Xie Jingyan held Shen Wan's waist as they watched the viewing tower being engulfed by the flames.
Meanwhile, at the pharmacy, the guards were engaged in a fierce battle with the assassins. However, Xie Jingyan did not go. Protecting the eldest prince was important, but ensuring Shen Wan's safety was even more crucial.
Without Shen Wan, even if he seizes the throne, it will be meaningless.
Xie Jingyan was prepared and caught the assassin like a turtle in a jar; the assassin never returned.
Xie Jingyan's plan was to capture a few people alive, but the assassins who came were a group of death squad members. The moment the assassins were captured, they bit off the deadly poison hidden in their teeth and died on the spot.
All twelve assassins perished.
There was some disappointment, but thankfully the eldest prince, Doctor Tao, and Chief Physician Zhao were all alright, though they were certainly shaken.
Although they were skilled doctors, they were practically defenseless. If an assassin were to break into the pharmacy, he would be dead in a flash.
Zhao Yuanzheng suddenly understood why Prince Ling had asked him to report to the Empress Dowager in that way. It was to lure the enemy out of their hole and make them take the bait. But how could Prince Ling dare to do that? He had a pregnant princess, and he himself had been assassinated repeatedly. Wasn't he afraid that the assassins would kill him and his princess together?
All the assassins were killed, and the guards dragged away their bodies, restoring peace to the pharmacy.
The maids and servants tried to put out the fire at the viewing tower, but they only stopped when the tower was reduced to ruins.
But that night, the civil and military officials who saw the Ling Prince's mansion on fire couldn't sleep, as could the Emperor and the Empress Dowager.
The Empress Dowager was so worried that she didn't sleep a wink all night. The Emperor even sent out a shadow guard, who brought back news that Xie Jingyan and the eldest prince were both safe and sound, which put her at ease.
The Empress Dowager placed the eldest prince in the Ling Prince's residence because she was afraid he would be harmed again. The Emperor had turned a blind eye to this because of the Empress Dowager's concern for the eldest prince. But now that Xie Jingyan is involved, the Emperor can no longer sit idly by.
The next morning, Eunuch Yuan arrived at the Ling Prince's residence.
The arrival of Eunuch Yuan really put Steward Zhou in a dilemma. The Prince had said that no one was allowed to enter the Prince's mansion without his permission. Even Zhao Mama, who was by the Empress Dowager's side, was stopped at the door. Should he stop Eunuch Yuan?
Seeing Steward Zhou's predicament, Eunuch Yuan said, "I'm here to see the Prince, not to visit the First Prince."
Steward Zhou thought that since only Eunuch Yuan was entering the mansion, he would accompany him to the Moyu Pavilion. He believed that the Prince would not blame him, so he led Eunuch Yuan into the mansion.
At that time, Shen Wan and Xie Jingyan had just finished breakfast. When they went out, they saw Steward Zhou leading Eunuch Yuan over.
Xie Jingyan stepped down the steps, and Eunuch Yuan stepped forward to greet him, saying, "Last night, the viewing tower of the Ling Prince's residence caught fire. His Majesty was very worried, fearing that if the eldest prince stayed in the Ling Prince's residence, the Ling Prince and Princess would also encounter misfortune. He ordered this servant to send the eldest prince to another residence to recuperate."
Xie Jingyan knew that the Emperor had sent shadow guards to the Ling Prince's residence.
Xie Jingyan said, "The people who wanted to kill the eldest prince have even broken into my Lingwang Mansion twice. If we send them to a separate courtyard to recuperate, I'm afraid they'll lose their lives before they even get there."
Eunuch Yuan was taken aback. "The assassins have come to the Ling Prince's residence twice?"
Xie Jingyan said, "On the first occasion, only two assassins came, and they were discovered as soon as they entered the mansion."
Eunuch Yuan said, "But what about the safety of the Prince and Princess...?"
Xie Jingyan said, "Empress Dowager trusts me with the eldest prince, so why doesn't Father trust me? After the viewing tower was burned down, you sent the eldest prince away. Does that mean I'm afraid of assassins?"
Eunuch Yuan said, "His Majesty trusts the Prince, but he is worried that the Princess Consort, being six months pregnant, might encounter some mishap..."
