Chapter 351

Chapter 351 The Emperor asked in a deep voice, "Where is the First Princess?" "Concubine Fang was worried about the First Princess and has already carried her back to her own palace. She sent someone to inform Consort Zhaode so that Her Ladyship need not worry." The Emperor gave a slight nod. "Go tell Concubine Fang that I will visit the First Princess later." Xie Run said with a smile, "Your Majesty, this concubine heard from the maids and eunuchs that during today's danger, it was the First Princess who stepped forward to protect Taotao and the Second Princess." "The First Princess truly lives up to her role as the eldest sister. Though young in age, she already carries Your Majesty's bearing." Since the eldest son had made a mistake that could not be undone, the only option was to praise his eldest daughter earnestly, at least to help the Emperor save some face and lift his spirits. The Emperor's expression did indeed soften considerably, and a trace of warmth appeared. "Concubine Fang has raised the First Princess well." Xie Run seized the opportunity. "Your Majesty, Concubine Fang has rendered merit in raising the First Princess, and Taotao has also received her elder sister's care. Would this concubine be so bold as to beg a favor for Concubine Fang?" The Emperor smiled. "I was just thinking the same." With that, he looked toward Eunuch Shian. "Issue the decree immediately—promote Concubine Fang to Consort Fang." "Recently, the Kingdom of Lanhai has presented quite a few pearls as tribute. Take two boxes to the First Princess and say that I bestow them upon her in recognition of her bravery and keen wit." Xie Run looked at the Emperor with curiosity. The word "bravery" was rarely used to commend women, let alone a small child like the First Princess. The Emperor then swept his gaze over the First Prince. "You bullied your younger siblings—this is unfilial and unjust. If I were to mete out a light punishment, it would hardly do justice to your younger brothers and sisters." The First Prince, scolded by the Emperor, remained wooden-faced. Only after a long while did he subconsciously mutter, "Fath... Father..." The Emperor's anger was immense, but upon hearing that call of "Father," much of the fury in his chest dissipated. He shifted his tone. "You will be punished with ten strokes of the rod and made to copy the Classic of Filial Piety a hundred times. From now on, you will reside in the Princes' Pavilion and are forbidden from entering the inner palace without reason!" The First Prince still stared blankly at the Emperor. His wet nurse, trembling with fear, led him in performing the ritual of thanks. After dealing with the First Prince, the Emperor turned and saw his chubby son tilting his head back in his wet nurse's arms, sleeping soundly and peacefully. Xie Run was amusing the Second Princess with a toy figurine. The Second Princess stared at the figurine for a long while before suddenly bursting into laughter. Seeing this scene, the Emperor's tone softened a few degrees. "Were you frightened today?" Xie Run replied, "I was indeed a little startled. But I knew there were attendants looking after things, so nothing serious would come of it." "The people around you are well-trained." Xie Run said, "It was Concubine Fang who was truly frightened. She must have run all the way here the moment she heard the news—her hair bun was all disheveled, and two of her Three Hun had been scared out of her." The Emperor nodded, watching Xie Run amuse the Second Princess. The Second Princess let out giggles from time to time, two little dimples appearing on her chubby cheeks, utterly adorable. As Xie Run played with the Second Princess, she remarked, "But there's still no word from Fengyi Palace. I wonder if something has happened." The Emperor's eyes held a calm, detached expression. "The Empress vomited blood." Xie Run was startled, and the doll in her hand was snatched away by the Second Princess. She quickly asked, "Is the Empress seriously unwell?" This sudden vomiting of blood—surely it couldn't be because she heard the news of the Second Princess being bullied? But the Empress was not the type to be so easily shaken. The Emperor said, "A letter arrived from the Xia Dynasty, saying something or other." Xie Run suddenly didn't know what to say. The Empress's health had already been failing. Now with the two nations at war, the Empress caught in the middle would surely face no small amount