"Attend to Prince Yulou immediately and see if the snake venom can be cured."
"Yes, Your Majesty," the imperial physician replied, walking to the large bed and bowing respectfully to the woman at the desk. "Consort De, please lay Prince Yulou down. Allow this humble servant to examine the Prince and see if the snake venom can be cured."
Consort De obediently complied, placing Yulou down. Her expression was anxious as she looked at the imperial physician. "You must find a way to save my son."
"I will do my best."
The imperial physician sneered inwardly and then pretended to take Yulou's pulse. He already knew how to cure the poison of the Snake King Thorn, this was just a formality. Ever since Abu was poisoned last time, she had pulled out the Snake King Thorn's teeth. Otherwise, this child would have died from the poison long ago. If he had been delayed for so long, could he still live? However, even with its teeth removed, the Snake King Thorn's venom was still extremely potent.
Silence fell in the sleeping chamber, with only the sound of breathing. Prince Yulou's breathing had become weak, and he was occasionally twitching, vaguely and painfully calling out "Mother Consort."
Lou Sijing was in so much pain she wished she could share all her son's suffering. This was all her doing. Feng Luo, I hate you, I hate you. Why did you make me enter the palace back then? Now you've abandoned us, mother and son, and left the palace alone. She had also wanted to take Yulou away from the palace, but she hadn't expected things to happen so quickly. Before she could make a move, Yulou was poisoned.
"How is it? How is it? Can he still be saved?"
Before the imperial physician could speak, the eunuch's shrill voice was heard from outside the palace gates: "The Emperor has arrived."
A figure in imperial yellow strode into the sleeping chamber. Feng Xie entered with a dark expression, radiating a chilling aura. His gaze was as deep as a dark abyss, making it impossible to discern what lay within. He looked directly at Lou Sijing and Yulou.
Upon seeing the Emperor, Lou Sijing's heart pounded with unease. She felt that something was not right, but she couldn't pinpoint it. Nevertheless, she rose and paid her respects.
"Your humble consort greets His Majesty."
Liu Liu also bowed to Feng Xie. Feng Xie nodded at Liu Liu, and the two exchanged a knowing glance as they both looked at Yulou. Feng Xie waved his hand, signaling Lou Sijing to rise. Looking at her white hair, he felt utter disgust. This impure woman, how did she manage to infiltrate the harem? He felt no sympathy for her. If she truly loved Feng Luo that much, why didn't she insist on marrying him? A good woman makes a man better, not pushes him further away. From this perspective, she was not worth cherishing.
The imperial physician, having finished taking the pulse, stood and bowed to the Emperor, speaking respectfully.
"Reporting to His Majesty, Prince Yulou can be saved. Blood transfusion is possible."
"Blood transfusion?" Lou Sijing was stunned, clearly not grasping the situation. At this moment, Liu Liu, showing rare kindness, walked to her side and whispered, "It means the Emperor will transfuse blood to Prince Yulou to cure the snake venom. Do you understand now, Consort De?"
As the words fell, Lou Sijing's body trembled as if struck by a heavy blow. She stumbled back two steps, swaying unsteadily before regaining her balance. Her face turned as pale as her striking white hair, and her eyes were filled with a deathly terror. She bit her lower lip desperately.
"No, His Majesty is the Son of Heaven, how can he transfuse blood? Allow me to do it. I would not hesitate even if all the blood in my body were drained."
Feng Xie's narrow eyebrows rose, the corners marked by a chilling cold. If he hadn't known her schemes so well, he might have been moved by her words. Unfortunately, thinking about it now, her actions made him feel sick. Such a woman was destined to be trampled upon. If you love, love passionately; always submitting to a man unconditionally only erodes any affection he might have, breeding only annoyance.
"I am Yulou's father. Since he is my imperial son, I will naturally transfuse blood for him."
As Feng Xie's words reached the large bed, Yulou, enduring the pain, opened his eyes. His eyes were filled with surprise, shining brightly. His father was actually willing to transfuse blood for him. Was this true? Did his father actually love him a little? Even a little would satisfy him. A smile appeared on his lips, and large beads of sweat dripped down his face. He murmured softly, "Father, Father." The scene brought tears to the eyes of everyone in the sleeping chamber.
Liu Liu looked around the vast sleeping chamber, which had suddenly fallen silent. Only the sounds of everyone catching their breath could be heard. Liu Liu sighed softly. Seeing Yulou like this, even she felt a pang of sadness. What was about to happen should not be witnessed by others. Liu Liu waved her hand coldly and spoke in a deep voice.
"Everyone else, please leave. Cui'er, take Mu Xing away." She didn't want her son to witness the ugly scene that was about to unfold. What kind of psychological shadow would that cast upon him? Cui'er nodded, took Mu Xing's hand, and left the sleeping chamber. All the eunuchs and maids retreated.
Lou Sijing watched as the Emperor walked towards Yulou, and Yulou looked at the Emperor with such longing. Oh heavens, Lou Sijing clutched her chest. Was all this her karma? Yulou longed for the Emperor's love so much. He never knew he wasn't the Emperor's child. How many times had he thrown tantrums and refused to eat, just wanting to see his father? But Feng Xie had never even looked at him. Perhaps it was because he wasn't his biological child, a natural aversion. Feng Xie had never liked Yulou. Lou Sijing's mind churned with a thousand thoughts. As she watched the imperial physician raise the knife to prick the Emperor's finger for the blood transfusion, she could no longer hold back and trembled as she spoke.
"Wait a moment."
Everyone, except Lou Sijing, waited for her words. The imperial physician immediately lowered the sharp knife and looked at Consort De. Consort De, Lou Sijing, gritted her teeth and asked, "What if the blood types are incompatible?"
Before the imperial physician could answer, Liu Liu coldly interjected, "Yes, it will be fatal. Does this need to be asked?" They were waiting for this moment. The answer was about to be revealed.
Lou Sijing fell to her knees with a thud, repeatedly kowtowing. If she didn't speak now, her son would surely be harmed by her. She screamed and pleaded.
"Your Majesty, please do not transfuse blood to Yulou. Yulou is not your child. I, this sinner, deserve death. I am willing to die, only begging Your Majesty to spare Yulou's life. Even if I am torn limb from limb, I will accept it."
Feng Xie, although he had considered this possibility countless times, was still struck by it at this moment. His handsome and charming face contorted into a terrifying grimace. With a flash, he swiftly moved to Lou Sijing's side, concentrating his palm, and struck Lou Sijing's forehead with lightning speed. If the blow landed, her head would surely explode. But a surge of wind blocked his action. Liu Liu spoke in a deep voice, "Your Majesty, please calm down. Shouldn't we ask where Feng Luo is now?"
"Speak. If you reveal Feng Luo's whereabouts, I, this Empress, will promise to save Yulou's life." Liu Liu could no longer hold back. Although Yulou was Feng Luo's child, and perhaps in the future he would seek revenge for the death of his parents, at this moment, seeing his pitiful state, she couldn't bring herself to be ruthless.
Lou Sijing's eyes lit up upon hearing Liu Liu's words. She believed what this woman said. She immediately kowtowed.
"My palace maid, Wan Rong, is actually Feng Luo. He has several hideouts in the capital. As long as Yulou is saved, I will immediately take the Empress and His Majesty to find him. After finding him, I am willing to die to atone for my sins, only begging for Yulou to live well." At this moment, she was a mother longing for her child to live, a pitiful, humble mother, willing to die herself to protect her child.
Liu Liu no longer hesitated. Since she said so, she would surely act accordingly. She immediately turned and ordered Zhi Gu behind her, "Tend to Prince Yulou's recovery immediately."