Chapter 22

Cheng Ru'an tightly held her in her arms: "Tuan Tuan, be good, don't cry, don't cry, dad doesn't not want you, also doesn't not like you, dad, he, this isn't just woke up! He hasn't even seen you yet!"

Tuan Tuan lifted her tear-streaked little face: "But, but, Mom! You all called dad, dad nodded! But he ignores me!" After saying that she started crying again.

Cheng Ru'an rubbed her back with her hand, one stroke after another: "Mom will tell him! Look, Mom will tell dad!"

She looked at her husband on the bed: "Prince, this is Tuan Tuan, the daughter I found when I was offering sacrifices to the ancestors, thanks to the ancestors' manifestation! She is very well-behaved, your waking up today is all thanks to her!"

Old Madam hurriedly interjected: "Yes! Hang'er, I have paid respects to the ancestors, Tuan Tuan is now your legitimate daughter, look at her, isn't she especially cute?"

Xiao Ningchen and Xiao Ningxun also chimed in from the side: "Dad! This is Tuan Tuan, our little sister, we all like her very much."

Coincidentally, Fang Qingyan brought Xiao Ningshu in at this moment; because Xiao Ningshu had a foot injury, they arrived a step late, and outside the house they already heard Tuan Tuan's crying.

"Prince! You finally woke up! I and Shu'er are almost dying of worry!" After Fang Qingyan gave a salute to the Old Madam and the Princess Consort, she came to the bedside: "Shu'er, come quickly, look at your father."

Xiao Ningshu hurriedly walked to the bedside and softly called: "Dad, Shu'er is here."

Xiao Yuanhang's eyeballs turned slightly, his gaze fell on their faces, after a moment he slightly nodded.

Xiao Ningshu glanced triumphantly at Tuan Tuan, still sobbing in the Princess Consort's arms, feeling pleased: "Blood is thicker than water, sister, don't be sad, you were never dad's biological daughter, his treatment of you is only fitting, don't blame dad."

Tuan Tuan's crying grew louder, her little body twitching: "Mom! Dad wants her, not me! Dad doesn't like Tuan Tuan! Mom!"

Cheng Ru'an angrily glared at Xiao Ningshu: "Good Tuan Tuan, it's not like that, Tuan Tuan is so good, how could dad not like you? Mom's little treasure, don't cry, don't cry, your crying is breaking Mom's heart."

Xiao Ningchen and Xiao Ningxun both gave her a cold, stern look.

Old Madam sank her face: "Shut up! Hang'er just woke up, he still needs rest, no noise!"

Fang Qingyan curled the corner of her mouth, truly partial, the noisy one is clearly that bastard!

But she still pulled Xiao Ningshu a bit, signaling her not to speak again: "Yes."

Old Madam looked at her son: "Hang'er, say something, where else do you feel uncomfortable?"

Xiao Yuanhang stared blankly, then nodded again.

Everyone at this moment sensed something was off: how could someone have woken up but only blink and nod?

"Has Guo Taiyi not arrived yet?" the Old Madam said, a little anxious.

The servant's voice happened to come through: "Guo Taiyi requests an audience."

Please hurry and come in!

Moments later, Guo Taiyi entered, and the Old Madam hurriedly said: "Don't stand on ceremony, quickly take the Prince's pulse!"

Guo Taiyi felt the pulse for a while, then extended a finger and waved it in front of Xiao Yuanhang's eyes: "Prince, please look, how many is this?"

Xiao Yuanhang stared at his finger, as if thinking, everyone held their breath, even Tuan Tuan grew quiet, nestled in the Princess Consort's arms, watching this strange scene before them.

After a while, Xiao Yuanhang closed his eyes and gave a slight nod of his head.

Guo Taiyi's face showed doubt: "Logically... logically, the toxin has been cleared, the person has also awakened, indicating the Night Bright Sand has taken effect, this shouldn't be happening."

He took out a silver needle from the medicine box and slowly inserted it into Xiao Yuanhang's forehead.

"Don't prick dad!" Tuan Tuan shouted, stretching out her little hand to reach for that needle.

Cheng Ru'an pulled her hand back, raised her hand to cover her eyes: "Good, grandpa is treating dad's illness, it's fine, it's fine." Only then did Tuan Tuan calm down.

