Chapter 43 The Epidemic Crisis 4
"Greetings, Your Majesty the Empress Dowager."
As Uya entered the hall from outside, everyone inside bowed to her.
Uya gave Yixiu, who was bowing to her, a deep look, and then calmly instructed, "Get up, all of you, and properly treat the Emperor."
"yes."
Seeing that the imperial physicians were busy again, Lady Wuya glanced at Jianqiu and continued to ask, "Who do you think infected His Majesty?"
Jianqiu was startled, but then replied respectfully, "Your Majesty, yesterday Consort Wan of Suiyu Pavilion was diagnosed with the plague. His Majesty has been visiting Suiyu Pavilion frequently lately, and I think he was infected by Consort Wan."
"How did Consort Guan contract the epidemic?"
Faced with the Empress Dowager's questioning, Yixiu stepped forward and replied, "This matter happened suddenly, and I haven't had time to investigate it thoroughly yet, but at this moment, the most important thing is the Emperor's safety."
Looking at Yixiu's genuinely worried face, Uya nodded. "You're right, the emperor's safety is of utmost importance."
"Su Peisheng, has the news of the Emperor's coma been kept under wraps?"
Uya turned to look at Su Peisheng, who quickly replied, "Your Majesty, when His Majesty noticed something was wrong with his health earlier, he instructed me to keep the news from everyone except Jingren Palace, Shou Kang Palace, and the Fourth Prince's residence. Apart from Lord Zhang Tingyu, the news was kept very secret from the court."
Upon hearing this, everyone was taken aback. They hadn't expected the Emperor to inform the Fourth Prince. The implications of this made them think deeply.
Just then, hurried footsteps suddenly came from outside the hall.
"Hongli greets his grandmother and his mother."
"Get up quickly."
Uya hurriedly woke him up, and Hongli stood up, his face filled with worry: "How is Father?"
"The imperial physician is treating you, so don't worry. You're young, so to prevent infection, you should go back as soon as possible."
Uya comforted them gently, but to the others, the Empress Dowager seemed to be more concerned about the Fourth Prince than the Emperor, who had already contracted the plague. No matter what thoughts they had, they dared not say anything.
Meanwhile, Yixiu, standing to the side, watched the Empress Dowager's attitude towards Hongli with a strange light in her eyes. She used to think that the Empress Dowager was putting on an act for the Emperor, but now it seemed that the Empress Dowager had more genuine feelings for Hongli than for the Emperor.
That would be even better...
"As a son, how can Hongli leave at this time?"
Hongli shook his head, appreciating the Empress Dowager's kindness, and smiled at her, "Grandmother, I can stay here, but you should go back first."
Yixiu also stepped forward to persuade her, "What the Fourth Prince said makes sense. Aunt should go back first. Your Majesty and I are enough here. The inner palace needs your presence."
Uya nodded. "In that case, I will return first. I will leave this place to you two. Please be careful."
Seeing the concern in Hongli's words and his obedient nod, Wuya breathed a sigh of relief. Before leaving, she remembered something inappropriate and added, "Take good care of His Majesty and research a cure for this epidemic as soon as possible, so as not to harm His Majesty's health."
"yes."
After the Empress Dowager left, the palace became busy again. Hongli and Yixiu were actually not much help. Hongli invited Yixiu to the outer room under the pretext of managing the palace servants of Yangxin Hall, while he stayed in the bedroom to guard her.
Yixiu was deeply moved when she learned that this was Hongli's way of showing concern for her, but she also felt a little regretful, not expecting the Emperor to tell Hongli, worried that he might be infected. Everyone witnessed the Fourth Prince's sincere filial piety towards the Emperor.
In short, everyone had a very good impression of Hongli.
...
Three days passed in a flash, and Yongzheng did not attend court for three days. Although ministers such as Zhang Tingyu tried to make amends, rumors still inevitably began to circulate.
Just then, the Imperial Medical Academy finally developed a treatment plan, with Imperial Physicians Wen Shichu and Wei Lin making significant contributions. However, to be on the safe side, they dared not administer it to the Emperor immediately. Instead, they began testing it on palace maids. Seeing that the medicine was effective, they then used it on Consort Wan, who was infected first, and Consort Fucha, who was infected later.
