Previously, the Empress was heartbroken when she heard that His Majesty had burned his hand, and only felt relieved after confirming several times that he was alright. Today, upon hearing that His Majesty had barely eaten all day, she hurriedly ordered the kitchen to prepare food and even personally delivered it to Xuanzhi Palace. But His Majesty… She remembered that when Aunt Song came to Fengyang Palace a while ago, he seemed perfectly fine.
Unlike Hong Ling, who was calm and composed, the somewhat boisterous green-clad woman couldn't hold back at all. As soon as she left the Xuanzhi Hall's territory, she couldn't help but speak in a low voice, and her tone was not very pleasant.
"Your Majesty, I feel so sorry for you! With your status, why didn't you go in when you were already outside the palace? It was painful to watch. I never imagined that Aunt Song was such a person. She was completely unaware and secretly ingratiated herself with His Majesty! And yet she always acted like she had no desires whatsoever. Ugh! Disgusting!"
The woman in green spat angrily, her face full of rage, indignant on behalf of Empress Shen. Thinking of Song Shuhao and the attitudes of Lü Yuan and Lü Chuan earlier—they hadn't immediately entered the palace to report—she became even more furious. "Eunuch Yuan and Eunuch Chuan are too disrespectful to Her Majesty the Empress!"
Seeing Empress Shen's furrowed brows and displeased expression, Hongling knew that Green Robe had gone too far and quickly stopped her, "Don't say anymore, or you'll be slapped." Green Robe was unhappy that Hongling wouldn't allow her to speak the truth, and seeing that the Empress didn't like it either, she obediently shut up, but her resentment was still strong.
·
After that, Green Robe fell silent, and Empress Shen's expression softened again. They returned to Fengyang Palace in silence. Green Robe and Red Riding helped her down from the sedan chair, and she finally ordered, "Take all the food to the small stove to keep it warm, and have someone prepare hot water."
Hongling immediately obeyed the order. Empress Shen paused for a moment, turned to look at the woman in green, and thought for a while before saying, "You are becoming more and more unable to control your mouth. I don't know where you learned this bad habit. I have never punished you in the past because you have served me for many years, and I will not punish you today either. But you don't need to come to me tomorrow. It's a good opportunity for you to learn how to speak properly."
Shen Wanru's words made the woman in green feel even more aggrieved. Weren't the things she said right? She was also doing it for the Empress's sake, so why was she being treated like this because of outsiders? In an instant, her face turned pale, tears welled up in her eyes, and she was about to kneel down to beg for mercy.
Hongling stopped her, shaking her head at Lüyi. At that moment, Empress Chen entered the hall. Lüyi grabbed Hongling's hand excitedly, urgently asking, "Hongling, Hongling, what does Her Majesty mean by that? Does Her Majesty not want me anymore?"
She patted the green-clad woman's hand and said, "It's alright, everything will be fine once Her Majesty calms down. You should also think about it carefully. You need to know that some things can be said and some things cannot be said. Some things can be said in private, but some things must never be said in public." Then she broke free from the green-clad woman and went to give instructions to Empress Shen.
·
After bathing, Empress Shen returned to her room, intending to rest soon. However, the Emperor appeared, and she immediately bowed in greeting. Zhang Yu offered a helping hand, and Shen Wanru rose gracefully, smiling gently, and asked, "Your Majesty, what brings you here? How long have you been waiting? I apologize for my neglect."
"It's alright, I just arrived myself. I heard from Lü Chuan that you went to the Xuanzhi Hall, but you didn't even announce your arrival before rushing back." Zhang Yu said, withdrawing his hand.
"It was already inappropriate for me to go to Xuanzhi Palace without permission, but I originally intended to bring Your Majesty a late-night snack. When I arrived, I heard that the Empress Dowager had already sent food to Your Majesty, so Your Majesty would not be hungry. Therefore, I felt embarrassed to disturb you. In short, Your Majesty made a fool of yourself in front of everyone."
