Second Chance - To Live Again

Chapter 2: The painful memories (II)

The palace

"War reports!! War reports!!"
a eunuch entered the court in a rush. The emperor who was sitting on the golden throne shoot a curious look towards the running eunuch. "speak!" the emperor spoke. A silent engulfed the whole court. The ministers were all waiting for the urgent news.

"Your majesty, Prince of Dai had successfully eliminated all the enemies. However, his highness was... was... was contracted with bizarre poison on the way back." The ministers were momentarily happy to hear the news however upon knowing that the prince was poisoned, no one dared to lift their faces. Gloominess could be seen in all their faces.

The emperor was taken aback. He stood up but stumbled and forcefully sat on his throne, unable to properly breath. "Where is my Liu Heng?" The emperor asked his voice shaky. "Your majesty, his highness is in the prince residence. Physician Lu has come to look at his highness condition" the eunuch reported. The emperor stood up and walked down the golden stairs. All the ministers followed behind. They knew how important the prince of Dai to his majesty. It was evidence through his major supports in all the prince worthy acts and there was also rumours that the prince would be chosen as the crown prince making him the sole inheritor of the throne. To all the ministers, the prince had the existence of a phoenix, or a God. His highness capabilities were remarkable.  He was able to stand at the top of the continent at the early age of 14. His highness contribution to maintain the peace of the Han Dynasty was irrefutable. 'Nothing must happen to the prince.' They prayed silently in their hearts.

"Your majesty!" Fu Ya who was storming her way through to reach the prince residence met the emperor and immediately bow. "Fu Ya, you are here." The emperor was shocked to see her son's betrothed. He immediately held her shoulders urging her to stand up. Without further ado, his majesty pulled Fu Ya's hand towards the residence. Fu Ya obediently followed but she was able to tell that his majesty was in chaos as if something bad had happened. Fu Ya bit her bottom lip, she prayed and prayed that her prince was safe and sound.

All the ministers who saw the interaction between the emperor and the lady known as Fu Ya immediately understood. Everyone was aware of the fact that the imperial family was doting on Lady Fu Ya especially after the announcement of the betrothal between the prince of Dai and the young miss from the Fu clan.

The prince's residence

"Physician Lu, his majesty is here" a eunuch ran inside the prince chamber to announce the arrival of the emperor. Physician Lu, a man with long beard was startled. He rose from the bedside to welcome the arrival of the emperor. "Long live your majesty!" The emperor rose his hand to stop the old man from bowing and kneeling. "Old Lu, how is my son?" the emperor asked. He sat at the bedside and gently held the prince's hand. His face was sullen as if feeling the pain, the prince was going through.

"Your majesty, forgive your lowly servant for his incompetence. This servant could not detect the origin of the poison. His...his highness blood was as per normal however but his pulses were in chaos. All my medicines were not able to cure the prince's sickness." Physician Lu kneeled and kowtowed. He was aggrieved at his poor ability to cure the prince. Fu Ya whose standing at the entrance unable to believe her eyes stepped forward. "What..what happened to the prince?" her tone demanded answer. She fixed her gaze at the kneeling physician. "Lady Fu, his highness was poisoned. My abilities were subpar. I failed." Physician Lu answered with his body trembling from guilt. "No... no..." Fu ya flopped onto the floor as she listened to the explanation. The chamber was quiet. Not a pin dropped was heard.

"Physician Lu, you are the imperial most trusted aid, is there really no prescriptions that could  cure his highness?" Fu Ya gathered her strength and asked. "Lady Fu, forgive me for my lack of ability. I really has no way to cure his highness" The words spoken sting. Fu ya felt a sharp pain continuously stabbing her flesh. She wanted to stand up but she felt so weak she stumbled. Xi Lao caught her young miss and slowly supported her as she stepped toward the prince who was lying on his bed with his eyes closed. His handsome face was pale. His masculine lips was dry. Fu ya couldn't hold her tears and and cried. "Ya er, Liu Heng is still alive. Let's not lose hope." The emperor patted Fu Ya's back slowly comforting her. Even so, the emperor couldn't help but felt a bit loss. What if his son couldn't make it alive? "Old Lu, what's the verdict?" the emperor asked and shoot a look that caused physician Lu to feel fear.

"Your majesty, this lowly servant couldn't cure his highness's sickness. I'm afraid no one in this continent would be able to cure this poison. I fear tonight his highness will..." "Stop! Please." Fu Ya screamed. She had felt Liu Heng pulses and knew exactly what Physician Lu meant. The pulse told her that tonight would be the last...