Because it was Emperor Liang Cheng's birthday, the palace was decorated very festively today, with lanterns hanging along every road, some of which were even made of glass.

It was already past midnight. The old woman hurried along, leading the way through the dark alley. Chen Zhaoci was still carrying her bundle, her attention focused on the path beneath her feet, and she had no energy to pay attention to where they were going.

They walked for a long time, so long that Chen Zhaoci felt sweat on her back, before the old nanny led her into a somewhat dilapidated courtyard.

Chen Zhaoci looked around curiously. It was dark and he couldn't see clearly, but it was very quiet. It was probably because it was winter. There was only the sound of wind around him, and he couldn't hear any other noises.

The old woman stopped at the gate of a courtyard and gently knocked on the door. Soon, she heard someone inside ask softly, "Who is it?"

The old woman answered softly, "It's me."

The door was quietly opened from the inside, and Chen Zhaoci saw an elderly woman holding a lantern standing inside, looking at the group of people outside in surprise.

The old nanny said, "His Majesty has sent the Third Madam of the Yongning Marquis's residence to treat the master's illness. Please take us inside quickly."

Upon hearing that it was someone sent by the Emperor, the old woman readily agreed and led the way with a lantern. Chen Zhaoci saw dim light coming from the room through the window, and when the cotton curtain at the door was lifted, a blast of warm air rushed in, making Chen Zhaoci feel very comfortable.

The old woman who led the way entered the inner room and invited Chen Zhaoci to sit down at the table. Chen Zhaoci thanked her with a smile and sat down in the chair at the table.

Soon, the curtain of the inner room was lifted, and a woman wearing a very worn cotton-padded coat came out. Chen Zhaoci quickly stood up. The woman walked up to Chen Zhaoci and was about to squat down to pay her respects. Chen Zhaoci was startled and quickly helped her up, saying, "Your Majesty, you are making me feel very uncomfortable."

The woman raised her head, and Chen Zhaoci could see clearly that Ayuan's mother was truly beautiful. Even after being tormented in the cold palace for more than ten years, she was still exceptionally charming.

With tears in her eyes, the woman said, "My husband, A-Yuan, has been taken care of by you, so it is only right that I bow to you." Perhaps thinking of her son, whom she hadn't seen for more than ten years, the woman covered her mouth and nose with a handkerchief, letting her tears flow freely.

Chen Zhaoci sighed and said, "Your Majesty, Ayuan is a good child. He is self-disciplined and strong. He completes the homework assigned by his teacher every day and practices the kung fu taught by his master every day. He also has a good character, so you can rest assured. He knows Your Majesty's predicament and will definitely take good care of you when we meet again."

This is Consort Liu, who has been imprisoned in the Cold Palace for more than ten years. Back then, Consort Wan and Consort Wang joined forces to try to bring down Empress Gu. In the end, Consort Liu took the blame for Empress Gu. Emperor Liang Cheng had no choice but to send her to the Cold Palace. However, no one expected that Consort Liu was already pregnant at that time. After discussing with Emperor Liang Cheng, Empress Gu allowed Consort Liu to give birth in the Cold Palace in secret. Later, Xiao Yuan stayed in the Cold Palace with his mother for several years.

Consort Liu had a very difficult few years. Consort Wang and Consort Wan were constantly eyeing her power, making it difficult for Empress Gu to send anything to the Cold Palace. Later, as the First Prince and the Third Prince's power struggle intensified, their attention shifted away from the Cold Palace, and Empress Gu gradually began sending things and people there. The silver frost charcoal for the warm room was delivered just a few days ago; in previous years, such gifts wouldn't have been sent so easily.

Chen Zhaoci sighed inwardly. This palace is a place that devours people. Consort Liu has been separated from her child for more than ten years. What mother could bear that?

Eunuch Chen said to Consort Liu, "Your Majesty, His Majesty has invited the Third Consort to examine you. He also wants to ask you whether Consort Wang ever fed the Twelfth Prince anything special back then."

Upon hearing the last sentence, Consort Liu's face changed instantly, and she asked in a trembling voice, "But is something wrong with my A-Yuan?"

Chen Zhaoci quickly said, "No, no, I examined A Yuan's pulse when he came to Ganzhou. He had a fever but no other symptoms. But just now, Wang Xiuyuan said that she had given A Yuan some medicine. His Majesty was worried, so he asked me and Eunuch Chen to ask the Empress."

Consort Liu glanced at the old woman standing behind her. The old woman gently shook her head and said, "This servant does not remember seeing Wang Xiuyuan in this place."

Chen Zhaoci recalled that when she last saw Chen Yuyuan, she had checked his pulse and everything was normal. However, she couldn't guarantee that the medicine would only take effect after a certain period of time. There was no use in being anxious now; she could only wait for Chen Yuyuan and his group to return.

Chen Zhaoci said to Consort Liu, "Your Majesty, A-Yuan and the others will be back from Gaoqing County soon. Don't worry, A-Yuan has always been healthy. We can take a good look at them when they arrive. Come, let me take Your Majesty's pulse first."

Consort Liu sat down with a worried expression. After examining her, Chen Zhaoci sighed inwardly. Consort Liu had been overthinking when she was pregnant, and she hadn't taken good care of herself after giving birth. In recent years, she had been missing her child every day, which had caused her to feel depressed. If she didn't take good care of herself, it would affect her lifespan.

Chen Zhaoci didn't hide anything and earnestly told Liu Fei about her symptoms and the dangers involved. Liu Fei didn't seem to care and said with a smile, "As long as my A Yuan comes back, I will die without regrets."

Chen Zhaoci was very good at doing ideological work with patients, so she quickly smiled and said, "Oh, Your Majesty, look at you, you've suffered here for so many years, now that you have the opportunity to go out, you naturally need to take good care of your health. A-Yuan is already fifteen years old, and soon he will be getting married and having children. You are A-Yuan's own mother, so shouldn't you help find a good girl to be A-Yuan's wife, and then watch A-Yuan give you a grandson?"

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