Shunfeng departed as silently as he arrived, his steps quickening.
Aside from Wang Qingyao, perhaps no one noticed his departure.
His hurried pace was less apparent within the grand hall, but as soon as he was out of sight, it became increasingly evident.
He deliberately sought out secluded paths, as if intending to commit some shameful act.
The further he went, the more strain Wang Qingyao felt.
Gradually, her strength waned.
The hall was warm as spring, yet cold sweat beaded on her forehead, and her face grew paler.
Xiao Yun, having picked up a dish Wang Qingyao favored, turned to find her expression peculiar, as if she were unwell and enduring some pain.
"What's wrong? Are you feeling unwell?" He took her hand, finding it ice-cold and gripping his tightly in return.
Xiao Yun was terrified. "Yao Yao?"
Wang Qingyao looked at him, shaking her head with effort. "Wait."
Shunfeng's steps grew more frantic, stumbling and unsteady, as if he were about to fall. He clutched the front of his robes, his complexion also amiss.
Suddenly, he turned into a man-made cave.
He leaned against the rock face, gasping for breath.
In the darkness, his appearance began to change.
As if by magic, his smooth, tender, youthful face of a sixteen or seventeen-year-old transformed into the withered, sallow, deeply wrinkled visage of an octogenarian.
His jet-black hair gradually turned snow-white.
Not only his face and hair, but his fair, tender hands also became the gnarled, aged hands of a withered tree.
He was an old man.
Yet Shunfeng was clearly a young eunuch of sixteen or seventeen.
But, just moments ago, right before Wang Qingyao's eyes.
He had transformed from a youth into an elder.
Had she not witnessed it herself, Wang Qingyao would never have believed such an incredible event could occur.
Wang Qingyao began to ponder how she would explain this to Xiao Yun later.
After transforming into an old man, Shunfeng tidied his clothes and hair, then shuffled out, appearing like a genuine elder.
Wang Qingyao wished to continue watching.
But her strength was failing her.
She withdrew her clairvoyant eyes, feeling a surge of sweet, metallic air rise in her chest.
"Yao Yao?" Seeing Wang Qingyao's increasingly pale face, Xiao Yun was extremely worried.
"I..." Wang Qingyao wanted to say "I'm fine," but as the words left her lips, a mouthful of blood erupted.
"Yao Yao!" Xiao Yun was petrified, his voice a desperate tremor, his heart leaping into his throat.
Wang Qingyao could no longer respond. She fainted.
Xiao Yun frantically scooped her up, shouting, "Imperial Physician, Imperial Physician! Summon an Imperial Physician!"
Xiao Mo also quickly stood and moved to assist.
All in the grand hall panicked, throwing their chopsticks far from the food in fear.
Everyone suspected the food was poisoned.
Xiao Yun carried Wang Qingyao into the inner chamber to the left of the hall, while Xiao Mo stood guard at the entrance.
The Imperial Physician was on his way.
Xiao Yun held Wang Qingyao's hand, gazing at her pale face and blood-stained lips, his heart filled with an uncontainable fear.
He could not imagine a life without Wang Qingyao.
He dared not even contemplate it.
In the grand hall outside, the Emperor, his face grim, ordered the food to be tested.
Silence descended upon the hall; no one dared to speak.
Wei Yu lowered her head, a smile unconsciously playing on her lips. Who was the anonymous benefactor?
She subtly raised her head and met Wei Guifei's gaze, only to see worry and fear in her eyes.
She understood. Wei Guifei believed she was responsible.
She subtly shook her head at Wei Guifei.
Wei Guifei's expression shifted to surprise.
Soon, the Imperial Physician arrived and was led to the inner chamber by a palace attendant.
"Imperial Physician, please examine the Consort quickly. Is she poisoned?" Xiao Yun anxiously voiced his suspicion.
After a thorough examination, the Imperial Physician bowed to Xiao Yun. "Your Highness, please rest assured. The Consort has merely suffered a depletion of vital energy and fainted from weakness. There is no serious ailment. I will prescribe a tonic, and after half a month of consumption, the Consort will recover."
Xiao Yun breathed a sigh of relief, his eyes red as he clasped the Imperial Physician's hand, his voice choked with emotion. "Thank you, Imperial Physician, thank you so much."
The Imperial Physician, flattered, replied, "Your Highness is too kind. This is merely my duty."
News of what transpired in the inner chamber was relayed to the Emperor.
Upon learning that Wang Qingyao was not poisoned, everyone felt relieved. Only Wei Yu showed a flicker of disappointment.
Wei Guifei merely paused for a moment before her expression turned to one of lingering fear. "Thankfully, thankfully. I said as much. Under the Emperor's might, who would dare to cause trouble at a state banquet?"
She paused again. "It is rather strange, though. How could the Consort of Ding'an suddenly suffer such a depletion of vital energy while eating? When she first arrived, her complexion was rosy, showing no signs of illness."
Everyone found it peculiar.
Even the Emperor sensed something was amiss.
Wang Qingyao was still unconscious. After ensuring her safety, Xiao Yun asked the Imperial Physician why she had suddenly suffered such a depletion of vital energy.
The Imperial Physician was also unsure, vaguely suggesting it might be a recurrence of an old ailment.
This explanation was also conveyed to the grand hall.
With an Imperial Physician present, such excuses were readily available, requiring no effort from the involved parties to concoct.
After asking, Xiao Yun suddenly recalled that at the Qi King's mansion's greenhouse banquet last year, Wang Qingyao had also suffered a severe depletion of vital energy while saving County Princess Mu Jin.
He seemed to understand now.
With his newfound understanding, he handled the Imperial Physician with ease.
He put on an expression of sudden realization. "Indeed, the Consort suffers from a rather troublesome old ailment."
As for what that ailment was, he did not say, and the Imperial Physician dared not inquire.