Chapter 76 “Falling Ill”

Chapter 76: "Illness"

The sky was not yet dark, the deep blue of dusk before nightfall. The wind seemed to come alive, it no longer carried the daytime's oppressive heat but instead a touch of coolness.

Yet, the few individuals present at the Cangwu Hall had no leisure to appreciate this pleasant scene.

Chang Wenji stood outside the hall with his entourage, a mask of concern on his face, though his eyes kept darting furtive glances inside.

The Emperor had not appeared for two full days. He was determined to find out whether Xiao Yan was actually inside.

"Commander Fang," Chang Wenji began, "upon hearing His Majesty is unwell, I specially sought out a thousand-year-old ginseng from the southern borders to present to His Majesty, to aid His Majesty's recovery."

A servant stepped forward, offering a sandalwood box. Upon a red brocade cushion lay a ginseng root the size of a palm, its dense, sprawling tendrils presenting a splendid sight.

However, Fang Fengshi detected the deception immediately.

This ginseng appeared plump and white with many tendrils, but it was sturdy but lifeless, missing the ethereal essence and gravitas a true millennium-old ginseng should possess.

Even someone like him, with only superficial knowledge, could tell it was nowhere near as old as claimed. He didn't believe an old fox like Chang Wenji was unaware.

If Chang Wenji knew it was fake yet presented it, deliberately labeling it a "thousand-year-old ginseng," it meant this visit was not merely the surface-level "nurturing the imperial health" he professed.

Fang Fengshi accepted the ginseng, chuckling his thanks. "Thank you for your concern, Chancellor. However, His Majesty gave strict orders before retiring: no one is to disturb his rest."

He then pointed at himself. "You see, even I was dismissed. I'm not even allowed to stay in the room. As you know, His Majesty's condition has worsened daily these past few days. He can scarcely leave his bed, and this profound lethargy is simply unavoidable."

Upon hearing this, Chang Wenji's look of concern deepened, yet his tone held not a shred of genuine care.

"Commander Fang, what a coincidence. I have brought the finest physician from my residence. While his reputation may not rival those famed doctors of the Imperial Hospital, he possesses unique remedies specifically for debilitating exhaustion like His Majesty's."

Chang Wenji took a step forward, his demeanor a blend of apparent concern and implicit pressure.

"It matters not if His Majesty is asleep. This physician is deft and efficient. He can take His Majesty's pulse while he slumbers and have a prescription ready in short order."

Fang Fengshi was briefly speechless, his fist involuntarily tightening.

Chang Wenji was impervious to both soft and hard tactics, dead set on getting inside to see for himself.

However...

Xiao Yan was not inside the hall. He had not yet returned.

If Chang Wenji discovered that Xiao Yan's illness had been a pretense all this time, all-out war would likely erupt on the spot.

Although the elite troops from Zhaoshan were prepared and ready to mobilize at a moment's notice, an outbreak of war now, a direct clash, would inevitably sweep up countless innocent civilians.

They might be awakened from sleep by the glare of flames, trampled by iron hooves, families torn apart, parted by death... the scene would be a hundred, a thousand times more tragic...

Fang Fengshi absolutely could not let Chang Wenji find out.

He put on a look of blank confusion, deliberately playing the fool, and spoke with feigned difficulty. "Ah, Chancellor, please spare this humble official. You know His Majesty's temper. If I let you in, when he wakes, he'll have my skin flayed and my tendons pulled! In his current state of discomfort, his moods are as unpredictable as the weather. This humble official still wishes to keep his life to visit the ladies of the Moon Reflection Pavilion."

He had to live up to his "playboy" reputation.

Perhaps the mention of "the ladies of the Moon Reflection Pavilion" amused Chang Wenji. His gaze, previously fixed on the hall interior, shifted to Fang Fengshi.

With arms like an ape's and a waist like a leopard's, a handsome and clear-cut appearance, and a father who was a renowned great general—had he not grown up trailing after Xiao Yan, he might have become a promising young hero himself.

A pity that now, with this frivolous, pleasure-seeking, unambitious playboy demeanor, he was squandering such excellent potential.

Chang Wenji looked up again, his eyes held a trace of seeming pity.

"Nephew, heed an old man's advice," he changed his address, attempting to foster closeness. "My actions are for your own good as well. When His Majesty awakens and discovers an effective remedy for his ailment, how could he possibly punish you? He would be eternally grateful."

Fang Fengshi widened his eyes, the confusion in his gaze partly genuine and partly feigned.

The "genuine" part stemmed from not understanding the source of that pity in Chang Wenji's look. The "feigned" part was because, judging by Chang Wenji's words, he truly was being treated like a fool—superficially told it was for his benefit, yet in reality, it was just another ploy to gain entry.

Fang Fengshi swore to himself that once this period was over, he would make Xiao Yan proclaim his innocence to the world! Otherwise, this impression of him as a fool would become indelible!

But for now... fine. A fool he would be. He'd just stubbornly play the idiot.

Fang Fengshi glanced inside, then stubbornly refused to yield, pretending fear, and took the opportunity to "blacken" Xiao Yan's reputation a bit more.

"Chancellor, it truly is impossible. His Majesty's methods with his male attendants are formidable. A few moves can leave a man unable to stand. If it's about tormenting someone... it would only be worse. This humble official truly cannot bear such responsibility."

Seeing that neither persuasion nor pressure worked, Chang Wenji lost his patience, his attitude hardening.

A thought seemed to strike him.

"What's this performance, Nephew? Could it be that the Emperor isn't inside at all, and you're merely putting on a show here?"

