Chapter 83: The Crown Prince’s Illness

“Father, I have never thought that way. I only believe that since Eldest Brother is ill, how could we send him out of the palace for treatment? It would be far better to summon the famed physician to the Eastern Palace to tend to his illness.

If Eldest Brother leaves the palace and that physician harbors ill intentions, what then? If he enters the palace, his actions can be monitored, and there will be no threat to Eldest Brother.” Wu Yunfeng hurriedly explained.

If anything were to happen to the Crown Prince Wu Yunxiao, or if he were to die from his illness, Wu Yunfeng would be next in line for succession. As the greatest beneficiary, he dared not let Emperor Wu Qing suspect him.

The Fifth and Ninth Princes glanced at the Third Prince, inwardly scorning him. They had agreed outside the palace to persuade their father, yet now he contradicted himself.

“Ninth, what is your view?” Emperor Wu Qing let the matter drop and turned to Wu Yuntian.

“Father, Eldest Brother has always been kind to me. I sincerely hope he recovers soon. So whether it is an imperial physician, a renowned healer, or even a wandering doctor, as long as they can cure him, they should be allowed to try.

However, to guard against some quacks who might take chances and worsen Eldest Brother’s condition, they should be warned that if his illness does not improve, all will be punished and imprisoned.” Wu Yuntian replied without hesitation, giving the impression that he supported letting wandering doctors treat his brother. Yet, his additional words would deter most physicians in the realm from daring to treat the Crown Prince.

Wu Yunfeng glanced at his Ninth Brother in surprise, new thoughts arising in his mind. Wu Yunhua, on the other hand, had not yet grasped the implications and immediately objected, “Father, most wandering doctors are frauds. Even if they are punished in the end, what if they worsen Eldest Brother’s illness? I still do not support letting them treat him.”

“That is enough. I have already made up my mind. The Eldest Princess will handle everything; you need not concern yourselves. Mind your own affairs,” Emperor Wu Qing said, casting a final glance at Wu Yunhua, thinking to himself that this son was the least cunning among them.

In truth, as the Crown Prince Wu Yunxiao’s illness worsened, Emperor Wu Qing grew anxious and began to observe his other sons in secret, for if anything happened to the Crown Prince, another heir would have to be chosen.

As things stood, Third Prince Wu Yunfeng was a bit too timid, Fifth Prince Wu Yunhua had grown up in the army and was too straightforward, while young Ninth Prince Wu Yuntian, despite his age, displayed a deep cunning reminiscent of Wu Qing himself in his youth. Only his age was a drawback.

However, Emperor Wu Qing was just past forty and had no intention of relinquishing the throne so soon. It seemed more fitting to nurture young Wu Yuntian as a successor, rather than the rather aged Crown Prince Wu Yunxiao.

Of course, these thoughts were his alone; he had never spoken of them nor shown them. The Crown Prince’s grave illness was, in fact, a relief to him. Yet since the Eldest Princess wished to save him, he did not object.

The following morning, a detachment of the Flying Phoenix Guard’s Wudu Battalion arrived at the medical hall and said to Li Daqi, who was keeping watch, “By order of the Marshal of the Flying Phoenix Guard, we are here to maintain order. The Crown Prince will soon arrive for treatment, so we must first clear the hall of any suspicious persons.”

After seeking Fang Xian’s approval, Li Daqi led a squad of guards through the medical hall, inspecting every corner and checking everyone’s identification, eventually making their way to the rear courtyard.

“General, only two courtyards in the rear are occupied: one by the family and servants of the former Chief Imperial Physician, Lord Situ Xun, and the other by the Divine Healer Fang,” explained Zhou Dadan, who accompanied the guards.

“Rest assured, we only need to check identification and confirm everyone’s identity,” the captain, Jin Can, explained. The Eldest Princess had instructed him to be courteous to Fang Xian and the hall’s staff.

Situ Xun’s family and servants posed no issue, but in Fang Xian’s quarters, they found a disheveled old man—none other than the beggar Fang Xian had picked up on the road.

After half a month of treatment, the old beggar’s chaotic inner force had been partly subdued, his mental state much improved, though his mind was still unclear. He did not like to interact with others and only listened to Fang Xian.

“Who is this?” Jin Can was shocked by the old beggar’s powerful vitality, recognizing him as at least a grandmaster of the transformation stage.

“He is an elder of Divine Healer Fang’s, whom we all call Uncle Seven. He is here to protect him,” Zhou Dadan replied. In truth, Fang Xian had named him Uncle Seven, a play on the word ‘beggar.’ Until his mind returned, no one knew his true identity.

