Chapter 1, The Awakening from a Great Dream

Your Highness, you are awake?" Hongru's face turned crimson. How could the usually aloof prince, who never showed any kindness to his maids, behave so lightly towards her? Yet, in her heart, there was a flutter of excitement. After so many years of being together day and night, it seemed that the prince truly had some feelings for her.

Doctor Chen remained silent for a long time, and finally arrived at a shocking conclusion: the Seventh Prince's illness seemed to have improved. This realization made him shiver involuntarily. "Hongru, could you ask the others to step back? There are too many people here," he said, seemingly dissatisfied. "The Seventh Prince's illness has not been a matter of one or two days; there is no need for everyone to be so anxious. Do you not trust my medical skills?"

The other green-clad maid beside her, seeing her master in a daze, found it somewhat amusing but dared not show it. She quickly raised the washbasin, knelt down, and said, "This humble servant, Luyin, respectfully invites Your Highness to wash up."

Where exactly is this?" Lian Jun raised his head in confusion, "Am I dreaming?"

"Red as..." Lian Junru uttered a name he had never known before, leaving him momentarily stunned in place. What was happening? He clearly did not recognize her!

As soon as he opened his eyes, he was dazzled by a bright light, wondering where the light came from in his home, which was usually shrouded in darkness. He murmured to himself while rubbing his eyes, only to find that he was in a place he had never been to yet felt incredibly familiar. He almost trembled as he brushed his hand over the intricately carved window frame, the luxurious brocade curtains, and the beautiful smiling face before him

Still without an answer, Hong, unable to bear it any longer, walked up to Lian Junru, rolled up her sleeves, and carefully took the towel, gently assisting her master with the washing. This was a task she often performed; her master spent half the year lying on the sickbed, and such matters were always attended to by her, making it second nature. However, she couldn't shake the feeling that today, the prince seemed somewhat different from usual. This was a task she often performed; her master spent half the year lying on the sickbed, and such matters were always attended to by her, making it second nature. However, she couldn't shake the feeling that today, the prince seemed somewhat different from usual.

Hong Ru recalled carefully and nodded. She immediately realized what Doctor Chen meant, "Did you not guarantee that the medicine in the lotus seed soup would not endanger His Highness's life?" Her expression suddenly became very tense, "Could it be that Noble Consort Yu has changed the poison in the lotus seed soup again?" Her voice rose slightly.

Lian Junru felt that the soft, almost boneless hand was intentionally or unintentionally brushing against his skin, instantly stirring an indescribable sensation within him. His tightly closed eyes could not help but open, revealing a charming face swaying just within reach, everything felt so real. Could it be that this is not a dream? After a brief wash-up, although Lian Junru felt somewhat unaccustomed to rinsing with the green salt, his body cooperated remarkably well, as if it had always been this way.

"Hong Ru, you all may leave now; I will manage here alone with the books and illustrations," said the imperial physician Chen. In the grand palace of Fenghua, who among the palace maids and eunuchs did not wish for a moment of leisure? Suddenly, only Hong Ru and Imperial Physician Chen remained in the vast chamber.

I do not know either," Dr. Chen shook his head, "However, Hong Ru, there is something I must ask you. Has the Concubine Yu from Lingbo Palace sent over any lotus seed soup recently?

"Your Highness, do you have any instructions for this servant?" Hongru finally breathed a sigh of relief, as she had thought her master was possessed. However, the following words made her overturn her previous judgment

What on earth is going on, Lord Chen? Hongru could not help but ask, "This morning, His Highness was clearly fine!"

What do you call me? Lian Junru stammered, but what reached his ears was his completely unfamiliar voice, and he was utterly lost. This is impossible; how could the events of a dream become reality? He couldn't help but smile bitterly, wondering how a poor child could have such an extraordinary experience

Hongru watched every move of Doctor Chen with great anxiety. Ever since she was assigned to serve His Highness the Seventh Prince, she knew that her life was now intertwined with that of this frail and sickly prince. Although he was not highly regarded, she understood that no other prince would treat her with the same gentleness as he did. Every word he spoke seemed to carry a special charm, and she realized that she had likely fallen in love with him. However, this was undoubtedly a fruitless endeavor; her lowly status meant that she probably did not even qualify to be his concubine. Yet, as long as she could remain by his side, that would be enough. "Your Highness, you must not come to any harm. Bodhisattva, I beg you, if there is to be punishment, let it fall upon me instead!" Hongru murmured her prayers.

