The Virtuous Concubine

The faint light of the morning sun shone through the window lattice, onto the bloodless face of Emperor Kangxi. Today, Rong Ji had given acupuncture to the emperor for the third time, and his forehead was covered with fine beads of sweat.

Of course, it is very easy to prevent the emperor from waking up.

But it is really not easy for the emperor to remain unconscious without being noticed by his colleagues and without being cured even if someone comes to treat him.

When Rong Ji finished the acupuncture, Liang Jiugong, who had been standing by, hurried forward and asked in a low voice with trepidation: "Doctor Rong, what is the emperor's condition like? In the current situation, you have to tell us the truth. Can the emperor still hold on? If... the situation is really bad, how long can the emperor hold on? Can he make it to the capital?"

Facing Liang Jiugong's series of questions, Rong Ji frowned and answered solemnly: "Eunuch, the emperor's condition is really serious this time. His internal qi is disordered and his internal organs are affected. Although I have used acupuncture and medicine, I can only stabilize his condition temporarily. However, the variables are too great. I really can't guarantee that he can hold on until the capital."

After hearing this, Liang Jiugong's face became so gloomy that water seemed to drip out of it, and the blue veins on his forehead were throbbing slightly.

After a moment, he raised his head, and his originally dull eyes now emitted two sharp glances like an eagle.

"Doctor Rong, you also know that the current situation is a bit chaotic and cannot withstand greater changes. If you can find a way to ensure that the emperor can wake up safely in the capital, you will definitely have wealth and glory in the future; but if the emperor is in trouble, you must also think of a way, and don't forget the foundation of your existence in this palace. People who have made a fortune cannot forget their roots."

The vague threat in Liang Jiugong's words was like a poisonous snake spitting out its tongue, making people shudder. However, after hearing these words, Rong Ji was secretly delighted.

Liang Jiugong was actually from Yonghe Palace? This was truly a case of searching for something without much effort, and this time it was exactly what he wanted!

Rong Ji cupped his hands and said, "Don't worry, sir. I will do my best to protect the emperor and help you through this difficult time. I am just an imperial physician and it is difficult for me to handle everything. Please tell me what to do."

Liang Jiugong stood there, staring at Rong Ji with deep eyes, as if examining his loyalty. After a while, Liang Jiugong nodded slightly, and then, without making a sound, he moved his lips slightly and clearly formed the word "coma".

Rong Ji understood and nodded slightly, his expression calm as water. Then he watched Liang Jiugong leave in a hurry, with a barely perceptible smile on the corner of his mouth.

As soon as he turned his head, Rong Ji caught Kangxi's finger trembling slightly. He looked calm and quietly checked Kangxi's breath. At the same time, he took the opportunity to let Kangxi inhale the powder made of Datura flower, raw aconite and wolfsbane on his finger.

All three herbs have strong anesthetic and sedative effects. Combined with the previous acupuncture, the emperor can have a good sleep again.

On the other hand, Liang Jiugong, who was extremely conflicted, asked Rong Ji and learned that although Kangxi's current physical condition could barely withstand the bumpy journey, the possibility of him waking up was very slim. So he resolutely decided to have two relationships at the same time.

He quickly sent a trusted confidant to ride at full speed towards the capital to deliver a letter to the Fourth Prince to inform him of the situation at the palace.

Liang Jiugong himself put on a respectful attitude and walked towards the direction where the prince was imprisoned.

At that time, the Crown Prince will fight with the Fourth Prince in the capital - no matter who is the winner or the loser, they will have to accept his favor!

He came to the prisoner's car, bent down slightly, leaned forward, and forced a humble smile on his face: "Your Highness, the emperor is in poor health and critically ill... At this time when there is no leader and the people are in panic, I hope Your Highness can put the overall situation first, come out to stabilize the government, and lead us to overcome the difficulties together."

When Yinreng heard this in the prison car, he was stunned at first, as if he was a little surprised by this sudden change. Then, a trace of fear and worry flashed in his eyes.

"Is the Emperor sick?" His hands unconsciously clenched the railings of the prison car, and the rough wooden railings creaked in his grip.

The prince felt guilty for the slight joy in his heart.

This might be a great opportunity for him to rise again, but at the same time, he also felt guilty towards the emperor. The emperor's sudden illness must have something to do with his previous disobedient and absurd behavior.

Moreover, the prince quickly realized that the emperor must be seriously ill, otherwise, with Liang Jiugong's usual cautiousness and flattery, he would never lower himself so easily and come to the place where he was imprisoned in person, humbly begging himself, the prince who was almost deposed, to come forward to take charge of the situation!

Liang Jiugong didn't want to talk too much about the details of the emperor's illness outside, and just whispered: "The situation is changing rapidly, and it is really not appropriate to stay here for a long time. If Your Highness wants to know the details, I will tell Your Highness everything I know after we get out of this prison car. I hope Your Highness will put the overall situation first and make a decision as soon as possible."

After hearing what Liang Jiugong said, the prince frowned, his eyes revealing struggle and hesitation: "I am now in prison, how can I convince everyone? And what about the other princes? Have they made any moves?"

Of course he wanted to figure out how to deal with this mess, be filial to his father and take good care of him at his father's bedside, make up for the mistakes he had made, and regain his father's trust and favor.

But he...but he also wants to protect Malu and protect himself.

He was afraid that all this was a trap carefully designed by his father, a trap to test him again.

He also had no way of confirming whether Liang Jiugong's surrender this time was the same as the previous White Fox situation.

That time, he fell into trouble without realizing it, was plotted against, and eventually ended up being reprimanded by his father and criticized by everyone.

Now, could this seemingly sudden opportunity also be the same trap?

Once he stepped out of the prison car, he would be guilty of disobeying the imperial order again and would completely lose the chance to turn things around.

Liang Jiugong's heart trembled, but he still replied calmly: "Your Highness, you are the crown prince appointed by the emperor himself, and your status has long been determined. At this moment, the emperor is seriously ill. As long as you come forward, you will naturally be able to convince the public and intimidate the villains from all sides."

Yinreng fell silent again, but in the end, driven by the temptation of turning over and unwillingness to accept his own fate, he gritted his teeth, a trace of determination flashed in his eyes: "Okay, this prince will believe you this time."

Having said that, in order to show his sincerity and determination, the prince gripped the railing of the prison car tightly with both hands, secretly gathered his strength, and suddenly exerted force. With a loud "click", the originally sturdy door was destroyed to pieces by his brute force, and wood chips flew everywhere.

Then he walked down from the prison van with his head held high and chest puffed out.