Xuanyuan Chen kept a close eye on the Emperor of Dongying's expression and asked anxiously, "Brother, is there any news about the Step-by-Step Sacred Lotus?"
The Emperor of Dongying sighed: "The Step-by-Step Sacred Lotus is too precious. So far, I have only found two. One was picked by General Linghu more than ten years ago, and the other was taken by the Emperor of Nanjiang. The whereabouts of the Second Prince are unknown."
"Imperial Consort..."
"The Imperial Concubine's health is too delicate." The Emperor of Japan shook his head: "This is not a long-term solution."
Upon hearing this, a complex expression flashed across Xuan Yuan Chen's eyes. The Imperial Concubine was frail, but he was suffering terribly from the Gu poison, which was why he had shamelessly entered the palace.
Looking at it today, it seems my plan to get medicine from the Imperial Concubine is doomed to fail.
"Your subject understands," Xuanyuan Chen said in a low voice.
The Emperor of Japan was torn between his two favorite concubines and his younger brother, and he didn't want to lose either of them. Just then, an urgent message arrived.
Upon seeing this, Xuanyuan Chen withdrew.
He sighed deeply, unable to describe the feeling in his heart.
Five months ago, when the Emperor of Dongying withdrew his troops, he asked the Crown Princess of Bei Chu for medicine, clearly saying that he asked Linghu Ning for medicine in order to protect himself.
But now, he still hasn't found the medicinal ingredient.
The Emperor of Japan refused to let his concubine be injured while saving him.
How ironic.
"Your Highness, Fourth Prince."
Someone was calling softly in my ear.
Xuanyuan Chen turned his head and looked at the person who came in surprise. It was Linghu Ning. She was wearing a light green dress and had very few hairpins in her hair. Her attire was elegant and simple, and she did not look like a noble concubine at all.
"Your Highness," Xuan Yuan Chen bowed.
Linghu Ning said, "The Fourth Prince doesn't look well. Is he ill?"
"Your Highness is overthinking it. Perhaps you haven't recovered properly." Xuan Yuan Chen shook his head, not revealing that he had been poisoned by the Gu. He looked at the person in front of him.
She was able to stand out from the other concubines and become the emperor's favorite in just a few months; she certainly had some skill.
"Your Highness, may I have a word with you in private?"
Xuanyuan Chen hesitated for a moment. Linghu Ning had already walked away to the end of the corridor. After thinking about it, he followed her.
Linghu Ning stopped and turned to look at Xuan Yuan Chen: "Is Your Highness worried about the matter of the Heart's Blood?"
Xuanyuan Chen frowned.
"Your Highness, please don't be offended. I only found out by chance that the blood from the heart that was drawn back then wasn't actually used on the Emperor, but was given to the Fourth Prince. All the favor he's received these past few days has been for that blood." Linghu Ning smiled bitterly, "It's just that my body is too delicate, and I'm afraid I won't be able to hold on for more than a few days after the blood was drawn."
Linghu Ning's face showed a sense of sorrow, and she sighed, "For the sake of the Fourth Prince I once saved, could the Fourth Prince do me a favor?"
A look of disdain flashed across Xuan Yuan Chen's eyes. So this was what he was waiting for.
He did not speak.
"I only ask that after my death, Your Highness the Fourth Prince persuade the Emperor not to bury my ashes in the Imperial Mausoleum in Japan. I wish to be free."
Xuanyuan Chen was taken aback: "Why?"
Linghu Ning smiled and said, "His Majesty values relationships highly and will certainly listen to you."
After a moment's hesitation, he nodded: "Consider it my way of repaying your kindness. I promise you."
"Thank you, Fourth Prince."
Linghu Ning breathed a sigh of relief, then handed Xuan Yuan Chen a small bottle. Looking at the familiar bottle, Xuan Yuan Chen was shocked: "This is..."
She murmured, "To return a favor."
After handing over the bottle, Linghu Ning walked straight toward the main hall. Xuan Yuan Chen glanced at her back and found it hard to believe that this person was a wicked concubine who brought ruin to the country.
