Chapter 140

Chapter 140

Doctor Shi hurried to Xiao Yu's bedroom, following Minghe.

Madam Yue, Danzi, and Ya Ya automatically cleared the way.

Xiao Yu lay on the bed as if asleep.

Pei Yanli, holding his hand, said, "No need for formalities, please check on him quickly."

"Yes." Doctor Shi quickly set down his medical bag and began taking Xiao Yu's pulse while asking, "What happened to Xiao Ziqing all of a sudden?"

Madam Yue had been with Xiao Yu the entire time, but she hadn't noticed anything amiss before he suddenly fainted. She could only recount everything that had just happened.

Doctor Shi released Xiao Yu's wrist and lifted his eyelids for examination.

"How is he?" Madam Yue asked anxiously.

Doctor Shi replied, "His pulse is clear, his breathing is steady, and there's nothing unusual."

Madam Yue was extremely puzzled, "Then why did he suddenly faint?"

Doctor Shi was also at a loss, "Perhaps we should consult Physician Yan as well?"

"Summon him," Pei Yanli said with a stern expression.

"Yes." Xiaozhong hurried away.

Soon, Physician Yan arrived, but like Doctor Shi, he couldn't determine Xiao Yu's condition, suggesting they consult other imperial physicians.

One after another, imperial physicians arrived at the Eastern Palace, alerting the Empress, the Empress Dowager, and Emperor Yongxi, who all came to the Eastern Palace.

"What illness does Xiao Ziqing have?" the Empress Dowager asked anxiously.

The Empress inquired, "Is there no clue at all?"

Emperor Yongxi asked, "Does no one know what's wrong?"

Faced with the mysteries of the world and illnesses, Physician Yan replied, "Your Majesty, the Empress Dowager, and the Empress, Xiao Ziqing appears entirely normal, as if he's just asleep. We truly can’t find any illness."

"Is he really just asleep?" Physician Liu boldly questioned.

Doctor Shi suggested, "Your Majesty, perhaps we should observe him for another day?"

Looking at Xiao Yu lying on the bed, seemingly asleep, Emperor Yongxi felt helpless and instructed, "Leave a few people in the Eastern Palace to constantly monitor Xiao Ziqing's condition."

"Yes," Physician Yan agreed.

Emperor Yongxi was about to say something else but started coughing himself.

The Empress Dowager said, "Emperor, you're not well, you should go back and rest."

Emperor Yongxi responded, "Mother, you should go back too."

Realizing she couldn't be of much help there, the Empress Dowager turned to the Empress, "Empress, please take extra care of the Eastern Palace."

"Yes," the Empress acknowledged.

Emperor Yongxi and the Empress Dowager glanced at Pei Yanli by the bed, knowing his feelings for Xiao Yu. Without saying more, they left.

The queen sighed and turned her head to see Minghe, drenched from head to toe, and immediately frowned, "Xiaozhong, didn't you see that young master Ming is all wet?"

Xiaozhong was entirely focused on Xiao Yu and hadn't noticed Minghe. Seeing him now, she was both shocked and sympathetic, repeatedly saying, "I am at fault. I will take young master Ming to clean up right away."

Minghe had fallen several times on the way to find Doctor Shi, getting covered in snow. But he was so preoccupied with his uncle that he didn't notice himself. The snow slowly melted into water, soaking his clothes, yet he stubbornly refused to clean up, insisting on watching over his uncle.

Xiaozhong advised, "Young master Ming, you will get sick if you stay like this."

Minghe silently watched his uncle, who appeared to be sleeping soundly.

Madam Yue approached, took Minghe's hand, and said, "Minghe, let's take a bath and change into clean clothes first. Otherwise, the dampness on you will worry your uncle if he finds out."

Hearing "your uncle will worry," Minghe looked up at Madam Yue, pursing his lips.

"Let's go," Madam Yue said, pulling Minghe and signaling Xiaozhong with her eyes.

Xiaozhong immediately led the way.

Madam Yue took Minghe to the bathhouse, where Xiaozhong bathed him. After changing him into warm clothes and feeding him ginger tea to prevent a cold, she said, "Let's go and see your uncle."

Minghe quickly ran to Xiao Yu's bedroom.

But Xiao Yu was still asleep.

Everyone preferred to believe that Xiao Yu was just sleeping, but as time passed from noon, afternoon, evening, and then the next morning and afternoon, Xiao Yu still hadn't woken up.

Both Doctor Yan and Doctor Shi knew that Xiao Yu wasn't just sleeping; he had contracted a strange illness, but they didn't know what it was.

Pei Yanli, following the original plan, ordered various exorcism rituals in the hope of curing and awakening Xiao Yu, but to no avail.

"When will Uncle finally wake up?" Danzi asked, tears welling up in his eyes.

Minghe pursed his lips tightly.

"Is Xiao Ziqing dead?" Xiaoyuan Ping asked.

"No!" Danzi and Minghe shouted in unison.

Startled, Xiaoyuan Ping shuddered and fell to the ground.

Neither Danzi nor Minghe moved to help him.

The eldest princess helped Xiaoyuan Ping up, saying, "Yuan Ping, saying such things will upset everyone."

"I... I don't want Xiao Ziqing to die either," Xiaoyuan Ping said sadly, leaning on the eldest princess. "But, but Xiao Ziqing just won't wake up."

The eldest princess gently patted Xiaoyuan Ping's head and turned to Pei Yanli, who had been tirelessly by Xiao Yu's side, "Yanli, you need to eat something, or you won't be able to withstand this."

Since Xiao Yu's collapse, Pei Yanli had been oblivious to everything else, focusing solely on Xiao Yu and neglecting even himself.