Shen Wanru invited Zhang Yu to sit down, but he simply waved his hand and said, "I thought you had something to do, so I came to see you. It's good that you're alright. I haven't finished reviewing the memorials yet, so I should go back."
"Your Majesty should take care of your health, otherwise the Empress Dowager will worry about you again." Empress Shen's face showed a hint of worry as she gently advised him.
Zhang Yu nodded, but said nothing special, only telling her to rest early. He stayed for about fifteen minutes before leaving Fengyang Palace. Shen Wanru saw him off to the outside of the palace, watching Zhang Yu board the imperial carriage and the imperial procession gradually disappear from sight. Her upturned smile crumbled.
Hongling watched from the side, not daring to speak rashly, but glancing in the direction the emperor had left, she sighed inwardly. Shen Wanru stood for a moment, then returned to the hall with a faint expression, a bitter feeling lingering in her heart.
·
Outside the Xuanzhi Hall, Song Shuhao also saw Empress Shen leaving. Following His Majesty's instructions, she took her leave first, without worrying that Empress Shen would misunderstand.
The Empress Dowager cares about His Majesty; she doesn't need to specifically inquire to know that His Majesty has rarely visited the inner palace lately. The Empress's actions this time are most likely simply to urge His Majesty to visit Fengyang Palace.
Even if His Majesty didn't see it, Eunuch Yuan and Eunuch Chuan would definitely report to His Majesty that the Empress had come. They have always respected the Empress, and after learning of this, His Majesty will most likely go to see her.
However, upon reflection, it seems she was also at fault; she shouldn't have let her guard down with His Majesty and said those things on a whim. She had been quick-witted at the time, thinking of extricating herself, but she would certainly be more careful in the future.
Muttering to herself all the way, Ahao returned to Changning Palace to report to Empress Dowager Feng. Empress Dowager Feng had already fallen asleep again with the help of Granny Feng, but Ahao was somewhat surprised that Granny Feng had arrived when it was her turn to be on duty.
When Granny Feng saw A-Hao, she said she would stay and serve her for the rest of the night and told A-Hao to go and rest. A-Hao couldn't refuse her kindness and had to accept it, so she returned to her quarters.
The next day, Ahao got up early to relieve Granny Feng. After Empress Dowager Feng woke up, Ahao remembered Zhang Yu's instructions and told the palace servants to invite the imperial physician to Changning Palace.
It was Imperial Physician Zhou again who came, but behind him was a respectful female physician. Song Shuhao looked at her; she seemed familiar, but couldn't quite place where she had seen her before. When she heard her voice, she realized that she must be the one who had treated Xue Liangyue's injuries back then.
She didn't take it to heart, but she told Imperial Physician Zhou about Empress Dowager Feng's condition, including when she should rest, when she should get up, and how long she should sleep at each time, in great detail and in a well-organized manner. Imperial Physician Zhou listened carefully to what A-Hao said, asked a couple of questions, and then said, "I'm afraid we still need to examine her pulse carefully first."
Ahao nodded and went into the inner room to inform Empress Dowager Feng. The maidservant lowered the curtains and set up the screen before Ahao welcomed Imperial Physician Zhou and the female physician inside. While Imperial Physician Zhou was taking Empress Dowager Feng's pulse, everyone in the room remained silent.
The Emperor and Prince Ning arrived at Changning Palace shortly after the court session. Perhaps knowing that Imperial Physician Zhou was seeing patients, they did not have anyone announce their arrival. Imperial Physician Zhou had just finished his work when the two distinguished guests appeared before him, and he quickly joined the others in bowing.
Standing behind Zhang Yu, Prince Ning caught a glimpse of Ling Xiao, who was hidden behind A Hao, Imperial Physician Zhou, and the others. Ling Xiao was just a lowly female physician, and indeed, there was no real opportunity for them to meet.
When Prince Ning caught her that time, he ordered people to investigate her background, but found nothing unusual. She has been behaving herself ever since, which is good. However, seeing Ling Xiao in this situation still surprised Prince Ning somewhat, after all, this was a medical consultation with the Empress Dowager, no small task.
