Inside the Cining Hall in the imperial city, palace lanterns shone brightly. Empress Dowager Lu Fengqing sat in the main hall, looking down at the crawling figure below with a cold gaze.

"Everything you handle must be handled thoroughly." Her words were like a cold wind blowing across ice, carrying unquestionable authority. "As the director of the Imperial Hospital, you should understand that any negligence could become a weapon for others to use against you."

Xu He, the director of the Imperial Medical Bureau, had traces of time quietly creeping up his temples and beard, making them as white as autumn frost.

He bowed his head deeply, his voice full of respect: "Please rest assured, Your Majesty, all those who knew about this have been properly dealt with. I am old and have suffered from rheumatism in my legs for many years. It is time for me to step down and let someone more capable take over..."

He always kept his head low, hoping to win the sympathy and understanding of the Queen Mother by showing his old age and retirement.

Eunuch Chang Bao, who had been standing by the throne, interrupted softly, "Empress Dowager, look at Master Xu's legs and feet. They're shaking just kneeling in this hall."

Lu Fengqing raised his eyebrows slightly, his eyes revealing a hint of false concern: "Why didn't you tell me earlier? Please take a seat!"

The palace maid quickly brought a chair, and the young eunuch gently helped the courtyard attendant Xu He to sit down.

"Thank you, Her Majesty, for your consideration." Xu He expressed his gratitude.

However, his uneasiness did not diminish because he knew very well that the Queen Mother summoned him not just for a few pleasantries.

As expected, Eunuch Chang Bao waved his hand, and the palace maids in the hall filed out in a well-trained manner.

Lu Fengqing turned his gaze to Xu He, feeling an indescribable irony in his heart.

Everyone praised the late emperor for his military and literary skills, and his ability to govern the country, making him a sage king. However, in her eyes, the late emperor's method of controlling life and death was far more sophisticated than governing the court.

Who could have imagined that eliminating dissidents and eliminating party members was not always done openly? The Imperial Hospital, which was supposed to save the dying and heal the wounded and was a compassionate doctor, could quietly hide behind others and become an unexpected sharp weapon in the hands of the late emperor.

No one in the world could have expected that the late emperor, who was posthumously named "Renzong", would act so insidiously and cruelly that it was impossible to guard against him.

"After the late emperor passed away, Lord Xu could have achieved great success and enjoyed a peaceful old age." Lu Fengqing sighed softly, "But when I was serving the late emperor medicine at his bedside, I happened to overhear his last whispers. Only then did I suddenly realize that the Imperial Hospital was actually an invisible sword in his hand."

"Over the past decade or so, Lord Xu has continued to devote himself to me. He has truly made great contributions." Lu Fengqing smiled slightly, but the smile did not reach his eyes. Instead, it made people feel cold all over.

Xu He leaned forward in his chair, his expression becoming increasingly respectful and awkward. "Your Highness, I'm flattering you. I'm simply fulfilling my duties and sharing the worries of the late Emperor and the Empress Dowager."

"Master Xu's loyalty is naturally evident to me. However, the current situation has changed, and I still need you to continue to lead the Imperial Hospital. Only then can I rest assured..."

Xu He's heart trembled. He knew that the Queen Mother was testing his loyalty. He knew that he could no longer refuse, so he could only bow his head and kowtow: "Your Majesty, I will obey your order and continue to serve you."

Lu Fengqing's expression finally softened. "Master Xu is indeed very understanding. If you continue to serve me loyally, you will be handsomely rewarded."

Watching Xu He leave the hall and his figure gradually disappear at the end of the corridor illuminated by palace lanterns, Eunuch Chang Bao carefully helped Lu Fengqing to stand up and walked towards the inner room.

After taking off the dazzling golden phoenix hairpin, Eunuch Chang Bao gently massaged the empress dowager's shoulders with skillful and delicate techniques, and each massage just relieved her fatigue.

In this quiet inner room, Lu Fengqing's expression gradually relaxed, enjoying this rare peace and comfort, but her heart was not truly calm.

"When the late Emperor passed away, Prime Minister Gao Qi was so powerful that even I and Your Majesty had to avoid his influence and endure his wrath. Who could have imagined that this old villain would fall ill and die in just six months? Looking back, I was so naive back then. I truly believed that God was protecting us, mother and son, and removing such a thorn in his side!"

Chang Bao gently massaged her temples and smiled, "The late emperor was indeed a man of foresight..."

Hearing this, Lu Fengqing snorted softly, "The late emperor must have hated those old ministers. He suspected that they were secretly manipulating and using the late queen to kill Concubine Mei."

"In my humble opinion, that was the end of Concubine Mei's blessings. Unlike you, Your Majesty, you enjoy great fortune and a long life." Chang Bao changed the subject and felt the Empress Dowager's shoulders relax slightly. His words obviously touched her heart.

At this time, the head aunt of the Cining Palace moved lightly to the door of the inner chamber and reported in a gentle voice: "Your Majesty, the Shoukang Concubine has returned to the palace."

Hearing this, Chang Bao turned his gaze towards the door and replied calmly, "I understand."

As the head aunt respectfully withdrew, Chang Bao carefully lit the ambergris and said with a tone of dissatisfaction, "This Chen Jin is really something. Why would he let Concubine Shoukang raise County Lady Rongde? If we really talk about the closeness of the relationship with the Xingyuan Marquisate, it should be you, the Queen Mother, who should have adopted the County Lady as your adopted daughter. But he's trying to curry favor with the Concubine instead!"

Chang Bao could never get over the fact that Chen Jin was so successful, so he took the opportunity to stir up trouble.

Lu Fengqing gently stroked the fine lines at the corners of his eyes in front of the bronze mirror and couldn't help but chuckle: "Your hair-combing skills are good, but when it comes to court affairs, it's better to say less."

Chang Bao, though somewhat annoyed, still shook his head as he expressed his opinion, "I know I'm not particularly talented, but my loyalty is solely to the Queen Mother. I'll never be like Chen Jin, trying to please everyone and be smooth with everyone."

This chapter is not finished yet, please click on the next page to continue reading the exciting content!