"Nonsense! That is nothing but alarmist drivel. I have never heard of any bloodsucking worm!" Empress Jian snapped. She turned to the imperial physicians. "What can you do?"
The imperial physicians all lowered their heads. Everything Hu Xiaotian had said was utterly unheard of to them. The bird that stuck its head out got shot; under these circumstances, none of them dared step forward.
"A pack of useless fools!" Empress Jian raged. "You never take a copper less of your salaries and rewards, yet when it matters, you are no help whatsoever. Why do we keep useless fools like you?" She turned to the eunuch beside her. "Have you contacted Mister Ren?"
"No," the eunuch replied. "There has been no word from Miss Qin either."
Cold sweat covered Empress Jian's forehead. Listening to the emperor's incessant howls, she felt her thoughts tangle like a skein of hemp. All her status and glory had been bestowed by him. If anything happened to him, her position would inevitably suffer.
Empress Jian paced back and forth, unable to make up her mind.
Ji Feihua watched her coldly. Since arriving at Xuanwei Palace, he had barely spoken, as though he were an outsider. The way things were unfolding struck him as increasingly interesting.
Empress Jian summoned her personal eunuch, Zhao Jinxi, and gave him a few instructions in a low voice.
In those few moments, Long Yelin's condition worsened further, his howls growing louder and louder. Hu Xiaotian cupped his hands toward Empress Jian. "His Majesty's health is paramount. Please make your decision soon, Your Majesty."
Empress Jian looked toward Ji Feihua, forcibly suppressing the hatred in her heart. "Eunuch Ji, what do you think?"
"His Majesty's well-being concerns the very foundations of Great Kang," Ji Feihua replied. "I dare not speak rashly. Your