Chapter 179 In my dream, a bear was pressing down on me
Lu Haozhi was overjoyed. With the help of the palace maid, he took off his outer robe and golden crown, and followed the palace maid to the bathing room to take a bath.
Looking at Lu Haozhi's back, who was so excited that he almost jumped up, Meng Yan smiled and shook her head slightly.
Ruizhu said from the side, "Your Majesty, the Emperor is as happy as a child."
"Isn't it just a child?"
Meng Yan said casually, and told her to put the medical book away. "Don't mix it with other books, and don't mess up the pages. I need to read it tomorrow."
Before she could finish her words, she yawned, feeling extremely sleepy. She glanced at the clock on the table and saw that it was only 4:45 past midnight. She couldn't help but blurt out, "It's only this hour, and I'm so sleepy that I can't even open my eyes."
Ruizhu put the book away and came back, saying, "Your Majesty has been so worried about this epidemic these past two days, working day and night. How can your body take it? You've been expending so much energy that you might not be able to hold on any longer."
Meng Yan rubbed her eyes and smiled, "That's what I meant."
After saying that, she took off her coat and lay down on the bed. As soon as her head touched the pillow, she fell into a deep sleep.
Lu Haozhi was in the bathing room, the warm spring water soaking his strong body and wiping away all his fatigue.
He scooped up a handful of water and scrubbed his face. The water droplets rolled on his broad and strong chest and then fell into the pool.
Looking up at the bed, a bright moon hangs in the sky, a few stars twinkle, and the night breeze brings the sweet scent of osmanthus from time to time.
In the blink of an eye, it is the season when the sweet-scented osmanthus is in the air. In a few days, it will be the Mid-Autumn Festival, which is a good time for families to reunite and enjoy the company of their loved ones.
Ever since he remembered his previous life, he often dreamed about the scenes of his previous life.
In the dream, after losing her, every August 15th became a day with a full moon and a missing person.
No matter how grand the banquet in the palace was, he would always sit alone under the osmanthus tree after the music ended and drink by himself until he was drunk and unconscious.
Only when he was drunk could he see her again. She came riding on the wind, accompanying him, speaking softly and tenderly, with a lingering and sad feeling.
However, when the sun was shining brightly the next day, everything was just a dream, and my heart felt empty and cold as if a big hole had been dug out.
It was a wrong life, for both him and her.
So, God gave them this opportunity to start over.
No matter what conflicts they had in the past, Yan'er has finally reconciled with him. On the Mid-Autumn Festival of this year, he wants to go with her to appreciate the osmanthus and drink wine together.
Then……
Lu Haozhi suddenly felt a little excited. Although he had just promised Yan'er that, now that the couple were lying on the same bed, it was only natural for them to rub against each other...
Thinking that Yan'er was still waiting for him in the room, Lu Haozhi could no longer suppress the heat in his body. He hurriedly scrubbed himself a few times, came out and told the eunuch to help him dry his body, put on his pajamas, and walked back.
When I returned to the bedroom in Chunze Zhai, I found that the room was already dark. The candles outside had all been extinguished, leaving only two palace lanterns in the corner for lighting.
Lu Haozhi was slightly puzzled and asked Ruizhu, "What happened? Where is your queen?"
Ruizhu replied, "Your Majesty, the Queen is tired and has already gone to bed. She also left a message. Please make yourself at your leisure."
Please let him do as he pleases?
She is probably the only one in the world who has such courage.
He had never favored other concubines, but if other concubines came to sleep with him, they would definitely not dare to go to sleep and let the emperor do as he pleased, right?
Well, who made him only care about her?
If he likes a woman like this, then he has to endure it.
Lu Haozhi walked slowly to the bedside and saw Meng Yan lying on the brocade quilt with her eyes closed, sleeping soundly. A sweet smile was on her charming face, and her shoulders were exposed, smooth and white, like solidified fat.
His eyes lingered on her eyebrows, eyes, lips and nose, and then slid to her towering breasts...
Yan'er, this is what you said, let me do as I please.
Lu Haozhi raised his hand, Ruizhu understood, bowed, walked out, and closed the door.
He sat down beside the bed, leaned over, put his head close to her cheek, and said softly, "Yan'er."
Meng Yan was sleeping very soundly, not moving at all.
Lu Haozhi smiled lightly, moved onto the bed, and lifted the gauze quilt covering her.
The soft and fragrant body lay quietly on the mattress.
He untied the laces of his pajamas with one hand and couldn't wait to cover himself with them.
Kissing that snow-white face, slender neck, his broad palms roaming over that soft waist...
But in a moment, he froze.
The waist under his palm was much thinner than he remembered, even feeling bony.
Lu Haozhi frowned slightly, raised his body and looked at her.
Yan'er in my arms was much thinner than before.
She has always been beautiful and charming in front of others, but now she seems like a sick beauty who can be blown away by a gust of wind.
