Chapter 83 Moving Memorials

"I know."

Huo Lin's voice was filled with unprecedented panic. He tightly grasped Jiang Huan's hand, which was trembling with pain, as if he wanted to transfer all his strength to her.

"Don't be afraid, the imperial physician will be here soon. With me here, everything will be alright, everything will be alright!"

He wiped away Jiang Huan's tears and cold sweat with unbelievably gentle movements.

Ayina stood aside, looking at Jiang Huan with heartache as her little face was contorted in pain.

"You can't even ride a horse properly and you've fallen like this? I, the princess, have never fallen while riding a horse since I was three! Wait until you're all better, and see how I deal with you!"

Although her words were harsh, the slight tremor in her voice and the reddening in her eyes betrayed her.

Jiang Huan was in so much pain that she was losing consciousness. When she heard Ayina's scolding, she wanted to argue back, but she could only manage a more aggrieved sob.

Oh well, compared to being pulled into Huo Ting's arms, falling down isn't a loss.

Just then, several elderly female doctors, carrying medicine boxes and panting heavily, arrived.

"Your humble servant pays his respects..."

"What are you knocking for! Get over here and treat him right now!"

Huo Lin's roar was like thunder, startling the old doctors so much that their legs went weak and they almost knelt down on the spot. They hurriedly scrambled to surround the stretcher.

The experienced physician Chang felt a chill run down his spine as soon as he saw the angle of Jiang Huan's twisted left leg and the large patch of blood.

He took out scissors and carefully cut open the riding clothes fabric on Jiang Huan's calves, revealing a hideous wound and obviously broken and dislocated bones.

"Hiss..." A collective gasp rippled through the crowd.

Jiang Huan trembled in pain and instinctively gripped Huo Lin's hand tightly, her nails almost digging into his flesh.

Huo Lin didn't even frown. Instead, he held Jiang Huan's hand even tighter, leaned down and whispered in her ear in a deep and gentle voice.

"Bear with it, the imperial physician is treating you, the pain will subside soon."

While having other imperial physicians help prepare hemostatic and immobilization supplies, Physician Chang quickly examined the patient, his forehead beaded with cold sweat.

"Your Majesty, Her Majesty has fractured her left tibia. The wound is quite deep, and she has lost a lot of blood. She needs immediate hemostasis, bone setting, wound cleaning, medication, and immobilization, along with oral herbal medicine. However, the pain of bone setting is excruciating..."

"Stop talking nonsense! Treat her now!" Huo Lin interrupted him, his eyes sharp. "Use the best medicine! No scars allowed! And absolutely no chronic illness!"

Upon hearing this, the imperial physicians repeatedly agreed.

The process of cleaning the wound and initially stopping the bleeding was accompanied by Jiang Huan's suppressed cries of pain and tears.

Huo Lin held Jiang Huan's hand tightly the whole time, letting her scratch it, constantly whispering comforting words, his heartache in his eyes almost tangible.

She had never suffered such pain before.

It's all my fault. I failed to protect her. It's all my fault.

Jiang Huan wanted to say something to comfort Huo Lin, saying that this wasn't Huo Lin's problem.

The pain of cleaning her leg wounds tormented her constantly; her lips trembled, and she couldn't utter a word, only gripping Huo Lin's hand even tighter.

Ayina paced anxiously to the side, her blue eyes fixed on the imperial physician's movements.

When Physician Chang took a deep breath, preparing to begin the bone setting and repositioning, the atmosphere became extremely tense.

"Your Majesty, I apologize," Physician Chang said in a deep voice, firmly pressing down on Jiang Huan's injured leg with both hands to correct its position.

"Ah!!!" A shrill, distorted scream echoed throughout the horse farm.

The intense pain caused Jiang Huan's vision to go black, and she almost fainted. Her body struggled uncontrollably.

"Hold her down! Don't let her move!" Physician Chang shouted urgently.

