At that moment, the female physician softly reminded, "Your Excellency, your wound has reopened several times and needs immediate treatment."
"Is the wound large?"
"Yes, it measures nearly four inches. You must minimize the use of your left shoulder, or it may easily tear open again."
If the Wise Man was truly in the capital as she suspected, tonight would be a fierce battle—hardly a situation where she could simply decide not to use her shoulder. Hua Zhi lowered her gaze and said, "Your Highness, please summon Miraculous Doctor Yu."
"This palace has already sent for him. Please wait a moment, Grand Tutor."
"I also need some strong liquor."
The Crown Prince immediately ordered someone to fetch it. While waiting, Hua Zhi did not remain idle. "Your Highness, is the item Wu Xing sent back earlier still here?"
"Yes." The Crown Prince retrieved a rolled-up piece of parchment from a hidden compartment. "Does the Grand Tutor intend to use it?"
"This is our only reliance now. However, its threat is too great. I implore Your Highness to entrust it to someone trustworthy for preparation."
"Would the Seven Constellation Bureau be suitable?"
"Yes. Have them produce it immediately—as much as they can. We may need it tonight."
The others present had no idea what the two were discussing, but since the Crown Prince did not elaborate, they refrained from asking.
The Seven Constellation Bureau, however, was aware of the black powder's existence. When Wu Xing began his research, the materials had been sourced by the bureau. Later, when its power was tested in the valley, many had gone to witness it. Upon receiving the formula now, they immediately began preparations with practiced efficiency, without any delay.
Behind the screen, Hua Zhi directed the female physician to clean the wound with strong liquor. The pain was so intense that Hua Zhi took a large swig from the liquor jar herself, gritting her teeth to suppress any sound.
When Miraculous Doctor Yu arrived, he witnessed this scene. He clicked his tongue but could not bring himself to scold her. No one would willingly endure such suffering unless forced by circumstances.
"Please suture my wound with sheep gut thread."
Miraculous Doctor Yu fell silent for a moment. Suturing wounds indeed promoted better recovery, but he had explained its drawbacks—foremost was the pain. The needle and thread piercing through flesh like sewing cloth was unbearable for most. Over the years, he had only used this method on the Heir's men, and of course, his own audacious apprentice Shaoyao had also used it, albeit with brutal roughness.
"Shaoyao must have told you how painful it would be."
"I can endure it." Hua Zhi leaned forward, turning her back to Miraculous Doctor Yu. She took several more gulps from the liquor jar, then asked the female physician for a roll of fine bandaging cloth, stuffing it into her mouth to demonstrate her resolve.
Just then, the Crown Prince's voice came from outside, "Suturing?"
"Yes, using a needle and thread to stitch the wound closed. This prevents it from reopening easily and worsening the injury." Miraculous Doctor Yu sighed, opening his medicine chest to retrieve a needle and thread. To prevent infection, he soaked the sheep gut thread in liquor before threading the needle.
"Beginning now."
Hua Zhi nodded, took a deep breath, and held it, steeling herself.
The pain was excruciating! Her body stiffened as the needle pierced through. Miraculous Doctor Yu did not urge her to relax—this was an instinctive bodily reaction she could not control. He simply steadied his hand further, performing the procedure with the utmost skill and speed to minimize her suffering.
"Mmph!"
Hua Zhi's muffled groan reached the ears of those outside, stirring discomfort in all. The Crown Prince, who had been listening intently, anxiously stepped closer and asked through the screen, "Is the Grand Tutor alright?""Your Highness, the lady has something clenched between her teeth and cannot speak." The medical attendant wiped the sweat from Hua Zhi's forehead, her tone filled with undisguised admiration for the lady.
The Crown Prince paced back and forth, looking as if he wished he could rush inside.
For a moment, no one spoke, making the occasional muffled groans that came through sound all the more distinct.
After a long while, Miraculous Doctor Yu's voice was heard, "Done. This old man will prepare a poultice for you. Try not to move your left shoulder."
"Thank you, Yu Lao." Hua Zhi's voice was weary and hoarse. "Your Highness, this subject requires a cloak to cover myself."
"Of course, of course." Without summoning attendants, the Crown Prince quickly fetched his own cloak and draped it over the screen.
After rustling sounds, Hua Zhi emerged from behind the screen standing perfectly upright. Her forehead was drenched, her face deathly pale, yet she behaved as if nothing had happened as she bowed to the Crown Prince. "This subject had consumed some alcohol earlier and acted improperly."
"No, it's nothing." The Crown Prince's voice was tight. He turned and returned to sit behind the imperial desk. "Attendants, bring seats."
The seats were offered to everyone present, yet all knew whom the Crown Prince primarily intended them for. Shen Qi, the only one without the privilege to sit, watched the young lady with growing admiration - she had accomplished what even a man might not have been able to achieve.
"This subject earlier seemed to hear someone reporting news. Was it regarding Ling Wang's residence?"
The Crown Prince nodded. "Xiao Shi's mother is present, but her father has disappeared. I have ordered the Seven Constellation Bureau to conduct rigorous interrogations. Lai Fu has also discovered that Xiao Shi's father came to the capital to visit his daughter eight years ago. He came alone at that time, as Xiao Shi's mother has always been frail and rarely goes out."
"Which means it's highly probable he truly is the Wise Man." A wave of anxiety washed over Hua Zhi as she couldn't predict the Wise Man's next move.
The Grand Tutor looked over. "Might we make a breakthrough through Xiao Shi's mother?"
Hua Zhi pondered briefly. "It's possible. If she has been under control all along, we might learn something from her."
The Crown Prince glanced at Lai Fu, who understood immediately and hurried out.
Zhu Bowen suddenly spoke up, "Setting aside the question of their confidence in striking directly at our core, the imperial palace remains the most crucial location in the capital. Considering manpower, attacking from outside the palace isn't practical. Is it possible they have accomplices within the palace?"
"This point has also occurred to me. After Shen Qi delivered the message, I immediately ordered restrictions on movement throughout the palace - violators will be executed."
"The most crucial element within the palace is you, Your Highness." The Grand Tutor cupped his hands. "Even if the Chao Li Tribe manages to infiltrate the palace, as long as you remain, you represent legitimacy. To succeed, they must first eliminate you. Therefore, the guards around you must not be redeployed."
"The Grand Tutor is correct. No matter how desperate the situation outside becomes, your personal guards must remain in place." The Minister of War added, "As long as you remain, our Great Qing remains."
Warmth filled the Crown Prince's heart. "I will live or die with Great Qing."
While listening to their discussion, Hua Zhi simultaneously contemplated the enemy's possible strategies. As the Grand Tutor had said, with limited manpower, the enemy couldn't possibly storm the palace openly. Their most likely approach would be to dismantle Great Qing from within - and what place could be more internal than the palace itself?
Yet the palace had been thoroughly purged multiple times. If there truly were spies, they would likely hold high positions and enjoy considerable trust.
Outside, messages continued to stream into the palace without cease.Ling Wang appeared to be in a state of madness, refusing to believe that Xiao Shi was a remnant of the Chaoli faction. He sent a message demanding to see the Empress Dowager. Xiao Shi’s mother had died, and the Hua family, having closed their doors tightly, remained safe for now. Jia Yang and Yu Mu… were dead.
Hua Zhi turned her back to the scene. This outcome was not unexpected—under those circumstances, it was impossible for them to hold on. She had only… hoped for a miracle. Even if they had been injured or disabled, it wouldn’t have mattered, as long as they survived. She would have taken care of them, arranged marriages for them, and supported their wives and children—as long as they could have lived.
But they were dead.
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