Chapter 50: Reconciliation

By the time Chu Mingheng heard her final words, the composure and calmness had vanished from his face.

He stood up and approached Lan Wu.

His tall figure blocked the light ahead. Lan Wu instinctively wanted to shrink back in fear, but she was seated in a chair, with the wall behind her and the armrests pressed down by Chu Mingheng, leaving her nowhere to hide.

Thus, she could only frantically press her arms against Chu Mingheng’s chest, resisting his excessive closeness.

Chu Mingheng’s movements were gentle, yet he restrained Lan Wu with an undeniable force. He lifted her and carried her toward the Inner Palace.

Only when they reached the bed did he release her, pressing her down onto it.

“What nonsense are you spouting?”

“When did I ever say those things? What have you been thinking about all day?” After speaking, Chu Mingheng fell silent for a moment, meeting Lan Wu’s tear-filled eyes. “A promotion of two ranks—is that enough?”

Lan Wu’s ears twitched slightly, but she didn’t nod in agreement right away.

A promotion of two ranks would make her a Shuyi. Even Rong Shu Yi had only reached the rank of Shuyi after her miscarriage. In her previous life, she had spent a year as a concubine and only attained the rank of Shuyi.

“I anticipated you would make a scene. Although I ordered someone to arrange an Instruction Matron for your palace, the selection was made by subordinates from the Inner Court Administration.”

“I didn’t know who was chosen. As soon as I arrived at the Imperial Study, I regretted it and intended to come find you.”

“And I never said I didn’t want you.” With that, Chu Mingheng kissed the tip of her nose, then lifted her again to wipe away her tears.

Lan Wu wasn’t clever. This time, she had been driven to desperation and resorted to this self-harming method to defy him. He had learned his lesson, yet he was utterly helpless against Lan Wu.

Decisions that were easily made when dealing with others always faltered when facing Lan Wu. Pretending to be cold and distant only to have Lan Wu take it to heart.

In this way, nurturing Lan Wu was like tending to an exceptionally delicate orchid—the slightest neglect could ruin it.

Orchids were precious and fragile, but Lan Wu was even more so.

Lan Wu listened to his words for a long while but didn’t hear him admit any fault. Inwardly, she pouted. Well, getting an emperor to admit his mistakes was as difficult as reaching the heavens. Reaching this point was already beyond her expectations, and it wasn’t in vain that she had cried until her whole body ached.

Her sobs gradually subsided. Finally, Lan Wu lifted her head and kissed Chu Mingheng’s chin, signaling their reconciliation.

“Still want to cry?” Chu Mingheng asked her.

Lan Wu shook her head. If she cried any more, her eyes would dry out.

She had been appeased, but the necessary words still had to be spoken.

Chu Mingheng gently grasped Lan Wu’s injured wrist, pushing back her sleeve to reveal the already medicated wound. His fingers traced lightly upward as he spoke softly, “Once or twice is permissible, but not a third time.”

“Ah Wu, you should understand this principle.”

Lan Wu nodded repeatedly but remained silent, nuzzling her head against Chu Mingheng’s neck, her breath lightly brushing against him.

“And don’t speak recklessly out of willfulness.” Chu Mingheng’s words carried a deeper meaning, referring to Lan Wu’s earlier resentful remarks, especially the last one.

“Your Majesty, I’m tired,” Lan Wu whispered, looking up at him with a pitiful expression. “And it still hurts. You didn’t apply medicine for concubine last night.”

Chu Mingheng clearly knew she was changing the subject. After a moment of silent contemplation, he released her. “Medicine has already been applied.”

Lan Wu mumbled a soft “oh.”

“Sleep. Do you want me to stay with you?” With that, Chu Mingheng tucked her back under the covers.

Lan Wu refused.

“You still need to get up for lunch. Didn’t we tell Yushan Fang yesterday that we wanted fish? I’ll come back later to have the meal with you.” Chu Mingheng leaned down to pull the blanket over Lan Wu, meeting her lively and unflinching gaze. “Get some proper rest.”

