While the matter was somewhat perilous, it also yielded some gains. The antidote had now been concocted. As long as the poison in Emperor Xuanwen could be resolved, their chances of victory would be immense.
"It's just... although the antidote is ready, it still lacks a crucial ingredient," Feng Jin expressed her worries, her eyes cast down, appearing greatly troubled.
"Hurry and tell me, what is the ingredient you need? I will go find it immediately, and I will surely retrieve it for you."
Seeing Feng Jin hesitate and remain silent, Chu Chenyi could no longer suppress his impatience and urgently asked what ingredient was missing, making it sound so mysteriously veiled.
"Actually... the reason I kept Prince Jing behind was because this ingredient is within Prince Jing himself."
If Chu Chenyi had been confused about Feng Jin's intentions before, he was now completely bewildered, utterly unaware of what Feng Jin was plotting.
"The ingredient is on me, but I have nothing on me."
Even the eunuch attire he wore was changed temporarily when he entered. He had absolutely nothing on his person, and he truly couldn't fathom what ingredient Feng Jin was referring to.
"This ingredient requires the blood and flesh of a close relative. It's made by boiling the blood and flesh of one's closest kin, and only by mixing it with the antidote and taking it together can it be truly effective. That is why I insisted on Prince Jing staying."
These words were merely something she had suddenly thought of and fabricated, all with the aim of moving Emperor Xuanwen with Chu Chenyi's filial piety the moment he awoke. Only then could it form a stark contrast with Chu Yanxi's rebellion, allowing Emperor Xuanwen to recognize who was truly pure and filial, see through the true nature of the villain Yanxi, and clearly determine who was the rightful heir to the throne.
Without any hesitation, Chu Chenyi nodded in agreement, "It's just some blood and flesh. As long as it can wake up Father Emperor, let alone blood and flesh, even my life, I wouldn't bat an eye."
As his words fell, Chu Chenyi directly rolled up his sleeve. With a heavy heart, he cut a piece of flesh from his arm with a dagger. Blood immediately streamed down his arm. Even Feng Jin, the instigator, couldn't help but turn her head away at the sight of such a bloody scene.
It had to be said that Chu Chenyi was truly ruthless. The cut was incredibly deep and precise, without any reservation. Feng Jin quickly stepped forward to bandage Chu Chenyi's wound, wrapping it so elaborately that one would think his arm was about to be severed.
"There. By leaving your wound exposed like this, it will facilitate faster healing."
Feng Jin deliberately left Chu Chenyi's injured arm fully visible. Anyone with eyes would guess what had happened the moment they saw Chu Chenyi. She didn't believe that when Emperor Xuanwen awoke and saw this scene, he wouldn't be deeply moved. Even a heart of stone should melt.
After Feng Jin had finished brewing the medicine, she placed the antidote in Emperor Xuanwen's mouth and then poured in the brewed medicinal soup. Only after he had taken the medicine did Feng Jin finally exhale a sigh of relief. Fortunately, it was discovered early, and the poison wasn't too deep. Had it been delayed for another day or two, even an immortal would have been unable to save Emperor Xuanwen's life.
"Is that all? Is there anything else to be done?" Chu Chenyi looked at Feng Jin, his gaze somewhat dazed and filled with confusion.
"No more is needed. You just need to stay here and guard His Majesty. If anything happens, call for help immediately."
After speaking, Feng Jin stood up. She was utterly exhausted and could no longer continue guarding. At this moment, all she wanted was to find a place to sit down and rest for a while. Chu Chenyi readily agreed and quickly urged Feng Jin to leave, assuring her he could handle these minor matters.
"You must be diligent and absolutely do not let your mind wander..." After a few more unassured instructions, Feng Jin quietly turned and left.
"How is it? Is His Majesty in any serious danger?" The Empress Dowager had also been waiting anxiously outside, not leaving her side. Seeing Feng Jin emerge, she hurried over, supported by Granny Qin. As his only biological son, the Empress Dowager had poured all her lifelong efforts into Emperor Xuanwen. Even if her son wasn't as capable as she hoped, a mother's heart still worried for her child.
"Please rest assured, Your Majesty. His Majesty has already taken the medicine, and with Prince Jing guarding him, I believe nothing will go wrong. He should awaken within a short time. Your Majesty, you have been tired for so long; you should also rest a while and not wear yourself out." Feng Jin also worried about the Empress Dowager's health and quickly helped her walk, urging her to go and rest. Now that Emperor Xuanwen was temporarily out of danger, they couldn't afford for the Empress Dowager to fall ill as well.
"Yes, Your Majesty, please go and rest. This old servant has already told you, His Majesty has a benevolent fate and will surely be fine. You must take care of yourself and absolutely cannot fall ill." Granny Qin also worried about the Empress Dowager's health and echoed Feng Jin's words. Since His Majesty fell ill, the Empress Dowager had been guarding here without leaving. Enduring like this, even an iron man would collapse, let alone the Empress Dowager, whose health was already poor. It would be a disaster if she were to fall ill again because of this matter.
Upon learning that Emperor Xuanwen was temporarily out of danger, the Empress Dowager slowly relaxed her tense heart. She finally sat down, as her confidante suggested, ate something, and rested for a while. Now that Emperor Xuanwen's matter was resolved, the entire palace was still under Chu Yanxi's control. They couldn't just sit and wait for disaster to strike.
"Now, the imperial palace, inside and out, is entirely under the control of Chu Yanxi and the Empress. Half of the officials in the capital have also pledged allegiance to Chu Yanxi. We have very few people left whom we can trust and rely on. We must quickly find a way to send a message out and seek help!" The Empress Dowager sat upright in her chair, her concerns also for everyone's safety. At this point, their only reliance was Ling Mohan, but how could a message be sent out with spies everywhere within and without the palace?