Chapter 33 Zhao Zhao's Wish Fulfilled "Is this a reward for me?" Xiao Heng asked...
Gu Xi resumed her daily routine of going to Cining Palace.
She offered to copy Buddhist scriptures for the Empress Dowager today because she wanted to wait for Xiao Heng here. She knew he came here every day to pay his respects to the Empress Dowager, and even though neither of them might want to see the other, they still had to pretend to be polite.
"His Majesty has arrived!"
"Your Majesty, I pay my respects." Gu Xi greeted the Emperor.
"Your subject pays respects to Your Majesty."
"Rise."
After they were seated, the Empress Dowager and Xiao Heng began to chat casually.
"Where is Xiao Che's army now?"
"Reporting to Mother Empress, we have already arrived in Jingyang and will reach the capital in a few days."
That's great! Brother Che is finally back safe and sound.
"Yes, when that child returns, he must be rewarded properly." Xiao Che has never been one to compete or fight, and it is thanks to this that he has been able to live peacefully until today.
"Please rest assured, Your Majesty, I will certainly reward you according to your merits." After saying this, he glanced at Gu Xi unintentionally.
After finishing her story about Xiao Che, the Empress Dowager suddenly turned to look at Gu Xi: "Gu Xi, did you stay behind today because you have something to say to me and the Emperor?"
Gu Xi was startled, not expecting the Empress Dowager to guess her intention so quickly. It has to be said that the two of them are really alike, both so perceptive.
"Your Majesty the Empress Dowager, I do indeed have something I wish to advise Your Majesty and the Emperor on." Gu Xi said carefully, "I have been in the palace for some time now and have only just learned that the Imperial Medical Academy is exclusively for men, and it is truly forbidden for women to practice medicine. However, there are many women in the harem, and it would be advantageous for women to practice medicine. For example, in daily consultations and care, there would be no need to worry about the strict separation of men and women. Therefore, I dare to suggest that the position of 'female physician' be established in the Imperial Medical Academy, and that those of upright character and excellent medical skills be selected for the position."
The Empress Dowager pondered for a moment and said, "What Gu girl said makes sense, but doctors have always been men. I have never seen a woman practicing medicine. It would be bad to break the rules." Although she was slightly dissatisfied with the Imperial Hospital after the poisoning incident, it did not mean that she would follow Gu Xi's wishes. Besides, she did not know whether this was Gu Xi's own idea or the Emperor's.
"Your Majesty, there are actually quite a few women practicing medicine in the common people. Before Gu Xi entered the palace, she often followed her master to practice medicine outside."
"How can the common people compare to the imperial palace? What do you think, Your Majesty?" The Empress Dowager posed the question to Xiao Heng.
Xiao Heng frowned, seemingly disapproving: "The Empress Dowager's opinion is my opinion. The matter of the 'female physician' will be discussed later."
Seeing Xiao Heng's opposition, the Empress Dowager softened her stance somewhat: "Gu girl, although it is not feasible to establish the position of 'female doctor' in the Imperial Hospital, I will allow any woman who wishes to practice medicine in the palace."
Gu Xi was about to express her gratitude when she suddenly remembered the rules of the Imperial Medical Academy, "But this Imperial Medical Academy..."
"In a few days, I will issue an imperial edict to clarify this matter."
"Thank you, Empress Dowager! Thank you, Your Majesty!" Gu Xi kowtowed to express her gratitude.
She knew things wouldn't go so smoothly. The reason she dared to propose setting up a "female physician" was because she knew that the Emperor and Empress Dowager both had designs on her and wouldn't directly refuse her. She first tried to find out their attitude and then proceeded step by step. Today's result was already an unexpected surprise.
In this way, Yun Ke could consult doctors in the palace, and the sick palace maids would have a place to seek medical treatment. As for medicinal herbs, she could only raise more in Weiyang Palace, which would be of some help.
Xiao Heng left after sitting for a short while, and Gu Xi also took her leave and returned to Weiyang Palace after finishing copying the scriptures.
As soon as Gu Xi opened the door, she saw Xiao Heng sitting on the couch, leisurely sipping tea.
"Your Majesty?" Gu Xi was surprised. She thought he would come over in the evening, as he seemed to be quite busy lately.
"Come here." Xiao Heng put down his teacup.
Gu Xi obediently walked towards him, and he gently pulled her close to his legs. She took the opportunity to hold onto his shoulders and stood in front of him.
She looked down and saw the dark circles under his eyes. Feeling a pang of heartache, she couldn't help but raise her hand to gently touch them.
Her subtle gestures stirred ripples in his heart.
"Are you happy now?" Xiao Heng suddenly asked.
Gu Xi was taken aback, then realized he was referring to the female physician, and exclaimed in surprise, "Is the Emperor deliberately opposing this?"
"Hmm." As long as it was something he objected to, his "mother" would easily give in.
Gu Xi stared at him intently, then suddenly planted a quick kiss on his cheek.
"Is this a reward for me?" Xiao Heng raised an eyebrow.
Gu Xi nodded shyly.
"That's not enough." With that, he put one arm around her waist, pulled her forward a bit, and used the other hand to hold the back of her head down, forcing her to kiss him.
Xiao Heng deepened the kiss little by little, the faint aroma of tea filling their lips and teeth, which captivated her.
"Your Majesty, Your Majesty, it's time for lunch," Hua Yue suddenly called out from outside the door.
Gu Xi quickly pushed him away.
Xiao Heng stared at her lipstick, which had been smudged from the kiss, his eyes growing darker.
Gu Xi realized things were going badly and tried to escape, but he pulled her back with his large hand and kissed her even more forcefully.
The warmth of his palm through her clothes sent a shiver down her spine. Gu Xi's legs went weak from his kiss, and she almost couldn't stand. Only then did Xiao Heng release her, a satisfied smile playing on his lips.
