Good things don’t work, but bad things do.
Gu Jiu's worries came true, and there was indeed a problem with food in the palace.
Early in the morning, she and Xiao Qin'er entered the palace together and came to the Cining Palace to pay their respects.
Empress Pei's eyes were bloodshot, her face was pale, and she looked utterly dazed. It was as if the sky had fallen.
Imperial doctors were coming in and out, treating Empress Dowager Xiao.
This morning, Emperor Wende canceled the court meeting and stayed by Empress Dowager Xiao's bedside, ordering the imperial doctors to do their best to treat her.
Xu Yousi came to Gu Jiu quietly.
Because Liu Zhao became the crown prince, the people around Gu Jiu also rose in status. Xu Yousi was promoted from a junior eunuch to an inner court official, a lowly position, but still a promotion.
Gu Jiu calmed down, avoided people, quietly came to a secluded place, and asked, "Have you found out clearly?"
Before they entered the palace, they only knew that Empress Dowager Xiao was seriously ill, and knew nothing else.
When they arrived at the Cining Palace, the atmosphere was solemn and no one explained the whole thing to them.
In desperation, they could only use their own abilities to gather information.
Xu Yousi nodded and whispered, "Last night, the Empress Dowager ordered a banquet to be prepared in the imperial kitchen. Your Majesty, the Empress Dowager, and the Empress Dowager dined together and chatted about family matters. They were all fine during the meal. After dinner, in the middle of the night, the Empress Dowager suddenly had an unbearable abdominal pain. The imperial physician examined her and said she had eaten something wrong."
Gu Jiu frowned, "Are the Empress and His Majesty okay?"
Xu Yousi nodded, "Only the Queen Mother has abdominal pain."
Gu Jiu looked towards the bedroom. After a night of tossing and turning, Empress Dowager Xiao still had abdominal pain. Furthermore, she was old, and if anything happened to her, the consequences would be unimaginable.
No wonder Empress Dowager Pei looked as if the sky was falling.
She was the one who ordered the banquet, so if the matter is investigated, she cannot escape responsibility regardless of whether she is innocent or not.
The late emperor had only been dead for half a year, and if something happened to Empress Dowager Xiao at this time, she would have had bad luck for the entire year.
Out of filial piety, Emperor Wende will also investigate further. By then, who knows how many people will lose their heads.
The Fourth Prince Liu Yi walked into the Cining Palace with sweat on his face and came before Empress Pei.
He squatted in front of Empress Pei and said, "Mother, don't worry. The Empress Dowager will definitely recover safely."
Empress Pei grabbed Liu Yi's hand as if she had found a lifeline. "The Queen Mother will be fine, right?"
Liu Yi nodded heavily, "It will definitely get better."
Xiao Qin'er also came over and comforted Queen Pei in a soft voice.
In fact, Xiao Qin'er's position is a bit awkward, simply because her surname is Xiao, the same as Empress Dowager Xiao.
Gu Jiu sighed.
Liu Zhao was sent out of the capital on a mission at the end of last month. I don’t know whether it is a good thing or a bad thing.
At this time, Liu Zhao was not there. Although he seemed to have avoided a storm, he also lost some opportunities.
Gu Jiu asked Xu Yousi, "Did you get the menu for last night's dinner?"
Xu Yousi nodded and whispered the name of the dish.
Most of the dishes are quite normal, light and healthy.
There are only a few river dishes, and the taste is a bit strong.
Could it be that Empress Dowager Xiao is allergic to freshwater fish?
If Empress Xiao was really allergic to river seafood, it would be impossible for no one to know about it for so many years.
Empress Dowager Xiao must have known clearly what she could and could not eat.
Even if Empress Dowager Xiao was old and confused and didn't know what to avoid, were all the palace servants around her dead? Didn't they know to remind her?
It seems the abdominal pain isn't caused by the freshwater fish. Perhaps it's a food incompatibility.
Gu Jiu started to ponder the menu.
Concubine Shen Xian and Concubine Luo De came to the Cining Palace together.
At the beginning of the year, Emperor Wende ascended the throne and conferred titles on his concubines. The two who were then Concubine Shen and Concubine Luo were both given the title of Concubine.
There are still two vacancies left for the Four Concubines, and the nine concubines below are all trying their best to be promoted to Concubine.
"Your Majesty, is the Queen Mother okay?" As soon as Concubine Shen Xian came, she didn't consider herself an outsider at all and asked Empress Pei.
Empress Pei was in a panic and had no time to entertain Concubine Shen, so she ignored her.
