Chapter 352

Chapter 352 Xie Jiang helped Miaomiao up and said calmly, "As a physician, treating the sick and saving lives is my duty. I will naturally do my best. There is no need for you to kneel and beg." Xie Run also spoke slowly, "If you truly care for your mistress, then take good care of her." Miaomiao wiped her eyes and bowed respectfully. "Yes." Only after Xie Jiang finished administering the acupuncture and prescribing the medicine did the two of them leave. As they exited Chonghua Palace, Xie Run instinctively glanced back. Once, Fang Yuan'er and Consort Lixian had vied to be the principal occupant of Chonghua Palace. In the end, Consort Lixian had gained the upper hand, pushing Fang Yuan'er from the main hall to a side hall. Times had changed. Now Fang Yuan'er had fallen to the point of being imprisoned for life in the Cold Palace. Consort Lixian was gravely ill—perhaps within a few days she would be completely laid to rest in the main hall of Chonghua Palace, still bearing the identity of the Luosha Kingdom's princess and Consort Lixian. Concubine Wan of Prince Jing's residence had long since died in that earthquake. Sometimes Xie Run couldn't understand—what exactly had they been fighting over their entire lives? On the way back, Xie Jiang suddenly spoke. "These years in the palace have not been easy for you." Xie Run was startled. "Sister, why do you suddenly say such things?" Xie Run's first thought went to Consort Lixian's illness. Xie Jiang must have noticed something to suddenly make such a remark. Xie Run was about to stop Xie Jiang, to keep her from saying anything inappropriate. Then she heard Xie Jiang say, "Take good care of yourself. Good health and a comfortable life matter more than anything else." Xie Jiang's cool, composed features revealed little emotional fluctuation. But at that moment, a bold idea suddenly struck Xie Run. Since several of the scripts had already collapsed, could she perhaps borrow Xie Jiang's Female Lead Halo to escape her current circumstances? Even Xie Run herself was startled when the thought surfaced. It wasn't that she had never secretly considered it before, but back then Xie Jiang was still weak and hadn't yet begun her personal storyline. Those bold notions had barely risen before being suppressed again. Xie Run suddenly smiled, as if casually teasing, "Since sister worries about me so much, how about this—once the children are older, I'll frequently leave the palace and spend time with you?" Xie Jiang instinctively asked, "Would the Emperor allow it?" Xie Run smiled. "Perhaps he will in the future?" Xie Jiang thought it over carefully. "If that day ever comes, it would be wonderful indeed." In Xie Jiang's understanding, she still felt that Xie Run would be trapped beneath those tall red walls for the rest of her life—truly pitiable. No matter how beautiful the fine robes, how precious the jewelry and treasures, none could compare to the value of freedom. Xie Run glanced at Xie Jiang's rather earnest expression and smiled lightly. "I was only joking. Sister needn't take it seriously." Xie Jiang said nothing, only maintaining a composed and unhurried demeanor. Xie Run couldn't help but walk several more streets with Xie Jiang, nearly reaching the inner palace gate. Xie Jiang squeezed her hand, pressed a small sachet into her palm, and said with an unchanged expression, "Your Grace, no need to see me off any further." "Even a thousand-mile send-off must end with farewell. Now that I'll be on duty in the palace, it will be easier for us to meet than before." Xie Run smiled. "Isn't that so? If one day I miss you, I'll simply say I'm unwell and summon you to take my pulse?" Xie Jiang curled her lips into a light smile. Xie Run withdrew her hand and added with a laugh, "Though that wouldn't be quite proper either." "Sister is someone destined for great things. Perhaps every patient you treat concerns matters of life and death. I shouldn't trouble you lightly." The two chatted a while longer before Xie Jiang departed. Xie Run stood in place watching Xie Jiang leave, vaguely catching sight of a tall, refined-looking man waiting at the palace gate. She knew this was the gentle second male lead in Xie Jiang's life trajectory—someone who would eventually be replaced by the male lead. This was a script belonging solely to Xie Jiang. Xie Run watched for a moment, then turned and walked back along the long palace corridor. The palace walls on either side rose tall and deep, seeming all the more oppressive and suffocating. Returning to Zhaohua Palace, Xie Run heard two clear, crisp laughter from a distance. She asked curiously, "Is the Second Princess still here?" The old matron who came to greet her said in a low voice, "Someone came from the Empress's palace to deliver word that Fengyi Palace is in a bit of a mess, and they feared the Second Princess might be frightened. They thought it best to let her stay and play here for now, and she'll be brought back later." Xie Run nodded slightly. "Then attend to her well—do not be the least bit negligent." The old matron quickly replied, "Of course. The Second Princess and our Fifth Prince are about the same age, and both have gentle temperaments. They're having a wonderful time playing together." Xie Run changed her clothes first before returning to the main hall. Having walked such a long way today, her legs were somewhat sore, so she leaned back in her chair to rest. Dantao crouched down to massage her legs. When Xiaoshu entered, she dismissed the attendants. With only the two of them left in the palace, Xie Run handed the sachet to Xiaoshu. "Put