Xu Yanchi was just about to speak when his tense nerves suddenly relaxed after days of stress. Before he could utter a word, his vision went black and he collapsed to the ground.
King Jin quickly sent someone to invite the best doctor.
The doctor arrived soon.
After feeling Xu Yanchi's pulse, King Jin asked, "Doctor, how is he?"
The doctor replied, "This young master is in a very weak physical condition. The arrow wound on his back wasn't treated properly and has become inflamed. The necrotic flesh needs to be removed. Otherwise, if the situation gets serious, his life could be in danger."
"But... even if he is cured, there will be some after - effects. It's impossible for him to return to his previous state."
King Jin let out a sigh of relief. "Please treat him carefully, doctor. Use the best medicine. Money is not a problem."
"Yes."
After the doctor agreed, he went to prescribe the medicine.
Half an hour later, Xu Yanchi slowly regained consciousness. Turning his head, he saw King Jin sitting on a chair sipping tea.
"Your Highness, where am I..."
King Jin sighed and said, "The doctor said that your body is extremely weak, and the arrow wound on your back is inflamed. The necrotic flesh needs to be removed."
King Jin looked guilty. "This arrow wound was actually caused by me. I'm really sorry for you."
Xu Yanchi said in a hurry, looking panicked, "Your Highness, you're being too kind. If it weren't for you, I would have become a ghost. I'm already very lucky to have survived. Your Highness must not blame yourself."
Xu Yanchi gritted his teeth. "It's just removing the necrotic flesh. I've already died once. What else can't I endure?"
King Jin seemed quite satisfied with Xu Yanchi's words. "Don't worry. I've already arranged for the best doctor in the South of the Yangtze River to treat you. You should focus on recuperating first. We'll talk about other things after you recover."
Xu Yanchi was deeply touched. "Thank you, Your Highness."
The removal of the necrotic flesh had to be done while the patient was conscious, without using any anesthetic. Even though Xu Yanchi had mentally prepared himself, when it actually happened, it almost took half of his life.
Half an hour felt like a lifetime to him.
He lay on the bed, biting the quilt. Cold sweat oozed from his back and forehead, and his consciousness gradually blurred.
Just as he was about to completely lose consciousness, Xu Yanchi suddenly woke up with a start.
No!
He couldn't give up!
He still had a great feud to avenge. The hatred of his wife being taken away and his life being threatened made him sworn enemies with Ji Junye for life!
Relying on his strong hatred for Ji Junye, Xu Yanchi managed to endure it. Finally, when it was over, he completely fainted.
...
In the following days, Shen Qing was reviewing the memorials while Ji Junye accompanied her. From time to time, he would give her some guidance, grind the ink for her, or refill her tea.
When Zhuxing first came in to deliver things, she was shocked. She thought her young lady was there to accompany the Emperor, but it turned out that her young lady was reviewing the memorials while the Emperor was grinding the ink?!
Zhuxing couldn't help but rub her eyes, feeling that the world had gone crazy.
But after seeing it many times, she got used to it.
Under Ji Junye's meticulous guidance, Shen Qing made rapid progress. In less than two months, she was already able to handle most of the government affairs independently.
With Shen Qing sharing the workload, Ji Junye had a lot more free time. Shen Qing felt sorry for him and would only ask him to review very important matters. Ji Junye was so idle every day that he could only take Sibao around the garden.
The people in Changchun Garden were as shocked as if they had seen a ghost.
Sibao was now six months old. This was the time when she was curious about the outside world and didn't remember many people. After Shen Qing hadn't taken care of her for a while, Sibao hardly recognized her.
Shen Qing was sad about this for an entire night.
"Just review those damned memorials by yourself. Sibao doesn't even recognize me now!"
Ji Junye apologized and promised that he would accompany her with Sibao every day from then on before he managed to console Shen Qing.
Mainly because he had gotten used to being idle. If he was asked to sit in front of a desk full of memorials every day again, he really couldn't do it.
After Shen Qing had been handling government affairs for a few months, she really felt that it was no exaggeration to say that the Emperor had to attend to numerous government affairs every day. No wonder most emperors in history only reigned for a dozen years, and some even only for a few years. Most of them probably exhausted their bodies from overwork!
But Ji Junye's health was so poor that she couldn't bear to let him overwork. After all, everyone loves their own spouse!
Shen Qing also received letters from the secret guards in the South of the Yangtze River. Since Xu Yanchi entered King Jin's mansion, he hadn't gone out again. Moreover, his health had deteriorated significantly. Although the necrotic flesh had been removed, his bones were also damaged. Whenever it rained on a cloudy day, his old wounds would act up.
The South of the Yangtze River was often rainy. During these times, he suffered a great deal.
After Shen Qing learned about this, she just smiled faintly and put the letter aside.
She had said that there was no risk - free fake - death medicine. Everything in this world had already been priced secretly. If he wanted to fake his death, he had to bear the consequences.
Ji Junye also felt secretly pleased after reading the letter.
Of course, Xu Yanchi's poor health was not without reason. Ji Junye had secretly asked someone to add something to his medicine.
Although King Jin was cautious and Xu Yanchi used the same things as him, what Ji Junye had someone add wasn't poison, just something that could slow down the recovery of his wounds.
At this moment, there was a knock on the door from outside.
"Come in," Shen Qing and Ji Junye exchanged a look and said.
Zhuxing pushed the door open and entered with a solemn expression. "Miss, something bad happened. The Zou family is in trouble."
Shen Qing's face changed slightly. "What's going on?"
The Zou family was the adoptive family that Shen Qing had found for Xu Chenghui. The Zou couple had been married for many years without children, so they wanted to adopt one. Shen Qing had also inquired about the Zou family. They were kind - hearted people and had some modest assets. Although they weren't a wealthy family, their life was quite comfortable. The Zou couple liked children. They took a fancy to Xu Chenghui at first sight and agreed to adopt him.
It had only been less than two months since Xu Chenghui was sent there. Shen Qing also had people secretly watching to prevent the child from being mistreated.
Zhuxing said, "The Zou family was massacred. A group of people set fire at night. They wanted to steal the child, but were discovered by the Zou family. Then they burned down the Zou family. Fortunately, our people were always guarding nearby and managed to rescue the child. But when they went back to check on the Zou family, it was already too late."
Zhuxing really felt sorry from the bottom of her heart. She had met the Zou couple. They were good people, but who could have expected such a thing to happen?
Shen Qing's face also looked grim. "Have you found out who did it?"
Zhuxing said, "It was someone from the South of the Yangtze River."
Shen Qing clenched her fists.
"Xu Yanchi."
It was bad enough that he wanted to steal the child, but he even massacred an entire family. He was simply crazy!
"Check if there are any surviving members of the Zou family. If there are, give them more silver. If not, bury them properly."
The people were already dead. What she was doing now seemed very pale and powerless, but it was the only thing she could do.
It was because of her that the Zou family had suffered such a disaster.
Ji Junye patted her on the back and comforted her, "It's not your fault. It's Xu Yanchi who is crazy. You didn't expect such a thing to happen."
Shen Qing took a deep breath. "I'm fine."
Zhuxing asked, "Miss, what should we do with the child now?"