Chang Wenji's gaze turned sharp, scrutinizing Fang Fengshi like a series of keen blades, flaying him with his eyes, as if eager to pry open even the seams between his bones for inspection.

Fang Fengshi instantly broke out in goosebumps, a cold sweat beading at his temples.

Chang Wenji's high status and formidable authority, his intimidating presence, was truly starting to overwhelm Fang Fengshi.

After all, he was barely into his twenties. How could he match against Chang Wenji, who had navigated the treacherous waters of officialdom for decades?

Fang Fengshi steadied his mind, striving to leave no crack in his facade, still playing the fool. Simultaneously, he subtly tightened his grip on the saber at his waist and took a step back, firmly blocking the doorway.

"Chancellor, what are you implying! This humble official wouldn't dare! That would be a capital offense!"

Chang Wenji glanced at Fang Fengshi, not deeming him worthy of further attention, and made to stride directly inside.

With his status as a Three-Dynasty Veteran, aside from Xiao Yan himself, no one could stop him.

Once past this door, the truth of what lay within would be revealed.

As Chang Wenji was about to step into the courtyard, Fang Fengshi grew desperate. He quickly moved to intercept Chang Wenji, resolved to stop him even at the risk of mutual destruction.

A cold glint flashed as his saber began to leave its sheath. But then, a dark figure interposed itself between them, precisely blocking Chang Wenji's line of sight.

Ling Shan stood there, expression cold and detached, all business. His face was impassive, his tone displeased as he addressed Fang Fengshi.

"Commander Fang, His Majesty inquires why there is such a commotion outside. It is disturbing his rest."

His Majesty?!

Fang Fengshi's face registered a flicker of shock. When he looked up at Ling Shan, the latter gave a slight, almost imperceptible nod, a silent signal to reassure him.

Xiao Yan had returned!

The heart that had been suspended in Fang Fengshi's chest finally settled firmly back into place. The nerves that had been stretched taut completely relaxed in that moment.

And the consequence of relaxing too abruptly was that he completely let go, transforming into an unadulterated drama king...

All the difficulties Chang Wenji had just subjected him to were absorbed and then transmuted into a display of masterful acting.

Fang Fengshi simply dropped to his knees with a thud, explaining to Ling Shan with a face full of fear and trepidation.

"Imperial Guard, the Chancellor was determined to come in, and I couldn't hold him back. Please explain to His Majesty and don't hold me accountable."

Ling Shan was caught off guard and startled by the sudden kneeling.

He took half a step back and gave a light cough. "That's for His Majesty to decide. Both of you, follow me."

The group entered Xiao Yan's bedchamber and immediately were hit by the heavy smell of medicine. At the bedside sat an empty medicine bowl, looking like it had just been drunk.

The bed curtains were layered and drawn tight, shrouding the bed completely, yet faint coughing could be heard from within, followed by intermittent, weak speech.

"Ling... Ling Shan, is a window open? I feel a draft."

Upon hearing this, Ling Shan first looked around and saw there were no open windows. Then, with practiced ease, he fetched a quilt from one side, lifted the bed curtain, and tucked it around Xiao Yan.

"Your Majesty, no windows are open. It must have been the draft from the door earlier," Ling Shan said softly. "You asked me to check why it was so noisy outside. I've brought Chancellor Chang and Commander Fang in."

Xiao Yan was silent for a few moments, seemingly genuinely trying to recall whether he had made such a request. However, it seemed he couldn't remember, as he let out a helpless sigh.

"It's fine. Ling Shan, you may withdraw for now."

"Yes."

"Chancellor, what is so urgent that you come now? I was asleep and do not wish to be disturbed."

A weak, breathless voice seeped through the gaps in the curtains. Already faint, it became barely audible after passing through the bed curtains.

Earlier, while Ling Shan was placing the quilt inside, Chang Wenji had stolen a couple of glances. The gaunt figure and pallid complexion were a perfect reflection of Xiao Yan.

Coupled with the pervasive medicinal scent in the room and the extremely feeble voice, Xiao Yan's health truly seemed to have taken a critical turn for the worse, looking like he didn't have long to live.

All previous suspicions were shattered by the reality before his eyes. Chang Wenji felt his mind put at ease, and even Fang Fengshi, who had desperately tried to stop him earlier, now looked better in his eyes.

However... since the physician had been brought along, it would be a waste not to use him.

"Your Majesty, I have brought you a nourishing ginseng and a physician who specializes in treating physical weakness. Perhaps he could check your pulse?"

"Very well. Your concern is noted, Chancellor. Let him take my pulse, then."

From the thick bed curtains, a slender wrist extended, like a withered branch dried by the wind, resting weakly by the bedside.

For a moment, this hand became the focal point of the room.

Chang Wenji wanted to know just how severely Xiao Yan's health had deteriorated, while Fang Fengshi's heart leaped into his throat.

Xiao Yan wasn't actually ill. If an unfamiliar physician took his pulse, wouldn't the truth be exposed?!

The appearance of illness could be feigned, but the pulse could never lie.

They wouldn't...

With bated breath, Fang Fengshi watched as the physician placed his hand on the wrist, frowned, withdrew it, and then prescribed a tonic formula.

The pulse-taking proceeded without any issues—the pulse matched the outward symptoms.

For Chang Wenji, this was good news, but for Fang Fengshi, it posed a significant problem.

Could Xiao Yan's health truly be that poor?

If not, how had Xiao Yan managed to pull this off...

Author's Note:

Let's give a round of applause to welcome the Oscar-worthy actor, Xiao Yan.