Chapter 237: Chapter 237: Stitching Wounds
After several Imperial Physicians carefully studied the situation, they concluded that the wound needed to be stitched for the bleeding to stop.
So, Doctor Fang, who had previously treated Lin Wanyi’s foot injury, volunteered and said.
"Let me stitch it, and then apply a thick layer of white medicine powder; perhaps it will stop the bleeding."
Since he specialized in treating external injuries, Doctor Dou also agreed with his method.
He willingly partnered with him.
Soon, they began stitching the wound.
Lin Xingzhi had already fainted, and if it weren’t for the thousand-year-old ginseng slices keeping his breath, he’d likely have passed away.
Normally, Doctor Fang would use some Powder for Anesthesia on the patient.
But now, his hand rose and fell swiftly, gathering the wound and stitching it densely.
Blood gushes from the wound, causing considerable difficulty in stitching.
Yet Doctor Fang and Doctor Dou coordinated adeptly.
The blood-stopping cloth was used one after the other, until stacked in piles, and only then was the wound stitched.
At this point, the blood was seeping rather than flowing.
Seeing this, Doctor Dou poured the white medicine powder as though it’s nothing, bottle after bottle.
Watching the powder turn wet and red, then pink, finally into a blanket of snow white as they breathed a sigh of relief; the bleeding was stopped at last.
But this was just the first step, ahead lie challenges of preventing infection, watching for fever, and a series of hurdles waiting for them to overcome.
Thus, they dared to relax slightly but tensed their nerves again.
Continuing to treat Lin Xingzhi.
Lin Wanyi cried until she had no more tears, her eyes were stinging quite painfully.
Feeling that all the hardships over the past decades paled compared to today’s despair.
Back then when her brother was beaten, she hadn’t witnessed it.
She only heard the news, so no matter how anxious, there was nothing she could do.
But now, her brother before her eyes was like a kite with its string cut, potentially facing King Yan at any moment.
Makes her feel even breathing is painful and unbearable now.
The Emperor, seeing her distraught appearance, crouched down to hold her in an embrace, softly comforting her by her ear.
"It’s alright, I will definitely save your brother."
Lin Guard risked his life for him, if it were before, the Emperor would reward him generously.
Yet he wouldn’t invest much in thought.
Only because he was Lin Wanyi’s brother, his beloved’s brother, so he harbored extensive worries.
He’s afraid too, afraid should Lin Xingzhi truly not recover, Lin Wanyi would be devastated.
Therefore, Lin Xingzhi’s life, under any circumstance, he must fight with King Yama tooth and nail for it.
Lin Wanyi closed her eyes, her nose swelling uncomfortably, yet no tears came forth.
The palace was in chaos, but outside the Dong Family found themselves utterly perplexed.
Mrs. Dong was granted the title of First-Grade Imperial Decree Lady, initially a monumental joy.
Yet this baseless investiture left them feeling somewhat undeserved.
"Maybe the Emperor awarded it to commend Qianqian for her contribution in caring for the Second Prince and Second Princess in the palace, hence the investiture for the elder sister."
"Big brother is right, with a few days to go until the festivities and Qianqian newly titled as a noble, a grand promotion seems excessive, so the Emperor straightforwardly conferred the title upon the elder sister."
The Dong brothers earnestly exchanged views.
Those present considered it highly plausible.
Looking at the First-Grade Imperial Decree Lady’s crown and auspicious clothes, Mrs. Dong felt somewhat dizzy.
Two decades of suffering for a lifetime of recompense?
This pie indeed, was extraordinarily oversized!
Mr. Lin also showed a face of satisfaction, joyous for the lady receiving such honor.
The entire Dong Family gleefully embraced this rare gift.
Only Old Master Dong and Lin Muzhi felt a hint of unease.
Grandfather and grandson exchanged glances, catching onto each other’s thoughts.
But they couldn’t speak up currently, fearing unnecessary worry.
The daytime ceaseless chatter dwindled as the sky gradually darkened.
The Dong Family was still ignorant of the true reason behind the investiture, on the other side, the Fourth Prince replaced all the Imperial Guards around the Emperor.
Imperial Guard leader Shi Ben was at this moment enduring the wrath of the Fourth Prince!
Fifty lashes rendered his body utterly ravaged and chaotic.
Standing on the steps, the Fourth Prince’s expression remained as severe as ever.
"You ought to be thankful that it’s me executing the sentence; otherwise, fifty lashes would either leave you dead or disabled!"
Beads of sweat dripped down Shi Ben’s face as he gritted his teeth, sharply inhaling.
But to say, the Fourth Prince’s words were indeed true.
"This humble servant appreciates the Fourth Prince’s leniency and will surely..."
"Never mind the future, swiftly uncover the assassin’s details, or forget about the future, I fear your Shi Family may have none."
Shi Ben was shocked, but upon reconsideration, indeed he felt it was true.
His subordinates erred all these years.
An assassination attempt on the sovereign Emperor will implicate them all in doom!
Struck with anger and resentment, he exclaimed.
"Reporting to the Prince, the man’s name is Cui Shixiu, the second grandson of the late General Cui."
"The late General Cui? The one who followed the Marquis of Northwest to guard Qingzhou and died heroically during the city’s defeat?"
"Indeed! Fourth Prince, the entire Cui Family perished in the Qingzhou’s lost battle, leaving only a grandson, hence I specially transferred him into the Imperial Guard. There had been no errors over the years, how suddenly..."
Emotion stirred, tugging at his wounds, causing him to grind his teeth in pain.
Nearly losing his breath.
The Fourth Prince’s expression grew increasingly grim.
Qingzhou’s fall, the Marquis of Northwest’s former subordinates, the Cui Family.
What secret lies within, driving Cui Shixiu to such public assassination?
Complete disregard for his family’s safety.
"What of his family? Are there wife and children?"
"Yes, they reside in North City’s Xuanhe Square, within Cui Mansion, his wife hails from the Jiang Family, they have a son and a daughter."
"The Jiang Family? Which Jiang Family?"
"The Minister of the Ministry of Justice’s elder brother’s eldest son, currently serving as Prefect outside Lingzhou, Cui Shixiu’s wife is his youngest daughter."
The tangled web of relations further tightened the Fourth Prince’s brow.
Involvement from the Cui Family isn’t enough, joined by the Jiang Family.
From Qingzhou to Lingzhou, from the Marquis of Northwest to the Minister of the Ministry of Justice.
A pull can cause a ripple throughout everything; if all were arrested, threads may break before being unraveled.
Thus decisively stating.
"First detain all Cui Shixiu’s family, holding them safely for further decisions. Regarding the Ministry of Justice, imprison all male members, send an urgent dispatch to the Imperial Armor Army near Lingzhou, arrest anyone related to Cui Shixiu, and bring them to Shengjing City."
"Yes, your subordinate obeys!"
"As for the Marquis of Northwest..."