of gossip and criticism. Xie Run said, "I'll go visit Her Majesty the Empress later. At least it will put my mind at ease." The Emperor said, "You're quite carefree. Aren't you afraid Taotao's soul might be startled?" Xie Run smiled. "Your Majesty, if a child is raised too delicately, always fearing this and that, that's when they're prone to soul-startle." "Taotao is sturdy. A few days ago, while playing in the imperial garden, she secretly caught earthworms to play with on her own." "As long as the adults don't make a fuss, children who don't understand things aren't easily frightened." The Emperor thought of the Third Princess, raised by Ritualist Hui. "Ritualist Hui watches over the Third Princess very closely. At the slightest sign of trouble, she calls for the imperial physician. The other day, she said that the parrot Ritualist Hui keeps let out a squawk, which startled the Third Princess's soul, and she cried for two straight days." The Emperor was deeply vexed just bringing these matters up. "She sent word asking to invite eminent monks from Baoji Temple to chant sutras and settle the Third Princess's soul." Xie Run said gently, "I've heard a little about this matter as well. Her Majesty the Empress assigned it to Consort Wen to handle." "In this concubine's view, it would be best to invite the eminent monks sooner rather than later, and while at it, also pray for blessings and peace for Her Majesty the Empress and the Third Princess?" The Emperor nodded casually. "You can bring that up with the Empress yourself later." Seeing that the Emperor looked weary, Xie Run undid his hair bun and let him lie down on the bed for an afternoon nap. Ever since Xie Run went to the Imperial Prison to visit Fang Yuan'er, the Emperor had not come to Zhaohua Palace for several days, nor had he asked about matters concerning the palace. This was unlike before. In the past, the Emperor was busy with matters of the court. Though his visits to Zhaohua Palace had grown fewer, he would still send gifts from time to time, or occasionally come to Zhaohua Palace for meals. Even at the height of Hua Zhaorong's favor, the Emperor had never neglected Xie Run. But during this period, the Emperor seemed to deliberately ignore Zhaohua Palace, and deliberately ignore Xie Run's existence as well. Xie Run was a sensitive soul, and she vaguely sensed that it was because of what Fang Yuan'er had said to her that day being spread around, creating some rift in the Emperor's heart. Though she didn't know what the rift was, it was enough to make the Emperor uncomfortable whenever he thought of her. She dared not stir up trouble, and simply stayed obediently and quietly in Zhaohua Palace watching the children. She never expected that the First Prince's fussing would bring the Emperor before her. Xie Run was eating fruit under the eaves, and said softly, "As the saying goes, 'meeting in person breeds affection.' There is some truth to that." Xiaoshu was helping peel fruit nearby, and upon hearing this, looked at Xie Run in confusion: "Who does Your Ladyship wish to see?" Dantao understood clearly, and tapped Xiaoshu on the head. "Focus on peeling your fruit. Her Ladyship wants to eat the fruit in your hands." Xie Run smiled faintly as well. Though the Emperor's wariness had lessened somewhat, he still did not stay overnight at Zhaohua Palace. Xie Run was not anxious. She had someone prepare a bowl of soup and deliberately send it to the Imperial Study. The next day, the Emperor did not come in person, but he sent quite a few rewards. When Eunuch Shian came to deliver the rewards, he also specially brought Xie Run a piece of news. "Reporting to Your Ladyship, His Majesty is worried about the Empress's health. He has graciously summoned Divine Physician Xie to the palace. If she can cure the Empress, rewards will not be lacking." Xie Run smiled. "Ben Gong also hopes the Empress's illness will recover soon." But in her heart, she was not so optimistic. Back then, when Xie Jiang had sent word to Xie Run that the Empress's Life-span was damaged, she should have already known about the aftereffects of the Empress's miscarriage. Now the Empress's body was failing more and more each day. Even if Xie Jiang were Bian Que reborn, she could only delay the symptoms, not cure the root cause. She accepted the rewards, then had some of them sent to Consort Fang's palace as a token of thanks to the First Princess. After finishing lunch, Xie Run