Lian Shenwei changed clothes and, supported by Tian Nan, walked out from behind the screen.
It was already deep night now—the moon bright, stars sparse.
Feng Ke handled the six “peach blossoms” taken from his body. These gu worms had only managed to balance the toxicity and medicinal properties in Lian Shenwei’s body before being forcibly extracted by Feng Ke.
Slender silver needles poked twice. The Marrow-Devouring Gu curled up and slowly died. The corpse was collected into a jade vial by him.
Hearing movement, Feng Ke didn’t turn his head, saying coolly, “Impressive that you can still stand up.”
Lian Shenwei’s complexion was visibly pale, a layer of frost on his eyelashes, cold air emanating from his body. His movements were also very slow. The latter half of treatment required adding ice blocks to the bath. Between alternating hot and cold, he’d regained consciousness. Later, besides cold, he couldn’t even feel pain.
He sat across from Feng Ke. “Thanks.”
Ming Zhu poured him a cup of hot water to warm his hands.
Ming Zhu said, “I’ll prepare some food for you again.”
Lian Shenwei replied, “Go ahead.”
“Extend your hand.” Feng Ke felt his pulse. His heart sank, yet his expression remained composed as he glanced at him. “One day later returning, I guarantee you’d be even colder than now.”
“Tell me—what happened?”
“Ming Zhu should have mentioned it in the letter.”
“Too general. Only knew you encountered assassins. What I want to know are details. There are traces of toxins invading your lungs and organs. After using internal force, you forcibly suppressed it for a period without immediately taking medicine.”
Lian Shenwei was quiet briefly. “I encountered Qiu Che.”
“What?”
Feng Ke was astonished, then his expression became strange. “That guy knows your hand is ruined—he didn’t explode on the spot?”
Lian Shenwei said, “He doesn’t know. I also don’t want him to know.”
Feng Ke’s brow relaxed slightly. This was indeed Lian Shenwei’s character.
Would rather hide all wounds and pain for a lifetime than see others’ pitying, sympathetic gazes.
“He went to Dulan. I’m returning to the capital. We parted ways there.”
Lian Shenwei briefly mentioned what happened on the southern tour, then asked, “Tian Nan said you glanced inside the Emperor’s sleeping chamber but didn’t check his pulse.”
“You want me to save him?” Feng Ke raised his brow. “If you want, I’m not unable to save him. However, even if saved, his lifespan is ending. Either way, just a matter of living a few months more or less.”
“Your disciple asked me if there was a method. I declined, naturally he couldn’t say more.”
Lian Shenwei said, “No need to save him. He’s not worth it.”
“Got it, understood.” Feng Ke stood up, stretched lazily, and instructed, “This hurdle was barely passed. However, you should understand—after Marrow-Devouring Gu treatment, as your body warms up, your bones will ache for several days.”
Lian Shenwei nodded.
He was very familiar with this process.
“After this time, your body may be far worse than before. Pay more attention. I’ve searched almost all medicinal ingredients in the Central Plains. To improve the prescription, I need to go elsewhere to find new medicines.”
He rambled on a few sentences.
Lian Shenwei listened carefully. After he finished, he asked, “How much longer can I live?”
Feng Ke was surprised. “Why ask this?”
“What are you thinking? You’re fine right now. Just recover from physical weakness. Talking about death is truly inauspicious. I still want to cure you, then properly calculate all your medicine fees together.”
Lian Shenwei nodded. “Is there still enough blood for Ningfeng’s side?”
Feng Ke said vaguely, “Wait a few days.”
“I’m leaving. Always coming out late at night—if discovered by Loyal Righteousness Marquis Manor people, it’ll raise suspicion. If anything happens, have Tian Nan notify me.”
Before leaving, he secretly gave Tian Nan a look.
Not long after he left, Tian Nan said softly to his master, “This subordinate will check why Ming Zhu hasn’t returned yet.”
Seeing Lian Shenwei agree, he silently withdrew.
Feng Ke was at the corner of the corridor to the right outside Lian Shenwei’s bedroom, beckoning to him.
Tian Nan went over, lowering his voice. “Does Young Master Feng have something calling me out alone?”
