"Young Master, Cui Sheng has already gone to fetch the imperial physician," Cui He said softly, supporting the youth on the bed.
The youth shook his head. "Ah He, tell Ah Sheng to come back. It's useless..."
Cui He bit his lower lip. "Young Master, how can it be useless? He is an imperial physician, after all."
The youth smiled upon hearing this, his pale face etched with helplessness. "He won't be able to come."
Cui He was stunned. "Young Master..."
The youth felt a sweet and bloody sensation in his throat and couldn't help but spit it out.
A large mouthful of fresh blood spewed from his mouth. Cui He, startled half to death, cried out, "Young Master, you... you... why are you vomiting again?"
"Young Master, Young Master..."
A person rushed in from outside the door. Cui He looked up and saw Cui Sheng, his face lighting up with joy. He urgently asked, "Where is the imperial physician?"
Cui Sheng's expression stiffened. "The imperial physician..."
Cui He could see Cui Sheng's hesitation and asked, "What happened?"
Cui Sheng choked back tears. "They said no one is allowed to leave the palace without orders."
Upon hearing this, Cui He said angrily, "Then why didn't you find someone else?"
Cui Sheng was now crying, his voice trembling. "I went to Zhaoyuan Palace, but the eunuch outside said the Empress Dowager was resting and wouldn't allow me to disturb her."
Cui He grew anxious. "What can we do? The Young Master has vomited for the second time."
Hearing this, Cui Sheng could no longer hold back his sobs. "What can we do?"
"It's... it's fine..." The youth raised his head, his face so pale it was devoid of color. His eyes, which should have been bright and full of spirit, now lacked any vitality.
"Young Master..." Cui He bit his lower lip, his heart filled with worry. It wasn't good for the Young Master to continue like this.
The youth smiled, a gentle warmth flowing through his eyes. "I have lived long enough. I only regret not having seen the magnificent landscapes of this desolate land..."
"You will have no regrets, for this land is now beneath your feet."
A clear, melodious voice drifted in. The youth was slightly startled and looked up. A slender figure appeared at the doorway.
Under the dim palace lanterns, the young girl, clad in a brightly colored cloak, was exceptionally conspicuous.
"Kneel when you see His Majesty!" a eunuch behind her rebuked sternly.
Cui He and Cui Sheng were taken aback. The youth on the bed said, "This is His Majesty. Help me up!"
Cui He and Cui Sheng hurried to the bedside, about to help the youth up, when a delicate hand, as white and lustrous as jade, reached out and placed itself on the youth's shoulder. It was cool, "No need for such formalities."
The coolness slowly permeated his body from his shoulder, yet there was no discomfort.
The youth looked up and saw the exceptionally clear eyes on the peerlessly beautiful face, which imprinted themselves upon his heart.
"Your Majesty..."
"It was my oversight. I forgot that Young Master Lin is frail. Please do not mind, Young Master Lin."
The young girl's crimson lips parted, her voice as pleasing as the birdsong Cui He had once described as sounding in the forest on a clear morning, a delight to the senses.
"Your Majesty worries too much. This illness of this humble one is not of a day or two. I am accustomed to it."
"Imperial Physician Shen, come here and examine Young Master Lin," the young girl said, moving aside.
As the coolness on his shoulder receded, Lin Yanzhi felt a slight sense of loss in his heart.
After a long while, Imperial Physician Shen rose and bowed to the seated young girl. "Your Majesty, Young Master Lin has a poison he has carried since birth..."
Before Imperial Physician Shen could finish, the young girl interrupted, "Say what I can understand. I only want to know if there is a way to cure it."
"Curing it is very difficult, but I can alleviate the condition. However, it requires a medicinal guide."
"What medicinal guide?" the young girl asked.
Imperial Physician Shen's expression showed hesitation.
"Speak freely," the young girl said.
Imperial Physician Shen bowed. "It... it requires the heart's blood of the Son of Heaven, Your Majesty."