Feng Xie saw Liu Liu crying sadly. He walked to her side and pressed her head to his chest. "Don't be sad, he will be fine."
"Mmm," Liu Liu nodded vigorously, praying he would be alright. She had only just found him, and she absolutely didn't want anything to happen to him.
Silence fell in the room. Dai Mei had already brought the imperial physician. The physician bowed to the Emperor and Empress before approaching the bedside to examine Nangong Yue's pulse. After a short while, he released Nangong Yue's wrist and turned to Liu Liu, his expression grave.
"Reporting to His Majesty, Your Majesty, he has cold poison in his body. This cold poison has been present for a very long time and has already infiltrated the edge of his heart, so there is no cure."
Liu Liu's pupils widened in disbelief at the physician's words. How could this be?
Although Nangong Yue's medical skills were not the best in the world, they were exceptionally high. If he had been poisoned with cold poison, how could he not have noticed? She reached out and clutched the physician's clothes, raising her fist to strike him. Feng Xie quickly held her fist. The physician, with a calm expression, spoke slowly.
"Your Majesty, please forgive me. Is this truly cold poison?"
"What nonsense are you spouting? His medical skills are exceptionally brilliant, how could he have been poisoned with cold poison without knowing it?" Liu Liu swung her fist at the physician. If Feng Xie hadn't blocked her, she would have knocked out the physician's teeth.
"Reporting to Your Majesty, this cold poison was administered as a slight starter a very long time ago, and was no different from anyone else. However, recently the dosage has been drastically increased, activating the previous starter, which is why it has flared up."
"Ah, that beast, how could he do such a thing?"
Liu Liu's heart ached as she thought of Nangong Yue being poisoned as a child. Compared to him, she was so much happier. She never expected him to have suffered so much since childhood. She had been happy to have found him and planned to take him to see their aunt.
She never imagined he had been poisoned with cold poison, but surely there was a cure for cold poison in the world? She refused to believe there wasn't. She was determined to find the antidote for him. Liu Liu resolved herself.
"What do we do now? Is there no medicine even if he is unconscious?"
"I have a way," the physician nodded and withdrew to write a prescription. Liu Liu instructed Dai Mei to fetch the medicine from the large camp outside the city. Many medicinal ingredients were stored in the camp. Once the ingredients were obtained, they were quickly brewed and brought over.
"Yes, Master," Dai Mei replied.
Inside the room, Liu Liu sat by the bedside gazing at Nangong Yue. Feng Xie quietly withdrew, wanting to give the brother and sister some time alone. He knew Nangong Yue had been secretly protecting Liu Liu, and for that, he was grateful.
His face was pale and bloodless, lying there lifelessly.
Memories flashed through her mind – his care, his tenderness. Whatever she asked for, he would help her. Tears slowly welled up, dripping down her face. She held his hand tightly.
"Brother, I will definitely find the medicine to cure your cold poison. I believe Senior Wu Ya Zi will be able to cure the cold poison in your body. When you wake up, I will send you to Wu Liang Mountain."
As she spoke, she couldn't help but bury herself in his embrace and cry. Dai Mei entered with the medicine bowl. Seeing her master crying, she felt a pang of sadness and spoke softly, "Master, don't be sad. It's time to give young master his medicine."
Liu Liu stopped crying and personally took the medicine bowl from Dai Mei, feeding Nangong Yue. However, he was completely unresponsive, and the medicine he took flowed out from the corner of his mouth, soaking the newly changed inner robe.
"What should we do?" Liu Liu frowned, pulling out a silk handkerchief to carefully wipe him dry.
Dai Mei, standing behind her, stepped forward and supported Nangong Yue's body. "Master, this way should be better."
"Mmm," Liu Liu nodded, then used a spoon to feed him some more. Indeed, it was much better. After feeding him half a bowl of the medicinal soup, she finally breathed a sigh of relief and handed the bowl to Dai Mei, waving her away. "You may go."
"Alright," Dai Mei withdrew. She knew her master was feeling unwell at the moment. She had just found her brother, only for him to be poisoned. If Aunt Su knew, she would surely be heartbroken. He had always longed to find the descendants of the Su family, never expecting this outcome. Dai Mei sighed as she walked out.
Liu Liu stared blankly at Nangong Yue.
Looking at him closely now, she realized how much he resembled her. Delicate eyebrows, large eyes, a high nose, and lips shaped like a rhombus. Why had she never noticed this before?
Liu Liu felt regret. If her aunt knew her brother was poisoned with cold poison, she would be devastated. It was better not to let her know for now. She would tell her aunt after she found someone to cure her brother's cold poison.
Liu Liu took her brother's hand, holding it tightly. His hands were long, fair, and delicate, hands suited for playing the zither. Thinking of the hardships he had endured, pain swept through her.
From now on, she would never let him suffer again. She would take good care of him.
Brother, can you hear me? From now on, I am your family, your family forever.
As Liu Liu was gazing absentmindedly at the man lying motionlessly on the bed, Dai Mei entered from outside the door and asked softly, "Master, His Majesty says he is going to visit his master, Elder Mo Hai, and Aunt Yun. He asks if Master would like to go?"
With such a major event happening in Yueyang City, Liu Liu was truly worried about Aunt Yun. She had been so sad when she left, even though Liu Liu herself had been imprisoned on Xue Xiu Peak.
However, the two of them had developed some affection for each other. Moreover, Elder Mo Hai and Aunt Yun were siblings of Senior Wu Ya Zi, so they would surely know something. It was a good opportunity to ask if the cold poison could be cured. Liu Liu stood up, releasing Nangong Yue's hand.
"Brother, rest assured. I'll be right back."
As she left the bedroom, she instructed two people to take good care of the person inside. If he woke up, they were to immediately inform her.
"Yes," the two subordinates nodded respectfully.
Liu Liu then, with peace of mind, led Dai Mei and Zhi Gu out. A carriage was already parked in front of the government office, with several people mounted on horseback. Feng Xie extended a fair hand from the carriage and pulled Liu Liu inside. The others followed, and the group set off.
The streets had already been cleared, but the occasional bloodstains remained, and cries could still be heard. Fortunately, Liu Ting and Bai Han had been overseeing the pacification efforts, providing financial compensation to the families of the deceased, which helped to calm the populace.
In the sky, white clouds unfurled, drifting leisurely and far away.
Inside the carriage, Feng Xie gazed at Liu Liu with concern, reaching out to hold her small hand, his heart aching for her inner pain.
Regardless of whether Nangong Yue was his brother or not, she would be saddened by such an event.
Because he had always helped her when she needed it, regardless of Feng Xie's admission or not, he knew that in Liu Liu's heart, that man occupied a place. A person's heart is not a clear pool of water, where one can pass without leaving a trace.
"Are you alright?"
Liu Liu shook her head and leaned forward willingly, nestling obediently against his chest. Fortunately, she still had him by her side; otherwise, she truly feared she wouldn't be able to bear such a blow.
"I don't believe there's no cure for cold poison. I wonder if Elder Mo Hai and Aunt Yun have a way?"