Imperial Physician Chen was assassinated!
This shocking event occurred last night, shortly after the Emperor was attacked. It was said to be a single sword strike to the throat. Imperial Physician Chen died in his study, with half of his head nearly severed, his eyes still open. There were no signs of struggle or cries for help—he died silently. It wasn’t until this morning, when a maid entered to clean, that the body was discovered.
Based on preliminary findings from the Jinyiwei’s investigation, the assassin appears to be part of the same group responsible for the attack at last night’s lantern festival.
Unable to assassinate the Emperor, these vicious and ruthless assassins turned their attention to Imperial Physician Chen?
Why would they kill an imperial physician?
What did Imperial Physician Chen do to provoke such hatred?
An obvious speculation arises—one that not only the Emperor can surmise, but even Gao Yuexing can catch a glimpse of.
Imperial Physician Chen was instrumental in overturning the old case involving Li Fuxiang.
Everyone could see that if not for Imperial Physician Chen’s efforts, Li Fuxiang might have already died from the poison bestowed by the Emperor. If not for Imperial Physician Chen revealing the truth of the past, Li Fuqiu would still be occupying a position that was never his, cherished by the Emperor and living in unearned glory.
Imperial Physician Chen rectified two mistaken fates, ensuring they each returned to their rightful places.
Naturally, while some are grateful, others harbor hatred.
Those who hated him wished they could devour his flesh, drink his blood, strip his sinews, and grind his bones into dust.
If they hated Imperial Physician Chen this much, how much more would they hate Li Fuxiang, who stands at the heart of this storm?
In that case, the assassins’ true target last night might not have been the Emperor, but Li Fuxiang.
Now, nothing could stop the Emperor’s fury.
The Jinyiwei scoured the city for traces of the assassins.
Gao Jing, the Minister of Justice of the Dali Court, received the decade-old case. The Emperor, in his domineering manner, set a half-month deadline for Gao Jing to uncover the identity of the scoundrel who had an illicit affair with Consort Mei all those years ago.
This became the most challenging case Gao Jing had faced since taking office.
Ten years ago, the dead were dead, the fugitives had fled, and all evidence had been buried with time. Moreover, the incident took place within the secluded inner palace. Investigating it was akin to meddling in the Emperor’s private affairs. Gao Jing was bound by constraints, not to mention the potential to violate taboos and invite disaster, which could bring ruin to his entire family.
Thoughts flickered through Gao Jing’s mind as he stepped out of the palace gates. He considered all aspects before even leaving the premises. For most people, tossing aside such a hot potato would be the wisest choice. But Gao Jing was known for his integrity and couldn’t stoop to political maneuvering. Since the case was handed to him, he resolved to act with a clear conscience and honor.
The Emperor granted him a token for unrestricted palace access.
Gao Jing hesitated briefly at the palace gates before turning toward Jingmen Palace.
After court, the Emperor returned to Qianqing Palace. Before entering, he stood for a while on the steps to cool his temper. A palace maid approached to report that the young prince had not risen since morning and was still asleep.
The Emperor frowned and asked, “Did he not sleep well last night?”
The palace maid replied, “Your Majesty, the young prince went to bed early in the evening, and we didn’t hear any disturbances throughout the night.”
Then why hasn’t he woken up yet?
The Emperor entered the room and took a look, softly calling out twice. Indeed, there was no response. However, his complexion and breathing appeared normal. Unsettled, the Emperor summoned an imperial physician to examine him.
The Imperial Medical Bureau dared not delay in matters concerning Li Fuxiang. Soon, a highly esteemed physician, surnamed Zhao, arrived.
Physician Zhao knelt by the bedside, feeling Li Fuxiang’s pulse and pondering for a long time.
With every moment of his silence, the Emperor grew increasingly anxious. Finally, the Emperor couldn’t hold back and asked, “Physician Zhao, what’s wrong with him?”
Understanding the Emperor’s concern, Physician Zhao carefully chose his words: “The young prince’s health is weak, firstly due to congenital deficiencies and secondly because of improper care. This has led to an imbalance in his vitality and defensive energies, making him prone to illness. However, from his pulse, it appears that the young prince has been recovering well over the past two days. There’s no abnormality.”
The Emperor pressed further, “Then why is he sleeping so deeply?”
Physician Zhao hesitated briefly before replying, “Your Majesty, each person’s constitution is different. A period of deep sleep may not necessarily signify a problem.”
Gao Yuexing, listening to the physician’s half-explanations, felt a headache brewing.
The Emperor, however, humbly inquired again, “Then when will he wake up?”
Physician Zhao hesitated even longer this time before finally saying, “Your Majesty, you can wake him if you wish. It’s not an issue.”
…
The Emperor finally realized why Physician Zhao had been stammering for so long.
The child was simply indulging in sleep. The Emperor, overly concerned, had assumed there was something wrong with his health. Physician Zhao had been painstakingly trying to give him a way to save face.
The Emperor rubbed his temples, let out a low chuckle of exasperation, and waved Physician Zhao away with a reward.
When Li Fuxiang was in the Xiaonan pavilion, no one regulated his behavior.
Even as a prisoner, the mute servant woman couldn’t bring herself to impose restrictions on him.
When to sleep, when to wake—everything was entirely up to him.
By Li Fuxiang’s usual habits, he could sleep until the sun was high in the sky, wake with an empty stomach, eat a few bites to stave off hunger, and then take another nap until nightfall.
Even after meeting Consort Xu, Li Fuxiang never lacked for food, yet he still clung to his old habits. He wouldn’t eat to fullness—so long as he wasn’t hungry, he wouldn’t eat more. The rest he carefully stored away.
In front of the Emperor, Gao Yuexing climbed onto the bed, giving Li Fuxiang a hard push and gently calling into his ear, “Wake up, it’s time to eat!”
Li Fuxiang wasn’t woken by the voice but by the tickling of soft hair brushing against his ear.
He rubbed his eyes and crawled out from under the blanket, his entire demeanor still seeming lost in a haze.
The Emperor sighed and said to Gao Yuexing, “Starting tomorrow, you’ll accompany him to Wenhua Hall for lessons.”
Gao Yuexing froze for a moment before responding, “Understood.”
The Emperor sat by the bed, watching Li Fuxiang get dressed and wash his face. Stroking his jade thumb ring, he added, “In the afternoon, you can go to the martial training grounds. Let Ding Wenfu accompany you both—Minister Zheng has expressed interest in spending more time with him as well.”
Upon hearing the Emperor’s instructions, Ding Wenfu appeared silently from behind the screen and acknowledged, “At your command.”
The Emperor continued, “It was you who pulled him out of the well back then. There’s a bond between you. From now on, you’ll stay by his side. He is your master now.”
This time, Ding Wenfu took a long time to respond.