Lu Haozhi frowned, gently placed her on the bed, got out of bed, and walked out of the dormitory lightly.
Ruizhu, who was guarding the door, was startled when she saw him come out and asked hurriedly, "Your Majesty, what are your instructions?"
Lu Haozhi said, "Call over the people who usually serve the Empress!"
Ruizhu didn't understand what was going on, so she had to do as she was told. She hurriedly called in the palace maids and eunuchs who usually served in the inner room, and soon they were kneeling all over the room.
Lu Haozhi sat on the armchair, one hand resting on the armrest, his expression stern. He said in a deep voice, "How did you serve the Empress? How could you let her become so thin? I know that the Imperial Concubine has changed her temperament recently and has become much more amiable to me. So you all have become disrespectful, right?"
The palace maids were immediately terrified and pale, and they all said in unison, "Your Majesty, please understand. We servants have always served the Empress with all our heart and soul, and we dare not neglect her in the slightest."
A hint of anger surfaced on Lu Haozhi's cool and handsome face. He scolded, "I have seen it all. The imperial concubine's face is clearly haggard, and she is much thinner than before. You bunch of cunning slaves, how dare you quibble in front of me!"
Ruizhu bit her lip and whispered, "Your Majesty, please allow me to speak for a moment."
Lu Haozhi glanced at her and said, "Go ahead."
Ruizhu whispered, "Your Majesty, since the beginning of this year, Your Majesty's health has not been very good, and her menstruation has often been irregular..."
Before she could finish, Lu Haozhi shouted, "What a bunch of good-for-nothings in the Imperial Hospital! Didn't you notice it when you took her pulse?!"
Ruizhu hurriedly said, "The imperial physician who checked the Empress' pulse did tell her to take good care of herself, but Your Majesty knows the Empress' temper. She hates taking medicine..."
What she said was true. Meng Yan herself was a famous doctor and was very proficient in medicine and pharmacology. She only took the patient's pulse every month because of the palace rules. In fact, she didn't take it seriously at all.
Lu Haozhi thought about Meng Yan's temper, and his anger subsided a little. He nodded and said, "Go on."
Ruizhu said, "It's not that bad, but Your Majesty initially put a lot of effort into treating Princess He'an. Since the outbreak, Your Majesty has been worried day and night, making all sorts of plans. Her appetite hasn't been very good, and she often eats haphazardly. It was better when Your Majesty was here. When Your Majesty ate alone, she'd just have some porridge, rice, and side dishes. These past two days, you've noticeably lost weight, and your spirits haven't improved. I've privately advised Her Majesty several times, but She won't listen." Suddenly, she looked up and said earnestly, "Your Majesty, I dare to ask you to give Your Majesty some advice. If she continues like this, she'll collapse."
Lu Haozhi was speechless for a moment. He looked at Ruizhu and said after a while, "You are the concubine's dowry. I don't believe what you say."
Hearing the emperor's words, everyone breathed a sigh of relief. But then the emperor changed the subject and said sternly, "Well, that's no excuse for your poor service! If the food sent by the imperial kitchen doesn't suit the imperial concubine's taste, then make her favorite dishes! The imperial concubine has forgotten to eat and sleep, and you, her personal servants, should keep her in check! If I see her becoming increasingly thin and listless again, I will hold you accountable!"
After saying these words, Lu Haozhi suddenly stood up and strode back to the dormitory.
The palace maids and eunuchs who were left kneeling in the room looked at each other in bewilderment, their heads chilled by the wind.
Serving the king is like serving a tiger. Serving the king is like serving a tiger...
Rong An first glanced at the closed door of the bedroom, wondering if the emperor would come out again. Then he waved to everyone and whispered, "Go down, don't stand around."
Only then did everyone dare to stand up and gradually disperse.
Ruizhu came up and said with a bit of grievance, "Eunuch Rong, this matter really cannot be blamed on me."
Rong An raised his fat hand and tapped her on the forehead. "How long have you been in the palace? Don't you know the rules of this palace? The emperor is worried about the imperial concubine, but it's difficult for him to blame her, so he can only take it out on all of you. Just bear with it, what else can he do?"
While saying this, I was happy in my heart, "You little girl always act disrespectful in front of our family, and today you finally get humiliated."
Ruizhu scratched her head and pouted, "But, Your Majesty really doesn't listen to my advice."
Rong An grumbled, "Don't you know what the Imperial Concubine's temper is like? Is she someone you can persuade by force? You have to coax her. Once she's happy, it'll be easier to persuade her." At this point, he stroked his double chin and said thoughtfully, "The Imperial Concubine looks much thinner than before. You'd better be careful and don't let her get tired again. Shanghe Garden will be even more lively. If the Emperor gets angry, none of us can bear it."
Lu Haozhi returned to the bedroom, closed the door, walked lightly, and returned to the bed.
Meng Yan was still asleep, unconscious.
All that lust, all that restless desire, disappeared without a trace, and now all that was left in his heart was pity and... deep fear.