brought her people to Fengyi Palace. The moment she arrived at Fengyi Palace, Xie Run caught a faint scent of medicine in the air. The palace attendants coming and going all kept their heads lowered, extremely well-behaved, not daring to make a sound. When Xie Run arrived, Xie Jiang was already in Fengyi Palace taking the Empress's pulse. The Emperor was also seated in Fengyi Palace, his expression calm and unreadable. Xie Run quietly performed a salute, then stood to the side and watched. When she caught a glimpse of the Empress's face, pale as gold paper, her heart sank. In just a single day's time, the Empress's complexion and spirit had deteriorated to such a state, as if something had been drained from her out of thin air. Beside her, Consort Wen was quietly wiping her tears with a handkerchief. While Xie Jiang took the pulse, many people watched her face closely, afraid of missing even the slightest change in her expression. After a moment, she rose and saluted the Emperor: "Reporting to Your Majesty, this commoner cannot cure the Empress's illness." "This commoner can only help the Empress's body recover somewhat, and extend her Life-span as much as possible." These words were not pleasant to hear, and ordinary imperial physicians would not dare say them. When the attendants serving in Fengyi Palace heard this, their faces changed in an instant, clearly all greatly frightened. The Emperor, however, was perfectly clear on the Empress's physical condition. "If you can improve the Empress's health, then you will naturally have merit," the Emperor said generously. "When that time comes, I will grant you a promise—I can fulfill any request you make." Xie Run had been quietly standing by the whole time. When she heard these words, it was as if something had clicked in her head, and she instantly entered story mode. In Xie Jiang's script, plots of curing a noble person's serious illness, gaining the noble person's appreciation and promise, and climbing step by step were very common. This time, if Xie Jiang could improve the Empress's health, she could take the opportunity to make a request to the Emperor—to hold an official post in the Imperial Medical Institute, becoming the first female official in the court. As for how the Emperor would agree... Xie Run didn't know. Probably the power of the plot. Sure enough, after Xie Jiang applied acupuncture and administered medicine, the Empress's complexion visibly improved. The Emperor asked Xie Jiang with satisfaction what she wanted. Xie Jiang only said she wished to enter the Imperial Medical Institute to study, so as to further her medical research. Since Xie Jiang had just rendered great service, the Emperor naturally could not simply let her enter the Imperial Medical Institute as an apprentice. With a wave of his hand, he directly granted her the position of an eighth-rank imperial physician, specially permitting Xie Jiang not to be on duty at the palace, and granting her a token allowing her to enter the palace freely to treat the Empress. Xie Run remained a quiet spectator throughout. After the consultation for the Empress concluded, the Emperor spoke again: "Consort Lixian in the palace is gravely ill. Divine Physician Xie might as well go take a look along the way, to put my mind at ease." The moment Xie Run thought of Consort Lixian being Wan Linlang, she felt that this matter was not so simple. She did not want to get involved, and was about to leave when she was suddenly called back by the Emperor. "Consort Zhaode, you are familiar with the harem, and Divine Physician Xie is also your elder sister. You shall lead her to see Consort Li." Xie Run had no way to refuse, so she could only salute and accept: "This concubine obeys." Xie Jiang was very good at reading the situation. In the palace, she maintained an aloof demeanor, and would not deliberately act close to Xie Run. But she also could not say nothing at all. On the way, Xie Run asked: "Are the two children at home doing well?" Xie Jiang nodded, a rare smile appearing on her face. "Very good. I must also thank Your Highness for the medicines and treasures you've bestowed from the palace from time to time—they are in excellent health." "That's good to hear. When they're a bit older, let them come into the palace to play with Taotao as well. Cousins ought to get to know one another." Xie Jiang said, "Your Highness speaks wisely." As they chatted, they arrived at Consort Lixian's Chonghua