Ye Qianlong stood in the crowd and saw Shen Lixue and Dongfang Heng leave together. His eyes darkened, and he followed closely behind the two of them, pushing through the crowd.
Dongfang Zhan also saw the two leave. He sat steadily at the small table, neither speaking nor moving. His gentle gaze instantly turned as deep as a pool.
Lin Yan noticed that something was wrong with Dongfang Heng, and took advantage of the fact that no one was paying attention to quietly rush to the bamboo garden.
Nangong Xiao had no interest in watching others rescue Prince Qin like the others. Seeing that Shen Lixue and Dongfang Heng were nowhere to be seen, he slowly walked towards the bamboo garden, carrying a wine pot in one hand and a wine cup in the other, pouring himself a drink.
Su Yuting's beautiful eyes darkened, and she quietly slipped away from the onlookers to the bamboo garden.
The bamboo garden was brightly lit. Nangong Xiao sat at a small table in the courtyard, pouring himself a drink. Lin Yan sat opposite him, staring intently at the room.
Ye Qianlong sat between Nangong Xiao and Lin Yan, directly facing the door. His clear eyes were fixed on the room. He remained motionless in the same position the whole time. Nangong Xiao couldn't stand it anymore and poured him a glass of wine, saying, "Stop staring like an idiot. Shen Lixue will come out when she's done with her work. Want to have a drink?"
Ye Qianlong shook his head, his gaze still fixed on the window. Candlelight was burning inside, casting part of the scene in the inner room onto the window, so that people outside could see Shen Lixue busy at work.
Ye Qianlong rested his chin on his hand, staring at the lattice window with his clear, bright eyes, wondering what Li Xue was busy with that wouldn't let them into the room.
At midnight, the Prime Minister's residence fell completely quiet. Most of the guests had left. Shen Lixue wiped the sweat from her brow and came out of the house: "I'm sorry to have kept you waiting!"
Lin Yan strode forward and lowered his voice: "How is the Prince?"
"He's fine now. I noticed his pulse was very weak when I was applying acupuncture!" When Dongfang Heng first arrived in the capital, he was already ill. Although his pulse was irregular at that time, it was strong and powerful. However, when Shen Lixue took his pulse just now, she found that his pulse was already very weak.
Lin Yan shook his head and sighed softly, "Prince An's time is running out!" His illness is getting worse and worse, and each time he falls ill, his pulse weakens.
"Is there no doctor who can treat Qingyan's injuries?" Shen Lixue frowned deeply.
"If someone could save us, they would have called them long ago. We wouldn't have let it drag on until now!" Lin Yan smiled helplessly.
Nangong Xiao walked over, sipping his wine: "Don't blame me for being pessimistic, but in my opinion, Dongfang Heng is terminally ill and beyond medical help. You should prepare yourselves mentally!"
Dongfang Heng coughs up blood almost every now and then. This is the first time he has encountered this situation. It's been twice already. His heart meridian is so severely damaged that it's a miracle he's still alive. Finding someone to cure him is basically impossible.
"Nangong Xiao, how's your investigation into that ugly freak going?" Although Nangong Xiao's words were pragmatic, Shen Lixue didn't want to hear them. For some reason, the thought of Dongfang Heng leaving this world made her feel a strange sense of reluctance. She would do everything she could to save him. As long as he had a breath left, she would not give up.
"Ugly monster? What ugly monster?" Lin Yan looked at Shen Lixue and Nangong Xiao with confusion.
"Don't even mention it!" Nangong Xiao downed a glass of wine and complained angrily, "My men have practically dug up every inch of Qingyan Capital, but we still haven't found that ugly hag. I don't know where she's gone."
Shen Lixue raised an eyebrow: "Could it be that he has left the capital?" Nangong Xiao is the heir of the Prince of Yunnan and has a good relationship with the princes of the royal family. If he wanted to find someone, it would be a piece of cake for him. The fact that he has gone to great lengths and still hasn't found him can only mean one thing: that person is either dead or has left.
Nangong Xiao nodded: "Possibly!" That ugly woman actually ran away; she got off easy.
"Li Xue!" Ye Qianlong stepped forward and gently tugged at Chen Li Xue's sleeve.
Shen Lixue was taken aback: "Qianlong, what are you doing here?" She had been so focused on discussing Dongfang Heng's condition with Lin Yan and Nangong Xiao that she hadn't noticed Ye Qianlong was there.
"I've come to see you!" Ye Qianlong said softly, his hand gripping Shen Lixue's sleeve tightening unconsciously.
A faint, delicate medicinal fragrance wafted through the air, and Shen Lixue's eyes lit up: "Qianlong, does the Western Liang Kingdom have any miracle doctors who can cure all diseases?"
Chapter 099: Tender Feelings and Sweet Intent, a Scheming Woman Sets a Trick
"You want to treat his illness?" Ye Qianlong's clear gaze peered through the lattice window into the warmly lit inner room. Despite the many obstructions, he couldn't see what was inside, but he knew that Dongfang Heng was lying on Shen Lixue's bed recuperating.
