General Sheng and his wife could not sleep, fearing that if they closed their eyes, their daughter would be kidnapped again.
Madam Sheng dabbed the tears from the corners of her eyes with her embroidery handkerchief, her face filled with worry. "It's all my fault! If I hadn't been careless with that scoundrel Zhou Wenxing, Lengshuang wouldn't have gone through so much."
If only she had paid more attention when she was younger, none of this would have happened.
"My lady, do not blame yourself. It is not your fault," General Sheng said, putting an arm around her shoulder and sighing. "Our most important task now is to heal Lengshuang. We can discuss other matters after she has recovered."
Madam Sheng sobbed in agreement, her eyes red as she looked at Sheng Lengshuang. Lengshuang, you must get well soon.
It was not until three days later that Sheng Lengshuang slowly regained consciousness.
Looking at the unfamiliar beams of the room, she was momentarily bewildered. Where was this? Had she transmigrated again?
"Sheng Lengshuang, are you awake? Imperial Physician, Imperial Physician, quickly come and examine her condition!"
Hearing a familiar male voice, Sheng Lengshuang turned her head and saw a haggard Mo Lingxi looking at her with surprise.
She stared blankly for two seconds, not quite understanding what had happened. Her mind felt sluggish. Had something happened to her?
"Let me help you sit up," Mo Lingxi carefully helped her sit up, placing a pillow behind her. "The Imperial Physician will be here shortly. Are you feeling unwell anywhere?"
"I am not unwell," Sheng Lengshuang said coldly, pushing him away. "Please, Prince Mingrui, keep your distance from me."
Mo Lingxi was stunned, gazing at her blankly. "Sheng Lengshuang?"
"Please, Prince Mingrui, address me as Miss Sheng. We are not acquainted," Sheng Lengshuang said impatiently.
Her attitude made Mo Lingxi realize something was amiss. The first time, he had thought Sheng Lengshuang was angry, but now it seemed that was not the case.
Catching sight of several imperial physicians approaching out of the corner of his eye, he spoke quietly to them. "Is it possible that this is related to the poison Sheng Lengshuang was afflicted with?"
The imperial physicians dared not be certain. "Your Highness Prince Mingrui, we still have not determined the exact poison Miss Sheng was afflicted with, but we cannot rule out the possibility you mentioned."
Mo Lingxi did not dwell on it further, instructing the imperial physicians to examine Sheng Lengshuang.
The imperial physicians took her pulse, asked questions, and conducted various examinations.
"Miss Sheng's condition is not very good. We recommend that you continue to stay at the Imperial Hospital for the time being, so that we can better treat you."
Sheng Lengshuang had already taken her own pulse and knew her condition was not ideal. She nodded in agreement. "Thank you, Imperial Physicians..."
"We've found it! We've found it!" At this moment, an imperial physician ran in with a smile. "We have identified the poison that Miss Sheng was afflicted with!"
Upon hearing this, both Sheng Lengshuang and Mo Lingxi perked up.
"What poison was Sheng Lengshuang afflicted with?" Mo Lingxi asked.
The imperial physician took a few breaths and spoke rapidly. "After our research, we have discovered that the poison Miss Sheng was afflicted with is very complex. This poison not only harms the human body but also gradually devours Miss Sheng's emotions, turning her into an emotionless puppet."
"We are still investigating any other harmful effects. From the current situation, it is imperative to detoxify Miss Sheng as soon as possible, otherwise, the consequences will be unimaginable."
Now Mo Lingxi understood why Sheng Lengshuang treated him so coldly; it was due to the poison.
"Have you researched a method for detoxification?"
Sheng Lengshuang asked the same question. She frowned and glanced at Mo Lingxi, a little impatient. Why was this annoying man still here?
Sensing her attitude, Mo Lingxi pursed his lips, growing increasingly resentful of his own carelessness in failing to protect Sheng Lengshuang. If not for his oversight, Sheng Lengshuang would not have suffered such a fate.
"Theoretically, any poison can be detoxified; it just depends on how difficult it is to detoxify," the imperial physician said. "The poison Miss Sheng was afflicted with is quite complex, and some aspects are still being researched. For now, we can only help her detoxify step by step."
"Furthermore, the most important thing now is to stabilize Miss Sheng's condition and prevent it from worsening."
Sheng Lengshuang and Mo Lingxi understood this as well.
"Please, Imperial Physicians, detoxify Sheng Lengshuang. I will gather any necessary items as quickly as possible," Mo Lingxi said.
The imperial physicians repeatedly assured them that they would do their best to help Sheng Lengshuang detoxify.
Sheng Lengshuang also thanked the imperial physicians, doing her best to ignore Mo Lingxi's presence to avoid further upsetting herself. "May I ask where my parents and Xiao Feng are?"
"Mother!" Xiao Feng hopped in and ran to Sheng Lengshuang, his eyes red as he looked at her. "Is Mother better? Xiao Feng was so worried, so worried about Mother, but Grandmother and Grandfather are the most, most worried about Mother."
Sheng Lengshuang's expression softened as she stroked his head. "Mother is almost recovered. I just need to rest well from now on."
Xiao Feng's face lit up. "Really?"
Sheng Lengshuang: "Really. If you don't believe me, ask the Imperial Physicians."
Xiao Feng patted his chest, letting out a big sigh of relief. "That's wonderful! Now Mother won't sleep all the time. Xiao Feng really wants to talk with Mother."
Sheng Lengshuang said apologetically, "It's Mother's fault. When Mother is well, I can play with you."
Xiao Feng was very well-behaved. "Mother's health is the most important thing. Xiao Feng is fine."
The mother and son chatted happily, and even General Sheng and Madam Sheng, who arrived later, had a good conversation with Sheng Lengshuang. Mo Lingxi felt incredibly sour. Sheng Lengshuang only showed disdain for him, not even sparing him a glance.
It was simply terrible.
After Sheng Lengshuang fell asleep again, Mo Lingxi could approach her, sitting by the bed and gazing at her. He wondered how long it would take to detoxify Sheng Lengshuang, as he truly could not bear her treating him this way.
"Daddy, Mother seems to dislike you," Xiao Feng said, poking his father's heart.
Mo Lingxi, whose heart had been stabbed, picked up his son with one hand. "Xiao Feng, you have neglected your studies for several days. Now that your mother has woken up, you should focus on your studies."
Xiao Feng wilted in an instant and tried to negotiate. "Daddy, Mother just woke up and needs Xiao Feng to take care of her in many ways. How about Xiao Feng studies after Mother gets a little better?"
Mo Lingxi let out a soft chuckle and handed him to a nearby eunuch. "Take him to the Imperial Study and have the tutor teach him well."
The eunuch took his leave, carrying Xiao Feng away.
Xiao Feng extended his arms in a gesture of desperation. "Grandfather, Grandmother, save me... Pfft! Xiao Feng wants to stay with Mother!"
General Sheng and Madam Sheng were amused, finding Xiao Feng's slip of the tongue quite telling.
"Xiao Feng truly dislikes studying. Every time learning is mentioned, he covers his ears and refuses to listen," General Sheng said with a helpless shake of his head.
Mo Lingxi rubbed his temples. "I wonder who Xiao Feng takes after. Neither his mother nor I are like that."
Madam Sheng smiled. "He's just a child, at an age where he loves to play. It's not strange that he doesn't like studying."
Just as Mo Lingxi nodded, a eunuch came to report that Prince Rui requested an audience.