Chapter 166 Sparrow Slave's Birthday is Approaching
On the way back to the Imperial Medical Bureau, Xiao Lingdang followed behind Physician Wen and whispered, "Just now... thank you for speaking up for me, Director Wen."
Imperial Physician Wen glanced at her, but did not stop walking.
Having practiced medicine for over thirty years, how could he not diagnose that His Majesty was already on the verge of death?
Moreover, his pulse was weak and disordered, with a strange stagnation hidden within, which did not seem to be caused by old age and emptiness, but rather seemed to be caused by poisoning.
Why doesn't he say it?
Firstly, he had reviewed all the prescriptions drafted by Physician Lin, and if he were to rashly say that His Majesty was poisoned, he would surely be guilty of negligence, which could result in losing his official position or even implicating his entire family.
Secondly, His Majesty's health is beyond medical help, and his time is drawing near.
At this critical juncture of dynastic change, wise people should know how to secure their own future.
The eldest princess now wields immense power and has a high chance of ascending the throne.
And since Physician Lin was the person she recommended, if she were to reveal the truth now, wouldn't that be openly offending the future emperor?
Thinking of this, Imperial Physician Wen suppressed the turmoil in his heart and cupped his hands in a gesture of respect to Xiao Lingdang: "Imperial Physician Lin, you flatter me. Since we both serve the Emperor, we should naturally help each other."
Little Bell smiled knowingly and said nothing more.
After Li Yuanshu left, Li Ye turned to look at the heavy snow outside the window and suddenly said, "Que Nu's birthday is coming soon."
Upon hearing this, Eunuch Xu was taken aback at first, then quickly replied, "Your Majesty has a good memory. The Eldest Princess's birthday is on the twelfth of the twelfth month, which is ten days away."
Li Ye, however, seemed completely absorbed in his own thoughts, speaking as if to himself or to someone else.
“I remember, it snowed just as heavily on the day A-Lang gave birth to her. The charcoal fire in the palace crackled and burned, warming everyone to the bone. Despite the excruciating pain of childbirth, A-Lang didn’t utter a single cry of pain from beginning to end.”
"Her Majesty has been through the hardships of military life since childhood, and her temperament is a hundred times more resolute than that of ordinary women, so she can endure pain that ordinary people cannot bear."
Eunuch Xu lowered his eyes and softly echoed the emperor's words, trying to comfort his melancholy mood.
But these words seemed to strike the most painful spot in Li Ye's heart. His Adam's apple bobbed, and his voice suddenly became low and hoarse.
"But she just left like that... without a sound. Before she died, I didn't even get to see her one last time."
Xu Gonggong's heart sank suddenly as he remembered that day.
Snowflakes were falling heavily from the sky, while the Kunning Palace was brightly lit and bustling with people.
Palace maids hurried about carrying hot water and towels, while the imperial physicians stood guard outside the curtains.
Inside the inner palace, the midwife's anxious voice could be heard every now and then: "Your Majesty, give it your all! The baby will be out soon!"
His Majesty, at that time, sat in the main seat of the main hall, his eyes filled with unconcealed worry.
The Empress was a seasoned general, and her physique was naturally stronger than that of ordinary women. At first, everyone thought that the delivery would go smoothly.
But no one expected that, not long after, a midwife's panicked cries suddenly came from the inner palace.
"Oh no! Her Majesty is hemorrhaging!"
The Emperor abruptly stood up and roared at the waiting imperial physicians, "What are you all standing there for? Go in and take a look! If anything happens to the Empress and the child, I will have you all executed!"
The head physician, Wen, dared not delay for a moment and immediately lifted the curtain to enter the inner hall.
When he came out again, his face was grave: "Your Majesty, the Empress is in a reversed position and is bleeding profusely... We need to administer acupuncture immediately to stop the bleeding."
The Emperor roared, "Then administer the acupuncture immediately! I don't care what method you use, you must save the mother and child."
Upon hearing this, Imperial Physician Wen knelt down with a thud and replied with a forced smile.
"Your Majesty, we will risk our lives to protect the Empress and the child. However, we dare not be certain that everything will go smoothly... Therefore, we humbly ask Your Majesty, if... if it really comes to a desperate situation, should we protect the Empress or the Prince?"
Standing to the side, he clearly saw that His Majesty, who had been looking anxious, showed a complex expression when he heard the words "protect the Empress or protect the Prince."
The Emperor staggered back into his chair, his gaze fixed on Imperial Physician Wen. His lips moved, but he didn't utter a single word.
The hall fell into a deathly silence, with only the sound of wind and snow pounding against the windowpanes outside.
Imperial Physician Wen knelt on the ground, not daring to breathe loudly or even lift his head.
He held his breath, completely baffled as to what the Emperor's silence meant.
He didn't know how much time had passed, so long that his legs were starting to go numb, before he finally saw the Emperor mutter a few words to himself.
The voice was very soft, and he was standing a little far away, so he couldn't hear it clearly.
But the imperial physician Wen, who was kneeling in front of him, was startled. He then kowtowed heavily, turned around, lifted the curtain, and rushed back into the inner hall.
The anxiety and worry that had been on the Emperor's face vanished, leaving only a deathly gloom.
He sat listlessly in the main seat, staring blankly ahead.
After about the time it takes for an incense stick to burn, the Emperor seemed to be unable to stay any longer and suddenly stood up.
"I will return to Yanying Palace to handle state affairs first. The Empress will come to report to me after she has finished giving birth."
He dared not ask any more questions and could only hurry to follow the Emperor back to Yanying Hall.
But after returning to the palace, he, who was serving nearby, saw it clearly.
The emperor, sitting at his desk, held a memorial in his hand, but his gaze never fell on the paper.
Those usually gentle eyes were now lost in thought.
Two hours later, a palace maid rushed in to report: "Your Majesty! The Empress...the Empress has given birth to a daughter, but she is bleeding profusely. The imperial physicians say they have done their best, but I fear...I fear she will not live much longer!"
His heart sank. In that instant, he suddenly realized that what the emperor had murmured was "protect the child."
He saw that the Emperor, who had always had a deep affection for the Empress, relaxed his tense shoulders slightly upon hearing these words.
The palace maid cried again, "Her Majesty says she wants to see His Majesty one last time..."
He held his breath, waiting for the Emperor to get up and head to the Empress's palace.
But he waited for a long time and only saw the emperor sitting in the same place without moving.
Only when the tolling of the death knell echoed from the depths of the palace did he see a belated tear finally roll down the corner of the Emperor's eye.
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