He had only spoken halfway when he noticed the eyes of Hong filled with surprise and joy, indicating that this young girl was simply too happy. "Don't be too quick to rejoice; the prince's illness has suddenly healed overnight, which is quite suspicious. Coupled with the strange behavior you just mentioned, in my opinion, we need to observe further. However, you absolutely must not let this matter leak out, or the consequences will be unimaginable"

However, at this moment, his brows were furrowed into a deep knot. What was going on? How could the already congested meridians exhibit such a strange phenomenon, suddenly becoming unobstructed? In his many years of medical practice, he had never heard of such a phenomenon; it was truly bizarre. He kept stroking his beard, attempting to find a reasonable explanation.

Hong Ru certainly understood Dr. Chen's meaning. If even the favored concubine Yu, as the biological mother, would conspire to harm her own son for undisclosed purposes, what else could possibly not happen? It is better to remain cautious.

Lian Junru felt that this sleep was incredibly sweet; he once again dreamed of everything he desired. The feeling of being cherished like a treasure was truly beautiful, and he wished he would never wake up. However, he still heard a faint sound. Having grown accustomed to the changes in dreams, he knew that this dream had already come to an end.

"Sleeping Palace?" Lian Jun repeated these two words that held no meaning for him, and a flood of information suddenly surged into his mind. The abrupt impact caused him to cry out in pain, "Ah!" After the anguished scream, all the maidservants saw their master collapse onto the bed, her face pale, unconscious.

Chen Lingcheng hurriedly arrived at Fenghua Palace, panting. Since three years ago, he had almost become the personal physician of the Seventh Prince. This was not for any other reason, but because only his medicine could be swallowed by this frail and sickly prince without causing vomiting. Moreover, he had no connections, so the chief physician of the Imperial Medical Institute was more than happy to assign him this thankless task. Chen Lingcheng had no intention of advancing his career, and he felt pity for this prince who lacked parental affection, thus he made no complaints about shuttling back and forth between the Imperial Medical Institute and Fenghua Palace. Only his medicine could be swallowed by this frail and sickly prince without causing vomiting. Moreover, he had no connections, so the chief physician of the Imperial Medical Institute was more than happy to assign him this thankless task. Chen Lingcheng had no intention of advancing his career, and he felt pity for this prince who lacked parental affection, thus he made no complaints about shuttling back and forth between the Imperial Medical Institute and Fenghua Palace.

What are you still doing here? Hurry and summon the imperial physician! Hong Ru shouted loudly, feeling an indescribable mix of emotions in her heart. Just when there had been a moment of intimacy, could it really end like this?

At such a moment, Ke Jun's heart was already elsewhere, so how could he respond? Reluctantly, Lvyin had to repeat once more: "This servant Lvyin respectfully requests Your Highness to wash up!" She even deliberately emphasized her tone.

"Are you trying to get yourself killed!" Dr. Chen scolded angrily, carefully glancing around to ensure there were no eavesdroppers. He was nearly put in danger by this reckless girl. "Are you trying to harm His Highness the Seventh? I know very well that Concubine Yu is poisoning him. Why didn't you expose it? Why didn't you treat his illness? Have you forgotten?" The veins on Dr. Chen's forehead bulged. "I originally thought you were cautious enough to ensure the safety of His Highness the Seventh, but who would have thought you would be so reckless!"

The maids in the room began to whisper among themselves. Although His Highness had been ill, such a situation had never occurred before. Hong Ru made an effort to calm her emotions before speaking: "Your Highness, what is the matter? This is Fenghua Palace, your sleeping quarters, isn't it?"

In a moment of desperation, she realized as soon as the words left her mouth that she had spoken too much. If even Doctor Chen were to leave in anger, then His Highness would truly have no hope. With this thought, she fell to her knees with a thud, repeatedly bowing her head and pleading, "Master Chen, I know I was wrong. Please, I beg you to save His Highness. You may punish me in any way you see fit!" After saying this, she lay on the ground, weeping uncontrollably.

Physician Chen sighed deeply and helped her up, "Alas, you are just too impatient, my dear girl. Have I not mentioned that His Highness is beyond saving? To tell you the truth, what puzzles me the most is this: logically speaking, His Highness's meridians have been stagnant for many years. Although I have made various adjustments over the past three years and have also taken into account that bowl of lotus seed soup, it should not lead to an immediate recovery of His Highness's condition..." To tell you the truth, what puzzles me the most is this: logically speaking, His Highness's meridians have been stagnant for many years. Although I have made various adjustments over the past three years and have also taken into account that bowl of lotus seed soup, it should not lead to an immediate recovery of His Highness's condition..."