Palace. Xie Run was surprised to find imperial guards stationed at the entrance of Chonghua Palace. Seeing Xie Run approach, the imperial guards seemed to have received prior orders, immediately withdrawing to both sides and helping to open the gates. Xie Run asked an extra question: "Is Consort Lixian's illness so severe that the Emperor has deployed the imperial guards?" The imperial guard captain clasped his hands and said, "To answer Your Highness, Consort Lixian's poison has reached her lungs. The Emperor worries for her safety and also fears outsiders disturbing her recovery, so he specially sent me to guard the gates of Chonghua Palace." Xie Run gave a slight nod. "You have my thanks for your trouble." "I dare not." It wasn't until she had entered that she remembered something. She asked Dantao, "Ben Gong recalls that Noble Lady Ye resides in the rear hall of Chonghua Palace?" Actually, Wu Baolin had originally lived here too. But when Noble Lady Ye and Wu Baolin had a falling out, the Empress found it unacceptable and had Wu Baolin moved next door to Concubine Fang. Dantao reminded her in a low voice, "Has Your Highness forgotten? Talented Lady Ye was sent to the Cold Palace by the Emperor for attempting suicide." Xie Run touched her forehead and gave a helpless smile. "Look at my memory—I was just about to have you go inquire about it." Dantao smiled. "Your Highness has to assist the Empress in managing the affairs of the Six Palaces, so it's only natural you wouldn't remember such small matters. That's where we servants come in." Xie Run glanced around and noticed that only the outside of Chonghua Palace had imperial guards stationed. Inside the palace, there were few people about—just a few palace maids passing by with lowered heads. When she was led into the main hall, Xie Run realized the smell of medicine here was even stronger than in the Empress's palace. As it happened, the palace maid Miaomiao was attending to Consort Lixian as she drank her medicine. Seeing Xie Run, she quickly said, "This servant greets Consort Zhaode." Xie Run looked around. "Why not light a few more lamps? The room looks so dim." She couldn't quite understand it—though Consort Lixian's palace had nothing blocking the light, it was far darker than an ordinary person's room. It was as if a dark cloud hung overhead. Even standing right there in the room, she could barely make out Consort Lixian's face. Miaomiao said respectfully, "Her Highness was injured by that Cinnabar-top Red, and her appearance has gradually deteriorated. She no longer wishes to look in mirrors, and now she doesn't even care for light." Xie Jiang stood to one side with a calm expression, though her eyes held a hint of deep contemplation as she looked at Consort Lixian. Xie Run asked Xie Jiang, "Physician Xie, shall we light a couple more lamps so you can take Consort Lixian's pulse?" Xie Jiang gave a slight nod. "The four words—Observation, Listening, Questioning, and Pulse-taking—are truly the guiding principles of medicine. Most ailments manifest on the face and require careful differentiation." After Miaomiao finished helping Consort Lixian drink her medicine, she called for someone to light candles. Only then did Xie Run notice that Consort Lixian seemed barely able to move. When she had been lying down drinking her medicine, Xie Run had assumed she was simply staying still for convenience. But now that the medicine was finished, Miaomiao still had to carefully lay her back down and cover her with a blanket. From beginning to end, Consort Lixian made no movement at all. Xie Run's heart sank slightly as she quietly watched Xie Jiang take Consort Lixian's pulse. Even with two more lamps lit, the palace remained somewhat dim, and Xie Run couldn't even clearly make out the expression on Xie Jiang's face. After a moment, Xie Jiang withdrew her hand and spoke in a light, clear voice: "Consort Lixian's poison has reached her lungs. I fear her time is limited." Miaomiao let out a startled cry. "What?!" "How can this be... Just a few days ago, they said the injury wasn't serious." With that, she began to sob softly. Xie Jiang said, "All I can do is delay the poison's spread into the Five Viscera. But the poison of Cinnabar-top Red is irreversible—Consort Lixian will likely have to remain bedridden from now on." Miaomiao immediately knelt before Xie Jiang. "I beg the physician to treat my mistress. Her Highness cannot be allowed to come to harm..."