"Your Highness has always valued Feng Ruoyan. If something were to happen to her, Your Highness would naturally be deeply affected. Everything I've done is for Your Highness's consideration, with no personal agenda. Young Madam, I implore you, for the sake of our acquaintance, please help me. I will be eternally grateful to you."
Liu Menghan spoke with such earnest sincerity that even Feng Jin, who prided herself on being stone-hearted, felt a twinge of emotion. She sighed softly and said, "The Crown Princess truly is devoted to the Third Prince. It is indeed touching, but..."
"Ever since Feng Ruoyan's miscarriage last time, I had already warned her that she absolutely must not get pregnant again. The least severe consequence would be the loss of the fetus, and the most severe, the loss of her life. Yet, she continued to act as she pleased, completely disregarding my words. The current situation was within my expectations. Even a celestial being couldn't save her life."
Even if she saved Feng Ruoyan's life, she would only be left with a frail body, unlikely to live long, her existence dependent on tonics. It would be better for her to pass away than to endure such suffering.
"Cai Qing, go and escort the Crown Princess out. I need to go and see the child."
Feng Jin casually made an excuse to send Liu Menghan away. She had no desire to get involved in the messy affairs of the Third Prince's manor. She much preferred the leisurely pleasure of enjoying flowers at home.
A 'plop' sound caused Feng Jin to halt her steps. She turned to look at Liu Menghan, who was kneeling on the ground, concealing the hint of annoyance in her eyes.
Did she intend to threaten her with her life? Feng Jin patiently approached, forcing a smile, and reached out to help Liu Menghan up. However, Liu Menghan seemed resolute, remaining kneeling on the ground, refusing to rise.
"Crown Princess, what is the meaning of this? Do you truly intend to remain kneeling in my manor indefinitely?"
"Young Madam, please forgive my actions. I am doing this out of desperation. Young Madam, please accompany me to the Third Prince's manor. I have already promised the Empress and Your Highness that I would invite you. If you do not go, I will not be able to report back, and it would be better for me to remain kneeling here."
Feng Jin's brows furrowed slightly. She wasn't a fool and understood the implication of Liu Menghan's words. She was using the Empress as a shield, deliberately pressuring her to force her to treat Feng Ruoyan.
This was all to cultivate her own good reputation and to gain the admiration of Chu Yanxi. And now, she was resorting to this drama of threatening her life.
If she refused to go today, she would likely offend the Empress and the Third Prince completely. Moreover, if anything were to happen to Liu Menghan while she was here, she would not be able to explain it.
Indeed, she was playing a clever game, simultaneously enhancing her reputation and absolving herself of all responsibility. Liu Menghan was certain she would go.
"Is the Crown Princess trying to force my hand?"
"Please forgive me, Young Madam. I am also acting out of necessity. This time, please help me, and I will surely remember your kindness and repay it with my life someday."
"Very well, I will help you this once."
After consideration, Feng Jin agreed. It wasn't out of fear of Liu Menghan's coercion.
She was also worried that if she didn't go, Feng Ruoyan would indeed meet such an unfortunate end. Chu Yanxi was a narrow-minded and vengeful person. If this matter caused him to harbor resentment towards Ling Mohan, it would be troublesome.
To stabilize Chu Yanxi for now, she had to find a way to save Feng Ruoyan. At the very least, she would prevent her from dying so quickly. She should live for a while longer.
This way, Feng Ruoyan could continue to entice Chu Yanxi and continue to contend with Liu Menghan. That would be much more interesting.
"Thank you, Young Madam."
Liu Menghan slowly breathed a sigh of relief, finally having secured Feng Jin's agreement.
She sent Chu Qing to fetch the medical kit from the room and then headed to the Third Prince's manor.
When Feng Jin arrived, the courtyard was densely packed with people. The Empress and the Third Prince were seated in the center. Feng Jin stepped forward and curtsied to the Empress, "This concubine pays her respects to the Empress. May the Empress be blessed with peace and prosperity."
"There's no need for so many formalities. Young Madam Ling, please go inside and take a look first."
The Empress waved her hand, her tone slightly weary. Although she disliked Feng Ruoyan, seeing Chu Yanxi so worried and saddened for Feng Ruoyan made her, as a mother, feel truly distressed.
"This concubine obeys."
Led by a maid, Feng Jin moved into the room.
Feng Ruoyan lay on the bed as if she had lost all breath. If not for the faint rise and fall of her chest, Feng Jin would have believed Feng Ruoyan had already breathed her last.
"What is the Imperial Physician's assessment of the patient's condition?"
Without bothering to learn more, Feng Jin directly asked the Imperial Physician who was examining Feng Ruoyan.
"The Consort had a weak pulse when she was pregnant. After childbirth, her fundamental health has been severely damaged. Her life force is as fragile as a gossamer thread, barely clinging to life. It is likely beyond salvation."
After hearing the Imperial Physician's explanation, Feng Jin placed her hand on Feng Ruoyan's emaciated wrist. Indeed, as the Imperial Physician had said, she was extremely weak.
