Xue Ye Coughed Blood, Tang San Sealed the Poison

The guard had barely finished speaking when Xue Qinghe rose to his feet.

"Lead the way."

He walked quickly. His wide sleeve fell over the bloodstained half of the Golden Feather, hiding it again. Yuan Yu did not ask about it there. He followed with Tang San and Ning Rongrong.

The Royal Knights had surrounded Emperor Xue Ye's chambers.

Prince Xue Xing stood before the doors, with a pale-faced Xue Beng behind him. More than a dozen imperial physicians knelt below the steps, their medicine chests all open. No one was allowed to leave.

The moment Xue Xing saw Xue Qinghe, he raised a hand to block his path.

"His Majesty gave orders before he lost consciousness. No one but Mr. Dugu and the imperial physicians may enter."

Xue Qinghe said grimly, "My father is critically ill. I cannot see him even as Crown Prince?"

"Precisely because you are Crown Prince, you should stay outside."

The guards on both sides gripped their weapons. Xue Beng hid behind Xue Xing. His usual spoiled swagger had vanished, and his eyes stayed fixed on Xue Qinghe.

Ning Rongrong stepped forward. "Tang San knows medicine. Let him examine His Majesty. He can hardly do worse than the physicians kneeling here."

Xue Xing refused to yield. "The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect may enter. You two cannot."

He meant Tang San and Yuan Yu.

Yuan Yu took the Sun Wheel Blade from his waist and handed it, sheath and all, to a nearby guard. "I won't go in. Tang San will go in to save him, and Dugu Bo can watch him the entire time. If Your Highness still isn't satisfied, you can put him in chains."

"Yuan Yu!" Tang San turned toward him.

"A chain won't stop you. Just get through the door first."