Chapter 446: Personally Attending to the Sick
Yan Shishu was so shocked by the terrifying cold light and merciless scolding in his eyes that her whole body trembled violently, and her mad rush forward froze abruptly.
She staggered, as if her spine had been pulled out, and her eyes were dazed for a moment.
His bloodshot eyes stared at Yan Shixu, his lips trembling violently, as if he wanted to retort, to scream, to accuse the world of all injustice.
But under the absolute pressure of the emperor's wrath, his throat felt as if it were clamped by an iron clamp, and he couldn't utter a single meaningful syllable.
"I'll say this for the last time!"
Yan Shixu took a step forward and looked directly into her eyes with a cold gaze:
"I will get to the bottom of the Jiahe incident! Before the real culprit is executed—"
He turned to the palace servants who had already been silent as a mouse, wishing they could shrink into the ground.
"Come! Invite Princess Taiping back to the Princess Palace and assign the Imperial Guards to keep her under strict guard! No one is allowed to visit her without my permission, and she is not allowed to set foot outside the palace again. If anyone dares to trespass and disturb the Grand Empress Dowager or the Queen Mother's rest, they will be killed without mercy!"
"If you fail to provide adequate protection and allow him to escape or cause further trouble, you and your three clans will be beheaded!"
“As you command!!”
Several burly imperial guards and elite eunuchs from the Inner Court who had been waiting for orders responded loudly.
They moved quickly, almost half carrying and half dragging Yan Shishu away from this sad place.
The goose yellow dress lying alone on the ground, spinning helplessly in the bleak wind, looked particularly glaring and desolate.
After dealing with Yan Shishu, Yan Shixu held Wen Li'er's slightly cold hand tightly, and without any further delay, strode into the main hall of the Cining Palace.
Inside the hall.
The Empress Dowager was still unconscious, lying silently on the bed.
Judge He's forehead was covered with beads of sweat the size of soybeans, and he was concentrating on giving acupuncture.
Every stitch was placed with great caution, as if walking on thin ice.
The Queen Mother personally watched over the medicine stove, where the pungent and strong-smelling Ginseng and Aconite Rejuvenating Decoction was being boiled.
Her face was pale and her eyes were dull. It was obvious that she was too frightened and exhausted to the point of collapse.
"How is the Empress Dowager?"
Yan Shixu's voice was a little tense, and his eyes were fixed on the pale face of the Empress Dowager, as if he wanted to find a glimmer of life in the silence.
Judge He didn't stop needle-smoking, and he didn't dare to raise his head. He spoke very quickly but clearly:
"Reporting to Your Majesty! The Empress Dowager is suffering from a sudden attack of anger, which has caused her qi and blood to become disordered, and her phlegm to obscure her orifices, leading to her fainting!"
"I have urgently pierced Neiguan, Renzhong, and Shixuan acupoints to open the orifices and awaken the mind, and have also administered musk and frankincense pills dissolved in water. Although the pulse is currently deep, weak, and astringent, sometimes intermittent, fortunately, God has blessed me and I am not in danger of death for the time being!"
After he finished speaking, his tone was as solemn as if a huge rock was pressing down on him, and he added:
"However... the Empress Dowager's heart has been severely damaged. She's like a candle in the wind, unable to withstand even the slightest flicker. Even if she regains consciousness, she must recuperate with utmost tranquility and must not be exposed to any further stimulation! Otherwise... there's a danger that she will run out of steam and be beyond recovery!"
He spoke the last few words with great difficulty.
The air in the Cining Palace seemed to be sucked dry in an instant because of Judge He's words, making it hard to breathe.
The strong smell of medicine and the fragrance of agarwood could not dispel the sadness and panic that seeped into the bone marrow.
Yan Shixu's gaze struggled to move away from the Empress Dowager's pale face and fell on the empress dowager who was distracted and on the verge of collapse.
"Mother." His voice softened a little.
