After Imperial Physician Zhang and the Emperor left, You Yue looked at the pale-faced You Rong and, seeing the injuries on his hands and legs, urged, "Brother, your wounds... let me help you apply medicine."
You Rong pursed his thin lips and shook his head. "It's nothing, just minor injuries. Don't worry about it."
With her life hanging in the balance, he truly had no time to attend to himself.
"But your injuries..."
You Yue was about to persuade him further, but You Rong interrupted her in a deep voice, "Yue'er, the Princess needs to take her medicine. Go and see if Imperial Physician Zhang has finished preparing the decoction."
You Yue looked at You Rong with great concern. She knew her brother's stubborn nature better than anyone and realized she couldn't convince him. She could only sigh and give up.
"Yes, I'll go and check if the Princess's decoction is ready now."
You Yue returned a quarter of an hour later, holding the decoction prepared by Imperial Physician Zhang. She said, "Brother, let me feed the Princess her medicine."
You Rong said, "I'll feed the Princess."
You Rong sat by the bedside, gently propping up the unconscious Lin Qinghe, allowing her to lean against his shoulder. He scooped a spoonful of the decoction and brought it to Lin Qinghe's lips, feeding her little by little.
Yesterday, Lin Qinghe could still manage to swallow the decoction, but today she couldn't take even a sip. The brown liquid flowed down the corners of her mouth.
You Yue quickly took a handkerchief to wipe Lin Qinghe's face, saying anxiously, "Why can't the Princess take her medicine today? If she doesn't drink it, how can she get better? What... what should we do? I... I'll go ask Imperial Physician Zhang!"
You Yue turned and rushed to inquire with Imperial Physician Zhang.
Watching Lin Qinghe's increasingly pale face, You Rong's brows furrowed, and his worry deepened.
After hesitating for a moment, he said in a deep voice, "Your Highness, I beg your pardon for any offense. Please rest assured, when you wake up, if you demand accountability, I will not shirk my responsibility!"
You Rong took a deep breath, lowered his head, and drank a large mouthful of the decoction. He cupped Lin Qinghe's chin with his fair hand, lifting it. His lips met hers, and he gently pried open her teeth with his tongue, transferring the medicine bit by bit.
Without any trace of desire, You Rong repeated the action several times. The bowl of decoction was quickly finished. His ears flushed red as he gently laid Lin Qinghe back down and tucked her in with the quilt.
Gazing down at Lin Qinghe, You Rong whispered almost inaudibly, "Your Highness, I will take responsibility..."
When You Yue returned, intending to inform You Rong of the method Imperial Physician Zhang had suggested for feeding the medicine, she was surprised to find the bowl of decoction already empty.
She asked in astonishment, "Brother, how did you manage to feed the Princess the medicine? You clearly couldn't feed her earlier..."
You Rong's expression changed slightly. He averted his gaze, a little guilty. "My methods were a bit crude. I forced the medicine down the Princess."
You Yue believed him. "Is that so? Be careful not to make the Princess choke. Next time, feed her as Imperial Physician Zhang instructed, gently hold her chin, get her to open her mouth, and then slowly feed her spoonful by spoonful."
You Rong hummed in response and said nothing more, his gaze fixed on Lin Qinghe's face, never leaving it.
---
Ministry of Justice.
Gu Ziye was handling official documents when a subordinate knocked and entered, cupping his hands. "Lord Gu, there's a lead regarding the matter you ordered me to investigate. The powder you gave me previously was made from the fruit of a plant called Lingxi Grass. I carefully asked a doctor about the effects of this powder. It's said that horses, upon smelling it, become extremely agitated and run wildly, out of control."
Gu Ziye's expression was shocked. "Is this true?"
The subordinate replied, "Reporting to Your Lordship, everything I've said is true. If Your Lordship doesn't believe me, you can summon that doctor and have him explain it to you again."
Gu Ziye's expression grew solemn.
This powder was found on Wang Wan. According to this, the person who harmed the Fifth Princess was Wang Wan!
Gu Ziye pondered for a moment and said, "Go and bring that doctor here. Make arrangements, and I will go to the palace to see the Emperor!"
"Yes, Your Lordship!"
Gu Ziye went to the palace to see the Emperor, who happened to be at the horse farm to see Lin Qinghe. Due to Lin Qinghe's severe injuries, she was not to be moved, so she remained in the stable room at the horse farm, attended by Imperial Physician Zhang and a group of palace servants.
Upon hearing this, Gu Ziye didn't hesitate. He took the doctor and went to the horse farm to meet the Emperor.
---
You Rong was watching over Lin Qinghe when the Emperor arrived and inquired about Lin Qinghe's condition from Imperial Physician Zhang.
Imperial Physician Zhang, sweating profusely, stammered, "Reporting... Reporting to Your Majesty, the Princess's condition has not improved, but it has not worsened either. There are no signs of vital organ failure. I will continue to administer acupuncture, and I believe the Princess's condition... should improve."
Under the Emperor's somber gaze, Imperial Physician Zhang was so terrified that his back was soaked with sweat.
He feared that if the Emperor became enraged, he would lose his head.
He had no choice! The Princess had instructed him to wait until after three days before declaring her out of danger, and until then, to emphasize how critical her condition was.
Fortunately, the Emperor was relatively rational. After a long silence, he said with a voice full of fatigue, "I understand, Imperial Physician Zhang. You must treat Qinghe well. If she recovers, I will reward you handsomely!"
"Yes, this subject obeys!"
The Emperor cast a deep glance at Lin Qinghe, motionless on the bed, and turned to leave. Just then, a soldier entered. "Your Majesty, the Assistant Minister of Justice, Gu Ziye, requests an audience. He claims to have discovered that the Princess's fall was not an accident, but an attempt to harm her!"
At these words, not only did the Emperor erupt in fury, but the coldness in You Rong's eyes also became chillingly sharp.
"Who dares to harm Qinghe! Quickly, let Lord Gu enter!"
"Yes, Your Majesty!"
The soldier left for a moment, and Gu Ziye entered.
"This subject, Gu Ziye, pays his respects to Your Majesty..."
"Lord Gu, there is no need for ceremony. You say you have discovered that someone attempted to harm Qinghe? Speak quickly! Who dares to harm Qinghe! I will tear him limb from limb!"
Gu Ziye rose, stepped aside, glanced at the doctor who followed behind him, and recounted everything he had discovered in detail.
"There is a reason why the Princess's horse suddenly went mad. It's because the horse smelled the scent of the fruit of Lingxi Grass, which stimulates horses, causing them to become incredibly agitated and bolt uncontrollably, as if driven mad."
Gu Ziye took out a folded paper packet from his robe. "That day at the horse farm, I discovered powder ground from the fruit of Lingxi Grass on a person. The Princess's horse must have smelled the scent of this Lingxi Grass fruit from this person, causing it to go mad!"
The Emperor's face darkened, and he said coldly, "Who is that person?!"
Gu Ziye's gaze moved past the Emperor to behind him and stated word by word, "This person is Eunuch Wang Wan!"