The Emperor's face turned pale. He clenched his fists, and under the worried gazes of Noble Consort Qing and others, he said in a deep voice, "Imperial Physician Zhang! I command you! Do your utmost to treat Qinghe. I want her to be safe and sound! Otherwise... I will have your head!"
Imperial Physician Zhang's shoulders trembled. He hurriedly said, "Your Majesty, the only way now is to sustain the Princess's breath with ginseng. I will then risk administering acupuncture. If the Princess can survive these three days, there might be a sliver of hope."
"Do as you say immediately! Whatever precious medicinal ingredients are needed, I will have people fetch them at once!"
Imperial Physician Zhang said, "Yes, Your Majesty, I will do my best!"
Imperial Physician Zhang took out silver needles and began to treat Lin Qinghe. He also placed ginseng slices into Lin Qinghe's mouth. He then wrote down a prescription and personally went to procure the herbs and brew the medicine.
The Emperor stood by the bed, looking at the weakly breathing Lin Qinghe. He held her hand, gripping it tightly.
After a long while, the Emperor's eyes sharpened, and he said in a deep voice, "Guards! Convey my decree! Order Lord Gu, the Vice Minister of the Ministry of Justice, to immediately investigate the matter of the horses going mad. If it is discovered that someone intentionally harmed the Princess... execution! The extermination of nine generations of their kin!"
Those present couldn't help but tremble. They secretly wondered who dared to be so audacious, knowing that the Emperor doted on the Fifth Princess, to lay hands on her!
The soldier took the order and left. The Emperor, his face filled with exhaustion, suddenly looked much older, no longer the majestic and awe-inspiring emperor, but simply a father worried about his daughter.
He waved his hand, his voice weak as he said, "You may all withdraw. I will stay here with Qinghe."
Noble Consort Qing anxiously said, "Your Majesty, I wish to stay and care for Qinghe as well."
"There is no need. You may all withdraw. I wish to be alone with Qinghe."
Seeing how distraught the Emperor was over Lin Qinghe, Noble Consort Qing felt a surge of unwillingness, but she dared not show it on her face. She curtsied and said with the other imperial consorts, "Yes, Your Majesty. We shall take our leave."
The others also departed.
The Emperor remained in the side room with Lin Qinghe for a long time, until the sky began to darken. Wang Wan, feeling uneasy, reminded him, "Your Majesty, it is getting late. Perhaps you should return to the Palace of Heavenly Purity to rest. The imperial physicians are attending to the Princess, and I am sure she will be fine."
The Emperor said in a low voice, "There is no need. I will stay with Qinghe a while longer."
You Rong's face was pale, his eyes cast down. After a moment, he composed himself and stepped forward, cupping his hands. "Your Majesty, you must take care of yourself. If the Princess wakes and finds you have exhausted yourself for her, she will surely be distressed. Please rest assured, this servant will remain by the Princess's side, attending to her day and night until she awakens!"
The Emperor looked at the unconscious Lin Qinghe, then at You Rong, and sighed. "Yes, I will return to the Palace of Heavenly Purity. You Rong, you will stay to care for Qinghe in my stead. If there are any changes with Qinghe, immediately send someone to inform me!"
You Rong replied, "Yes, Your Majesty!"
The Emperor cast a deep look at Lin Qinghe and, supported by Wang Wan, left the side room.
The door of the side room closed. You Rong stood before the bed, his brows furrowed, gazing at Lin Qinghe with complex emotions.
After a moment.
You Rong slowly walked to the bedside and sat down. His well-defined fingers gently caressed Lin Qinghe's pale cheek, his heart filled with boundless regret and self-blame.
If only he had requested permission from the Emperor when she wanted to ride, and accompanied her, this incident would not have happened, and she would not be in such grave danger.
You Rong said in a low voice, "Princess, please recover quickly. Once you are well, if you say you like this servant, I will... like you just as much."
---
Meanwhile.
As the Emperor emerged, he was met by Lord Gu, the Vice Minister of the Ministry of Justice. Gu Ziye bowed and saluted, "Your servant greets Your Majesty!"
"Lord Gu, have you come to see me because you have discovered something about the horses going mad today?" the Emperor asked.
Gu Ziye replied, "Your Majesty, your servant is investigating diligently. We have found some clues, but it is not yet convenient to disclose them. I beg Your Majesty to grant me more time. I will certainly uncover the truth and report it to Your Majesty!"
The Emperor frowned upon hearing this. "Then why have you come to see me now?"
Gu Ziye's eyes flickered, and he looked at Wang Wan. He cupped his hands and said, "Your Majesty, I heard that Eunuch Wang helped select the horse before the Fifth Princess rode it. Therefore, I wish to ask Eunuch Wang to accompany me. Not for any other reason, but simply to understand from Eunuch Wang the condition of the horse before it was selected."
The Emperor did not think much of it. "Wang Wan, accompany Lord Gu. Tell him everything you remember from that time, without any concealment."
Wang Wan hastily responded, "Yes, Your Majesty, this servant obeys."
After the Emperor left, Gu Ziye stepped aside and made a gesture of invitation. "Eunuch Wang, please accompany this humble servant."
"Very well, Lord Gu, please lead the way."
Wang Wan followed Gu Ziye to the Ministry of Justice. After answering all of Gu Ziye's questions, Gu Ziye stood up and cupped his hands. "Eunuch Wang, I have taken up your time. If you recall anything suspicious at the stables, please inform this humble servant."
Wang Wan said, "This matter concerns the Fifth Princess, and Your Majesty attaches great importance to it. There is no need for Lord Gu to instruct me. If I remember anything, I will come to inform Lord Gu immediately."
"In that case, thank you, Eunuch Wang. Please walk slowly. I shall not see you off."
"Lord Gu is too kind."
After Wang Wan left, Gu Ziye returned to his seat, his expression grave, and began to ponder deeply.
A horse that was always gentle suddenly going mad was indeed suspicious.
Moreover, the Fifth Princess was deeply favored by the Emperor and was usually arrogant and overbearing. Could it be that she had offended someone, and they had acted in secret?
Gu Ziye couldn't quite figure it out. Suddenly, he lowered his gaze and noticed a few fine powders scattered where Wang Wan had been standing.
He remembered seeing white powder on Wang Wan's robes.
Gu Ziye felt a twinge of doubt. Had Eunuch Wang accidentally gotten some powder on him?
He recalled that the stable hands he had questioned that day had said the horse suddenly went mad, likely provoked by something.
Thus, Gu Ziye kept this in mind. He picked up a piece of paper, swept the powder onto it, carefully wrapped it, and stood up to leave.
He wanted to investigate what this white powder on Wang Wan was.
---
The next day.
As soon as the Emperor finished his morning court, he personally came to check on Lin Qinghe's condition. After Imperial Physician Zhang finished taking her pulse, he impatiently asked, "Imperial Physician Zhang, has Qinghe's condition improved?"
Imperial Physician Zhang lowered his head guiltily. "Your Majesty, there is no discernible improvement in the Princess's condition. However, I will administer acupuncture again and do my utmost to ensure the Princess's safety!"