CHAPTER 94: CHAPTER 94: SUDDEN ILLNESS (PART 1)

Among the four companions of the Crown Prince, there is the Noble Consort’s nephew, the son of a powerful minister, and the heir of a Vassal King, each one hailing from a more noble lineage than the last.

In the eyes of Empress Dowager Zheng, the one she is most fond of is, of course, her own great-nephew.

Noticing the absence of Zheng Chen, Empress Dowager Zheng naturally expressed her concern.

Crown Prince Jiang Song stepped forward and replied, "In response to the Grand Empress Dowager, Zixian inexplicably fainted this morning. I had the Imperial Physician take a look, but even after checking his pulse and examining him, the Imperial Physician couldn’t find the cause. So, I took the liberty of having someone send Zixian back to Duke An’s Mansion."

After hearing these words, instead of feeling relieved, Empress Dowager Zheng furrowed her brows even more: "Zixian has been healthy since childhood and rarely falls ill. Why did he suddenly faint unconscious? Is there something you’re not telling me?"

She gave a deliberate glance at Jiang Yi, Li Boyuan, and Wang Jin.

All were young men of noble birth and lofty pride. Openly competing and secretly vying, appearances of friendliness often masked underlying animosity. Could it be that someone had secretly done something?

The three young men felt a chill upon receiving Empress Dowager Zheng’s glance and immediately had to speak up in explanation.

"Your Royal Highness," said Li Boyuan, the eldest and most impulsive among them, with a quick bow, "Zixian was already unconscious before the three of us entered the Upper Study Room."

The slightly thinner Fourth Young Master Wang picked up the conversation: "Yes, when we entered the Upper Study Room, His Highness the Crown Prince had already ordered Zixian to be sent out of the palace."

Each reading companion is an outstanding youth selected from a thousand.

Li Boyuan has thick eyebrows and large eyes, his face full of heroism.

Wang Jin’s face is like jade, incredibly handsome, exuding the elegant demeanor of a gentleman, albeit with a slightly slender physique.

The youngest, Heir of Prince Gaoliang, Jiang Yi, fair-skinned and big-eyed, is lively and charming, speaking most pleasingly: "Perhaps he was overly exhausted from practicing horseback archery a few days ago, and a rest will do him good. After lunch, I will leave the palace to visit Zixian at Duke An’s Mansion. I shall return and report to the Grand Empress Dowager in detail."

Empress Dowager Zheng, being the legitimate mother of Prince Gaoliang, is rightfully called Grand Empress Dowager by the Heir of Prince Gaoliang, who is the Crown Prince’s legitimate cousin.

Empress Dowager Zheng, coaxed with such words, eased her brows and smiled at Jiang Yi: "Very well, you’ll have to make a tiring trip."

Jiang Yi grinned broadly: "I’d love to find an excuse to leave the palace and play for half a day, no trouble at all."

Since Jiang Yi said this, Li Boyuan and Wang Jin naturally offered to go together too.

How they compete in private is one thing, but publicly, as the Crown Prince’s companions, they must show some semblance of camaraderie.

The Crown Prince, having not left the palace for a long time, was quite tempted and volunteered to visit the sick.

Empress Dowager Zheng was pleased to see the Crown Prince getting close to Duke An’s Mansion and gladly consented.

Princess Jiang Bao Hua, who had remained silent, gently said, "Grand Empress Dowager, my cousin Zixian in such a condition makes me, as his cousin, uneasy as well. I wish to go along too. May the Grand Empress Dowager grant your approval."

Jiang Bao Hua, with her oval face, is beautiful in appearance and gentle in temperament.

Empress Dowager Zheng, doting on her granddaughter, turned to Emperor Taikang with a smile and said, "Look, Your Majesty, the children grew up together, with a deep bond like siblings."

Emperor Taikang also smiled: "The children have indeed worked hard, studying every day. Since they’re going to visit the sick at Duke An’s Mansion, let them all go! They can stay at Duke An’s Mansion for half a day before returning to the palace."

