Chapter 1770: Collapse

The autumn wind that felt refreshing during the day turned somewhat eerie at night, as if it could pierce straight through one's heart. The cold, gloomy wind slipped through doors and windows, curled past the curtains, and kept burrowing into Kunming Hall; the candle flames flickered, and the light seemed much dimmer.

In the side hall, seven or eight imperial physicians gathered together, engaged in urgent discussion. They dared not raise their voices too high, but the scene looked intense, and the emotions they all shared were anxiety, apprehension, and fear.

Without a doubt, these men were all master physicians of the Great Han, each having steeped themselves in the medical arts for at least twenty years. Yet even these pillars of the healing profession found themselves helpless in the face of the Empress's condition.

Of course, it wasn't that they had no methods at all—it was just that they were weighed down by too many concerns, afraid both of failing to cure her and, even more, of making things worse. The Emperor, consumed by worry, was already burning with rage and had threatened to have the imperial physicians buried with her. If the Empress were to come to harm because of their treatment, what would become of them? The very thought made them shudder.

Therefore, up to now, the imperial physicians had only given Empress Fu conservative treatment, not daring to take risks. Yet how could the Empress's condition afford delay? One physician might grit his teeth and take the plunge, but with so many gathered together, each voicing a different opinion, the result could well be imagined.

Yan Tuo stood with his arms crossed over his chest, coldly staring at these imperial physicians, his furrowed brows betraying his displeasure. Sweeping his gaze around the room, he noticed Physician Sun sitting quietly in the corner, not participating in the discussion, and walked over.

"Why does Physician Sun sit here alone, looking so distracted?" Yan Tuo asked.

Startled, the old Physician Sun looked up to meet Yan Tuo's scrutinizing gaze, made a slight bow with clasped hands, and sighed: "Everyone holds a different view, which does no good for Her Ladyship's condition. No matter how actively we discuss, it is useless."

Yan Tuo narrowed his eyes slightly, leaned his body down a little, nearly pressing against the old Physician Sun's ear, and asked sternly: "Tell me honestly, how is Her Ladyship's condition, really?"

In the palace, Yan Tuo's intimidating presence was considerable. Hearing the question, the old Physician Sun hesitated for a moment, then said: "This old man dares not say!"

"Hm?" Yan Tuo's gaze immediately turned frightening, his tone threatening: "His Majesty sent me here precisely to supervise you physicians, fearing you might not do your utmost. As it appears now, you are indeed accomplishing nothing, delaying Her Ladyship's treatment—"

"Eunuch Yan, how would we old servants dare? It's just... it's just..." The old Physician Sun was also well along in years; being frightened by Emperor Liu was one thing, but to be threatened by this eunuch as well filled his heart with grievance and dejection.

"I only want to get a clear picture, so I can report to His Majesty!" Yan Tuo patted his shoulder.

Hearing this, the old Physician Sun finally let out a sigh, his aged frame nearly shrinking into the chair, and said with some dejection: "This old man fears that even Eunuch Yan would not dare report the truth to His Majesty. I have practiced medicine for many years and have studied illnesses and pathologies extensively; through pulse-taking and inquiry, I can generally make a diagnosis.

Her Ladyship is frail of constitution. Though this illness came on suddenly, it is exceptionally fierce and has already become a malignant condition. Ordinary medicines and treatments will likely be of no use."

Yan Tuo knitted his brows and asked: "Do you have other methods?"

The old Physician Sun still shook his head: "There are some, to be sure, but they carry great risk, and the outcome is uncertain. If we do nothing, Her Ladyship might hold on for a few more days; if we use them, I fear she might not last even a moment..."

As he spoke, the old Physician Sun let out a long sigh. At this point, how could Yan Tuo not understand—the Empress's condition was likely even more dangerous than imagined, and these physicians, hesitating and looking ahead and behind, had no good method even if they wished to save her.

"How can these physicians be so useless? No wonder His Majesty wants them buried with her!" Such a thought flashed through Yan Tuo's mind. Yet, just as Physician Sun had said, even he dared not report this truthfully to Emperor Liu.

Though Yan Tuo was a favored figure by the Emperor's side, a trusted confidant, he too feared being implicated. After pondering for a long while, Yan Tuo's fair-skinned old face turned exceedingly bitter, and he nearly lamented: "I fear something terrible is about to happen! If anything happens to Her Ladyship, what will His Majesty do?"

At this thought, even Yan Tuo could not help but feel fearful. As for Physician Sun, even more so—thinking of something, he clasped his hands toward Yan Tuo and said: "Eunuch Yan, this old man has a favor to ask!"

"Please speak!"

The old physician sighed: "This old man has lived long enough already. Her Ladyship is kind and virtuous, and has always treated us servants well. Should the day come, even if I follow her in death, I would have no regrets. I only hope that when that time comes, Eunuch Yan might put in a word or two, to spare my family from being implicated!"

