Chapter 024
Chapter 24: He Would Never Let That Useless Doctor Touch Little Fourth with a Needle
[Father, I am about to stop breathing now. I hope I will not frighten you and Mother too much.]
After praising herself, Yun Wan Ning drew in, sealed her breath, closed her eyes, and let herself faint. Her pulse and heartbeat thinned to threads.
Even though Yun Zheng had heard her plan, the sight still chilled him. Color drained from his face. He bent over her, hands shaking, and shouted toward the door: “Call the house physician. Hurry.”
The maid ran.
“What happened? What is wrong with Little Fourth?” Madam Yun rushed to his side. At first she had not been afraid, knowing the child’s intent. But seeing her husband’s panic, her own heart began to race.
What did stopping breath mean? Could a baby control such a thing? What if something went wrong?
Yun Zheng shook his head, breath unsteady as he said: “I am not sure. Let the physician see first.”
He had heard of breath control, but could a newborn wield it safely? The thought turned his palms cold.
Madam Yun nodded, then asked in a whisper: “Husband, will you still go to the camp?”
Her chest tightened. She still did not know whether he heard Little Fourth’s heart voice, whether he knew assassins waited today. The child’s fainting plainly tried to keep him here. If he insisted on leaving, what could she do?
Yun Zheng hesitated, then said: “Little Fourth is in danger. Camp business can wait. Even if the sky falls, it is not heavier than our daughter.”
The house physician arrived with his box, checked the pulse, lifted the lids, and examined her head to toe. He found nothing. He said with a grave frown: “Fourth Young Miss’s pulse is faint, heartbeat weak. No obvious illness, yet she fainted. This is strange. I have practiced half a lifetime and have never seen such a case.”
Anxiety sharpened Yun Zheng’s voice as he asked: “When will Little Fourth wake?”
“Well… this humble one is not sure,” the physician said.
Yun Zheng: “…”
“Then is her life in danger?” he pressed.
“Judging from the pulse, Fourth Young Miss should not be in danger. If Lord is worried, I can perform the golden needle acupoint technique. It will certainly wake her,” the physician said.
“Forget it,” Yun Zheng said with a cold wave of his hand. His face darkened.
This useless doctor knew nothing. Every answer sagged with not sure and should not. How could he let such a man stick needles in his baby? Her arms and legs were so delicate he hardly dared hold her. How could he bear to see needles prick her skin?
All they could do was wait and hope she woke on her own.
Yun Zheng canceled his trip. He called Shen Tu, ordered him to disguise himself and ride to Red Willow Slope, then go to the camp and deliver a sealed message to Deputy General Pei. When the orders were away, he returned to the room and sat guard at the little bed.
By afternoon, Yun Wan Ye and Yun Wan Yao heard the commotion and rushed back.
“Father, Mother, what happened to Little Sister?” they asked together.
“It is nothing. Do not worry,” Madam Yun said lightly. She would not alarm them or spill too much.
But the two were not fooled. Yun Wan Yao knit her brow and said: “We heard from the servants that Little Sister fainted. The physician found nothing. How is that nothing? Mother, what is wrong with her?”
“That is right,” Yun Wan Ye said, chest tight. “Little Sister cannot lie like this. Let me enter the palace and invite an imperial physician.”
He could not understand why his parents seemed calmer than expected.
Madam Yun hesitated. Imperial physicians were skilled, and she and her husband had considered it. But if an imperial physician discovered that Little Fourth fainted by holding breath on purpose, what then? Such an extraordinary gift in a small child would draw hungry eyes. It would not only endanger Little Fourth. It would endanger the entire Yun clan.
Seeing her silence, Yun Wan Ye grew more anxious: “Mother, why do you hesitate? The most important thing is to wake Little Sister.”
Madam Yun turned helplessly to Yun Zheng. He clasped the tiny hand and said with quiet certainty: “Wait a little longer. If by night she does not wake, take my token and request His Majesty at once.”
If Little Fourth did this only to keep him from leaving, then night would be the limit. He would not draw imperial eyes unless forced.
Yun Wan Ye accepted with stiff jaw. The family stood around the bed and watched the small face.
Night fell. Lanterns shone beyond the windows. Anxiety climbed.
The siblings pressed their father. At last, unable to delay any more, he reached for his token. Just as his fingers brushed it, Yun Wan Ning opened her eyes.
[I am so hungry. This nap was too long. I am starving. After such a sacrifice, did my plan work?]
[Father. Where is Father? Let me see.]
Everyone froze and turned. The little one tilted her head and fixed bright eyes on Yun Zheng. Her tiny mouth curved into a sweet smile.
[Father could not bear to leave me. Saving him was worth it. Plan successful, yay.]
Joy bubbled in her chest. If people were not watching, she would have flashed a victory sign.
[Even if I cannot speak, I am still useful. If I can save Father, I can save Elder Sister too. Fighting.]
Under the stunned stares, Yun Wan Ning praised herself in her heart.
Yun Wan Ye: “…”
Yun Wan Yao: “…”
So Little Sister did this on purpose? She simply slept?
If she was only sleeping, why did Father summon the physician? Questions tangled like vines, but one thing was clear: Father had been in danger today, and Little Sister saved him with a clever trick.
[Ah, I am starving, truly starving. Mother, feed me quickly.]
Tears welled as she stretched soft arms toward Madam Yun. The mother came to herself with a start, stepped forward, and gathered the baby close.
“It is late, and none of you have eaten,” she said. “Go and take supper. Little Fourth has had no milk all day. She must be famished. I will feed her now.”