Xiao Jinxing was in such pain at that moment that he nearly couldn’t bear it.
The suddenness and severity of the pain made him momentarily speechless.
Having been by the Prince’s side for many years, Xiao Wu could guess the Prince’s thoughts from the slightest change in expression. Seeing the Prince now unable to hide his pain, Xiao Wu naturally knew it must be bone-piercing agony.
"Prince," Xiao Wu called out worriedly, then turned to look at Ye Qichi, "Princess, how could this be?! When the Prince was injured before and applied the rosin ointment, it was never !"
Ye Qichi did not explain.
She simply asked Xiao Jinxing, "Still going to use it?"
Deservedly so, for a man who only brings harm.
Xiao Jinxing took a good while to stabilize.
His voice was low but firm.
This man couldn’t possibly be unaware that there was something wrong with this box of ointment.
"Xiao Jinxing, you didn’t burn your brain out by being feverish all night, did you?!" Ye Qichi seriously examined Xiao Jinxing.
"No need..." A chill crossed Xiao Jinxing’s eyes, "That would give us away."
Ye Qichi was taken aback.
With those words from Xiao Jinxing, she instantly understood.
The Empress Dowager had given the rosin ointment to Xiao Jinxing to use. Certainly, he would use it. If he didn’t, it meant he gave it to her. Now, the Empress Dowager was testing Xiao Jinxing’s loyalty, clearly fearing any affection he might have towards her would affect their grand plans. Of course, what mattered most was that the Empress Dowager needed a Prince who would submit to her unconditionally!
Thus, that cunning old hag had given Xiao Jinxing a poisoned ointment to test him. If Xiao Jinxing used it himself, it would clearly show that he had no superfluous feelings for her, but if he gave the ointment to her to use... everything would come to light.
She and Xiao Jinxing had no feelings for each other.
The relationship between her and Xiao Jinxing was merely one of cooperation.
But the Empress Dowager would not believe it.
She said, "Then endure it."
Ye Qichi no longer refused.
It could only be this way, to dispel the Empress Dowager’s intent to kill.
Xiao Jinxing responded with an affirmation.
Xiao Wu didn’t react for a moment.
Lu You was completely dumbfounded.
The two watched with difficulty as the Princess applied the rosin ointment on Xiao Jinxing.
From the initial subtle trembling of his body to the end where Xiao Jinxing’s hands tightly clutched the sheets, he couldn’t control the violent shuddering of his whole body.
The wound on his back, due to the ointment being applied, once again oozed blood.
Lu You couldn’t bear to look any longer.
She quickly turned away.
Xiao Wu also watched with alarm.
Honestly, even Ye Qichi felt somewhat reluctant to proceed.
Although Xiao Jinxing did this to rid himself of the Empress Dowager’s suspicion, in the end... it was really as Xiao Wu said, it was her who benefited from this unfortunate situation.
Just when Ye Qichi was about to ask Xiao Jinxing what his next plan was.
Suddenly, there was the sound of a servant reporting from outside the door, "Prince, Eunuch Li Wenrui seeks an audience."
Ye Qichi’s gaze tightened.
So quickly, the Empress Dowager’s person came to check on the situation.
If only it had been a little later...
"You all go to the back," Xiao Jinxing said, enduring the pain with difficulty.
Without hesitation, Ye Qichi, accompanied by Lu You, hid in the bathing area next to the sleeping chamber.
"Servant Li Wenrui knocks to see Prince Chen," Li Wende walked into the sleeping chamber and promptly kowtowed.
Li Wenrui was the Empress Dowager’s most trusted eunuch, having accompanied the Empress Dowager since she entered the palace and was her confidant.
As for the previously mentioned Eunuch De, who came to assassinate Ye Qichi, he was naturally just an assassin in disguise.
"Eunuch, no need for such formality, please rise," Xiao Jinxing barely managed to say.
"Thank you, Prince Chen," Li Wenrui stood up from the ground.
Still bowing humbly as he stood, he said, "Prince, I am here by the Empress Dowager’s order, to check on the Prince’s injuries."
"Come in," Xiao Jinxing said, separated by a screen.
Of course, Li Wenrui couldn’t see.
"Yes," Li Wenrui quickly stepped forward.
Upon entering, he saw Xiao Jinxing lying on the bed with Xiao Wu respectfully standing beside him. Xiao Jinxing’s back was fully exposed, and the wound on his back was clearly not healing at all, but instead, looked very serious.
Li Wenrui had an estimate in his heart, and he quickly said, "Prince, your injury seems to have not recovered much, has it?"
"Xiao Wu," called Xiao Jinxing.
Clearly because he was in too much pain to speak, he let Xiao Wu explain.
Xiao Wu quickly responded, speaking to Li Wenrui, "Eunuch Li, I escorted the Prince back yesterday and, as always, had the house doctor clean the wound and apply the rosin ointment. Normally, the Prince should feel a notable improvement today, but when I went to give the Prince his medicine after his morning meal, I found that not only had the wound not healed, it had gotten even worse. I had planned to invite the Imperial Physician from the palace to check on the Prince, but the Prince refused, worrying that any news of his injury might cause unnecessary trouble in the court. But now, the condition of the Prince..."