Feng Ke no longer resembled the relaxed demeanor when by Lian Shenwei’s side earlier. Instead, his brow was tightly furrowed. “Your master’s condition isn’t very good.”
Tian Nan’s heart jumped sharply. His voice involuntarily tightened. “What’s wrong with Master?”
“Unexpectedly, his pulse is very strange. I can’t determine it for now…” In this world, a pulse he couldn’t read had never existed before.
Feng Ke’s hand hanging at his side slightly clenched. “But overall it’s declining. Possibly this imbalance triggered some new changes in his body. I’ll research new medicine as quickly as possible. You and Ming Zhu must watch whether your master recently has symptoms like coughing blood, difficulty breathing, slow clotting, or other abnormalities.”
“If so, tell me immediately.”
Tian Nan asked, “If symptoms you mentioned appear, what does it mean?”
Feng Ke was silent for a while. “I won’t let him come to harm.”
Tian Nan’s heart turned half cold.
Finally, he barely maintained composure, glancing at the darkness beneath Feng Ke’s eyes. “Thank you for your concern, Young Master Feng. You also haven’t closed your eyes for several days. Master’s health relies on you—you must take care.”
Feng Ke nodded and left heavy with worries.
…
Moonlight fell serenely in the wind, drifting down to cover the ground.
The youth wearing a long robe, long hair cascading down, lowered his eyes and stood quietly in the corridor, pale fingers supporting the railing.
Wind chimes tied to the eaves rang lightly, startling birds occasionally perching there.
Ming Zhu carried over a bowl of freshly prepared congee. At a glance, she saw Master standing at the bedroom door, not knowing when he’d gone there.
She went over in two or three steps. “Master, there’s wind outside. You just finished treatment—please hurry inside.”
“The capital’s moonlight, trapped in every household’s narrow courtyard, is always very pale.” Lian Shenwei said softly.
Ming Zhu replied, “Not as bright as the moonlight during the southern tour.”
Lian Shenwei was silent for a long while. “Did I make the wrong choice? Returning from the southern tour, I should have gone into the manor to look.”
This topic jumped too abruptly. Ming Zhu didn’t understand the meaning and made no sound.
Lian Shenwei didn’t explain either, sighing. “Replace all the handkerchiefs I normally use at the manor with dark-colored ones.”
He turned and entered the bedroom. “Don’t tell Tian Nan I came out—so he won’t worry.”
Ming Zhu agreed to everything.
After Lian Shenwei finished his meal, he didn’t go to the bed to rest.
In his heart, a string called “sense of urgency” inexplicably tightened. The recent capital situation compiled by Tian Nan and subordinate officials was placed on the desk.
He moved a lamp over and carefully read through it.
—
Foquan Temple.
Mo Da unfolded the letter.
After a long while, a strange hesitation appeared on his aged face.
“Lian Shenwei, Lian Yubai, Lian…”
He burned the letter. “Investigate more carefully. This time, don’t search jianghu—go investigate our Crown Prince’s birth mother. Don’t overlook any imperial family secrets.”
“I remember there are still living personal shadow guards from the previous emperor’s time, right?”
“Yes.” Mu Xiang said, “Then regarding the letter you sent to the border?”
“Proceed according to plan. Even if Li Ningfeng’s leg recovers, he probably won’t make it to the border in time. As for the capital side…”
Mo Da pondered briefly.
“For now, just watch what movements the Regent Prince makes.”
…
Emperor Jingcheng was only conscious briefly in the evening. After falling asleep, he still fell into an unconscious state.
Ministers who’d just heard news of His Majesty’s improvement dressed in court robes and attended court. The court atmosphere was tense. The First Prince, Third Prince, and Ying Jingjue stood separately on two sides. Lian Shenwei sat in his chair, expression indifferent, showing not half a trace of pallor.
They waited a long time. What they got was Eunuch Li saying today’s court was dismissed.
The assembled officials were in uproar.
Lian Shenwei asked, “Wasn’t it said he awakened?”
Eunuch Li was caught in a dilemma. “He did wake last night.”