The eldest princess, Secretary Pei, and others had tried to persuade him several times. Now, the eldest princess tried a different approach, "Xiao Yu cares deeply for your highness and Minghe. Now that he's unconscious and nobody is taking proper care of you and Minghe, he would be distressed if he knew."

At these words, Pei Yanli finally reacted, slowly turning to look at Danzi and Minghe.

"Look at them, they've lost weight. They haven't been attending classes or playing, spending all their days here with you. This can't continue," the eldest princess frowned.

Pei Yanli's eyes flickered as he asked Minghe and Danzi, "Have you eaten?"

Both children shook their heads.

"Xiaozhong, prepare the meal," Pei Yanli immediately ordered.

Upon hearing this, the eldest princess was overjoyed and hurriedly said, "Hurry up."

In no time, the lunch was served.

Pei Yanli, the eldest princess, Minghe, and Danzi were seated around the table.

After serving dishes to the three, Pei Yanli bowed his head and began to eat.

Seeing him finally eating, the eldest princess sighed in relief and urged, "Yuan Heng, Minghe, you should eat too."

After the meal, Pei Yanli asked Minghe and Danzi, "Time for a nap?"

Both Minghe and Danzi shook their heads.

"Then you should go to your lessons," said Pei Yanli.

Minghe and Danzi, reluctant to leave, didn’t move.

Pei Yanli continued, "If you don't go, your uncle will be upset."

"Will Uncle know?" asked Danzi.

"He will," Pei Yanli softly added, "He will know."

"Then will he wake up?" Minghe asked.

Pei Yanli paused, then asserted confidently, "He will."

He was always brief with the children, but every word carried weight, convincing Minghe and Danzi.

The eldest princess said, "Go on now, study well."

The children glanced at Pei Yanli and said, "We'll come back to see Uncle right after school," before leaving for their lessons.

Pei Yanli calmly said to the eldest princess, "Mother, don't worry about me, I'm fine. I will still need your help with the wedding preparations for Xiao Yu and me."

"The wedding? Will it proceed as planned?" the eldest princess asked in surprise.

"Yes," Pei Yanli confirmed confidently.

"But Xiao Yu is currently—"

"No matter what he becomes, I will marry him."

Although the eldest princess knew her eldest son was always determined, the idea of him insisting on getting married at this time still shocked her. However, considering his deep affection for Xiao Yu and the many challenges they had faced together, she finally nodded in agreement, "Alright, I'll arrange it for you."

"Thank you, mother," Pei Yanli said.

The eldest princess, holding his hand, advised, "You must take good care of yourself."

"I will," Pei Yanli assured her.

The eldest princess took one more look at the sleeping Xiao Yu, sighed, and left.

Pei Yanli wasn't as despondent as before. After seeing off the eldest princess, he had the dining table cleared, then fed Xiao Yu medicine and soup, bathed him, and opened the windows for ventilation.

When Minghe and Danzi finished school, he arranged their meals and clothing. At night, he read a book to the children until they fell asleep, then sat beside Xiao Yu's bed, keeping vigil while browsing through various medical and mystical texts.

Day by day passed, the Minor New Year and then the New Year's Eve arrived. On the day of their grand wedding, Pei Yanli had taken good care of the two children and tried every possible treatment to cure or awaken Xiao Yu, but Xiao Yu still hadn’t woken up.

On schedule, Pei Yanli donned a red robe and proceeded with the wedding, bringing Xiao Yu to the General's Mansion.

The news spread wildly throughout the court and among the common people.

"General Pei got married?"

"He married Xiao Ziqing."

"Who is Xiao Ziqing?"

"They say he's a very impressive person who saved the Crown Prince, the Emperor, and many others."

"That's really amazing!"

"I heard he's fallen into a strange coma."

"And they still got married?"

"General Pei wanted it!"

"Alas, love and affection often find their way into wealthy households."

“……”

Chef Yu and Old Lady Yu also learned about the identities and circumstances of Xiao Yu and the others at this time, but they were helpless.

Pei Yanli sat alone in front of the bed in the bridal chamber of the General's Mansion, with flickering red candles. He gazed deeply at Xiao Yu, also dressed for the occasion, having imagined their wedding scene numerous times but never like this.

He gently touched Xiao Yu's gaunt cheek, whispering, "What will it take for you to wake up?"

Naturally, Xiao Yu did not respond.

Pei Yanli rested his forehead against Xiao Yu's, trying to suppress his emotions, but his body trembled involuntarily.

The next morning, he got up, washed, and prepared to visit the palace to see the two children.

Lu Ming hurriedly approached him, "Yanli, I encountered a monk, and everyone says he's very powerful. Shall we—"

"Yes!" Pei Yanli immediately agreed before Lu Ming could finish.

Lu Ming quickly brought the monk over.

The monk was dressed in tattered clothes, but Pei Yanli treated him with utmost respect.

The monk entered the room, looked at the lying Xiao Yu, clicked his tongue a few times, and shook his head, "His soul is not here."

Pei Yanli was startled.

Lu Ming was also shocked, "Master, what do you mean by that?"

The monk, lacking the solemnity expected of a monk, shook his head and said, "His soul, well, it never belonged here in the first place, so naturally, it left."

"Where did it go?" Lu Ming asked anxiously.

The monk scratched his bald head, "It went where it belongs, where else?"

Lu Ming and Pei Yanli looked at each other, utterly bewildered.

Xiao Yu also looked bewildered, staring blankly at the nurses bustling around him.

"Xiao Yu, you've finally woken up!" Xiao Han entered and exclaimed.

Xiao Yu gazed at Xiao Han in a daze.

"Why do you work so hard? You almost died. Luckily, Xiao Wang found you in time, or your life would have been in danger!" Xiao Han said.