Chapter 1222: Chapter 190: Beyond Cure
Chapter 1222: Chapter 190: Beyond Cure
In recent days, Zhao Yao had been haunted by a sense of foreboding, constantly feeling that something bad was about to happen. His concern was whether something unfortunate was going to occur in the capital again.
Prince Chu also noticed Zhao Yao’s restlessness and asked him with concern if something had happened. Zhao Yao shared his worries with Prince Chu.
After listening to Zhao Yao’s concerns, Prince Chu comforted him by saying that he might be overthinking.
Zhao Yao also wished he was overthinking, so he forced himself not to let his imagination run wild. But, a few days later, he received news that Emperor Yong’an was critically ill.
Emperor Yong’an wrote personally to Zhao Yao, saying he was seriously ill and wanted to see him.
Zhao Yao knew that Emperor Yong’an would not write to deceive him; if he said he was critically ill, then he must be seriously ill indeed.
“Fourth Brother, Eighth Brother is critically ill, I must hurry back to the capital.” Zhao Yao finally understood the reason for his recent unease. “Fourth Brother, you should stay at Swamp Prefecture.”
“I’ll go back with you.” Prince Chu had long learned about Emperor Yong’an’s health status from He Lianfang. Now, upon hearing that Emperor Yong’an was critically ill, he speculated that Emperor Yong’an might not have much time left. If it were just an ordinary illness, Emperor Yong’an would never have written to call Zhao Yao back to the capital. “I should also go back to pay respects to my late mother, the Empress Dowager.”
A year after Prince Chu came to Swamp Prefecture, Empress Dowager Li passed away in the palace. At that time, Zhao Yao accompanied Prince Chu back to the capital to mourn the Empress Dowager. Since then, Zhao Yao had never returned to the capital.
“Alright, let’s go back together.” Zhao Yao knew very well Emperor Yong’an’s temperament. If it was just an ordinary illness, Emperor Yong’an would never have written to call him back. This time, Emperor Yong’an’s illness must be exceptionally severe. “We’ll set out early tomorrow morning.”
“I’ll go pack now.” Prince Chu returned to his residence, instructing others to help him pack his luggage simply.
Before returning to the capital, Zhao Yao had many things to entrust to others.
With Wen Daoji and Zheng Qian there, Zhao Yao had no worries about chaos erupting in Lingnan.
Early the next morning, Zhao Yao and Prince Chu took a boat back to the capital together.
Zhao Yao was worried about Emperor Yong’an’s health, and during the journey back to the capital, his mood remained heavy. In contrast, Prince Chu was not worried but was in a particularly good mood.
Prince Chu was in a good mood not because of Emperor Yong’an being critically ill, but because Zhao Yao was about to ascend the throne. Over the past few years, Prince Chu had been waiting for Emperor Yong’an to become critically ill, and now his wait was finally over.
Before leaving Swamp Prefecture, Zhao Yao brought along many renowned witch doctors from the local area and also brought many elixirs. Upon arrival in the capital, he didn’t even return to Prince Han Mansion but hurried into the palace with the witch doctors.
Prince Chu did not accompany Zhao Yao into the palace, as he could not enter without a summons. Instead of going back to Prince Chu Mansion, he went to Prince Han Mansion. Zhao Yao had arranged for him to stay at Prince Han Mansion.
Although Prince Chu had not been stripped of his princely title, he had long lost his real power. In the capital, his Prince Chu Mansion had naturally not been maintained and had become desolate. But Prince Han Mansion was different.
Though Prince Han Mansion was empty, it was continuously managed and cleaned. Before leaving Swamp Prefecture, Zhao Yao sent a message to Prince Han Mansion in the capital. By the time they returned to the capital, the caretakers had already prepared Prince Han Mansion for Prince Han and Prince Chu to reside.
Zhao Yao had already entered the palace and saw Emperor Yong’an with a deathly pale complexion, emaciated to the point of being mere skin and bones. His heart sank sharply, a deep sense of unease rising within him.
Emperor Yong’an leaned against the bed, gazing warmly at the travel-worn Zhao Yao.
“Why not rest well for a night before coming to see me tomorrow? There’s no hurry.”
Zhao Yao sat by the side of the Dragon Bed, looking at Emperor Yong’an with eyes full of both concern and tension.
“Eighth Brother, how did you become so emaciated?” He had changed beyond recognition. “More than two years ago, you were not like this. Have you not been eating properly or resting well in these past two years?”
Emperor Yong’an did not answer Zhao Yao’s questions but asked with concern, “Have you eaten?”
“At this moment, you are still concerned whether I have eaten or not.” Zhao Yao said anxiously, “Eighth Brother, I brought witch doctors; let them check your pulse first.”
Emperor Yong’an did not refuse, “Alright.”
Shortly after, Sun Doudou led several witch doctors into the room.
Emperor Yong’an cast a glance at Sun Doudou, and Sun Doudou nodded at him quietly, which put him at ease.
Zhao Yao did not notice the exchange of glances between Emperor Yong’an and Sun Doudou. He hastily requested the witch doctors to check Emperor Yong’an’s pulse.
Several witch doctors took turns checking Emperor Yong’an’s pulse, while Zhao Yao sat quietly and anxiously waiting for the results.
After the pulse checks, the witch doctors seemed hesitant to speak.
Seeing the hesitant expressions of the witch doctors, Zhao Yao’s mood plummeted instantly, and the uneasy premonition grew even more intense.