You could hear a pin drop in the silence of the room. Who was Li Luo?
“Who am I?” Even Li Luo himself was starting to wonder.
One drop of healing energy at a time, he was the light at the end of the dark tunnel of despair that the Xia royal court had been in. And as he grew stronger, it seemed expectable that he could thoroughly free the little emperor from his condition.
A miracle, one that not even the worldly old man in grey could explain.
The First Princess struggled for composure. How many years had she agonized over the boy's condition? The years of disappointment had run her ragged before she knew it.
The little emperor was her direct kin. Back when her father had fallen, he had entrusted the boy to her. She had done her best, but the affliction had resisted her best efforts.
She moved to Li Luo's side. The silver-haired youth's wavering eyes met her red phoenix ones with uncertainty. "Li Luo," she asked softly. "Can you help me? Can you treat His Majesty?"
Li Luo smiled weakly at her. "If I wasn't willing, we wouldn't be here."
The First Princess nodded. "Treat him. The royal court begs you."
Li Luo understood that she was announcing their debt for this deed.
Of course, allies would not always remain so. But at least it was a guaranteed umbrella of safety for the foreseeable future.
Fate had zipped them up together in a tight seam.
"I don't understand what's happening myself," Li Luo admitted. He reached out to grasp the First Princess' trembling hand. "But I'll do my best."
They clasped hands tightly but briefly.
The First Princess' perfect features turned to Jiang Qing'e. "Junior Jiang, you are my lucky star."
If not for Jiang Qing'e, the First Princess would never have suggested that Li Luo treat the little emperor.
"Your Highness, I hope you can keep this matter of Li Luo's healing a secret as well," Jiang Qing'e said with a small smile.
The royal court was always full of intrigue. The young king's star was rising, but he was not yet in full power, even with the First Princess behind him. Jiang Qing'e might not understand the full extent of the court's machinations, but she sensed that it might not be wise for Li Luo's healing abilities to be too widely known.
It might well invite trouble.
The First Princess's eyelids flicked with understanding. "Don't worry, I intend to keep it quiet. But... I cannot hide it forever. After all, His Majesty's condition is constantly watched by the healers as well. There are too many tongues there to silence. I’m sure you understand."
Jiang Qing'e nodded. "As best as you can."
The little emperor was too important to be overlooked for long, but perhaps they could buy some time.
"Li Luo might be able to treat His Majesty, but you have also seen how weak he is. At this rate, it will take all too long to remove the black lotus energy. It's not a feasible plan. I hope you do not rush Li Luo with the healing. Give him time. Let him increase his strength," Jiang Qing'e said.
The First Princess was silent. She was not a hard-headed person, so she saw the logic in Jiang Qing'e's words. Li Luo had given them hope, but at this rate it was like pouring cups of water on a barn fire.
Jiang Qing'e was suggesting that they stop using the cup so he could at least upgrade to a bucket or something.
Farming the fish before you fished it. A wise strategy.
"I understand. Of course. How about once every other month?
"I think that when he enters the General Stage, there will be more marked progress."
Li Luo sighed with relief. At least he wasn't going to be milked dry. Three times a day? Not even a body of iron would hold out.
She smiled shyly at Li Luo. "Today is the first time, and we would ask a little more of Junior Li Luo. We still have three hours before we have to return to the palace. Would Junior Li Luo push one more healing?"
She shook the bottle of revivification pills hopefully.
"Three more times tonight, hmm?"
Li Luo trembled in fear. Three? Three more times? They were really sucking him drier than a desert.
He turned pleadingly to Jiang Qing'e, but she shrugged sympathetically. The deal was made.
He surrendered, turning to take another revivification pill. He swallowed it down and settled back to let the recovery happen.
In the next three hours, Li Luo pulled out three more healings.
At the end, he stumbled out of the room, pale as a ghost. He wobbled straight past a bemused Yu Hongxi and Lu Qing'er, muttering, "I'm out, I'm out… No more!"
The mother and daughter looked at each other. What on earth had happened in that room?