His Majesty probably truly won’t make it this time.
This thought flashed through many minds. Gazes varied, but what showed outwardly was all worry.
Left Vice Minister stepped forward to speak. “His Majesty is bedridden with illness. Naturally the Crown Prince should oversee state affairs. Please ask His Highness the Crown Prince to come forward and preside over the situation.”
“Left Vice Minister’s words are mistaken. His Majesty is seriously ill, but His Highness the Crown Prince is still young in years. The Regent Prince is familiar with court affairs—better to ask the Regent Prince to preside over the situation.”
“His Highness is sixteen—where is that young? When Emperor Shizu ascended the throne, he was only fifteen. With ministers assisting at his side, wasn’t the court equally stable?”
“You also said ministers assisted. If so, what’s wrong with the Regent Prince assisting at his side?”
Lian Shenwei said, “Enough.”
The clamoring voices slowly quieted.
Lian Shenwei’s bones were cold and aching. Really not wanting to move, he just sat in his chair watching them.
“What you all say is very reasonable. I believe that since the capital is currently unstable, the First Prince, Third Prince, and Crown Prince—all His Majesty’s sons—should naturally shoulder their responsibilities, relieving His Majesty’s worries and difficulties.”
“You three are brothers—naturally you should communicate well. No matter how skilled I am, I’m still just one person. There are times when I’m too busy.”
He leisurely stood up and smiled. “Therefore, please ask the three Highnesses to be dedicated and diligent.”
To interested parties, Lian Shenwei’s words conveyed two meanings.
First, he himself had no interest in the throne and didn’t care who ascended—whoever won the struggle would sit on that supreme position.
Second, he wouldn’t interfere, wouldn’t shoot cold arrows—he’d stand aside and watch tigers fight.
Some rejoiced, some worried.
Because of these few words that feared the capital wouldn’t descend into chaos, the relationship between Ying Jingjue and his two imperial brothers grew increasingly tense—open spears and hidden arrows.
Attending the sick at Zichen Hall, handling affairs at the Eastern Palace, finding Li Ningfeng at Loyal Righteousness Marquis Manor—rushing back and forth between these three places for several days, Ying Jingjue lost considerable weight. But his eyes grew sharper and sharper, like a polished sword blade, faintly revealing its edge.
“The attack encountered after disembarking last time—it was Elder Brother’s doing. Wei Mingda is a newly replaced city defense commander. Originally a civil official, transferring to Linfeng City’s position requires quite a long adjustment period.”
The only place Ying Jingjue could relax daily was Loyal Righteousness Marquis Manor, where he could also sort through his thoughts.
“Wei Mingda isn’t yet familiar with Linfeng City’s various affairs. He has no connection to Elder Brother—just a shield pushed forward.”
“Lian Shenwei really doesn’t care? Wasn’t it said he also nearly got injured at Linfeng City? The First Prince can actually sleep at night.”
Li Ningfeng’s legs went from initial pain to later numbness. Now he could sense his legs’ existence again. The rotted flesh had disappeared. Only exposed meridians and somewhat atrophied muscles remained—looking frightening.
Ying Jingjue shook his head. “Besides the Eastern Palace, most memorials were all sent to the Regent Prince’s Manor. His power is too great. If he interfered, our chances would be even smaller.”
“His choosing not to interfere now is a good thing.”
“By the way, how are your legs? What does Master Fu Biao say?”
Li Ningfeng replied, “Soon entering the final stage. One medicine ran out for two days. Master Fu Biao said it would be replenished today.” He touched his legs. “Treatment is slower than predicted. Completion will already be autumn. Plus I’ll still need time for recovery training…”
“As long as it can be cured, that’s fine.” Ying Jingjue paused. “What medicine stopped for two days? Do I need to search for it?”
“No need.”
Feng Ke, disguised in his Fu Biao identity appearance, entered carrying a small jar.
Ying Jingjue said, “Master Fu Biao.”
Feng Ke hummed acknowledgment, taking out the prepared medicinal paste box from the table. “The missing medicine has arrived.”
He opened the small jar. Inside, the murky blood was as thick and concentrated as undiluted ink.
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