Chapter 27: Chapter 23: Another Small Detail

The Imperial Physicians examined for a long time and put in a lot of effort before finally emerging from the hall.

Shen Jingxian guessed that next they would surely say the poison is too potent, and they are powerless, unable to concoct an antidote, or something of that sort.

After all, this was the poison destined to afflict Wen Ranchen, and how could mere Imperial Physicians possibly resolve it?

In novels, poisons that can be cured by the Imperial Physicians are rubbish; typically, a protagonist afflicted with a rare poison would require a recluse Divine Doctor or an enigmatic genius like Shi Wang to resolve.

“To the Emperor, Empress, and Princess, the poison afflicting Prince Wen is similar to the poison the Princess encountered last time. We can concoct an antidote, but there’s an herb called Luoyu Nie needed. It is extremely rare, difficult to cultivate. It takes one year to sprout, one year to grow, one year to flower, one year to bear fruit, and one year to mature. Even with careful nurturing, the soonest it could be used in medicine is in five years. During these five years, the Princely Heir will… be unable to see.”

Shen Jingxian: I said there’s no way… Hmm? Wait a minute? There is a cure? Five years?

This is not quite what she imagined.

The Empress hugged Shen Jingxian tighter. She couldn’t imagine how painful it would be if her Er Ya couldn’t see for five years.

“Send some excellent herbs to the General Mansion, and the Imperial Hospital should dispatch a few more Imperial Physicians to the General Mansion, always paying attention to the Princely Heir’s health.”

Shen Jingxian’s earlier statement was that Wen Ranchen rescued her. Given this, the Emperor and Empress wouldn’t treat their daughter’s savior unfairly.

Shen Jingxian tugged at the Emperor’s robe softly, who was standing aside giving commands. She spoke softly, “Father Emperor, are you going to send Brother Ranchen back to the General Mansion? Could you let him stay here?”

The Emperor knelt down, meeting Shen Jingxian’s gaze, gently rubbed her head, and said softly, “When Yi Fen was hurt, did she want more to stay in the palace with Father and Mother, or would she prefer to go to someone else’s home?”

“I would want to stay with Father and Mother.”

Hearing this answer, the Emperor’s expression softened further, “Ranchen is the same. His eyes can’t see. He would rather return to the General Mansion than stay in the palace. ”

This logic was great, but Shen Jingxian disagreed. She shook her head and began to complain, “But Brother Ranchen has a wicked concubine at home who treats him poorly. I treat him well. He definitely wants to stay with me more!”

The Emperor and Empress exchanged glances and saw the helplessness in each other’s eyes.

The Empress kissed Shen Jingxian’s small face and said, “Then when Ranchen wakes up, Er Ya can ask him if he’d prefer to stay in the palace or return to the General Mansion. If he wishes to stay, he can stay.”

Shen Jingxian, having received the answer she desired, was finally happy.

She gave both the Empress and Emperor a slobbery kiss, and satisfied, ran to Wen Ranchen’s side, waiting for him to wake up.

As she waited, Shen Jingxian became worried about one more thing.

She had previously negotiated with Shi Wang to reduce Wen Ranchen’s blindness to five years, but now the Imperial Physicians also gave a five-year timeline.

Is this really just a coincidence or… did Shi Wang do it on purpose?

…

When Wen Jingming arrived at Taihe Palace, the Emperor was already waiting there.

They had known each other for years, as classmates from the Imperial College, and were well-acquainted with each other’s character.

Wen Jingming greeted the Emperor as he always had, with flawless etiquette. The Emperor chatted with him as casually as before, but Wen Jingming keenly noticed the Emperor’s unusual manner today.

“Your Majesty, may I ask what important business prompted you to summon me today?”

The Emperor gave Wen Jingming a meaningful look. “Why, can I not summon you without important business?”

“I daren’t presume so.”

Wen Jingming’s use of “dare not” rather than “is not” was laden with meaning.

The Emperor sighed; this fellow is just as before, very capable but not at all likable in his speech.

If he were a civil servant, he would undoubtedly offend many people, and there would surely be daily memorials to impeach Wen Jingming on his desk.

Nevertheless, the Emperor trusted Wen Jingming deeply.

Indeed, each generation of kings had placed great trust in the Wen Family.

The Wen Family’s family maxim was to protect one master with one’s life and a nation with each generation.

They pledged their lives to protect the king, using one generation after another of the Wen Family’s lives to safeguard Yunyi’s realm, and they truly lived up to it.

