Yun Chu Ling

Chapter 371: Xie Shiyun Loses His Memory

Yun Chu's expression was somewhat complicated.

All along, she had allowed Xie Shiyun and Changsheng to interact not because she particularly trusted Xie Shiyun, but because he posed little danger. If Xie Shiyun ever developed ill intentions, she could deal with him immediately and teach the inherently kind-hearted Changsheng a harsh lesson.

What surprised her was that during a life-and-death crisis, Xie Shiyun—who naturally carried the Xie family's cold and selfish traits—actually chose to save Changsheng.

Xie Shiyun was only a child of just over seven years old this year.

"Mother, he's so pitiful..." Chu Changsheng's voice choked with sobs, "Save him, we must save him."

As soon as she finished speaking, Xie Shiyun, who was lying on the bed, suddenly opened his eyes.

He opened them, then closed them, and after closing them opened them again, his black pupils revealing a trace of confusion: "Who... who are you?"

Chu Changsheng said happily: "Shiyun, it's great that you're awake! Xian is fine too, we're all okay!"

Xie Shiyun's eyes remained confused.

Yun Chu immediately called the imperial physician in for examination.

The physician entered with a bowed back, checked Xie Shiyun's pulse, examined his entire body, and said with lowered head: "Reporting to the Crown Princess, although the patient has miraculously awakened, the blood clot in his brain remains. It will take at least a year or more to dissipate. As long as the blood clot remains, he will remain in this amnesiac state."

Chu Changsheng looked astonished: "Physician, are you saying he's forgotten everything from before?"

The physician nodded: "It's also possible he may never remember for the rest of his life."

"This..." Chu Changsheng's expression froze, then she sighed, "Perhaps... this might be a good thing too."

She had asked Xie Shiyun about his family situation before, but he was always reluctant to talk about it, almost wishing he wasn't a member of the Xie family.

Since he had forgotten, it would be better for him not to be a Xie family member anymore.

"Mother, don't send him back to the Xie family." Chu Changsheng tugged at Yun Chu's sleeve, her bright eyes wide open, "Let him start over."

Yun Chu paused before speaking: "Do you want him to stay in the prince's mansion?"

"Of course not, mother, what are you thinking." Chu Changsheng's voice was soft and sweet, "I became friends with him because he was so pitiful, but I understand that your attitude toward him and Xie Xian is different. You don't like him, you're afraid he'll hurt me... Mother, how about this—send him to the Orphanage."

The Orphanage was the place Yun Chu had previously established specifically to take in orphans.

Although she tried to prevent it, such a place inevitably had conflicts, with children competing for limited resources among themselves.

Although Xie Shiyun had lost his memory, he still carried Xie Jingyu's blood in his bones. Growing up in a place like the Orphanage, he might easily become a second Xie Shi'an.

"Changsheng, mother has an idea." Yun Chu spoke slowly, "In Luochuan, your father's fiefdom, we can find a childless couple and have them adopt Xie Shiyun as their son."

"That's wonderful." Chu Changsheng showed a smile, "We must find a kind couple who will treat Shiyun well. Shiyun always secretly grieves alone—he needs care and affection."

Yun Chu immediately arranged for this matter to be handled.

That same day, Xie Shiyun was sent on a carriage to Luochuan, accompanied by a skilled physician. Meanwhile, arrangements were made to quickly find a reliable couple in Luochuan...As for the Xie family... Yuan Shi was in the process of selling the Xie residence to prepare for her return to Jizhou. With Xie Shiyun missing, she likely had no energy to spare for searching.

While Yun Chu was handling Xie Shiyun's affairs, Chu Yi was in the Imperial Study.

The Imperial Study was filled with important court officials. The Emperor's expression was stern: "Yi'er, are you certain it was the Eastern Tomb Kingdom who abducted Changsheng?"

Chu Yi nodded: "Changsheng also told me that among her abductors were people from our Great Jin Kingdom. This means the Eastern Tomb Kingdom has long been operating in our capital—not only establishing hideouts but also bribing our officials and citizens. Their wolfish ambition is now clear for all to see."

The Minister of War spoke coldly: "How dare such a tiny territory covet our Great Jin Kingdom? They're dreaming!"

The Valiant General cupped his hands: "Your Majesty, I am willing to lead troops to teach the Eastern Tomb Kingdom a lesson!"

"That might prove difficult." Minister Ji from the Ministry of Justice shook his head. "The Eastern Tomb Kingdom is separated from our eastern coast by a vast sea. Launching a war against them would stretch our supply lines too thin. We'd risk becoming bogged down in unfavorable conditions."

The Emperor frowned: "The Eastern Tomb Kingdom abducted Changsheng intending to return her after ten years to disrupt our Great Jin. This indicates they only dare openly oppose us a decade from now. Therefore, their current strength must be insufficient to confront Great Jin."

"Your insight is brilliant, Father!" Chu Yi pointed at the map. "This is the narrowest passage. Deploying troops to land here would minimize losses..."

The Grand Academician disagreed: "After Great Jin conquered Southern Yue two years ago, attacking Eastern Tomb now may provoke fear among neighboring states, potentially causing them to unite against us. The gains wouldn't outweigh the losses."

The Valiant General immediately countered: "You scholars always hesitate and calculate endlessly! If we spare Eastern Tomb now, they'll surely attack Great Jin in ten years. Rather than nurturing a growing threat, we should eliminate it while it's still weak. Your Majesty, I beg permission to lead this campaign!"

Just as the Emperor was about to speak,

His throat tickled, and he began coughing. The more he coughed, the worse the itch became, until a metallic taste filled his mouth—he had coughed up blood.

At the sight of blood, the Emperor's mind reeled, and he fainted outright.

"Your Majesty!"

Gao Gonggong's face paled in terror.

"Quick! Summon the imperial physicians!"

The Emperor's coughing of blood and subsequent collapse shocked everyone in the Imperial Study, but they could do nothing to help and had to disperse for the time being.

Chu Yi remained waiting nearby.

After three or four imperial physicians took turns examining the pulse, they bowed and said: "Your Highness the Crown Prince, His Majesty's cold never fully healed. He caught another chill and has been coughing for months. The cold penetrated his lungs, causing the bloody cough... Allow us to prepare another prescription for His Majesty."

Chu Yi's expression turned icy: "From last year until now, Father's cold symptoms have never improved. Daily medicine only makes him worse. What use are you?"

The physicians immediately knelt in fear: "Your Highness, we truly prescribed according to the symptoms. That His Majesty hasn't recovered may be due to exposure to wind and cold. His diet also requires more attention..."

"Get out!"

Before they could finish, Chu Yi directly ordered them away.

Gao Gonggong hurriedly interjected: "Your Highness, His Majesty coughed blood and fell unconscious. He must take medicine, or this illness will never heal.""If the imperial physicians cannot cure him, then we shall find someone else to treat him." Chu Yi's voice was icy cold. "I must trouble Gao Gonggong to watch over His Majesty. I shall return shortly."

He had received Wu Yun's letter last night, stating he would only reach the capital by tomorrow morning.

But with the Emperor's sudden illness, there was no time to wait.

Chu Yi personally rode out at full speed to fetch Wu Yun, then galloped back to the capital with him and entered the palace. By then, dusk had already fallen.