The Empress Dowager's eyes were tightly shut, enduring the pain in her heart. This decision was born of helplessness.
How could she bear to let her own child, whom she had carefully raised for so long, suffer?
"Does the Empress Dowager truly wish to proceed like this?"
Feng Jin asked again, her voice tinged with apprehension. Emperor Xuanwen's status was extraordinary, and she truly dared not.
"Go. I am here. Do not worry."
With the Empress Dowager's permission, Feng Jin's courage grew. She manipulated the silver needles, piercing the acupoints. A flash of silver light, and dozens of needles were embedded in Emperor Xuanwen's body.
After the procedure, Feng Jin was utterly exhausted, cold sweat beading on her forehead, her breathing ragged.
"Your Majesty, the Emperor will awaken soon."
"Good... You may go and rest. If anyone inquires about the Emperor's condition, simply state that he is unharmed."
"Your concubine understands."
Drawing from her extensive experience with palace intrigue dramas, Feng Jin knew the gravity of the situation. The Empress Dowager allowing her to leave the room was a profound grace. She was well aware of what to say and what not to say.
Feng Jin exited the palace hall with a heavy heart. Countless gazes fell upon her, yet no one dared to approach and inquire.
Ling Mohan stepped forward, taking Feng Jin's hand and drawing her into his embrace. His concerned eyes fell upon her. "What is it? Your complexion is so pale?"
"It's nothing. Perhaps... I am simply a little tired. I will be fine after some rest."
Not wishing to invite trouble, Feng Jin did not proactively mention the matter.
Although the princes and princesses were eager to know Emperor Xuanwen's condition, they dared not approach Feng Jin, given Ling Mohan's presence beside her.
Chu Chenyi watched Ling Mohan and Feng Jin depart, then followed closely, catching up to their pace.
"How is Father Emperor?"
Feng Jin's expression flickered. She regarded Chu Chenyi, remembering her promise to the Empress Dowager. "His Majesty is in good health. He merely fainted from overexertion. After taking medicine, he will awaken soon."
After a moment's pause, Feng Jin's concern resurfaced as she subtly reminded him, "Your Highness, the Emperor needs his children by his side to show filial piety when he is ill. This is an excellent opportunity; do not let others seize it. You should hasten to the Emperor's bedside and attend to him."
Feng Jin had never shown such concern for him before. Her words now struck him as odd, and Chu Chenyi immediately sensed something amiss.
"I understand. Thank you for your concern, Madam Ling. I shall return now."
As Chu Chenyi's figure disappeared from sight, Feng Jin's eyes darkened further. She turned to Ling Mohan beside her. "Let us go back."
"Alright."
The Empress Dowager had granted her permission to leave the palace. In the current climate, the palace felt like a den of wolves and a dragon's lair. She did not wish to remain there for another moment, preferring to return to the Ling residence and be with her children, where her heart could finally be at ease.
Upon their return to the estate, Feng Jin instructed everyone to guard diligently, not allowing even a strange bird to enter.
"What is wrong? You seem so anxious. What exactly happened?"
Since returning from the palace, Feng Jin had been acting strangely, exhibiting an unusual level of tension.
This made him all the more curious about what had transpired to cause such uncharacteristic behavior from Feng Jin. It was truly perplexing.
Feng Jin closed the door to the study, then, feeling uneasy, pulled Ling Mohan to the secret chamber.
"You can tell me now. This place is the safest."
"Actually... it's not that it's difficult to speak of, but it's also... quite serious. I feel as though I... I seem to have caused a great disaster..."
The more she recalled the events of earlier, the more worried she became.
"Don't be nervous. What is it? Tell me honestly. If the sky falls, I will hold it up for you."
"Actually... the Emperor is not simply unconscious. His body... is like a lamp with its oil running dry. It's only a matter of days now. But... but the Empress Dowager intends to keep it a secret, to continue proclaiming to the public that His Majesty is well. And now, besides the Empress Dowager, I... I am the only one who truly knows the Emperor's condition..."
"I... I am truly worried that someone... someone might try to harm me to find out the Emperor's current state."
Ultimately, her greatest concern was not her own head. She had not lived enough. To lose her life so unjustly would be incredibly unlucky.
Ling Mohan had truly not expected that Feng Jin's profound worry would stem from this matter. The woman who was usually fearless was now concerned for her own life, a truly rare occurrence.
"What are you laughing at? I'm so worried, and you can still laugh? Do you have any conscience at all!"
Noticing the faint smile on Ling Mohan's lips, Feng Jin's anger flared. Her resentful gaze fixed upon him.
"My apologies... I couldn't help myself for a moment."
Feng Jin's appearance had been too amusing, and it was understandable that he had momentarily lost control.
"I think you're deliberately mocking me. Laugh if you want. We are tied together like grasshoppers on a single string. If something happens to me, you will not escape unscathed. Think about it yourself."
She had also come to realize that if anything were to happen to her, Ling Mohan could not remain untouched.
Therefore, she decided to stop dwelling on it and let Ling Mohan figure out a solution himself.
"Since it has already happened, and you have the Empress Dowager as your backing, what do you have to worry about? Rest assured, your head is firmly attached. It is difficult for ordinary people to take it."
Ling Mohan reached out and gently ruffled Feng Jin's hair. He wondered why he had never noticed such a charming side to Feng Jin before; it was a rare sight.
"Hmph... you just know how to spout platitudes. Don't mess with my hair; you'll ruin my hairstyle."
She petulantly swatted away his hand from her head, especially disliking the way he touched her hair, which felt somehow different, as if it implied something more.
"Don't worry, it will be alright."
Ling Mohan's words were meant to ease Feng Jin's tension. He seemed to understand the Empress Dowager's reasoning.
After all, the Emperor's current condition was identical to that of the late Emperor.
The late Emperor had also suddenly fallen unconscious and passed away without leaving a single written imperial decree...