Empress in danger
Hearing Xie Sili's voice, Huang was about to retort when she heard Feng Wanqing's voice, "I stayed in Yuzhou City for a while before, and I really liked the environment there."
With a smile, she continued, "Does Ah Li know anyone there?"
It wasn't that she knew anyone there, but rather that Yuzhou City was where she developed her business; it was her base of operations.
Although geographically it belongs to the Jun Kingdom, in reality, thanks to the negotiations of the previous two city lords and the efforts of the current city lord, Yuzhou City is now an independent entity.
The emperor had no right to interfere in the affairs of Yuzhou City, and of course, no news from Yuzhou City could be sent out; what was sent out was only the information they wanted others to know.
“Yes.” Xie Sili looked at her and said in a low voice. She then glanced at Madam Huang and said, “Since Madam Xie is alright, then Wanwan and I will go back to rest.”
Having said that, without giving Madam Huang a chance to speak, she turned and left with Feng Wanqing. Under the cover of night, she could clearly hear Madam Huang's gritted teeth.
“I remember my fourth brother saying that you came from the Prime Minister’s residence.”
Feng Wanqing's voice made Xie Sili turn to look at her. "I come from the Prime Minister's residence. My mother, Madam Lu, was the Left Prime Minister's first wife, while Madam Huang was his second wife."
She paused for a moment before continuing, "But the Left Prime Minister didn't like my mother. He and Huang were childhood sweethearts, inseparable since they were little. After my mother died, he couldn't wait to marry her."
She put aside the thoughts in her mind and turned her gaze to Feng Wanqing. "My mother died of postpartum hemorrhage after giving birth to me. I have lived with my grandparents since I was a child. Although Brother Si Ling looks like me, he is not my biological brother."
Noticing Feng Wanqing's gaze, Xie Sili spoke up at the right moment, "They say we're siblings, but in fact, he saved me too. Even Master said we look alike. It's just a pity that he and I were both short-lived."
At this point, Feng Wanqing's eyes reddened again. Xie Sili didn't want to say too much about "Si Ling," but she would still reinforce the "Si Ling" setting for Feng Wanqing when necessary, after all, she had to make her believe that "Si Ling" was dead.
"Don't cry, he definitely wouldn't want to see you like this." Xie Sili said, patting her shoulder. "Wanwan, we have to look forward, we will both have a brighter future."
Feng Wanqing looked at her and nodded with a smile.
Xie Sili originally wanted to see how Huang would act, but just as she and Feng Wanqing were about to return to their room to rest, she learned from Jun Qiyu that the Empress was critically ill.
"What happened?" Xie Sili frowned as she looked at Jun Qiyu. "How did he suddenly become critically ill?"
"We don't know the situation yet; we need to go to the palace." Jun Qiyu frowned.
Without hesitation, Xie Sili said, "I'll go with you."
After Xie Sili informed Xie Ling and Qin Shi, he went to the palace with Feng Wanqing and Jun Qiyu to visit the Empress.
According to Jun Qiyu, he only learned that the Empress was critically ill, but he did not know the specifics of the situation.
Since the death of the former crown prince, the empress has remained firmly in her position, and no one has been able to challenge her position to this day. However, Xie Sili was not sure whether such a thing had ever happened.
"Wanwan, do you know the Empress?" Xie Sili said, his gaze falling on Feng Wanqing. "You are the Empress's niece, you should..."
Feng Wanqing shook her head. "Ever since the late Crown Prince passed away, I have been able to see my aunt every year during festivals. It is said that my aunt never leaves the palace. It is said that holding this birthday banquet was not her original intention."
It was indeed not the Empress's intention; it was someone else's.
Thinking of this, Xie Sili whispered to comfort her, "Don't worry, the Empress will be fine. She has experienced more than we have, so we don't need to worry about her."
"The Empress Dowager fell ill at this time, so someone must be targeting her. But who would target her at this crucial moment?" Jun Qiyu said, rubbing his temples.
Xie Sili glanced at Jun Qiyu beside him, and was about to speak when he heard Jun Qiyu's voice, "There are too many people in the palace who want to deal with the Empress. She has been chosen and given a suitable opportunity."
