Chapter 007: The Edge

Feng Qiao disappeared for nearly three days, and suddenly returned, causing chaos in the Feng family.

The originally charming and lovely Feng Qiao had contracted a severe cold, with a high fever that wouldn't subside, and she had been in a coma, teetering on the brink of death several times.

Feng Qizhou sought out all the prominent doctors in the capital, neglected his court duties, and never left Feng Qiao's side for a moment.

Seeing Feng Qizhou's neglect of his official duties, Feng's elderly lady advised him several times, but to no avail, and she was almost on the verge of falling ill herself out of anger.

Emperor Yongzhen noticed that Feng Qizhou had not attended court for several days and inquired about it. Upon learning that his only daughter was critically ill, he dispatched the chief physician from the Imperial Hospital to personally come and treat her. It was a close call, but they managed to stabilize Feng Qiao's condition and narrowly saved her life.

After another round of acupuncture, when Chief Physician Zhou was putting away the silver needles, he saw Feng Qizhou immediately step forward and personally use a handkerchief to wipe the sweat from the child's forehead, which made him sigh in admiration.

Everyone in the capital said that Feng Qizhou loved his daughter to the point of madness, treating her as a precious gem.

Before, he had only heard people say this, but now that he had seen it with his own eyes, he realized that those people were probably understating it.

This was not just a precious gem; this was clearly his lifeline.

"Lord Feng, after this round of acupuncture, Miss Four is already out of danger."

"Why hasn't she woken up then?"

Chief Physician Zhou said helplessly, "Lord Feng, don't worry. Miss Four's illness was prolonged due to the delayed treatment of the cold, and coupled with anxiety and prolonged hunger, it has weakened her body. I noticed that she seemed to have been frightened before falling into a coma, so I added a dose of heart-calming lotus and pearl powder to her medicine. Judging by the time, she should wake up in about half an hour. When she wakes up, Lord Feng, you must instruct the attendants to take good care of her. Remember not to let her catch a cold again, and her diet should be light and soft. Also, she must not be frightened again."

Feng Qizhou breathed a sigh of relief and quickly got up, saying, "Thank you, Chief Physician Zhou."

Chief Physician Zhou smiled and said, "Lord Feng, there's no need to thank me. I am just following His Majesty's orders. Besides, Miss Four is blessed and destined to recover, even without my help."

Hearing Chief Physician Zhou's auspicious words, Feng Qizhou found him a little more agreeable. After learning that Feng Qiao's condition was not critical, he showed a rare smile on his face in the past few days.

Feng Qizhou carefully put away the prescription given by Chief Physician Zhou, asked Qur to fetch the medicine, and then personally escorted Chief Physician Zhou to the front gate before returning to Xielan Courtyard.

When he entered the room, he saw Feng's elderly lady and Liu Shi were also there, with Feng Ke's concubine, Wang Yiniang, standing by.

"Why have you all come here?"

Feng Qizhou frowned, and when Liu Shi approached the bedside, he walked up quickly, and with his tall figure, he forced Liu Shi to step back from the bed.

Seeing him protect his daughter like a mother hen, Feng's elderly lady was displeased.

"What's this? You don't even want to call me 'mother' now?"

"Mother, you're overthinking it. I just heard that you haven't been feeling well these days. You should take care of yourself and recover from your illness."

Feng's elderly lady felt a pang of pain in her heart as she listened to Feng Qizhou's words.

How could he be afraid that Feng Qiao would disturb her when she was recovering from her illness? Feng's elderly lady knew that he was still angry about Liu Shi losing Feng Qiao, and she was siding with Liu Shi, suppressing her anger as she said, "I heard from the servants that Chief Physician Zhou said your condition has improved significantly. You've been absent from court for several days, and with me and your elder sister taking care of things at home, you should also attend to your official duties."

"Ridiculous! If you were mindful of your duties, how could all those people find their way to our residence these days?"

Feng's elderly lady frowned, her face showing some anger. "Your elder brother said that the court has been in chaos these days, and there have even been skirmishes in Lin'an. At a time like this, His Majesty sent Chief Physician Zhou to our residence not only to treat you but also to remind you not to forget your identity."

"As a court official, why aren't you staying at the Transport Bureau during these turbulent times, easing the burden for His Majesty, instead of staying at home and looking after your daughter? What kind of behavior is this?!"

Feng Qizhou glared, his face showing a sharp edge.

"When Qiao was in danger and critically ill, I, Feng Qizhou, have only one child in this lifetime. I will protect her. Who dares to say otherwise?"