Guo Taiyi's needling was like the wind; in an instant he inserted several silver needles into Xiao Yuanhang's head.

Moments later, he withdrew all the silver needles and took the pulse again: "Strange! Strange! The Prince's body is already unharmed, but the seven orifices are blocked, completely impassable."

The Old Madam's voice trembled as she asked: "What do you mean?"

Guo Taiyi paused, then said bluntly: "Prince now, though his eyes see, they do not perceive the spirit; though his ears hear, they do not comprehend the meaning; though his mouth wants to speak, his heart does not belong to it. His mental state is like... like a newborn baby, ignorant and unawakened!"

As soon as his words fell, everyone sucked in a breath of cold air.

The Old Madam stared blankly at her son: "After all the trouble to wake up, how could this happen?"

Cheng Ru'an burst into tears: "Prince! You let me... what am I to do!"

Tuan Tuan wrapped her arms around her neck, wiping her tears: "Mom, don't cry! Dad will get better!"

It turns out dad's illness isn't healed yet! No wonder just now he avoided me, Grandpa said dad is now like a little infant, even smaller than me!

Xiao Ningchen and Xiao Ningxun brothers' faces also darkened, the joy in the room from Xiao Yuanhang's awakening completely dissipated.

The Old Madam looked at Guo Taiyi: "Old Guo, is there a good prescription to cure the Prince?"

Guo Taiyi had no confidence, he pondered for a while: "I will prescribe a decoction to awaken the spirit and open the orifices for the Prince, try taking it."

Fang Qingyan stepped forward: "Old Madam, I wish to go to Xuanqiong Temple early tomorrow morning to pray for the Prince's blessing, asking the immortal true persons to protect the Prince so he may recover soon."

Also good. The Old Madam nodded: "You may go, leave early in the morning, return before sunset, do not linger outside."

Yes. Fang Qingyan performed a salute, then led Xiao Ningshu away.

Only after seeing Xiao Yuanhang drink Guo Taiyi's medicine did everyone leave Yangzheng Pavilion.

At night, Tuan Tuan slept, Cheng Ru'an ordered: "Let Xiao Er come see me."

Not long after, Xiao Er arrived at Jinglan Garden: "I pay my respects to the Princess Consort."

Tomorrow when Fang Qingyan goes to Xuanqiong Temple, follow her secretly, record everything she goes to, whom she sees, what she says, what she does, and report back to me, leaving nothing out.

Yes.

The next morning, Fang Qingyan changed into plain attire, with only a white jade hairpin slantingly inserted in her hair.

Lightly applied makeup, her brows and eyes bore a hint of just-right worry, presenting the virtuous appearance of worrying and praying for her ailing husband.

She brought only Haitang, boarded the carriage, and arrived at Xuanqiong Temple.

Xuanqiong Temple is located deep in the suburbs of Jingcheng, quite large, with blue tiles and vermilion walls nestled among green pines and cypresses; it has always been the most flourishing Daoist temple in Jingcheng.

Fang Qingyan entered the main hall, knelt before the golden statue of the Three Pure Ones, burned incense, kowtowed, drew lots, prayed, murmuring words, her demeanor utterly devout.

After everything was complete, she slightly furrowed her brow, lightly touched her forehead, and spoke to the temple attendant with a hint of fatigue: "Could trouble the Taoist Priest to show me the way? I am a bit tired, may I borrow a quiet room to rest awhile?"

The temple attendant, knowing she was the Prince Ning's consort, naturally had no objection, and promptly led her to a secluded, tranquil cottage in the rear courtyard.

Here the bamboo shadows swayed, far from the front hall's clamor, exactly a place of tranquility.

"Keep watch outside, stay alert." Fang Qingyan ordered Haitang, pushed the door open, then with her backhand gently closed the door.

Haitang answered with a "yes", standing guard outside the door, vigilantly looking around.

Unbeknownst to her, a ghostly figure had already silently crouched behind the roof ridge of the quiet chamber—it was Xiao Er, who had been sent by the Princess Consort to follow secretly.

He restrained his breath until it was almost inaudible, his form perfectly blending with the shadow of the tiles, he gently lifted a small piece of green tile, taking in the entire interior scene.