“Since he is a senior of Divine Healer Fang, there’s no need to check his identification,” Jin Can nodded, and Zhou Dadan breathed a sigh of relief—Uncle Seven was the only one without papers.

Nonetheless, Jin Can stationed a squad to guard the passage from the rear courtyard to the main hall, ready to sound the alarm if needed. He then returned to the Eldest Princess’s residence to report to Wu Qingluan, which only strengthened her conviction that Fang Xian was no ordinary man, but a prodigy nurtured by some great power.

Around noon, Wu Qingluan arrived with a group of elite guards, escorting the Crown Prince for his treatment. By then, Fang Xian had already seen the prior patients, and the rest were told to return in the afternoon.

Coughing violently, Wu Yunxiao, supported by two palace maids, slowly entered the hall. All three wore face masks. Fang Xian, accompanied by Situ Yan and others, came forward to greet them.

“This humble subject greets Your Highness,” Fang Xian said with a bow.

“No need for formalities, Master Fang. I fear my illness is beyond cure, but my aunt’s earnestness leaves me no choice but to trouble you,” Wu Yunxiao replied kindly. Wu Qingluan had already told him that Master Fang was not only a divine healer but a man of great talent, deserving respect.

“Your Highness, do not despair. My reputation as the greatest physician under heaven is not mere boast. Allow me to examine you first, then prescribe as needed, and I am confident you will soon recover,” Fang Xian said with a smile.

“Then I place myself in your care,” Wu Yunxiao replied. Fang Xian’s confidence rekindled a spark of hope within him.

Fang Xian asked everyone else to leave, keeping only Wu Qingluan and Situ Yan—one for reassurance, the other to assist.

After examining Wu Yunxiao through observation, questioning, and pulse-taking, Fang Xian apologized, then pricked the Crown Prince’s finger with a silver needle, extracting a drop of dark red blood laced with a sinister poison.

Half an hour later, Fang Xian told Situ Yan, “Go and have them prepare some hot water.”

Once she left, Fang Xian turned solemnly to Wu Qingluan and Wu Yunxiao. “Your Highness, not only does the Crown Prince suffer from consumption, but he has also been poisoned.”

“What?” Wu Qingluan’s eyes widened with shock and anger.

“That is impossible. The Imperial Hospital’s physicians have examined me many times, and all my food and medicine are tasted beforehand. How could I have been poisoned?” Wu Yunxiao was equally incredulous.

“The poison in question is a slow-acting, sinister toxin extracted from corpse poison. It does no immediate harm, but it aggravates the consumption, hastening its course so that what should last five years will now claim your life in three,” Fang Xian explained gravely.

“Such a poison—this is unheard of,” Wu Qingluan exclaimed, convinced by Fang Xian’s words.

“As it happens, only the master of the Five Poisons Sect knows this poison. Find who has dealings with them, and you will find the culprit,” Fang Xian nodded.

“The Five Poisons Sect? Master Fang, does this mean I am beyond saving?” Wu Yunxiao asked through clenched teeth, despair in his voice.

“Had it gone unnoticed another month or two, even my skills would be powerless. But since we have discovered it in time, as long as you follow my treatment, I can guarantee fifteen more years of life,” Fang Xian replied calmly.

“What? Master Fang, is it not possible to cure him completely?” Wu Qingluan asked in alarm.

“Your Highness, the Crown Prince’s body has been gravely damaged by both illness and poison. I must exhaust all my skills merely to ensure him fifteen more years,” Fang Xian answered sincerely.

“Aunt, that is more than enough. I thought my days were numbered, but thanks to Master Fang, I can still live another fifteen years—enough to raise my two children to adulthood.

Only, since I have been poisoned, I must ask you to offer a heavy reward in the martial world for the head of the Five Poisons Sect’s master. I want their sect wiped out,” Wu Yunxiao said, his voice trembling with emotion before turning cold and resolute.

“Your Highness, I would suggest presenting the matter to His Majesty in the gravest terms. The Crown Prince could even offer to resign, perhaps gaining more support from His Majesty in return,” Fang Xian interjected.

Wu Qingluan and Wu Yunxiao, both highly intelligent, immediately grasped his meaning. Wu Yunxiao considered and said, “Let us agree on our story: I will tell Father I have no more than five years left, perhaps a little more with rest. I will offer to resign as Crown Prince.

In truth, I have come to realize that being Crown Prince, though a high position, is fraught with danger. If Father permits, I would rather retire to my fief, recover my health, and raise my children in peace.”

“Xiao’er, do you truly wish to give up?” Wu Qingluan asked.

“Your Highness, I believe the Crown Prince’s decision is wise. The path to that position is arduous, and His Majesty is still in his prime, while the Crown Prince is not young,” Fang Xian gently advised Wu Qingluan.