Chapter 9: Fainted

Chapter 9: Fainted

Emperor Qixuan frowned, pretending to be deep in thought, before solemnly spouting nonsense

"Since that is the case, let us send Zhao Jingwu. It just so happens that news arrived a few days ago that the banditry in Xuzhou is severe; they are burning, killing, looting, and bullying the local people, who are suffering immensely. This time, let Zhao Jingwu take more men and suppress the bandits while he is at it."

The Crown Prince looked blank. How did he not remember this? Was there such a thing?

But after glancing at Yaoyao, he quickly reacted. Xuzhou and the border were on the same route. "Father is wise."

"The matter of provisions is of great importance. You must not let anyone else know."

"This son understands."

Chu Yaoyao was calculating in her heart.

[If General Zhao takes the troops, even if he can't stop the traitor's conspiracy in time, at least... the soldiers might suffer fewer casualties, right? But...]

The moment she thought about how she clearly knew the ending and now had the ability to change it...

[Forget it!]

Chu Yaoyao ran over and tugged on her cheap father's sleeve. "There is a trai— in the military camp..."

Before she could finish her sentence, she lost consciousness.

System: Warning, warning. Host detected attempting to violate rules. External force rejection detected. To ensure the smooth completion of the mission, the system will take mandatory measures!

"Yaoyao!"

Seeing the small body collapse, Emperor Qixuan was quick-witted and caught her. Holding Yaoyao in one arm, he reached out with the index finger of his other hand, trembling as he placed it under her nose. Sensing her breath was normal, he finally let out a sigh of relief and said to the Crown Prince, "Call the imperial physician!"

The Crown Prince hurriedly ran out, shouting as he went, "Someone come! Summon the imperial physician!"

Looking at the little one with her eyes tightly shut, Emperor Qixuan paced back and forth anxiously.

Having grown accustomed to Yaoyao’s chattering inner voice all day, it was somewhat unsettling to have it be so quiet now.

Thinking of what Yaoyao said before she fainted, was she trying to warn them that there was a traitor in the military camp?

Could it be that Yaoyao cannot reveal things about the future?

But they had been hearing her inner voice for a long time; why did she faint specifically at this moment?

Or was it... that she was forbidden from saying it out loud?

The Crown Prince, who had gone to find help, returned, looking at Yaoyao with concern. "Father, Yaoyao, she..." She will be fine, right?

"Yaoyao is favored by immortals; she will definitely be fine," Emperor Qixuan comforted the Crown Prince, and also comforted himself.

"Oh, my Head Physician Zhang, please hurry up."

After a long wait, Head Eunuch Su’s voice finally drifted in.

Physician Zhang was practically being dragged along by Su Maowen.

He had been guarding the Crown Prince in the Eastern Palace for most of the day. Now that the Crown Prince was finally out of danger and they had managed to keep their heads, he was just preparing to go off duty and return home when he was dragged over by Head Eunuch Su. Looking at the direction...

The Imperial Study?!

Physician Zhang’s heart skipped a beat. Could something have happened to the Emperor?

It wasn't until he saw the bright yellow figure at the door that he finally breathed a sigh of relief. "Greetings, Your Majesty."

"Quickly, take a look at the little princess!"

The little princess?

Physician Zhang walked in and took a look. Wasn't the one lying on the bed the same little princess who had produced the divine medicine today?

Could someone favored by immortals also get sick?

Although he thought this in his heart, his hands did not hesitate, and he immediately began to take her pulse.

...

The news of the imperial physician being summoned with such fanfare to the Imperial Study spread throughout the inner palace in no time.

The Empress and Consort Shu arrived almost at the same time.

Hearing Su Maowen say that something had happened to the little princess, Consort Shu didn't even bother to bow to the Empress and hurried inside.

As soon as she entered, she saw Physician Zhang shaking his head with a complex expression. Consort Shu’s legs went weak, and she stumbled backward.

"Consort Shu!" The Empress, who was a step behind, caught her.

Supported by a palace maid, Consort Shu staggered to the side of the bed. "How is she?"

Physician Zhang pondered for a moment and replied, "Reporting to Your Majesty, the little princess's pulse is steady and there are no abnormalities, yet she remains unconscious..."

Physician Zhang knelt to plead for mercy. "Your Majesty, please forgive me. Perhaps this humble official’s medical skills are insufficient; I truly cannot discern the cause."

