Chapter 14 The Crown Prince is Critically Ill
"promise!"
Xiao Wenxuan looked at the forest that had become silent again, playing with the flute he carried with him. However, he had no idea what kind of person his decision, which he made a few years in advance, would release, what kind of blow it would cause to the Changle Marquis Mansion, and what kind of huge waves would be set off in the future.
Beijing*Imperial Study
In the chill of early autumn, the frail Crown Prince Xiao Hongyu put on a heavy fur coat and sat on a carved wooden chair in the imperial study, discussing state affairs with his father, the majestic emperor.
The fur of the fur coat is as soft as snow in winter, giving people a warm and reassuring feeling. This seemingly fragile body hides a firm and decisive strength.
"Your Majesty, in my opinion, regarding the flood in the south, we should immediately send a commissioner to appease the people, and at the same time strengthen the dikes to prevent the flood from spreading." Although the prince's voice was weak, his tone was firm and powerful.
His eyes were sharp and bright, full of wisdom and determination. His face was as white as jade, but slightly pale, and his eyebrows revealed an innate nobility and sharpness. His manners were elegant, and his words were full of thoughtful wisdom.
"Your Highness is far-sighted and foresighted, and father is very pleased. We must indeed prepare for the flood disaster in the south early. Tomorrow I will issue an order to send a special commissioner to appease the people, and at the same time order the Ministry of Works to speed up the construction of dikes."
"Father is wise!"
The emperor smiled. He sat on the dragon throne and looked at his proud son. He felt both the warmth of a father and the majesty of a monarch. Although the prince was not in good health, he could always maintain a clear mind and keen insight, which was very good!
Thinking of this, he nodded with satisfaction, and his expression also showed a hint of comfort and pride.
Suddenly, Xiao Hongyu trembled all over, and his face quickly turned paler. He held the fur tightly with his hands, as if trying to stabilize his body. However, the severe pain still made his body shake involuntarily.
The emperor was shocked when he saw this and immediately stood up and rushed to the prince.
"Yu'er! What's wrong with you?" he asked anxiously, his voice full of anxiety and fear!
The prince tried hard to stay calm, but his body could no longer support him. He clenched his teeth and tried to stay awake.
"I'm fine, just a little dizzy." The prince said through gritted teeth.
The emperor felt a pang of pain in his heart when he heard this. He didn't expect that at this time, the prince was still trying to comfort his father.
The prince endured the pain in his chest and tried to force out a smile. "I am just... a little tired... just... take a rest." Then he fainted from the pain!
"Doctor, hurry! Call the doctor!" the emperor shouted loudly. Like a lone wolf about to lose its cubs, his voice was full of anxiety and fear.
The servants in the palace ran out immediately and quickly notified the imperial physician.
Kunning Palace
"My queen, something bad has happened. His Royal Highness the Crown Prince is ill again!"
"What?" The Queen stood up from her seat in a panic, "Quick, quick, go to the Imperial Study!"
"Empress, please slow down. His Royal Highness the Crown Prince is a lucky man and will be fine!" Oh my God, His Royal Highness the Crown Prince, you are such a good man, please have mercy on us and stop torturing us!
The queen quickly went to the imperial study, praying to the gods in her heart. She knew it was useless, but facing the prince's illness, she was unable to provide any substantial help. This feeling was too painful.
Yu'er, don't abandon your mother!
Don't abandon me!
The queen and the concubines arrived one after another. Their faces were full of panic and worry, especially Queen Xu, whose face was as pale as snow and tears were gleaming in her eyes. She walked quickly towards the prince and held his hands tightly with both of her hands, which were as cold as snow.
The imperial doctors came in a hurry and used their skilled techniques to diagnose the prince. They carefully felt his pulse and observed his symptoms, and then all of them showed serious expressions on their faces. They talked in low voices with solemn expressions, and it was obvious that the situation was not optimistic.
The emperor's face turned livid. He stared at the doctors like a lion about to get angry. He clenched his fists, leaving white marks on his joints, as if he was trying hard to control his emotions.
Empress Xu burst into tears, her eyes full of helplessness and despair. She held the prince's hand tightly, as if she wanted to transfer her vitality to him.
"Yu'er, Yu'er, look at your mother! Aren't you the one who hates your mother worrying the most? Wake up and look at me, look at your mother! Okay? Okay?" She called the prince's name in a low voice, whispering, her voice full of love and pain.
The whole imperial study was filled with an atmosphere of tension and fear. The doctors hurriedly felt the prince's pulse, and the emperor and empress looked at them nervously. The doctors' faces became more and more serious, and they kept nodding, as if confirming their diagnosis.
