"Young Madam."
Lu Shi stood up respectfully to greet Feng Jin after seeing her emerge.
"Young Madam, is Liu Meng Han truly beyond saving?"
Wasn't she alive and well just yesterday? In the time it took to give birth, she was already beyond help. This was too rapid.
Feng Jin sat on a chair, picked up the teacup, and took a gentle sip. Her tone was faint, "She was poisoned with the Mother-Child Toxin. Mother and child are connected by the heart. A portion of the toxins in the mother's body will be absorbed by the fetus. The mother and child will be safe within the womb. However, once separated during childbirth, the toxins in their bodies will spread rapidly. In a few hours, at most a day, they will succumb to the poison."
"I just examined Liu Meng Han's pulse. The toxins are spreading aggressively and are about to invade her internal organs. It is likely a matter of tomorrow. After everyone has left, go find a place to bury her."
"Young Madam, Liu Meng Han was the Third Prince's Consort. If she is truly gone, she must be buried in the imperial tomb. If we bury her elsewhere without reason, how can we explain this to His Majesty!"
Lu Shi had learned to analyze problems with her mind. Although there were occasional disagreements, there were also moments of clarity.
Overall, she had improved significantly. Her efforts had not been in vain.
Liu Meng Han's position as the Third Prince's Consort was one that required strategic support to maintain. Chu Yan Xi was currently busy fleeing, and would not pay any attention to Liu Meng Han's life or death.
Furthermore, the Empress had already fallen from grace. Without the Empress, she had no one to rely on. Her child had also been born, so naturally, no one would pay attention to Liu Meng Han's life or death. It was likely that even after she died, no one would remember that there had once been a Third Prince's Consort.
"No need to worry. Liu Meng Han is insignificant. His Majesty will not care, and the Empress Dowager will care even less."
"Your subordinate obeys!"
Feng Jin looked towards the iron bars on the wall, feeling an overwhelming sense of oppression.
"You stay here and watch over things. If anything happens to Liu Meng Han, report it immediately."
Being in this place was incredibly uncomfortable. She did not wish to stay any longer. It was better to find a quiet place to rest for a while.
Just as Feng Jin was about to leave, the eunuch who delivered the imperial decree hurried over and directly blocked her path.
"Young Madam Ling, you have made this servant search for you."
"Your words are too kind, Eunuch. May I inquire as to why you have come?"
"Young Madam Ling, His Majesty has issued a decree, summoning you to the palace immediately, without delay."
Feng Jin's brow furrowed slightly. Emperor Xuan Wen summoning her to the palace at this time was likely regarding the child. She was a thousand times unwilling, but in the end, she succumbed.
If she didn't go, who knew what trouble might arise. Besides, even if she went, the outcome was unlikely to change. It was merely a trip.
"Thank you for your hard work, Eunuch. Please accept this small sum of silver for tea."
Feng Jin placed two gold ingots in the eunuch's hand. For people like them who went with the flow, money was the most important thing.
Money could make ghosts turn the millstone. Bribing them was the most important, and it would make future actions much more convenient.
"Thank you, Young Madam. Young Madam, let's not delay. We should leave quickly. The carriages are waiting outside."
The eunuch happily accepted the gold ingots. After receiving the money, his entire demeanor changed. He greeted Feng Jin with a smile and spoke with great respect.
"Lu Shi, watch this place carefully. Make sure no disturbances occur."
Before leaving, Feng Jin still worriedly instructed Lu Shi. After all, at this critical juncture, not even the slightest error could be tolerated, otherwise, it would be a complete loss.
"Your subordinate understands. Young Madam, please rest assured, your subordinate will not make the slightest mistake."
Lu Shi also knew the importance of the matter and would surely put in her utmost effort, absolutely ensuring no mistakes.
Feng Jin nodded faintly and then followed the eunuch out.
"May I ask, Eunuch, what is the matter that His Majesty has summoned me to the palace for?"
Although she had already guessed some of it, she still wanted to confirm it herself before she could be truly at ease.
"Young Madam may not know, but when His Majesty saw the little imperial grandson, his legs went weak with fright, and he almost fell to the ground. That's why he sent this servant to fetch you. It is to save the little imperial grandson. Young Madam, you must be extremely careful when you enter the palace. Do not say anything wrong that might anger His Majesty and bring about disaster."
Feng Jin's lips still held a faint smile. It was just as she expected, it was still about the child. However, this child was not meant to live. Even if Hua Tuo were resurrected today, or if the Grand Immortal himself came, he would not be able to save this child.
She had already decided that when she met Emperor Xuan Wen, she would simply state things clearly, to avoid Emperor Xuan Wen clinging to her and insisting she save the child.
"Young Madam, this servant will escort you this far. Be careful when you go in later; do not say the wrong thing."
"Thank you for the reminder, Eunuch. I appreciate your trouble."
The moment Feng Jin pushed the door open and stepped inside, she keenly perceived the strange atmosphere.
"Your subject greets His Majesty, the Empress Dowager."
"You are here at the right time. Quickly, take a look at the child. You must save the child. Tell me what medicine you need."
The moment Emperor Xuan Wen saw Feng Jin, he hurriedly urged her to go and see the child.
"Please forgive me, Your Majesty. Your subject is truly unable to save the little imperial grandson. The poison the little imperial grandson has contracted comes from his mother. His internal organs are filled with toxins. Now that he is born, it is the day of his death. I beg Your Majesty's forgiveness!"
Feng Jin had not even seen the child before directly stating that she could not save him. Calculating the time, the child was probably nearing his end.
"Your Majesty, the little imperial grandson is having trouble breathing, and his complexion is very poor! He is likely to die!"
The maid holding the child reported hastily. The child was crying fiercely and could not be consoled at all.
"Is there truly no way? This child has only just been born, and he is already leaving!"
Emperor Xuan Wen found it difficult to accept such a result. The child still had breath, yet in the blink of an eye, he was about to die.
"It is fate! Emperor, do not be stubborn. Let the child depart in peace."
The Empress Dowager sighed helplessly, believing that such an outcome was retribution. If one's intentions were not pure, there would be no good end.
"Feng Jin, prepare a medicine for the child to take, so that he may pass without pain."
Feng Jin dared not agree immediately. She looked towards Emperor Xuan Wen. If he did not give his consent, she truly dared not proceed.