Consort Shu felt the world go black, as if all her strength had been drained away. She slumped beside the bed, murmuring in a daze, "How could this be..."

Emperor Qixuan felt a sudden pain in his heart and waved at Su Maowen. "Go again! Have everyone from the Imperial Medical Academy come!"

Upon hearing his voice, Consort Shu stood up from the floor, her tear-filled eyes full of questioning. "May I ask Your Majesty, what exactly happened? Why did Yaoyao suddenly faint?"

"I..." I don't know either.

But inexplicably, facing her accusatory gaze, Emperor Qixuan couldn't utter a single word of defense.

Consort Shu wiped away her tears, picked up Yaoyao, and prepared to leave.

Emperor Qixuan grabbed her elbow. "What are you doing?"

"This concubine is taking Yaoyao back to Qionghua Palace."

"The imperial physician will be here soon, and if you move her now, what if her condition worsens?"

Consort Shu pulled away forcefully. "Didn't Physician Zhang say Yaoyao's pulse is steady? I will be very careful. Even if I die, I will not let any harm come to Yaoyao."

With that, Consort Shu carried Yaoyao out the door.

"What is the meaning of this? Do you think I would harm Yaoyao?"

The Empress also advised, "This concubine believes that this is, after all, the Imperial Study. If so many imperial physicians are brought here, it might have a bad influence if it spreads to the outer court. It would be better to let the physicians guard Yaoyao at Qionghua Palace."

The Empress's words brought Emperor Qixuan back to his senses.

Indeed, after this commotion, he didn't know what the court officials would think. If a group of imperial physicians were stationed in the Imperial Study, the whole world would likely think that the Emperor of Da Qi was not long for this world.

It was just that, regarding Wanzhi and Yaoyao...

Seeing his concern, the Empress said, "Your Majesty, rest assured. This concubine will go to Qionghua Palace to watch over her."

The study became quiet again. After calming his mind, Emperor Qixuan walked to the desk, picked up a brush, wrote a secret order, and handed it to the Crown Prince.

"You must deliver this to Zhao Jingwu personally. Tell him to open it only after he is fifty miles outside the capital."

"This son will remember."

Qionghua Palace

Consort Shu stared blankly at the little one who was slow to wake.

Could it be that because she leaked too many heavenly secrets, the heavens were punishing Yaoyao?

Taking the letter written to her father out of her sleeve, Consort Shu sobbed in agony.

What should she do? Both sides were her family; what was she to do?

"Consort Shu." The Empress walked over. "When the Crown Prince had his accident, I felt the same way, as if the sky were collapsing. But the Crown Prince pulled through. Yaoyao is a child with great blessings; she will definitely be fine."

"Blessings? Perhaps."

The Empress didn't hear clearly. "What did you say, sister?"

"Nothing. This concubine is tired and will not see the Empress off."

The Empress sighed. "Very well."

Chun Shi came in to report, "Your Ladyship, the Emperor is here. He is outside."

In the courtyard, Emperor Qixuan stood alone under the moonlight. From behind, he looked quite lonely.

Sensing footsteps, he turned around. "Wanzhi, I have already thought of a way regarding the border matter."

"This concubine does not understand state affairs; I only hope that Your Majesty will not chill the hearts of loyal subjects."

Having said that, Consort Shu ignored him further and closed the door directly.

Looking at the tightly shut door, Emperor Qixuan understood that Wanzhi was holding a grudge against him.

He then gave a self-deprecating smile. Yes, she had just learned that the Li family would be framed, their entire clan executed, and her father and brothers would die tragically, and then Yaoyao had fainted inexplicably by his side.

She had every right to resent him.

"Let's go, back to the Imperial Study." There was still much to be done.

He had thought a lot just now. A mere deputy general was simply not enough to plot against the Li family to this extent.

Other court officials must have been involved in this matter.

Thinking of this, Emperor Qixuan clenched his fists, the murderous intent in his eyes almost overflowing.

One hundred thousand troops were gone just like that; no wonder the country would perish in just a few short years.

Yaoyao had paid such a high price; he must never let that bunch of villains succeed again!

But who exactly was involved?

Returning to the Imperial Study, Emperor Qixuan dismissed everyone.

"Come out."

A figure in black appeared silently before him.

"Go and investigate Li Yan. By tomorrow morning's court session, I want to see evidence of his crimes."

Since there were no leads, he would start by investigating Li Yan.

"Yes."

As soon as the words fell, the black shadow leaped a few times and vanished into the night.