"Grandmother, your son and the Empress are here to guard you. You must not endure this any longer. Yongtai, help the Empress Dowager back to Fengxiang Palace to rest. Tell the Imperial Physician on duty to accompany her."
"No... I want to stay with my aunt... I won't leave..."
The Queen Mother shook her head subconsciously, tears rolling down her cheeks silently, her eyes glued to the lifeless face of the Grand Empress Dowager.
She was afraid that if she missed him, they would be separated forever.
"Mother!"
Yan Shixu's voice suddenly became heavier, with a sad urgency.
"If you make another mistake and the Empress Dowager wakes up, how will I cope? How will I cope? Do you want me to bear the guilt of being unfilial and watch you and the Empress Dowager..."
The following words were too heavy and heartbreaking, and he ultimately couldn't say them out loud.
The Queen Mother's entire body trembled violently, as if her last bit of support had been crushed, and she collapsed completely.
Yongtai was quick-witted and quick-handed. Together with several trusted maids, he almost half-carried and half-lifted her up.
"Xu'er... you must rescue your grandmother... you must..."
The empress dowager was supported by a nanny as she walked out, looking back every few steps. Her tearful pleas dissipated in the shadow of the palace gate.
After the Queen Mother left, the palace fell into dead silence.
The candlelight danced, casting flickering shadows on everyone's faces.
Yan Shixu's gaze swept over Wen Li'er, who was standing beside him, her face equally pale but trying to remain calm.
Finally, his gaze fell on Prince Lin, Prince Cheng, and Prince Qian, and his eyes regained the coldness and majesty of an emperor.
"Alin."
"Your younger brother is here!" King Lin immediately stepped forward and bowed to obey the order.
"I will personally attend to the Imperial Grandmother's illness. You will temporarily take charge of the government affairs on my behalf."
"All reports, unless they are extremely urgent military information, will be postponed."
"If any minister dares to use the Imperial Grandmother's illness as an excuse to stir up trouble, make irresponsible remarks about state affairs, or attack the Crown Prince..."
Yan Shixu's eyes flashed with coldness, and he spoke each word with murderous intent.
"Regardless of rank or merit, all will be charged with treason! Capture them on the spot and throw them to death row in the Heavenly Prison! Once the Empress Dowager has recovered, I will personally settle accounts with them!"
King Lin was filled with awe and did not dare to slack off in the slightest, and accepted the order solemnly.
"Your Majesty, I will obey your command! I will live up to your trust!"
Prince Cheng and Prince Qian also hurriedly followed him to bow and take their leave, and the hall suddenly became much emptier.
At this moment, the only people left in the huge hall were the emperor, empress, He Yuanpan and a few palace maids who were holding their breath and not daring to even breathe.
Yan Shixu walked to the side of the couch, bent down, and carefully held the Empress Dowager's skinny and cold hand, as if he wanted to use his body temperature to warm the weak vitality.
He raised his head and looked at He Yuanpan, whose forehead was covered with beads of sweat, and lowered his voice.
"He Qing! I only want one result—the Empress Dowager must wake up safely and soundly! I will use all the medicine in the world, and I will spare no expense!"
Judge He's hand trembled slightly, and his back was instantly soaked with cold sweat.
He took a deep breath, met the emperor's suffocating sharp gaze, and kowtowed deeply;
"Your Majesty... I, even at the risk of my life, will not slack off! However... the Empress Dowager is already old, and her internal organs are all damaged. Ordinary medicine and acupuncture cannot quickly restore her to health."
"The only plan now is to take it step by step, focusing on strengthening the foundation, nourishing the essence, protecting the heart and nourishing the spirit..."
"When will he wake up? Will his consciousness be clear after waking up? Will his phoenix body be able to recover... I... I dare not speak rashly!"
"Everything... depends on the Empress Dowager's own good fortune and luck, as well as Heaven's... mercy..."
The last few words were as light as a mosquito's whisper.
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