At this moment in the Crown Prince's palace, imperial physicians paced back and forth in a flustered panic.
On the massive golden dragon bed, Ivy Shen was already asleep. After suffering such severe trauma, she was truly exhausted. On her way to the Crown Prince’s palace, Ivy had already used her inner energy to force herself into a coma. She felt safe—because she knew this guy was already smitten!
He definitely wouldn’t let her die. Since that’s the case, she could finally rest properly—she really was just too tired.
"How is she?" Song Zhijue asked anxiously from behind the curtain.
"Don’t worry, Your Highness—the imperial doctors are doing everything they can," Silver Consort quickly soothed him. She studied Song Zhijue’s tense face and couldn’t help but think to herself, Oh son, have you fallen in love?
"Master, when the maids changed her clothes just now, they were covered in blood... so much blood..." Song Zhijue was nervous. After all, she was just a palace maid—a maid suffering such torment and losing so much blood, this...
"Don’t worry, I’m sure the Bodhisattva will protect her. Master thinks this girl looks very kind-hearted." As long as it’s someone her son likes, she’ll like them too.
Hearing this, Song Zhijue looked up at Silver Consort and gave a small smile. "Master, she really is a good girl."
"Mm, Master knows," Silver Consort nodded.
After a while—
Five or six imperial physicians came out and, seeing Song Zhijue, immediately knelt down. "Your Highness. "
Enough, no need for formalities. How is she?" Song Zhijue asked anxiously.
Your Highness, this girl is truly lucky. A few more lashes and she wouldn’t have survived," the physician said quickly, making Song Zhijue even more anxious.
A few more lashes... If he had arrived any later...
He shook his head, unable to even imagine that outcome.
How is she now?
Your Highness, please rest assured. She is out of danger now, and we will take good care of her. However..." The physician hesitated.
What is it?" Song Zhijue pressed.
She has too many wounds and almost damaged her shin bones. She must not be overworked and needs careful nursing for a while," the physician said quickly.
Okay, what else?" Song Zhijue asked about any other precautions.
She is stable now, but this kind of trauma is best handled by Master Fu." The physician lowered his head. Every physician in the palace had their specialty, and Fu Ping was the most senior and skilled among them.
When will Physician Fu come to the palace?" Song Zhijue asked quickly. Fu Ping was the palace hospital’s mentor, and his skills were surely higher than the others.
Your Highness, Physician Fu is off duty today. He will probably come tomorrow," the physician reported quickly.
Send someone to bring him to the palace immediately," Song Zhijue ordered swiftly.
Yes, I will handle it right away," said the physician. After bowing, the imperial doctors quickly left.
Seeing this, Song Zhijue slowly pushed his wheelchair inside. Silver Consort didn’t follow, knowing he needed space and time alone with the girl. Looking back, she thought, Shou’an Palace must be in chaos now!
Taking a deep breath, Silver Consort walked out. She had to go to Shou’an Palace—otherwise, she worried about the relationship between mother and son.
****** Scene break ******
What? How could this happen?' At this moment, only Cao Wan’er, Luna, and Silver Consort were in the room.
What, you don’t believe me?' Cao Wan’er glared angrily at Silver Consort. The scene just now had nearly driven her mad with rage!
Of course I believe you, Your Majesty. But what Silver Consort doesn’t understand is—if that’s true, then who exactly is this woman? What is her purpose?
At this moment, Silver Consort couldn’t help but speculate. By rights, the Empress and Jude had always had a good relationship—a loving mother and filial son. What happened today was a first.
Whatever her goal, she’s definitely not a good person,' Cao Wan’er said bitterly—forgetting, of course, that she herself wasn’t exactly a good person either!
Aunt Silver, Luna thinks this woman is trying to sow discord between Your Majesty and the Crown Prince. She must be up to something,' Luna said, now suspicious after her earlier analysis.
But who is she, really? What does stirring up trouble gain her? If she wanted to be a consort or empress, she could just flatter Your Majesty now. Silver Consort thinks she must be acting under someone’s orders.
Could she be acting on that demon’s instructions?' Cao Wan’er asked.
Huh? Impossible, she’s already dead—how could that be?' Silver Consort replied quickly.
Dead? Did you see her corpse?' Cao Wan’er retorted, her cold expression enough to freeze anyone.
Silver Consort was speechless—after all, the cliff was so high, who could survive such a fall?
Seeing Silver Consort silent, Cao Wan’er realized she’d pushed too hard. "I’m just worried someone is targeting Jude. He’s so innocent—if he’s tricked, the consequences would be terrible. Even if that demon is dead, it doesn’t mean she has no allies!"
I won’t let anyone hurt the Crown Prince!' Silver Consort said fiercely. No one could harm her son!
Don’t worry. Jude is my son—I absolutely won’t let anyone hurt him. But you must stay close to him for now. With that demon girl around, I can’t relax. If you’re by his side, she won’t dare do anything.
Rest assured, Your Majesty. Silver Consort will do everything to protect the Crown Prince.' Thinking of possible danger to Song Zhijue, Silver Consort grew worried.
Good. Also, have someone check the background of this Chloe Chung—who is she, really?' Cao Wan’er’s expression finally softened a bit.
Silver Consort understands. I’ll have someone get to the truth quickly!
Your Majesty, Your Majesty...' Suddenly, an urgent voice called out as Guard Gavin Wang stumbled in.
Guard Wang...' The other guards who came in hung their heads in shame for failing to stop Gavin Wang.
Enough,' Cao Wan’er waved her hand, and the guards quickly bowed and retreated.
Your servant greets Your Majesty,' Gavin Wang knelt before Cao Wan’er.
What’s got you so flustered?' Today had been full of people ignoring protocol.
Your Majesty, someone broke into the Demon-Sealing Cell,' Gavin Wang reported.
What?' Cao Wan’er stood up in shock. 'Who? Was anyone caught? What happened to the madwoman?'
No, Your Majesty, the intruder wasn’t caught. But the ground and arrows were covered in blood—the intruder must have been badly injured. As for the madwoman, she wasn’t rescued, but strangely, it seems the intruder wasn’t trying to save her.' Gavin Wang was puzzled.
What do you mean?' Cao Wan’er pressed.
I just sent people to check—the madwoman was force-fed poison. It looks like the intruder meant to kill her!' Gavin Wang speculated.
Poisoned?' Cao Wan’er was puzzled. Why go to all that trouble just to poison her, instead of killing her outright?
Your Majesty, the arrows were covered in blood—the intruder must have been badly hurt and had no strength to kill her, so they used poison instead. But I’ve already sent people to treat her,' Gavin Wang explained, seeing Cao Wan’er’s confusion.
Cao Wan’er nodded slightly—she had to admit Gavin Wang’s logic made sense. So many traps, and the intruder managed to reach the end, but surviving was another matter. Too badly hurt to kill, she used poison instead?!
Your Majesty...' Suddenly, Luna remembered something. 'When I was whipping Chloe Chung earlier, I noticed she was already covered in wounds—like sword-qi injuries, all over.'
Cao Wan’er frowned and paced back and forth, then suddenly widened her eyes. "That demon girl must be the one who broke into the Demon-Sealing Cell!"
********* Scene break *********
PS: Yesterday Yiyi updated 22,000 words—was everyone satisfied? This is my best record ever! Today’s update is 21,000 words—please send diamonds, red packet tips, ahhh, I’m begging for comments! Did you all enjoy reading?? (Author's note, can be skipped or localized for English readers.)