Chapter Eighty: Unheard Of
Imperial Physician Hu shook his head and spoke solemnly, "Your Majesty, the poison afflicting the princess is called 'Ten Days’ End.' As the name suggests, once poisoned, one can only survive for ten days. During these ten days, the toxin rapidly spreads through the internal organs; then, the wound begins to expand and slowly rot throughout the body. Throughout this process, the victim remains unconscious, yet suffers agony beyond compare. Finally, on the tenth day, the poison strikes fatally, and the corpse decays into a pool of putrid water."
"I merely happened to recall a folk remedy recorded in a medical text for this poison, though I cannot guarantee its efficacy," he added.
The emperor exclaimed anxiously, "Speak—no matter whether it will work or not, we have no other choice."
Hu stroked his beard and continued, "It is said that beyond the capital, atop the cliffs of Mount Wangyao, grows a medicinal herb called 'Ten Blood Flower.' Its name is a homonym for 'Blood-Eating Flower.' It thrives on perilous cliffs and only blossoms upon contact with human blood. When not in bloom, it is indistinguishable from ordinary herbs. Because its harvesting is exceedingly tricky, few have even heard of it, let alone seen it, and even those skilled in medicine for many years cannot recognize it unless it has flowered."
He sighed deeply, his expression grave. "Therefore, to obtain the 'Ten Blood Flower' with certainty, one must continuously use a dagger to draw blood on the cliff to distinguish it. Furthermore, the blood of the harvester is required as the medicinal primer; it must be decocted and administered daily for ten days to dispel the toxin. Should a single day be missed, or should the blood used not belong to the harvester, all efforts will be wasted."
No sooner had his words faded than the crown prince rose to his feet, resolute. "I will go! I will climb Mount Wangyao and gather the 'Ten Blood Flower'!"
"No!"
The emperor rejected the suggestion without hesitation, his face stern. "You are the crown prince of Li Dynasty, the future ruler of the realm. Mount Wangyao is treacherous, and the flower grows on sheer cliffs. If you were to meet with misfortune, Li Dynasty would be lost!"
Upon hearing this, Imperial Physician Hu, still kneeling, was shaken, realizing he had just overheard a secret of tremendous consequence. Terrified, he quickly bowed his head.
Though the emperor had named his legitimate son, Wei Chu, as crown prince since childhood, he had many sons. Besides Wei Chu, there was his eldest, Prince Chun, Wei Shu, and several others born to consorts and noble ladies, all exceptional, with maternal families boasting significant influence at court.
The imperial court now divided itself into factions. Despite the emperor’s favor and trust for the crown prince since childhood, the emperor was still in his prime. Until the final moment, the one to ascend the throne was not guaranteed to be the crown prince.
Yet today, the emperor had unexpectedly spoken, "If the crown prince meets with misfortune, Li Dynasty will perish."
It was clear, then, that the emperor intended the throne for the crown prince alone, without considering another successor.
Thus, the crown prince and Princess Danqing occupied a place in the emperor’s heart that no one else could challenge.
"Your Majesty," Imperial Physician Hu, trembling, bowed and reported, "Your Majesty, the journey to Mount Wangyao is long. Even riding day and night, the round trip will take nearly half a month. The princess can survive only ten days..."
Yes, only ten days.
Home.
Her poor child...
Upon hearing this, the empress’s last shred of hope was swiftly extinguished. A dull ache throbbed in her head; unable to stand it any longer, she closed her eyes and fainted.