Chapter 228 Heartbeat
Shui Xian sat on the warm couch by the window of Lihe Palace, holding a medical book in her hands, but she didn't read a single word.
In the previous life, the plague broke out in early spring, hence the name "Spring Plague". Now, as winter deepens, Narcissus was indeed caught off guard by the possibility that the Empress Dowager might contract the plague.
Was the Empress Dowager suffering from an epidemic?
Who in the palace contracted the plague in the previous life?
Because she had already given birth to a prince and was sent out of the palace by Yi Guichun at that time, Shui Xian was not entirely clear about what happened in the palace at that time.
At this moment, Tinglu walked in lightly and reported in a low voice: "Your Majesty, there are some unpleasant things being said outside."
"explain."
Shui Xian didn't even lift her eyelids, but slowly put down the medical book in her hand.
Tinglu carefully chose her words, speaking in a low voice, and quickly said the things that weren't very pleasant to hear.
"They're just saying that Your Majesty is arrogant because of your favor, and that you didn't even serve the Empress Dowager medicine when she was seriously ill, which is unfilial. They also said that the Emperor... His words in front of Cining Palace yesterday were influenced by you, which is why he said such... disregarding ancestral etiquette."
A faint, cold smile curled at the corner of Narcissus's lips.
She put down her book and looked out the window at the desolate courtyard.
The chill of early winter seemed to seep into her very bones, just like her heart at that moment.
After much thought, she felt that the Empress Dowager's illness was definitely not a common cold.
Combining fragmented memories from his past life with Pei Jichuan's recent covert investigations, including inquiries about the symptoms reported by the imperial physicians who had treated the Empress Dowager at the Imperial Hospital...
The persistent low-grade fever, body aches, and lingering illness were strikingly similar to the spring plague that had swept through the entire capital city in her memory.
This epidemic is extremely dangerous; once it spreads, countless lives will be lost in the palace.
In this life, she brought Pei Jichuan under her wing early on and helped him improve his medical skills. Now, it's time for him to be of great use.
"Go and invite Physician Pei over. Tell him I am feeling unwell and ask him to take my pulse."
Shui Xian instructed Ting Lu, and she raised her hand to gently rub her temples, which had become swollen and painful from reading medical books.
"yes."
Hearing this, he understood and immediately withdrew to make arrangements.
About an incense stick later, Pei Jichuan, carrying a medicine box, slowly entered the side hall of Lihe Palace.
"Your humble servant greets the Imperial Noble Consort."
Pei Jichuan bowed. Ever since he entered the Imperial Medical Academy, he had been ostracized by most of the imperial physicians, who felt that he had not come up from the bottom of the Imperial Medical Academy through diligent study.
The reasons for this rejection sound plausible, but they don't stand up to scrutiny.
The positions in the Imperial Medical Academy are all hereditary. If someone like Pei Jichuan is dedicated to studying medicine but does not have a corresponding family background, he could not enter the Imperial Medical Academy even if he worked hard all his life, let alone climb up from the bottom step by step.
However, Pei Jichuan has never cared much about what others think.
And because he was excluded from the mainstream, he has now turned misfortune into blessing.
As far as Shui Xian knew, after the Empress Dowager fell ill, all the imperial physicians wanted to make a name for themselves and rushed to treat her. Pei Jichuan had no chance to go to Cining Palace and thus avoided the symptoms that were suspected to be an epidemic.
Narcissus waved away her attendants, leaving only Tinglu to guard the door.
"Please rise, Physician Pei."
Shui Xian gestured for him to sit down, her expression grave. "I invited you here today not for my own sake. How much do you know about the Empress Dowager's illness?"
Pei Jichuan hesitated for a moment, then cautiously said, "Your humble servant holds a lowly position and has not been able to examine her closely. However, according to private discussions among several colleagues in the Imperial Hospital, the Empress Dowager's symptoms include fever and headache, and her condition is fluctuating, sometimes chills and sometimes fever, which is indeed different from ordinary colds..."
Shui Xian nodded and followed his lead: "I have recently been reading some miscellaneous books and found a record of a kind of epidemic, the symptoms of which are quite similar to those of the Empress Dowager's poor health."
Pei Jichuan's pupils suddenly contracted, and sure enough, he heard Shui Xian mention the serious consequences.
