The Empress, adorned in lavish robes, stood by the bedside, facing a shadowy figure.
The person's form was concealed in darkness, almost merging with their surroundings.
Feng Yin Wan concentrated, and then heard the Empress speak urgently.
"Zhu'er is my life. He absolutely cannot be harmed. No matter the method, you must save him!"
The figure seemed to have already anticipated this. Hearing this, they extended a hand from the darkness. In the fleeting light, Feng Yin Wan recognized her as Concubine Yu.
She had indeed been hiding here for days!
A pill dropped from the Empress's hand. Seeing this, she was instantly overjoyed.
"This elixir can save Zhu'er's life?"
Concubine Yu nodded. She then carried the elixir towards the bedside. Just as she was about to feed it to Ye Ting Zhu, her movements halted.
She turned her head, a hint of hesitation in her eyes.
"You previously said it was for revenge that I agreed to cooperate with you. But now Yue Country has suddenly dispatched troops. What is going on?"
An invasion by an enemy country was a matter of such great importance that she had to take it extremely seriously.
Concubine Yu shook her head upon hearing this, "I am not aware of this matter."
Recalling the Yue Country spy who had been silenced in the celestial prison, the Empress's gaze darkened for a moment as she spoke.
"These two days are crucial. I have no time to be distracted. You are being watched, so for now, stay in the palace and do not show yourself."
...
The elixir within the Emperor's body began to take effect after nightfall.
When Feng Yin Wan returned, Jiang Ru Mo was taking the Emperor's pulse by the bedside. Seeing her, he immediately stood up.
"That elixir is truly a wondrous item. I just saw the Emperor's complexion improve and went to feel his pulse. Unexpectedly, the pulse has already recovered significantly."
During the day, he had been listless, but now he was like withered wood meeting spring, an old tree sprouting new buds. Such a situation could not be described with mere words like "wondrous."
Feng Yin Wan, still pondering what she had witnessed in Changle Palace, nodded upon hearing this and walked directly towards the imperial bed.
As Jiang Ru Mo had said, the Emperor's complexion had recovered, and his pulse had regained its vitality.
After a thorough examination, Feng Yin Wan withdrew. "Judging by this situation, he will likely wake tonight."
These words struck her heart like a muffled drum. While exhilarating, they also brought with them a lingering sense of unease.
It was good that the Emperor could wake, but outside, numerous Imperial Guards stood watch. They were scrutinizing the movements within the palace with great intensity. What would be their next move once the Emperor awoke?
A thoughtful gaze crossed Feng Yin Wan's eyes as she spoke, "I have already communicated with Prince Yun about this matter. With you guarding here, there is no rush to inform the Empress Dowager until after he wakes."
Ye Ting Yun had exchanged himself for the release of the consorts from Linghua Palace. Although the Empress had allowed them to leave, she had forbidden any further visits from the imperial harem.
Furthermore, her identity was sensitive, making it difficult for her to appear directly. Thus, if the Emperor had any commands upon waking, they would likely have to be conveyed by Jiang Ru Mo.
Jiang Ru Mo understood this and nodded before retreating back to the bedside.
The Emperor awoke at midnight.
As midnight approached, the sounds of the Imperial Guards' patrols outside gradually receded. Jiang Ru Mo was already feeling drowsy when a cool breeze crept in, instantly making him more alert.
As he rose, a faint cough echoed from the bed. His movements froze, and he immediately turned to look.
On the imperial bed, the Emperor's breathing was slow and steady. His face twitched, and his eyes were about to open.
Seeing this, Jiang Ru Mo's heart tightened, and he immediately called out softly.
"Your Majesty?"
The Emperor had just woken and was unable to speak. Hearing this, his clouded gaze shifted slightly, indicating he wished to be helped up.
The candlelight in the hall flickered silently. Seeing that the Emperor's consciousness had fully returned, Jiang Ru Mo immediately knelt.
"This humble minister presumed to touch Your Majesty's person, which has harmed your esteemed appearance. I beg Your Majesty's forgiveness."
Knowing he was referring to the needling he had performed, the Emperor raised his hand and said in a deep voice.
"Diagnosis is unavoidable. I do not blame you."
After speaking, his gaze returned to Jiang Ru Mo, with a subtle sharpness. "Minister Jiang, was it you who woke me?"
Jiang Ru Mo's heart tightened. Before he could nod, he heard the Emperor say, with veiled authority.
"I know my own body well. I was at the end of my strength and could not be saved by ordinary means. Even after your full effort, you were unable to help me before. How could you have cured me?"
These words carried immense pressure, causing Jiang Ru Mo to choke on his words, unable to speak.
Seeing this, the Emperor's eyes narrowed imperceptibly. Just as he was about to speak again, a figure emerged from behind the curtains.
"Your Majesty, please forgive me. It was this humble woman who asked Imperial Physician Jiang to say so."
The Emperor had reigned for many years, and his judgment was keen. This matter could not be hidden from him. Feng Yin Wan was not at all surprised.
She stepped forward and bowed, her tone respectful but her posture not subservient.
As if expecting this, the Emperor did not seem overly surprised. Instead, his gaze fell upon her, filled with an unreadable scrutiny.
"You saved my life. This is a great merit. How do you wish me to reward you?"
Feng Yin Wan maintained her bowed posture, her voice calm. "This humble woman only hopes Your Majesty will right the wrongs against my Feng family and restore the innocence of my father and brother."
These words, like jade pendants, struck the ground with a clear sound. The Emperor's expression suddenly darkened. Before he could speak, another figure descended from the rafters.
Feng Jing Yuan knelt on the ground, cupping his hands in apology. "Wan'er spoke her mind carelessly and meant no disrespect. I beg Your Majesty's forgiveness."
Not expecting his sudden appearance, Jiang Ru Mo looked surprised. The Emperor's gaze swept across the hall before he spoke.
"I was asking Consort Mo what reward she desired. Why would I blame her? All of you, rise and speak."
After speaking, he looked back at Feng Yin Wan and said with authority, "The matter of the Grand General of the Zhenguo and your brother Jing Yuan was indeed handled poorly by me. Since you have brought it up, I shall agree. After the current affairs are concluded, I will issue an imperial decree to announce it to the world, to vindicate the two of them."
A monarch's word was his bond. Feng Yin Wan believed this.
Upon hearing this, she nodded and bowed again. "This humble woman thanks Your Majesty."
The Emperor had referred to her as Consort Mo just moments ago, but she had not followed suit. Seeing her persistence, the Emperor paused for a moment and did not press the matter further.
The situation in the palace was largely within the Emperor's expectations, especially regarding the imperial decree.
"The imperial decree I mentioned that day was not the one they took."
When he was gravely ill, he had prepared for death. However, as matters in the palace had not been fully resolved, it was difficult to discern who the Empress's informants were. Therefore, when he mentioned the imperial decree, he intentionally did not dismiss those present, leaving only a vague piece of information.
As expected, the false imperial decree stored in the Imperial Study was taken.
The Empress congratulated herself, unaware that the true imperial decree had already been placed by him in the Buddha's shrine in Linghua Palace, where the Empress Dowager often paid homage.
And the Empress, with her cruel heart, would never have thought to look in such a place!