Zhang Yu noticed Zhang Wei's gaze and glanced at Ling Xiao. Ling Xiao tensed, seemingly very nervous and frightened. Zhang Yu looked away and asked Imperial Physician Zhou, "How is he?"
Imperial Physician Zhou bowed and replied, "Your Majesty, judging from the pulse, the Empress Dowager should be in good health. I dare not make a definitive judgment on the Empress Dowager's condition, but the young female physician who accompanied me may have a solution."
"You, a doctor with decades of experience, are helpless, but this little girl has a solution?" Before Physician Zhou could finish speaking, Prince Ning asked with a smile. Ling Xiao felt several gazes on her, and sensed the sarcasm in Prince Ning's words.
Imperial Physician Zhou was quite resolute, saying, "Yes, Your Highness Prince Ning. Although Lingxiao is young, she is exceptionally talented in medicine. While her experience may be lacking, she is truly outstanding. I believe we should give her a try." After saying this, Imperial Physician Zhou turned his head to the side, and Lingxiao knelt down in front of Zhang Yu.
"Since Imperial Physician Zhou has already said so, then you may give it a try. If the Empress Dowager truly recovers, she will surely be rewarded. If the Empress Dowager remains like this... I will only hold you accountable, Imperial Physician Zhou." Zhang Yu said, putting considerable pressure on Imperial Physician Zhou and Ling Xiao with his words.
Song Shuhao glanced at Ling Xiao, feeling that she was probably around the same age as herself, and wasn't entirely confident. However, since Imperial Physician Zhou dared to recommend her, he probably wouldn't be joking around. Perhaps this Physician Ling was truly remarkable; that would be for the best.
Under pressure, Imperial Physician Zhou agreed to Zhang Yu's request. Zhang Yu didn't say much and gestured for Ling Xiao to take Empress Dowager Feng's pulse, but she said it wasn't necessary, "In my humble opinion, Her Majesty's condition does not require medication, only a little conditioning."
Zhang Yu raised an eyebrow and uttered a single word, "Speak."
Ling Xiao then said, "This servant dares to ask a few questions." Zhang Yu nodded, and Ling Xiao then asked A Hao some questions such as what Empress Dowager Feng usually eats, what kind of incense she burns at night, and how often she goes out for a walk recently.
Ah Hao answered carefully, and Ling Xiao listened and continued, "In my humble opinion, Aunt can instruct the kitchen to cook peanut, longan, and red date soup for the Empress Dowager, and have her have a bowl every morning. There is no need to burn calming incense at night, but some milk can be given before bedtime."
"If there are any potted flowers with a delicate fragrance, you can place two pots next to the bed. After dinner, Aunt can accompany the Empress Dowager to walk around the outer room more often, look at the scenery, relax and broaden her mind. You can also open the doors and windows more often to ventilate the room."
Ah Hao nodded, having memorized Ling Xiao's words. She felt there was nothing particularly special about what she said, but she hadn't paid much attention to it before. Recently, the Empress Dowager hadn't been resting well and hadn't been in the mood to go out. She was always worried about catching a cold if she opened the window, so she would only open it briefly before closing it again. Whether it would work or not, they would have to try to find out.
"What do you mean by all this? What does it have to do with medical skills?" The questioning voice came from Prince Ning. Ling Xiao subconsciously looked up at him and couldn't help but wonder... was this person holding a grudge from last time and deliberately seeking revenge?
Chapter 16 Refusal
A wise man doesn't suffer a loss in front of him; a discerning person is a hero.
Ling Xiao inwardly scoffed, but on her face she wore a perfectly measured, obedient, and gentle smile, and said in a respectful tone, "Your Highness, what I just said is indeed not some amazing medical skill."
"However, judging from the pulse, the Empress Dowager's body does not show any obvious abnormalities, so she should not be ill. Furthermore, the Empress Dowager has been taking medicine for a while, but there has been no significant improvement. In addition, considering the various circumstances mentioned by Aunt Song, this servant dares to make a judgment."