"Your Majesty," an imperial physician finally raised his head. His face was pale, and he took a deep breath. His voice was a little weak. "The Crown Prince's condition has seriously deteriorated. I'm afraid it has reached its final stage. He has been weak and sickly since he was a child. For many years, we have tried our best but have not been able to find an effective treatment. I, your humble servant, deserve to die!"
"Your Majesty, please punish us for our incompetence!" A group of imperial doctors' voices filled with helplessness and pain rang out, their tones full of powerlessness!
They are the imperial physicians, the best doctors in the world. Why can't they save the prince after spending their entire lives trying?
The emperor was silent for a long time after hearing this, and his face turned pale. He took a deep breath and forced himself to stay calm. "No matter what the result is, do your best to treat the patient! I pardon you all!"
The imperial doctors wiped their eyes silently and retreated in tears to boil medicine for their beloved Crown Prince. It was not the last moment yet, and they had to continue working hard for the Crown Prince's life!
Maybe there will be a miracle?
The emperor loosened his clenched fist. He looked at the queen, his eyes full of worry. Queen Xu held his hand tightly, her tears had dried up, and now only endless sadness remained.
"Your Majesty," the Queen said with sobs, "When will the noble person that Taoist Lingxi mentioned come? I... I really can't wait any longer!"
She held the emperor's hand tightly, as if trying to find some comfort from him.
The emperor felt a pain in his heart when he saw the glimmer of despair in the queen's eyes. How could he not hope that the noble person that Taoist Lingxi mentioned would appear immediately and save his Yu'er!
But the Taoist priest repeatedly stressed that it cannot be forced, and there was not even a clue left. Even if the emperor wanted to find it, it would be like looking for a needle in a haystack and he would not know what he was looking for!
"Your Highness, you are blessed with great fortune and the blessing of heaven and earth. When the time comes, a miraculous medicine will descend from the sky to help your Highness get rid of his stubborn illness!"
Thinking of what Taoist Lingxi said, the emperor pulled himself together and consoled him.
"Queen, didn't Taoist Lingxi say that our prince is blessed with great fortune and that a miraculous medicine descended from heaven?
Will come! The noble person will definitely come!
Maybe the noble man knows that our prince is in trouble and is rushing here without stopping!
We need to give you some time!
After all... after all, the magic medicine is not that easy to make!"
The emperor's words were trembling slightly, and even someone as powerful as him couldn't help but feel a little despair in his heart.
He was an emperor, the ruler of a country above all others, but at this moment, he felt so powerless and helpless. His Yuer, his prince, his heir, was suffering from illness, and he could not find a way to save him.
Empress Xu looked at the emperor, with a flash of pain in her eyes. She knew the emperor's pain, and she felt the same way. Their prince, their baby, their hope, was lying in bed, suffering from illness.
"Your Majesty, I believe what Taoist Lingxi said. There must be a miracle medicine. Yes, there must be one!" the queen murmured softly, not knowing who she was trying to comfort.
"Yes, the Queen is right. We must believe what Taoist Lingxi said. Our prince is blessed with great fortune, and he will definitely be saved." The emperor took a deep breath and tried to calm himself down.
At this moment, they held hands tightly together, comforting each other. They believed that their prince would get better, and that noble person would definitely come.
Although the emperor and the empress tried to maintain their confidence, the prince's condition became increasingly serious. Every palace official who saw the prince could not help but shed tears. They had never seen such a tormenting disease.
The emperor finally could not hold back and sent messengers to all directions to look for the wandering Taoist Lingxi and the magical medicine whose origin was unknown. However, as time passed, hope seemed to be getting slimmer.
The queen stayed by the prince's side all day, and seeing his frail appearance, her heart ached. She began to doubt whether they could really wait for the arrival of the magic medicine.
The emperor stood silently beside him to support him. At this time, he was just an ordinary father and an ordinary husband.
The queen shed silent tears when she saw the once tough emperor reveal his emotional side. She couldn't help but gently hold the emperor's hand, wanting to give him some strength.
"Your Majesty, I know you love the prince, but please take care of yourself, or else Yu'er will wake up and blame himself when he sees you like this!"
"Don't worry, Queen. I know what I am doing!"
"Um"
"The Queen must take care of herself too. You look quite haggard!"
"Okay." Hearing the Queen's sobs, the chief steward and the nanny who had watched the Crown Prince grow up could not help but wipe away their tears.