Because Jun Qiyu was the Prince of Yan, he had the right to enter the palace at any time. In addition, Princess Anning was also in the carriage, so they arrived at the palace gate without any obstacles. Then they took a sedan chair directly to the Kunning Palace where the Empress was located.
"Your Highness Prince Yan, Princess Anning, and Miss Sili," Ziling, the empress's maid, bowed to them. "Her Majesty is currently in her bedchamber, and several imperial physicians are treating her, but there is no improvement."
When Jun Qiyu lifted the curtain, he saw the head of the Imperial Hospital taking the Empress's pulse, but unfortunately he could not see any illness.
Upon noticing their footsteps, the imperial physicians bowed to them.
"How is the Empress Dowager?" Jun Qiyu asked first. "What has been discovered?"
The head of the academy shook his head at Jun Qiyu, "Your Highness, we have not yet discovered the condition of the Empress. We can only find that she is unwell, but she has not yet woken up."
As soon as Xie Sili entered Kunning Palace, she found that the surrounding environment was completely enclosed, and there were several potted plants that could easily cause allergies. She immediately ordered, "Open the windows immediately to ventilate the room and get rid of the smell."
Seeing that the maid had not moved, Jun Qiyu also ordered, "Execute the order according to Miss Xie's wishes."
The maid quickly opened the window to ventilate the room.
After doing these things, she walked a few steps to the Empress's side before she could take out the silver needles from her sleeve. She then instructed the maid to prepare a fire so that she could sterilize the silver needles.
After completing a series of procedures, Xie Sili inserted needles into several key points on the Empress's body.
“You’ll kill Her Majesty if you do this!” one of the imperial physicians said.
“Doctor Hu, you don’t need to worry. Her Majesty and Miss Xie are old acquaintances. It was Miss Xie who cured Her Majesty the Empress’s old ailment.” Zi Ling stepped forward to defend Xie Sili.
After an incense stick had burned, the Empress slowly woke up. All the imperial physicians looked at Xie Sili standing in front of them in shock, but none of them had the courage to step forward.
Seeing this, the Empress spoke up at the opportune moment, "You may all leave now. Li Yatou can take care of me here."
She glanced at Feng Wanqing and Jun Qiyu again, and waved to them, "I have something to say to Li Yatou, you may leave now."
After Jun Qiyu and Feng Wanqing withdrew, the Empress spoke weakly, "Li girl, am I about to die?"
"Your Majesty, please do not worry. It is only because the other party knows that you like to keep these potted plants in your room that they are uncomfortable."
Xie Sili patted the Empress's hand as he spoke, "I have already instructed the maids to take them away."
"I've prescribed a medicine for Your Majesty, and I've already had Ziling personally prepare it." Xie Sili said, then turned around and took out an exquisite box, placing it in the Empress's hand. "This is a new sleep-aiding incense that I developed earlier; it will help you sleep."
Noticing the Empress's gaze, Xie Sili continued, "Your Majesty, rest assured, I will bring them to your birthday banquet. However, according to his wishes, I don't want their identities to be revealed, is that alright?"
The Empress looked at her for a moment, then nodded. "You really haven't lied to me?"
She gave a helpless smile. "Why would I deceive Your Majesty? Didn't I also have their portraits sent over before? So many years have passed, and he doesn't want me to live in hatred forever. He even told me not to hold a grudge."
The Empress glanced at her but didn't say anything. Xie Sili noticed that she subconsciously clenched her hands, which were hanging at her sides.
"Li girl, I'm a little tired."
After lighting incense to help the Empress fall asleep, Xie Sili went to find Ziling and saw her patiently looking at the medicine bowl.
“Miss.” Zi Ling put down her fan and walked towards her when she saw her. “I haven’t seen you in a long time, and you haven’t been to the palace.”
She pouted, looking aggrieved, "You don't know how boring it is in the palace. Even though I'm the head maid, I really don't like this place."
Hearing Zi Ling's words, Xie Si Li reached out and rubbed her cheek. "Aren't you happy that you're staying in the palace to help me take care of the Empress? The pastries from the Imperial Kitchen are so delicious every day."