Dongping County Princess Jiang Yuehua and Huaiyang County Princess Jiang Wan Hua exchanged an enthusiastic smile.

The strict rules in the palace often made residence there somewhat dull and tedious. It was rare to venture outside the palace together; how could it not be as joyful as a trip?

...

After lunch, the group of youths, escorted by hundreds of imperial guards, left the palace in grand style and headed to Duke An’s Mansion.

In the group were the Da Liang Crown Prince, Da Liang’s only princess, and the rest were all of noble birth. It could be said that this was a gathering of the most distinguished youths of Da Liang.

Duchess An quickly opened the main gate to welcome them, urgently dispatching someone to send a message to the Ministry of War.

After Emperor Taikang ascended to the Dragon Throne, he couldn’t help but support his mother’s family cousins. Duke An had become the Minister of War four years ago, holding authority over the Ministry of War.

Old Duke An had flourishing offspring, with six sons and three daughters, the eldest and the youngest being legitimate. The eldest legitimate son died prematurely at fifteen, so they had to establish the youngest legitimate son as the Heir, who is now Duke An.

The five brothers hadn’t split into separate households, residing in the Duke’s Mansion together. The entire family numbered nearly a hundred, all bustling to greet the Crown Prince and Princess.

The Crown Prince spoke with poise: "You may all dispense with formalities. We are here today to see Zixian and do not wish to disturb too many people. It is sufficient to have Duchess An accompany us."

The people of Duke An’s Mansion paid their respects and then dispersed.

With tears welling in her eyes, Duchess An led the youths inside, softly sighing, "Zixian has been stricken with a sudden illness, and he hasn’t woken up yet. My heart is in turmoil, anxious and worried. Should my words or actions fall short, I ask for Your Highness the Crown Prince and Her Highness the Princess to forgive me."

"Aunt, there’s no need to worry," the Crown Prince naturally changed his address, "The Imperial Physician in the palace has already examined Zixian; there’s no serious harm to him."

Jiang Bao Hua softly chimed in, "Good people have heavenly protection. My cousin Zixian will surely recover soon."

Duchess An had given birth to three daughters before finally having a son, cherishing him like the apple of her eye. Now, with her son lying unmoving on the bed and every method tried failing to rouse him, Duchess An felt her heart burning like oil on fire, the ordeal not easily soothed with just a few comforting words.

However, with the Crown Prince and Princess personally visiting to console with good intentions, Duchess An managed to force a smile in response.

The group soon entered the Young Master’s bedchamber and saw the still-unconscious Zheng Chen.

The youth’s eyes were tightly shut, and his extremely handsome face, devoid of its usual vibrancy, appeared exceptionally still and serene. His complexion was indeed good, as if merely asleep.

The doctor stationed by the bedside, seeing a gathering of nobles, quickly clasped his hands in salute.

The doctor’s surname was Ji, a renowned physician in the Capital City, also a cousin to Doctor Ji in the palace. Doctor Ji typically resided in the Zheng Mansion, tending to over a hundred members of the Zheng family, young and old alike.

Todays when the Young Master was brought back, Doctor Ji stayed by the bedside without leaving.

The Crown Prince signaled Doctor Ji to rise, then asked, "What is Zixian’s condition now?"

Doctor Ji hesitated slightly before answering, "In response to His Highness the Crown Prince, the Young Master’s pulse is steady and calm, with no abnormalities found in his body. I’ve used acupuncture and medication, but they have proven ineffective, as the Young Master remains in a deep sleep."

The Crown Prince frowned.

The group initially intended to enjoy a day out, but now, seeing Zheng Chen’s deep slumber, each truly became worried.

Jiang Bao Hua’s eyes showed concern and anxiety as she softly suggested, "Why not send someone to the palace to invite Doctor Ji?"

Regarding medical skills, Doctor Ji, who has served as an Imperial Physician in the palace for over twenty years, is indeed superior to the current Doctor Ji.

The Crown Prince nodded and turned to dispatch a person back to the palace to fetch him.