"This..." Seeing the old physician speak so pitifully, even Yan Tuo, with a heart of iron and stone, could not help but sigh. Yet to promise everything without hesitation was not his style. After considering for a moment, he said: "I have been indebted to the physicians in the past as well. I can only do my best to mediate!"

"Thank you!"

The atmosphere within Kunming Hall grew even more oppressive. The bleak autumn wind perfectly mirrored everyone's mood. Yan Tuo was also well along in years and very tired, but he still mustered his spirits and kept watch here.

After midnight, several people came to find him—all chief eunuchs from the Palace Domestic Service and the various palace directorates. By now, Kunming Hall had likely drawn the attention of the entire court, inside and out; it was completely a place of trouble.

At such a critical juncture, and so late at night, these people coming to Kunming Hall—Yan Tuo's first reaction was annoyance. But after hearing their purpose, Yan Tuo could not help but stand frozen on the spot, and without saying another word, ordered these people driven away.

When he returned inside Kunming Hall, cold sweat was beading on Yan Tuo's forehead, and he muttered in lingering fright: "How can there be such foolish people in the palace! If you want to court death, do you have to drag me along too? Utterly detestable!"

The several who had just come to see him had already been sentenced to death in Yan Tuo's mind. They were the chief officials in charge of preparing the Mid-Autumn Festival celebrations in the palace. Their purpose in finding Yan Tuo was to discuss whether, with the Empress so gravely ill, it was inappropriate for the palace to be decked out in lanterns and decorations. Should the Mid-Autumn banquet be changed accordingly, and should they make early preparations?

And who was Yan Tuo? He immediately understood what these people meant. These men were altogether too clever by half—they were already making preparations for the Empress's death. How such fools had managed to survive to this day was beyond him. Was it because the Emperor paid them too little heed, or because the Empress had been too lenient...

Empress Fu's condition fluctuated, holding on for another two days and one night. On the night of the fourteenth day of the eighth month, the moon was already very bright and very full. The clear moonlight scattered across the palace buildings as Yan Tuo hurried with urgent steps, almost chasing his own shadow, running to Chongzheng Hall.

Emperor Liu naturally had not yet retired. He held a memorial in his hand for show, but his mind was vacant, with deep dark circles under his eyes and a weary expression. Noticing the figure beyond the curtain, he turned his head, widened his eyes to look carefully, and only then recognized Yan Tuo.

"Why have you come back? I heard the Empress has recovered somewhat again. Just as well—I'll go see her in a little while..." Emperor Liu said softly.

With a thud, Yan Tuo's knees struck heavily against the floor. Kowtowing, he reported in a sorrowful tone: "Your Majesty, Her Ladyship has passed!"

Hearing this, Emperor Liu stood frozen on the spot, dazed for a long time. Under the dim yellow lamplight, something glistened in his old eyes. His hands unconsciously crushed the memorial, his knuckles turning white.

Kunming Hall—Emperor Liu came again within the same day. But this time, he seemed utterly lost, each step halting, as careful as if walking on knife blades, as if he were not heading toward Empress Fu's bedchamber but toward an abyss of despair.

The hall was already filled with grief. Inside and outside the hall, everyone except the guards was kneeling, and palace attendants who had heard the news kept arriving, prostrating themselves in homage.

Cries and sobs filled the place inside and out, weeping without cease. The imperial physicians and others also knelt with terrified expressions, burying their heads even lower at the sight of Emperor Liu's figure. Emperor Liu paid them no mind, walking straight to the phoenix couch. Gazing at Empress Fu lying peacefully there, he stood still for a moment, opening his mouth several times, yet afraid of disturbing her, he dared not make a sound.

"Da Fu..." Finally, Emperor Liu summoned the courage to call out gently, but there was no response.

"What are all those people crying about?" Since the Empress would not "acknowledge" him, Emperor Liu asked Yan Tuo with reddened eyes.

"Your Majesty!" Yan Tuo was startled. Even he, who was always skilled at flattery, did not know what to say.

"I asked you—what are they all crying about? With all this noise, how is the Empress supposed to rest?" Emperor Liu was already somewhat delirious.

Yan Tuo stood beside Emperor Liu, trembling with fear, not even daring to speak words of consolation. Emperor Liu, his hands shaking, pointed around the room and said viciously: "Tell all these people to shut up! Whoever dares cry again and disturb the Empress, I'll kill him!"

At these words, inside and out, the sounds quickly ceased, gradually falling silent. Yet though the crying stopped, the panic in Emperor Liu's heart only grew heavier. He tried desperately to speak with Empress Fu, seeking a response, but never succeeded.

Finally, all his emotions could no longer be contained. A heart-rending wail burst from Emperor Liu's mouth, reverberating through Kunming Hall...

In the twenty-second year of Kaibao, autumn, the night of the fourteenth day of the eighth month, Empress Fu of the Fu clan passed away in Kunming Hall.