Chapter 27 (1/2)

When Ying Yan Long was taken away by the imperial guards, the last warmth of the end of Autumn had just faded.

At the same time, the first snow of early winter had arrived.

From morning until evening, Hua Ming Zi would be busy and even her bath time was arranged by Cui Xuan because it was only during that time she would get to take a short rest, then take her medicine and eat her meal before going to sleep.  Hua Ming Zi worked hard because she knew that she had to bear responsibility for the Hua Family and also the Ying Family, so she must not fail.

After Ying Yan Long left, there was no more news.  Steward Zhu, asked their spy in the palace to find out and he came back with the news that Ying Yan Long was kept in the palace prison due to Concubine Xu's accusation.  As this was a matter concerning the harem, it was given to Imperial Consort Luo to interrogate first and the Emperor would personally deal with this matter later when he has the time.

Since this matter involved Luo Ji Cai's sister who is Imperial Consort Luo, Hua Ming Zi's heart became a bit steadier.

At least now she knows who the enemy is.  Now she only hopes that Ying Yan Long will be able to survive during this period of time.  She hopes what Steward Zhu said is correct.......that the Emperor will take into consideration the Ying Family's magical and mysterious potpourri of medicines and give Ying Yan Long a chance to clear himself.

However, Ying Yan Long is a person who attended to everything personally.   Since he had disappeared for the last seven days, the people outside would soon become suspicious.  After a discussion was held between Hua Ming Zi and Steward Zhu it was decided that the people outside would be given the information Ying Yan Long had gone on a trip in search of medicine.  Anyway, Ying Yan Long would usually travel several times a year in search of medicine and it would not raise any suspicion.

What Hua Ming Zi did not understand was.........if Steward Zhu's words are really true...... that the Ying Family's Medical Hall had frequently produced medicine for the palace and acquired merits for their achievements and the Emperor had always treated him differently.........why is it that the people they planted in the palace said the Emperor is not free to interrogate Ying Yan Long now?

Can it be the Emperor is still in Qingcheng Mountain Villa?  Then.......how is the situation with Brother Mei?

The moment when she thought of these matters, as well as the cruel torture that Ying Yan Long may be suffering in the palace prison......... originally, Hua Ming Zi who was looking through the account books, closed the books and clutched her chest through her clothes as if a knife was stabbed into her heart.

Four days ago, she had sent a eunuch with medicine to Ying Yan Long and the eunuch had reported back that he was still alive.  The only downside was Ying Yan Long had grown very skinny with only bones and skin left.  He had only gone in for a few days and he had turned into this.

How do they torture people in prison?

Hua Ming Zi got up abruptly and decided to look for Steward Zhu to ask him about the latest situation.  Usually, a little after shens.h.i.+*, Steward Zhu would come to give her a report.

(Shens.h.i.+ is one of the twelve two-hourly sectors in a day and it is the time between 3pm - 5pm.)

But today, why is he still not here yet?  Can it be that something had happened to the investigation on Luo Ji Cai?  They already have all the evidence about Luo Ji Cai secretly selling off the treasures that the Emperor had gifted him, isn't that right?  In addition, they also have the evidence of Prime Minister Luo's wild ambition and the reason why Concubine Xu is accusing Ying Yan Long.  With all the evidence in hand, they can certainly prove that Luo Ji Cai is involved.  Now, they are only waiting for the opportunity to present all the evidence to the Emperor, ah........

She wanted to call for Cui Yu and then remembered they all went back to Hua Mansion to pick up something for her.  They still needed a sichen before they were due to return, so she got up and walked towards the door.

Outside, a gust of cold breeze blew past and she s.h.i.+vered.  She picked up her cloak and put it on, then shrinking her body she walked out of the door.  Although her wounds had healed in good condition but ever since she was injured, she was afraid of the cold.  Regardless of whether it was day or night, the charcoal fire in her chamber must be kept going to make the chamber warm.  In the past, even when it was in winter, the palms of her hands would still feel hot.