"He is very ill!" Shen Lixue's eyes showed a hint of worry. If a powerful doctor could not be found, Dongfang Heng would not last long.
"The imperial physicians of Xiliang and Qingyan are similar. Although they can treat serious illnesses, they are helpless for him who is already terminally ill!" Ye Qianlong said in a low voice, secretly observing Shen Lixue. Her clear eyes were slightly hazy under the candlelight, as if covered by a dark film.
"I warned you all long ago that Dongfang Heng's illness is too serious, there is no possibility of a cure!" Nangong Xiao raised his eyebrows. He had almost finished drinking the wine in the wine pot, so he simply threw down the wine cup and directly poured the wine into his mouth.
The rich aroma of the liquor wafted over, perfectly complementing Nangong Xiao's distinctive minty scent. However, Shen Lixue frowned. As long as it wasn't the last moment, Dongfang Heng still had hope, and she couldn't give up so easily: "You should spend more time caring for your ugly duckling, lest she suddenly decides to cause you trouble again!"
"I have already set up a trap, just waiting for her to show herself. If she dares to come, I will make sure she doesn't leave alive!" Nangong Xiao said hatefully, gritting his teeth. Once he caught her, he would torture her severely to avenge his humiliation!
Shen Lixue smiled slightly, said nothing more, and looked up at the starry night sky.
Seeing Shen Lixue's worried gaze, a hint of sadness flashed in Ye Qianlong's eyes. He knew she was worried about Dongfang Heng's condition. After thinking for a long time, he said softly, "There are indeed no miracle doctors in Xiliang, but I know someone who should be able to save Dongfang Heng!"
Shen Lixue was taken aback: "Who is it?"
"The Ghost Doctor of Southern Xinjiang!" Ye Qianlong frowned and reluctantly uttered the name. Dongfang Heng often prevented him from getting close to Shen Lixue. He didn't want to help Dongfang Heng, but Lixue cared about Dongfang Heng's condition. If Dongfang Heng's condition worsened, she would be very sad, and he didn't want her to be sad.
"The Ghost Doctor of Southern Xinjiang!" Shen Lixue raised an eyebrow; it was the first time she had heard this name.
“Yes!” Ye Qianlong nodded, his clear eyes looking up at the night sky: “I remember one winter, my father fell seriously ill. The imperial physicians all predicted that he would not live to see spring. Somehow, the Ghost Doctor of the Southern Frontier went to my father’s palace, and three days later, my father recovered and went to court!”
"Where is he now?" A glimmer of hope ignited in Shen Lixue's heart. She didn't know if the Ghost Doctor of Southern Xinjiang could save Dongfang Heng, but she was prepared to try as long as there was a sliver of hope.
“Back then, I only caught a glimpse of the Ghost Doctor of Southern Frontier from afar in the palace. I didn’t see what he looked like, let alone know where he lived.” Ye Qianlong shook his head. Seeing that Shen Lixue’s eyes were dimming again, he hurriedly said, “However, I can send a message by carrier pigeon to ask Father Emperor. Perhaps he knows!”
"Qianlong, thank you!" With the help of Ye Qianlong and the Emperor of Xiliang, the chances of finding the divine doctor of the Southern Frontier are much greater. There is hope for Dongfang Heng's illness to be cured. Shen Lixue's worried heart was instantly relieved, and she smiled radiantly, like a hundred flowers blooming, bright and beautiful.
"There's no need for thanks between friends." Shen Lixue's thanks made Ye Qianlong's gaze dim even more. She was very polite to him, just like she would to an ordinary person. She forced a smile and said, "Although he often bullies me, he has also helped me!"
"It's late. I'm going back to my villa to rest. Are you coming or not?" A night breeze blew by, bringing a chill. Nangong Xiao threw away the empty wine pot. Her charming eyes were a little hazy. The three people in front of her saw double images in her eyes, and their steps faltered as they floated up.
Shen Lixue glanced at the drunken Nangong Xiao: "Cousin Yan, Nangong Xiao has drunk too much. You should take him home, or let him stay at your Minister's residence for the night. If you let him go back to the villa like this, something bad will definitely happen!"
"Don't worry!" Even if Shen Lixue hadn't reminded him, Lin Yan would have taken good care of Nangong Xiao.
"I'm not drunk!" Nangong Xiao shouted loudly, his hazy eyes staring into the darkness ahead, his steps unsteady.
"If you're not drunk, walk in a straight line!" Nangong Xiao refused to be helped, and Lin Yan didn't insist. Standing beside him, he strode forward. Nangong Xiao's steps were very messy, and he walked in an S-shape. He accidentally stumbled and bumped into the flowers and plants on the side. He raised his hand and threw something hard against the wall. A slight cry of pain came, and at the same time, an almost inaudible sound of wind breaking was heard. The speed was so fast that no one had time to react.
Shen Lixue suddenly looked towards the outside of the wall, a sharp glint flashing in her beautiful eyes: "Someone is eavesdropping outside!"
"That person has extremely high lightness skills and his martial arts are also quite good!" Nangong Xiao said calmly, his charming eyes turning cold, showing no trace of drunkenness.