Boom—
Lightning struck one corner of the hall, making the roof tiles hum and tremble.
Not only that—several more bolts of lightning struck the palace buildings in succession.
Crack—boom—
Thunder rumbled on and on, shaking the very earth. Lightning fire ignited one corner of the purple curtain.
"Put out the fire—"
Countless screams rose around them. The serving eunuchs rushed forward frantically, only to see the Emperor lying motionless on the imperial couch. Drawing near, they found his expression twisted and his face deathly blue.
"Your Majesty!"
Zhao Bingzhong, the chief eunuch in attendance, immediately shouted sharply.
"What are you panicking for? Stand properly!"
"Silence!" Zhao Bingzhong barked at the eunuchs. Skillfully supporting the Emperor upright, he saw the Emperor clenching his teeth tightly and immediately understood.
"His Majesty's old ailment has flared up!"
"Listen to yourselves, screaming and shouting. What kind of decorum is this?"
"Bring the medicine, quickly!"
His calm manner swiftly restored order within the hall.
Several young eunuchs carried over medicine cases. Zhao Bingzhong examined them, then selected a porcelain bottle.
Its label read: "Life Dew Draught."
When the beeswax seal was removed, a fresh, fragrant scent immediately spread through the air.
With a gentle sniff, the vapor entered through nose and mouth, flowed down into the chest and abdomen, and seemed to softly cleanse the five viscera and six bowels, bringing a faint breath of life.
As expected of a secret medicine of the Daoist Sect.
After pouring an entire bottle down the Emperor's throat, some color returned to his pale face, yet he still did not awaken.
His symptoms had worsened!
Zhao Bingzhong's heart dropped with a thud, and cold sweat broke out in his hands and feet.
He wasn't about to pass away, was he?
Prince Qi was still outside the palace city!