Before Eunuch Yuan could finish speaking, Xie Jingyan interrupted him, saying, "Whether the eldest prince returns to the palace or goes to a separate residence to recuperate after he wakes up, I will not interfere. For now, it is best for him to stay at the Ling Prince's residence."
Once Xie Jingyan made up his mind, no one could dissuade him, so Eunuch Yuan stopped trying to persuade him and returned to the palace to report.
The Imperial Study.
The emperor stood by the window, watching the clouds drifting in the sky.
Eunuch Yuan stepped forward in a low voice and said, "Your Majesty, Prince Ling has ordered the eldest prince to remain at Prince Ling's residence to continue his treatment."
The Emperor said, "He is not afraid of assassins."
Eunuch Yuan laughed and said, "This servant has watched Prince Ling grow up and has never seen him afraid of anything."
It's impossible for a few assassins to frighten Prince Ling.
The Emperor knew his son's temperament. The Empress Dowager entrusted the eldest prince to him, and from the moment he agreed, she could not take the eldest prince away without his consent.
The Emperor asked, "Have you seen the First Prince?"
Eunuch Yuan shook his head.
He forgot that the emperor had his back to him and was shaking his head so he couldn't see him.
Realizing what was happening, Eunuch Yuan hurriedly said, "Prince Ling is on guard against anyone plotting against the First Prince, so he has closed his doors to visitors. I told him I only wanted to see Prince Ling, and that's when Steward Zhou let me through. So I didn't dare say I wanted to see the First Prince."
Knowing that the Emperor was worried about the eldest prince, Eunuch Yuan said, "Your Majesty, rest assured, with Chief Physician Zhao, Imperial Physician Xu, and Doctor Tao, the eldest prince will definitely be cured."
The Emperor withdrew his gaze and gave the order, "Send the Imperial Guards to protect the Prince Ling's residence."
"Anyone who trespasses on the Ling Prince's residence will be killed without mercy!"
Inside the pharmacy, Zhao Yuan was changing the dressing on the Crown Prince's wound. It had been almost three days, and the wound was still bleeding. They had really done their best.
The medicine used on the eldest prince was the best; Doctor Tao brought out all his best medicines, but the eldest prince's injuries were too severe. In just three days, he had lost a lot of weight, and his face had turned bluish-white.
The three doctors, Zhao, Xu, and Tao, discussed the matter.
They unanimously decided that if they continued with this conservative approach to treatment, the eldest prince would surely die.
To cure a serious illness, one must use strong medicine; the Crown Prince's condition has reached a point where such treatment is unavoidable.
But using strong medicine also means taking a gamble; either the condition improves, or...
The eldest prince is of noble status, and they dare not try it lightly. Moreover, the Prince of Ling cannot make such a decision.
Zhao Yuanzheng said to Xie Jingyan, "The Crown Prince's condition is worsening. We must consult the Emperor and Empress Dowager to make one last attempt, and—"
"Hurry up."
Xie Jingyan frowned. "What will happen if I don't use it?"
Zhao Yuanzheng said, "The eldest prince will not survive tonight."
"What happens if the medication is used improperly?" Xie Jingyan asked again.
"He won't live past noon."
Xie Jingyan said, "Is there any need to ask? Administer the medicine to the Crown Prince immediately."
"But--"
Xie Jingyan said, "The eldest prince is already like this, so living another day or two makes no difference to him."
Zhao, the chief physician, understood the logic, but the Imperial Medical Academy had its own rules. If they administered strong medicine without the Emperor and Empress Dowager's consent, and the Emperor and Empress Dowager found out, they would be punished, and they couldn't bear the consequences.
Xie Jingyan said, "Since the Empress Dowager has entrusted the eldest prince to me, I have the authority to act as I see fit."
Xie Jingyan's voice was firm and unequivocal.
The Zhao family exchanged glances and said nothing more. The medicine had actually been prepared last night, but they had been hoping that the Crown Prince's condition might improve without such a nearly poisonous drug. In the end, they were being too optimistic.
There was no chance of getting away with it now, so Dr. Zhao personally prepared the medicine.
Fifteen minutes later.
A bowl of pitch-black medicine was ready.
You can smell the bitterness from a great distance.
Once the medicine had cooled down a bit, Chief Physician Zhao fed it to the eldest prince spoonful by spoonful.
After taking this medicine, all that's left is to leave it to fate.
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