The Empress Dowager genuinely liked Feng Jin and felt distressed seeing her bullied. She immediately took Feng Jin's side and began to reprimand Chu Chenyi.
This child had grown up by her side since he was young. He used to be sensible, so why was he publicly arguing with Feng Jin over such trivial matters now? If he was so impatient and couldn't handle things, how would he govern the empire in the future?
"Your Imperial Grandmother, please forgive me. Your grandson was momentarily agitated, leading to this verbal dispute..."
Chu Chenyi quickly admitted his mistake and pleaded for mercy. His Imperial Grandmother had shown him immense kindness. Had it not been for her protection over the years, he would have lost his life long ago. In this vast imperial palace, his Imperial Grandmother was the only one who truly cared about him.
He was always obedient to his Imperial Grandmother's words and would never dare to defy her, which was why he immediately began to beg for forgiveness.
"Alas... As a prince, you must be more composed. Your emotions should not be apparent, and you should be unfettered. Like you just were, engaging in a dispute over such a small matter and refusing to yield, it will be difficult for you to govern the empire in the future..."
She had always placed high hopes on Chu Chenyi. This grandson, whom she had personally raised, was the most affectionate. His education was of utmost importance.
Therefore, she noticed even the slightest mistake and spared no effort in teaching and correcting him, all for the sake of making him more outstanding and capable of shouldering the great responsibility of the empire soon.
"Your grandson will bear in mind Imperial Grandmother's teachings and will never repeat this mistake."
Chu Chenyi listened attentively to every word of the Empress Dowager's teachings, engraving them in his mind.
"Feng Jin, this child's temper is unstable. If he dares to bully you again in the future, tell this old woman, and I will teach him a lesson. With me here, who dares to bully you!"
As the Empress Dowager spoke, she glared fiercely at Chu Chenyi, as if issuing a warning.
Chu Chenyi quickly lowered his head, not daring to utter another word. He never expected Feng Jin to be able to coax the Empress Dowager into such happiness. Now that even the Empress Dowager was siding with her, he would not dare to provoke Feng Jin anymore. In the future, when he saw Feng Jin, he would definitely avoid her, as far as possible.
As the saying goes, if you can't afford to offend someone, you can at least avoid them. It was better to provoke Feng Jin less. Previously, with only Chu Chenyi protecting her, it was already difficult to deal with. Now, with the addition of the Empress Dowager, he was even more afraid to provoke her.
"What's wrong, Your Highness Prince Jing, why are you silent?"
Seeing Chu Chenyi standing there in a daze for a long time, Feng Jin couldn't help but ask.
Chu Chenyi, snapping back to reality, looked at Feng Jin as if she were a plague and quickly stepped back. His tone was unusually polite: "This prince is fine. You may continue with what you were doing. If you need any help, do not hesitate to command this prince."
Now it was Feng Jin's turn to be stunned. Why did Chu Chenyi seem so abnormal, as if he had become a different person? He was being so polite to her, which left her unsure of how to react. A somewhat foolish smile played on her lips.
"I don't need help for now. I'll call you if I do."
"Okay... If you need any help, be sure to call me immediately. Don't be polite with me; just command me."
Chu Chenyi wore a gentle smile, and his eyes on Feng Jin were filled with softness, making Feng Jin feel suddenly uncomfortable. A slight chill ran down her spine, and she couldn't help but shiver.
Dare not continue conversing with Chu Chenyi, Feng Jin quickly went to check on Emperor Xuanwen's condition.
Feng Jin stepped forward and examined Emperor Xuanwen, who lay on the bed. His complexion was pale, and his lips were devoid of color. He appeared to be suffering from a deficiency of qi and blood, yet his pulse was strong and vigorous, just like a normal person.
For a moment, she couldn't immediately discern anything amiss, which explained why the imperial physicians in the palace had been unable to diagnose anything after examining him for so long.
"How is it?" The Empress Dowager waited anxiously by the side, her gaze fixed on Feng Jin. As soon as Feng Jin had a moment, she eagerly stepped forward to inquire.
"Reporting to the Empress Dowager, His Majesty's condition is complex, and it is difficult to ascertain anything immediately. I will need to conduct further examinations on His Majesty to determine his illness."
The Empress Dowager's brows furrowed tightly. Hearing Feng Jin's words, her anxiety intensified.
All the imperial physicians in the palace had examined him, administered medicine, and tried several prescriptions, but there was no improvement. In her desperation, she had sent for Chu Chenyi to bring Feng Jin into the palace, hoping she might be able to diagnose something.
Unexpectedly, Feng Jin was also unable to make a decision immediately. Could it be that his illness was so severe?
Just two days ago, he was full of vigor, and now, overnight, he had collapsed like a mountain, his entire body afflicted. It was agonizing to behold.
"You mentioned further examinations, what kind of examinations would that entail?"
Feng Jin hesitated before slowly saying, "The method I am about to suggest is extremely disrespectful. I must first ask the Empress Dowager to forgive my transgression."
"Speak freely about any method you have. The immediate priority is to save the Emperor. I will forgive any offense."
With the Empress Dowager's assurance, Feng Jin gradually relaxed and dared to speak. "His Majesty's illness is exceedingly strange and complex. Surface examinations will reveal nothing. In this manner, it is impossible to administer the correct treatment. I boldly propose another method that can determine His Majesty's ailment."
"Speak quickly, what is this method?"
Before answering, Feng Jin prostrated herself three times before the Empress Dowager and then said, "Empress Dowager, please forgive me. My method is to prick His Majesty's imperial body and draw blood. I can then examine the imperial blood to determine His Majesty's condition."
"You mean to injure the imperial body... and draw blood?"
The Empress Dowager had never heard of such a method before. She was at a loss on how to decide, fearing that she might inadvertently harm the Emperor further.
Hesitantly, she worried about causing further harm to the Emperor.
Feng Jin stood calmly, awaiting the Empress Dowager's final decision. She had said all she could; the outcome was up to the Empress Dowager.
"Can this method truly work? The Emperor's imperial body is of utmost nobility; how can it be easily harmed? This is a grave offense. Do not act rashly. If it fails, your crime will be immense."