Chapter 84 Everything is ready
Yun Yuan had been in a coma for two days, as if he was trapped in a long dream from which he did not want to wake up.
Feng Yanyuan sat stiffly beside the couch, looking at the old doctor nervously.
The old man's bony fingers rested on Yun Yuan's delicate wrist pulse, his eyes closed as he concentrated for a long moment. He then gently parted her eyelids and carefully examined her pupils. Finally, he took out two silver needles, each as thin as an ox's hair, and carefully inserted them into the Cunkou acupoint.
You could hear a pin drop in the room, and only Feng Yanyuan's suppressed breathing could be heard.
The old doctor suddenly stood up, and Feng Yanyuan jumped up like a frightened bird. The old doctor paced around the room, stroking his beard, and Feng Yanyuan followed closely. The old doctor's brows suddenly frowned, and he shook his head slightly, and sighed deeply. Feng Yanyuan's heart felt like it was struck by a hammer, his face pale, and his thin lips pursed tightly. The words he wanted to ask were stuck in his throat, and he couldn't utter a single word.
"Did this girl take any miraculous medicine before she fell asleep?" The old doctor finally spoke in a hoarse voice.
Feng Yanyuan quickly responded: "Bi Xue Dan..."
"Bi Xue Dan?! The Bi Xue Resurrection Dan from Mo Yun Tang back then?" The old doctor's eyes snapped open, a look of disbelief flashing in his cloudy eyes. After Feng Yanyuan's careful confirmation, he suddenly realized it and nodded repeatedly, "Sure enough...it's true! No wonder, no wonder!" He sighed and murmured, "I never thought I'd see the miraculous effect of Bi Xue Dan resurrection again in my lifetime!"
The old doctor suddenly smiled and looked at Feng Yanyuan's tense face. "Don't worry, sir. This girl hasn't woken up in two days, not because her illness has worsened, but because the effect of the Bixuedan is what her body needs."
Seeing the confusion in Feng Yanyuan's eyes, the old doctor patiently explained, "The Jade Blood Resurrection Pill is a magical elixir that steals the goodness of heaven and earth. Its principle is to 'lock the spirit and nourish the essence.' She has injured her lungs and bones. Once she wakes up, her mind will be agitated, and the circulation of qi and blood will be disturbed, which will be detrimental to the regeneration of flesh, blood, and bones. Her current sleep is a sign that her body is being protected by the magical elixir, eliminating external disturbances and fully recovering. When her injuries are healed, she will wake up naturally. You can't force it. Just rest assured, young master."
After the old doctor finished speaking, he left behind a prescription for ginseng medicine to warm up the vital energy, and left with his medicine box.
Feng Yanyuan's anxious heart finally settled down.
For the entire day after that, he sat in front of the bed, his gaze glued to Yun Yuan's pale face. Whenever the maid brought him the prepared medicine, he would first test the temperature before carefully scooping a spoonful, prying open her pale lips, and feeding it in little by little, his movements so gentle as if he were polishing a rare treasure. His concentration and meticulousness moved even the maidservant standing by, who marveled at the delicate nature of this aloof young man.
He stood at the bedside like a stone sculpture until dusk fell. When the King of Huainan returned home and the Chief Secretary came to invite him, Feng Yanyuan tucked in the corners of the quilt for Yun Yuan and closed the door silently.
In the palace's study, candlelight flickered.
The King of Huainan was carefully examining the letter of allegiance that carried the loyalty of more than 700 people in the flickering light. The densely packed names were the heaviest bargaining chip in his hand at the moment, as well as a heavy responsibility.
When Feng Yanyuan just stepped into the study, he saw King Huainan pick up the candlestick on the table and move closer to a corner of the precious list.
"Prince?!" Feng Yanyuan exclaimed in shock and took half a step forward.
The orange-red flames greedily licked the silk, spreading rapidly and engulfing the scorching names one by one.
The King of Huainan gazed at the rising flames, their light reflected in his deep eyes. "These chivalrous heroes... I have engraved them in my heart. A piece of silk contract, other than giving them a handle, what good is keeping it? It only adds to the heroes' worries."
Feng Yanyuan was speechless.
What was burned was not just a list of names, but also shackles that could have become evidence of incrimination. By doing this, the King of Huainan returned the heavy trust and silent protection to the righteous men who had entrusted their lives to him.
The prince turned around and sat down, the candlelight casting flickering shadows on his face.
He was busy all day. On the surface, he visited several important officials who were still waiting and watching, and his words were full of wit; secretly, he communicated with secret agents in various parts of the city through secret channels.
The secret passage that had been prepared long ago in the depths of the palace was quietly opened. Some swordsmen who had a safe place to stay in the city temporarily lay dormant, while those whose identities might be exposed or who were in a critical situation were quietly taken into the depths of the palace by Commander Xiao and placed in a watertight manner.
What made him feel relieved was that the King of Qi had a clear attitude: if the two kings fought because of "political differences", he, the King of Qi, would just "stand by and watch".
This seemingly neutral statement actually tilted the balance of victory heavily towards the King of Huainan. Without the powerful external support of the King of Qi, the King of Zhao could not compete with the might of the King of Huainan and his powerful swordsmen.
The gloom that had been accumulating in his heart for days seemed to be dispelled a little, and the prince's tired face relaxed a little, with a sharp and bright smile.