Concubine Shen Xian did not need anyone to greet her and found a place to sit down. "I heard that Your Majesty did not sleep all night. No wonder your face is haggard and your eyes are bloodshot. Your Majesty, you must take care of yourself. The Queen Mother is ill, and you must not get hurt at this time. If you fall ill, the harem will be without a backbone."
The words are good.
But when these words came out of Concubine Shen Xian's mouth, there was always a strange taste. There was a secret gloating mixed with the sincerity, and it was clear that she was just watching the fun and not minding the big deal.
Upon hearing this, Empress Pei had to cheer up.
Her face darkened. "I'm sorry to both of you. I can handle it, no need to worry."
Concubine Shen clutched her chest and said, "I am very anxious. Two days ago, I came to pay my respects to the Queen Mother. At that time, the Queen Mother looked very healthy and full of energy. How come she is so ill in the blink of an eye? Your Majesty, is there any reason for this? Do you need help from me and others?"
Queen Pei sneered to herself.
Empress Dowager Xiao had an accident, and the cause and effect had already spread throughout the harem.
But at this moment, Concubine Shen was pretending to be stupid with her.
What? Are you sure she can't get away this time?
Empress Pei said coldly, "My mother has her own imperial physician. You two don't need to worry about it. We don't need so many people here either. You two should go back first. I will send someone to let her know when I have any news."
"I'd better stay here, otherwise I'll feel uneasy." Princess Luo De said in a low voice.
Concubine Shen nodded repeatedly, "I'm really worried about the Queen Mother. What if the imperial physician is useless?"
"Don't talk nonsense. The Empress Dowager is a lucky person and will definitely be able to turn misfortune into good fortune." Empress Pei scolded softly.
Concubine Shen Xian hurriedly said, "Early this morning, I read a Buddhist scripture and prayed for the Empress Dowager."
Concubine Luo De also said, "I copied a Buddhist scripture with my own hands last night and burned it in front of the Bodhisattva this morning. I hope the Bodhisattva can see my sincerity."
"Sister Defei, the Bodhisattva will surely see our sincerity." Concubine Shen said affirmatively.
Queen Pei was feeling very embarrassed at this moment.
One of them was worshiping Buddha, and the other was copying Buddhist scriptures, both of them acted pious and filial.
This makes her, the queen, appear extremely unfilial and incompetent.
For such a long time since the Empress Dowager's accident, she has been staying in the Cining Palace, and has never recited or copied Buddhist scriptures.
Compared with the filial piety of the two concubines, Shen Luo, it is indeed not sincere enough.
Empress Pei was absolutely certain that Shen Luo and the other two were here to take advantage of her misfortune and make her suffer.
But she couldn't get angry.
She couldn't accuse the two of them of not reciting or copying Buddhist scriptures.
Empress Pei suppressed her emotions and said calmly, "You two are so thoughtful. I have to stay with the Empress and cannot get away. You two will take my share and copy the Buddhist scriptures for me. Are you willing?"
Concubine Shen and Concubine Luo looked at each other, cursing in their hearts that the man was shameless.
However, the two still respectfully agreed, "Don't worry, Your Majesty. I will take care of the copying of the Buddhist scriptures for you. But you should also take care of your health. You can't sleep all night, what can you do? Don't let the Queen Mother get sick again before she gets better."
Empress Pei waved her hand lightly, "It's okay, I can still hold on. I can't sleep until my mother gets better. I'm worried all the time."
"The Queen's filial piety is truly touching."
"I and others are ashamed of ourselves."
Concubine Shen and Concubine Luo flattered the emperor very skillfully, and it was obvious that they did this kind of thing frequently.
Empress Pei said coldly, "Alright, both of you go back and copy the Buddhist scriptures. Don't tire yourself out, and rest early tonight."
"Let's wait a little longer."
Shen Luo and the other exchanged glances, "We have to see the Queen Mother before we can leave."
Obviously, the two of them had made up their minds that once they came here today, they would not leave easily.
This is the Cining Palace, not the Weiyang Palace.
Empress Pei's words don't work in the Cining Palace.
Empress Pei felt so depressed that she wanted to explode, but she had to pretend to be calm and composed. From time to time, she glanced nervously towards the bedroom, hoping for good news.
Time goes by slowly.
Every minute and every second is torture.
The closer the time gets, the more anxious everyone becomes.
I hope nothing really happened to Empress Dowager Xiao.
Xiao Qin'er's face turned pale.
She thought about the consequences.
What if something happened to Empress Dowager Xiao? What would happen to the Xiao family? What would she do?
