, not a single woman could be seen, much less a guest.
With Old Lin and Tianshu's leadership. the entourage slowly traversed into the depths of the Duke of Qingping Palace. The officials couldn't help but marvel at the exquisite architecture, intricately carved beams, and painted buildings. The decorations were magnificent and luxurious. The only one who remained indifference was perhaps the emperor as this wasn't his first time here. But whether he harbored other thoughts, that was another matter that of itself.
"Your Majesty, please order them to stay outside," after a quarter of an hour passed, the entourage had finally arrived at the main courtyard where Pei Yuanxian resided. There were also two lines of Ironclad Guards who surrounded the main residency. Old Lin and Tianshu each cupped their fists respectively as he swept a gaze over the court ladies, eunuchs, and ministers pointedly. Even if forced by the situation, they were not qualified to step inside Pei Yuanxian's quarters.
"You will all remain behind," the emperor waved his hand and took the lead to enter the room. "How is Yuanxian's condition? How did it become so grave?"
"How can it not? It can't be that we're cursing the duke? He's been in a coma for an entire day and night now. We can't stop the blood that flows from his wound. Just look at that complexion. How is he any different from a dead man?" Old Lin, who trailed behind the emperor into the room wiped his tears as he pointed at Pei Yuanxian, who lied on the bed motionlessly. His previous solemness had dissipated without a trace and was instead replaced by a dramatic soap opera scene. If the ironclad Guards weren't already accustomed to Old Lin's character, they might've been unable to hold it in and already burst into laughter.
However, while they were accustomed to it, the emperor and the officials remained oblivious. When they saw him wiping away streams of tears one after another, they found themselves actually believing his words somewhat and didn't take his attitude into account or consideration.
"You are the manor physician?" the emperor was suspicious by nature. Even though Pei Yuanxian did paint a horrendous image before his very eyes and the old man did not appear to be lying, he still couldn't cast aside his skepticism. He directly called out to the manor physician who was waiting on Pei Yuanxian on the bedside.
"This commoner is. Greeting and blessings to the emperor!"
"There's no need for courtesy now. Tell this emperor about Yuanxian's situation," the emperor raised a hand to stop the physician from kneeling. The eunuch carried over a chair for the emperor to sit in. The more high-ranking officials fanned out behind him as they couldn't help but peer over at Pei Yuanxian who lied on the bed with bloodless lips. The General Ling and Marquis Huaiyang had both relayed in their reports about the Duke of Qingping's injury but what they couldn't comprehend was the reports clearly stated that it was a light injury. Why was it that he looked like he was about to die now?
"Yes," Physician Zhou didn't dare to dally. He lowered his head as he relayed, "The duke suffers from excessive blood loss and his blood qi is damaged. The blood from his wound still hasn't been stopped and if this continues, I'm afraid he won't be able to hold on for many more days."
"Oh? But this emperor heard that his injury wasn't that serious? How did he ended up losing so much blood?" the emperor gave the physician a deep gaze as though unable to believe his words. This was also what the ministers were puzzled about.
In accordance with Pei Yuanxian's previous instructions, Physician Zhou raised his head and looked at them with a somewhat timid expression as he said with a trembling voice, "Your Majesty and the ministers may be unaware but since young, the duke had been poisoned with Blood Canyang. Even if it is a small cut, it would prove difficult to stop the bleeding, much less such a long gash on his abdominal region this time."
"What?" the emperor obviously didn't expect him to mention the Blood Canyang and glared at him out of reflex. However, he soon reacted and composed himself to demand, "How preposterous! Exactly who was so audacious and bold as to poison this emperor's nephew? Is the Blood Canyang truly so frightening? Is there any way to cure the poison?"
Was Pei Yuanxian truly reaching his end?
The emperor looked at the bed not far away subconsciously. Otherwise, how could they even mention the Blood Canyang, this matter? Unless this proved to be another one of their schemes?
The emperor was not foolish. Throughout the years, it wasn't that he hadn't thought of any ways to deal with Pei Yuanxian, but the results have evidently been in vain. Pei Yuanxian continued to live well and lively. Even a fool wouldn't chalk it all up to luck. The only explanation could be the Pei Yuanxian was not the dandy he portrayed himself to be. Besides, if he truly was the incorrigible playboy he was known to be, how was it possible for him to grasp firm control over the Ironclad Guards like he does?
"The Blood Canyang is produced in the southwest and holds a strong anticoagulant agent. It won't kill anyone and doesn't affect the body. But the moment the victim suffers from the slightest injury, even a nip, it would prove highly likely to bleed to death. According to the ancient scriptures, the last time the Blood Canyang appeared was during the founding of the Great Qin Empire. At that time, the God of War General suffered from the poison, and it was exactly the divine Physician Jiang Heng who cured him. Because of that, the wife of the General personally led the troops to the southwestern hinterlands and destroyed the growth place of Blood Canyang and everywhere and anything that related to the poison. Since then, Blood Canyang has never appeared. When the duke was poisoned, this commoner didn't dare to believe it at first but after pooling through the scriptures, and matching the symptoms up with the duke's, I have confirmed that it is indeed Blood Canyang. I'm afraid there's not a single person in this world who can cure the poison," deliberately ignoring the feigned concern and pretentiousness, Physician Zhou's voice trembled as he directly gave a response to the last two questions instead.
