"About A Lin..." Shen Xihe grew more concerned.
"She is safe for now, you needn't worry..."
Just as Xiao Huayong was comforting Shen Xihe, Hongyu's voice came from outside: "Your Highness, Duke Cui requests an audience."
"Zhenzhu, you and A Xi shall accompany me." Shen Xihe decided to personally visit the Cui residence.
"It is appropriate for you to go." Xiao Huayong nodded.
It was reasonable for the Crown Prince to show concern for court officials. Given his poor health, it was also fitting for the Crown Princess to act on his behalf. Moreover, both physicians were her people, and her presence would better handle any unforeseen circumstances, preventing others from harboring unnecessary suspicions.
When Shen Xihe arrived at the Cui residence, she was surprised to find Bu Shulin there as well. The moment Bu Shulin saw Shen Xihe, she immediately approached. However, due to the crowd, she had to restrain her emotions, first paying proper respects, not daring to casually draw closer to Shen Xihe.
Everyone waited in the courtyard outside Cui Jinbai's bedchamber for a full two hours. Only then did the door open, and Zhenzhu along with Sui Axi emerged with several imperial physicians. They hurried to Shen Xihe to report: "Your Highness, Cui Shaoqing has multiple deep blade wounds, some reaching the bone, but none are fatal. However, he was struck in the shoulder by a poisoned dart. Fortunately, Cui Shaoqing carried some antidote pills with him and took them promptly, which saved his life.
Nevertheless, this poison is peculiar. While the antidote pills can suppress it temporarily, they cannot neutralize it completely. A Xi used acupuncture to protect Cui Shaoqing's heart meridian and temporarily halted the poison's spread. But we must find the antidote quickly, otherwise..."
The unspoken conclusion was clear: without the antidote, there would be no hope of recovery.
"How long can we delay it?" Shen Xihe asked.
Zhenzhu looked at Sui Axi, who replied, "Your Highness, through my acupuncture, we can delay it for five to seven days."
Sui Axi couldn't specify the exact number of days, so she could only provide a range.
"What poison is it? What antidote is needed? Do any of you know?" Shen Xihe pressed.
This time, not only the imperial physicians fell silent, but even Sui Axi and Zhenzhu remained quiet. Their silence indicated they did not know.
"Can you deduce it with certainty?" Shen Xihe looked at Zhenzhu.
Zhenzhu dared not give a definite answer. Earlier, she had consulted with Sui Axi and several experienced imperial physicians, but none could identify the poison in a short time.
Bu Shulin's vision darkened, and she nearly collapsed. Fortunately, the dizziness lasted only a moment. She staggered briefly but quickly steadied herself. Turning around, she forced a strained smile and said to everyone, "I haven't eaten anything since this morning, so I'm a bit hungry."
"We have been neglectful," said Cui Zheng, as the head of the household, quickly instructing, "Prepare some food."
"No need, no need..." Bu Shulin waved her hands repeatedly, "I was just concerned about Cui Shi... Cui Shaoqing's injury. Now that I know the situation, it's not appropriate for me to stay long..."
"Have some food. I'll have some too," Shen Xihe interrupted Bu Shulin.
With Xiao Changmin keeping an eye on Bu Shulin, if Bu Shulin left the Cui residence, Shen Xihe couldn't openly follow her to the Bu mansion. She had some matters to discuss with Bu Shulin.
Understanding Shen Xihe's intention, Bu Shulin had no choice but to offer an apologetic smile to Cui Zheng.
Shen Xihe left Zhenzhu and Sui Axi behind, instructing them to continue discussions. They couldn't simply wait for Cui Jinbai to succumb to the poison; they needed a plan of action.Upon arriving at the main reception hall of the Cui residence with Bu Shulin, all the heads of various households within the Cui family came out to accompany them. Shen Xihe said to Cui Zheng, "Duke Cui, I have some words to speak privately with Worldly Son Bu. I would appreciate it if you could grant us some privacy."
