Chapter 596 - At Most A Day
"Stop crying!" Sheng Li scolded Weng Yu as he ended up hearing his sobs.
"Brother Sheng, please calm down. Brother Yu is scared," Lei Wanxi appealed to him. Nianzu went towards Weng Yu and took him out. Jian Guozhi, on the other hand, requested the Empress and the Consorts to leave for their respective quarters.
"We shall stay close to the Emperor," Jinlong stated.
"Let the Emperor take rest," Jian Guozhi asserted. "We will scrutinize the Emperor, so you all shall leave for your respective quarters. It will take time for His Majesty to wake up," he opined. They agreed and left the chamber. The Princesses were also told to leave. Now, only the Princes and Huan Tsu were in the chamber.
"I heard the Emperor has been suffering from this disease for a long time," Huan Tsu said.
"Everyone, leave!" They heard the voice of Sheng Li.
"We are not leaving," Rong Zemin stated. "He is also our father, and you also need us," he reasoned. Huan Tsu thought to leave the chamber as it was now the personal matter among the Princes. He silently walked out of the chamber.
"You really do not know any cure," Sheng Li asked the Royal Physician, who was still in the chamber.
"I am afraid, Your Highness. The disease has no cure left," the Royal Physician said in a low voice.
"Take retirement. You are no longer needed in the palace," Sheng Li said with a menacing expression.
Jian Guozhi intervened and said, "Do not take the words of the Crown Prince to your heart, Royal Physician." Rong Zemin agreed with him. Lei Wanxi observed Sheng Li and went near him. He also got on his knees and looked at their father.
"Father will be alright," he said and side hugged Sheng Li.
"Do you think so?" Sheng Li asked as he caressed the hand of his father. "He is coughing blood. I am not ready to let him go. He still needs to see your marriage and our children. He was so happy when Lili's pregnancy was announced," Sheng Li was filled with many emotional moments.
"Brother Sheng, who knows he will stay longer with us," Rong Zemin gave him hope. Sheng Li glanced at the Royal Physician, who knew the answer.
"Till when will our father bear it?" Sheng Li asked him. "Say the truth only," he sternly said.
"A-at m-most a day, Your Highness," the Royal Physician said with a trembling voice.
The Princes were shocked to hear it. Tears formed in their eyes. "I thought you would lie to me as you did 20 years ago," Sheng Li remarked.
"Forgive me for that day. It was what your mother wanted. The Crown Prince was young, so she wanted to hide the truth of her death from him," the Royal Physician stated and rubbed his misty eyes with his fingers. The Princes were shocked to hear it. Nianzu had also come inside with Weng Yu after calming him down. They also heard what the Royal Physician revealed about the mother of the Crown Prince.
"Let's stay strong in front of Father. No one will shed a single tear in front of me when he wakes up. He wanted his sons to be together at all times. Sadly, Prince Yongzheng is not here. But let Father not feel his absence," Sheng Li said with a determined tone.
"Sure, Brother Sheng. We cannot fall weak in front of the Emperor," Jian Guozhi pronounced. "At this time, we need to act strong. We all always fight amongst each other. However, not anymore. We will show him that we brothers have united with each other and also have become the strength of each other," Jian Guozhi affirmed.
A palace maid came inside the chamber. "Forgive me for intruding on the conversation among the princes. The Crown Princess's health has suddenly deteriorated. The presence of the Royal Physician is needed," she said.
Sheng Li immediately stood up from the floor. The Princes also got worried to hear that. The Royal Physician quickly picked his cloth bag and glanced at his assistant.
"Let's go," Sheng Li told him. But before going he told the Princes to keep an eye on the Emperor.
"Brother Sheng, I will come with you," Nianzu asserted. Sheng Li nodded and they left for Ying Lili's chamber. Many strange thoughts started to run in the mind of Sheng Li.
Ying Lili, on the other hand, was crying with pain in her stomach. She even was sweating because of the intensity of the pain. Court Lady Ki could not understand what went wrong. Sheng Li entered the chamber with the Royal Physician and ran towards the bed while Nianzu stayed outside the chamber.
"Lili," he said as he sat on the mattress. Xue Yu-Yan stepped away as she gave way to the Royal Physician.
"Sh-sheng Li, it is too much pain. I do not know, why?" Her breathing was erratic as her hand was on her stomach.
Sheng Li panicked and asked the Royal Physician about it. Ying Lili had rested her head on his chest. Sheng Li had held her hand in his right hand while his other hand was on her arm, caressing it.
"Everything is fine, Lili. The Royal Physician is here, so do not worry," Sheng Li calmed her down. The Royal Physician came forward and checked the pulse of the Crown Princess which appeared normal to him.
He checked the eyes of Ying Lili and it appeared to him that she had taken something which she was not supposed to eat.
"What did the Crown Princess eat in the morning?" He asked humbly.
Sheng Li quickly told him.
"There was nothing odd in the morning meals of the Crown Princess then is it happening? The pulse is stable, Your Highness," the Royal Physician informed the Crown Prince.
"Did you give something to Lili?" Sheng Li asked Court Lady Ki, who refused.
Xue Yu-Yan got scared. When she returned to the chamber with Ying Lili, Court Lady Ki had gone to the Kitchen to bring lukewarm water for Ying Lili. At that time, she fed the grapes to her. Was it because of that? She wondered and saw Ying Lili's condition was worsening.
The Royal Physician asked Court Lady Ki to bring the lukewarm water. Luckily, it was already there, so she handed the glass to him.
The Royal Physician told his assistant to crush the mint leaves and fenugreek into the mortar. He quickly did that. Once he ground it into a fine powder, the Royal Physician mixed it into the lukewarm water. He then forwarded the water glass to Sheng Li.
"Your Highness, drink it. You will feel good," the Royal Physician said. Sheng Li took the glass from him and brought it near her lips.
"It's safe, right?" Sheng Li asked him.
"Yes, Your Highness," the Royal Physician assured him.
His hand came to Ying Lili's forehead as he caressed it. "Drink it, Lili." She opened her mouth and gulped the water mixed with herbs. After a few minutes, she found the pain had reduced.
"How are you feeling?" Sheng Li asked her worriedly.
"I- I a-am feeling good," she answered in a meek voice and closed her eyes. "I want to rest," she said in a low voice.
Sheng Li hummed and gently made her lay on the mattress. The maidservant put the blanket over Ying Lili. Sheng Li got off the bed and ordered Court Lady Ki to keep a close eye on Ying Lili.
He then turned to look at Xue Yu-Yan, who was trembling in fear.
"Come out," he commanded her and walked out of the chamber, who silently followed him. Nianzu asked Sheng Li about Ying Lili.
"She is resting," he replied and went towards the chamber next to the main chamber. It confused Nianzu when he saw Xue Yu-Yan, who had followed the Crown Prince to that chamber.
She halted upon seeing the Crown Prince with a dagger in his hand. She gulped in fear and fidgeted with her fingers when she heard Sheng Li.
"Did you feed something to Lili?" He asked her in an angry tone.
Nianzu had also come to that chamber.
Xue Yu-Yan quickly got down on her knees. "Forgive me, Crown Prince.. I did not know that the Crown Princess's condition will get worsened," she started to cry because of the fear.