Huo Lin wrapped his arms tightly around Jiang Huan's shoulders and pressed her head against his chest.

His voice was hoarse as he repeated in her ear over and over again, "Bear with it, I'm here. Just bear with it!"

Ayina rushed forward and, gritting her teeth, comforted him from the side.

"Jiang Huan, remember you haven't learned to ride a horse yet! Remember you haven't made enough snacks for this princess yet, hang in there!"

With encouragement from both Huo Lin and Ayina, Physician Chang quickly completed the bone setting and carefully immobilized Jiang Huan's injured leg after applying ointment.

Although the whole process was brief, it felt like a journey through hell for Jiang Huan.

When the excruciating pain subsided slightly, she was completely exhausted, her hair was soaked with cold sweat, and her face was as pale as paper.

She nestled weakly in Huo Lin's arms, sobbing softly.

"Okay, okay, it's alright now."

Huo Lin breathed a sigh of relief, his voice hoarse with the pain of surviving a disaster, and gently patted Jiang Huan's back.

He felt Jiang Huan's slight trembling, and his heart ached with each thud.

Physician Chang wiped his sweat and said, "Your Majesty, the Empress's injury has been initially treated, but she has suffered blood loss, bone damage, and a severe loss of vital energy. She needs to return to the palace immediately to rest and recuperate, and take her medicine on time. Under no circumstances should she move her injured leg."

Upon hearing this, Huo Lin did not hesitate at all: "Return to Weiyang Palace."

He carefully picked up Jiang Huan, his steps steady, so that the person in his arms did not feel the slightest bump.

Upon returning to Weiyang Palace, Jiang Huan was immediately placed on a bed, and soon fell into a deep sleep under the influence of the medicine.

Although she was asleep, her brows were still furrowed with unease, and she would occasionally let out a few muffled groans of pain.

Huo Linping dismissed most of the palace servants and personally wrung out a warm handkerchief to wipe away the remaining tear stains on Jiang Huan's face.

Looking at that pale little face, Huo Lin's heart still clenched tightly.

He had to stay by her side and see that she was safe and sound before he could feel at ease.

Huo Lin made up his mind to stay in Weiyang Palace.

"Wang Degui, bring all my memorials over here. I will review them here."

Wang Degui readily agreed and quickly delivered Huo Lin's frequently used items and memorials from the Imperial Study to Weiyang Palace.

This was no small commotion. The news that Jiang Huan had fallen from her horse and was injured, and that the Emperor had stayed in Weiyang Palace because of it, spread throughout the entire harem in an instant.

In the afternoon, Weiyang Palace, which had been quiet for several days, began to come alive.

One after another, the imperial concubines arrived, intending to visit Huo Lin under the guise of visiting Jiang Huan.

However, since Xiao Zhao was blocking them from entering, they didn't dare to go too far and wisely withdrew after putting down their things.

Such a lively event naturally wouldn't be complete without Consort Jia.

She was dressed in a magnificent palace gown, with exquisite makeup, and was followed by two palace maids carrying brocade boxes.

"I heard that Consort Zhuang was seriously injured, and I was extremely worried. I specially found some top-quality century-old ginseng to help her recover."

As she spoke, her gaze inadvertently swept towards the direction of the sleeping quarters.

Is His Majesty inside?

Xiao Zhao hated Consort Jia the most; she hadn't forgotten how Consort Jia had harmed Jiang Huan back in the summer palace.

She lowered her eyes and said in a cold voice, "Your Highness, the Emperor is reviewing memorials and has ordered that no one is allowed to disturb your rest."

Consort Jia's smile remained unchanged, but a hint of jealousy flashed in her eyes. She took a few steps forward and raised her voice.

"Your Majesty is diligent in governing and loves the people; you have truly worked hard. However, when I came here just now, I heard some unpleasant rumors, and I am very uneasy. I thought I should report this to Your Majesty..."