After calming Lanqin down and regaining his composure, the Fourth Prince ordered Imperial Physician Yang: "I command you to do everything in your power to save Hongli, even if he's on his last breath. I will not allow him to die... If anything happens to Hongli, I will have the entire Imperial Hospital executed..."
Physician Yang was so frightened that he knelt on the ground, and all the imperial physicians followed suit, crying out, "Your humble servants will do everything in their power to save the prince's life. If anything happens to the prince, your humble servants are willing to die to atone for their sins..."
Fourth Master turned to Xiao Gui Zi, who was kneeling in the corner. Xiao Gui Zi stared wide-eyed, trembling in disbelief. Fourth Master walked in and asked coldly, "Do you still remember what the little eunuch who came to deliver the message looked like the other day?"
Xiao Guizi replied blankly, "Your Majesty, please calm down, Your Majesty, please calm down... This servant remembers, this servant remembers... Even if he turns to ashes, this servant will recognize him as soon as he sees him..."
"Alright! Summon Eunuch Duo from the Imperial Household Department... and bring over the list of all the eunuchs in the palace." Su Peisheng hurriedly brought Eunuch Duo over, who wiped the large beads of sweat from his forehead and showed the list to the Fourth Prince.
Fourth Master flipped through a few pages and confirmed again: "Is everyone here?"
The eunuch knelt on the ground, trembling as he answered, "Your Majesty, the complete list of all the eunuchs in the palace is here; not a single one has been missed."
Fourth Master slapped his hand and said, "Alright! Now go and gather all these people together, not a single one can be missing."
Eunuch Duo looked troubled: "Your Majesty, there are too many people, I'm afraid..."
The Fourth Prince slammed his fist on the table and stood up, shouting, "I said do it now, so do it! All the eunuchs must be summoned. Anyone who fails to appear will be executed..."
Eunuch Duo trembled in fright. Fourth Master stared at Eunuch Duo and said coldly, "And you, if this matter isn't handled well, you'll be buried with him..."
The eunuch, clutching the list, cried out, "Your Majesty, spare me! Your Majesty, spare me... This servant will do it right away..." He then fled the prince's residence as if tumbling and crawling.
Xiao Guizi was terrified and kept her eyes closed, too scared to cry out.
As soon as the Fourth Prince approached, Xiao Gui Zi trembled uncontrollably. The Fourth Prince grabbed Xiao Gui Zi's shoulders with such force that he almost crushed Xiao Gui Zi's bones. In a voice like that of hell, he said in Xiao Gui Zi's ear, "I order you to identify them one by one. You must find that little eunuch, do you understand?"
Xiao Guizi turned his head in fear, only to meet the Fourth Prince's eyes. He immediately closed his eyes in fright: "Yes, yes, yes... This servant will definitely recognize him, this servant will definitely recognize him, please calm down, Your Majesty..."
The entire afternoon was agonizing. This was the last hope for the Fourth Prince and Lanqin. Lanqin stayed by Hongli's side, watching helplessly as Physician Yang continuously inserted acupuncture needles and changed dressings on Hongli's body. However, Hongli's condition worsened. Sometimes, Lanqin would fearfully lean over to listen to Hongli's heartbeat and check his breathing with her hand. Each time was filled with trepidation, fear bordering on despair.
The Fourth Prince paced back and forth in the prince's quarters, hands behind his back, as if only movement could calm his inner fear. The weather outside grew increasingly gloomy, as if everything was foreshadowing Hongli's misfortune…
Finally, Su Peisheng returned, bringing with him the most devastating news Lanqin had ever heard—Xiao Guizi hadn't found the eunuch from that day. In other words, Lanqin's last hope was shattered, and Hongli's life hung in the balance…
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