Although the Emperor was determined to uncover the truth, his health continued to deteriorate, and he gradually became weak.
He had always been obese and neglected exercise, and as he aged, the grief from the death of his concubine took a toll on his body. In the days since leaving the Splendid Palace, he could not eat during the day, and when he closed his eyes at night, he saw nothing but the image of Concubine Jin.
His weight loss accelerated.
The Empress was extremely anxious. The Imperial Physicians from the Imperial Medical Academy and the Imperial Chefs of the Imperial Kitchen took turns administering medicine, prepared gourmet meals, and prescribed various tonics, including ginseng and lingzhi mushrooms. However, none of it seemed to have any effect.
Half a month later, the Emperor's strength finally gave out, and he was bedridden.
If this news were to spread, it would surely send shockwaves throughout the court and the nation.