"So, I wish to invite you to the palace to examine His Majesty. At least try to diagnose what ailment he is suffering from. If the Emperor continues to remain unconscious, the imperial court will inevitably destabilize and lead to trouble."
The imperial physicians in the palace had been diagnosing for a long time, yet they were unable to pinpoint the cause of the illness. The news had now been suppressed, but such a matter could not be kept secret for long. If the Emperor's absence from public view persisted, it would certainly spark speculation among the populace.
Once any disloyal sentiments emerged, the imperial court would undoubtedly be plunged into a bloody storm.
After much deliberation, he concluded that in the entire capital, only Feng Jin could possibly save His Majesty.
"This... His Majesty's condition is naturally being attended to by imperial physicians. I am merely a country doctor and dare not presume to meddle with the Emperor's dragon body. Prince Jing should seek a more qualified practitioner."
What a mess this is. If anything were to truly befall the Emperor, she would inevitably bear responsibility. She quite liked her head attached to her shoulders and preferred to remain undisturbed.
She had no desire to court such a risk; it was best not to go. This was not an easy task to undertake.
"Even if I were to beg you, there is likely no one else who can do this but you..."
Chu Chenyi's tone was exceedingly humble. No matter what, he had to find a way to get Feng Jin into the palace today. Besides Feng Jin, no one else could diagnose His Majesty.
"No, this is absolutely not possible. I will not go."
Feng Jin refused Chu Chenyi without even a moment's thought. This was truly an undesirable errand, and she genuinely did not wish to go.
"You... are you just going to stand by and watch someone die without offering aid?"
"I am not standing by and watching someone die without offering aid; I am simply powerless. The imperial physicians are renowned scholars of medicine. If they have no solutions, how can I, a humble physician from the countryside, with my shallow medical skills, possibly be competent for such a task? Prince Jing should indeed seek someone more qualified."
Feng Jin spoke these words, wishing to debase herself to the lowest degree, solely to prevent this task from falling upon her.
"You... you are simply..." Chu Chenyi was filled with anxiety, and Feng Jin's words further enraged him to the point where he was speechless.
After a brief pause, Chu Chenyi's gaze shifted to Lin Yuwei, who stood nearby. "Can't you say a word of persuasion? I brought you here precisely so you could help speak on my behalf."
"I believe Sister Feng Jin is quite right. If I were in this situation, I would also refuse to go into the palace with you. Do not do unto others what you would not have them do unto you. Don't you understand this principle? Why must you force Sister Feng Jin to go!"
She had been reluctant to accompany Chu Chenyi in the first place, and only agreed because he had left her no other option.
If she were asked to persuade Feng Jin, she wouldn't know what to say, nor would she be able to offer any comforting words.
Putting herself in Feng Jin's shoes, if this situation were to happen to her, she would also refuse without hesitation. If she herself found it unacceptable, how could she have the audacity to persuade Feng Jin to accept? She truly couldn't bring herself to say such a thing.
She couldn't fathom how Chu Chenyi's skin could be so thick, uttering such shameless words. It was probably only he who could speak so brazenly without the slightest change in his expression, which was truly admirable.
"You... you want to infuriate me to death!"
Chu Chenyi's voice trembled slightly. He had brought Lin Yuwei precisely because he hoped she would intercede and perhaps be of some help.
Now, to his surprise, she had staged a desertion in the face of the enemy, catching him completely off guard. He was at a loss for how to respond.
Where had Ling Mo Han gone? He had been here for quite some time, and there had been no news from his end. Why wasn't he coming to check? The situation was dire, yet he remained at home recuperating from his injuries.
"Right, Ling Mo Han... I have a couple of words I wish to say to him."
"His injuries have not yet healed, and he is recuperating. He is not fit to receive visitors. Anything you have to say can be told to me."
Feng Jin directly refused Chu Chenyi, as she understood his intentions perfectly. He simply wanted Ling Mo Han to join in persuading her.
She wasn't a fool; she wouldn't give Chu Chenyi such an opportunity. Naturally, she wouldn't allow him to see Ling Mo Han.
"If you have no other matters, please take your leave. I have many tasks to attend to at my residence."
Feng Jin directly issued a dismissal, then stood up and walked towards the door, instructing Cai Qing to escort him out.
"Perhaps we should leave. His Majesty's illness is being attended to by the imperial physicians."
Lin Yuwei whispered to Chu Chenyi, who looked dejected after being refused entry. There was no point in staying any longer.
She had known from the start whether Sister Feng Jin would agree. When they had arrived, she had explained it to him, but he insisted on not believing her and stubbornly dragged her along. Now, he should finally give up.
"No, we cannot leave just like this."
"What else do you intend to do? Sister Feng Jin has made her stance very clear. Please stop bothering her."
Lin Yuwei was utterly speechless regarding Chu Chenyi's behavior. She had never encountered anyone like him; he was simply obtuse and insisted on doing such foolish things.
He wouldn't possibly stay here indefinitely, would he? If he stayed, would she have to accompany him?
"You needn't concern yourself with it. You can either return to your residence, or you can stay here for now."
As his words fell, Chu Chenyi walked out directly, ignoring Lin Yuwei's calls behind him as he continued forward.
She was truly exasperated with him. Such a stubborn mule, fixated on a single path. Lin Yuwei stamped her foot in frustration.
She felt as though she had boarded a pirate ship, unable to leave or stay.
After much hesitation, Lin Yuwei decided to remain and wait for Chu Chenyi. If she left now and Chu Chenyi, in a fit of madness, decided to look for her, it would only lead to more trouble.
Relying on his memory, Chu Chenyi navigated his way to the courtyard where Ling Mo Han resided. He vaulted over the wall and then agilely dropped down.
After all, he was a prince. To be reduced to scaling walls and breaking into residences nowadays, if this were to get out, his reputation would be utterly ruined.
He furtively approached Ling Mo Han's room and fumbled with the door.
After a moment, the locked door was immediately opened from the inside. Ling Mo Han, whom he hadn't seen in a while, appeared before him.
"What are you doing here?"
Ling Mo Han looked at Chu Chenyi's unexpected appearance with slight surprise. Why had he shown up at this time?
"Finally found you. If you're so capable, why don't you just disappear underground?"