The Heavenly Dou Imperial Palace was always heavily guarded, but due to the urgency of Emperor Xue Ye's illness, the carriage from the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School passed through unimpeded, arriving directly at the door of the elderly emperor's bedchamber.
"Teacher, you've finally arrived!"
At the entrance of the bedchamber, Xue Qinghe was pacing anxiously. Upon seeing Ning Fengzhi step down from the carriage, he hurried over to greet him: "Teacher, the journey must have been exhausting, but my father's illness came so suddenly that we had no choice but to summon you urgently."
"It's alright, His Majesty's health is the priority."
Ning Fengzhi's arm stiffened slightly as Xue Qinghe supported him, but he quickly regained his composure, letting out a soft sigh: "Your Highness, let's go. We should first assess His Majesty's condition."
This sigh from Ning Fengzhi was not only a reflection on Xue Qinghe's hidden identity but also a lament on the unpredictability of life.
Since the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School had initiated the plan of smaller sects replacing larger ones, he felt as though everything had changed. Not only did they have to navigate the complexities of dealing with the Spirit Hall, but now they were also directly involved in the fall of an emperor and the rise and fall of an empire.
At the entrance, Prince Xue Xing watched the familiar interactions between the two and Dugu Bo, a fleeting look of concern crossing his face.
Now that Xue Qinghe had ascended to the position of Crown Prince, if anything were to happen to Emperor Xue Ye, he would undoubtedly be the first in line for succession. The thought of Xue Qinghe's somewhat inconsistent actions filled him with deep unease.
However, considering that Ning Fengzhi had always maintained a certain distance from the Heavenly Dou royal family, Xue Xing's worries lessened somewhat.
For now, he could only hope that Ning Fengzhi would be able to cure Emperor Xue Ye's illness and prevent the situation from worsening.
Ning Fengzhi and the others paid no heed to Prince Xue Xing and entered the bedchamber directly. Meanwhile, Li Xun wandered around as if on a sightseeing tour, eventually casting a glance at Xue Beng's carefree demeanor.
"Cough... cough, Sect Master Ning has arrived, please, have a seat."
Emperor Xue Ye, suppressing a violent cough, quickly instructed the maids to prepare seats.
This was the first time Li Xun had seen Emperor Xue Ye. The once-mighty emperor had aged drastically, his hair resembling withered grass.
Once everyone was seated, Ning Fengzhi asked with a hint of concern: "Your Majesty, when did you first notice something was wrong with your health?"
"At midnight, when I was handling some official matters," Emperor Xue Ye replied, his eyes flickering slightly.
Ning Fengzhi, being the astute man he was, could guess the nature of those official matters just by the emperor's expression: "Did you take any medication?"
"No, my health has always been good. If there's anything unusual, it might just be that my reactions have become slightly slower."
Although his body was now somewhat unresponsive, Emperor Xue Ye's gaze at Ning Fengzhi still carried a hint of peculiarity: "Some of the imperial physicians have said that my body's sluggishness is due to natural aging."
"Then let me take Your Majesty's pulse," Ning Fengzhi said, his initial sympathy hardening as he noticed the emperor's gaze. "Can Your Majesty still move your arms freely?"
Emperor Xue Ye extended one arm: "Both my arms are fine, but my body and legs feel numb and unresponsive."
Ning Fengzhi placed his right hand on Emperor Xue Ye's wrist.
In just a moment, he frowned deeply and sighed, "Your Majesty, I must admit that Fengzhi is also at a loss regarding the root of your illness. It seems more like a naturally occurring condition, beyond human intervention."
"Of course, the possibility of poisoning cannot be ruled out. Since the Poison Enshrined is also here, perhaps he could take a look as well."
After speaking, Ning Fengzhi stood up and offered his seat, his gaze inadvertently meeting Dugu Bo's.
"Ah! Then I must trouble the Poison Enshrined," Emperor Xue Ye sighed. This was the outcome he least desired.
Dugu Bo stepped forward, took the emperor's pulse, and carefully examined his eyes and tongue. He then shook his head, "Your Majesty, your symptoms do not resemble poisoning, but as for the cause of the numbness and paralysis in your lower body, I am also at a loss."
"What? Not poisoning? Could it truly be a stroke?" Emperor Xue Ye's face showed astonishment. This was even harder for him to accept than the earlier suspicion of poisoning.
If it were poisoning, there might still be a cure, given that he was now facing two individuals—one with exceptional medical skills and the other renowned across the continent for his expertise in poisons. But the decline of bodily functions due to natural aging was beyond remedy.
"Your Majesty could also consult several Healing Spirit Masters," Dugu Bo smiled at the emperor's reaction. "Perhaps someone might be able to address your current symptoms."
"Ah, I am well aware of the Poison Enshrined's capabilities after his many years in Heavenly Dou. I do not doubt you, but this is truly hard to accept!"
Emperor Xue Ye forced a bitter smile and exchanged pleasantries with Dugu Bo. He would certainly still seek out Healing Spirit Masters and physicians, but if even Dugu Bo and Ning Fengzhi were at a loss, it was unlikely he would hear any better news from others.
"Is there truly no other way, Teacher?" Xue Qinghe's face was filled with sorrow as he urgently looked towards Ning Fengzhi.
Ning Fengzhi glanced at Xue Qinghe and then back at Emperor Xue Ye, sighing as he shook his head, "Your Majesty, it is best to make preparations early."
Emperor Xue Ye, looking utterly exhausted, slowly closed his eyes, "I understand. Thank you both for your trouble..."
"Brother!"
"Father..." Prince Xue Xing and Xue Beng, seeing that neither Ning Fengzhi nor Dugu Bo had any solutions, sorrowfully rushed to the emperor's bedside.
Li Xun, witnessing this, shook his head and then left the palace chambers with Ning Fengzhi and the others.
"Your Highness need not see us off further. This is a time when His Majesty needs the care of his family. Please ensure he does not feel lonely."
At the palace gate, Ning Fengzhi saw that Xue Qinghe intended to continue escorting them and nodded, "His Majesty's condition is very serious. If my diagnosis is correct, he will completely lose mobility within two to three days.
This is also the time when His Majesty is most vulnerable emotionally. Your Highness must take great care of His Majesty's daily needs during this period and minimize disturbances from outsiders to prevent an emotional breakdown."
"What?"
Xue Qinghe's expression changed, but he quickly regained his composure and bowed respectfully to Ning Fengzhi, "Thank you, Teacher. I must return to care for my father and will not see you off further."
With that, Xue Qinghe quickly re-entered the palace chambers, interrupting the wails of Xue Xing and Xue Beng.
Li Xun and the others boarded their carriage and, without any hindrance, soon left the palace grounds.
"How is the Teacher?" Li Xun asked with some curiosity. His visit to the palace was purely to observe the spectacle. He wasn't familiar with Emperor Xue Ye and didn't have the chance to get involved.
"Qian Renxue was still somewhat overestimated," Ning Fengzhi said with a smile, shaking his head.
"Oh? Did she not handle things smoothly?" Li Xun pondered for a moment and casually remarked.
"Not just not smooth, the traces were too obvious. It's unclear whether the poisoner was too gentle or simply lacked skill. If it were just this toxin, not only would it be easily detected, but it would also take a long time to take effect."
Ning Fengzhi shook his head: "If left unchecked, it would roughly take at least another six months for Emperor Xue Ye to truly become what you described as a vegetative state."
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