When people are gone, the tea gets cold. Now that Empress Dowager Xiao is gone, can the Xiao family still be valued in the court?
She has no confidence.
She glanced at Liu Yi.
Liu Yi secretly held her hand, shook his head calmly, and told her to be patient.
No matter what, we cannot lose our composure now.
Xiao Qin'er nodded, feeling a little calmer.
Just when everyone was getting anxious, there was finally movement in the bedroom.
Emperor Wende walked out of the bedroom with a cold face.
Everyone stood up and looked at Emperor Wende.
Empress Pei clenched her fists tightly, rolled up her sleeves, and asked, "Your Majesty, how is Mother?"
Her voice was trembling. Her heart felt like it was being pounded hard, rising and falling like a gong, and her whole body was tense.
If she heard bad news, she would probably collapse on the spot the next moment.
Emperor Wende said with a stern face, "The Queen Mother has passed the critical period. From now on, she just needs to recuperate well and her body will gradually recover."
call!
Everyone breathed a sigh of relief.
Only Concubine Shen Xian and Concubine Luo De could not help but feel disappointed.
However, Empress Dowager Xiao was ill, and if things were to be investigated, Empress Pei would ultimately be the one to suffer.
Thinking of this, Shen Luo and the others did not feel disappointed.
Empress Pei's whole body went limp and she fell into a chair.
His entire body was already drenched in cold sweat, and his face grew increasingly pale.
Emperor Wende looked deeply at Empress Pei and said, "I have already ordered a thorough investigation into this matter. Your Majesty Mother is in poor health and must not be disturbed. Everyone, please disperse."
"Thank God, the Empress Dowager is finally safe and sound." Concubine Shen looked relieved and full of joy.
"Your Majesty must be tired! Your Majesty should also take care of your health." Princess Luo De was gentle and considerate.
Emperor Wende did not look at the two of them in a good mood and just left with a wave of his sleeves.
Everyone's heart trembled.
His Majesty is angry!
This matter is not over yet.
"Your Majesty, are you okay?" Concubine Shen asked with concern.
Empress Pei lowered her eyes and sneered, then said calmly: "Thank you for your concern, I am fine."
"Your Majesty, please take care of yourself. I see that you don't look well. You should return to Weiyang Palace and rest. His Majesty has already said that the Queen Mother is in poor health and cannot be disturbed. Your Majesty, if you stay here, you will only cause more trouble."
Concubine Shen spoke softly and tenderly, and seemed to be thinking about Empress Pei wholeheartedly.
Empress Pei smiled and said, "Xian Fei has grown up and knows how to care for me better than when she was in the palace."
Concubine Shen Xian also laughed, "Thanks to the good training of the queen."
"Your Majesty, do you want to stay here any longer?" Seeing that Empress Pei did not move, Concubine Luode asked curiously.
Concubine Shen uttered, "If your Majesty really wants to stay here, shouldn't we stay as well?"
Empress Pei waved her hand, "No need. You two can go first."
"How can that be! I have to see Her Majesty off first." Concubine Shen Xian looked like she knew the rules and was sensible.
Queen Pei gritted her teeth and felt resentful in her heart.
It wasn't that she didn't want to leave, but her body was weak and she had no strength left, so she couldn't stand up at all.
However, she couldn't let Shen Luo and the others see any clues, so she could only remain in a stalemate.
"Mother, let your daughter-in-law help you up. You've been tired all day and your body is weak. You must not be careless."
Gu Jiu's hand firmly held Queen Pei's wrist.
Queen Pei was surprised and subconsciously looked at Gu Jiu.
Gu Jiu looked worried. "Is your mother feeling unwell? She's been up all night, and she's not feeling well. Hurry up and call the imperial physician to the Weiyang Palace, prepare the sedan chair, and carry your mother back to the palace."
"Mother, are you okay?" Liu Yi was very worried when he heard that.
Xiao Qin'er also showed a concerned look.
Concubine Shen and Concubine Luode were shocked and confused. Was Empress Pei really ill?
Seeing Gu Jiu's worried and nervous look, and then seeing Empress Pei's pale face without a trace of blood, the two of them couldn't help but believe it.
After all, Empress Pei was old, and it was normal for her to get sick after staying up all night.
－－－－－－Digression－－－－－－
There will be two more updates. The update time may be a little late, please forgive me.
Entering the fourth volume, the situation is not very good.
The plot of the fourth volume has never been straightened out, and sometimes I don’t know how to start writing it.
The current state is commonly known as Kaven.
I don’t know how long it will take before my inspiration starts to flow.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