After speaking, he straightened up and turned to leave the Inner Palace.

After waiting a moment, Lan Wu pushed aside the blanket, craning her neck toward the palace entrance and listening carefully for any sounds.

Hearing no further movement, she finally slipped off the bed and tiptoed to the doorway, calling out softly.

Hearing the sound from inside, Lian Xi pushed the door open and entered.

“Your Highness?”

Lan Wu peeked out from behind the screen and asked, “Has His Majesty gone far?”

Lian Xi nodded. “He should be quite far by now.”

Lan Wu let out a sigh of relief.

She had been frightened by Chu Mingheng’s last words, thinking he might have discovered something. But now, upon careful reflection, there didn’t seem to be anything amiss. It was just her own guilty conscience that made his words feel suspicious.

“When you went to Yushan Fang yesterday to find Zhang Mu, did anyone see you?”

At this, Lian Xi straightened her expression, thought for a moment, and then shook her head. “Your Highness, rest assured. I was very careful. No one followed.”

That was good. She had thought her informant in Yushan Fang might have been exposed so quickly.

“Is Court Physician Chen still here?” Lan Wu thought of something else and asked Lian Xi.

“Your Highness, Court Physician Chen is still waiting outside. Would you like to see her?”

Seeing Lan Wu nod, Lian Xi withdrew to summon Court Physician Chen into the hall.

Lan Wu had been wanting to ask Chen Li about the information Lian Xi had obtained from Zhang Mu yesterday. Originally, Chen Li wasn’t due to check her pulse for another three days, but coincidentally, she had come today.

Lan Wu had Chen Li sit down, and Lian Xi served her tea.

“Court Physician Chen, please try the tea from my palace.” Lan Wu smiled at her. Though she was smiling, having just cried, anyone could see there was more behind that smile.

Chen Li respectfully acknowledged the offer, thanked her for the kindness, and then took a sip of the hot tea.

Immediately afterward, she was nearly choked by Lan Wu’s next question.

“Court Physician Chen, tell me… how should someone who has had a miscarriage best nourish themselves?”

The teacup in her hand nearly tipped over as she set it on the table.

Chen Li naturally understood who Lan Wu was referring to with this question, but how could she dare speak of it? His Majesty had forbidden anyone from mentioning it. The Jieyu was truly bold to ask such a thing.

However, His Majesty had just visited, and there had been a commotion in the hall, yet he showed no intention of reprimanding her.

It seemed Her Highness had emerged victorious.

Since not a single word in the question mentioned Rong Shuyi, perhaps it wasn’t entirely off-limits to answer.

Having reasoned this through, Chen Li replied, “Your Highness, a miscarriage depletes one’s vital energy and blood, so nourishment is indeed necessary, but…”

She paused, then continued, “But the most important thing after a miscarriage should be to dispel blood stasis. First dispel the stasis, then replenish the blood. If the stagnant blood isn’t cleared, it will further harm the body. Only after clearing the stasis can one consume common blood-nourishing foods, such as red dates and black-bone chicken.”

This answer had struck at the heart of the matter.

Lan Wu let out a meaningful “Oh.”

Dispelling blood stasis, huh…

The Imperial Physician in charge of Rong Shu Yi’s health was surnamed Xu. Chen Li said that Xu Tai Yi was highly skilled in medicine and should not be unaware of such matters. However, judging from Zhang Mu’s words, Qiushui Pavilion had been sending blood-nourishing items over daily for about twenty days. Counting the days, it had started ever since Rong Shu Yi’s miscarriage. Could it be that she had been consuming those things every day?

“What would happen if one replenishes blood directly after a miscarriage without first dispelling blood stasis?” she asked.

Chen Li raised her head, glanced at Lan Wu, then lowered it and replied softly:

“Your Highness, it would likely cause severe abdominal pain and continuous bleeding.”