A Shocking Dream

The incident at Qiuluo Mountain had finally come to an end, and that once thrilling adventure seemed to be gradually buried by time. Qin Ruoyu took Yuanyuan on a tour on his way back to Beijing, their laughter and joy flowing throughout the journey. Qin Rongchen wasn't anxious either. He had received a letter from Su Yijing stating that the Holy Maiden of Yun Nation would not leave the capital until after the New Year of Daqi. With some time to go, there was no need to worry about missing Yunshuang. Thinking of this, Qin Rongchen's mood brightened considerably.

The sun shone brightly and warmly on the earth. Qin Rongchen looked at Yuanyuan catching butterflies, and a soft feeling welled up in his heart. However, he had noticed Yuanyuan's hesitation in speaking in recent days, which made him feel a little suspicious.

He frowned slightly, pondering Yuanyuan's change. Was she frightened by her experience at Qiuluo Mountain, or was there some other reason? Qin Rongchen decided to find a suitable time to ask Yuanyuan.

Qin Ruoyu and Yuanyuan were laughing and playing not far away, their joy infecting everything around them. Qin Rongchen looked at them, feeling a surge of emotion. This trip to Qiuluo Mountain had allowed them to experience a lot and grow a lot.

On the way home, they enjoyed rare peace and joy.

The atmosphere in the capital suddenly became tense. News of the Saint's serious illness from the Jinyu Courtyard was like a huge rock dropped into a calm lake, sending ripples across it.

Upon hearing the news, Emperor Ansheng was horrified. The Saint held a crucial position in the relationship between the two nations, and her safety was crucial to the stability and peace of the nation. Emperor Ansheng immediately dispatched the Imperial Medical Bureau's physicians to ensure the Saint's safety.

Deep within the palace, Kou Jing had known the news long before. The Empress Dowager secretly rejoiced; she had always held a dislike for the Saint. Now that the Saint was seriously ill, this might be good news for her. Yet, outwardly, she displayed deep worry, feigning concern. She had apparently sent Nanny Liu to inquire about the Saint's condition, but in reality, she was investigating the truth of the rumors.

Nanny Liu took the order and headed to the Jinyu Courtyard with the Empress Dowager's instructions. Along the way, she pondered how to complete the task assigned by the Empress Dowager. Arriving at the Jinyu Courtyard, Nanny Liu saw a bustling scene, with imperial physicians coming in and out, their expressions solemn.

She approached the maidens in charge of the Saint's care and inquired about her condition. The maids hesitated, not daring to say more. Liu Ma's suspicions grew even stronger. She observed the surroundings, trying to find clues from the details.

In this tense atmosphere, everyone has their own thoughts.

A heavy atmosphere enveloped the Jinyu Courtyard. The imperial physicians stood outside the Saint's chamber, each one etched with worry. They knew they bore a heavy responsibility. On the one hand, the Emperor placed immense pressure on them to do their utmost to treat the Saint. The Emperor's warning weighed heavily on their hearts. If news of the Saint's death reached the Yun Kingdom, sparking a war between the two nations, they would undoubtedly be the primary culprits, and they would be held responsible.

On the other hand, the Queen Mother kept unconsciously sending people to question them. The implication was clear: the Saint should not be saved, but her death could not be allowed to continue now. She had to wait until she left the land of Daqi before her death could begin. This put the imperial doctors in a dilemma, and they were torn between the two, not knowing what to do.

Inside, the Saint lay quietly on her bed, her face obscured by the delicate curtains, leaving only one hand visible for the imperial physicians to examine. One by one, the imperial physicians felt her pulse through the handkerchief, each shaking their heads and sighing helplessly. They felt the Saint's faint pulse, yet seemed powerless to save her. Each pulse check felt like a desperate struggle.

Tension and anxiety filled the air, and the imperial physicians struggled to find a solution in this predicament. They dared neither disobey the emperor's orders nor ignore the empress dowager's hints. Amidst the palace's power struggles, the Saint's fate hung in the balance, like a candle in the wind. They, caught up in this storm, were unsure how to choose to preserve their own lives while also finding a way out of this complex situation.

Emperor Ansheng sat in his imperial study, reading the memorial in his hands, his mind preoccupied with the Saint's serious illness. The words on the memorial seemed to have lost their allure. He set it aside, uninterested, and pressed his heavy brow. Palace servants repeatedly reported that the imperial physician was helpless against the Saint, filling him with worry.

He had long since suppressed the news of the Saint's assassination within the palace, keeping it secret from the outside world. Now, if the Saint died within the capital of Daqi, how would he explain this to the ruler of Yun? Why had the Saint suddenly become gravely ill? He was truly baffled. "Come, summon Su Yijing." Emperor Ande's voice was filled with urgency.

"As you wish." The palace maid hurriedly took the order and left.

Su Yijing arrived quickly. As soon as he entered the palace, he sensed a strange atmosphere. What was the emperor up to? He wondered inwardly. "Your humble servant, Su Yijing, pays respects to the emperor." Su Yijing bowed respectfully.

"Prime Minister Su, please excuse me. Has Prime Minister Su heard about the Saint's serious illness? This matter concerns peace between our country and the Yun Kingdom. Have you found out the cause of her illness? Was it a sudden illness, or…" Emperor Ansheng paused. Even without him saying anything, Su Yijing could guess. He also wondered if this illness was related to the assassination attempt on the Saint's life in the palace. If it wasn't, that would be great. But if it was… While the Yun Kingdom's military might wasn't formidable, Emperor Ansheng truly didn't want to disrupt the peaceful days between the two countries.

Su Yijing frowned slightly, thought for a moment and said, "Your Majesty, this matter is indeed strange. I will send someone to investigate as soon as possible to see if we can find the reason why the Saint is so ill."

Emperor An Sheng nodded slightly, his expression solemn: "This matter must be investigated as soon as possible, and the Saint Girl must not be allowed to make any mistakes."

This Saint holds a unique status and background in the Yun Kingdom. Chosen from a young age, she is a sacred figure in the hearts of the Yun people. Saints are typically women of exceptional purity and talent, believed to be messengers of the gods on earth, bringing blessings and protection to the nation. Not only do Saints play a crucial role in religious ceremonies, they also wield considerable political influence. Her every word and action can affect the mood of the Yun people and the stability of the nation.

The Holy Maiden of the Yun Nation had come to Daqi to promote friendly exchanges and cooperation between the two nations. Her arrival symbolized peace and trust between the two nations. However, the Holy Maiden was now gravely ill and bedridden, plunging tensions into the relationship between the two nations.

In this tense atmosphere, Su Yijing felt immense pressure. He knew that the Saint's illness was not only related to the peace between the two countries, but also to the stability of the people of Daqi. He had to find the answer quickly to resolve this crisis.