"Now everything is ready," the King of Huainan tapped the tabletop with his fingertips, causing the candlelight to flicker. "All we need is the east wind."
Feng Yanyuan understood the meaning—this "East Wind" was the righteous cause. Even if the two kings met at war, who would be the loyal defender and who the traitor would be, all depended on a decree from the emperor on the throne. And the current emperor was firmly controlled by the King of Zhao in the palace, making him the King of Huainan's only weak point.
"How does the prince plan to take advantage of this favorable situation?" Feng Yanyuan asked in a deep voice.
"This is the most important thing today." A cold glint flashed in the Prince of Huainan's eyes. "The old thief, guilty as he is, flatly refused my request for an audience, citing His Majesty's poor health as an excuse. However, I have already sent assassins to infiltrate the Imperial City." He lowered his voice, with a desperate determination, "As long as I can obtain His Majesty's instructions, even a single word..."
Before he finished speaking, Commander Xiao's voice came from outside the study: "Your Highness, Feng family guard Feng Jiu wants to see you. It seems there is something urgent."
Feng Yanyuan was slightly stunned: Feng Jiu and the others have finally arrived.
To avoid conspicuous presence, the Far Wind Guards entered Luoyang in batches. He was just about to ask Commander Xiao to tell Feng Jiu to go to the Yunyuan wing to guard it first, when the study door was flung open. Feng Jiu, dusty and pale, rushed in.
"Young Master!" Feng Jiu glanced at the King of Huainan and hurriedly knelt on one knee, his voice breathless, "Your Highness, please forgive me! I... I have an extremely urgent matter and must report it to Young Master Yuan immediately!"
King Huainan and Feng Yanyuan looked at each other, and their hearts tightened at the same time.
The King of Huainan raised his hand and said, "No need to be polite, please speak quickly!"
Feng Jiu stood up, holding up a tightly bound roll of white silk with trembling hands. The silk cloth was still damp with the night dew. "It's... it's the carrier pigeon letter that arrived tonight!"
A foreboding premonition crossed Feng Yanyuan's heart. He snatched the white silk, his fingertips numb. The pattern on the silk bore the secret design of the Feng family's mistress. Since she wasn't his biological mother, how could she have sent him a message? Could it be... His heart suddenly clenched. He quickly unfolded the silk. When his eyes caught sight of the delicate, small characters written on it, he felt as if struck by lightning. His face drained of color, and his hand, gripping the silk, began to tremble uncontrollably.
"This... How is this possible!" He suddenly looked up at Feng Jiu, his eyes filled with disbelief and panic, "Father... Father has always been in good health, how could this be..."
Feng Jiu's voice was hoarse. "I asked the Feng spies today, and they said...it seems that the master had been practicing in seclusion before, and had used the secret medicine presented by Wangyue Valley..."
"Wangyue Valley..." Feng Yanyuan felt as if he had fallen into an ice cave. His fingertips loosened, and the roll of white silk carrying the devastating bad news fell silently to the ground.
The King of Huainan bent down to pick it up and unfolded it. On the snow-white silk surface were five glaring and shocking small characters:
Father is critically ill, come back quickly.
"Where's the eldest brother? No, the second brother... where's the second brother? Where are they?"
"I didn't see the two young masters... Yuanfengwei returned to Luo a little late. They should have received the letter earlier and should...should have left the city and rushed back!"
"You just said..." Feng Yanyuan suddenly grabbed Feng Jiu's arm, a glimmer of almost crazy hope in his eyes, "Is it poisoning?"
Feng Jiu was frightened by his eyes and nodded in surprise.
Feng Yanyuan subconsciously reached for his waist—there lay the sachet Yun Yuan had hand-sewn, containing Hanmei Powder, a detoxifying herb! Yuan'er's Hanmei Powder had once saved him from the brink of death! If he was truly poisoned, if he could have gotten back in time, perhaps... perhaps his father still had a chance of survival!
This thought instantly gripped his entire mind. He turned abruptly and knelt heavily before the King of Huainan, his knees pounding the ground. "Your Highness! My father has been poisoned. I may have the antidote. I will go and return quickly..."
The moment he knelt, the King of Huainan stepped forward quickly, held his arms firmly with both hands, and stopped him from kneeling.
The King of Huainan interrupted him, saying, "Zi Shang, there's no need to say more! I've relied heavily on you throughout this journey! Now that the situation in the city has been resolved, Commander Xiao and I will handle all matters. As a son, filial piety is as important as heaven! Leave immediately, without a moment's delay!" He patted Feng Yanyuan's shoulder with a heavy, warm pat. "I'm ordered by the king to clear the way for you! Go!"
Feng Yanyuan raised his head, his eyes bloodshot. The thousand words in his gaze finally dissolved into a silent bow. Without further hesitation, he snatched up the fallen white silk and abruptly stood up, dashing out of the study. His figure quickly vanished into the thick darkness outside.
Prince Huainan stood there, looking at the empty doorway, then looked down at the ashes left after the burnt list on the table. The candlelight danced on his face, reflecting an unprecedented solemnity.
The night is as dark as ink, and the new moon is dim.
Feng Yanyuan paused for a moment outside the door, gazing deeply at Yun Yuan's sleeping profile through the half-open window. He whispered repeatedly to Feng Jiu to keep her safe, then rode off alone into the night.
The heavy Luoyang city gate slowly closed behind him with a dull thud.
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