The Imperial Concubine lowered her head to serve the soup, and said with a smile, "A calm mind naturally cools you down. Here, there are no tedious matters, so Your Majesty is in a good mood and is not so hot."
After saying that, she asked a palace maid to invite the Second Prince over.
A short while later, the Second Prince, dressed in a royal blue robe, walked in.
Eight or nine-year-old boys should be at the age where they are mischievous, but the second prince was pale, thin, and panting when he walked, which showed that he was not strong.
He had just bowed in greeting when the Emperor helped him up, saying, "My son, there's no need for such formalities. Please sit down and eat."
The second prince smiled quietly, sat down beside the emperor, and picked up a bowl to drink soup.
The Emperor asked a few questions in a low voice, such as what lessons the Second Prince had learned that day. The Second Prince answered earnestly, showing a harmonious relationship between father and son.
The imperial concubine served the father and son food and drink at home, with a smile on her lips.
By the time the meal was finished, it was already late at night.
The second prince went back to the side hall to rest, and the emperor and the imperial concubine also needed to rest.
Lying in the bed curtains, the Emperor looked around and chuckled softly, “My beloved consort, this place makes me feel most at ease. As long as I’m by your side, all my worries disappear.”
The Imperial Concubine smoothed her long hair, smiled, and lay down beside the Emperor. "Then Your Majesty, please come here more often. Your Majesty and I look forward to seeing you every day."
The Emperor turned and embraced her. Just as he was about to say something, he seemed to suddenly remember something and called out loudly to Chief Eunuch Yi outside.
"Send someone to Zhilan Palace to check on the Third Princess. She was frightened just now, so be careful she doesn't sleep well tonight. Also, check who is on duty at the Imperial Hospital, so they can be summoned at any time."
"Yes, Your Majesty," Chief Steward Yi replied, and quickly ordered his men to get to work.
The Imperial Concubine gently patted the Emperor's chest and chatted softly.
"His Majesty is truly a good father, taking such good care of his children. The Third Princess used to be a bit irritable, but she seems to have improved so much now."
The Emperor nodded, “One is influenced by one’s company. The Third Princess’s previous playmates were not good; they always indulged her. The Empress was also quite lazy and rarely put in the effort to teach her.”
"In the past two years, with Jiayin by my side and constantly advising me, the Third Princess has become more sensible. Not only does she not make me angry, but she also often makes snacks and needlework to show her respect to me. I am truly gratified."
"A girl changes a lot as she grows up, and the princess has also grown up and become sensible. After she gets married, becomes a daughter-in-law, and a mother, she will surely become even better."
The Imperial Concubine's voice was even gentler, causing the Emperor to yawn. Just as he was about to fall asleep, Chief Eunuch Yi suddenly reported from outside, "Your Majesty, the Third Princess has had a night terror and is crying incessantly. The imperial physician has already been summoned!"
"What?" The Emperor immediately sat up, frowning as he said, "I knew this child wouldn't sleep well tonight. She's always looked tough, but she's actually more timid than anyone else."
After saying that, he lifted the bed curtains and said, "I'm worried, I'll go and check on things."
Chief Steward Yi hurried into the room and helped the Emperor put on his clothes.
The Imperial Concubine seemed to feel sorry for the Emperor and advised, "Your Majesty, the Third Princess is all grown up now. She'll probably fall asleep after a bowl of calming soup. On the contrary, if you go there, you'll have to get up and perform the proper etiquette. Why don't you stay here, and I'll go and check on her for you?"
The Emperor refused, saying, "I will go instead. I already had few children, and several more have been lost. Now I only have the Third Princess and the Second Prince by my side, and they cannot withstand any disturbance."
"Your Majesty, please forgive me. It is all my fault for not bearing more children for Your Majesty." The Consort was somewhat saddened, but the Emperor held her hand to comfort her.
"My beloved consort, please don't worry. I am already very happy that you were able to give birth to the second prince and take such good care of him."
"Go to sleep early. I'll go back to my study to rest after I've finished seeing the Third Princess, and I won't come back to bother you. I'll come to have lunch with you tomorrow!"
After saying this, he hugged the Imperial Concubine and then led Steward Yi away.
