The Emperor continued to hold Zeng Han, with Berlin standing behind him. The two had become three, yet their anxious gazes remained unchanged.
Lai Fu repeatedly withdrew his foot just as he was about to step over the threshold. Though the war still raged and the court was undergoing transitions with many major decisions awaiting the Emperor's judgment, he couldn't bear to rush him. The empire wouldn't collapse temporarily, but the Grand Tutor was at death's door.
Had the Emperor fully matured by now, having learned to weigh priorities and completely master his emotions, he might not appear so distressed. But the Crown Prince was only twelve, newly ascended to the throne, and at his most dependent on the Grand Tutor who served as both teacher and mother figure. His distraction and anxiety were utterly understandable.
Lai Fu lowered his head. So be it—he would bear any reprimands that might come, praying only that the Grand Tutor would safely pass through this crisis. Otherwise...
Just then, more arrivals approached from outside. Lai Fu turned to see Minister Zhu still in his Official Uniform, followed by representatives from the Qin family, Duke Anguo's residence, Duke Dingguo's residence, the Cai Family, the Jiang Family... everyone connected to Hua Zhi had come.
Yet Hua Zhi remained feverish. This time she showed no consideration, stubbornly keeping her eyes closed despite the many waiting for her, as if making up for two years of accumulated illness. Areas that had seemingly healed without trace now burned crimson hot, while she slept deeply as if feeling no discomfort.
But how could there be no discomfort with such a high fever!
Gu Yanxi stopped accepting the cloth Bao Xia offered. "No more alcohol. Prepare warm water."
Bao Xia momentarily failed to understand, but Ying Chun comprehended immediately and promptly had hot water fetched. Then she curtsied respectfully yet firmly before the Emperor. "The young lady requires bathing. Please excuse Yourself, Your Majesty."
The Emperor hastily rose, carrying Zeng Han as he exited. The others had no reason to remain and departed together.
Before leaving, Yu Lao checked her pulse again—still faint and precarious. He sighed and instructed, "I'll prepare a medicinal bath formula. Remember the water mustn't be too cold. Her constitution is too weak to withstand it."
"Understood."
As maids hurried in and out, everyone else became superfluous.
Hua Yizheng bowed to the assembled guests. "We appreciate your concern and accept your kind intentions. However, the Hua household is currently in disarray... Once Zhi Er improves, this old man will personally send word to each household."
Reading between the lines, the guests tactfully took their leave.
Zhu Bowen departed last. Neither old friend had imagined meeting again under such circumstances after two years. Exchanging glances, they lamented fate's cruelty—who could have predicted such hardship in their twilight years?
Patting his old friend's shoulder, Zhu Bowen sighed deeply. "Don't lose heart. Zhi Er is filial—she won't abandon us like this."
Hua Yizheng smiled bitterly. Never had he wished so fervently for his granddaughter's filial devotion.
Glancing at his nearly inconsolable daughter, Zhu Bowen ultimately left without speaking. What could he say? **The one lying there was flesh of her flesh—no comfort could truly soothe such grief.
The Emperor remained, refusing to leave even when the Empress Dowager sent attendants to summon him back.
He occupied a small corner, encircling Berlin and Zeng Han, neither venturing out nor permitting anyone to approach.
Inside the room, Ying Chun stepped forward to remind, "Sir, the water is ready."
"Set it up."The two hurried forward to lift the curtain, only to be caught off guard and stare dumbfounded as the Regent, clad only in his inner garments, strode down from the bed holding their young mistress wrapped in a thin blanket. They exchanged bewildered glances—what was His Lordship planning to do...?
The sound of splashing water prompted them to rush over. They saw the large wooden tub in the side room overflowing, and the Regent settling into it while holding their young mistress. The water rose above her chest, but in that submerged position, everything was laid bare beneath the surface!
Their faces flushed crimson. Of course—their young mistress was unconscious. Without someone holding her, she might choke. The Regent was doing this for her sake. Yes, that was it—there was absolutely nothing inappropriate about it!
Ying Chun, not daring to raise her head, wrung out a cloth to place on her mistress’s forehead, but it was taken from her mid-air. Without needing to guess who it was, she bowed her head even lower, tested the water temperature, bent over to open the lid, and ladled in a large scoop of hot water.
Gu Yanxi was equally tormented. The woman he loved lay naked in his arms, and his body reacted instinctively. Yet, his heart burned with anxiety. These two fires—desire and worry—raged simultaneously within him, scorching his very being. Even submerged in hot water, he felt as if he might spontaneously combust.
Carefully drawing her closer, he noted how her skin, smooth as polished jade, felt even silkier underwater. Her slender waist seemed no wider than a handful, and his hands itched to wander upward or downward...
Gu Yanxi turned his head away in frustration, sweat beading on his forehead. He longed to douse himself in cold water rather than stew in this heat, but A Zhi could not be left unattended—and he had no desire to leave her side.
Thus, he willingly endured this agony. After changing the cloth yet again, he habitually felt her forehead. Only after releasing her did he realize what he had done. Immediately pressing his own forehead to hers, he hesitated a moment before signaling Ying Chun and Bao Xia to approach. "Feel this," he urged.
Their faces lit up with hope as they simultaneously reached out. Bao Xia, a heartbeat slower, ended up placing her hand over Ying Chun’s. Unaware, she asked urgently, "Well? Has the fever broken? Has it really broken?"
Ying Chun sounded uncertain. "It seems... a little lower..."
Bao Xia, hearing her hesitation, moved Ying Chun’s hand aside and pressed her own palm down. After a moment, she too seemed unsure. "Yes... it does feel slightly lower."
"Prepare dry towels," Gu Yanxi commanded abruptly. Rising swiftly from the water, heedless of his own disheveled state, he lifted A Zhi from the tub and laid her on a nearby couch draped with blankets. He instructed the two maids to attend to her promptly while he hastily stripped off his soaked inner garments.
Only after undressing completely did he recall he had no spare clothes here. Glancing back at A Zhi, he strode out of the side room, grabbed his own garments from the bed, and threw them on haphazardly before returning. The maids had been efficient—in that short time, they had already dressed their mistress and were drying her hair.
He carried A Zhi back to the bed. "Fetch Yu Lao," he ordered.
Bao Xia responded brightly and hurried to pull the door open. "Miraculous Doctor Yu! Our young mistress’s fever seems to have subsided a little. Please come quickly and examine her!"
Those waiting outside, whether standing or sitting, perked up immediately. Yu Lao felt a wave of relief and followed her briskly into the room. Madam Zhu, unable to restrain herself any longer, dragged her equally concerned husband inside. The Emperor, leveraging the fact that no one dared stop him, squeezed to the front by the doorway. Naturally, Berlin and Zeng Han followed closely behind.
Everyone held their breath, waiting for Miraculous Doctor Yu to deliver his diagnosis. Yet, the doctor’s brow remained furrowed.
Gu Yanxi’s low voice emerged from behind the curtain. "Well?""The pulse condition has not improved." Not only has it not improved, it has actually worsened. I'm afraid...
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