In the secluded chamber, Xia Houzhe lay on the vast bed, gazing at the intricately patterned Shu Brocade, his muddled mind gradually becoming clear.
Unease, restlessness.
Since taking the intoxicating wine, it felt as though something had slipped out of his control. Now, having taken the detoxification medicine, his body remained weak, prompting a dire suspicion.
Someone did not want him to recover.
Who could this person be? Emperor Chu, Mr. Ning, or perhaps both?
At the thought of this possibility, Xia Houzhe's pupils constricted, and he clenched the blanket covering him as he sat up, his expression darkening.
Footsteps approached from beyond the screen. He lifted his head as Emperor Chu entered, stopping at the foot of the bed, merely looking at him while idly playing with a string of jadeite beads in one hand.
Xia Houzhe descended from the bed, knelt on the cold tiles, and weakly greeted, "May the Emperor Brother be auspicious."
