Leng Ruo Li, seizing the opportunity, swiftly retrieved various medical tools from her portable space. She instructed Director Zhang to assist her in disinfecting Jian Feng's body before administering an anesthetic injection.
Once the anesthetic took effect, Leng Ruo Li began treating Jian Feng's burns. She first used a scalpel to remove the necrotic flesh, then disinfected the wounds with iodine, and finally applied burn ointment. She also sprinkled crushed Ji Gu Cao, an herb from her spatial medicinal garden, onto his scorched chest before bandaging him.
Subsequently, Leng Ruo Li attended to Jian Feng's other injuries, preparing them for stitching where necessary, while Director Zhang helped apply medicine to less severe ones.
Working together, Leng Ruo Li and Director Zhang spent an hour treating all of Jian Feng's wounds.
Afterward, Leng Ruo Li inquired about Jian Feng's situation.
"Director Zhang, Jian Feng went missing yesterday. Where did you find him?"
"Consort Leng, Commander Jian was not found by us. A young palace maid discovered him by the lotus pond in the Imperial Garden while collecting morning dew," Director Zhang explained to Leng Ruo Li with a solemn tone.
"Oh, so that's how it was!"
Leng Ruo Li nodded twice after hearing this.
"This old official heard that when Commander Jian went to the mess hall for dinner last night, Ning Wang's informants poisoned his meal with a muscle-weakening powder, making it easy for them to abduct him. I don't know if this is true, but seeing Commander Jian's injuries and the events of today, I believe it might be.
"Yes, we will only know about these matters once he wakes up."
Leng Ruo Li did not comment further after hearing Director Zhang's words.
After carefully instructing Director Zhang on Jian Feng's recovery, she promptly left the Imperial Hospital.
Not long after she exited the Imperial Hospital, Jun Mo Han came to find her.
"Li'er, how is that brat Jian Feng's condition?" Jun Mo Han asked casually.
"His injuries are horrific!"
Leng Ruo Li replied with a few simple words.
Then, she changed the subject and asked Jun Mo Han, "What did you discuss with Father Emperor in the Imperial Study just now?"
"Lin Zhen Fan and Ning Wang will be executed by dismemberment at the city gates at noon tomorrow. Prime Minister Qin Zhi Hong, the Minister of Rites, and the Minister of Justice, along with their associates, were ordered by Father Emperor today to have their homes confiscated and their families annihilated. That wet nurse Chang is also to be punished. As for An Le, Father Emperor has not yet decided how to deal with her. He asked me to summon you to the Imperial Study again so we can devise a precise method to verify her parentage with Father Emperor, after which he will consider how to dispose of An Le."
Jun Mo Han concisely relayed the outcome of their discussion in the Imperial Study.
"Alright, let's go then."
Upon hearing this, Leng Ruo Li linked her arm with Jun Mo Han's, preparing to head to the Emperor's Imperial Study.
Her action caused Jun Mo Han to pause slightly. Subsequently, a handsome curve appeared at the corner of his lips, and the two happily proceeded towards the Imperial Study.
When they arrived at the Imperial Study, the Emperor, Princess An Le, and Eunuch Li were present. Princess An Le knelt on the ground with her head bowed, and the Emperor's expression was grave.
Seeing the Cold King and his consort enter the Imperial Study, his expression slightly improved.
Leng Ruo Li and Jun Mo Han immediately paid their respects to the Emperor.
"Your daughter-in-law pays her respects to Father Emperor!"
"Your son pays his respects to Father Emperor!"
"Please rise quickly," the Emperor said, waving his hand. He continued, "Li'er, Jun Mo Han should have told you why I summoned you here."
"Father Emperor, His Highness did indeed inform your daughter-in-law of the matter."
"I heard from Han'er that the blood-mixing method is inaccurate. Do you have any way to prove whether An Le is truly my princess?"
"Yes! But your daughter-in-law will need to collect some of your blood and Princess An Le's blood for the identification."
"What difficulty is there in that? You can have as much blood as you need from your Father King."
The Emperor readily agreed.
"Yes!"
As she spoke, Leng Ruo Li found the Emperor's words somewhat amusing but managed to suppress her laughter.
She then took out two collection tubes from her sleeve pocket, collected blood from Princess An Le, and then from the Emperor. The process was completed swiftly.
At this moment, the Emperor asked again, "Li'er, when can you tell me the results of this identification?"
"Father Emperor, your daughter-in-law will do her best to identify the results tonight and inform you tomorrow," Leng Ruo Li replied calmly.
"That will do! An Le, you may leave for now. I will decide how to deal with you once I know the results."
The Emperor spoke as he dismissed Princess An Le from the Imperial Study.
After Princess An Le departed, the Emperor asked further questions about the Empress Dowager's injuries.
"Alas, last night I was delirious and injured your Imperial Grandmother. I am too ashamed to face her now," the Emperor said remorsefully to the Cold King and his consort.
"Father Emperor, Imperial Grandmother told us that she never blamed you for what happened last night because she already knew you were under the influence of a蛊毒 (gu poison) and your consciousness was controlled."
Leng Ruo Li relayed what the Empress Dowager had told them earlier to the Emperor.
"Alas, Li'er, with Imperial Grandmother's injuries being so severe, will there be any lingering effects?"
The Emperor asked with concern.
"Your daughter-in-law has already formulated an excellent medicine for treating internal injuries. As long as Imperial Grandmother takes it for a period, her body will gradually recover."
"The only thing your daughter-in-law is worried about now is that the small flute used to control your mind has not yet been found, which prevents me from daring to remove the puppet parasite, as it could be dangerous for you." Leng Ruo Li answered truthfully.
Hearing Leng Ruo Li's words, Jun Mo Han quickly interjected, "Li'er, I have already dispatched men to search for that small flute."
"Oh, if someone finds it, hand it over to me immediately. I need to remove the蛊虫 (gu worm) from Father Emperor right away. Otherwise, if that蛊毒 (gu poison) remains in his head for too long, it will also pose a threat to Father Emperor's life," Leng Ruo Li immediately instructed him.
As the three were discussing the small flute and the蛊虫 (gu worm), Prince An coincidentally returned.
"Father Emperor, your son just searched Ning Wang's long cloth boots and found the small flute he used today."
Prince An entered the Emperor's Imperial Study with a beaming smile. Upon seeing the Cold King and his consort, his smile widened even further.
"Second Brother, Second Sister-in-law, you are here too. This is wonderful!"
Saying this, he directly handed the small flute to Leng Ruo Li.
Prince An spoke very courteously to Leng Ruo Li.
"Thank you, Prince An. As long as I have this small flute, I can help Father Emperor remove the蛊虫 (gu worm) on his head without many reservations."
With that said, Leng Ruo Li, disregarding Prince An's presence in the Imperial Study, prepared to take out an exquisite small wooden box to remove the蛊虫 (gu worm).