Chapter 9, Fire Poison
Story: Spring Breeze in the Attic Author:Velvet Verity Novels words:9218 Update time:2023-07-16 07:32:37
"Your Majesty, won't you take a short break here?" After the meal, Jinghua held onto Song Jiang Lin's sleeve, her eyes filled with anticipation.
Song Jiang looked at the person in front of him, hesitated for a moment, then took Jinghua in his arms and smiled, "Alright, I'll rest here today."
Compared to Qinghe Palace, the atmosphere in Qingfeng Pavilion remained the same. Everyone was quietly doing their own tasks, watching as the meals brought from the imperial kitchen were placed on the table. The chief eunuch nodded in approval.
"Master, it's time to wake up. It's time for lunch." Old Shun called from outside the tent, but Tang Yu remained unresponsive for a long time. Startled, Old Shun quickly lifted the curtain of the tent and found Tang Yu's face flushed as he lay unconscious. Old Shun placed his hand on Tang Yu's forehead, and in a panic, he hastily ran out, shouting, "Someone, quickly get a doctor!"
The imperial physician of the Imperial Hospital immediately rushed over in a hurry. His Majesty had just personally come to check on this young master's medicine, indicating that this young master holds a significant position in His Majesty's heart. Upon hearing the news, the physician grabbed his medicine box and hurried over.
After taking the patient's pulse, the imperial physician lifted the curtain and glanced at the person inside the tent. Their complexion was abnormally flushed, and their pulse was erratic. The imperial physician immediately understood what was going on, and a look of concern appeared on his face.
"Doctor Zhang, how is Young Master doing?" Steward Shun leaned over and asked, watching Doctor Zhang's face filled with bitterness. He felt a strong sense of unease in his heart. If Young Master made a mistake, everyone in this room would be implicated!"
"Old servant, it's hard to say about Young Master Yu's condition," Zhang, the imperial physician, currently had a difficult dilemma. Despite having a mouth to speak, he did not know how to express himself.
"Oh dear! This is something that must be said, regardless of how difficult it may be! Master Zhang, you need to speak up. What exactly is the situation with the young master?" Steward Shun was so anxious that beads of sweat formed on his forehead. This involved the lives of everyone in the room; there was nothing that couldn't be said.
"You first instruct someone to prepare a bucket of icy water, and let the young master soak in it for a few hours."
As soon as Shun Gonggong heard this, he quickly wanted to give instructions. However, after thinking about it, he realized it was not right and became so anxious that he nearly jumped up. "Doctor Zhang, what nonsense are you talking about? Young Master has caught a cold! How could you put him in icy water again? What kind of illness does the Young Master have, after all?"
Doctor Zhang had a troubled look on his face. Finally, he leaned close to Steward Shun's ear and whispered, "Young Master has been drugged. We can only seek the Emperor's help. However, the Emperor is currently resting in Qinghe Hall and we are not allowed to enter. Therefore, besides this method, there is no other way."
Shun Gonggong's face was filled with shock. Yu Gongzi has never left the house, so how could he have been drugged?
"Grandfather, in my opinion, it would be best to immerse the young master in ice water first to relieve this fire poison," Doctor Zhang said.
"Now this is the only way." Shun Gonggong hurriedly told someone to prepare ice water, helped Tang Yu remove his outer garment, and ordered that today's affairs must not be leaked to the outside. The little palace maids remained silent and quickly complied.
After Shun Gonggong placed Tang Yu into the bathtub, he was sweating profusely as he anxiously stared at the fresh scar on Tang Yu's hand. His heart was pounding non-stop, worrying that if the wound hadn't fully healed and was exposed to cold water, it could cause bruising. How would he explain if it left a mark?
Tang Yu sat in the bathtub with a flushed face, feeling alternately hot and cold all over his body. The torment made him break out in a sweat, his consciousness becoming hazy as he faintly called out Yun Er's name.
It had been half an hour since Song Jianglin left Qinghe Palace. Jinghua held onto Song Jianglin's sleeve, her face filled with reluctance. Song Jianglin comforted her, saying, "I still have memorials to review. I'll come to accompany you later."