it away for now. Use it slowly." Xiaoshu knew this was something that would be considered highly disrespectful, so she quickly tucked it into her sleeve. After a moment, she couldn't help but ask, "The Fifth Prince is already two years old. Your Grace, won't you make plans soon?" Xie Run had not conceived since giving birth to Taotao, and that was thanks to what was in the sachet. It had been given to her by Xie Jiang during the Empress's minor surgery last time. After hearing Xiaoshu's words, Xie Run did indeed think it over carefully. Xiaoshu was not the only one who had advised Xie Run to have another child. At the time, she had felt the palace was unsettled—Wan Linlang was like a venomous snake hiding in the shadows, Fang Yuan'er was a blade laid bare in the open, and there were also the newcomers—Noble Lady Xian, Concubine Yang, Consort Wen, and others whose true natures could not yet be discerned. But now, both Fang Yuan'er and Wan Linlang had been dealt with by the Emperor. Xie Run also had a fairly clear picture of the temperaments of everyone in the harem. Currently, those with child in the palace included Hua Zhaorong and Wu Baolin. Xie Run mused, "In a little while, once the war between the two nations ends, the court officials will likely urge the Emperor to hold an imperial beauty selection." "The days of peace in the palace are numbered." Xiaoshu and Dantao nodded in succession. "Exactly so. Once new women enter the palace, that will be the time for trouble to brew again." "If Your Ladyship becomes pregnant now, you can endure through the first three months, secure the pregnancy, and by the time the new women arrive, you'll have nothing to worry about." The two maids had thought it through well. Xie Run thought of Wu Baolin and Hua Zhaorong, who were both with child. The fact that these two were carrying their pregnancies safely proved that the harem was now as safe as could be. Moreover... no one knew how much longer the Empress's health could hold out. If the Empress passed away, it would not be a suitable time for pregnancy in the short term. If the Emperor were to take it into his head to marry a new Empress, Xie Run would have no peaceful days ahead. "Enough. Put this medicine away for now." Xie Run's hand rested on her lower abdomen. "Whether I conceive or not depends on fate. There's no need to force it." Xie Jiang had once said that the medicine was extremely low in harm, yet not entirely without side effects. Xie Run was not worried about failing to conceive; she simply did not want to hold out too much hope only to be disappointed in the end. Xie Run then smiled. "Now that Sister has become an imperial physician and can move freely within the palace, that is truly a great blessing." "Isn't it?" Dantao laughed. "With Your Ladyship and the Eldest Miss supporting each other, there's no need to fear any of those demons and monsters outside!" Zhaohua Palace was filled with warmth and harmony, but Chonghua Palace was as cold and gloomy as a coffin. Under the dim lamplight, Miaomiao carried a bowl of medicine, approaching with a soft, gentle voice. She called out, "Consort Lixian, it's time to take your medicine." Wan Linlang, lying dazed on the bed, slowly opened her eyes and with great difficulty turned them toward Miaomiao. She opened her mouth, wanting to curse Miaomiao out and push away the bowl of medicine in her hand. She knew the medicine was laced with poison—one that would slowly cause her to lose consciousness, seep into her organs, and kill her silently. But in truth, she did not even have the strength to open her mouth. Miaomiao gently helped her sit up and fed the medicine to Wan Linlang bit by bit. Wan Linlang wanted to struggle. The bitter medicine spread across her tongue, and Wan Linlang's vision went dark as she instantly lost the strength to resist. Miaomiao said softly, "His Majesty, out of concern for Consort Lixian, specially summoned Physician Xie to diagnose you. Now that even Physician Xie is at a loss, why does Your Ladyship persist in struggling?" After a moment, she added, "His Majesty wants you dead. You might as well drink the medicine without resistance." "If you cling to that breath of life, you'll only make your own days harder." Wan Linlang suddenly summoned a burst of strength from somewhere, rolled her eyes to fix them on Miaomiao, and asked in a trembling voice, "Wh-why?!" Even Fang Yuan'er was still alive—why did the Emperor want her dead of all people?! When it came to committing evil, Fang Yuan'er had done more than she had! Why did the Emperor insist on her death?! Miaomiao smiled. "Back when you were conspiring with Lady-in-waiting Gong, this servant was listening nearby." "His Majesty naturally knew that bowl of Cinnabar-top Red was something you drank deliberately. How could he possibly feel any pity for you?" "You wished to survive, but His Majesty has spent years sending people to investigate your background. Now that he knows of the things you once did, how could he spare your life?!" Wan Linlang's eyes flew wide in terror. The things she had once done? So much time had passed that she had nearly forgotten what she had done. But with that reminder, the faces of those who had fallen on wasteland, stricken by plague, grew clearer one by one. Wan Linlang struggled to breathe. She seemed to see them all reaching out their hands to claim her life, crawling toward her from hell in a desperate rush. Wan Linlang wanted to scream for help, but no sound would come out. She only stared ahead with wide eyes, her body suddenly convulsing in a struggle. Miaomiao instinctively pressed