If she tried her best, there was still hope. Feng Jin took a small piece of ginseng from her medical kit, sliced off a small piece, and placed it in Feng Ruoyan's mouth, telling her to hold it to sustain her breath.
It was a pity to use this millennium-old red ginseng, which she had finally obtained in such a small piece, on Feng Ruoyan. She truly felt it was a waste.
"You two, help your mistress to sit up and remove her upper garment."
She instructed the maids standing to the side, as she had no desire to personally attend to Feng Ruoyan.
"Yes, Young Madam."
The maids helped Feng Ruoyan to sit up and removed her upper garment.
Feng Jin opened her acupuncture kit and inserted silver needles into Feng Ruoyan's acupoints. For now, the only option was to use the needles to stabilize her vital energy and then administer medication for careful nurturing. This could guarantee Feng Ruoyan lived for about ten years.
However, she would still have a frail body, unable to withstand any shock.
After about half an hour, Feng Ruoyan showed a slight movement.
"Don't move rashly. The needles must remain in your body for another half hour. If you wish to die, feel free to move."
Feng Jin reprimanded sternly, and her hand continued to insert the needles.
The pain of the silver needles piercing her flesh made Feng Ruoyan's muddled consciousness even clearer. She bit her lower lip tightly, not daring to move an inch, cold sweat beading on her forehead.
Half an hour felt as long as a century. It was only after the pain subsided that Feng Ruoyan slowly breathed a sigh of relief.
Feng Jin removed the needles one by one, wiping them with a clean cloth, and said in a deep voice, "Your life is temporarily saved, but you will need to continue taking medication to survive."
With the help of the maids, Feng Ruoyan lay back down on the bed. Propping open her weary eyelids, she looked at Feng Jin. With great effort, she managed to squeeze out two words from her dry throat: "Thank you..."
"You're welcome. I didn't save you for your sake. Since you're not dead, live well. And never let the person who harmed you off the hook."
"You... what do you mean? Who wants... who wants to harm me!"
Feng Jin watched Feng Ruoyan's reaction with satisfaction and did not answer her question. She packed her things and left.
"You stop... stop, and explain clearly. Who... who wants to harm me..."
Shouting with all her might, Feng Ruoyan soon found herself unable to breathe. She clutched her chest, her weak body collapsing onto the bed.
"Miss, please do not be angry. Your body is still extremely weak and needs proper rest. You cannot endure any more exertion."
The maid, startled, rushed to support Feng Ruoyan, saying with a worried expression.
"Tell me who... who wants to harm me... Who is it!"
"Miss, your servant truly doesn't know. The Imperial Physicians said you were beyond saving this time. It was the Crown Princess who suggested... who suggested the second young lady come to save you, and the Crown Princess personally went to the Ling Manor to invite the second young lady."
Feng Ruoyan steadied her mind and snorted coldly, "Could she be so kind? She wishes I would die sooner. If I die, who would be happier than her!"
Liu Menghan, that wretch, probably dreamed of my death. If I were dead, Liu Menghan would be able to monopolize the Third Prince.
"Is it Liu Menghan who wants to harm me..." Feng Ruoyan suddenly said, "Yes, it must be Liu Menghan, she must be the one trying to harm me... I want to tell His Highness, I want to tell His Highness!"
Feng Ruoyan shouted in a frenzy, only to be held down on the bed by the surrounding maids.
"Miss, you must not be impulsive. Your current condition cannot withstand such an ordeal. Miss, you must think of our young master."
"My child... my child..."
Feng Ruoyan immediately quieted down. She still had a child. If something happened to her, who would protect her child? For her child, she had to live well. She absolutely could not have anything happen to her.
"You are right, I still have my child. I must be well... well..."
Feng Ruoyan stopped making a fuss and obediently leaned back on the bed, calming down to recuperate.
...
As Feng Jin opened the door, Chu Yanxi, who was waiting outside, impatiently asked, "How is it? How is Yan'er?"
"Your Highness, please rest assured, the Consort is no longer in critical condition, but still..."
Before she could finish speaking, Chu Yanxi could no longer restrain himself and rushed in.
Feng Jin only felt a gust of wind pass by her ears, and then the person was gone. He ran incredibly fast. It seemed they were truly in love.
"Thank you, Young Madam, for your life-saving intervention. You were saying just now...?"
Liu Menghan, playing the good Samaritan to the end, eagerly stepped forward to thank Feng Jin, not forgetting to probe for details.
"The person has been saved, but her fundamental health has been damaged. With careful nurturing through medication, her lifespan is uncertain, likely only about ten years."
"What? Then... Sister... she..."
Liu Menghan put on a sorrowful expression, and a couple of tears even fell from the corners of her eyes. For a moment, even Feng Jin couldn't tell if they were real or fake. She could only say that Liu Menghan's acting skills were truly superb.
"That is her fate. If the King of Hell wants to claim her, how can we stop him? You have already done enough. There's no need to be sad and harm your own body over this. Don't forget that the child in your womb is the legitimate heir and the most important."