The Empress Dowager sighed and continued, "These years, this body of mine has worsened day by day. I suppose I'll soon be joining the late Emperor and your maternal grandmother."
'Cough... cough...' The Empress Dowager coughed violently.
Feng Jin gently patted the Empress Dowager's back, helping her regulate her breath.
"As soon as I met you, I thought about protecting you as much as possible during my remaining years. However, the Emperor has bestowed upon you the title of County Princess. With a fief, your future days will be more comfortable."
"How could Feng Jin be so fortunate to have Empress Dowager make such plans for me."
A touch of emotion welled up in Feng Jin's heart.
"Not to mention the closeness between me and your grandmother, you've already performed a great service by saving me just now. Reward is only fitting."
After a pause, the Empress Dowager continued, "I have something I wish to entrust to you."
Feng Jin's expression shifted. What could the Empress Dowager possibly entrust to her, a country girl with no power or influence?
"This matter concerns the Second Prince, Chu Chenyi. This child broke his leg when he was young, and the imperial physicians said he would never be able to stand again. Feng Jin, you were able to pull me back from the brink of death just now, which shows your excellent medical skills. I wish for you to examine Chenyi's leg and see if there is any hope for him to stand again."
All the renowned physicians from various regions had been summoned by her to treat Chu Chenyi's leg ailment, yet there had been no progress.
She had almost given up, but since Feng Jin could save her, perhaps she would have a way to treat Chenyi's leg.
Among Emperor Xuanwen's princes, only the Second Prince, Chu Chenyi, was the most suitable candidate for succession. She had always placed great hope in him. Who would have thought that her favoritism would lead to such a great disaster?
After Chu Chenyi's accident, she had secretly investigated, and the incident was not an accident but man-made.
Since then, to protect Chu Chenyi, she had intentionally or unintentionally distanced herself from him, driving Chu Chenyi out of the imperial court.
All the while, she secretly searched for a divine physician to treat Chu Chenyi.
"Empress Dowager, Feng Jin is foolish..."
"Good child, you must try your best. If you can find a cure, that would be best. Even if there's no solution, I will not blame you."
Having sought countless famous physicians, the Empress Dowager had long grown accustomed to the cycle of hope followed by utter disappointment.
Feng Jin truly couldn't bear to refuse the Empress Dowager any longer and, bracing herself, agreed, "Your humble subject will do her utmost to try."
"Good... good!" The Empress Dowager's face was filled with relief. "Feng Jin, you must treat Chenyi in secret. The struggle for the throne within the imperial palace is filled with hidden daggers and unseen arrows, and you cannot guard against them. I once showed too much favoritism to Chenyi, which is why I brought such great disaster upon him. Do you understand the gravity of this matter?"
"Feng Jin understands and will proceed with caution."
She somehow felt like she had fallen into a large pit, and by the time she realized it, it seemed there was no way to escape.
After ensuring the Empress Dowager was asleep, Feng Jin left the palace and saw Ling Mohan waiting for her.
"Why does your face look so grim? Did something happen?"
Ling Mohan had remained outside, not daring to leave. The palace was heavily guarded, and he had only received news of Feng Jin being conferred the title of County Princess Jianing.
"There are too many eyes and ears here. Let's discuss it after we return to the manor."
Feng Jin pulled Ling Mohan into the carriage. Upon returning to the manor, Feng Jin mysteriously searched the surroundings and then shut all doors and windows before informing Ling Mohan about the Empress Dowager's request for her to treat the Second Prince.
The man did not seem overly surprised. He looked at Feng Jin calmly and, lowering his voice, asked, "Then what do you intend to do?"
"What else can I do? My brain acted impulsively, and I agreed to it. Now there's no turning back, and I can only face it head-on."
Feng Jin's intestines were turning green with regret. Why had she agreed to it back then? She felt restless if she didn't find trouble for herself for even a day.
The messy affairs of the Ling manor were not yet resolved, and now this had arisen.
"Do you know why the Second Prince became crippled?"
Feng Jin was so consumed by her regret that she didn't notice the ferocity that flickered in Ling Mohan's eyes as he spoke of the matter.
"No, I only heard the Empress Dowager say he was framed, but I don't know who it was..." Feng Jin then said, looking at Ling Mohan with a scrutinizing gaze, "Do you know something?"
That's right! She had almost forgotten. This fellow had once served as an imperial tutor. He must be familiar with the Second Prince and might even know some royal secrets.
Feng Jin's interest was piqued. "Do you know some inside story? Tell me, so I can be prepared."
Ling Mohan looked at Feng Jin coldly, unable to discern her true intentions at that moment.
"The incident of the Second Prince's fall from his horse is related to the Empress."
Feng Jin's eyes widened. It was indeed related to the Empress. If she were to treat the Second Prince, wouldn't that mean she was directly offending the Empress and the Third Prince?
No wonder the Empress Dowager had told her to proceed with caution.
If the Empress found out, could she even keep her life?
"It's over, it's really over. I shouldn't have agreed to the Empress Dowager..."
"Do you regret it?" Ling Mohan asked tentatively.
Feng Jin looked helpless. "Even if I regret it, it's too late."
She could only brace herself and press on.
"Can you accompany me to Marquis Pingyang's manor tomorrow?"
Feng Jin had already decided to find a breakthrough through Lin Yuwei. If she could build a good relationship with Lin Yuwei, she would have a valid reason to enter and exit Prince Jing's manor in the future.
"Why?"
Why did he have so many questions? Did he really think she was a walking encyclopedia?
"Lin Yuwei was bestowed by the Empress Dowager to Prince Jing, Chu Chenyi, as his wife. If I build a good relationship with Lin Yuwei, then entering and exiting Prince Jing's manor won't be too conspicuous."
Feng Jin explained patiently. Seeing that Ling Mohan remained silent for a long time, she asked impatiently, "Are you going or not?"
"I will accompany you tomorrow," Ling Mohan said in a heavy voice. He paused, then stood up and said, "Get some rest early. I'll head back to my room."
After Ling Mohan left, Cai Qing entered the room with a tray of food. "Young Madam, the meal is ready. It's all prepared according to your instructions."
Smelling the aroma of the food, Feng Jin's stomach rumbled instantly. She dug into the meal with relish.
"By the way, did Second Master Ling send the money?"
"He sent it. It was a full ten thousand taels of silver notes," Cai Qing said in surprise. She had never seen so much money before.
Second Master Ling was indeed wealthy, it seemed he hadn't skimped on his corruption over the years.
However, with these ten thousand taels, their pressing need was resolved.
The next morning, people from all the branches gathered at the entrance of the East Courtyard to collect their monthly stipends.
"Young Madam, they're all gathered at the East Courtyard..."
Cai Qing looked slightly worried. The Second and Third branches had all arrived, and it was evident they were up to no good.
"What's there to fear? I am the one in charge of the household now. You are the head maid of the mistress of the household, a person of status. You must maintain your composure later."