On the third day in Xuan Yue Kingdom, someone from the palace invited Meng Zhelan to the palace to examine the Empress.
Princess Xuanqing personally greeted her at the palace gate, saying, "Doctor Meng, thank you for your trouble."
Meng Zhelan bowed respectfully and smiled slightly, "Your Highness is too kind. It is my honor to examine Her Majesty the Empress."
The two walked side by side through the magnificent palace corridors, where palace servants greeted them with bows and salutations.
Meng Zhelan entered the palace with the palace servants.
Along the way, one could see magnificent palaces, exquisitely carved pillars, and palace maids and eunuchs in gorgeous costumes bustling about.
She couldn't help but feel a little nervous.
Although Jingyuan's palace was also magnificent, it was still slightly inferior to the palace of Xuanyue Kingdom.
Everything here appears more luxurious and refined.
Upon arriving at the Empress's palace, Meng Zhelan was led into the inner chamber.
A graceful and elegant woman lay on the bed, her face slightly pale, but her noble demeanor was still undeniable.
This is the Empress of Xuan Yue Kingdom, a woman of high status and revered by her subjects.
Meng Zhelan carefully stepped forward and performed a standard courtly salute.
Her movements were elegant and graceful, demonstrating her good upbringing and demeanor.
Xuanqing, who was standing to the side, quickly stepped forward and gently helped the Empress up.
"Mother, this is Doctor Meng, whom I mentioned to you before," Xuan Qing said softly, her voice filled with respect.
The Empress nodded slightly, carefully examining Meng Zhelan, a hint of admiration flashing in her eyes. "I didn't expect Doctor Meng to be so capable at such a young age..."
Meng Zhelan respectfully replied, "Your Majesty flatters me. I will do my utmost to treat you, please rest assured."
The Empress smiled and said, "With your words of comfort, I am relieved. I will need your continued support in the future."
Meng Zhelan quickly replied, "Thank you for your trust, Your Majesty. I will certainly live up to your expectations."
After saying that, she began to diagnose the Queen's illness.
Her fingertips gently traced the Queen's pulse, feeling its faint beat.
After a moment, she slowly withdrew her hand, having already given it her all.
Seeing this, Xuan Qing asked anxiously, "How is it?"
Meng Zhelan fell into deep thought, and after a while, she spoke: "Her Majesty the Empress's heart ailment has a long history, and the condition is quite complex and serious. Fortunately, however, it is not incurable. However, treatment requires some time to recuperate, and Her Majesty also needs to adjust her mindset, relax, and avoid excessive worry and anxiety."
In fact, the Empress's heart ailment was not merely a physical illness.
More often, it's a mental illness caused by long-term accumulated psychological problems.
This psychological distress gradually evolved into an actual heart disease, making treatment more difficult.
However, she did not want to delve into the origins of the Empress's heart ailment.
Upon hearing this, Xuan Qing frowned deeply, his expression filled with extreme worry. He was clearly very concerned about Meng Zhelan's diagnosis.
She knew the root of her mother's heartache, but even after so many years, her mother was still unable to get over the immense grief of losing her beloved son.
Looking back, her elder brother was only ten years old when he tragically drowned in an accident.
From then on, the Empress Dowager was immersed in endless sorrow and eventually developed a serious heart ailment.
Exhausted both physically and mentally, the Empress Dowager was no longer able to manage the vast affairs of the inner palace, so she entrusted them entirely to Consort Zhang.
In the first few years, the Empress Dowager was still able to get out of bed and walk around with difficulty.
But as time went on, her health deteriorated, and now she is so weak that she cannot even leave her bed.
She wondered whether she should tell Meng Zhelan these things. Xuanqing glanced at the Empress and saw her shake her head almost imperceptibly.
After a moment's thought, he said softly, "Then I'll trouble Doctor Meng to prescribe a medicine for Mother. Someone, please prepare paper and ink for Doctor Meng."
Meng Zhelan naturally understood their concerns, so she silently followed the palace maid to the side hall.
Upon entering the side hall, she skillfully picked up a calligraphy brush, as if it were an action she knew all too well.
Seeing that the person had left, Xuanqing spoke with deep emotion, "Mother, look, every doctor said you could cure him, why... " for so many years, you still can't let go of your brother.
The empress seemed lost in memories of the past and did not respond immediately.
He just stared blankly out the window, as if searching for a time that had long since vanished.
"Qing'er, do you know?" the Empress asked slowly.
Her voice carried a hint of desolation, "Every time I close my eyes, I can clearly see your elder brother. His youthful face always wore a sunny smile. His laughter seems to still echo in my ears, so real, so close."
Xuanqing felt a pang of pain in his heart; his mother was thinking of his elder brother again.
She gently grasped the Empress's hand, trying to dispel the coldness in her heart with her own warmth: "Mother, I know you miss my brother, but you must take care of yourself. If my brother is watching over us from heaven, he would surely want you to be well."
The Empress sighed softly, a hint of helplessness flashing in her eyes: "Qing'er, you are a good child, always so sensible. But some things cannot be let go of just because you want to. The departure of your brother was a huge blow to me. I often think that if I had spent more time with him back then, perhaps he wouldn't have had this accident."
Xuanqing felt a pang of sadness. She knew the pain in her mother's heart, but she also knew that some things could not be changed.
All along, she could only silently stay by her mother's side, trying to comfort her in her own way, hoping that her mother would glance at her.
"Mother, let bygones be bygones. We should cherish the present and live in the moment. Doctor Meng's medical skills are superb; he will surely cure you. As long as you take your medicine on time, your health will gradually improve," Xuanqing said softly.
The Empress turned to look at Xuan Qing, a hint of joy flashing in her eyes: "Qing'er, that Prince An is indeed handsome and elegant, a true standout among men, a phoenix among dragons. Your Majesty is also very pleased."
Xuanqing had no choice but to change the subject whenever her mother brought up the topic of treating illnesses and taking medicine.
Having no other choice, she could only leave first and see if Meng Zhelan needed any help.
"Doctor Meng, my mother..." Xuan Qing suddenly didn't know how to start the conversation.
She understood what the princess meant, but these royal secrets were not something she could pry into.
After a moment's thought, he said, "Princess, a mental illness requires a mental cure, and a good cure also requires the patient to have a positive attitude towards treatment."
Xuanqing naturally understood the reasoning behind it, and remained silent for a while.
She made a decision: "Doctor Meng, please wait a moment, and come out of the palace with me later."
Meng Zhelan nodded slightly in agreement.
After Xuanqing made the arrangements, they rode together in the princess's carriage back to the embassy.
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