The imperial concubine followed to the door, leaned against the doorframe, and watched the departing procession for a long time without entering the house...
Inside Zhilan Palace, eunuchs and palace maids were constantly going in and out, keeping busy.
Those carrying water, holding lamps, and brewing tea all had a somewhat flustered look on their faces.
Because the main hall was brightly lit, and women could be heard weeping softly from time to time.
The head of the Imperial Medical Academy, accompanied by two imperial physicians, stood respectfully guarding the entrance.
Everyone was startled to see the Emperor arrive with Chief Eunuch Yi.
After all, there was a lot of gossip in the palace during this period. Everyone said that the Third Princess had fallen out of favor and that the Emperor no longer cared about his daughter.
At dusk, the Third Princess returned to the palace, but her carriage was stopped by the guards at the gate and subjected to wanton humiliation.
Unexpectedly, it was just a night terror, but the Emperor himself came over.
Those who had previously looked down on him felt a little guilty and quickly found things to do to keep busy, afraid of being discovered and punished.
The Emperor walked to the door and first asked the head of the Imperial Medical Academy, "How is it? Has the princess been treated?"
The head physician quickly bowed and replied, "Your Majesty, we have not yet examined the princess. I heard that the princess had a nightmare and broke out in a sweat. We will wait until the princess changes her clothes before we take her pulse."
The Emperor nodded and invited Chief Eunuch Yi into the room to inquire.
Soon, Jiayin came out, bowed, and said, "Uncle, Princess is very frightened. It's best not to have too many people in the room."
The Emperor quickly replied, "Very well, Chief Physician Liu, come in with me. The rest of you, step back."
The head of the academy bowed his head, personally carried the medicine chest, and followed the emperor across the threshold.
The rest of the people quickly retreated to the bottom of the steps, while Steward Yi personally guarded the door, ready to be summoned from inside.
Inside the room, the Third Princess sat on a soft couch, looking completely bewildered.
Shui Ling stood beside her, pulling out a handkerchief, pretending to cry with a wronged and sad expression, but the handkerchief wasn't wet at all...
Upon seeing the Emperor enter, the Third Princess rushed over, grabbed his arm, and whispered, "Father, what happened? Chief Eunuch Yi came to deliver a message. I don't understand, but Jiayin said that doing this was the right thing to do..."
The Emperor patted his daughter's shoulder and comforted her, "Don't be afraid. There are some things that your father doesn't want outsiders to see. I'll take care of them here in your quiet place."
At this moment, Jiayin also stepped forward and pulled the Third Princess aside, advising, "Don't disturb your royal uncle, he must have his reasons for doing this."
Sure enough, the Emperor laughed and said, "Jiayin is so clever. I sent Chief Eunuch Yi to deliver the message because I knew you would understand."
Steward Yi chuckled beside him, “This old servant was worried too, but I didn’t expect the princess and the county princess to do such a good job. Not only did they act so convincingly, but they even brought in the imperial physician.”
The Emperor nodded, lifted his dragon robe and sat on the soft couch, then looked at Chief Physician Liu, who was bowing and standing at the door.
Chief Physician Liu was newly appointed last year; the previous chief physician was too old and requested to return to his hometown.
The past year has been relatively peaceful both inside and outside the palace, making his job as the head of the academy easy and quite pleasant.
Unexpectedly, joy turns to sorrow, and today I am destined to fall into the vortex.
The Emperor didn't want outsiders to know, so summoning him over in the middle of the night under the guise of the Third Princess was definitely no small matter.
Sure enough, the Emperor began by saying, "Chief Physician Liu, I remember you've been in the Imperial Hospital for over ten years, haven't you? You're especially skilled at treating difficult and complicated diseases?"
"Yes, Your Majesty." Chief Physician Liu knelt down immediately, responding with trepidation, "I have received Your Majesty's favor for more than ten years, and I have always felt guilty for not being able to repay it. If Your Majesty needs my help in any way, please do not hesitate to give the order. I will do my best without any objection."
The Emperor nodded and then said, "Get up and take my pulse! See if there is anything wrong with my body."
Dean Liu shuddered and instinctively shrank his neck.
Two updates today!
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