Cui Zheng naturally agreed, dismissing everyone including himself, thus vacating the room.
The main hall was spacious, with no servants inside. The door was wide open, and Shen Xihe's people stood outside. Shen Xihe looked worriedly at the somewhat distracted Bu Shulin: "A Lin, there is still room for maneuver in this matter. Beichen knows the Sacred Healer of the medical community, Master Linghu Zheng. I will also seek medical help for you."
She also needed to send a message to Xie Yunhuai, asking him to return as soon as possible to see if Cui Jinbai still had any chance of survival.
Bu Shulin knew Shen Xihe cared for her and managed a strained smile: "I... I know..."
Her hand unconsciously rested on her lower abdomen. Originally, she had been waiting for Cui Jinbai to return,
to clarify everything to him and inform him of her unavoidable decision. Whether he could understand or not, her mind was made up. Who could have anticipated such a sudden turn of events? Now she didn't know how to handle the child in her womb. If Cui Jinbai were truly in peril, this would be his only bloodline. How could she bear to remove it? But if she didn't, how could she safely give birth and keep it hidden from others? She couldn't risk her father and the Bu household.
Shen Xihe could understand the pain in Bu Shulin's heart: "At most, it's just a few more days of waiting. You must restrain yourself and avoid revealing any clues during this time."
In truth, this was an extremely irrational suggestion, but Shen Xihe was, after all, a person of flesh and blood. It was impossible for her to discuss pros and cons with Bu Shulin at such a moment, let alone advise her to remove the fetus in her womb—a potential death sentence—especially when Cui Jinbai was in such a condition.
Bu Shulin composed herself, closed her eyes, took a deep breath, picked up her chopsticks, and began stuffing food into her mouth as if venting her frustration, chewing mechanically and numbly.
Shen Xihe didn't try to stop her; she needed an outlet. She simply watched over her, handing her tea when she choked.
After accompanying Bu Shulin for a meal at the Cui residence, Shen Xihe left Zhenzhu and Sui Axi behind before departing with Bu Shulin. They parted ways at the gate of the Cui residence.
Upon returning to the Eastern Palace, Shen Xihe immediately wrote a letter to Xie Yunhuai, while Xiao Huayong urgently sent a message to Linghu Zheng.
Unexpectedly, while waiting for the two to arrive, Shen Xihe first received a message from Shu Fei.
"Prince Zhao actually asked Shu Fei for help, causing Your Majesty to become suspicious of A Lin's identity." Shen Xihe raised an eyebrow after reading Shu Fei's message.
"Shu Fei is indeed a good choice," Xiao Huayong remarked, unsurprised.
Xiao Changmin didn't want to take the lead himself, but Your Majesty wasn't someone easily provoked. Rumors and gossip had no effect on him; it required someone Your Majesty trusted. While there were naturally trusted officials in the court, courtiers had too many entanglements and might not keep Xiao Changmin's secrets.
Shu Fei was isolated and without support both inside and outside the palace. Most importantly, due to Shen Xihe's designs, Shu Fei and Shen Xihe were enemies, making Shu Fei the only person who wouldn't leak information to Shen Xihe.
Naturally, Xiao Changmin didn't know that Shu Fei was actually the most likely person to divulge secrets to Shen Xihe."Prince Zhao has promised Shu Fei benefits, and she is somewhat tempted, so she asked for my opinion." Shen Xihe handed the letter to Xiao Huayong.
Shu Fei and she had a cooperative relationship, not a subordinate one. Shu Fei’s intention was clear: if she chose not to assist, Shen Xihe would have to compensate her for the losses incurred from Xiao Changmin.
"Let her help. Rather than refuse and risk Xiao Changmin’s persistent, ill intentions—only for him to seek someone else—it’s better to resolve this once and for all." Xiao Huayong’s gaze darkened slightly.
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