It has never been his style to take his anger out on the palace maids.
However, the frail Meng Yan in front of him gradually merged with the skinny her in his dream. The fear of losing her again was like a claw, tightly gripping his heart.
What would happen to him if he were to be separated from her once again? Lu Haozhi couldn't imagine it.
For some reason, Lu Haozhi always felt that there seemed to be a mysterious force trying to take her away.
This invisible enemy left him at a loss.
A feeling of powerlessness enveloped him deeply.
Lu Haozhi gently stroked Meng Yan's forehead. Meng Yan, who was sleeping, seemed to feel something, groaned, turned over, and faced away from him.
He lay down beside her and held her tightly in his arms, her slender back pressed closely against his chest.
"No one can take you away, Yan'er, you are mine."
He kissed the back of her slender white neck and gradually fell asleep.
The next day, when Lu Haozhi woke up, he saw Meng Yan sitting beside him.
He narrowed his eyes and smiled, sat up and hugged her from behind. He was about to say something when he saw Meng Yan massaging her temples.
She only said, "Your Majesty, did you sleep well last night?"
Lu Haozhi was a little confused and thought she was just asking casually, so he said, "A dreamless night is naturally a good thing."
Meng Yan said, "I had a nightmare. In the dream, there was a big bear pressing on me and pushing into my arms. I was terrified. I wanted to wake up, but I couldn't. I finally woke up after enduring until dawn."
Bear?
Lu Haozhi's face darkened slightly, and he coughed lightly twice. "Yan'er, you must have been exhausted during the day, so you had this dream at night. Although I have allowed you to take charge of the epidemic, you are the Imperial Concubine, not a doctor from the Imperial Hospital. Now that the turmoil in Liluoyuan has come to an end, those miscellaneous matters can be handed over to the people below. You should also take good care of yourself and don't take advantage of your youth to do anything reckless."
Meng Yan was about to say something when Lu Haozhi buried his head in her shoulder and whispered, "Yan'er, we... must be fine this time."
The man's voice trembled slightly.
Meng Yan was silent for a moment. She turned around and smiled at him, "What are you talking about, Haozhi? You're saying such unlucky things so early in the morning. I was thinking that after this epidemic is over, I would take good care of myself and raise more children."
Looking at those clear eyes with a smile, Lu Haozhi's originally uneasy heart gradually calmed down.
He put her back on the pillow and kissed her red lips.
Meng Yan hugged his neck and said softly after a long while, "Don't worry, I know everything."
The couple stayed in bed for a while until Rong An asked the emperor to get up outside, and then they got dressed and got out of bed.
After washing up, Lu Haozhi had breakfast in Chunze Zhai, and then went to Zhonghe Hall for the court meeting refreshed.
After sending the emperor away, Meng Yan sat in the main room and drank tea, listening to the palace servants reporting various trivial matters, and then sent someone to call Xiahou Yu over.
The first one is Li Luoyuan.
Ever since she had reorganized the area, rice, flour, and herbs were distributed again in Liluoyuan. Needless to say, the palace maids recuperating in the courtyard were overjoyed. As a result, the habit of the stewards in Shangheyuan who used to exploit the lower-level palace maids was also changed a lot.
Now, all the palace ladies in the garden praise the virtue of the imperial concubine.
Furthermore, thanks to Meng Yan's effective management, Shanghe Garden saw no new illnesses, save for the palace maids who had fallen ill earlier. Seeing the effectiveness of this method, Lu Haozhi announced it at court and ordered local officials to promote it among the general public. They were to strictly investigate contaminated food, establish temporary clinics to accommodate all patients, and dispatch doctors to treat them. Within a few days, considerable results were evident.
Originally, a locust plague in Shanxi had brought a flood of refugees into the capital. With nowhere to stay, they lacked food and clothing, and wandered from place to place, leading to frequent cases and the spread of disease. However, Lu Hao ordered the construction of a temporary medical clinic to accommodate the sick, which naturally required a large number of staff. Many jobs suddenly emerged, and the refugees, mostly poor peasants, responded in droves. A few lawless individuals were apprehended by the capital's infantry yamen, thus solving this difficult problem.
Yunxiang sat on a small stool on the ground, massaging the Empress' legs with a beauty's hammer, and said with a smile, "Your Majesty, you don't know, but now it's all spread outside. It's said that the Great Zhou has a benevolent monarch and even a virtuous imperial concubine. It's a blessing for the people of our Great Zhou!"
Meng Yan sipped her tea, looked at the prescription in her hand, and smiled faintly, "Stop talking nonsense. If the Queen Mother hears about it, she'll punish you with a stick. I won't protect you."
Yunxiang pouted and said, "The Queen Mother has already made up her mind. She won't beat me with a stick."
As they were speaking, a palace maid came in to report that the imperial physician Xiahou had arrived.
Meng Yan nodded and said, "Let him in."
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