At the same time, Xie Qianzhong was also very anxious upon hearing about this, wishing he could rush to the capital immediately.

Just as he was about to leave, a carrier pigeon flew in through the window. The handwriting inside was from Song Tangxue, briefly explaining what she was going to do and that she wouldn't be coming back for a while. Xie Qianzhong was relieved. This little girl was really bold, actually faking her death.

She took such a huge risk, all for that Winston, and a bitter feeling slowly welled up in her heart.

She's been in the Western Regions for at least half a month; surely she hasn't forgotten me?

Song Tangxue has already embarked on her journey to the Western Regions, and the Song family is naturally getting restless. Song Tangxue has considerable assets in Yongfeng City, and they are all vying for them.

Madam Song sat in the main seat with a displeased expression, her voice sharp: "I am Xue'er's mother. What she left behind naturally belongs to me. How can you possibly want it?"

Everyone in the Song family was gathered here; even at a family banquet, you wouldn't see so many people.

"You can't say that. We're all from the Song family. Why should we divide it equally? Let's split it." Song Tangxue's uncle looked at the land deed with a greedy expression. If he had this money, wouldn't he be able to party at the Fu Hua Lou every night for months on end?

"I haven't even said anything yet, and you're all already impatiently asking for money!" Father Song slammed his hand on the table, and no one dared to speak.

Ever since the news of Song Tangxue's death came, everyone showed a look of schadenfreude, even while expressing sadness. This was especially true of Song's mother, who felt that Song Tangxue deserved it for her previous disrespectful behavior.

"These land deeds will remain in my possession for now, as a temporary arrangement. If you perform well in the future, I will naturally hand them over to you to manage."

"How could I not know that the person was already dead before we could even divide the remaining things? Your ugly faces are truly disgusting."

Everyone was startled and looked towards the entrance, where they saw the Empress Dowager slowly stepping in, supported by palace maids. As soon as she arrived, she heard them arguing about dividing up the eldest daughter's belongings. How dare they call themselves family?

"Your Majesty the Empress Dowager, what brings you here?" Even the Emperor's father hadn't received any news that the Empress Dowager was coming, otherwise they wouldn't be discussing it so openly here.

"What, do I need to tell you where I'm going?"

"No, no, I wouldn't dare."

The Empress Dowager sat in the main seat and placed the land deeds in her hands.

"Since Xue's whereabouts are currently unknown, let's keep her things safe in each household for the time being. It's much better than them falling into the hands of some unscrupulous people."

The Empress Dowager emphasized the phrase "harboring ulterior motives," implying that Xue'er's previous reputation was so bad, probably because she had been led astray by these people.

"Your Majesty, this is quite inappropriate. After all, this is a matter of my Song family, and you..." The Empress Dowager's gaze was fierce, her eyebrows furrowed, "How come I can't even manage this matter? Does Lord Song think that a mere Right Chancellor like you can arbitrarily point fingers at me!"

Song's father has been having a hard time lately. Many people in the court are against him, and his power has been weakened both openly and secretly. If he offends even the Empress Dowager, he may lose his position in the court.

"I dare not. Since Your Majesty the Empress Dowager is willing to help our Song family, I am naturally extremely grateful."

The Empress Dowager left the Song residence with the land deeds in hand. Looking up at the sky, she refused to believe that Song Tangxue was dead. She thought she must be somewhere out there, not yet back. So she would keep these things safe for the time being, and hand them over to Song Tangxue herself when she returned.

When Song Tangxue arrived in the Western Regions, the entire country was no different from before, and only a few confidants knew that the emperor was seriously ill.

Song Tangxue wore a veil, which was Wen Sizhi's idea, saying that her identity was too fabricated and that others might recognize her.

They arrived at the palace, where Winston arranged for her to wait in a side hall. He spoke to the guards at the door, and then they left. They were too far away to even see their lip movements clearly.

Seeing him wave, Song Tangxue walked over and, after making several turns, arrived at the emperor's bedroom.

"My father's affairs cannot be made public. Even the imperial physicians in the palace are unaware of this matter. I have no other choice but to invite someone from another country to treat him. I was worried that the person might expose this matter, but I am relieved to see that the divine physician is you."

The man's eyes were closed, his brows were furrowed, and the cold sweat on his forehead was enough to show the pain he was enduring.

Song Tangxue knew at a glance: "He has been poisoned."

Song Tangxue took out silver needles and pricked several acupoints. Black blood immediately flowed out from those points, indicating that the poisoning was quite severe.

"Only someone as trusted as him would have the opportunity to poison him. Besides, the emperor's food is tested for poison by eunuchs with silver needles, so it's impossible for him to be poisoned easily. Do you have any ideas?"

Winston shook his head. His father was a kind and benevolent ruler, deeply loved by the people, and even among the court officials, not a single one was disrespectful to him, except…

"But judging from your expression, it seems like you already have someone in mind."

"I don't think it's him. Is there any way to cure this poison?"

The poison had penetrated deep into the wood; if it had been delayed by a few more days, even a divine being would have been unable to save him.

"You've come to me just in time. I can save your father, but if you don't find that person, you'll be poisoned again."

"I have my own decision to make at this time."

With mixed feelings, Winston stepped into the palace. The Grand Preceptor was walking towards him. He was dressed in white, and the first thing that came to mind when he saw him was a gentle and kind person with a feather fan and silk turban.

"Your Highness, you've gone to see His Majesty again, haven't you? If His Majesty knew of your filial piety, he would surely be kind to you. However, His Majesty just woke up once and has fainted again. I wonder when he will recover."

The Imperial Advisor then noticed the woman next to Winston: "And who is this?"

"Replying to the Imperial Preceptor, I am merely a palace maid serving His Highness. I was recently disfigured, and I was afraid of frightening you gentlemen, which is why I wear a veil."

This was the identity that Wen Sizhi arranged for Song Tangxue in the Western Regions. The Imperial Preceptor was naturally suspicious, and he would definitely be suspicious if it were any other identity.

"I see. I just didn't remember you before."

This imperial advisor was indeed not easy to fool; he wouldn't believe ordinary excuses. Song Tangxue simply pulled down her veil, revealing a huge scar on her face.

Wen Sizhi said awkwardly, "Xue'er has been with me for many years. There are many maids in this palace, so it is normal that the Grand Preceptor could not notice her. It's just that Xue'er accidentally scratched her face while cooking, so I made her wear a veil. I hope the Grand Preceptor will forgive me."

The Imperial Advisor withdrew his scrutinizing gaze, as if he believed their explanation.

"Your Highness went to Yongfeng Kingdom a few days ago to find a divine physician to treat His Majesty. I wonder if you have found one?"

Winscher said, "Don't even mention it. I had just arrived there when I heard that the miracle doctor had died in a riot."