If ever the entire court was left with but one loyal minister, without a doubt, it would be a member of the Wen Family.

The Wen Family never took sides; their sole allegiance was to the one on the throne.

“Today, the Princess and Ranchen were attacked on the road. In protecting the Princess, Ranchen was poisoned, and will be unable to see for five years. I’m filled with guilt towards you. If you have any requests, speak them, and I will fulfill what I can.”

Wen Jingming’s late wife only bore him one son, Wen Ranchen. By all reason he should cherish him dearly, yet upon hearing that Wen Ranchen would be unable to see for five years, he didn’t even furrow his brow, only stated, “Protecting the Imperial Family is the duty of the Wen Family. Injuries are inevitable. As a Wen family member, if Wen Ranchen can’t even protect one person, how could he protect all the people? Your Majesty need not dwell on this matter.”

The Emperor’s expression remained calm, but inwardly he sighed.

Normally, if Yi Fen got even a small cut on her hand, he’d feel as if his heart might shatter. The days when Yi Fen’s eyes were poisoned had him in a daze, not knowing how he got through them. Yet Wen Jingming showed such indifference.

Having known Wen Jingming for years, the Emperor knew that what Wen Jingming just said was not to curry favor, but indeed his genuine thoughts.

At that moment, the Emperor couldn’t help but think that perhaps having Wen Ranchen recuperate in the palace would actually be better.

“Come, let’s go see Ranchen.” The Emperor said, glancing once more at Wen Jingming’s reaction.

There wasn’t the slightest hint of concern.

Wen Jingming truly didn’t care about his son’s life or death.

Alas.

The doting father Xiong Yuanxing simply couldn’t understand.

Originally intending to discuss parenting insights with Wen Jingming, the Emperor swallowed his words and began discussing foreign war affairs with Wen Jingming, which finally loosened Wen Jingming’s tongue.

When the two arrived at Yi Fen Palace, it seemed that Wen Ranchen had already awakened, with Shen Jingxian softly comforting him by his side.

“Brother Ranchen, don’t be afraid. Your eyes are just temporarily unable to see. In five years, they will be better.”

“Mm.” Wen Ranchen’s voice sounded devoid of spirit, lacking energy.

“I’m sorry, it’s because you were sending me back to the palace that this happened. I will take responsibility for Brother Chen!”

Upon hearing this, the Emperor immediately rushed from the doorway to Shen Jingxian’s side, covering her mouth with one hand and scooping up the petite Shen Jingxian with his other arm, moving her outside before instructing, “Yi Fen! You mustn’t casually say you’ll take responsibility!”

Shen Jingxian spoke with justification, “I did not say it lightly! Brother Ranchen saved me, so I will take responsibility.”

The Emperor sighed, “Yi Fen, what do you think it means to take responsibility?”

“To take responsibility is to make Brother Ranchen’s eyes better!”

The Emperor shook his head, “That’s just part of it. You and Ranchen are different. He is a boy, and you are a girl. Between a man and a woman, when one says they’ll take responsibility, it means making a lifelong commitment to be together forever.”

The Emperor quickly added, fearing Shen Jingxian might insist they’ll be together forever, “Yi Fen, you must understand that as a Princess, you’ll meet many brothers who are even better than Ranchen. Would you forgo those brothers for him now?”

Hearing this, Shen Jingxian’s eyes lit up.

This Emperor can be befriended; he truly knows how to drive the point home.

He raised his daughter with the saying that one shouldn’t give up a forest for a single tree.

Shen Jingxian made a thoughtful face, while the Emperor watched anxiously, fearing his daughter might sell herself short now.

Fortunately, after seriously contemplating for a while, Shen Jingxian declared, “I still want to play with other brothers, so I can’t commit to Brother Ranchen for life now.”

The Emperor breathed a sigh of relief, “Good child!”

Thinking again, feeling something still amiss, he cautioned Shen Jingxian once more, “But, the human heart is small and can only hold one person, so Yi Fen can only promise to one person.”

Shen Jingxian tilted her head, “But my heart already holds Father Emperor and Mother Empress.”

Hearing this, the Emperor laughed foolishly, “Father and Mother are your family; they don’t count. Father is talking about a partner in love, which Yi Fen will understand in the future.”

Having concluded a friendly exchange between the father and daughter, they returned to the adjacent hall, where Wen Jingming was speaking with Wen Ranchen, though the atmosphere wasn’t pleasant.

“You’ve disgraced the General Mansion. Unable to see for five years, who knows to what degree of uselessness you’ll descend in that time.”

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