Chapter 156 Life Can Be Saved, But Recovery Is Never Yet Possible
"The cold poison has been raging in your body for a long time. Even if the cold poison is completely eliminated in the future, the damage caused before will be irreversible."
What do you mean?
Emperor Jiaqing's gaze suddenly sharpened, and despite his weakness, his imperial aura remained imposing: "Explain yourself!"
Yun Si met his gaze, her tone calm and even, yet each word was clear and distinct, like a pronouncement of judgment.
"It means that even if Your Majesty is blessed with great fortune and survives this calamity, and the cold poison is completely eliminated, the damage it caused to your internal organs, especially the meridians in your legs, is already permanent and cannot be fully restored."
Her gaze swept over the heavy brocade quilt on the dragon bed, and she continued, "In the future, Your Majesty's legs... will probably be unable to support standing or walking for long periods of time. In rainy and cold weather, joint pain will follow you like a shadow. Moreover, the foundation of your body will be damaged, and you will need to take good care of yourself all year round. You will not be able to withstand any major setbacks or losses."
Every word was like an icicle, striking Emperor Jiaqing's heart hard.
Unable to stand or walk?
Suffering from lifelong illness?
To become a bedridden, paralyzed person who needs to be taken care of in everything... a useless person?
For an emperor who ruled the world and was the only one who mattered, this was a humiliation and torment more unbearable than death.
Emperor Jiaqing's face instantly turned even more ashen than when the poison had taken effect. His chest heaved violently, and his eyes churned with rage, resentment, and a deep-seated fear.
He clenched his fists, veins bulging on the back of his hands, as if he wanted to say something, but his intense emotions triggered a violent cough.
He stared intently at Yun Si, his eyes filled with a terrifyingly sinister glint.
The voice was squeezed out from between his teeth, carrying a chilling edge.
"You...you mean...from now on...I'll only be able to lie on this dragon bed like a cripple?!"
The air inside the hall froze instantly, as if even the charcoal fire had been frozen.
Yun Si remained calm and slightly bent her knees.
"Your Majesty is merely stating the facts. As the Son of Heaven, Your Majesty is naturally protected by Heaven. With careful recuperation, the pain may be alleviated. However, the damage is already a fact, and I hope Your Majesty will... prepare yourself mentally as soon as possible."
Her words shattered the last glimmer of hope in Emperor Jiaqing's heart.
Life may be saved, but it can never be fully restored.
If only he had issued the decree sooner...
Emperor Jiaqing stared intently at Yun Si, as if trying to find the slightest hint of falsehood or gloating on her face.
However, no.
She was as calm as a deep pool, displaying only the composure and objectivity of a doctor.
After immense despair and anger, a profound sense of powerlessness swept over him.
He slumped back onto the pillow, closed his eyes, his chest still heaving violently, as if he had aged ten years.
After a long while, he slowly opened his eyes, the madness and rage in them had faded.
All that remained was a cold, lifeless, and desolate grayness.
He waved his hand, his voice weary and hoarse: "I... understand. You... may leave. Come again tomorrow... to administer acupuncture."
"Your subject takes his leave."
Yun Si bowed and calmly withdrew from the Hall of Mental Cultivation.
The cold air from outside the palace rushed into her lungs, and her tense nerves finally relaxed a little.
A wave of fatigue suddenly washed over me, followed by a bout of dizziness.
Yun Si's vision went black, and her body went limp as she collapsed.
Lan Xin and Eunuch Xu, who were at the door, were startled when they saw this, and they quickly stepped forward to help Yun Si.
A figure flashed before her eyes, and the next instant, Yun Si fell into Qin Ye's arms.
"Your Highness!"
Eunuch Xu rubbed his eyes, thinking he was seeing things.
He had been guarding the door the whole time. When did His Highness the Crown Prince arrive?
Qin Ye scooped up the unconscious Yun Si in his arms, his face as calm as still water.
He didn't even glance at Eunuch Xu, and carrying Yun Si, he strode towards the East Palace.
The figure quickly disappeared at the end of the snow-covered palace path.
Eunuch Xu opened his mouth, but ultimately said nothing, turned around and went into the hall to report to the emperor.
