Seeing Emperor Jingyou, she originally wanted to kneel and salute, but her feet were frozen stiff. Her body went limp, and she almost fell in front of Emperor Jingyou.
Emperor Jingyou, on the verge of death, was surprisingly in a good mood. "The New Year is near, but the date for offering New Year's greetings is still far off. Doctor Lin, you've come to offer New Year's greetings a bit too early, haven't you?"
"Your Majesty, please don't make fun of me. I'm freezing to death!"
There was no one else in Weiyang Palace, so Lu Qingwan stopped pretending.
As long as those outside saw that it was Lin Sa treating Emperor Jingyou, it would be enough. She picked up her medicine box and stood up, "Your humble servant has come to deliver medicine to Your Majesty."
Emperor Jingyou's face was already devoid of any color from the continuous torment of the potent poison, but his spirits were good.
Upon hearing her words, he even had the strength to tease Lu Qingwan, "Since you've dressed like this, it's best to refer to yourself as a commoner. Otherwise, I'll always be tempted to think that Xi Wu married a male concubine."
Lu Qingwan's eyes suddenly lit up. Due to Emperor Jingyou's status, she restrained herself from whistling at him. Inside, a miniature version of herself was doing a joyful dance. The old emperor, despite his upright appearance, knew quite a lot! The hidden "fujoshi" soul deep within her began to stir. Lu Qingwan quickly suppressed it. A little fujoshi passion is enjoyable, but too much is detrimental. Indulging in it in this ridiculous era could be fatal!
While her mind was a whirlwind of thoughts, Lu Qingwan maintained a solemn and composed expression. "This commoner respectfully obeys Your Majesty's decree."
As Lu Qingwan spoke, she handed the prepared pills to Emperor Jingyou. "Your Majesty, please keep these two types of medicine yourself. If you need to go out and wish to appear agile, take the medicine an hour in advance. It will take effect in fifteen minutes to an hour, at most. Afterward, Your Majesty's pain will temporarily subside, and your body will become strong. However, this commoner still does not recommend Your Majesty use this medicine frequently. Please judge for yourself the specifics."
Emperor Jingyou nodded and put the medicine away. "Have you nearly finished investigating the medicine that harmed me?"
"This commoner's visit to the palace today, besides delivering medicine to Your Majesty, is also to report this matter to you in person."
Lu Qingwan relayed all the intelligence that Li Jin, Li Qing, and Ying Yi had reported to Emperor Jingyou in the past few days, observing his expressions subtly while waiting for his response. Emperor Jingyou's reaction, however, did not resolve her confusion. He asked, "Besides the fact that Qi Pingan once received a meal's kindness from the late Empress, is there any other evidence to prove that your poisoning this time is related to Prince Chen?"
Lu Qingwan's heart skipped a beat. Was Emperor Jingyou trying to shield Feng Qingheng? Not entirely certain of the Emperor's motive for asking this, Lu Qingwan pondered and then spoke cautiously. "Before my father went to war, did he report to Your Majesty that the evidence slandering him for selling iron sand to the Xiliang people was found in Prince Chen's returned dowry to the Marquis's estate?" Feng Qingheng was too cunning; he could always extricate himself from matters related to him through various means. Only the accusation of Lu Zhenting selling iron sand to Xiliang left the most obvious evidence. Unexpectedly, Emperor Jingyou replied with an indifferent tone, "Several months passed between Prince Chen returning those dowry items to the Marquis's estate and you discovering that so-called evidence of a crime. To my knowledge, those dowry items were stored in a regular treasury, not heavily guarded. The number of people who could have accessed them was not small, was it?"
In just two sentences, Emperor Jingyou's attitude was clearly revealed. He had no intention of pursuing this matter, nor did he wish to hold Feng Qingheng accountable. Even an accusation of treason against a high-ranking minister was brushed aside so casually. It was evident that Emperor Jingyou had already made his choice regarding the position of the Crown Prince. Anything further would be meaningless. Lu Qingwan then replied solemnly, "Your Majesty speaks wisely. This commoner was too presumptuous."
Emperor Jingyou nodded in satisfaction. "How long will this medicine last me?"
Lu Qingwan's scattered thoughts had not fully returned. She replied belatedly, "Given the urgency and the difficulty in obtaining the medicinal ingredients, this commoner has prepared enough for half a month. Afterward, this commoner will mobilize all the forces of Bai Xinglin to continue searching for the herbs. As long as the ingredients are gathered, this commoner can produce as much medicine as Your Majesty needs."
"That is good." Emperor Jingyou finished speaking, his eyelids drooping slightly. "I am feeling rather drowsy. You may withdraw."
Lu Qingwan swallowed all the prepared remarks she had rehearsed on her way. She bowed silently, "Your Majesty, take care. This commoner bids farewell."
After she had walked a few steps, Emperor Jingyou's faint voice echoed, "Xi Wu is fortunate to have you as his wife. As an elder brother, I am pleased. However, I am not only Xi Wu's elder brother, but also the Emperor of Daqian. Xi Wu is not just my younger brother; he is also the Regent of Daqian. Do not make things difficult for him."
Suddenly, Lu Qingwan felt a chill run from her feet to the top of her head. After a long while, she found her voice. She dared not turn back to look at Emperor Jingyou's expression, and her voice was tight and hoarse, "Your humble servant respectfully obeys Your Majesty's decree." The same words, with a change in self-designation, carried an entirely different meaning.
After speaking, Emperor Jingyou said no more. Lu Qingwan stood there for a long time, unmoving. The room fell silent, leaving only Emperor Jingyou's ragged and weak breathing, sometimes rapid, sometimes short, as if reminding them both that Emperor Jingyou did not have long to live. With a sigh, Lu Qingwan then walked out of the sleeping quarters.
Lu Qingwan had entered the palace as Lin Sa, and Ying Yi, as her charioteer, had to wait outside the palace gates. Seeing Lu Qingwan emerge in a daze, he assumed Emperor Jingyou's condition had worsened. Due to the crowds outside the palace gates, he did not dare to ask further. He drove Lu Qingwan back to the Prince's manor and then hurried to ask, "Why does the Princess Consort look so distressed? Is His Majesty's condition truly that dire?"
Lu Qingwan shook her head. "The Prince is away. Is Li Jin the highest authority in the manor, or is there someone with more authority than him?"
Ying Yi shook his head blankly. "Li Jin is the commander of the Prince's guards. When the Prince is away, we all follow his orders."
"So, besides the Prince, he possesses the most intelligence?"
Ying Yi shook his head. "Not precisely. Li Qing possesses the most intelligence. The firsthand intelligence the Prince requires is all gathered by Li Qing. Most of what Li Jin possesses is known to us subordinates as well. It is Li Qing, however, who likely knows more than the Prince does."
Lu Qingwan rushed into the Wutong Courtyard. After hearing Ying Yi's words, she threw herself into a grand chair. "Summon Li Qing to see me immediately. Right now." Lu Qingwan usually had a bit of a temper and would occasionally get angry with her subordinates or snap at Feng Xiwu. However, when it came to actual matters, she was always methodical. This kind of urgency was something Ying Yi had never seen before. He was so startled that he dared not even breathe loudly. "Princess Consort, please wait a moment. This subordinate will go at once." Without waiting for Lu Qingwan's reply, he turned and sprinted away.