The Imperial Physician truly knew that ever since Prince Chang returned to the palace, the Emperor had shown him considerable care and favor.
Seeing the Emperor in such a state, how could he dare not do his utmost?
He quickly said, "Your Majesty, rest assured. Although this poison is dangerous, we imperial physicians will do our best to help the Prince and ensure he is well."
He then said to the Emperor, "However... for a period of time, the Prince may not wake up. I hope Your Majesty will not be too sad."
Not wake up?
The Emperor was momentarily stunned. "If Prince Chang merely cannot wake up for a period of time, that would be acceptable. But if he never wakes up, I will surely make all of you in the Imperial Academy pay with your lives for Prince Chang. Do you understand?!"
The head Imperial Physician dared not say more and repeatedly nodded.
Only then did the Emperor turn to Song Chaoyu, who had been standing behind him. "Princess Chang, you... take good care of Chang'er. Do not overthink other matters. As long as Chang'er can wake up peacefully, you will have rendered a great service."
Looking at the Emperor like this, Song Chaoyu felt a touch of emotion.
If one were to say the Emperor did not dote on Mu Changxi, it did not seem to be the case.
After so many years in the Southern Kingdom, the Emperor must have missed him dearly. Perhaps even the Emperor's affection for the Noble Consort was tinged with guilt towards Mu Changxi.
Yet, if one were to say the Emperor cherished Mu Changxi, he seemed not to understand, or perhaps did not care, what Mu Changxi truly desired.
He insisted on forcing his own wishes onto Mu Changxi and could not tolerate any perceived disrespect towards him.
Including Mu Changxi, he had his own "sensitive points." Was the bestowal of secondary consorts to Prince Chang's manor not also a form of "warning" to Mu Changxi?
At this moment, as he seemed to be on the verge of "losing" Mu Changxi, this heartache did not seem fake.
But this also made Song Chaoyu feel that perhaps the Emperor was not the father she had once thought him to be.
Despite these scattered thoughts, Song Chaoyu still nodded to the Emperor. "Your Majesty, please rest assured, this consort will take good care of the Prince."
The Emperor turned and wiped away another tear.
From outside, the voice of the Noble Consort could be heard, "Chang'er, my Chang'er, what has happened?"
The Noble Consort stumbled into the sleeping quarters, appearing as though she had been crying, her makeup smudged.
But even so, the Noble Consort exuded an air of "pear blossoms with rain," appearing delicate and pitiable.
It made Song Chaoyu feel heartache, let alone the Emperor.
Seeing the Noble Consort like this, the Emperor quickly stepped forward to support her. "My dear, do not cry. Chang'er is fine. The imperial physicians said he just needs a good period of rest."
"Your Majesty!"
Unexpectedly, the Noble Consort stepped forward, looked at Chang Wang lying on the bed, and then knelt before the Emperor. "This consort has something to beg of Your Majesty!"
"My dear, quickly rise!"
The Emperor tried to help the Noble Consort up, but she was unusually resolute. "I beg Your Majesty to never assign any more duties to Chang'er in the future, alright? My poor Chang'er, when he was in the Southern Kingdom, he broke his leg and was poisoned. After finally returning to our side, he has suffered this again! Your Majesty, this consort has no other wishes. I only hope Chang'er can be safe, healthy, and happy!"
Without waiting for the Emperor's reply, she continued, "When Chang'er returned to the capital, he and I knew what people outside were saying! They said he was too close to the Southern Kingdom, and that he might harbor rebellious intentions sooner or later. That is why, when Chang'er married, neither he nor I chose noble ladies from prominent families. Chang'er said he only wanted a steady and considerate wife to accompany him, who had a broken leg, every day. I thought it would be good, and that the rumors outside would naturally lessen after they were married."
The Noble Consort's words were sincere. "But after they married, the gossip from others never ceased. Some said Princess Chang's status was not noble enough, while others said Chang'er married A'yu for some other reason. But he and Chang'er knew what kind of person A'yu is! Since becoming Princess Chang, she has been cautious, diligent, and respectful, without the slightest mistake, yet she still has to endure criticism along with Prince Chang's manor. Chang'er feels wronged, and A'yu also feels wronged, but they never speak of it."
The Noble Consort saw all of this.
Song Chaoyu knew the purpose of the Noble Consort speaking these words to the Emperor today.
The Noble Consort then cried even more uncontrollably. "Later, when the south suffered disaster, I feared Your Majesty would send Chang'er to handle the relief efforts. But there was no one available in the court, and Chang'er, seeing Your Majesty's daily worries, also felt for his father, and so he went for disaster relief. As soon as he went, people accused him of meddling in politics, saying it was not a good omen. I knew then that no matter how well Chang'er performed the disaster relief, he would never be spoken of favorably by others."
These matters were, in fact, known to everyone.
Now that the Noble Consort had laid it all out, Song Chaoyu saw a growing sense of guilt in the Emperor's eyes.
The Noble Consort lowered her head, tightly twisting the handkerchief in her hands. "Now that they have returned, you have also heard what people outside are saying, Your Majesty. My poor Chang'er suffered so much in the Southern Kingdom, and now that he has returned, he must endure such suffering. If I had known this would happen, I would have gone to the Southern Kingdom long ago to accompany Chang'er. Even if my son and I had died together in the Southern Kingdom, it would have been better than these days of treading on thin ice!"
"My dear!"
Seeing the Noble Consort like this, the Emperor truly could not bear it. He stepped forward and took the Noble Consort's arm. "If you continue to speak like this, my dear, you will truly make me have no place to hide! Chang'er is the child of both you and me, our heart's treasure. How could I not dote on him?"
The Emperor hesitated for a moment, then finally admitted, "Indeed, many people have been speaking ill of Chang'er these past few days. But I know in my heart that Chang'er is not at fault! That is why I sent Chang'er for disaster relief; it was because I trusted Chang'er! I simply did not expect Chang'er's health to be so frail."
Even though the Emperor pulled the Noble Consort, she still refused to rise. "What Chang'er wants is very simple. But Your Majesty refuses to give it! What Chang'er does not want, Your Majesty insists on forcing upon him. Your Majesty, sometimes I truly do not understand you. I do not know what kind of Chang'er you want, nor do I know what kind of Princess Chang you want. Your Majesty, now that Chang'er has become like this, do you still want to force him?"
These words, perhaps, only the Noble Consort dared to say to the Emperor in the entire court.
The Emperor naturally knew it was about the matter of the two secondary consorts.
He lowered his head, sighed, and explained in a low voice, "I merely thought it would be better if Chang'er had two more capable individuals to attend to him."