"I'll let you go for now..." A low, hoarse voice escaped from his throat.
Gu Xi was leaning against him, her ears filled with his warm breath, and she felt her legs go even weaker.
His gaze fell downwards, his palm pressed against her waist and he gently pinched the soft flesh there. His eyes were dark and brooding, and it was impossible to tell what he was thinking.
Gu Xi was afraid he was going to do something bad again, so she quickly jumped away and opened the door. Hua Yue was standing outside the door waiting.
"Your Highness, why is your face so red?" Hua Yue asked curiously.
Gu Xi was so ashamed that she wanted to disappear. She pulled Hua Yue and walked towards the side hall, thinking that she should have known better than to provoke him.
After lunch, Xiao Heng returned to the Qianqing Palace.
Gu Xi took a short rest and was about to set off to the imperial kitchen to find Mu Yunke.
Upon hearing that they were going to the imperial kitchen, Hua Yue insisted on going as well, so Gu Xi had no choice but to take her along.
Upon arriving at the Imperial Kitchen, Gu Xi inquired around and learned that the Imperial Hospital staff had stopped visiting Mu Yunke recently. Perhaps the news of Xiao Heng's "favor" towards her had reached the Imperial Hospital, allowing her to take advantage of the situation.
She told Mu Yunke about the news from Cining Palace that day, and Mu Yunke was very happy.
"Yun Ke, I now go to the Empress Dowager's palace every morning to examine her and treat her health. Would you like to come with me?"
"Your Majesty, Yun Ke is willing, but the work in the Imperial Kitchen..." Mu Yun Ke hesitated.
Hua Yue quickly said, "Don't worry, Sister Yun Ke! I'll come over every morning to relieve you. I used to work in the Imperial Kitchen, so it'll be fine!" Hua Yue patted her chest to assure her, "But you have to come back early, I need to go back and have lunch with Her Majesty!"
On the way here, Huayue learned of this and excitedly suggested it to her, which she agreed to. This helped her a lot; otherwise, it would have been very difficult to persuade the head chef of the imperial kitchen.
Mu Yunke nodded emphatically: "Thank you, Consort Gu! Thank you, Miss Huayue!"
After persuading Mu Yunke, and with Hua Yue's persistent pleas, the head chef of the imperial kitchen finally agreed to the matter.
Now she can consider her next steps.
Gu Xi returned alone, and as a way of repaying Hua Yue, she decided to stay in the imperial kitchen to help prepare the palace's dinner that night.
When Gu Xi passed through the Imperial Garden, it was already late. Several palace maids were gathered together by the river, seemingly releasing lanterns. Curious, Gu Xi decided to go and take a look.
"Greetings, Consort Gu!" The palace maid quickly bowed upon seeing the newcomer.
"No need for such formalities."
Gu Xi looked at the lanterns in their hands and asked, "Is today a festival? Why are you releasing lanterns here?"
The head palace maid hesitated and said, "Your Highness, today is not a festival. These lanterns were originally prepared for the Qixi Festival, but the Imperial Concubine is not very satisfied with them. We think it would be a waste to throw them away, so... please forgive us, Your Highness!"
"I see. You don't need to worry. I won't tell the Imperial Concubine."
Looking at the lanterns floating on the river, their flickering candlelight resembling a galaxy, Gu Xi couldn't help but ask, "Could I have one of these lanterns?"
"Of course!" the palace maid said, picking up a cup from the ground and handing it to Gu Xi.
Seeing that the palace maids were somewhat reserved in front of her, Gu Xi found a corner to sit down.
She picked up a wolf-hair brush and wrote on the rice paper: "May my lord's wishes be fulfilled and may peace prevail year after year."
The inscription was signed by Xiao Heng and Gu Xi.
The lanterns drifted away with the water, eventually turning into a faint glow and disappearing into the night.
It was already past 7 PM when we returned to Weiyang Palace.
Pushing open the door, Gu Xi saw a figure standing inside, with his back to her.
"Your Majesty?" Gu Xi called out uncertainly.
Upon hearing this, the other person turned around. There were no lights in the room, only a sliver of moonlight leaking in from the window, which shone directly on his chiseled jawline.
It was him.
She thought he probably wouldn't come over today.
Gu Xi turned on the lamp, and the room immediately became bright.
Xiao Heng's gaze fell behind her, his eyes deep and unfathomable: "Where is your maid?"
Gu Xi was taken aback, not understanding why he suddenly asked about her maid: "Hua Yue? She's still in the imperial kitchen."
"Where did you just go?"
His voice carried an inexplicable coldness. Gu Xi was puzzled, but she still explained, "Your Majesty, I just went to the Imperial Kitchen to find Yun Ke... who is Physician Mu's sister."
"You two know each other very well?"
Gu Xi thought for a moment and said, "Yes, she helped me before."
After a moment of silence, Xiao Heng suddenly asked, "How did you and Mu Yunqi meet?"
Gu Xi was slightly taken aback, and then said truthfully, "Your Majesty, Physician Mu comes to check my pulse every month."
"What else could there be besides these?"
Gu Xi frowned, puzzled as to why he asked that, but still shook her head.
Actually, they first met at the Imperial Medical Academy, where he agreed to copy ancient medical books for her. However, this matter should not be publicized, as it would likely bring trouble to the siblings if people found out that they were secretly copying books from the Imperial Medical Academy's collection.
Xiao Heng stared at Gu Xi for a while, then took a book from his pocket and threw it on the table: "What's this?"
Gu Xi looked closely and realized that it was actually the "Compendium of Materia Medica" that Mu Yunqi had given her.
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Author's Note: I'll be updating both today and tomorrow!
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