"If this epidemic spreads within the palace, the consequences will be unimaginable. You are knowledgeable and shrewd; could you secretly investigate and perhaps even develop some preventative or symptomatic remedies?"
As a physician, Pei Jichuan naturally knew the horror and terror of the epidemic.
He immediately replied solemnly, "Your Majesty's concern for the safety of the palace is admirable! I will do my utmost to investigate this matter and devise a strategy as soon as possible!"
"Thank you, Physician Pei. This matter is of great importance and must be handled discreetly."
Narcissus gave her instructions.
It is extremely strange and suspicious that she would begin preparing for such matters when the epidemic was still unresolved.
"Your Majesty understands."
Pei Jichuan accepted the order, and in his heart, he felt even more determined to follow Shui Xian, who was so meticulous and had such extraordinary courage.
——
Inside Kunning Palace, the air was filled with the aroma of medicine, and there was also a faint scent of mugwort.
The Empress sat back on the phoenix couch, her face pale, but her eyes burned with a flame of resentment.
The message that Consort Wan sent yesterday was torturing her heart day and night.
"Having Xian'er alone is enough..."
That's enough!
What a deeply affectionate and righteous emperor!
She painstakingly built her career over many years, even sacrificing her own body, only to be treated like trash by him, while he elevates another woman to the heavens!
How could she accept this?!
At this moment, a maid came in and whispered, "Your Majesty, Consort De has arrived. She said she heard that you are not feeling well and has come to pay her respects."
The Empress adjusted her posture to make herself appear even weaker, and said in a hoarse voice, "Please let her in."
Consort De entered slowly. She had a gentle appearance and a dignified demeanor, but there was always a lingering melancholy between her brows, which inevitably added a touch of haggardness to her face.
After bowing, she asked with concern, "Is Your Majesty feeling any better? I heard that you were worried about the Empress Dowager's health, which caused your old illness to relapse. I was very concerned about you."
The Empress sighed, her voice weak and feeble: "Consort Lao De is so concerned. My body... is no longer fit for this."
"But I'm really worried about the Empress Dowager. She said it was just a cold, but it's lingered for so long. Those quacks at the Imperial Hospital... cough cough..."
She coughed a few times at the opportune moment and continued, "Now, countless eyes are watching the court and the palace. If the Empress Dowager doesn't get better, I'm afraid... those officials will start criticizing the Emperor and the palace again..."
"If at this time, there were a younger sister of noble birth, blessed with good fortune and protected by Heaven, willing to serve in the Cining Palace, even if it was just for show, it would silence the gossips and allow her to share in the blessings. Perhaps then the Empress Dowager's health could be restored sooner..."
Her words were tactful and did not name names, but the implication was all too clear.
Consort De lowered her eyes, her fingers hanging at her sides curling slightly.
How could she not know that the Empress was referring to Imperial Noble Consort Shui Xian?
The Imperial Noble Consort has been weak since giving birth; if she were to pass away...
Consort De knew all of this.
But she dared not disobey the Empress.
"Your Majesty the Empress has considered everything carefully. Your Majesty... I understand."
Consort De replied in a low voice, "Your Majesty, I will seek an opportunity to speak to you on this matter."
The Empress closed her eyes with satisfaction: "My sister is very understanding and righteous. I am very pleased."
After leaving Kunning Palace, Consort De struggled internally for a long time before finally coming to Qianqing Palace to request an audience.
Emperor Zhaoheng was reviewing memorials when he heard that Consort De was requesting an audience. He raised an eyebrow slightly. Although he didn't know why she, who was always low-key, had suddenly come, he still summoned her.
May Your Majesty enjoy boundless blessings and peace.
After entering the palace, Consort De greeted the Emperor.
"Your Highness, please rise. What brings you here?"
Consort De rose and carefully began to speak: "Your Majesty, I am worried about the Empress Dowager's health. I have heard that the Empress Dowager's condition has been fluctuating, and I am deeply troubled."
"The Empress Dowager is the mother of the nation, and her health is crucial to the stability of the country. Now, both the court and the harem eagerly await her return… I've heard that the court repeatedly mentions the name of Imperial Noble Consort Jin…"
"Consort Jin has always been kind and compassionate. She went to Cining Palace to do her part, even if it was just to spend a day in the side hall. This would fulfill her filial duty, set an example for the six palaces, and also reassure the hearts of the court and the harem, demonstrating the Emperor's heart of ruling the world with filial piety."