"What's wrong with the Imperial Concubine lately?" he asked.
The bodyguard said, "A few days ago, the Empress went to Jingyang Palace and caused a great disturbance. She hit the Consort and revealed the Seventh Prince's true identity as well as the Consort's. The Consort was greatly shocked and fell ill. She had a fever for five days. The Emperor took people to use a secret medicine to wake her up."
Xuan Yuan Chen was surprised, recalling that when they first met, Linghu Ning was full of arrogance, unlike now when she was so heartbroken.
"How could such a good girl be forced into this situation?" Xuan Yuan Chen held the white bottle in his hand, unable to suppress his emotions.
"The Consort Xian's faction has been spreading rumors behind the scenes. The Noble Consort is weak and vulnerable, and has been slandered by the officials. It is already remarkable that she has managed to hold on until now."
Inside the main hall
The Emperor of Dongying was surprised that Linghu Ning had taken the initiative to visit him. Seeing her standing in front of him, he felt as if he were in a dream: "Why have you come?"
"I feel lazy all over and want to come out for some fresh air," Linghu Ning said with a pale smile.
The Emperor of Dongying immediately put down his memorial, embraced her, and before they could exchange more than a few words, Consort Xian arrived with medicine. She glanced at Linghu Ning and reluctantly bowed, saying, "Your Majesty, I greet you, Consort Xian."
"Consort Xian has arrived." Linghu Ning rubbed her temples and said to the Emperor of Dongying, "Perhaps I caught a chill. I've been out for a while now, so I'll head back now."
"Imperial Consort..."
"Please take care, Consort Xian," Consort Xian said with a smile.
Linghu Ning turned and left.
The Emperor of Dongying only looked away after Linghu Ning's figure gradually disappeared, and then looked at Consort Xian, who was coquettishly acting towards him.
"Why doesn't Your Majesty stay and say a few more words?" Chan'er asked, puzzled.
Linghu Ning's lips curled up: "His Majesty is in dire need of capable people. If I do not speak up, I will only be humiliating myself."
She looked up at the azure sky. The August weather was rather hot, and after standing under the sun for a while, she felt her whole body covered in a fine sweat.
"By the way, how is the Empress?"
"Her Majesty the Empress copies scriptures every day and sends messengers to the Emperor from time to time," Chan'er said.
Linghu Ning pursed her lips: "The Consort Xian's methods are ultimately not ruthless enough. After so long, she still holds back. Isn't she afraid that things might get complicated? I don't mind helping her out again."
She walked very slowly.
Before long, Consort Xian arrived. She looked at Linghu Ning and asked, "Why is Your Highness dressed so lightly today? Aren't you afraid of catching a cold?"
Linghu Ning smiled, no matter what Consort Xian said, she remained indifferent. Consort Xian, feeling awkward, explained, "My son was tricked back then, which is why he offended you. It was not intentional. Consider it a favor I owe you, and I will definitely repay it in the future."
"Consort Xian!" Linghu Ning suddenly looked at Consort Xian: "Do you know why the Emperor favors me so much? Is he afraid I will die?"
The virtuous concubine frowned.
Linghu Ning pulled Consort Xian to a secluded tree, then loosened her collar. Consort Xian was stunned, and when she saw the numerous wounds covering Linghu Ning's chest, she was dumbfounded: "What is this?"
“This is the scar from when I took my heart’s blood. The Fourth Prince was poisoned, and only my heart’s blood could temporarily suppress it. Otherwise, the Fourth Prince would have died long ago.” Linghu Ning finished dressing and said, “These days, I have taken too many tonics, and my body is getting weaker and weaker. If I weren’t still somewhat useful, I would have been abandoned long ago.”
"How...how could this be?"
Linghu Ning turned her head and stared intently at Consort Xian: "Back then, the people around the Emperor told me that the Emperor was bitten by a poisonous snake to save me and gave me the only antidote. That's why my heart's blood can cure the disease. I always thought that the person who saved me was the Emperor, until I accidentally learned the truth a few days ago."
Consort Xian was suddenly taken aback.
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