Chapter 239 Obtaining Xian'er is truly a blessing for me and the world.
Three days later, everything was ready.
Pei Jichuan and Ana, along with three young imperial physicians who volunteered and more than twenty apprentice doctors, left the palace discreetly, escorted by a team of elite guards personally selected by Emperor Zhaoheng.
Their destination was right in front of the Dengdi Inn.
Dengdi Inn is conveniently located next to the main road of the capital. It was specially arranged by Zhou Yan and was the best place for Pei Jichuan and his entourage to treat the people after they left the palace.
Outside the inn, a simple free clinic tent had already been set up thanks to Zhou Yan's prior arrangements.
Upon hearing that imperial physicians had come to provide free medical consultations, the local people who had fallen ill flocked to the clinic, their eyes filled with anticipation.
Pei Jichuan and Ana exchanged a glance, both seeing the solemnity and the determination that had already been made in each other's eyes.
They quickly got to work. Pei Jichuan and Ana used the four diagnostic methods of traditional Chinese medicine, while the young imperial physicians were responsible for sorting the medical materials, and the apprentice doctors were responsible for brewing the medicine.
Pei Jichuan adjusted the prescription based on the ideas provided by Shui Xian and the classics of the Imperial Medical Academy, taking into account the actual situation.
Although the most perfect prescription has not yet been found, we can first use herbal decoctions to strengthen everyone's physique and fight against the epidemic.
Ana then employed a secret method from southern Xinjiang, using unique techniques such as medicinal baths and fumigation to assist in the treatment.
The bustling scene contrasted sharply with the usual leisurely atmosphere of the Imperial Hospital.
And all of this began with Narcissus's decision.
Outside the Dengdi Inn, the streets, which were originally desolate and deserted due to the epidemic, are now lined with long queues.
The sick and weak people supported each other, their eyes filled with a mixture of pain and faint hope.
Their eyes were all focused on the few makeshift medical tents.
The patient has been seeing doctors for several hours already.
Although Pei Jichuan still looked somewhat tired, he moved swiftly, taking the pulse, observing the tongue, and asking questions in one go, quickly writing out the prescription.
Ana stood to the side, directing the young apprentice and the women who volunteered to help, as they boiled the antidote soup in a large pot according to the southern Xinjiang recipe she had provided.
The medicinal soup in the large pot facing the street carried a peculiar, herbal fragrance.
She also prepared several large wooden tubs filled with hot water boiled with specific herbs for patients with more severe symptoms to take medicinal baths.
Zhou Yan was in charge of logistics, and he and the inn's staff were all busy with their faces covered with towels.
The palace guards maintained order, their expressions solemn and their sharp eyes scanning the crowd. They ensured the smooth progress of the medical treatment while also keeping a watchful eye on any potential chaos or malicious individuals.
At first, the people were still skeptical, but when they saw that the fever of several people with mild symptoms had really subsided and their cough had lessened after drinking the herbal decoction and taking a medicinal bath, hope spread like wildfire.
"It works! It really works!"
"Thank you so much, doctor! Thank you so much, doctor, for saving my life!"
"I heard... this is a divine physician sent by the Imperial Noble Consort of the palace!"
"The Imperial Noble Consort? Is that the one who gave birth to twin princes?"
"Yes! Your Majesty is benevolent and cares for us poor people! May Heaven bless Your Majesty to live a long and healthy life!"
The voices of gratitude gradually gathered, and finally all pointed to the Imperial Noble Consort who lived deep within the palace but extended a helping hand when they were on the verge of despair.
The virtuous reputation of Narcissus spread quietly among the lower classes of the capital city through word of mouth among the people who had escaped death.
Inside the Lihe Palace, Tinglu whispered the news from outside the palace to Shuixian.
Upon hearing the people's praise, a barely perceptible ripple flickered in Shui Xian's cool eyes, but she quickly regained her composure.
"Tell the people outside to keep an eye on things, make sure the supply of medicinal herbs keeps up, and report any abnormalities immediately."
She gave the instructions softly, her fingertips unconsciously tracing the path of a medical book lying open on the table.
While public support is important, she knows that the epidemic is like a tiger, and the slightest carelessness could lead to utter ruin. It is far from time to relax.
Compared to the bustling activity outside the Dengdi Inn, the Imperial Hospital inside the palace was unusually quiet.
The Imperial Censor Lu Zhengqing sat calmly in his duty room, listening to his confidant report on the situation outside the palace. He curled his lips in disdain.
"Pei Jichuan certainly knows how to curry favor, and that enchanting woman from the southern border is just playing tricks."
He snorted coldly and instructed the deputy envoy: "Tell the people we sent to just go through the motions, don't actually get themselves involved."
"Furthermore, when allocating medicinal herbs, withhold 30%, claiming that the warehouse is short-staffed and that priority should be given to ensuring the needs of the nobles in the palace."
Lu Zhengqing still thought that he had completely controlled the few young people he had arranged to go there.
Little did they know...
The young imperial physicians who were forcibly assigned initially approached the task with a perfunctory attitude.