Emperor Zhaoheng looked at her with deep eyes, neither agreeing nor disagreeing.
The personal maid who had accompanied Consort De couldn't hold back any longer and suddenly whispered, "..."
"Moreover, there have been occasional discussions in the capital recently, saying that the Emperor's treatment of the Imperial Noble Consort is quite... quite similar to the late Emperor's exclusive favor towards her. If we can take this opportunity to let the Imperial Noble Consort demonstrate her virtue and filial piety, then those rumors will naturally be dispelled..."
"shut up!"
Consort De's expression changed, and she hurriedly scolded the maid, "How dare you speak nonsense in front of the Emperor! Kneel down now!"
Caizhu hurriedly knelt down and kowtowed repeatedly: "This servant misspoke, this servant deserves to die! Please forgive me, Your Majesty!"
Upon seeing the scene before him, Emperor Zhaoheng's eyes instantly turned cold.
The late emperor's exclusive favor towards his concubine led to chaos in the court and the usurpation of power by the empress's relatives, which was something he abhorred and took as a warning!
Now, someone actually dares to compare him to the late emperor and even tries to use this as a reason to force Narcissus?
He was seething with anger, but he didn't show it on his face.
Emperor Zhaoheng merely glanced sharply at Consort De and Caizhu kneeling on the ground, and said indifferently, "I understand. If Consort De has nothing else to say... you may leave."
Consort De knew that her actions had displeased the Emperor, so she dared not say anything more and quickly took her leave with Caizhu.
The palace was completely silent. Emperor Zhaoheng sat alone on the dragon throne, his fingertips lightly tapping the armrest.
The candlelight shone brightly, illuminating his sharply defined face, but it couldn't penetrate the depths of his dark eyes.
——
At dusk, Emperor Zhaoheng set off for Lihe Palace.
Shui Xian had already learned from Feng Shunxiang that Consort De had gone to the Qianqing Palace.
Hearing that Emperor Zhaoheng had not lost his temper, Shui Xian felt reassured.
It seems that Emperor Zhaoheng was persuaded by Consort De.
As Shui Xian pondered whether to wait for Emperor Zhaoheng to speak and then retreat to advance, or to volunteer herself and take control of the care for the ailing emperor, a figure in bright yellow entered the hall.
She stepped forward, about to speak, but Emperor Zhaoheng took her hand first and led her to sit down at the rosewood table.
"emperor……"
Narcissus looked up and saw a thoughtful decision in his eyes, and her heart stirred slightly.
Emperor Zhaoheng gazed at her, gently stroking her cheek with his large hand: "Today, Consort De came to see me and mentioned the matter of attending to my illness."
Shui Xian thought to herself, "As expected," and was about to speak when Emperor Zhaoheng shook his head, stopping her.
"I don't care about those so-called rumors or filial piety."
His voice was low, and he said something that greatly surprised Narcissus.
"All I know is that your body can't withstand any more strain... I absolutely cannot let you take that risk."
Narcissus was stunned. Looking at the undisguised protection and tenderness in his eyes, her heart felt like a stone had been thrown into a still lake, causing ripples to spread.
"But Your Majesty, there's a complex system involving the imperial court and the harem..."
"If there are any criticisms from the previous dynasty or the harem, I will take full responsibility."
Emperor Zhaoheng interrupted her, his tone resolute and decisive, exuding the majesty and resolve of an emperor.
"Xian'er, there's no need to worry about this matter. I have already made my decision,"
He paused slightly, his voice not loud, but it made Narcissus suddenly raise her eyes.
"Tomorrow, I will personally go to Cining Palace to serve the Empress Dowager for a day."
Narcissus stared wide-eyed at Emperor Zhaoheng in disbelief.
What did he say?
The emperor of a country, the supreme ruler, actually had to personally go to the Cining Palace, which was likely filled with sickness, to attend to his illness.
Just to... protect her and keep her from danger?
At this moment, even though Narcissus was as hard as iron and utterly devoid of love, her cold heart couldn't help but throb violently...
...
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