"It's not tasty at all!" Zi Ling pouted. "It's not even as good as Mr. Yun Jian's cooking."
Xie Sili smiled again, "After this matter is settled, I'll take you back to Yuzhou City with me, okay? After that, we'll never come back to this godforsaken place again."
“Okay.” Zi Ling looked up at her and gave her a bright smile. “At eighteen, I can still leave the palace, unlike me, who has never left since entering the palace. I don’t even know what the outside world is like.”
Xie Sili took a box out of his sleeve and handed it to her, saying, "Consider this an apology gift."
When Ziling opened the box, she found it filled with candies of all colors. She hugged the box to her chest and smiled again, "Thank you, young lady!"
Xie Sili whispered some more instructions to Ziling before turning to leave and go find Jun Qiyu and Feng Wanqing.
Xie Sili couldn't stay overnight in the palace. After meeting Jun Qiyu and Feng Wanqing, she took the same carriage they had used to leave the palace.
In the dead of night, on their way to Siyuan, Xie Sili and his companions were ambushed by men in black who came directly at their carriage.
"Xie Sili, tonight is your death day." Unfortunately, those people hadn't even gotten close to the carriage before they collapsed. They didn't even see who was coming before they were already dead.
Sitting in the carriage with her eyes closed, Xie Sili heard Si Ze's voice outside the carriage, "Miss, it's the same group of people as last time. It seems they are still not giving up and want to make a move against you."
"It doesn't matter. There are many people who want to kill me, but none of them have ever succeeded." Xie Sili sneered. "Let them come and die."
Xie Sili did not return to Siyuan, but went directly to the bamboo forest of Longmen Academy.
The next day.
She went directly to Shangguan and Murong. Everyone's results were in the final stages of preparation, and they were quite surprised to see Xie Sili.
"Her Majesty the Empress is ill, so I returned first," Xie Sili said. "How are their academic results being arranged?"
"Everything is almost arranged. The results should be announced in the next day or two. What are the plans for the Second Young Master and the Fourth Young Master? Will they go directly to the court?"
"I don't know yet." Xie Sili leaned back in his chair. "We'll see what they think when the time comes, but I know that my fourth brother will probably go straight into officialdom. As for which path he will choose, I don't know."
"After the results are announced, you should pack your things and return to Yuzhou City. I will take care of things here." She paused and then continued, "I remember that Shangguan and Murong, you are not married yet. If you do not want to return to Yuzhou City, you can stay here for the New Year. After all, you have always celebrated the New Year with us in the past."
Shangguan and Murong paused, and almost simultaneously said, "Can we stay in Chang'an and spend the New Year with the young lady?"
Hearing their words, Xie Sili nodded, "Of course we can. We always celebrate the New Year together. After you close the academy, just go to Siyuan. Yun Jian, Du Kang, and Mr. Zhuge are all there. Although the garden isn't as lively as Yuzhou, it's still a nice place to warm up."
Shangguan and Murong nodded at Xie Sili.
After they have compiled everyone's results, they will first send a copy to the Emperor. Every year during the grand examination, the Emperor will select some talented individuals, whom he believes will become pillars of the nation.
It was at this time that Xie Sili parted ways with them, and went straight back to Siyuan.
As soon as I entered the Si Garden, I heard Green Bamboo's voice, "Hurry up and clean up the garden. The New Year is almost here. If you don't get started, the young lady will never have treated you badly."
Xie Sili leaned against the doorway, watching the petite figure of Green Bamboo calling out, and the image of her in the Si Garden of Yuzhou City unconsciously surfaced in her mind.
Everyone was busy in the yard in an orderly manner, and each person seemed to have found their place, cleaning up the corners and edges of the garden.
The most troublesome part of Si Garden is probably the gardens at the back. They not only need careful care, but also constant maintenance. Therefore, Si Garden has specially assigned gardeners to take care of those flowers.
Although she won't be returning to Chang'an City often in the future, keeping it is a kind of memento for her. Even if she doesn't come back, at least Xie Sinian and Xie Sinan will always be there, and Xie Yi's family will also be residing in Chang'an City in the future.
Thinking of this, Xie Sili raised the corners of his lips.
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