"Your Majesty, Jinghua has prepared the evening meal and is waiting for Your Majesty. Jinghua released his sleeve and smiled, 'Your Majesty, in recent days, your humble servant has been feeling a little unwell. This morning, I went to see the young master that Your Majesty recently brought back. His appearance is truly pleasing to the eye. When that young master saw that your humble servant's complexion wasn't good, he brought a bowl of bird's nest with blood, saying that it was personally ordered by Your Majesty. It seems that your humble servant has unexpectedly gained some benefits.'"
"If you like it, I'll have the royal kitchen prepare a portion for you tomorrow," Song Jiang said calmly, as if a bowl of Bird's Nest Soup was as plain as a bowl of Congee, it didn't matter who drank it. But little did he know, he was well aware of the scheme to rob him midway.
"Thank you, Your Majesty," Jinghua said with a faint smile. As she observed Song Jiang's indifferent attitude, she could not determine any discernible connection between him and Tang Yu. This slightly eased her worries.
As Song Jiang glanced at the weather outside, he noticed that it was not very good today. The sky was consistently covered in dense fog. This reminded him of Tang Yu's weak and frail body once again. After exchanging a few words with Jinghua, he then departed.
宋江临带着人走到了清风阁附近又停住了脚步,望着离他不远的朱红色大门,又转了方向,江公公不解地说,“陛下,煜公子的住处在那边。”
Song Jiangling led the group to the vicinity of Qingfengge, then came to a halt while gazing at the nearby vermilion gate. He changed direction and, with a puzzled expression, Jiang Gonggong said, "Your Majesty, Yu Gongzi's residence is over there."
Song Jiang gave him a quick glance. How could Tang Yu not know where he lived? But now was not the time to see him. Jinghua was always keeping an eye on their movements. If Tang Yu was seen, how could he have a peaceful life anymore?
Jiang Gonggong immediately closed his mouth. He was well aware of the situation in the harem, but he knew the emperor's temperament even better. At this critical moment, if he said one more word, his head would probably not be spared.
After Song Jiang left, a head emerged from behind the vermilion door of the Qingfeng Pavilion. He watched the departing figure and secretly sighed in relief.
An hour had passed, and Shun Gonggong looked at Tang Yu's gradually pale face. His old heart nearly leaped out of his chest in fright. He quickly pulled Tang Yu out of the water and laid him on the bed. In less than the time it takes for a joss stick to burn, Tang Yu's body was scorching hot again.
Shun Gonggong paced back and forth in the room. Tang Yu, who was on the other side of the curtain, had already undone a large portion of the thin inner robe he was wearing, revealing his pristine white chest. At this moment, Shun Gonggong no longer cared about anything else. If anything were to happen to Tang Yu, everyone in this room would have the same difficulty escaping death. "Yaoguang, quickly go and request the Emperor's presence."
"Yes, I will go right away." Yao Guang quickly responded and ran out to find Song Jianglin. At this time, he should be in the study, so Yao Guang headed straight for the study.
"Master, please endure for just a little longer. His Majesty will be here soon," Shun, the palace attendant, comforted, but he dared not get too close.
Yao Guang walked towards the imperial study with an anxious and uneasy heart. However, she was intercepted upon reaching the entrance. Immediately, Yao Guang said, "I am a palace maid from the Qingfeng Pavilion. Young Master Yu urgently requests an audience with Your Majesty."
"Who is the Young Lord Yu? The Emperor has stated that no one except Young Lord Jinghua is allowed to approach him without permission. Those who violate this order shall be put to death," the guard stopped Yao Guang and said.
"Prince Yu... Prince Yu truly has an urgent matter. Could the two older brothers please make an exception and allow him to report?" Yao Guang said sincerely, taking out last month's allowance from her sleeve and handing it to the two guards.
The guard accepted the silver without changing his expression, and glanced at Yao Guang. With an expectant look on her face, he spoke, "The Emperor is currently reviewing official documents. Wait here!"
Yao Guang's face suddenly changed. How long would they have to wait for this? Without hesitation, she shouted loudly, "Your Majesty, Your Majesty, help! Yu..."
Halfway through, she was interrupted by two guards who covered her mouth and dragged her to the side. If she continued shouting like this, it would attract the attention of the Emperor. Given his unpredictable temperament, none of them would survive.