Illness Unfolds

**Illness Unfolds**

Compared to the palace of Lan Kingdom, the atmosphere in Feng Kingdom during the New Year is markedly more vibrant, adorned with decorations that radiate festivity. Firecrackers crackle from dawn until dusk, while the sounds of fireworks reverberate across the sky.

In the stillness of Xinyang Palace at night, an eerie quietness prevails, even allowing the sound of falling leaves to be heard. At this moment, within the central palace of the crown prince, there are no guards present. A glance reveals only the winter-blooming plum blossoms and a few precious species, devoid of any human presence. Yet, as one walks through, an inexplicable sense of vigilance arises, as if countless pairs of eyes are fixed upon them.

Inside the chambers, with doors and windows tightly shut, an unwelcome breeze infiltrates from some unknown source, causing the candlelight to flicker and heightening the desolation. The fragrant aroma wafts through the air, gradually easing the taut nerves.

On the bed, Feng Jiulan lies with his eyes gently closed, his complexion pale and haggard. Once peacefully asleep, he suddenly breaks into a cold sweat, his body wracked with spasms. Yun Qinghen, who has been vigilantly watching at the bedside, quickly notices his distress, awakening in alarm. Seeing Feng Jiulan in such a state, she is taken aback and hurriedly rushes to the recently renovated apothecary next door. "Something's wrong! Master Jun!" 

As she runs, her voice trembles with urgency. Jun Pinyu quickly discards the herbs in his hands and rushes out. "What happened?"

"The prince is unwell."

A jolt of fear courses through Jun Pinyu as he rushes back into the chamber, finding Feng Jiulan convulsing on the bed, foam already forming at his lips.

Without hesitation, Jun Pinyu enters, pulls back the covers, and loosens Feng Jiulan's inner robe, revealing a large area of deep bruising on his chest, with veins bulging in varying shades of color. Some areas are so dark that they appear to ooze blood, while others are a faint lavender hue, making the prince's frail figure look alarmingly gaunt.

Yun Qinghen leans in closer, her eyes wide with dread as she stares at Jun Pinyu. "Who did this to the prince?"

Jun Pinyu presses his fingers against the most intensely bruised area on Feng Jiulan's chest, causing the prince's brows to furrow even deeper, and the dark marks swiftly shift to another location.

"It's not poisoning. Bring a towel."

Jun Pinyu examines Feng Jiulan's eyes, issuing commands with authority.

Yun Qinghen quickly fetches a towel, which Jun Pinyu immediately shoves into Feng Jiulan's mouth.

"Get the medicine box."

Yun Qinghen swiftly runs to the apothecary to retrieve Jun Pinyu's medical kit.

"Send someone for water."

As Feng Jiulan speaks, he opens the box and retrieves silver needles, plunging them into the black marks on Feng Jiulan's chest, causing the prince's convulsions to intensify.

"Hold him down."

No sooner has Jun Pinyu finished speaking than several cloaked figures appear beside Feng Jiulan, firmly restraining his limbs while Jun Pinyu continues to insert needles.

Seeing the caution etched on Jun Pinyu's face, his usually gentle gaze now tinged with panic, Yun Qinghen's heart races, aware that she must remain composed and not distract him, her palms clammy with sweat.

"Wipe the sweat."

Yun Qinghen bends down, wringing the towel, and approaches Jun Pinyu, offering the towel to his forehead. "It's not for me; it's for your prince."

As she pivots, she continues to wipe the cold sweat from Feng Jiulan's face, her fingers inadvertently brushing against his skin, startling her. "Master Jun, the prince seems to have a fever."

Jun Pinyu remains silent, not even raising an eyebrow, fully anticipating this situation.

Since his medical training began, he has encountered patients in such agonizing conditions, but in cases like this, he typically refrains from intervention. Even if he does, it is merely to do his best, leaving the outcome to fate. He never expected to feel this degree of urgency. Most patients in similar situations quickly succumb to the unbearable pain, taking their own lives by biting their tongues. Many of them are skilled fighters, yet they cannot endure such torment; how could Feng Jiulan, who possesses no martial prowess, be expected to endure? Thus, his first instinct was to gag Feng Jiulan, but that seemed ineffective.

Damn that Lan Yixuan! Did he not inform him that Xuan Yue had fallen victim to the aphrodisiac? Why would he do such a thing?

Unbeknownst to Jun Pinyu, who is far away, he privately curses Lan Yixuan in his heart.

Feng Jiulan's body gradually stops convulsing, needles protruding from his chest as he lies still on the bed. His skin, pale as snow, is rigid, utterly motionless, resembling a corpse from a distance.

"Master Jun, the prince is vomiting blood." 

Yun Qinghen points to the towel stained crimson with Feng Jiulan's blood, her trembling voice carrying a hint of despair.

"Bring more towels."

Jun Pinyu tore away the towel from Feng Jiulan's mouth, and blood began to pour forth in a steady stream. It started as a trickle, but soon it became a torrent, as if it were destined to converge into a small creek. 

Yun Qinghen, holding a towel, watched as Jun Pinyu wiped Feng Jiulan's mouth. "How can he be coughing up so much blood?" 

