"Grandpa, how is it?"
“He…” He’s decided to die. Zhang Jing stroked his white beard with worry and slowly shook his head. His gaze slowly fell on Zhao Zhi’s swollen belly, and he suddenly understood why Yun Zhang had done this.
Judging from the current situation of Yun Dynasty, Empress Zhao Zhi has not yet appointed a consort, and there is only one Imperial Noble Consort, Yun Zhang, in the palace. Whether the child in her womb is the Crown Princess or a prince, he will be the future heir of Yun Dynasty.
As a relative of the emperor, Yunzhang wielded too much power, making it difficult for his supporters not to harbor ulterior motives. He had once been Zhao Zhi's tutor and knew her to be of pure and kind nature, certainly incapable of killing the goose that lays the golden eggs.
Therefore, he did this himself, paving a smooth path for her future imperial career.
Zhang Jing couldn't help but admire Yun Zhang in his heart, thinking that Yun Zhang was indeed a very responsible teacher.
Originally, if Yun Zhang hadn't taken this path, he would have had two more years to live. But by doing this now, he's essentially forcing himself into a dead end.
"How much longer does he... have?" Zhao Zhi lowered her eyes, her gaze falling on Yun Zhang's thin face.
Zhang Jing slowly raised his head, his gaze sweeping over her abdomen and Yun Zhang's body, and said in a low voice, "Grandpa will prepare some medicine later, which should be enough to keep him alive until he can see the prince in your womb."
Zhao Zhi's fingers gently stroked Yun Zhang's pale cheek, a trace of indescribable sorrow flashing in her eyes.
“Grandpa,” her voice trembled slightly, “did he really have no other choice?”
Zhang Jing sighed, and was about to answer her when a violent coughing sound came from beside him. Zhao Zhi hurriedly stood up and called for a eunuch to bring over a spittoon.
As soon as the spittoon was brought over, Yunzhang coughed up a large pool of black blood.
"Uncle, you..." He only managed to say half a sentence before collapsing back down, panting heavily, as if utterly exhausted.
"Grandpa, you...you've known each other for a long time?" Zhao Zhi looked at Yun Zhang in disbelief, then at Zhang Jing, who was giving him acupuncture.
“This is a long story,” Zhang Jing said, his hands moving swiftly as he inserted needles into several acupoints on Yun Zhang’s body, temporarily stopping his coughing up blood. After finishing, he slowly turned around and said deliberately, “I do have a rather dangerous method that might be worth a try. If it succeeds, it could save his life by five years, but if it fails, he will die instantly.”
"What method?" Zhao Zhi's heart tightened, and she hurriedly asked, "Grandpa, please tell me!"
Zhang Jing was silent for a moment, then slowly said, "Blood transfusion."
Zhao Zhi was slightly taken aback, then frowned and said, "Blood transfusion? What does that mean?"
Zhang Jing sighed and explained, "Yun Zhang has two kinds of poison in his body, which were originally mutually restraining. But for some reason, he suddenly stopped taking one of the poisons, which disrupted the balance in his body and led to his current condition. The blood transfusion is to replace the poisoned blood in his body and allow new blood to re-establish the balance."
Zhao Zhi suddenly realized what was going on. She frowned and looked worriedly at Yun Zhang, who had fallen asleep again on the bed, and bit her lip.
"Let me talk to him." Seeing Zhao Zhi's distressed expression, Zhang Jing couldn't help but say, "Zhi'er cares about him so much; this affection is truly rare!"
Upon hearing his grandfather's words, Zhao Zhi quickly explained, "Grandfather, things are not as simple as you think. I think he is very likely one of my former teachers. Although I have enough evidence, Yun Zhang refuses to admit it. Moreover, since I ascended the throne, he has been secretly helping me solve many thorny problems. Whether out of personal feelings or for the greater good, I cannot sit idly by and do nothing about him."
Zhang Jing sighed deeply and said to Zhao Zhi earnestly, "Zhi'er, you are too kind-hearted. This is both your strength and your weakness. As the ruler of a country, you must learn to weigh the pros and cons. Sometimes, in order to safeguard the interests and stability of the country, you have to make some difficult choices."
Zhao Zhi remained silent for a moment. She knew that her grandfather's words made sense, but she could not calm down the inner turmoil she felt.
She understood the heavy responsibility she bore for the nation and couldn't let personal feelings jeopardize the country's future. However, how could she easily give up on Yun Zhang, someone who held such special significance for her?
She gently stroked her abdomen, silently making up her mind.
“Grandpa, I must save him no matter what. Yunzhang has been kind to me, and I cannot stand by and watch him die.”
"Okay, I'll talk to him first."
Seeing the determination in Zhao Zhi's eyes, Zhang Jing knew that she had made up her mind, so he said no more.
Half an incense stick later, Zhang Jing slowly walked out of Chenhui Palace, looked up at the goose feather-like snow in the sky, frowned slightly, and sighed heavily.
Inside the Chunchao Hall, Zhao Zhi saw her maternal grandfather enter and hurriedly got up to welcome him into the hall, handing him a hand warmer and then looking at the old man with an expectant expression.
“He agreed,” Zhang Jing said slowly. He looked at Zhao Zhi and saw that the other party visibly relaxed after hearing the news.
He knew then that his efforts had not been in vain.
“My child, the blood transfusion procedure requires extremely high skill and precise timing. The slightest mistake could have unimaginable consequences,” Zhang Jing solemnly warned. “As for the person to receive the transfusion, I will find a solution. You have to handle government affairs and take care of the child in your womb, so don’t worry about these things.”
“Grandpa, I believe in you,” Zhao Zhi replied firmly.
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