"What the heck?" Eunuch Zhao asked, utterly bewildered.
Why had the Emperor summoned the Crown Prince and his ministers in the middle of the night?
And with that ghastly expression and those devilish eyes, was His Majesty planning a massacre tonight?
"Your... Your Majesty, you are not feeling well. Perhaps you should rest first? Can we discuss matters during the morning court tomorrow?" Eunuch Zhao pleaded in a low voice.
Upon hearing this, Emperor Cheng erupted in fury. He leaped out of bed and slapped Eunuch Zhao, "How dare you, you insolent servant! I do as I please. When did it become your place, you dog, to speak to me?"
Eunuch Zhao, with a wronged expression, could only think: *My Emperor, how have you become like this? Where has the kind, enlightened Emperor with the warm smile gone?*
"What are you standing there for? Go quickly and summon people!" Emperor Cheng's temper grew increasingly volatile, and he kicked Eunuch Zhao.
Eunuch Zhao, being advanced in years, was nearly sent to his grave by that kick.
"This servant... this servant obeys!" Eunuch Zhao replied, biting his lip as he walked out of the Hall of Mental Cultivation.
Perhaps only the Crown Prince could reason with the Emperor at this hour.
Just this morning, His Majesty had a terrible argument with the Empress, almost to the point of divorce.
In her anger, Empress Xiao had confined herself to the Palace of Phoenix Serenity, leaving the Emperor to his whims.
Meanwhile, at the Yun residence.
Little Xi Tian stared blankly at the letter in her hand, her heart filled with anxiety. "How... how could this happen? Sister Guihua is truly paralyzed?"
Indeed, the people dispatched by Xiao Jin Heng to Dashui Village had gathered information and sent back a letter via carrier pigeon.
"Xi Tian, don't worry yet. Let's hear what Doctor Guan has to say first," Xiao Jin Heng said, patting Little Xi Tian's shoulder and comforting her gently.
Truly, the heavens were unpredictable, and fortune could change in an instant.
Among the three daughters-in-law of the old Yun family, Zhao Guihua had always been the healthiest.
When they first moved to Dashui Village, Zhao Guihua would go up the mountain every day to dig dandelion roots and cut pig fodder.
If she was thirsty, she would scoop a ladle of cool water from the well and never suffer from stomachaches.
Whenever anyone in the family had a headache or a slight fever, she would diligently prepare medicine and cook millet porridge, yet she herself never fell ill.
For such a healthy and cheerful person to be struck down and unable to stand again was heartbreaking for anyone.
Guan Zhong Bo sat to the side, sipping his tea, and murmured, "This illness... I'm afraid it's incurable!"
Little Xi Tian: "???"
Xiao Jin Heng: "???"
*Old Guan, you haven't even taken Guihua's pulse yet, how can you know she's incurable?*
*You can't be so absolute with your words...*
"Uncle Guan, my sister-in-law's blood pressure is usually normal, and she's never had any major illnesses. She... she can't be paralyzed for life, can she?" Little Xi Tian asked.
Normally, Little Xi Tian had a habit of taking her family members' blood pressure.
Of course, the blood pressure monitor she used was only known to her family; the villagers had never seen it.
Guan Zhong Bo pursed his lips upon hearing this. "This has little to do with blood pressure. If there were any warning signs before the paralysis, the condition could have been prevented or controlled in advance. But now that she is completely paralyzed, the chance of recovery is very slim, almost zero."
Little Xi Tian's eyes flickered with disappointment.
Since Uncle Guan said so, was her sister-in-law truly beyond help?
"Xi Tian, I'll immediately invite some skilled imperial physicians to Dashui Village to treat Sister Guihua," Xiao Jin Heng suggested.
He was willing to do anything to help her.
Little Xi Tian gave a wry smile and shook her head. "No need to trouble yourself. While the imperial physicians in the palace are highly skilled, Uncle Guan's medical expertise is not inferior. Tomorrow, I want to return to the village to see Sister Guihua. It's also been a while since I've seen my parents, and I miss them dearly."
The Tian Xin Wine shop had already opened for business, and Lord Tu's warship blueprints were designed. Little Xi Tian felt there was no longer a need for her to stay in the capital.
The longer she stayed, the more her family would worry about her.
"Ah, Sister Xi Tian is returning to the village?" Little Jie Kong exclaimed, his round eyes wide with excitement as he clapped his hands. "That's great, that's great! I can finally eat Sister Cai Xia's vegetarian meat dumplings!"
Although the chefs at the Yun residence were also skilled, they couldn't replicate Sister Cai Xia's taste.
Little Xi Tian patted his head. "You must be good and obedient when we get back!"
"I know, Sister Xi Tian!" Little Jie Kong's eyes curved into crescents, his heart filled with joy.
He had been stuck in this wretched capital for long enough.
Xiao Jin Heng's heart fluttered upon hearing this. He quickly took Little Xi Tian's hand. "Xi Tian, you can't go back yet. Can you wait a few more days?"
The little village girl was his backbone, his little strategist. Although Murong Tao Tao was willing to offer advice, Xiao Jin Heng trusted Little Xi Tian more.
How could outsiders be as considerate as she was?
"Hey, hey, hey, Xiao, what are you doing? Don't you dare hold Sister Xi Tian's hand!" The young monk, as if facing a formidable enemy, stepped forward and slapped Xiao Jin Heng's hand away. "Sister Xi Tian is going back to the village to visit her sister-in-law and parents. What right do you have to stop her?"
Hmph, this Xiao fellow was truly amusing. Did he think Little Xi Tian was his follower, who had to accompany him at all times?
He was too self-important.
Xiao Jin Heng didn't argue with the young monk. Instead, he stared intently at Little Xi Tian, his gaze filled with a hint of pleading. "After we eradicate Consort Hui's influence, I'll return to the village with you!"
That day was fast approaching. After dealing with Consort Hui, he also intended to seek rewards from his father for the little village girl.
After all, the merit of designing battlefield blueprints was not something other matters could compare to.
Furthermore, the Princess's Mansion in Dongping Prefecture was already completed, and Xiao Jin Heng wanted to take the little village girl there for a visit.
Little Xi Tian said helplessly, "I'm going back to the village to visit, and I will return."
This time, before Xiao Jin Heng could even try to persuade her, the young monk stuck out his tongue at him. "After returning to Dashui Village, Sister Xi Tian will never come to the capital again, nya nya nya!"
Xiao Jin Heng: "..."
Guan Zhong Bo glanced between Little Xi Tian and Xiao Jin Heng, then suddenly coughed lightly. "What's so difficult about this? If the County Princess wants to go, she goes. If she wants to stay, she stays. You should respect her wishes!"
Saying this, Guan Zhong Bo stood up and looked at Little Xi Tian. "County Princess, I have an idea. Would you like to hear it?"
Little Xi Tian hummed, "What idea?"
"I think, since your sister-in-law is ill, your return would be of no help. You have shops to manage in the capital and two nephews to look after. Why don't you let me go back for you? Firstly, I can examine your sister-in-law and prescribe medicine. Secondly, I can convey your regards to your parents. What do you think, County Princess?"
Upon hearing this, Xiao Jin Heng's previously dim eyes instantly brightened.