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The next day, as dawn broke, Feng Moheng hurried to De Ren Tang.
Yesterday, he had taken Liu Jingyi back to the residence of Prince Lingyang. Although her wound was not life-threatening, it was deep and alarming to look at.
He had stayed by her side with the physician for two full hours, not leaving for a moment.
Only when the physician declared her condition stable did Feng Moheng finally breathe a sigh of relief.
Just as he was about to head to De Ren Tang to check on Shen Yuling, Liu Jingyi awakened.
Feng Moheng couldn’t bear to see her in distress, so he stayed in Sujin Courtyard, accompanying her until early morning today when he finally rushed to De Ren Tang.
He stepped hurriedly into the room.
Shen Yuling was still unconscious, her head wrapped in thick bandages.
Her face was as pale as paper, devoid of any color, looking extremely frail.
Xi Tong quietly watched over her, and upon seeing Feng Moheng enter, she merely inclined her head slightly.
Feng Moheng looked at Shen Yuling, who had lost her usual vitality.
His brow furrowed, feeling as if a giant rock pressed down on his heart, heavy and suffocating.
“How is the princess? What did the physician say?”
Xi Tong held a bit of resentment towards Feng Moheng, but as a servant, she could only maintain the appropriate demeanor.
“The princess has suffered a severe head injury. Although there is no immediate danger to her life,…”
Xi Tong paused.
“But what?”
Feng Moheng’s tone became urgent as he pressed for more information.
“But we don’t know if she will awaken. Even if she does, it’s uncertain whether her consciousness will return to normal.”
Xi Tong lowered her head, speaking softly.
Feng Moheng’s body seemed to sway.
He instinctively took two steps back, unable to steady himself.
He bowed his head in silence, his mind racing.
Was this assassination aimed at him or Shen Yuling?
But in Qianjing, who could possibly be Shen Yuling’s enemy?
After pondering, the only names that came to mind were Liu Jingyi and Liu Zhaoyi.
But…
Liu Jingyi loved him deeply, to the point of disregarding her own safety…
Feng Moheng’s heart was a tangled mess.
He moved to a nearby round stool and sat down, an expression of fatigue and seriousness etched on his face.
Unconsciously, his gaze caught sight of the lantern placed by the bedside.
“Did the princess buy that lantern herself?”
Feng Moheng murmured, a strange emotion rising within him.
Could it be that what Shen Yuling said about wanting a lantern made by someone who loves her was just a lie?
Xi Tong sighed softly.
She slowly explained, “Last night, after the princess separated from you, she didn’t go to the clothing shop as she claimed, but went to the lantern workshop to make a lantern for you.”
“After she finished it, she intended to find you by the lake to personally give it to you, but who could have anticipated that she encountered those assassins along the way?”
“The servant, knowing the princess’ feelings for you, later went to the main street and retrieved the lantern that the master accidentally dropped in her panic.”
Xi Tong’s face was filled with sorrow, her eyes slightly reddened.
Yet in her heart, she silently scoffed.
Hmph, her master would never really create a lantern for that scumbag, let alone harm herself for him.
Feng Moheng frowned.
His gaze was fixed on the lantern, not shifting for a long time.
She had said that a lantern made by a loved one held significance.
Because Shen Yuling loved him, she made him a lantern, but she had never asked him to make one for her.
Feng Moheng stood up, walked to the bedside, and gazed at the unconscious Shen Yuling.
He extended his hand and gently caressed her cold cheek.
His touch was soft yet cautious, as if afraid of hurting her.
Even though Liu Jingyi had just taken a blade for him and was still lying in Sujin Courtyard, her wounds unhealed.
His thoughts, however, were inescapably focused on Shen Yuling.
She merely made him a lantern; why did it leave him feeling inexplicably empty?
Suddenly, Feng Moheng seemed to be bewitched by something, slowly leaning down.
His lips softly pressed against Shen Yuling’s cold ones.
The action was gentle yet urgent, as if he wanted to convey his feelings through this gesture, hoping to awaken her.
“Shen Yuling, please wake up. I… I don’t want to lose you.”
After a moment, Feng Moheng straightened up and moved away from the bedside.
His expression returned to its previous coldness, as if the tender person just moments ago was not him at all.
“Have someone take the princess back to the residence,” Feng Moheng ordered blandly.
Xi Tong stepped forward hastily.
“Your Highness, Su Heling, the most respected physician at De Ren Tang, specifically instructed that the princess is in a critical phase of recovery and should not be moved.”
“The princess has a head injury; we cannot let any shaking cause further damage.”
Feng Moheng pursed his lips, remaining silent for a moment.
“Then… take good care of the princess.”
After saying this, he turned and left the room.
Meanwhile, in the palace.
After receiving the news from the residence of Prince Lingyang, Li Ming felt overwhelmed.
His Majesty had previously instructed that there was no need to report any news regarding Consort Shen.
But who would have thought that today he would receive news from the residence?
Consort Shen had been injured while out enjoying the Lantern Festival last night and was now recuperating at De Ren Tang.
However, no one at the residence had seen the extent of Consort Shen’s injuries, so the specific situation was still unknown.
Sigh.
The more Li Ming thought about it, the more troubled he felt; this matter was indeed tricky.
Forget it, forget it.
He might as well report the truth and see if he could glean the Emperor’s current attitude towards Consort Shen.
With this in mind, Li Ming stepped into the hall.
At this moment, Quan Minghe was seated behind the imperial desk, reviewing memorials.
His expression was meticulous, exuding a sense of cold authority.
“Your Majesty, during last night’s Lantern Festival, the prince took Consort Shen and her maid out for a stroll, but unexpectedly encountered assassins.”
“Consort Shen was unfortunately injured and is currently recuperating at De Ren Tang.”
Quan Minghe, who had been holding a brush to review the memorials, paused.
He instinctively furrowed his brows.
However, the unusual expression passed quickly.
Soon, he returned to his calm demeanor, continuing to review the memorials at a leisurely pace.
He casually asked, “Is the injury serious?”
“Reporting to Your Majesty, the people from the prince’s residence did not report that Consort Shen’s injuries were severe.”
“I understand. You may leave,” Quan Minghe said without lifting his head, his tone indifferent.
Upon hearing this, Li Ming hurriedly bowed respectfully and exited.
After Li Ming left, Quan Minghe’s expression turned slightly grim.
Could it be that because he hadn’t summoned her in over half a month, she had started to use self-harm to attract his attention?
Quan Minghe had always disregarded the petty schemes of the concubines.
Yet hearing that she had harmed herself caused an inexplicable discomfort in his heart.
He set down the brush in his hand.
Leaning back in his chair, he closed his eyes, his brow furrowed tightly.
Since it wasn’t serious, let her recover well outside the palace.