Chapter 204: To Save or Not to Save?

"This is..."

"These are pills that aid the growth of your internal energy. As long as you become a captain, you can receive an extra pill, and your martial arts will advance further. So if you want more pills, first become a captain."

As soon as these words fell, those captains instantly tensed up.

They had originally been secretly delighted about being able to receive extra pills, but now they were gripped by the anxiety of being surpassed.

It felt as though countless gazes were locked on them from behind, like needles in their backs.

This further strengthened their resolve to advance their martial arts.

"As for the training content, apart from the most fundamental internal energy and external martial arts, there are also concealment techniques and disguise techniques. Specialists will be arranged to teach you all of these."

"Yes!"

The crowd looked at Chi Nan Yi, their eyes full of anticipation.

Just then, Chi Xianshi walked over quickly, his expression faintly heavy.

"Father."

"What is it?"

"Many officials have sent visiting cards, wishing to come pay their respects at the manor." His gaze swept over Chi Nan Yi, and he said with some hesitation, "Most of them are inquiring about Yi'er."

"Inquiring about Yi'er?" Chi Zhongshan frowned slightly. "Could they have learned of her identity?"

Chi Xianshi shook his head. "Not that. It's just... the households inquiring about Yi'er all have unmarried sons or grandsons in their families."

With him putting it like that, how could Chi Zhongshan not understand?

So they wanted Yi'er to become a daughter-in-law for their families?

"In their dreams! They don't even look at what kind of character their sons and grandsons have, whether they're worthy of my precious granddaughter. They don't know their own place—a toad lusting after swan meat, shameless! Our Yi'er has just come of age, and they already can't sit still wanting to propose marriage? Dream on! Not a chance!" Chi Zhongshan's face flushed red. Seeing this, Chi Nan Yi hurried forward and gently comforted him, "Why get so agitated, Grandfather? They merely have the intention; it's not as if they're actually proposing. Besides, even if they did propose, I wouldn't agree. We simply refuse them, that's all."

Chi Zhongshan panted heavily and patted Chi Nan Yi's hand. "Yi'er, Grandfather doesn't mean to stop you from marrying, but you must find a reliable family. Grandfather doesn't want you to go through those treacherous storms like your mother did. Let's just live peacefully, alright?"

"Alright." Chi Nan Yi nodded in agreement. Having received Chi Nan Yi's assurance, Chi Zhongshan finally felt at ease.

"Those people scheming after you are mostly acting on lust. We absolutely won't marry you off to such lechers."

At this time, Mo Junyan, who was in the Palace, sneezed twice in succession.

"Prince, are you feeling cold?" Yun Shan handed over a great cloak and draped it over him.

Mo Junyan said nothing, only sitting in his wheelchair with his eyes closed, resting.

Inside the Holy Heart Hall, several imperial physicians were busy before the Emperor's bed. The Empress and the Crown Prince sat opposite Mo Junyan.

"Second Brother, you truly can keep your composure. With Father Emperor gravously ill, you can actually sleep here. Father Emperor doted on you the most on ordinary days." Mo Junheng said coldly, "Are you worthy of Father Emperor's favor toward you?"

Hearing this, Mo Junyan slowly opened his eyes. His gaze, calm as an ancient well, fell upon Mo Junheng. He gave a cold laugh, then withdrew his gaze and continued to feign sleep.

As if punching cotton, Mo Junheng's expression immediately darkened. He said angrily, "Second Brother, I am talking to you!"

"This Prince is not deaf; I can hear you. There is no need for the Crown Prince to shout and yell here. Father Emperor is still ill!"

"You!"

"Heng'er." The Empress, seated to the side, spoke up in time. "Your second brother is also worried about your father emperor." She turned to Mo Junyan and said, "Second, the Crown Prince is your elder brother after all. How can you speak to him like that?"

"Heh, elder brother? Empress, you'd best not put on an act of maternal benevolence and filial devotion here. This Prince doesn't buy it."

"Second Brother, do not go too far. Even with Father Emperor's favor, you cannot defy your mother empress like this."

Facing the two of them, Mo Junyan didn't even want to respond. He slowly closed his eyes.

The Empress saw that he wouldn't take the bait and secretly gritted her teeth. It was all her fault for being soft-hearted back then. Had she known it would come to this, she should have eliminated that little bastard Mo Junyan years ago.

"What exactly is Father Emperor's illness? Do you have a conclusion or not?"

Imperial Physician Wen wiped the sweat from his forehead, his face full of anxiousness.

"Forgive this humble subject's limited medical skill. His Majesty's illness came on very suddenly. We have not yet found the cause."

"Useless things!" Mo Junheng vented all the anger he had received from Mo Junyan onto the several imperial physicians. "If anything happens to Father Emperor, I will have you all buried with him!"

Imperial Physician Wen administered several needles around the Emperor's body, but there was still no sign of him waking. For several consecutive days, the Crown Prince oversaw state affairs.

The several imperial physicians all returned to the Imperial Medical Academy to pore over medical texts. The sudden illness of the ruler of a nation, falling into a coma, caused panic throughout the court and the country.

If the Emperor did not wake up, this empire would change hands.

Mo Junyan had kept himself shut in his study these past few days, seeing no one. Even Yun Shan was turned away when he tried to bring him meals.

Mo Junyan looked at the two porcelain vials on the desk, a trace of struggle flashing in his eyes.

Just then, the brush hanging on the desk suddenly fell, striking the table with a crisp sound.

Looking at that wolf-hair brush, Mo Junyan's expression froze slightly, his gaze flickering. It was his mother consort's favorite brush.

Mo Junyan sighed softly, gripping the two porcelain vials tightly.

That night, Mo Junyan came to the Holy Heart Hall. The one attending to the sick was a Noble Lady of low rank.

Yun Shan pushed him to the dragon bed, and the Noble Lady sensibly walked out.

Mo Junyan looked at the terribly haggard person on the bed and frowned deeply. In just a few days' time, how did he look so much older?

Mo Junyan fed him all the pills and the Spirit Spring Water.

Before long, the Emperor's breathing became much steadier. His eyelids fluttered, and he slowly opened his eyes.

"Second." The Emperor's voice was hoarse, but his eyes were very clear.

If one didn't know he had just taken the pills, one would have thought this was a final rally before death.

"Mm." Mo Junyan nodded. "Father Emperor, your son is here."

"Father Emperor just dreamed of your mother consort." The Emperor closed his eyes, concealing the pain within them. "She said she still doesn't want to see me."

"Indeed! Mother Consort doesn't want to see you, which is why I saved you." Only when mentioning the words "Mother Consort" did Mo Junyan's cold, hard voice carry a trace of warmth.

"Did I truly do wrong?"

"From the standpoint of a ruler of a nation, perhaps you did not. But you forgot that my mother consort was not the Emperor; she could not truly empathize with you. Moreover, there are still many doubtful points regarding the Bai family affair. In order to stabilize the empire, you were indeed somewhat too hasty. It is only natural that Mother Consort hates you. If it were this son, I fear I would have resolved to die and taken you down with me."

Hearing this, the Emperor let out a low laugh. "Truly my own seed. Your mother consort was ultimately a bit too soft-hearted."

"Now that you are safe and sound, I, your subject, will take my leave. As for who poisoned you, Father Emperor, you can investigate it yourself!"

Having said that, he let Yun Shan push him away.

Watching his retreating back, the emperor couldn't help but laugh and scold: "This brat!"