Chapter 376

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Protagonist:

Yan Qianqian

Upon hearing this news, the Emperor was struck as if by lightning; his body shuddered violently, and he nearly fainted from rage. Fortunately, Eunuch Qiu at his side had sharp eyes and quick hands, and he hurriedly steadied him, preventing the Emperor from collapsing to the ground.

The Emperor's complexion instantly turned gloomy to the extreme; his hair stood on end with rage, his dragon countenance was furious, and his voice shook the palace hall as if it were trembling slightly: "Investigate this matter thoroughly for Us! The mastermind behind the scenes must be found!"

Immediately after, the Emperor whipped his head around, his gaze blazing as he stared directly at the Imperial Physicians. His voice was cold and stern, as if it could pierce through a person's soul: "You must do your utmost to treat the Empress. If there is the slightest mistake, We absolutely will not spare you lightly!"

Just at this tense moment, a burst of urgent footsteps approached from far to near.

Xin Hong arrived in a rush, his face pale and his expression flustered. The moment he stepped through the hall door, his gaze was stunned by the scene before him — his father, face full of fury, stood by the bed, while his mother lay quietly upon it, utterly lifeless, as if sleeping in a dream from which she would never awaken.

Xin Hong's heart felt as though it were gripped tightly by an invisible hand; the pain was unbearable. His tears burst forth like a breached flood, uncontrollable, instantly blurring his vision.

He wept like a child, snot and tears intertwining, sliding down his cheeks.

Seeing his own son so utterly heartbroken, the Emperor could not help but feel a pang of sorrow in his heart.

After all, this was his own flesh and blood! He sighed helplessly, reached out, pulled Xin Hong to his side, and comforted him softly: "Do not weep, child. The Imperial Physicians are all masters of medical skill; they will certainly do their utmost to treat your Mother Empress. Believe that she will surely recover."

Hearing his father's words, Xin Hong's emotions stabilized slightly, but his hand still clung tightly to the Empress's, as if afraid that the moment he let go, his mother would leave him forever.

Seeing the scene before him, the Emperor felt some helplessness in his heart, but he also knew that more words were useless now. After all, he still had numerous complicated state affairs awaiting his attention; he truly could not linger here long.

Thus, after brief consideration, he decided to leave behind the three most skilled Imperial Physicians to attend the Empress, and solemnly instructed them that once the Empress awoke, they must immediately send someone to notify him.

Having given his orders, the Emperor turned and left, leaving behind a heavy atmosphere.

Xin Hong, meanwhile, kept silent vigil by the Empress's bedside, not willing to take a single step away.

Time passed unnoticed; he had already stood guard here for two full double-hours, yet he felt not the slightest weariness. His gaze remained fixed on the Empress's body, wrapped layer upon layer in gauze, his heart filled with worry and unease.

Looking at the Empress's pale face, Xin Hong secretly steeled his resolve: no matter how many difficulties and challenges he might face in the future, he would do his utmost to protect his Mother Empress, and never let her suffer the slightest harm again.

Just as he was immersed in his thoughts, suddenly he noticed the Empress's fingertips seemed to tremble slightly.

Xin Hong froze, suspecting whether this was merely his illusion. However, after a moment, he discovered to his surprise that the Empress's fingertips were moving with increasing amplitude — this was clearly no illusion.

His heartbeat instantly accelerated, and he hurriedly called out: "Mother Consort, have you awakened?" His voice revealed a trace of urgency and anticipation.

The Empress seemed to have heard Xin Hong's call; she slowly opened her eyes, those originally tightly shut eyes now appearing somewhat bewildered.

Looking at her son keeping vigil before the bed, many images suddenly flashed through her mind, as if time itself had stopped at this moment.

She had originally thought she would lose her life in that terrifying fire, but fate had given her an unexpected turn, letting her survive.

However, when she tried to speak to comfort her son, whose eye rims were red from weeping, she discovered that no matter what she could not produce any sound. She could not help but grow anxious, striking the bedside forcefully with both hands, trying to attract her son's attention.

Seeing this, Xin Hong hurriedly shouted: "Imperial Physician! Imperial Physician!" His voice was filled with worry and fear.

Before long, the Imperial Physicians came rushing in, small medicine boxes on their backs. One experienced Imperial Physician immediately said: "Empress Niangniang, please do not be anxious; this old subject will now take your pulse."

Hearing the Imperial Physician's words, the Empress only then steadied her emotions slightly, and quietly allowed the Imperial Physician to take her pulse.

As the Imperial Physician felt the Empress's pulse, he knitted his brows, which made Xin Hong at his side grow increasingly worried. He stared unblinkingly at the Imperial Physician's every move, afraid of hearing some bad news.

Finally, the Imperial Physician stopped. Xin Hong could not wait to ask: "Imperial Physician, how is my Mother Consort?"

The Imperial Physician sighed, and said slowly: "Same as the previous diagnosis. The Empress Niangniang's vocal cords have been damaged; I fear she will be unable to speak from now on. However, the burns on her body are all superficial injuries; as long as ointment is applied, they will heal quickly.

However, this will very likely leave scars on Niangniang's body that are difficult to remove. This old subject will certainly research scar removal ointment more deeply, and do my utmost to make the scars on Niangniang's body become unnoticeable."

Upon hearing that she would likely be unable to speak in the future, the Empress instead calmed down instantly.

However, Xin Hong only heard clearly the Imperial Physician's words "unable to speak from now on"; all other words he completely turned a deaf ear to.

Unwilling to accept it, he clutched the Imperial Physician's arm tightly, and shouted hoarsely: "My Mother Consort's throat can certainly be cured, right? It's just temporarily difficult to speak, right? You quickly think of a way, you must have a way!"

Seeing Xin Hong like this, the Imperial Physician truly could not bear it in his heart, and could only sigh: "Eldest Young Master, this old subject truly has no solution for this. The Empress Niangniang's injuries are too severe; this old subject really has no plan to offer."

Hearing this, Xin Hong wept even more bitterly, nearly losing control, muttering incessantly: "Think of a way, there must be a way! My Mother Empress is such a kind person, she absolutely should not suffer such a calamity, there will definitely be a way..."

His muttering to himself seemed both like he was saying it to himself, and as if he was saying it to the Empress.

The Empress looked at her son in such pain before her, and felt a pang of sorrow in her heart. She slowly reached out her hand, gently placing it on her son's hand, wanting to convey a trace of warmth and comfort to him through this simple gesture.

Xin Hong felt his mother's care. He raised his head, gaze blurred with tears, looking at the Empress. That originally strong exterior of his completely collapsed at this moment; he could no longer suppress the grief in his heart, and burst into loud weeping.

Just then, a burst of urgent footsteps came from outside the door. It turned out the Emperor, upon learning the Empress had awakened, had rushed over anxiously.

He charged into the room, and at a glance saw his weeping son and the Empress lying on the bed. The Emperor walked quickly to the bedside; looking at the Empress's pale face, he felt a sharp pang in his heart.