People in the court who learned that Ye Ziāan fell ill were either delighted or concerned.
Those who were delighted thought that although Ye Haoxuan had become Prince An, how could a child protect his royal title without Ye Ziāan?
Truly a person of meager blessings, once favored too generously, he couldnāt bear it.
More than a few shared this sentiment, and one day, someone even proposed to the Emperor to retract the title of Prince An, arguing that a lowly life couldnāt bear such substantial grace. "Isnāt his father ill now?" they said.
As a result, the Emperor sternly reprimanded them.
When the news reached Shandong, Yang Chuxia harshly mocked those people. How foolish to think Brother Anās illness was due to being unable to bear the favor of the imperial family, indirectly blaming the Emperor. If the Emperor didnāt confer the title, would Ye Ziāan not fall ill?
"Mother, look at Father, heās only drinking this little bit of soup." Yang Chuxia had just returned from the front yard and secured the corpse flower sought by Fugui, a flower that grew on human bones that they had finally found after digging up graves for a month.
Although the remaining two poisons were unknown, they now had two of the herbs needed.
"Wife, I canāt drink anymore, yet the boy insists I do." Ye Ziāan felt so wronged; he wanted to drink the delicious ginseng and ham soup, but he just couldnāt.
"Yangyang, Daddy is eating less now, wait a while and then you can feed Daddy," she said.
"But if you eat a lot, wonāt you get fat? Still, Iāll listen to mother and let Father drink later," Yangyang replied, placing the bowl aside, then dragging over a stool to sit right by Ye Ziāanās legs, unwilling to leave.
Ye Ziāan wanted to say, kid, could you not watch me so closely? I know you want to spend more time with me, but right now I want your mother by my side. Youāre getting in the way of your parents.
It was Lele, noticing his hint of disgust, who forcibly took Yangyang away.
"Hey, brother, what are you doing?" Outside, Yangyang complained, swinging his arms, "I want to spend more time with Father, otherwise, otherwise... I might not get the chance."
"I know what youāre thinking, but Father wants Mother right now, and youāre in the way," Lele said bluntly, leaving Yangyang stunned. "Really? Wow, dear Father, thatās really, really too much!"
"So letās go. Just focus on your homework, and donāt make Father worry about you while heās sick."
"Brother, donāt look down on me. I finished my homework before coming out. Iāve promised dear Father that I will never let my schoolwork worry him again."
"Thatās good to hear," Lele nodded in approval and moved on.
Back in the room, once the children left, Yang Chuxia touched his face, which had become almost skeletal. "How are you feeling today?"
"Not bad, just a bit tired," he replied.
Yang Chuxia felt slightly relieved and said, "By the way, I have good news. Weāve found the corpse flower. I told them to find more, so even if we canāt fully cure you right away, we can extend your time. As long as we have enough time, we will save you."
"Thatās great, but Iāve caused you so much worry again," Ye Ziāan said, filled with guilt. He recalled how his leg injury had once made her search for medicine, and now it happened again. For the first time, he felt so incapable as a man.
"Xiaxia, Iāve held you back. Without me, with your talents, you would surely live a better life," he said.