He Nanfeng got in the carriage and swaggered his way to Sheng Songyan's mansion. However, when he got out of the carriage, his face was deathly pale, and he was barely breathing. His attendant tumbled out of the carriage and rushed to bang on the door, crying and pleading with the servants of the Prince of Qishan's mansion to save his master.
Sheng Songyan rushed out in a hurry. When he saw He Nanfeng, supported by his attendants and almost lifeless, he was greatly shocked and immediately asked, "Nanfeng, what on earth happened?"
The attendant sobbed as he tried to explain the whole story, but his words were all jumbled up: "It was originally said that after receiving the family punishment, we could separate from the main family... But who would have thought they'd go back on their word later... These twenty strokes of the family rod were already quite severe, and no doctor was called in time... Young master is on the verge of death... Your Highness, please save our young master..."
Although the Prince of Qishan's mansion was a princely residence, it was not located as close to the imperial city as other mansions. Instead, its location was even worse than that of an ordinary marquis or earl's mansion. It was basically in the center of the capital, close to the areas where common people lived.
The attendant's exaggerated account piqued the curiosity of many neighbors, who craned their necks to eavesdrop on this astonishing piece of gossip.
Sheng Songyan looked anxious on the surface, but in fact, he calmly gave the order: "What are you waiting for? Carry him in. Someone, go and fetch Doctor Liu."
When he walked up to He Nanfeng, Sheng Songyan was a bit skeptical. As he supported He Nanfeng, his hand accidentally touched He Nanfeng's wrist. To his great shock, he tried his best to steady himself and quickly carried He Nanfeng inside.
Doctor Liu examined He Nanfeng, prescribed some medicine, and then carefully instructed: "This young master has suffered extremely serious injuries. He needs to be well-nourished, but we can't give him tonics right away. We should slowly condition his body, and he should not overwork himself in the coming days."
Only then did He Nanfeng wake up. Perhaps the pain was too much for him, and he didn't even have the strength to speak.
Sheng Songyan knew he was in pain and pressed him down to prevent him from getting up. He told the attendant to help He Nanfeng drink the medicine and then asked, "How could you be injured so badly? Did your uncle really lay such a heavy hand on you?"
He Nanfeng squinted his eyes slightly and sneered: "Sure enough, His Highness the Prince of Yu guessed correctly. The He family can no longer tolerate me."
Sheng Songyan's eyelids twitched: "What are you going to do?"
He Nanfeng raised his head and gulped down the medicine in one go. It was bitterly unpleasant, but he didn't even wrinkle his brow: "I've endured humiliation for so long. In the past, it was for my grandfather. It's already been four years since my grandfather passed away, and I no longer have any burdens. I didn't have to be injured this badly today. It was all on purpose. One reason was to make the main family and him fall out of favor with each other. The other reason was to pave the way for the future."
He was already weak, and having said so much in one breath, he was already feeling overwhelmed. He leaned against the bed and tried his best to catch his breath.
It was not until evening that Sheng Jinyu came. Looking at He Nanfeng, who was so weak on the bed, her face darkened: "I've told you to pay attention to your safety. Is there any poison?"
Sheng Songyan explained: "There's no poison. The injury is severe and has affected his internal organs. He needs to be nursed back to health."
Sheng Jinyu asked coldly: "What happened?"
He Nanfeng, however, smiled: "If you want to catch tiger cubs, you must enter the tiger's den. This is just the first step. Even if I were to lose my life..."
"Do you think everything will be okay if you lose your life?" Sheng Jinyu's tone was tinged with anger. "He Nanfeng, I've said that you must never act on your own initiative. We need to act quickly, but Sheng Chenyi and the others won't just sit back and do nothing. At present, my power is insufficient. If I were to lose my wings, not only would I be unable to avenge you, but I myself would also be in great danger."
He Nanfeng was shocked. Ignoring the pain, he quickly asked: "What do you mean, Your Highness? Are you saying that even this won't work? They dared to do such heinous things back then, and now Lu Hongxi is overturning the case... Lu Hongxi would never protect the evildoers..."
Sheng Jinyu walked over to the table and sat down. She poured herself a cup of tea and ignored He Nanfeng's anxiety.
Sheng Songyan patted He Nanfeng on the shoulder: "Nanfeng, you were indeed a bit too hasty this time. But it's okay. I have all kinds of medicinal herbs here. It's just a matter of how long it will take for you to recover."
He Nanfeng was extremely anxious and ignored Sheng Songyan's consolation. He only chased after Sheng Jinyu and asked: "Your Highness, can't we bring him to justice this time?"
Sheng Jinyu looked up at him: "As long as Sheng Chenyi is safe, the He family will be fine. I told you to listen to Lu Wanning. I wanted you to find a way to separate from the main family so that when the He family collapses in the future, you won't be affected. I didn't tell you to act recklessly."
He Nanfeng was extremely disappointed. Lying in bed, his eyes were red. He looked up at the ceiling and said: "I... I'm unfilial. I can't avenge my parents..."
Sheng Songyan advised: "Nanfeng, everything has to be done step by step. We've been biding our time for so long. A year or two more won't matter."
He Nanfeng pursed his lips. After a long time, he continued: "Now I finally understand what Your Highness meant when you said that being infatuated with love would make one weak... Your Highness, my current situation is unclear, but the engagement with the Jiang family is still on. I'm afraid..."
Sheng Songyan was greatly shocked: "No way. You've only been engaged to Jiang Shishi for less than ten days, and you're already going to break off the engagement?"
He Nanfeng glared at him: "When did I say I was going to break off the engagement? I meant... Your Highness, my current situation is not good, and I'm unable to take care of the Jiang family. But I'm afraid the He family will do something unfavorable to the Jiang family, especially Jiang Shishi. Please help me and take good care of Jiang Shishi."
Sheng Songyan was dissatisfied: "Nanfeng, we're brothers after all. It's just a matter of taking care of a woman. Does it have to be Jinyu? Can't I help you?"
"You can't."
Sheng Songyan was extremely angry. He pointed at himself and asked: "You don't trust my ability?"
Then he suddenly realized: "No, Nanfeng. You mean you're worried that I'll do something to Miss Jiang? I still understand the principle of not making advances on a friend's fiancée. And I'm not that picky. I don't like such a frail girl at all!"
"That would be best."
He Nanfeng replied without hesitation, which made Sheng Songyan jump with anger.
Sheng Jinyu let them bicker while she concentrated on her thoughts.
Sheng Songyan felt wronged and ran up to Sheng Jinyu and asked: "Jinyu, won't you stand up for me? I may be a bit of a ladies' man, but I'm not that kind of person, okay?"
Sheng Jinyu looked up but said something else: "Sheng Chenyi thinks that by bringing out the Prince of Xiao, he can solve this matter. But how many complicated relationships are there behind a Prince of Xiao? I'm not in a hurry. I'll take it step by step. Sheng Chenyi, you don't have many chess pieces left. You only have me. I'll slowly eliminate you."
Just then, the voice of an attendant came from outside the door: "Your Highness, Her Majesty the Empress Dowager has summoned you to the palace."
Sheng Jinyu sipped her tea slowly. After a long time, she smiled and said: "Go to the palace? I'm not available. Go and tell her that I fainted yesterday and am not feeling well. I need to rest."
Sheng Songyan disapprovingly knocked on the table: "Jinyu, what have you been waiting for all this time? Now the Empress Dowager is terminally ill. Why do you have to be like this..."
"Why do I have to be like this? I'll settle all the old scores one by one today!"