her down. Before she could react, the person in her arms seemed to have completely lost all strength, lying still with eyes wide open. It took Miaomiao a moment to realize that Wan Linlang was dead. She reached out and brushed her hand over Wan Linlang's face, trying to close the eyes that refused to shut in death. But she tried several times, and Wan Linlang would not close her eyes. Miaomiao let out a sigh. "Don't blame me. His Majesty wanted you dead, and we all had no choice but to obey." "Let go of that last breath, and in your next life, don't enter this palace again." As if Wan Linlang truly understood her words, she slowly closed her eyes. Miaomiao rose with the empty medicine bowl, lifted the curtain, and stepped out. Her eyes reddened, and she immediately put on a sorrowful, shocked expression. "Consort Lixian... she has passed!" The other palace attendants all looked utterly stunned, and then cries of grief erupted all around. "Your Ladyship..." The sound of weeping spread outward from Chonghua Palace, seemingly trying to pierce through the layers of palace walls. Xie Run was embroidering a bellyband for Taotao in Zhaohua Palace when she suddenly heard someone deliver news. "Consort Lixian of Chonghua Palace has passed away. Her Majesty the Empress summons you to Fengyi Palace to discuss how the funeral rites should be arranged." Since entering the Prince's residence, Xie Run had already attended many funeral rites. Now hearing that Consort Lixian had died, there was surprisingly little surprise on her face. Moreover, she had already attended Wan Linlang's funeral once before. What died now was Consort Lixian, the princess of the Luosha Kingdom. She arranged things methodically, "Dantao, accompany me to Fengyi Palace. Xiaoshu, you arrange for someone to go to Chonghua Palace and ask if there's anything needed, then send a list to Fengyi Palace." "Also go to the Imperial Household Department and urge them on the items to be purchased..." After issuing a round of orders, Dantao had already attended to her, changing her hairpin style and changing her clothes. Xie Run led her people all the way toward Fengyi Palace. As soon as she arrived at Fengyi Palace, the servants below promptly offered tea. The Empress appeared to have applied powder on her face, her complexion looking passable. She spoke directly, "The Emperor said Consort Lixian's funeral should be conducted according to the rites of a Fei. This Ben Gong is unwell at the moment, so I must trouble Consort Zhaode and Consort Wen." Xie Run smiled, "This concubine doesn't fear hard work, but having never managed such a major affair, I can't help but feel somewhat anxious. I'm afraid I'll have to trouble Her Majesty the Empress every day." According to the rules of the inner palace, when a concubine of the harem passed away, if she had committed no major wrongdoings during her lifetime— The Emperor, to show leniency and remembrance, would generally arrange the funeral one rank higher than her original position. But the Emperor had just recently promoted Consort Lixian's rank. If the Emperor truly valued Consort Lixian, he would at least have her buried with the rites of a Consort Shu, to preserve some dignity. Not mentioning it now meant he truly didn't care at all. Xie Run's earlier speculation had come true. Consort Lixian... had indeed become her posthumous title and rank. Hearing Xie Run's words, the Empress glanced at her own younger sister, Consort Wen, who was shrinking to one side, and sighed softly. She smiled, "This Ben Gong has never managed such a major affair either. I merely searched out the precedents from the Retired Emperor's time to follow. At least it preserves some dignity for Consort Lixian and gives the Luosha Kingdom something to hold onto." Consort Wen nodded quietly, "This concubine will follow all of Her Majesty the Empress's instructions." Xie Run thought to herself, thankfully the Retired Emperor had enfeoffed quite a few high-ranking consorts during his reign—at least it "benefited later generations." Consort Lixian was one of only two first-rank consorts in the palace now. Her funeral was far beyond what the concubines of the Prince's residence could compare to. This funeral took over half a month to prepare. After it was completed, the Empress's face went a shade paler, the powder unable to suppress that weakness. Xie Run and Consort Wen were both exhausted to the point of feeling faint, each losing several pounds. Time passed quickly, and in the blink of an eye, it was the end of October. Waking up early one morning, Xie Run suddenly sensed a chill seeping into her body. She instinctively asked, "Why has it suddenly become so cold today?" PS: Explaining the Hua siblings. Hua Yu's setting is different from Consort Hua's. The Emperor didn't favor Hua Yu because he was wary of Hua Yu's brother. On the contrary, the Emperor favored Hua Yu in order to elevate Hua Yu's brother. The Emperor had just ascended the throne, and he needed his own trusted confidants. A young general who rose abruptly, without sufficient background, would certainly face suppression from all sides. The Emperor was paving the way for him. Because the Hua family had no one else, to show his regard and support for Hua Yu's brother, the Emperor promoted Hua Yu, so that his brother could smoothly take power in the court. In Consort Hua's case, the Emperor had already consolidated power, and her brother's wings had gradually grown full. Only then did the Emperor begin to resent that Consort Hua's brother's achievements overshadowed his own, using Consort Hua to restrain her brother.