Han Xuzi took the Emperor's pulse, his eyebrows knitting tighter and tighter.
The Emperor's heart had risen to his throat.
"Mr. Han?"
"Your Majesty's body has been severely hollowed out. If this continues, I fear..." Han Xuzi paused.
The Emperor hurriedly asked, "What will happen?"
"Sudden death!"
The Emperor inhaled sharply, "Why would this be? I have always taken great care of my health and have not indulged in pleasures of the flesh excessively, but these past one or two months, indeed..."
Han Xuzi withdrew his hands, "Your Majesty, you have been poisoned!"
Direct and to the point.
"Is there a cure?"
"I cannot decipher it immediately; the person who poisoned you has formidable skills. The poison they've developed is beyond my reach!"
The Emperor was even more shocked, "There are people even more skilled than you?"
"Each has their own expertise. This person has actually shown mercy. As long as Your Majesty can restrain from thinking about the opposite sex, the poison will not act up!" Han Xuzi said while stroking his beard.
He was also curious.
Who was this person? There were some similarities to his own techniques, yet they were much more sophisticated.
Just not ruthless enough; otherwise, the Emperor would already have died a violent death, not even waiting for his return to the capital.
"But..."
"I will first prescribe a few doses of medicine for Your Majesty to take. Then I will need some dragon's blood to develop an antidote!"
What else could the Emperor do but agree?
As Han Xuzi pondered, he caught sight of the White Jade Guanyin and the Twelve Zodiac Red Jade Statues in the Duobao Pavilion.
The Emperor followed Han Xuzi's gaze and smilingly said, "Mr. Han, what do you think?"
"May I take a closer look?"
"Please, Mr. Han!"
Han Xuzi took a deep breath, stood up, and picked up the White Jade Guanyin, turning it over in his hands; indeed, he found the Han Family mark.
He then picked up the zodiac statues and carefully inspected them, also finding the Han Family mark.
"May I ask where Your Majesty acquired these two items?"
"The White Jade Guanyin was a gift from Prince Rui, and the Twelve Zodiac Red Jade Statues were offered by Yun Chen of the Yun Family. Mr. Han, is there something wrong?"
Han Xuzi did not speak, pondering for a moment, "Would Your Majesty consider bestowing these two items on me?"
"If they have caught Mr. Han's eye, please take them. You might also wish to look at..."
"No need, these two will suffice!" Han Xuzi said, then called out, "Han Zhong!"
A shadow glided silently into the Imperial Study, "Yes, sir!"
"Take these two items!"
Han Zhong nodded, removed a pouch from his waist, and carefully packed the items away before slipping out as silently as he had entered.
Only then did Han Xuzi bow to the Emperor, "Your Majesty, I have other matters to attend to and must take my leave."
"What about the prescription?"
"Your Majesty, please have someone deliver the dragon's blood to the Han Residence. I need to study it before I can determine the dosage of the medicine. I beg to take my leave!"
Han Xuzi left the Imperial Study with a rather displeased look on his face.
The Emperor was astounded.
His expression had been indifferent, but his mood had been good until he saw those two items.
"Could it be..."
Suddenly, the Emperor remembered that the Han Family ancestors were not known for their medical skills, but for their carving. The Imperial Seal of the founding Emperor of the Great Chu Country was even crafted by an ancestor of the Han Family.
Aside from the royal family, not many outside knew this, because the founding Emperor left an Imperial Decree, stating that the Imperial Seal of future emperors must be made by the Han Family.
Yet in recent years, no one from the Han Family had ever shown any talent for carving...
No member of the Han Family had become an official at court, but the head of the Han Family was required to assist the reigning Emperor.
"Hidden Guard, where are you!"
"Your Majesty!"
"Go and find out where that White Jade Guanyin and the Twelve Zodiac Red Jade Statues really came from!"