章 2: The painful memories (II)

The palace

"War reports!! War reports!!" A eunuch entered the court in a rush. The emperor who was sitting on the golden throne shoot a curious look towards the running eunuch.

"Speak!" the emperor inquired. A silent engulfed the whole court. The ministers were all waiting for the urgent news.

"Your majesty, Prince of Dai had successfully eliminated all the enemies. However, his Highness was... was... was contracted with bizarre poison on the way back."

The news was like a series of lightning plunging their entire beings. The temperature dropped and coldness seeped into their beating heart. Their mind froze as they were unable to properly dissect the news.

The Emperor stood up, unmoving like a pillar of stone. His demeanor of a dragon dissipated as his pupils contracted a grim look. He was like the devil scrutinizing his victim. The eunuch shivered, fear crept in his soul.

"Where is the Prince?" The Emperor asked, stern.

"Your Majesty, his Highness is in the prince's Residence. Physician Lu has come to look at his Highness condition." The eunuch reported, trembling.

The ground shook as the Emperor descended from his golden throne. All the ministers timidly followed behind. They knew how important the prince of Dai to his majesty. It was evident when the Emperor had decreed him as the Crown Prince, eliminating those against him.

But, no one wanted to falsify his Majesty's decision. The imperial families, the ministers, commoners as well as servants regarded the prince an existence that was unrivaled. His Highness capabilities were remarkable. He was able to stand at the top of the continent at the early age of 14. His highness contribution to maintaining the peace of the Han Dynasty was irrefutable.

"Your Majesty!" Fu Ya who was storming her way through to reach the Prince's residence came across the Emperor and immediately bowed.

"Ya Er, you? How come you are here?" The Emperor was shocked to see her son's betrothed. He immediately held her shoulders urging her to stand up. "Your Majesty, Fu Ya came to see the Prince." She replied with hesitancy in her voice. "I'm here to see him too. It's good that you are here. Come!" The Emperor prompted her to tag along. Fu Ya nodded as she matched the Emperor's swift-paced.

All the ministers who saw the interaction between the Emperor and the lady known as Fu Ya immediately understood. Everyone was aware of the fact that the Imperial family was doting on Lady Fu Ya especially after the announcement of the betrothal between the prince of Dai and the Young Miss from the Fu clan.

The prince's residence

"Physician Lu, his Majesty is here." A eunuch ran inside the prince chamber to announce the arrival of the Emperor. Physician Lu, a man with a long beard was startled. He rose from the bedside to welcome the arrival of the emperor. His livid expression foretold the worst kind of situation.

"Long live your majesty!" Physician Lu courteously kneeled and bowed. A sign of reverence to the Emperor of the Han Dynasty.

"Old Lu, how is my son?" The Emperor asked, positioning himself at the bedside and held the prince's hand with utmost care. His face was sullen as if feeling the pain, the prince was going through.

"Your Majesty, forgive your lowly servant for his incompetence. This servant could not detect the origin of the poison. His...his highness blood was as per normal but his pulses were in chaos. All my medicines were not able to cure the Prince's sickness." Physician Lu kneeled and kowtowed. He was aggrieved at his poor ability to cure the prince.

Fu Ya whose standing at the entrance unable to believe her eyes and ears; stepped forward.

"What..what happened to the prince?" Asked her, demanding an answer. She fixed her gaze at the kneeling physician.

"Lady Fu, his Highness was poisoned. My abilities were subpar. I failed." Physician Lu answered with his body trembling from guilt.

"No... no..." Fu ya flopped onto the floor as she listened to Physician Lu's explanation. "Physician Lu, you are the imperial most trusted aid, is there really no prescriptions that could cure his highness?" Fu Ya gathered her strength and asked.

"Lady Fu, forgive me for my lack of ability. I really have no way to cure his highness" The words spoken sting. Fu ya felt a sharp pain continuously stabbing her flesh. She wanted to stand up but she felt so weak she stumbled. Xi Lao caught her young miss and slowly supported her as she stepped toward the prince who was lying on his bed with his eyes closed. His handsome face was pale. His masculine lips were dry. Fu ya couldn't hold her tears and cry.

"Ya er, Liu Heng is still alive. Let's not lose hope."

The Emperor patted Fu Ya's back trying to comfort her. Even so, the emperor couldn't help but felt a bit lost. What if his son couldn't make it alive?

"Old Lu, what's the verdict?" The Emperor asked and shoot a look that caused physician Lu to feel fear. The chamber went quiet. No one dared to make a sound. No one was braved enough to lift their faces. Physician Lu trembled even more. Still, he answered.

"Your Majesty, this lowly servant couldn't cure his Highness's sickness. I'm afraid no one in this continent would be able to cure this poison. I fear tonight his Highness will..."

"Stop! Please." Fu Ya screamed in tears. She had felt Liu Heng pulses and knew exactly what Physician Lu meant. The pulse told her that tonight would be the last.