Resumen del episodio 16 de A LOVER IN THE MORTAL WORLD
> Resúmenes de A LOVER IN THE MORTAL WORLD
To stabilize the court during the Emperor's crisis, Chief Grand Secretary Zhang Ruizhong hid the full extent of Liu Chu's condition, maintaining a composed demeanor during morning sessions. When other ministers expressed fear of chaos following rumors of the Emperor’s grave illness, Zhang Ruizhong asserted his authority as the late Emperor's appointed official. He threatened to punish any Imperial Physician spreading "nonsense," successfully silencing the court for the moment.
Meanwhile, Jiang Wanyu was consumed by grief, weeping over the unconscious Liu Chu and refusing to believe he might not recover. Her vigil was interrupted by Princess Liu Xie, who reprimanded the attendants for allowing anyone near the Emperor without her orders. Concerned for the imperial heir, Liu Xie ordered Jiang Wanyu back to her palace, reminding her that her primary duty was to protect the child she was carrying.
Outside the hall, the Imperial Physicians were locked in a futile debate over treatments like Scutellaria and Forsythia. Han Yunling stepped forward, bluntly criticizing their unsuitable prescriptions. While the veteran physicians were dismissive of her, she was recognized by Uncle Song, who had served as an assistant to her father, the late Physician Han. Uncle Song promised to keep her identity a secret and provided the medical records detailing Liu Chu’s persistent fever and bruising.
After reviewing the symptoms, Han Yunling concluded that Liu Chu was not suffering from a natural illness, but from a rare poison. She asked Xiao Chi to fetch the list of tribute gifts and the Emperor's daily records to investigate further. Her goal was to find the source of the poison and clear Fei Zheng of any potential suspicion before his enemies could frame him for negligence. The investigation into the poison revealed a darker plot.
Jin Xi questioned Fei Zheng about the Hall Master’s involvement, suspecting a new spy had been sent to target the Emperor. While Fei Zheng offered Jin Xi an antidote and urged her to return to Changmo, she was reluctant to remain indebted to him. It was eventually revealed that the Hall Master was using poison to control the official Li Shichang, who was the one responsible for poisoning the Emperor.
As Han Yunling worked tirelessly through the night to find a cure, Xiao Chi stayed by her side to care for her, eventually falling asleep from exhaustion. The next day, the atmosphere in court grew volatile. Ministers began voicing suspicions that the empire’s recent misfortunes were linked to Xiao Chi and Fei Zheng’s return. Though Zhang Ruizhong and Li Shichang appeared to defend the two men, their words subtly stoked the court’s doubts.
Wary of treason, Liu Xie ordered her Xieying Guard to be ready for action. When Han Yunling officially presented her findings that Liu Chu had been poisoned, Liu Xie responded by confining Jiang Wanyu to her palace as a suspect. That night, Xiao Chi and Fei Zheng kept a somber watch over the Emperor, pouring a cup of wine for their unconscious brother and reminiscing about their carefree childhood.
During the watch, Xiao Chi suddenly coughed up blood—a lingering effect of his own previous poisoning. He begged Fei Zheng not to tell Han Yunling, as he did not want to distract her from saving Liu Chu. Meanwhile, Li Shichang visited Zhang Ruizhong with a collection of rare ancient books. He steered the conversation toward the future of the throne, questioning what would happen if the Emperor never woke.
Li Shichang pointed out the uncertainty surrounding the unborn heir and suggested that Zhang Ruizhong, as the head of the ministers, should seize the opportunity to take control of the empire himself. Appalled by this treasonous suggestion, Zhang Ruizhong reaffirmed his absolute loyalty to the Liu bloodline. Realizing he could not persuade the Secretary, Li Shichang feigned a sudden flare-up of chest pain and hurried away, pointedly leaving the books behind.
