Chapter 42 Headache
Just as she was hesitating, Xiao Heng had already fed the medicine to her mouth.
The strong smell of medicine hit her nose, sour and smelly. She knew how bitter it was without even tasting it. Concubine Yu twisted her face tightly and said in a delicate voice, "Your Majesty, your concubine... your concubine's head doesn't hurt that much anymore..."
"Oh? Yu Fei was feeling extremely uncomfortable just now, but how come she suddenly felt better after just a moment?"
After saying this, he half-jokingly asked, "Is Concubine Yu lying to me?"
His tone was gentle, without any hint of blame, but it made Yu Fei feel a little nervous.
Her long feathery eyelashes fluttered gently as she whispered, "No, how could I deceive the Emperor?"
Xiao Heng had a lazy smile on his face and said softly, "Since Yu'er is really sick, she should take the medicine obediently and not joke with her body."
"Come, open your mouth, I will feed you."
Seeing the emperor's concern for her, Concubine Yu was deeply moved. She slowly opened her red lips, and the moment the medicine entered her mouth, it was so bitter that her eyebrows were knotted, and she wanted to spit it out immediately.
Xiao Heng hurriedly said, "Good medicine tastes bitter. Yu'er, please don't spit it out, or you'll have to drink more later and suffer even more."
Upon hearing this, Concubine Yu had to swallow it with difficulty even though it was too bitter to swallow.
Then, the second spoonful, the third spoonful, the fourth spoonful...
Seeing that there was still more than half of the medicine in the bowl, her tongue felt dry. Instead of suffering by taking it slowly, spoonful by spoonful, she might as well pick up the bowl and drink it all in one gulp.
But this is the medicine fed by the emperor himself.
The emperor does this himself because he loves, cares for, and dotes on himself.
She couldn't break this warmth and the emperor's favor towards her.
So, Concubine Yu suppressed her nausea and drank the bowl of medicine spoonful by spoonful.
After drinking it, she quickly ate several candied fruits and only then did she feel much better.
Seeing that Concubine Yu had finished drinking the medicine, Xiao Heng also stood up and said, "Yu'er, go to bed early."
Concubine Yu was startled and quickly grabbed the corner of Xiao Heng's clothes, blinking her beautiful eyes: "Your Majesty, won't you stay with me?"
Xiao Heng gently rubbed Concubine Yu's hand, then pulled her hand away and said with a smile, "I haven't finished processing the memorials today. I originally planned to have dinner with Concubine Liu and then return to the Purple Palace. Who knew you were ill? I was worried about you, so I came to see you. Now I should return to my official duties."
Upon hearing this, Concubine Yu dared not to try to persuade him to stay even though she was reluctant.
"Well then...state affairs are important, and it's getting darker and the dew is heavier outside. Your Majesty, please take care of your health."
"Drink the medicine and have a good sleep. If I have time tomorrow, I will come to see you again."
Upon hearing that Xiao Heng would come again tomorrow, Concubine Yu finally relaxed her brows and smiled as she bid him farewell.
On the second day, Weiyang Palace
The queen sat upright on the Phoenix Peony Chair, with long tassels hanging on both sides of her cheeks, shining brightly and showing her luxury.
"Some cherries were sent as tribute yesterday, and I specially saved them for my sisters and I to enjoy today."
Mingpin held up the cherry, which was as round and shiny as agate, with her jade fingers. "It seems that the Empress loves us sisters. Just by looking at this cherry, I can tell that it is crisp, tender and juicy."
Mi Fei took a bite and said with a smile: "Sister Mingpin, don't just talk. Try it and you will know how wonderful this cherry tastes."
Mingpin put the cherry into her mouth, and the sweet juice spread and flowed freely.
"It's really wonderful. What a pity! Concubine Yu loves cherries the most, but she's not here today."
