Chapter 292: Writing Invitations

Chapter 292: Writing the Invitation

Ling Feng, who had been waiting by the door, immediately stepped forward. His Adam's apple bobbed as he asked hoarsely, "Doctor, how is the young master...?"

The old physician let out a heavy sigh. "He's alive... for now.

But there was already stubborn, built-up poison entrenched in his system. This time, his emotions were so violently agitated that the poison erupted fiercely, attacking his heart and lungs directly...

Though I managed to temporarily suppress the poison with acupuncture and medicine, in the end... it's damaged his very core."

He paused, not looking at the suddenly deathly pale faces around him, and said in a low voice:

"His internal organs are severely damaged, the poison has run deep. I'm afraid his life has been shortened. With careful care, he might have about a year left.

From now on, he must rest quietly and keep his mind at ease. He can't exert himself mentally, get upset, or have strong emotions anymore. Otherwise... not even a reincarnated Hua Tuo could save him."

His words were like ice water in the depths of winter, chilling everyone to the bone. One year... only one year left?

Funiang turned away, quickly dabbing the corner of her eye with her sleeve, struggling to hold back her sobs:

"We've noted everything. Thank you for your trouble, doctor. I've had a meal and hot soup prepared. Please rest in the guest room for a while."

She signaled a servant to lead the way. The old physician sighed and shuffled away.

Funiang turned back into the room, where the mingled smell of medicine and blood grew stronger.

Lü Rou sat by the bed, wringing out a warm cloth, carefully wiping the cold sweat that kept beading on Cheng Ge's forehead and temples.

"Ling Feng," Funiang lowered her voice, "is there any way to reach His Majesty now?"

Ling Feng's lips parted, but he just shook his head, defeated.

"All the main routes into and out of Yuanzhou, both visible and hidden, have been sealed off by Lian Wujing's men. The messengers we sent earlier have also vanished without a trace."

Lü Rou, eyes brimming with tears, whispered urgently, "Then what about the general? There's no way he'd just sit by and do nothing!"

Ling Feng said nothing—the implication was obvious.

Just then, Cheng Ge's eyelashes fluttered almost imperceptibly.

His dry, chapped lips parted slightly, letting out a barely audible sound.

Then, his eyes, which had been shut tight for days, slowly cracked open.

Blurry light seeped in, and the first thing he saw was the familiar pattern of the bed canopy.

He heard Lü Rou's choked sobbing: "Young master! Young master, you're awake?! Thank goodness! The heavens be praised!"

Hearing the commotion, Funiang and Ling Feng also quickly gathered by the bed, watching him nervously.

But Cheng Ge only stared blankly at a certain spot on the canopy, his expression dazed.

Seeing him so lost and vacant, their hearts ached. For a moment, everyone fell silent.

Funiang shared a look of concern with Lü Rou and Ling Feng.

In the end, they didn't dare say anything more. They carefully tucked in the corner of his blanket.

Then, on tiptoe, they slipped out of the room and stood silently guard in the outer room, barely breathing, afraid to disturb him.

Only Cheng Ge remained in the room, alone with that hollow, unsettling silence.

The sun rose and set twice; shadows crept silently across the window lattice.

Two days later, just before dawn, a pale light seeped through the window, thinning the heavy smell of medicine.

The door that had been sealed shut for two days gently opened from within.

Cheng Ge stood in the doorway. He looked thinner, frailer. His face was an almost translucent white, and the dark circles under his eyes were so deep they seemed permanent.

He lifted his head slightly, gazing at the gray-blue sky above the courtyard.

His eyes were still and deep, like an ancient well with no hint of ripples.

Lü Rou, who had been keeping watch outside, was startled awake from her light doze.

She quickly grabbed a thick cloak that had been prepared, rushed over, and said with concern, "Young master, the morning chill is heavy. Why did you come out?"

She stood on tiptoe and draped the warm cloak over his thin shoulders.

Cheng Ge obediently bowed his head and slowly pulled the cloak's ties tight.

He turned to look at Lü Rou. For the first time in days, his listless eyes finally held a flicker of focus.

His voice was raspy from disuse, but it cut through the silent morning mist.

"Sister Lü Rou," he said, "I'm hungry."

When Funiang and the others heard this, they were stunned for a moment, then nearly wept with joy. They quickly responded:

"Yes! Of course! It's been ready, kept warm on the stove. I'll bring it right away!"

Soon, the table was laden with Cheng Ge's favorite dishes.

He walked over, sat down, picked up his chopsticks without a word, and began to eat in silence.

The room was eerily quiet, the only sounds the chewing and occasional clink of bowls.

He ate mouthful after mouthful, barely pausing, stuffing food into his mouth.

His cheeks bulged, and swallowing seemed to take effort.

Funiang and Lü Rou watched from the side, their eyes full of heartache and worry, but they dared not disturb him.

Finally, after finishing most of a bowl of congee and several dishes, he stopped abruptly.

His Adam's apple bobbed violently. He turned his head and couldn't suppress a dry heave, his face instantly turning even paler.

"Young master!" Lü Rou cried out, stepping forward to pat his back and help him breathe.

Cheng Ge took a sip of tea, recovered for a moment, then picked up his chopsticks again.

He finished the last bite, set down his chopsticks, and wiped the corner of his mouth with a handkerchief.

He looked up at Ling Feng, who had been waiting by the side, and asked in a calm, flat voice: "What's the situation outside?"

Ling Feng looked grim. He stepped forward and said in a low voice:

"Young master, over in Wei County... Lian Wujing has spread a rumor, saying that... The County Magistrate conspired with foreign traitors, intended to betray the country and rebel. After being exposed, out of fear of implicating his entire clan, he set fire to the compound and committed suicide."

Cheng Ge listened with no expression on his face, and simply asked calmly: "Have the bodies been properly prepared?"

Ling Feng nodded. "I sent someone discreetly. They have... they've been taken care of."

"Mm." Cheng Ge responded almost inaudibly. Then, Ling Feng changed the topic, his tone turning more grave.

"Those commoners who came to file complaints earlier... Lian Wujing's men arrested them."

Cheng Ge's fingers tightened around the teacup almost imperceptibly for a moment, his knuckles turning pale.

He paused, then just nodded, his voice still calm: "Understood."

He then asked: "Any word from His Majesty?"

Ling Feng shook his head gravely, the unspoken meaning obvious.

Cheng Ge said nothing after hearing this, lowering his gaze to the empty bowl before him.

Minutes ticked by, until finally—

"Ling Feng, draft the invitations."

Ling Feng was startled. "Young Master?"

"Invite every notable official in Chengping Province. Tell them—"

He paused, then said slowly: "I'm hosting a banquet."