Tang Ji was stunned after reading the letter.
She couldn't understand it.
Just a few days ago, everything had been fine—yet in the blink of an eye, her emperor husband had been deposed… and she herself had somehow ended up all the way in Qingzhou.
Seeing her dazed state, Zhang Xin turned to the old man beside him.
"I'll trouble you, Mister Yuanhua, to treat Madam."
"Rest assured," Hua Tuo nodded calmly.
"Marquis Xuanwei!"
Tang Ji suddenly came back to her senses. Looking at Zhang Xin with pleading eyes, she said:
"You are known as a loyal minister. Even within the palace, I have long heard of your great reputation."
"Now Yuan Shao colludes with villains, usurping power and deceiving the emperor—how can you stand by?"
"I beg you—raise an army, defend the throne, and restore His Majesty!"
Ignoring her condition, she struggled out of bed to bow.
Zhang Rang quickly stepped forward to stop her.
Zhang Xin's expression turned strange.
Restore Liu Bian?
Zhang Rang also looked awkward and hurriedly smoothed things over.
"This is a matter of great importance. Madam, please focus on recovering first."
Zhang Xin nodded. "The Attendant is right. Madam, there is no need to worry for now."
Tang Ji wept softly. "I only hope the Marquis will not fail the late emperor… nor His Majesty…"
Zhang Xin gave a shallow bow and stepped outside, leaving Hua Tuo to continue treatment.
Zhao Yun and Zhang Rang followed him out.
Zhang Xin glanced at Zhang Rang, then said to Zhao Yun, "Zilong, go inside and stand guard."
Zhao Yun scratched his head, feeling it improper—but he obeyed.
Once Zhao Yun was gone, Zhang Rang leaned closer and whispered:
"Marquis, you once said you would not raise troops for the sake of stability. I did not press you then… but now things are different."
"Liu Bian has been deposed. Liu Xie has taken the throne. Yuan Shao and Dong Zhuo control the court."
He lowered his voice further.
"Can we now act to aid His Majesty?"
Zhang Xin smiled faintly. "You're impatient again."
"Did I ever say I wouldn't serve the emperor?"
Zhang Rang frowned. "Then give me a clear answer."
Zhang Xin paused briefly. "After next year's spring planting."
"Six more months?!" Zhang Rang sneered. "The late emperor valued you so highly—how can you bear to let His Majesty suffer under powerful ministers?"
"Listen carefully," Zhang Xin said, lowering his voice.
"Yuan Shao has just deposed and enthroned a new emperor. His influence is at its peak."
"Dong Zhuo commands troops; Yuan Shao commands reputation. If I move now, they will unite—and we will be at a disadvantage."
Zhang Rang fell silent.
Zhang Xin continued:
"Dong Zhuo came from the frontier, defying all to enter the capital. Do you think he did all this just to benefit the Yuan clan?"
"And Yuan Shao—after plotting for years—would he willingly let Dong Zhuo reap the rewards?"
He shook his head.
"Two tigers cannot share one mountain. Given time, they will inevitably clash."
He looked at Zhang Rang. "You've spent decades in the palace. Must I explain even this?"
In truth, Zhang Xin had already discussed this with Xun You.
Both agreed—conflict between Yuan Shao and Dong Zhuo was unavoidable.
Yuan Shao had spent twenty years cultivating influence, gathering followers, building a faction. He would never bow to Dong Zhuo.
And Dong Zhuo—having seized power by force—would not remain a subordinate.
Meanwhile, Dong Zhuo now controlled nearly 100,000 elite troops in Luoyang.
Zhang Xin, by comparison, had barely 10,000 elites and 50,000 garrison troops.
To act now would be suicide.
Better to wait—and strike when both sides were weakened.
Zhang Rang sighed.
"The Marquis is right. I was too impatient."
Just then, Hua Tuo stepped out.
"How is she?" Zhang Xin asked.
"She is out of danger," Hua Tuo said with a smile. "She is young—after some rest, she will recover fully."
Zhang Rang quickly bowed. "Many thanks, Doctor Hua."
Hua Tuo nodded, then turned to Zhang Xin.
"I observe your steps are unsteady, and your qi is somewhat stagnant. May I examine you?"
Zhang Xin's heart skipped.
I'm only twenty-one… don't tell me something's wrong…
"Please," he said, extending his hand.
Hua Tuo took his pulse, eyes half-closed.
After a moment, he asked, "Do you drink often?"
"Only occasionally."
"Do you stay up late?"
Zhang Xin shook his head.
Zhang Rang grew anxious. "Doctor Hua… what illness does the Marquis have?"
Hua Tuo looked at him. "Zhang Changshi, please go inside first."
Zhang Rang hesitated, then left reluctantly.
"What is it?" Zhang Xin asked nervously.
Hua Tuo replied calmly:
"Kidney deficiency."
Zhang Xin froze—then exploded.
"Nonsense!"
"I can cure it," Hua Tuo said evenly.
"Divine doctor, save me!" Zhang Xin instantly backed down.
Hua Tuo wrote a prescription and explained how to prepare it.
"Beauty is enticing," he added, "but also like a blade that scrapes the bone. You are still young—there is no need for excess. Exercise restraint."
Zhang Xin flushed red.
Last month, Wang Rou had been confirmed pregnant. Zhang Ning was about to give birth as well.
And recently… he had indeed been a bit… overindulgent.
Cough.
"Please," Zhang Xin said quietly, tucking away the prescription, "keep this matter confidential."
Hua Tuo nodded. "I understand."
After checking once more on Tang Ji and instructing Zhang Rang to care for her, Zhang Xin returned to the inner courtyard to have the medicine prepared.
There, Liu Hua hurried over, concern written all over her face.
"Are you ill?"
"No," Zhang Xin replied casually. "Just a tonic."
He glanced around.
"Where are my children?"