Before Shu Shunyi even stepped into the Chengqian Palace, she felt a slight chill blowing against her face. Compared with the furnace-like bedroom, it was a world of difference!
"My Lord, why don't you leave?"
She came to her senses and said something insincerely flattering: "I am surprised at the coolness of the main hall. There is not even a trace of summer heat. The emperor is indeed very kind to the imperial concubine."
Qian Wei smiled: "Of course!"
Imperial Concubine Jin reclined on the couch, a palace maid fanning her beside her as she savored fruits with remarkable ease. Compared to the last time they met, she looked much better, and even more undisguisedly pleased.
"This concubine pays homage to the Imperial Concubine. May the Imperial Concubine live forever."
"Please stand up and find a seat for Shu Shunyi!"
The other party's attitude was enthusiastic, and there was no sign of anger or revenge on his face, which really puzzled her.
"I wonder what important matter the Queen has asked me to come to Chengqian Palace to discuss?"
"When the Emperor was ill, I attended to him closely, staying awake for days and nights, completely oblivious to the goings-on in the harem. Later, when the dust settled, I went to pay my respects to the Empress Dowager and unexpectedly learned about my sister's flesh-cutting to make medicine. I'm truly impressed! If the Emperor were surrounded by such loving sisters, I'd feel much more at ease!"
So that was it.
She believed the Empress Dowager wasn't that fond of gossip, nor was she close enough to Concubine Jin to gossip about the harem. The so-called rumors were most likely gathered by Concubine Jin's people.
On the surface it's a boast, but in reality...
Shu Shunyi calmed down and said, "The Emperor usually treats me well. It is my duty to do this for him."
"No, no, no, it's easy to say, but if you really want to cut yourself and bleed... I don't think even a military commander's daughter like Rong Zhaoyi would be able to do it!"
Concubine Jin looked at her with a smile, which made her even more anxious.
She was more accustomed to dealing with thunderous means, not the kind in front of her.
"So, what did the Imperial Concubine want to discuss by inviting me here?"
"I also heard that you consulted Jia Wanrong's aunt in order to devise a suitable prescription. She used to work in Prince Lian's mansion and is well-versed in medicine. It was truly remarkable that she was able to find an antidote for the Emperor in just a few days."
"yes."
"Qianwei, bring all those things here!" Imperial Concubine Jin ordered, finally explaining her intention. "I'm pregnant, and I don't want to lie around in the palace doing nothing all day. I happened to think of Shu Shunyi's case, so I thought I'd ask you to come over and teach me how to identify medicinal herbs, and also learn some medical skills."
There are many imperial physicians in the palace. Wouldn't it be better to find a trusted imperial physician to teach you?
Shu Shunyi couldn't ask directly, so she could only patiently explain, "Your Majesty, it's not that I'm refusing, but...it's that I'm not as proficient as Aunt Wen Yu, who has been learning since childhood...If I teach you incorrectly, or if I accidentally let Your Majesty touch any herbs that are harmful to your health, I will be blamed."
"Don't worry, everything here has been carefully selected by me. If I really got hurt by this stuff, it's probably because something else was mixed in. Sister, don't you think so?"
Shu Shunyi looked at the basket of medicinal herbs in front of her and nodded with a smile.
Concubine Jin instructed the palace servants to place them on a specially made small wooden table, so that even if she sat down, she had to bend down and lower her head to see them carefully.
"Okay, let me see what I need to learn first."
She looked towards the main seat in surprise, only to see Concubine Jin taking out a medical book from somewhere, flipping open a page, and asking in a puzzled manner -
"Cassia seed? What is this? Can you find it and show it to me?"
The herbs in the baskets were all dried up and squeezed together. Several kinds of herbs even had their roots broken off and were tangled in the corners.
She bent over, eyes wide open, searching for something. After a while, she felt a sharp pain in her back. She tried to adjust her sitting position, but there was only so much space. A tingling sensation began to spread from the soles of her feet.
Imperial Concubine Jin continued to flip through the pages of the book leisurely. "Don't worry, sister. Look carefully and let me see how you found the Cassia seeds."
"yes."
After finally finding one, Concubine Jin announced the name of the next medicinal herb before she could introduce it.
They are always small and of common colors, which clearly makes her bend over and lower her head again and again, and endure the pain of numb legs.
Beads of sweat appeared on Shu Shunyi's forehead, and she was almost unable to hold on!
"Oh, it's already time for dinner before I knew it?" Imperial Concubine Jin closed the medical book and rubbed her wrist. "Qianwei, is everything ready outside? You've been busy for quite a while, so I have to invite you to have dinner."
"Your Highness, there's no need to do this. This is what I should do. Dinner in Yonghe Palace is ready. I can just go back and eat."
"Could it be that my sister despises my bland meals?" Imperial Concubine Jin teased. "For the sake of my unborn prince, I have indeed followed the Imperial Physician's instructions and have many dietary requirements. But today is different. I have already prepared dishes for you."
If you continue to refuse, there will be another round of trouble.
Shu Shunyi gritted her teeth and replied, "Then... I'll obey your command. Thank you very much, Your Majesty, for your hospitality!"
Concubine Jin did not lie, and the dishes on the table were divided equally into two categories.
The light side is the meal for the imperial concubine to nourish her pregnancy, while the rich variety of meals topped with red oil belong to Shu Shunyi.
"My dear, please enjoy your meal."
Qianwei took the initiative to come over to serve the dishes, and then quietly retreated to the side of Concubine Jin, without any suspicious signs.
She immersed herself in enjoying the meal nearby, chewing it in small bites, hoping to return to Yonghe Palace as soon as possible.
"Sister, why are you so silent?" Concubine Jin gestured to someone nearby to pick up some food. "Go, bring that red meat to Shu Shunyi!"
"Thank you, my lady."
"Why are you being so polite? If you really want to thank someone, you should thank the Emperor. After all, this is a special gift from him to me, and it's very rare!"
Shu Shunyi listened to the whole process and understood how much Xie Yanci cherished Concubine Jin. She expressed her admiration from time to time and left Chengqian Palace with mixed feelings.
Tong Jun spoke up for her: "What a thing! She's just a shameful concubine's daughter from the Secretary's family. Once she got married, she dared to torment the young lady like this!"
"Yes, she's already so high up that she has the confidence to do so. What else can I do besides endure it?" She laughed at herself. "Sister Jia has been so worried about me, and I finally escaped a disaster. Now, the only way for me to find peace is to swallow my anger."
"But the Imperial Concubine is going too far! I felt like ants were biting me just watching this! My young master, you weren't a needlework expert before, yet you've been busy looking for herbs for her for most of the day. You really are bossing people around!"
"Okay, let's go back and talk. We're still near Chengqian Palace, so don't be so loud."
Tong Jun wanted to argue something, but he saw her suddenly squat down in pain, holding her abdomen, and several red rashes appeared on the fair skin behind her ears!
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
