Huo Qiyuan regained consciousness seventeen days later. The first thing he wanted to do upon opening his eyes was to get out of bed and return to the capital to save his father. He paid no heed to the potent poison coursing through his body, nor did he have the time to examine his current appearance.
Master Zhikong, upon seeing the once spirited young hero, unparalleled in the capital, had not only lost all composure but his physical state was akin to that of an old man on the verge of death.
He couldn't help but frown. After a moment of hesitation, he once again began to deduce the threads of fate. Previously, he had calculated that the Huo family would face a great calamity, but this tribulation was not meant for Huo Sizhun, but for Huo Qiyuan himself. Now, as he calculated again, he found that the destinies of all the Huo family members had undergone significant changes. Huo Qiyuan's mortal danger had a sliver of hope, while Huo Sizhun's star of fate had already extinguished…
Seeing Huo Qiyuan’s earnest pleas, Zhikong knew he could not dissuade him and could only accompany them back to the capital, acting as his protector. The poison in Huo Qiyuan's body could relapse at any moment. If it relapsed and treatment was not timely, it was feared that all hope would be lost…
When Huo Qiyuan and his companions galloped back to the capital, the city was under strict martial law, with soldiers guarding the city gates. Wanted posters, featuring individuals from the Prince of Bijing’s estate, were plastered everywhere. Due to the Ice Ling Grass, Huo Qiyuan's hair had turned white, his complexion pale, and he appeared to be barely breathing, like a person on the verge of death. Coupled with Master Zhikong's presence, who claimed to be his patient, the group managed to enter the city without much disguise.
Although the citizens in the city dared not openly discuss matters of the court, they were privately discussing the Prince of Bijing's estate’s treason. It was then that Huo Qiyuan learned the truth. Prince of Bijing, Huo Sizhun, was accused of colluding with the enemy and treason, with irrefutable evidence. Overwhelmed with guilt and unable to face the world, he had taken his own life in the imperial prison three days prior, to atone with his death.
Huo Qiyuan found it unbelievable. His father had dedicated his life to the Great Yu Dynasty, giving almost everything he had. Now, he was branded with the crime of rebellion? And claimed to have died to atone? What was even more unacceptable to Huo Qiyuan was that his mother, accompanied by hidden guards, went to the imperial prison to visit his father, but something happened, and they ended up being assassins attempting to assassinate the current Emperor! Yesterday, all seventy-odd servants of the Prince of Bijing's estate were executed, and his mother was bestowed a cup of poisoned wine.
Upon learning the truth, Huo Qiyuan was overcome with anger. His meridians went awry, and the poison rapidly spread throughout his body. Overnight, his white hair turned completely silver, and he fell into a coma once more! While unconscious, Huo Qiyuan felt as though his soul was being restrained. His thoughts were clear, and he could sense the outside world, yet he was unable to awaken. He understood his father and refused to believe that his father had committed suicide; it must have been a frame-up.
And so it was. When he was carried off the battlefield and disappeared, his death notice spread throughout the capital overnight. Huo Sizhun, imprisoned in the imperial jail, could not possibly have known these events. However, a malicious individual specifically informed him, with feigned kindness, of the news that Huo Qiyuan had been defeated by a general of Dong Yao and had died on the border. Upon hearing the news of his only son's death, the elderly Huo Sizhun was overcome with grief. He collapsed in his cell, his mouth and nose askew, unable to speak or move. The next day, the Emperor, upon learning of Huo Sizhun's condition, immediately went to the imperial prison to visit him, but was ambushed en route and sustained minor injuries. The assassins who were killed carried the Prince of Bijing’s estate's waist tokens. When they reached the imperial prison, Leng Muran was already fighting with the prison guards. Previously, the Emperor still remembered Huo Sizhun's support and considered the brave Huo Qiyuan, whose fate was unknown, and did not intend to condemn the Huo family. He had planned a thorough investigation. However, the assassination attempt today made the Emperor feel that his imperial authority had been challenged, and his dignity as the Son of Heaven had been disregarded. Thus, he concluded that the Huo family harbored rebellious intentions! Everyone believed Leng Muran died from poisoned wine, but in reality, she perished at the hands of the imperial guards. Furthermore, Huo Sizhun was further stimulated by someone using Leng Muran's death to provoke him again. Upon learning that both his son and wife were dead, the last breath of Huo Sizhun gave out. The Emperor directly issued a decree to the world, confirming the Prince of Bijing’s estate’s crime of treason and ordering the execution of everyone in the estate. Only Madam Zhou, who had returned to her hometown at the time of the incident, escaped. She later contacted Xu Fu and others, who had secretly returned. Madam Zhou did not expect that revealing the entire story would trigger Huo Qiyuan's poisoning, and she felt immensely guilty! … The group walked leisurely for two to three hours. By Mao Shi (around 6 AM), Huo Qiyuan began to show signs of regaining consciousness. Not far ahead, they found an empty house. According to the map, this should have been a former official post station, but for some reason, it was now abandoned. Judging by the damage to the building, it had been deserted for some time. This was for the best, as their current identities meant it was best to avoid any contact with government officials, even minor constables. If their identities were exposed, it would lead to another fierce battle. Xu Fu and the others stopped once more, planning to rest here for the day and continue southward after sunset. The guards quickly tidied up a few rooms. Madam Zhou went to the kitchen and found ready firewood. She immediately started a fire, intending to reheat the rice porridge they had previously brewed! She kept it simmering on a low heat, so that no matter when the young master woke up, there would always be something for him to eat. He had not eaten for over a day. Master Zhikong had advised that food should always be prepared and kept on hand. Once the young master awoke, he should eat something promptly to replenish his nutrition. Otherwise, if he went without food for too long, before a destined person could be found to save him, Huo Qiyuan might starve to death! Lying by the fire, Huo Qiyuan felt as if he had fallen into an ice cave. The bone-chilling coldness surging from all directions caused his heart to ache and tighten! His brows were tightly furrowed, and cold sweat beaded on his forehead. His lips parted as if trying to say something, his expression one of extreme pain. He desperately wanted to open his eyes, to shout loudly, but as soon as he exerted any force, he felt as if his soul were being torn apart – an indescribable agony! Meanwhile, in Houxi Village, most people were in high spirits. Not only had they received provisions and money, but this was likely the only good thing to have happened since the drought. Consequently, everyone traveled with renewed vigor and cheerful faces! Their steps felt lighter than usual. Life was still beautiful!