When Feng Yinwan arrived, the imperial bedchamber was already in chaos.
Ye Tingyun paced anxiously by the door. Upon seeing her, he immediately rushed forward.
"His Majesty's condition has worsened again!"
The situation arose suddenly, and with many people present, the news of the emperor's impending death could no longer be concealed.
Feng Yinwan had not expected this either. Hearing the news, she immediately frowned, "Take me to see him."
"Alright."
Ye Tingyun turned to lead the way into the palace, but after a few steps, he suddenly remembered that she was no longer in her eunuch attire, and the Empress Dowager was also inside.
"You..."
His gaze held some hesitation.
Feng Yinwan, however, was unfazed. "Business is paramount."
As the two entered the hall, Jiang Rumuo was doing his utmost to treat the emperor. The Empress Dowager sat with her eyes closed on a small couch, her prayer beads clutched tightly in her hand.
"Imperial Grandmother."
Glancing up, she saw a new face among those who had entered.
The Empress Dowager was startled. Before she could inquire, Ye Tingyun had already approached.
Feng Yinwan did not linger. After a slight nod of greeting, she went straight to the bedside.
In an instant, that familiar feeling from the hall earlier that day surged back. The Empress Dowager's heart trembled slightly and she turned to look at Ye Tingyun.
"Yun'er, this..."
"Imperial Grandmother."
Ye Tingyun supported her, his expression shifting slightly. "This is Third Sister-in-law."
These four words alone solidified the thought in her mind. The Empress Dowager trembled again and spoke with a wavering voice.
"Is it truly that Feng family girl?"
She was advanced in years, having resided in the palace for decades. Her emotions rarely showed.
Yet now, hearing that the person before her was Feng Yinwan, her face quivered uncontrollably.
Ye Tingyun nodded vigorously.
"Your grandson boldly invited Third Sister-in-law to treat His Majesty. The person you saw in the hall today was also her."
The Empress Dowager nodded, her gaze fixed on the graceful figure. With a sigh of emotion, she repeatedly praised his decision.
The emperor's recurring illness was indeed strange.
After taking the elixir, he was supposed to be safe for three days. But who would have thought that on the very first night, he would fall gravely ill again.
Feng Yinwan stepped forward to examine him. Seeing Jiang Rumuo still concentrating on his acupuncture, he turned his head upon hearing the movement. Upon seeing her, he immediately stepped aside.
Feng Yinwan took his place, examining the emperor while asking about his condition.
"When did the abnormality begin?"
"After Yushi (7-9 PM), not long after the sky began to darken, Prince Yun sent someone to the Imperial Hospital to find me. By the time I arrived, the symptoms had already recurred severely."
The emperor had taken the elixir around Weishi (1-3 PM) today.
It had only been a little over two hours, and the elixir's efficacy should not have worn off so quickly.
Feng Yinwan's eyes narrowed slightly. She gently pulled out the silver needle from the emperor's chest, examined it for a long while, and her expression turned grim.
"It's not a recurrence of the illness, someone has tampered with it."
This poison was even more potent than before. It was likely that someone had taken advantage of their lack of vigilance to strike at the emperor again.
Jiang Rumuo's expression also turned grave.
"However, the Imperial Guards responsible for guarding the bedchamber were personally selected by Prince Yun. Who could have acted under such stringent security?"
The Imperial Guards outside were stationed almost every five paces. Such a dense arrangement made it impossible for even a master of supreme skill to infiltrate silently.
Since no one from the outside could get in, the perpetrator could only be someone within the bedchamber itself.
Feng Yinwan raised her eyes, her gaze sweeping over the several palace attendants serving in the hall. Suddenly, she seemed to realize something, her beautiful eyes narrowing instantly.