On such a cold day, will anyone be there to add charcoal and firewood to keep Ying Yan Long warm in prison?   Can it be there is not even a charcoal fire for him?  How long can he survive in such conditions?

Doctor Di and the Divine Doctor has been in the palace for a long time, surely they can say something for him, right?

She must ask Steward Zhu to make arrangements for her to meet with them so see what more can be done.  Or she can ask whether the spy in the palace can send another batch of medicine to Ying Yan Long so that he can survive until the day he meets the Emperor.

Or......Hua Ming Zi caressed the white jade bracelet on her wrist and suddenly, she halted her footsteps.

Mei Yi Wen had once said that if she is in trouble, she can take this white jade bracelet to a p.a.w.nshop on East Street, outside the Imperial City and look for someone by the name of Jin Fu Lai for help.

Originally, she did not put the words of Mei Yi Wen in her heart.  Moreover, Ying Yan Long already had his own spy planted in the palace.  However, if there is still no news of Ying Yan Long, she will have to try everything possible.

She quickened her footsteps.  She just wanted to go through the long corridor quickly to reach the main hall and look for Steward Zhu.

”You cried until you look like this.......later if Hua Dangjia sees you, how will you explain.......”

Hua Ming Zi halted her footsteps and silently moved back to the corner to listen to the voice of Xue Wen who was comforting someone, drifting from the study.

”Impossible.......it's impossible.......my Elder Sister is still so young.”  The choking voice which was crying and talking belonged to Qian Ying Ying.  ”She is still so young.......how is it possible that she can't live for more than two years?”

Hua Ming Zi looked at the corner of the wall in a frozen state of mind and was unable to gather her thoughts.

Is Ying Ying talking about her?  She is not able to live for more than two years?

”The reason I told you this, is not because I want you to feel sad but I just want you to come over more often to keep her company.  My Elder Brother.......told me that in the beginning, they could not stop Hua Dangjia's bleeding, so they had to use the Double Autumn Pill to stop it.  However, although this Double Autumn Pill has the ability to stop the bleeding, there are a few poisonous herbs in the medicine that still have no antidote.  That is the reason why she can only live for two more Autumns.”

So.......that is the reason.  No wonder she could survive when she was so seriously injured.  No wonder when Ying Xue Wen heard of her marriage with Ying Yan Long, he was depressed but he did not make a ruckus and only looked at her with sympathy in his eyes.

But......what was Ying Yan Long thinking about?  She can only live for two more Autumns and he still wants to marry her.  Why go through all the ha.s.sle?

Hua Ming Zi hugged herself tightly as her body trembled and she tried to fight off the threatening tears.  To be able to obtain the heart of such a person like Ying Yan Long, she did not have any regrets in life but she did not expect her life to be so short.

Once she is gone, what will happen to the Hua Family?  What will Ying Yan Long do?  She is really unable to accept with only just so few days left.........

She slowly slipped down the wall and finally crouching down on the ground, she let her tears streamed down her face.

”Then you should find the antidote for her!  Isn't Ying Family's Medical Hall the best in medicine?!”  From inside the study, Qian Ying Ying's voice could be heard faintly.

”Do you think it is so easy?!  The 'Double Autumn' Pill and the other 'Hundred Returns' Pill are medicines of the Emperor.  From that private collection, my Elder Brother had used one pill on her, and it is already considered a crime of deceit to the Emperor......... ”  The loud voice of Ying Xue Wen suddenly became m.u.f.fled as if his mouth was covered.

”Shut up!  Can this matter be spoken so loudly?!”

When Hua Ming Zi heard the angry voice of Qian Ying Ying, her lips suddenly curved into a smile.........Ying Ying had certainly turned smarter.  It looks like she will become a good a.s.sistant to Xue Wen.

In this life, her own marriage may not become a reality but at least she had successfully made a marriage match for these two people.