In the Eastern Palace, after listening to Cheng Yaojin's account, Li Er directly smashed his favorite teacup.
"You personally lead your men to investigate. Be sure to thoroughly scrutinize the mastermind behind this! Also, bring imperial physicians along to appease them on my behalf."
This led to Cheng Yaojin and his son, Cheng Chumo, arriving together.
"Brother Fang, quickly let me see if you're hurt! Physician Zhang, come quickly and examine him!"
As soon as Cheng Yaojin entered, he started patting Fang Er all over, making Fang Er's skin crawl.
"I'm fine. Quickly check on Qing'er for me."
Fang Er broke free from Cheng Yaojin's grasp and spoke to the imperial physicians behind him.
The imperial physicians saw a woman lying on the bed, covered by a thin quilt. She must be Qing'er.
They quickly put down their medical kits and went forward to take her pulse.
Cheng Yaojin and his son breathed a sigh of relief. It was good that Fang Er wasn't injured. Although Zhuzi had already mentioned it, he was still worried, which was why he had acted that way.
"Captain Fang, this young lady has lost too much blood and is suffering from external invasion, leading to a deficiency in both qi and blood, and a weakened body. I will prescribe a treatment for her to recuperate for a period of time."
Physician Zhang finished speaking and then looked at another old man who had accompanied them. "Brother Wang, would you also lend a hand?"
The old man surnamed Wang was also an imperial physician. He nodded and took Qing'er's pulse. Then he said, "Brother Zhang's diagnosis is correct. My findings are the same as yours."
Fang Er finally relaxed and bowed to the two imperial physicians, "I trouble both of you to prescribe a remedy."
"No need for such formalities."
Physician Zhang returned the bow, then took out paper, brush, and ink from his medical kit. He wrote a prescription with a flourish and then handed it to Physician Wang for review.
After confirming it was correct, he handed it to Fang Er.
Fang Er took the prescription and whispered a few words to Zhuzi.
After Zhuzi left, he soon returned with a tray of silver.
"Two esteemed sirs, I am truly sorry to have troubled you to come at this late hour. This is a small token of my appreciation, please accept it."
Fang Er took the tray and offered it to Physician Zhang.
"Captain Fang, this is absolutely not acceptable. As physicians, this is what we should do, and it is no trouble at all."
Physician Zhang repeatedly refused.
"Alright, take it if I give it to you! Stop talking nonsense!"
Cheng Yaojin chimed in from the side.
The two old men then accepted the silver.
Seeing that they had accepted the silver, Fang Er asked Zhuzi to escort them back to Chang'an and to also fetch the medicine.
Cheng Yaojin gave his command token to Cheng Chumo, telling him to accompany Zhuzi so they could pass through the curfew.
The curfew was very strict. Unless it was an urgent military matter, no one was allowed to enter or leave after the city gates were locked. Cheng Yaojin was the Great General of the Left Wu Guard, and his token was not subject to these restrictions.
After seeing off the imperial physicians, Fang Er arranged for Xiao Huan to look after Qing'er and took Cheng Yaojin back to the front courtyard.
"Brother Fang, do you know who sent those people?" Cheng Yaojin asked, sitting on a chair and glaring at the servants who were still cleaning up the bloodstains in the courtyard.
"Brother Cheng, don't worry about this matter. I have my own plans."
Fang Er clenched his fists, suppressing the killing intent in his chest, and said to Cheng Yaojin.
"What are you saying, brother? Someone has dared to kill their way to your home! How can I, as your elder brother, not concern myself? Furthermore, when we arrived, the Emperor instructed us to find out who the instigator was!"
Cheng Yaojin was immediately displeased upon hearing Fang Er's words.
Fang Er was his brother, and anyone who harmed his brother was something a military man could not tolerate.
Moreover, the income of several hundred taels of silver daily from the Zui Xian Lou was all due to the benefits Fang Er brought.
Additionally, the person behind the scenes had broken the rules, which was why Li Er was furious.
The Five Clans and Seven Families usually controlled the imperial court, but they also knew some rules and wouldn't act behind the scenes. As aristocratic families, they had their own pride.
But this time, they even used explosive packages, which clearly showed they intended to show no mercy.
Li Er had just announced that Fang Er would be rewarded for his merits the next day, but at night, someone made a sneak attack on him. How could this be tolerated?
"Really, Brother Cheng, I can handle this myself. Also, please tell the Emperor that when I take action, there might be a significant disturbance. However, please rest assured, I can handle it, and the person behind this is likely an enemy of the Emperor in the future. So, please do not interfere. I can handle this matter."
Fang Er looked at Cheng Yaojin with determination in his eyes.
He had made up his mind!
Lean on mountains, mountains will run away!
Lean on trees, trees will fall!
Everything still depended on himself!
Today there were only four thugs!
What if there were forty?
What about four hundred?
Since they dared to provoke him, he would not be blamed for being ruthless!
"Alright, then your elder brother won't pry. However, if you need any help, brother, just say the word."
Seeing Fang Er's firm attitude, Cheng Yaojin no longer insisted.
Sensing that the girl's injury had greatly affected Fang Er, Cheng Yaojin added, "Don't be impulsive. Do what you can, pay attention to your safety, and remember to notify me and Hei Zi if anything happens. Also, the Emperor is very concerned about the matter of explosives, so you still have the Emperor behind you. The morning court will be held tomorrow, so I will be leaving now."
"Brother Cheng, rest assured, I know what I'm doing."
Fang Er said with determination.
Cheng Yaojin left.
Fang Er returned to the back courtyard and stayed by Qing'er's bedside.
Zhuzi returned with the medicine on his own.
Cheng Chumo escorted Zhuzi out of Chang'an and then returned to the Cheng residence.
Fang Er understood; after all, they had come for him, and now only a maid in their eyes was injured, so there was no need for him to stay here.
"Qing'er, Qing'er, wake up and take your medicine before sleeping."
Fang Er personally watched Xiao Huan boil the medicine and woke up Qing'er.
Qing'er heard someone calling her in her sleep.
When she opened her eyes, she saw her young master sitting by her side with a haggard look, holding a bowl of medicine.
"Young master! Haven't you rested? Qing'er is fine."
Although she didn't know how long she had slept, seeing that the sky outside was already brightening, it was clearly almost dawn.
Qing'er's words made Fang Er feel very bad.
This girl only cared if he had rested, but she didn't ask about her own injuries.
She was so sensible it made one's heart ache.
"It's nothing, young master isn't tired. Quickly drink your medicine and sleep a little longer."
Fang Er scooped the medicine with a spoon, blew on it to cool it, and brought it to Qing'er's lips.
"Mmm."
Qing'er looked at Fang Er's tender expression, her eyes turning red. She opened her mouth and drank the medicine.
One fed.
One drank.
Xiao Huan looked at Qing'er, who was half-lying in Fang Er's arms, and somehow felt envious.
After she finished the bowl of medicine, Fang Er took out a piece of rock sugar and put it into Qing'er's mouth.
"Here, have some sugar, and your mouth won't be bitter anymore."
"It's not bitter, young master's medicine doesn't taste bitter at all."
Qing'er gazed at Fang Er foolishly. Ever since she could remember, apart from her deceased mother, no one had ever treated her so gently. At this moment, she felt that even if she were more seriously injured, it would all be worth it.
"Qing sister, you're not shy! I tasted that medicine, it was extremely bitter!"
Finally, Xiao Huan couldn't stand it any longer and spoke out, interrupting the tender scene.