Long Xinghe collected her thoughts and looked up, her gaze accidentally meeting the depths of his profound eyes.
There, clean and bright, clear and translucent, making one feel exceptionally comfortable with just a glance.
If possible, she truly didn't want him to be involved in any turmoil.
"A'Li said that the imperial city has been unstable recently, with various forces stirring, and you have too close a relationship with Prince Xuan. Those people might not hesitate to target you..."
"No matter what, this ring was crafted by me personally. If you appreciate my kindness, then listen to me this once. From now on, no matter what you eat or drink, test it for poison first, okay?"
"Okay." Feng Wuya nodded, without the slightest hesitation.
Long Xinghe breathed a sigh of relief.
"Alright, I still have things to do. You go back, wash up, and have breakfast," she said.
Feng Wuya did not leave. Instead, he sat down beside her.
"Wuya..."
"I am a prince who is always idle and has nothing to do. I... will help you."
Seeing the bloodshot in her eyes, he felt a pang of discomfort.
"Tell me what to do, and I'll do it. You go and rest for a while."
"It will dirty your hands..."
"In your eyes, am I such a useless person?" Feng Wuya's gaze deepened.
Long Xinghe smiled helplessly, "That's not what I meant. I just can't bear to dirty your hands. Look, how beautiful your hands are."
They were truly beautiful, so beautiful that one only wanted to cherish them for a lifetime.
Feng Wuya ignored her, picked up the items on the table, and imitated her, polishing them bit by bit.
Long Xinghe did not stop him. She was about to order Jiang Tao to bring him hot water to wash up when the person who arrived was not Jiang Tao, but Tie Xin.
"Your Highness!"
Tie Xin hurried over, his face filled with panic. "Your Highness, the Empress Dowager, she... she..."
"What about the Empress Dowager?" Feng Wuya was startled, and the item in his hand clattered onto the table.
Tie Xin said urgently, "Your Highness, hurry and get ready, go to the palace quickly! The Empress Dowager... she's not well!"
...
Just as Chu Qianli had said, the Empress Dowager was advanced in years, and her health had been severely depleted over the years. She was now at the end of her life.
Her life would not last long.
Even when Emperor summoned Chu Qianli to the palace to administer acupuncture to invigorate her blood, it was of no avail.
That day, Chu Qianli stayed by the Empress Dowager's side all day until dusk.
"Your Majesty, I am truly powerless. You... might as well go and accompany the Empress Dowager."
Eunuch Qing lowered his head, his eyes filled with moisture.
The Emperor's brows were tightly furrowed. In the end, he simply nodded, "Miss Chu will stay in the Empress Dowager's sleeping quarters tonight."
"Alright."
The Empress Dowager would likely not survive the night. It was uncertain if she would need her again tonight, but Chu Qianli had already made her stance clear: even if they found her, it would be useless.
However, the Emperor felt that having her here provided some sense of security.
A sense of security that was difficult to describe.
Eunuch Qing ordered someone to prepare a room in the west wing of the Empress Dowager's sleeping quarters for Chu Qianli to rest.
As for the Emperor and the princes, they all went in to accompany the Empress Dowager.
But the Empress Dowager was not one to enjoy a lively atmosphere. Thanks to Chu Qianli's acupuncture, the Empress Dowager's spirits seemed to have improved slightly.
However, according to Chu Qianli, this was a final surge of energy and would not last long.
After midnight, the Empress Dowager no longer wanted anyone to accompany her, leaving only the loyal wet nurse, Jin Mama, who had served her for many years.
Even Mama Yao was sent away.
Jin Mama knelt by the Empress Dowager's bed, knowing she had something to say. Jin Mama whispered, "Empress Dowager, everyone... has left. What do you want to say?"