Consort Fucha unfortunately miscarried the imperial fetus, while Consort Wan gradually recovered, though a problem arose. But the Emperor couldn't afford to delay any longer, so the imperial physicians gritted their teeth and administered the medication, and thankfully, her condition improved.
Although the emperor was still unconscious, his breathing gradually calmed down, and everyone breathed a slight sigh of relief.
At this moment, in Shou Kang Palace, the Empress Dowager summoned the Empress, who had just left Yangxin Hall.
"Yixiu greets her aunt. May your aunt be blessed with good fortune."
It was appropriate to perform the proper rites, but Lady Wuya remained silent for a long time, saying, "Greetings, but where did I get such good fortune?"
“What are you saying, Aunt?” Yixiu said without flinching. Even without Uya’s prompting, she straightened up on her own. “You are in the position of Empress Dowager, and the Emperor is filial to you, as are your grandsons. Isn’t that a blessing?”
"Yixiu!" Empress Wuya rebuked angrily, "As the Empress, you should set an example for the harem, but what have you done?"
"What did I do? I don't understand what Your Majesty means." Yixiu's expression was calm and fearless, as if she really knew nothing.
"Even now, you still dare to argue!"
Uya was furious. "Do you think I can't find anything out?"
"Your Majesty, I am filled with fear. What has Your Majesty discovered?" Despite her fear, Yixiu sat down comfortably, showing no sign of unease.
Uya then realized that Yixiu had changed, becoming more uncontrollable and free, as if she had broken free of shackles after many years and was beginning to release herself wantonly.
Uya suppressed her outward anger and coldly questioned, "Why did you condone Consort Hua and Consort Duan's behavior? Didn't you know it would harm the Emperor's health and cause turmoil in the country? Aren't you afraid of being discovered by the Emperor and implicating your family?"
Yixiu couldn't help but laugh. "Your Majesty, I have no idea what you're talking about. I don't hold any power in the palace. What Consort Hua and Consort Duan did has nothing to do with me."
"Yixiu!" Uya shouted angrily, "What exactly do you want to do?"
"What do I want to do? I don't want to do anything. The Emperor is getting close to Consort Wan, can I possibly stop him?"
Yixiu's fingers twirled on the rim of the cup. "Your Majesty has enough children, and the Fourth Prince is outstanding enough. This is just right, and there is no need to add any more trouble."
Looking up and meeting the Empress Dowager's gaze without flinching, Yixiu revealed a strange smile: "In the past, my aunt always worried that I would do bad things and affect the family's reputation. Now, isn't it better to solve this once and for all? What do you think, aunt?"
Wuya felt a chill in her heart and finally realized that Yixiu wanted to eliminate the fourth prince's fertility. This meant that she had completely given up on her feelings for the fourth prince.
She remained silent, and Yixiu, unconcerned, rose gracefully. "Aunt, in the past you were willing to clean up the mess I made of the imperial heirs for the sake of the glory of the Uya and Ulanara clans. Now, I suppose you can also clean up the mess I made of the Emperor for the sake of the Fourth Prince's future?"
"Are you threatening me?"
Uya's gaze turned cold. Yixiu had initially praised the Fourth Prince's excellence, but Uya didn't believe Yixiu was truly doing it for the Fourth Prince. Instead, she felt she had left a trace, giving Yixiu leverage to threaten her.
"How can you call it a threat?" Yixiu smiled lightly. "Your aunt likes the Fourth Prince quite a bit, doesn't she? Even if it weren't for me, but for the Fourth Prince, I think your aunt would be willing."
Now, Lady Uya was even more certain that Yixiu was using Hongli as a target, but she had to admit that Yixiu had made the right choice. To be honest, for a moment when Yixiu revealed his plan, Lady Uya agreed with him.
But she didn't say anything; she just closed her eyes.
Yixiu understood everything and burst into laughter. Before leaving, she added, "Oh, right, someone has to bear the Emperor's wrath. One Consort Wan might not be enough. Why not direct it all at Consort Duan, and let the Emperor taste the bitter fruit of his wrath..."
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