"Oh? Beloved Official Wu, is he speaking the truth?" Since it was an act, then it at least had to be complete. The emperor continued his pretense and called forth the Imperial Physician Wu, who had been summoned to come over with him.
The latter headed forth and bowed low as he responded: "It is indeed true. Unless the person who poisoned the duke can be found and give the antidote or another Blood Canyang can be found to study, I'm afraid there truly is no way to cure such a poison."
Blood Canyang had been extinct for centuries. If it weren't for his extensive medical knowledge and historical scripture collection, it would prove difficult to even discern the poison, much less detoxify it.
When the ministers heard him, they all lowered their gazes. They were all men who didn't share the emperor's ruthlessness and was clear on the emperor's character and nature. Moreover, they were also clear on the situation and tense balance of power in court. There weren't many people who would dare to poison Pei Yuanxian. Adding on that the poison just so happened to be such a rare poison that should've long since been extinct, they all had a tacit understanding on who the possible perpetrators could be. Concurrently, they also finally understood why the emperor brought them to visit Pei Yuanxian with him. They proved nothing more than another layer of the emperor's facade. As for the emperor himself, his purpose here wasn't to truly visit Pei Yuanxian, but rather, to ensure he truly was reaching the brink of life and death.
Which of them weren't loyal ministers and officials who worked hard for the empire? It was inevitable for them to feel their hearts grow cold at the view but none of them dared to express their opinions blatantly. After all, this was not something that could be spoken out loud.
"Is it truly that serious?" the emperor murmured with distress. After a long while, he then pressed a hand against his forehead, "Beloved official Wu, since you're here, go over and take a look at Yuanxian then. Just in case there is indeed a way to stop the bleeding."
The Ironclad Guards who were present found the emperor's words unbearable and themselves unwilling to listen. He might as well just directly say he wanted to ensure their lord's condition was truly as dire as what the physicians made it to be. Why bother with such pretentious act?
Similarly, no matter what they thought, they didn't dare say anything out loud. They couldn't even change their expressions. Offending the emperor was a small matter, but if they ruined their lord's plan, then it would prove to be a dire problem for them. The threat of spending the rest of their lives in Huanxi Tower was still looming over their heads.
"Yes, Physician Wu, hurry over and take a look. Poor duke. He's only eighteen and still hasn't married yet. If he really dies just like that, how is this old slave going to explain to the late duke and Wangfei?" before Physician Wu could respond, Old Lin who had fell into a momentary silence, stood up again and cried with snot and tears.
The emperor struggled hard to control the twitching at the corner of his mouth. He ordered himself not to be influenced by the old man as much as possible. He had been played with and interfered with by this old man the last few times he visited as well.
"Yes," Physician Wu also felt speechless and was momentarily dumbfounded before he finally collected himself and headed toward the bed. Everyone watched his every move and held their breaths anxiously. In order to ensure accuracy, Physician Wu placed his hand on Pei Yuanxian's wrist and took his pulse several times to ensure consistency. It was quite some time before he finally retracted his hand.
"How is it?" the emperor asked impatiently.
"Responding to the emperor, it is exactly as manor Physician Zhou stated, the duke's condition is indeed in a critical stage. Both his blood and qi has been emptied and he suffers from excessive blood loss. Concurrently, there seems to be blockage in his vessels, most likely due to the Blood Canyang. Your Majesty, please forgive this subordinate. This servant lacks experience and has never seen the Blood Canyang before. I am unable to judge accurately but the duke has indeed lost too much blood. If this persists, then it is indeed true that he won't be able to last much longer," Imperial Physician stood before the emperor and answered respectfully.
Old Lin immediately started bawling. Tianshu cooperated tacitly and stated: "Manor Physician Zhou said that if the blood loss can be stopped, then there's still a chance at life. Does Imperial Physician Wu have any methods to do so?"
"This, manor Physician Zhou, could you give me the prescription you have been using to stop the duke's blood loss thus far?" seeing that the emperor showed no intentions of stopping him, the latter immediately conceded.
A stack of paper was taken out from the drawers and passed over to him. Imperial Physician Wu looked through them patiently and meticulously one by one. It was a while later before he shook his head and stated: "Manor Physician Zhou's medical skills truly are superb and I'm afraid comparable to even this physician's. These are some of the best hemostatic prescriptions with each and every ingredient highly invaluable and priceless. Commander, you'll have to excuse and forgive this physician's incapability."
The prescription was the one given by the Scholar Xuefeng and it was only natural for the Imperial Physician Wu to not be able to find any faults with them. Rather, he couldn't even help but be impressed. He wasn't sure he could even prescribe such a hemostatic medication.
"...." Tianshu's expression immediately fell. He backed away and retreated, as though unable to control himself and didn't even bother to pay his respects and courtesies. The emperor and the ministers all calmly took in his reactions.