"I won't talk about the past. What do you think now?"

Sheng Xiyan analyzed that she saved herself from Concubine Jia today, and asked this question again. Did she want her to be loyal to her in the future?

She probed, "Your Majesty, I have no formal guards, and I am trembling with fear, as if I were walking on thin ice. I am worried every day about how I will survive in the palace."

Concubine Shu sneered, "You know you have no one to rely on, so you're not completely foolish. You came from Prince E's Mansion, and I will take care of you for Ah Yan's sake. But the premise is that you have to be sensible. Do you understand?"

Sheng Xiyan immediately knelt down and said obediently: "My queen, elder sister, Xiyan can only rely on you. I will definitely obey your orders in the future."

Shufei was very satisfied, as if she had expected it to be so.

Hinting, "The Emperor hasn't been to Zhongcui Palace for a long time."

Sheng Xiyan pretended to say, "If this concubine has the opportunity to see the emperor, I will definitely ask the emperor to come to your place more often."

Concubine Shu rolled her eyes and said, "I didn't tell you to speak directly. You have to be roundabout in everything. Otherwise, you will displease the emperor and achieve the opposite effect. Do you understand?"

Sheng Xiyan pretended to be ignorant, "I am stupid."

Concubine Shu said, intentionally or unintentionally, "You also know that I have always been suffering from deficiency of Qi and blood. I have taken many nourishing soups but they have had little effect. They are not as effective as deer placenta paste. Unfortunately, only the Empress is qualified to use deer placenta paste. It turns out that I am not worthy of it."

If she wants to eat deer placenta cream, then she can go to the emperor to ask for it. Does she also need to tell others about this?

"Your Majesty, it's a natural match. I've heard of deer placenta cream, which is very beneficial for women to replenish qi and blood and maintain their complexion."

Concubine Shu didn't know whether Sheng Xiyan understood or not, and she couldn't say it out loud. She gently stroked her temple and said, "I'm tired. You can go back. Remember what you just said. Listen to my orders in the future. I will protect you and Jiangjiang."

"Yes, my lady, I will take my leave."

Sheng Xiyan walked out of Zhongcui Palace slowly, her steps extremely slow.

She knew very well that she did not want to be a tool for Concubine Shu to win favor, but she could not break up with her openly, so she could only pretend to be obedient.

Hua Xia, who was standing by, couldn't help but ask, "My dear, do you really want to help Concubine Shu?"

Sheng Xiyan sneered inwardly, naturally not wanting to help sincerely. Concubine Shu was a selfish person, and serving her was tantamount to seeking death. Only by pretending to be perfunctory could she protect herself.

Because Queen Duan had covered up her lie when the whole palace was paying their respects that morning, she felt she should go to her house in person to express her gratitude.

Then, he turned around and ordered, "Go to Jingren Palace."

Inside Jingren Palace, when Sheng Xiyan was led in by the head nanny, she saw Empress Duan sitting on a soft couch embroidering with great concentration. Her pregnancy was very obvious, and sitting cross-legged seemed a bit strenuous.

Upon seeing this, Sheng Xiyan quickly knelt down and saluted, bowing her head respectfully and saying, "I have come specially to apologize to the Empress."

Empress Duan seemed to have anticipated her arrival and did not show any surprise.

He smiled slightly and asked softly, "What crime has Concubine Sheng committed?"

Sheng Xiyan frankly said, "I accidentally learned last night that the Emperor had returned to the Yangxin Palace. Because I had upset the Emperor the day before yesterday, I thought the Emperor must have had a headache from all the work of state affairs last night, so I took my acupuncture kit and went to the Yangxin Palace. The Empress was very tolerant and even spoke up for me at the morning meeting today. I am ashamed and ask for your punishment."

Queen Duan covered her lips and coughed, her breath weak, "Get up."

Sheng Xiyan stood up and, following Queen Duan's gesture, leaned over slightly and sat on the other side of the couch.

"My lady, is your cough caused by a cold?"

Empress Duan took the hot tea brought by the palace maid and took a sip. "These are all old ailments. You know medical skills, why don't you take my pulse? Usually, those judges in the court only say the same old pulse-checking words, but I can recite them by heart."

Sheng Xiyan quickly stood up, walked over to her side, and humbly replied, "I have only learned a few basic skills from my father. I am only a novice."

She stretched out her hand, gently placed it on Queen Duan's wrist, and carefully took her pulse.

He was secretly surprised that Empress Duan's physical condition was much worse than it appeared, but she was still holding on because of her young age.

"My Lady, judging by your pulse, your condition is caused by insufficient Yang Qi, which has caused cold to invade your heart. Symptoms such as heartache, chest tightness, and cough are all signs of physical weakness. Pregnancy has further weakened your body, which has aggravated your condition."

Sheng Xiyan slowly explained her diagnosis. She knew that this congenital heart condition would require long-term treatment to improve. However, Empress Duan seemed to be overly worried, which was causing greater harm to her body.

According to Traditional Chinese Medicine, excessive worry can damage the spleen, excessive sadness can affect the lungs, and excessive fear can damage the kidneys.

Empress Duan nodded and said, "That's what Judge Wu said. Concubine Sheng's diagnosis is fine. I'm not worried about anything else. I just hope this child can be born smoothly."

Sheng Xiyan comforted him, "The dragon fetus is fine, the queen will get what she wants."

Seeing the embroidery frame next to her, Sheng Xiyan said with concern, "Your Majesty is pregnant. Sitting for a long time embroidering is not good for your eyes or the fetus."

On the embroidery frame was a robe with a cuff pattern, embroidered with exquisite dragon patterns and auspicious clouds. It was obviously a robe made for Emperor Xuanwu.

Sheng Xiyan quickly apologized, "I spoke carelessly, Your Majesty, please forgive me. Your Majesty and the Emperor have a deep affection for each other, and the robe you made with your own hands is a token of your deep love for the Emperor."

Empress Duan smiled slightly, a glint of admiration in her eyes, and said gently, "Concubine Sheng, I know you truly care about me and the child in my womb, which is why you speak so frankly. This also shows that you are a sincere person and have the selfless demeanor of a doctor. I believe your father must have high hopes for you, which is why he taught you the art of medicine so carefully."

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