HCB Chapter 152 The Queen Mother's Illness
Chapter 152 The Queen Mother's Illness
When the carriage reached a bumpy section of road, Concubine Guo frowned slightly, gritted her teeth and clutched her stomach. The palace maid beside her hurriedly reached out to support her, whispering soothingly, "My lady, you look unwell. Let me call the imperial physician to take a look."
Lady Guo held her belly and shook her head, "It's just that the car is too stuffy. Can you bring me two more cushions?"
In Lou Yong'er's carriage, she stared blankly ahead. Lan Li glanced at her and said, "The Emperor, the Imperial Concubine, and Concubine Fang recently awarded you with a lot of gold and silver jewelry. My lady, why don't you dress up and please the Emperor? With your status, you only need to take a step forward to raise the Emperor's heir."
"If I take another step forward, Concubine Jing will still be Concubine Jing."
Lan Liyu choked and heard Lou Yong'er muttering to herself, "Jing Fei is too stable, there is nothing wrong with her. What should I do now?"
Lan Li was startled and felt a chill on his back.
Suddenly, there was a commotion ahead. A wild rabbit had darted from the roadside, startling the horses. The drivers hurriedly pulled the reins, and the procession stopped. The concubines, alarmed, unsure what was happening, sent their maids and eunuchs to investigate. For a moment, the official road was abuzz with activity, a cacophony of shouts and inquiries shattering the previously tranquil atmosphere.
Jiang Ruyin was startled, fearing that someone would cause trouble again.
Hongxuan, on the other hand, was playing with the small slingshot he got from Hongshi very comfortably.
The emperor's face was gloomy, and it was impossible to tell whether he was happy or angry.
Jiang Ruyin took the initiative to call for a carriage to follow, and asked Fu Qiu to tell Nian Shilan: Even if it's just for show, you have to make this trip.
The Cining Palace was filled with a strong smell of medicine mixed with the sandalwood that was always in the air, which was quite pungent.
The empress dowager lay on the couch, her face sallow. Her once elegant features were now much thinner. Her eyes were sunken, and a dark circle surrounded them, as if stained with a thick black ink. Her once plump cheeks had sunken, making her cheekbones stand out. Her lips were still moist but pale. Her white hair was neatly combed and tied with a headband. She exuded an indescribable weakness and fatigue.
The emperor walked in hurriedly with big strides, his face full of worry and concern.
He walked straight to the Empress Dowager's bed, standing at a distance from her. His hands trembled slightly as he hung by her sides. His voice was soft and gentle, "Madam, I'm here to see you. How are you feeling? What did the imperial physician say?"
His brows were tightly furrowed into the shape of a "川" character, and his eyes never left the empress dowager's face.
Nian Shilan and Jiang Ruyin came in one after another.
After Nian Shilan followed the emperor, she took off her usual gorgeous attire today and wore plain clothes. Her hair accessories were also much simpler. It was originally for the comfort of riding in the car, but now it just happened to be suitable.
She bowed slightly, her eyes full of worry: "Empress Dowager, you must take care of your health. I heard that you were not feeling well and I was very worried." After saying that, she pretended to gently press the corners of her eyes with a handkerchief.
Jiang Ruyin then entered, her eyes filled with genuine concern. She slowly approached, bowed, and softly said, "Queen Dowager, you have always been blessed with great fortune. You will surely recover soon. I have sincerely prayed for you before the Buddha. May the Buddha bless you with good health and success."
Nian Shilan glanced at Jiang Ruyin. If Fu Qiu hadn't come to her with "kind words of advice", she wouldn't have known that Jiang Ruyin still "cared" so much about the Queen Mother.
When the empress dowager saw the three people, she did not look happy at all. She just stared at the emperor with her eyes, and her pale lips moved as she called out to him.
The emperor took a step forward and responded softly to the empress dowager.
The empress dowager seemed not to hear, and she raised her head tremblingly, still calling out to the emperor.
The emperor hesitated and held the empress dowager's hand, but it was shaken away the next second.
The Queen Mother opened and closed her mouth, and Jiang Ruyin was close to death, as if to say, "I have something to tell you."
The next moment, the emperor lowered his head and leaned even lower. "Madam, please speak. Your son is all ears."
Hearing the emperor say this, Nian Shilan quietly moved closer.
The Queen Mother was so angry that she was completely speechless. She couldn't catch her breath and gasped for breath like a dried-up carp.
The emperor hurried over to help her with a mixture of sincerity and pretense.
Jiang Ruyin, with all her pretense, also moved forward to rub the Queen Mother's back. As soon as she reached out her hand, she felt a wet spot, and she gently stroked it, suppressing the discomfort.
Zhu Xi was guarding outside. Seeing this, he quickly pushed the two people away, held the empress dowager's shoulders, and made her look up.
The empress dowager's breathing became more rapid. After a few breaths, she suddenly raised her head and felt much better.
Nian Shilan, at a loss, looked around anxiously.
Zhu Xi then sighed and said, "The imperial physician said that this is a symptom left over from the Empress Dowager's restlessness. We must not get excited."
The emperor took a deep breath and said, "I understand. Thank you, Aunt Zhuxi."
The empress dowager, who had finally recovered, leaned in the emperor's arms and her speech became much more coherent.
"I haven't seen the emperor for several months and I want to talk to him. The harem cannot do without you two, so go back and rest early."
Jiang Ruyin and Nian Shilan knelt down obediently and took their leave.
After sending the two out of Shoukang Palace, Zhuxi stood guard in front of the main hall and quietly closed the door.
When he heard the two people talking quietly, Zhuxi finally let go of his worried heart.
That night, the lights in Yiku Palace were on until midnight. Nian Shilan, who had been depressed for a long time, saw the joke and showed her confident and bold smile again.
Jiang Ruyin and Hongxuan finally returned to Yongshou Palace. The long journey had already exhausted Hongxuan, and the moment he entered the palace, his eyelids began to droop. As soon as the palace maids placed him on the soft bed, he fell into a deep sleep.
There was a hint of fatigue in Jiang Ruyin's eyes as she took off the pair of South Pearl and Glass Bead earrings.
Shu Dong hurried in, approached Jiang Ruyin, and reported in a low voice, "This servant discovered someone spreading news about Concubine Wan near Sui Yu Xuan. The ladies have just returned to the palace, and there are so many people talking. I'm afraid the news will soon reach Sui Yu Xuan."
Jiang Ruyin paused, pausing what he was doing. After a moment's thought, he said, "Don't make it public. Just record those palace servants and send them to the Ministry of Punishment."
Shu Dong responded quickly and went back to make arrangements.
The room fell silent.
Jiang Ruyin chuckled, "This noble lady Qi is smarter than I thought."
Suo Chun gently removed her makeup and hair, and tactfully replied, "Why do you say that, Your Majesty?"
"Why didn't you tell us earlier or later? Why did you wait until we returned to the palace to spread the news? People might think it was the concubines who went to the garden. Moreover, if it was before, others would immediately think it was Concubine Qi who had a grudge against Concubine Wan. This deception is very clever."
Suo Chun nodded thoughtfully, "Yes, and if something happened while Your Majesty was in charge of the palace, wouldn't it inexplicably implicate you, Your Majesty?"