After Ge Zian left, Wei Shuxuan went to Xin Zizhao's room after dinner. Although Xin Zizhao really didn't take a nap, he wouldn't lose his temper in front of others like that. It really made her feel quite strange, so she had to go to his room to check on him.
Xin Zizhao returned to his room, feeling depressed about his rudeness just now. However, he was indeed a bit jealous of Ge Zian's frequent presence with Wei Shuxuan.
At noon today, after having lunch, he originally planned to go back to his room to rest, but was summoned by his father, the emperor, to the imperial study.
When Xin Zizhao arrived at the imperial study, he saw Emperor Jinzheng looking pale. There were no waiting maids or eunuchs around. He was sitting at the desk, reviewing memorials. He bent slightly and said, "I wonder what Father called me here for?"
Emperor Jinzheng coughed a few times. "Zizhao, I've heard that you've studied medicine on Qiuling Mountain."
"I only know a bit of the basics."
"That's just right. Come and examine Father's illness."
Xin Zizhao was a bit stunned upon hearing this. Seeing that he didn't come over for a long time, Emperor Jinzheng asked, "What's wrong?"
"Nothing. I'm just a bit curious. Why didn't Father call the imperial physicians in the palace to examine you?" Xin Zizhao directly voiced his doubt.
"There have been some unsettling things among the people around me recently. I don't trust them, so you'll do it."
Xin Zizhao understood what Emperor Jinzheng meant. He nodded and said, "Yes, I obey the order."
He stepped forward and felt Emperor Jinzheng's pulse. The more he felt the inner meridians, the more he sensed something was off. He found it quite strange. The pulse was both rapid and floating, and the vital energy was gradually dissipating, with little of the visceral qi left. It seemed to be the result of long - term overexertion of the body.
However, what puzzled Xin Zizhao the most was that Emperor Jinzheng's pale face had a tinge of light purple. If one didn't look closely, it was hardly noticeable. He grabbed Emperor Jinzheng's hand and checked his fingernails. They were also pink with a faint purple tint, again not easily detectable without a close look. This seemed like a sign of poisoning.
"How am I? Is it like what the imperial physicians said, that it's due to over - fatigue, causing damage to the vital and visceral qi?" Emperor Jinzheng saw Xin Zizhao's strange expression and anxiously inquired.
"That's part of it, but I think there's more to it. Can I examine Father's daily diet and the medicine you take?"
"Sure, go ahead and check."
"Has Father had lunch yet?"
"Yes, and some snacks will be sent over later."
Shortly after, Xiang'er, the chief maid who served by Emperor Jinzheng's side, brought some snacks with a few other maids. When Xiang'er saw Xin Zizhao in the imperial study, a flash of surprise quickly crossed her face, but then she lowered her head to hide her expression. Unexpectedly, this small action didn't escape Xin Zizhao's sharp eyes.
There's something fishy about this woman.
"You may leave."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
The maids curtsied and left the imperial study. Xin Zizhao's eyes were fixed on Xiang'er, who was walking in front. After they left, Xin Zizhao got up and walked to the snacks on the table. He took out a silver needle from his body. This silver needle would turn black if it encountered poison. He tested the pastries, but the silver needle showed no change at all. Could it just be his imagination?
No, it couldn't be. Father has four meals a day: breakfast, lunch, dinner, and these snacks. Not poisoning the snacks might be to avoid making the "illness" progress too quickly due to frequent dosing, which would arouse suspicion. It seems he still had to keep an eye on the breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
"Are they delicious, Zizhao?" Emperor Jinzheng asked Xin Zizhao.
Xin Zizhao turned his head and saw someone standing outside. He didn't know if they were eavesdropping or just standing guard. "Father, I think they taste good. I like them very much. Later, I'll ask the imperial kitchen to make the same snacks for me."
"That's good."
"If there's nothing else, I'll take my leave first. I'll come to visit Father later."
As soon as Xin Zizhao said he was leaving, the figure outside the window disappeared. Emperor Jinzheng waved his hand, signaling Xin Zizhao to leave first and return to Fenghe Palace.
When Xin Zizhao returned to Fenghe Palace, he also planned to go to the study to look at the medical books he had brought, trying to figure out what was wrong with Father's pulse. It seemed a bit like... chronic poisoning, but he didn't know what kind of poison it was yet. He needed to consult the medical books.
But why was there someone spying on Father? And who could that person be?
Just as Xin Zizhao was troubled, he heard Wei Shuxuan's voice from outside. "Xin Zizhao, I know you're in the room. Open the door and let me in."
"What do you want this time?" Xin Zizhao opened the door for her.
Wei Shuxuan saw that Xin Zizhao still looked calm, as if he was no longer angry. "Nothing. I just came to check on you. I thought you were too angry and needed something to clear the heat."
"With your lousy medical skills, I'll pass."
As always, he was expressionless and sarcastic.
She pouted and walked over to Xin Zizhao's desk, looking at the medical books on it. "You're reading medical books again. Aren't you bored?"
"This is self - improvement. You won't understand."
"Yes, yes, yes, I don't understand. By the way, what did His Majesty want with you today? Did you fail an exam?"
Xin Zizhao didn't know if he should tell Wei Shuxuan about this. He also didn't know if the person spying on Emperor Jinzheng was related to the recent murders in the palace. Just as he was struggling with this thought, there was suddenly a commotion outside.
"Your Highness, Your Highness, something terrible has happened!" Grand Eunuch Li rushed to Xin Zizhao's room in a hurry.
"What's the rush?"
"His Majesty's palace is on fire! Please go and take a look!"
Xin Zizhao and Wei Shuxuan glanced at each other, then ignored Grand Eunuch Li and flew directly to Qianyu Palace using their light - body skills.
When Xin Zizhao arrived, Emperor Jinzheng had already been rescued by Zhang Yuan, the chief of the imperial guards. Xin Zizhao walked over and asked Zhang Yuan, "Zhang Yuan, what happened?"
"I don't know. We're still investigating. The fire started in Tingruo Pavilion behind Qianyu Palace. Fortunately, no one was there when the fire started. His Majesty just inhaled a large amount of smoke and is now in a coma."
"Carry Father to the nearest palace. I need to examine him immediately."
Emperor Jinzheng was obviously frightened. Even in a coma, his body was trembling non - stop. He looked extremely scared. Xin Zizhao had already asked people to prepare the things he needed.