Chapter 113: Night Terrors
“Your Majesty, the fact that the lady has awakened—even if only for a moment—is good news. It means she is conscious, and from here on, things will be easier—” The crowd kneeling below couldn’t help but breathe a sigh of relief at this sight.
As long as she had regained consciousness, even for just a moment, it was a positive sign. The worst fear was that she would remain in a dazed, unresponsive slumber.
Mujin, standing to the side, also let out a heartfelt sigh of relief.
Earlier in the carriage, everything had been fine. There had been no commotion, and the lady’s condition had been stable—it seemed there were no issues.
But shortly after returning to Yilan Hall, the lady on the bed began gasping for breath as if struggling to breathe, her brows furrowed tightly, her face gradually turning pale. She even started muttering incoherently, yet remained unable to wake fully. No matter how much they called out to her, she showed no response.
The Imperial Physicians had already been summoned and were waiting on standby. One after another, they all said the lady had suffered a fright, experiencing night terrors in her dreams. Yet, even after administering calming medicines, there was no effect whatsoever.
It was only then that the Imperial Physician, trembling with fear, dared to suggest that the lady’s condition might be dire.
When Chu Mingheng heard those words from the physician, his expression changed instantly, and he kicked the man to the ground.
“How dare you utter such absurd words to curse Zhen Zhaorong! Guards! Take him away!”
“Summon more Imperial Physicians—”
After giving the order, Chu Mingheng gently gathered Lan Wu, who was thrashing restlessly on the bed, into his arms. “Call all the physicians from the Imperial Medical Academy. Anyone who disobeys will be executed without mercy.”
The physicians from the Imperial Medical Academy rushed over under the cover of night, not daring to delay in the slightest. However, upon arriving at the hall and examining Zhen Zhaorong’s pulse, they all found it strange.
Although it was a case of night terrors, the patient remained unconscious and had now developed a high fever. If not handled carefully, the situation could turn dire. The previous physician had lost his nerve, unable to guarantee her recovery, and thus spoke of the worst possible outcome. Yet, His Majesty simply could not bear to hear such words.
After discussing among themselves, the physicians had already decided on the medication to use. Their only fear was that even with the medicine, there might be no sign of improvement.
As time passed, with no improvement in the condition of the person behind the curtain, they had begun to fear that their lives would end that day. Finally, they witnessed Zhen Zhaorong regain consciousness, if only for a moment.
Everyone felt overjoyed and relieved, grateful that their lives had been spared.
With such a commotion occurring in Yilan Hall late at night, it was impossible for word not to spread. The sight of Imperial Physicians swarming toward Yilan Hall alone indicated that something serious had happened.
However, the imperial concubines also knew that Lan Wu was under house arrest and found it strange—what could possibly have gone wrong while Zhen Zhaorong was confined peacefully in her own palace?
Consort Shu and her group had guessed that Lan Wu was not actually under house arrest in her own palace. Now, hearing that she was back in Yilan Hall and in such a state, they couldn’t help but frown.
When an imperial concubine fell seriously ill, it was customary to visit and check on her. Moreover, they were more than willing to join in the commotion.
Since entering the rear palace and becoming an imperial concubine, this Zhen Zhaorong had enjoyed smooth sailing, never suffering any major hardships. Given the current grand spectacle, some speculated that she might have contracted a serious illness and was on the verge of death.
But even if they truly thought so, no one dared to show it, fearing that His Majesty might notice and punish them.
Several concubines had already gathered outside the gates of Yilan Hall.
Zhaoyi Wen waited outside the palace gates without entering. Only when it was announced that Lady Shufei had arrived did she step forward.
“Your servant pays respects to Your Ladyship.”
Consort Shu glanced at her, noting that she had not yet entered, and slowly acknowledged with a hum, instructing her to rise.
There were many people here, so Consort Shu spoke softly, but the confusion in her tone remained undiminished: “Wasn’t she said to be in Taichen Palace? How did she suddenly end up in Yilan Hall?”
Zhaoyi Wen walked beside her and replied gently, “This afternoon, I saw a small sedan chair carrying someone toward Chenghua Gate. I made some inquiries and guessed that the person inside was Zhen Zhaorong. Later, fearing I might have overthought it, I sent someone to inquire at Taichen Palace and Yilan Hall. They said someone saw the small sedan chair being carried out from the direction of Taichen Palace.”
Consort Shu understood: “His Majesty took her out of the palace.”
It was just unclear what had happened outside the palace that she returned so gravely ill.
This news was surprising to all the imperial concubines, especially Consort Shu. She had been contemplating whether to take action against Lan Wu before she could conceive a royal heir, but now Lan Wu had fallen ill first.
She only hoped that once this person fell, she would never rise again. Even if only a corpse remained, it would be good to leave behind an untarnished reputation.
The group entered Yilan Hall, but even standing outside the hall, they could clearly see many Imperial Physicians kneeling on the ground, each looking anxious and parched, as if the person inside was truly in critical condition.
Consort Shu grew even more curious but dared not enter rashly. Instead, she found a palace maid from Yilan Hall to ask about the situation.
The palace maid looked up and was startled to see so many imperial concubines in the hall. She hurriedly replied that the Imperial Physicians had already prescribed medicine for the mistress, and her condition had improved slightly.
“What illness does your mistress have? How did it come on so suddenly?” Consort Shu asked again.
The palace maid stammered in reply, “Your Highness… our mistress merely… merely caught a chill. That’s what the Imperial Physicians said…”
She knew nothing more.
For a moment, the hall grew noisy. When many imperial concubines gathered, they tended to chatter, especially since it was Zhen Zhaorong who was in trouble. Some were worried, while others gloated, but everyone had something to say. However, no matter how softly they spoke, fragments of their words still drifted through the doors to the Inner Palace.
Chu Mingheng gently stroked Lan Wu’s cheek, then turned to look beyond the screen. His face was as dark as water, his brow furrowed, and a fierce, ruthless glint flashed in his eyes. He asked slowly, “Who is speaking out there?”
Mujin bowed her head and replied, “Your Majesty, several of the ladies have come.”
“Drive them all away. If anyone dares to speak another word, drag them outside the hall and slap their mouths.”
Mujin was taken aback but silently bowed and retreated.
The door to the Inner Palace opened. Consort Shu, seeing someone emerge, was about to step forward when Mujin bowed her head and relayed Chu Mingheng’s words verbatim.
Everyone present fell silent.
Consort Shu felt as if she had been slapped hard across the face. She now held sole authority over the palace, yet in front of all the imperial concubines, His Majesty had issued such an order.
Although it was not directed solely at her, she was naturally the representative.
Instantly, her face flushed red, then turned pale with anger.
When she tried to say something kind or to acknowledge the order, she caught sight of Mujin’s indifferent expression and swallowed her words—no more speaking meant not a single word should be uttered.
This feeling was like being forced to kneel and unable to rise—utterly humiliating and wretched.
Consort Shu clenched her handkerchief tightly, forcing herself to maintain her composure. She bowed in the direction of the Inner Palace, then turned and left the hall.
Seeing her leave, the other imperial concubines naturally followed suit one after another, clearing out entirely. Their ranks were not as high as Consort Shu’s, and even Consort Shu dared not speak further—how could they dare to cry injustice? Even those who were usually the most talkative kept their mouths shut, truly fearing that His Majesty would drag them into the outer courtyard to have their mouths slapped.
Yue Zhaorong was the last to withdraw, but she did not leave immediately. Instead, she waited in the outer courtyard for a moment. Seeing Lian Qiao emerge and seemingly having a moment of free time, she stepped forward to ask her a few questions.