Concubine Chu, standing by, seemed unable to contain her inner thoughts. She glanced around at the other concubines and whispered, "I wonder if you sisters have heard, but Concubine Yu had a sudden headache last night. The pain was unbearable, and she was still dizzy this morning, so she was unable to come and pay her respects."
Mingpin was surprised and delighted, and quickly swallowed the cherry in her mouth. "What? Concubine Yu's headache came back again? Is it real or fake this time?"
It wasn't once or twice that Concubine Yu had used illness as an excuse to withdraw from the emperor's favor, but every time she fell ill, the emperor always had concubines by his side.
All the concubines knew that Concubine Yu was pretending to be sick to win favor.
But every time she was able to snatch the emperor away from the palace.
Concubine Chu said, "I guess it's true this time. I heard some noises just after dawn. Judging from the situation, Concubine Yu must be seriously ill."
Concubine Chu's palace was closest to Concubine Yu's, so her words were naturally credible.
Mingpin's eyes were filled with contempt. "She's always making a big fuss. She even sent for the imperial physician when her hand was pricked by a needle. The wound healed before the imperial physician even arrived. I'm afraid she's been too hypocritical this time."
Concubine Mi held up her handkerchief and smiled, "Isn't it? I guess Concubine Yu has been pretending to be sick too much all day, and now she has suffered retribution and is really sick."
As soon as these words were spoken, everyone in the room covered their faces and laughed.
Liu Yuetang looked at the gloating expressions on everyone's faces and realized how domineering Concubine Yu was in the palace before. No one spoke for her.
Even the beautiful lady Rong from her faction lowered her head and said nothing.
The queen coughed lightly and said, "Alright, no matter what, we are sisters after all. Now that she is sick, you should all be less talkative."
As she spoke, she quickly instructed Fu Liu, "I remember there's a soft, golden pillow with a medicinal core in the storeroom? Go find it and send it to Yiyuan Palace. I hope Concubine Yu will find it more comfortable."
Concubine Mi smiled faintly, "Concubine Yu has been so impertinent and rude to Her Majesty the Queen many times, yet Her Majesty has forgiven her by sending her gifts despite past grudges. You are truly virtuous and kind, and I admire you."
The Queen still had a dignified and proper smile on her face. "In my eyes, you are all naive sisters. How could I bear a grudge against you? If you were sick, I would only feel even more distressed."
Mi Fei curled her lips and stopped talking.
Liu Yuetang looked at the smiling queen and felt a little admiration in her heart.
The position of queen is indeed not something that ordinary people can take on.
You have to deal with a group of beautiful women below, and no matter what you say, you need to remain calm and magnanimous.
The empress would pay her respects every day and sit for up to an hour, yet she was still able to remain dignified and steady as a rock.
After the meeting, Liu Yuetang looked at the bright sunshine and took Liu Zheng to Taoyuan.
The Taoyuan Garden was renovated near the Imperial Garden and looked like a light red cloud from a distance.
"My lady, it seems there are concubines inside." Liu Zheng reminded.
Liu Yuetang knew that the Imperial Garden was a place of trouble, especially where women were present.
She was about to leave when she heard Su Cainv's voice.
"It was I who offended you. I hope You Baolin will show mercy and let Taxue go. I am willing to accept any punishment."
"But I like this girl so much, I want to love her well."
As she spoke, she winked at the palace maid beside her.
The palace maid then picked up a wooden stick and wanted to hit Taxue.
"Oh? I like You Baolin a lot, too. You Baolin, do you want me to love you well?"
Everyone was startled and looked in the direction of the sound, only to see Liu Yuetang walking towards them with a gloomy face.
Only then did Liu Yuetang realize that Ji Yunv was there too.
In the last incident of slapping someone in the rain, Ji Yunv pushed all the blame onto You Baolin and Jiang in order to avoid getting herself implicated.
But unexpectedly, You Baolin was still willing to be friends with Ji Baolin.
Should we say that You Baolin is stupid, or that Ji Baolin is cunning?
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