Rushing all the way without a moment's rest, the group finally returned to the palace. Hua Siyun and Ji Yunxi dismounted their horses and hastened non - stop to Hua Qi'an's palace.
Inside the grand hall, imperial physicians were kneeling everywhere.
Maids scurried back and forth, their faces clouded with worry.
Hua Siyun forced herself to stay calm and asked the imperial physicians in a steady voice, "How is Mother?"
The chief imperial physician shuffled forward on his knees and wiped the sweat from his brow. "Your Highness, forgive this old official's incompetence. I can't diagnose what illness Her Majesty has, but she has been in a coma."
Hua Siyun turned to Hua Qi'an's chief eunuch. "You tell me."
The chief eunuch managed to hold his composure and knelt upright. "Your Highness, the Empress Dowager suddenly fainted. The imperial physicians were at a loss. Since Your Highness was out of the city, this old servant took the liberty of seeking many famous doctors, but..."
He lowered his head uneasily, bracing himself for Hua Siyun's wrath.
"Good, very good! With so many of you, you can't even save Her Majesty?!"
Furious, she lashed out. "What use are you in the Northern Di Kingdom!"
Ji Yunxi knew that this was not the time to scold. They had to save Hua Qi'an first. She stepped forward and shook her head at Hua Siyun.
For some reason, Hua Siyun suddenly had great trust in her. Seeing that Ji Yunxi seemed to have something to say, she suppressed her temper and drove everyone out.
"What do you want to say?"
Ji Yunxi patted her on the shoulder comfortingly. "Calm down. Don't be so impatient. I just heard what the imperial physician said. I'm afraid this is not a simple coma. And since we were away, the news of the Empress Dowager's fainting may have spread. You can't panic now."
Hua Siyun looked at her in shock. "You mean..."
"Whether there's another reason for her coma is yet to be determined. But you should know that the court is full of intrigues. I'm afraid many people are still watching you. You must calm down. Threatening these people now is useless. It might even drive them away out of fear, which would be even more dangerous."
Hua Siyun stared blankly as Ji Yunxi paced back and forth, occasionally offering suggestions on stabilizing the court. She stood there stunned.
She never expected Ji Yunxi to share so generously and help her like this.
Even though she had just scolded her unreasonably.
A wave of shame washed over Hua Siyun.
With her mother fainting, she was extremely panicked. Only after hearing Ji Yunxi's words did she realize how far she was from being a qualified princess.
"Can you... stay for a few days?" Hua Siyun said with difficulty. At this moment, she was alone and helpless. Only Feng Xingzhi and Ji Yunxi were the people she trusted the most.
Ji Yunxi nodded without hesitation. "Don't worry. I'll stay."
After settling things in the room, Ji Yunxi walked out of the palace. Seeing Feng Xingzhi waiting at the door, she sighed. "Azhi."
"The situation is not good?"
"The imperial physicians said they couldn't find out the cause. They even invited many famous doctors, but they were all at a loss."
Feng Xingzhi put his arms around her. "I'll send someone to find Jiang Linyin. Don't worry too much."
Ji Yunxi nodded. "Also, send the people from the Dream Flower Pavilion to search. We have many good things."
"I understand. Go."
The two changed their clothes and, still dusty from their journey, went to the Northern Di branch of the Dream Flower Pavilion.
As soon as the steward heard they were coming, he rushed to greet them.
Ji Yunxi had no time for small talk. "Take me to the warehouse."
The steward was a bit confused. He thought Ji Yunxi was here to check the accounts, but he wasn't afraid at all. As the steward of the Northern Di branch, he had always been honest.
When the warehouse door opened and Ji Yunxi saw the mountains of things inside, she felt a headache coming on. "There's too much. Find someone to pick out all the spiritual pills that can nourish the body."
"Ah?" The steward was very surprised and couldn't help but let out a curious exclamation.
Ji Yunxi glanced at him but didn't explain.
The steward immediately lowered his head. Although he felt heartache for these priceless pills, he didn't dare to show it on his face. "Yes, this subordinate will do it right away!"
A group of people quickly got to work. In less than half an incense stick's time, the things Ji Yunxi wanted were packed and sent to the palace with her.
In front of Hua Siyun, Ji Yunxi took out all the pills and summoned all the imperial physicians.
"See if there's anything useful."
The imperial physicians were so shocked that their jaws dropped. The more they rummaged, the more their hands trembled. Who on earth was this person?!
The chief imperial physician, being more experienced, was worried that Ji Yunxi had ulterior motives. Although afraid, he still asked, "Who are you? How could you have these precious spiritual pills?"
Ji Yunxi frowned, annoyed by his rambling. "You don't need to ask anything else. Just pick out the ones suitable for the Empress Dowager and give them to her. I have no other intentions."
The chief imperial physician instinctively looked at Hua Siyun. Seeing her nod, he then began to prepare the medicine.
Sure enough, these were good things. After taking a few pills, Hua Qi'an's pulse gradually became more stable, but she still didn't wake up.
Ji Yunxi knew that they had to get to the root of the matter to truly uncover the secret of her fainting. So she decided to go to the Dream Flower Pavilion again and tell them to investigate.
Just as she was about to leave the door, Hua Siyun shook off the crowd and chased after her.
Gone was her previous princess temper. Now Hua Siyun was extremely sincere towards Ji Yunxi.
The two came to a deserted place, and suddenly Hua Siyun bowed deeply.
Ji Yunxi recognized the gesture and immediately stepped aside. "What are you doing?"
Hua Siyun said, "Ji Yunxi, I've done a lot of wrong things before. I hope you can forgive me."
Ji Yunxi paused. She thought it was because of the pills she had taken out, so she waved her hand. "It doesn't matter. I didn't save people for you."
Hua Siyun shook her head and looked up. "Ji Yunxi, it's not that."
There was a candid smile on her face. "I wasn't just referring to Mother's matter. I've been spoiled since I was born. I thought I was a favored daughter of heaven and deserved the best man in the world. Although my upbringing stopped me from ruining your relationship with Feng Xingzhi, sometimes I still couldn't help but be jealous of you."
Tears welled up in her eyes. "I just realized how stupid I was. I shouldn't have forced my feelings on others, nor should I have expected everything to go as I wished."
Ji Yunxi didn't expect Hua Siyun to say these things. She was a bit shocked but thought that she hadn't misjudged this person.
"Look at me, why am I saying all this? Anyway, I hope you don't take it to heart. From now on, I'll wish you and him a long and happy life together." The sincerity in Hua Siyun's eyes softened Ji Yunxi's heart.
She lowered her head and smiled. "I've never blamed you. Take good care of your mother. Don't worry too much."
After saying that, Ji Yunxi turned around and left. In the distance, Feng Xingzhi was waiting.
Seeing her approach, he instinctively took her hand and walked away into the distance.