The clear water in the basin had already turned crimson, and Jun Pinyu's once-white towel was soon stained red as well, yet Feng Jiulan continued to cough up blood. 

Jun Pinyu handed the bloodied towel to Yun Qinghen and took a clean one in return. "It's nothing; he'll be fine soon." 

Yun Qinghen glanced at the dried blood at the corners of Feng Jiulan's mouth, swallowing hard with concern. Given the current state, how could it be nothing? Yet, he had no choice but to trust Jun Pinyu, who had been by the prince's side throughout this time. Without him, the prince might not have endured until now without falling ill. 

As Jun Pinyu had predicted, Feng Jiulan soon ceased coughing up blood, but he remained unconscious, appearing weaker than during any previous illness. 

"Is he going to be alright like this?" 

Yun Qinghen tossed the towel into the basin and approached the bed, carefully tucking the covers around Feng Jiulan. "Is he really alright?" 

Jun Pinyu wiped the sweat from his brow and waved his hand. In the blink of an eye, the four men in black had vanished. 

Jun Pinyu shook his head. "I don't know." 

As he spoke, he walked to the table and poured himself a cup of tea. It wasn't until the warm liquid slid down his throat that he realized his hands and feet were also icy cold. 

"What do you mean you don't know?" 

Yun Qinghen cast a worried glance at Feng Jiulan, clearly anxious. 

Seated at the table, Jun Pinyu held the teacup in both hands, his fingertip tracing the rim without immediately responding. 

"Has Feng Jiulan ever mentioned theEmotional Flower Poison to you?" 

Jun Pinyu gestured toward the empty chair beside him, indicating for Yun Qinghen to sit. 

Yun Qinghen took a seat, shaking his head before adding, "I know a little." 

He had often stood by Feng Jiulan's side while Jun Pinyu spoke to him, but the prince seemed to intentionally avoid discussing this matter, so his knowledge was limited. He only knew that the princess had been poisoned by theEmotional Flower Poison and that this poison was linked to the prince's life; beyond that, he was unaware. 

"It is a form of cursed poison, more cruel than any other toxin, divided into the mother curse and the child curse. Years ago, Liu Xinyou implanted them in both Xian Yue and Feng Jiulan. If Xian Yue refrains from romantic feelings, nothing will happen. However, if she experiences true emotions, Feng Jiulan will suffer greatly. The deeper the love, the more profound the pain, just like now." 

Yun Qinghen's hands on the table clenched into fists. "I will kill that woman." 

As he spoke, he drew his sword from his chest and rushed to push open the door. 

That woman, that damned woman—what does she want? What offense did the prince and princess commit to her that forced them apart and subjected the young princess to torment for over a decade? Was this not enough? Why must she continue her cruel actions? 

"Don't be reckless!" 

Jun Pinyu stood and blocked Yun Qinghen's path. 

"I'll take her down with me." 

Yun Qinghen's mind was in turmoil as he roared in frustration. 

"That would be nothing more than a death wish." 

Even with Xuanyuan Hao, Lan Yixuan, and Bai Zhifeng working together, they could only restrain her; Bai Zhifeng was no match for her, let alone Yun Qinghen. 

That woman was not only skilled but also adept at understanding people's hearts. Otherwise, she could not have manipulated Xian Yue for so many years. Such a woman was far beyond Yun Qinghen's ability to kill. 

"This is a critical moment. If something happens to you, what will Feng Jiulan do? Who will care for him?" 

Yun Qinghen turned, gazing at Feng Jiulan, and sighed heavily, angrily placing his sword on the table. 

Miss Pingting had followed the princess to Feng Kingdom, leaving only him at the prince's side. At this moment, he could not leave. 

"Recently, the prince has occasionally complained of a dull pain in his chest. Could that be related to this?" 

Jun Pinyu glanced at Yun Qinghen, remaining silent in acknowledgment. 

Yun Qinghen stared out through the window paper, gazing into the dark night sky. "Wasn't he fine not long ago? Though there was pain, it was hardly noticeable. Over the years, he has endured time and again; surely, he will be alright this time as well. How could things have turned to this?" 

Yun Qinghen slumped at the table, clenching his hands into fists. "No, I must do something." 

Jun Pinyu patted Yun Qinghen's hand. "The reason your prince dismissed all the eunuchs and palace maids from Xinyang Palace was to prevent unauthorized entry and to have his trusted shadow guards look after him. He is worried that this matter might leak and incite panic among the people of Feng Kingdom." 

"Does the princess know about this?" 

Yun Qinghen shook his head before he could finish asking, feeling helpless and sorrowful. "How could the princess possibly know? The prince's condition is known to the subjects of Feng Kingdom. He isn't afraid they will worry; he just doesn't want her to find out." 

The princess had already borne enough; if she learned of this, how much more pain would it cause her? 

"We cannot allow the situation to unfold like this. If something truly happens to the prince, the princess will undoubtedly be devastated." 

Yun Qinghen rose, his eyes gradually filled with determination. 

"Xian Yue must already be aware of this."