Farm Girl's Manor
Chapter 572: The End is Nigh (1)_1

Chapter 572: Chapter 572: The End is Nigh (1)_1

Xiao Ruiyuan and Doctor Gui arrived at a secluded and open area, ensuring that no one was hiding nearby to overhear their conversation.

Doctor Gui looked at Xiao Ruiyuan, his expression showing a hint of hesitation, unsure of how to broach the subject of what was to come.

Xiao Ruiyuan waited silently, without any sign of impatience, but his heart was lifted high with apprehension. If something was troubling Oldman Ghost this much, it surely had to do with his cousin. Could it be that his cousin’s condition had changed?

Doctor Gui’s hesitation did not last long, but what he said next caused Xiao Ruiyuan’s face to change color, "Xiao lad, a few days ago I took His Highness’s pulse and noticed an abnormality. At the time, the abnormality wasn’t obvious, and I couldn’t be certain of what it was, so I did not mention it to you! Just now, when I took his pulse again, that trace of abnormality was evident. I did not want to spoil His Highness’s excitement for this trip, so I did not discuss it in front of His Highness. Now I’m telling you, hoping you can be prepared."

A heavy feeling sank in Xiao Ruiyuan’s heart, and he clenched his palms unconsciously, his voice trembling slightly without him even realizing it, "Oldman Ghost, tell me!"

Doctor Gui closed his eyes briefly, equally distressed. After all, Chu Heng was someone he had watched grow up. If it weren’t for the debt of gratitude he owed to the Imperial Family in his early years, he would not have given up his carefree life to stay in Jing City year-round, attending to Chu Heng’s health personally.

"Years ago, I used every technique I knew and employed Secret Technique to barely protect His Highness’s heart meridian from the invasion and fatality of the poison. However, more than twenty years have passed, and the Heart-eating poison in His Highness’s body has accumulated more and more. It’s now nearly breaking through the barriers I’ve set up. Unless we find Thousand-year Ginseng within ten days, His Highness is certain not to survive the month."

Xiao Ruiyuan trembled violently, staring at Doctor Gui with a bloodthirsty crimson in his eyes, "Oldman Ghost, has my cousin been plotted against?" Otherwise, why would his cousin, who was clearly supposed to have three months left, now have only ten days?

Doctor Gui shook his head sorrowfully, "His Highness’s recent overexertion in thought has strained his heart meridian, giving the Heart-eating poison an opportunity to strike. Without Thousand-year Ginseng, even if I were to employ the Secret Technique again, it would be beyond my ability to save him!"

Upon hearing this, the violence in Xiao Ruiyuan’s eyes gradually dissipated, his voice revealing a profound sense of powerlessness, "Oldman Ghost, isn’t there any other way to save His Highness?"

Ten days, only ten days left!

All these years of searching, with no news of the Thousand-year Ginseng, his cousin had long persuaded him to give up, yet in his heart, there was always that glimmer of hope. Now, was this hope to be cruelly shattered by the irreversible reality?

Doctor Gui looked at him, then out into the distant night, and sighed helplessly, "I... am powerless to do more!"

Xiao Ruiyuan closed his eyes slightly, streaks of blood seeping out from his clenched palm. Everything he had held onto collapsed in that instant, and he seemed to lose all support, exuding an indescribable sense of despair...

The following day, just as the eastern sky began to light up, the Accompanying Ministers who had been jostled all of the previous day, and those Aristocratic Young Masters not yet in the civil service, got up early.

The Ministers were ready at all times to accompany the Emperor. Should they be appointed by The Emperor on the first day, it would signify their favor in His eyes and trust from the supreme ruler. For the following year, as long as they did not make any major mistakes, their positions would be secure, and no one would dare to treat them lightly. The young and competitive Aristocratic Young Masters, dressed in tight-fitting garments with their hair tied up high, were warming up at the archery range outside the tents, preparing to show off their skills on horseback at a moment’s notice.

Three years of preparation, three years of anticipation — none were more eager for success than these fiery young men. Once they caught the eye of The Emperor or any of the Princes in the hunting fields, at least these Aristocratic Young Masters who couldn’t enter the civil service through scholarship could negotiate a decent future for themselves. Even starting as a lowly guard would be better than idly waiting to die at home.

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