Inside the East Palace's sleeping quarters.
Qin Ye carefully placed Yun Si on the soft bed, his brows furrowed.
He instructed, "Lanxin, go and heat up the tonic medicine prescribed by Doctor Ji. Lu Yu, prepare warm water."
"Yes!" The two quickly responded and went to do so.
Qin Ye sat on the edge of the bed, carefully wiping the cold sweat from Yun Si's forehead with a warm, damp towel. Looking at her pale sleeping face, he felt a mix of heartache and regret.
Lanxin brought over the hot herbal medicine.
Qin Ye personally took the spoonful and carefully fed it to the unconscious Yun Si, spoonful by spoonful.
Perhaps sensing the familiar scent and the warm aroma of medicine, Yun Si swallowed unconsciously, her brows slightly relaxed.
After feeding her the medicine, Qin Ye stayed by her side, holding her hand and never leaving her side.
As night deepened, the palace lanterns emitted a soft glow.
Just then, a voice announced from outside the door.
"Your Highness, His Majesty has decreed that Imperial Physician Du be summoned to examine the Crown Princess's pulse."
Imperial Physician Du was the head of the imperial physicians in the palace.
He was truly at a loss as to how to deal with this cold poison.
However, he is still very authoritative in treating illnesses, saving lives, and diagnosing patients by taking their pulse.
Qin Ye did not stop them and had someone invite Imperial Physician Du in.
Imperial Physician Du, with his white hair and beard, walked steadily into the bedchamber and respectfully bowed to Qin Ye: "This old minister greets Your Highness the Crown Prince."
"Physician Du, there's no need for such formalities,"
Qin Ye stood up and made way for her: "I would like to trouble Imperial Physician Du to give the Crown Princess a thorough examination."
"Your humble servant obeys."
Imperial Physician Du walked to the bedside, took out a pulse pillow, held his breath, and gently placed his fingers on Yun Si's wrist pulse.
The hall was completely silent.
Imperial Physician Du closed his eyes and examined the pulse for a long time, his brows sometimes furrowing and sometimes relaxing, carefully discerning the faint and complex pulse.
Qin Ye stood to the side, his eyes fixed on Imperial Physician Du's expression, his heart rising and falling with the changes in his expression.
After a long while, Imperial Physician Du slowly withdrew his hand and opened his eyes.
He stood up, cupped his hands in greeting to Qin Ye, and said in a very low but firm voice, "Congratulations, Your Highness!"
Qin Ye's heart tightened, and a premonition was about to emerge: "Why does Imperial Physician Du say such a thing?"
Imperial Physician Du stroked his beard, his eyes filled with the caution and certainty of a physician.
"The Crown Princess's pulse is like pearls rolling on a plate, extremely smooth. Although it is only the first sign and not easy to detect, this old minister would never mistake such a pulse. It is a pregnancy pulse! The Crown Princess is less than a month pregnant!"
He paused, then added, "The Crown Princess fainted today because of the excessive mental and physical exertion over the past few days, coupled with the fluctuations in blood and qi during the early stages of pregnancy. She only needs to rest and recuperate, and take some nourishing supplements to ensure a safe pregnancy, and she will be fine."
Pregnancy is indicated!
Is she really pregnant?
Despite having suspected it beforehand, the overwhelming joy of hearing it confirmed by the authoritative imperial physician was like a tidal wave that instantly engulfed Qin Ye.
He clenched his fist slightly to suppress the excited shout that was about to burst out.
Yun Si is pregnant with his child?
They really have a child?!
However, this euphoria lasted only a moment before being overshadowed by deeper anxieties.
At this moment, this news is nothing short of a double-edged sword.
In the face of this unpredictable situation, this child is like a protective charm for Yun Si.
Can be done at the same time...
He couldn't let her waste her energy like this anymore!
Imperial Physician Du clearly understood the crux of the matter. His expression turned serious, and he said in a low voice, "Your Highness, the Crown Princess's pregnancy is just beginning to show signs of labor, and she is most vulnerable to worry and disturbance. As for today's events, I wonder... what about His Majesty's side..."
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