But when they actually stepped into that area shrouded in disease, seeing the devastation and hearing the groans of pain, their resolve as doctors began to waver.
"Brother Zhang, look at Physician Pei. His own injuries haven't even fully healed, yet..."
"And that young lady Ana, I heard she contracted mild symptoms herself while testing the drug..."
"Aren't the people from the Imperial Academy... going too far...?"
The group discussed it privately, their faces showing shame and dissatisfaction with Lu Zhengqing's actions.
Inside the Imperial Hospital, Lu Zhengqing was completely unaware of the sounds outside.
He was lost in his fantasy that Narcissus was about to suffer a major setback, unaware that the people's plight and their gratitude after being treated had turned the young imperial physicians he had sent into complete helpers.
At the same time, in Kunning Palace.
Kunning Palace is now deserted, its rank reduced to that of a lower-ranking official, and its former glory has vanished like smoke.
The Empress looked haggard. She had been feigning illness and weakness before, but now, after suffering a series of blows, she was genuinely quite weak.
When her trusted palace maid informed her of the growing reputation of Narcissus outside the palace, she slammed her teacup to the ground and said viciously:
"Bitch! How dare she... how dare she use this to win people's hearts!"
The Empress's chest heaved violently. She shared the same thought as Lu Zhengqing: that Shui Xian's actions were an attempt to win people's hearts.
The Empress clenched her fists at the thought of the people praising the narcissus.
She absolutely cannot sit idly by and wait to die!
The Empress summoned an absolutely loyal old eunuch and lowered her voice.
"Find a way to contact the government...tell my father that Shui Xian's actions, ostensibly to fight the epidemic, are actually a ploy to win over the people, and her intentions are despicable! Tell him to arrange for people to spread rumors among the people...and..."
A fierce glint flashed in her eyes. "Find an opportunity to add something to the medicinal herbs Pei Jichuan uses, or to the pot of medicine they brew!"
The Empress scoffed softly, gritting her teeth as she said:
"I will make her send someone to kill people! Let's see how she still has the nerve to talk about benevolence!"
Meanwhile, in Consort Wan's palace.
She held a gold hairpin in her hand, gesturing in front of the mirror for a long time, but finally put it down in frustration.
The Empress's downfall is already evident. Not only is Imperial Noble Consort Shuixian enjoying unparalleled favor, but she is also employing a variety of cunning tactics, even cultivating her reputation outside the palace...
In the past, he relied on the Empress and caused Narcissus a lot of trouble, but now...
She gritted her teeth and finally made up her mind.
Consort Wan summoned her personal maid, whispered a few words to her, and handed her a sealed bamboo tube: "Be sure to... personally deliver this to Tinglu, whom the Imperial Noble Consort trusts."
Soon after, the small bamboo tube appeared on Narcissus's desk.
Inside was a small note with only a few words: "The Empress intends to use her maternal clan outside the palace to ruin Your Highness's reputation. Beware!"
Narcissus stared at the note, her fingertips lightly tapping the table, her eyes deep and thoughtful.
Consort Wan surrendered?
Is it genuine affection, or just another scheme by the Empress?
She put the note away for the time being and instructed Tinglu:
"Keep a close eye on Kunning Palace..."
Even though the Empress had already been abandoned by Emperor Zhaoheng.
But Shui Xian knew that as long as the Liu family remained in power, the Empress would never be defeated.
She won't let her guard down!
At dinner time, Emperor Zhaoheng came to Lihe Palace again.
There was a sense of ease in his expression.
Feng Shunxiang had already informed him of the public's praise for the Imperial Noble Consort and the news that Pei Jichuan had initially stabilized the situation.
“Xian’er,” he said, holding Shui Xian’s hand, his eyes filled with undisguised admiration, “I saw the report today that the situation in the capital’s epidemic area has been initially stabilized, and the people are all grateful for your kindness.”
He chuckled softly and tightened his grip on her hand.
"To have Xian'er is truly a blessing for me and the world."
Narcissus lowered her eyes slightly and said softly, "Your Majesty is too kind. This is my duty, and it is also the result of the hard work of Physician Pei and the others."
"If you hadn't insisted on sending them out despite everyone's objections, we wouldn't be in this situation today."
Emperor Zhaoheng sighed, looking at her gentle and serene profile under the lamplight, his heart filled with comfort.
His heart unconsciously turned towards the narcissus...
...
At night, the candlelight in the bedroom was dim.
Emperor Zhaoheng embraced Shuixian from behind, and the two gradually calmed down from the chaos.
Emperor Zhaoheng's slightly hoarse but deep voice was exceptionally clear in the silence.
"Xian'er, once this epidemic has completely subsided and the court is stable, my resolve to make you empress will only grow stronger."
He gently stroked her exposed shoulder and kissed it with emotion.
"In this world, in this harem, only you can stand shoulder to shoulder with me, and only you are worthy of that phoenix crown."
Narcissus nestled in his warm embrace.
Having lived two lives, even she, who was usually cold and aloof, couldn't help but feel a ripple in her heart at this moment.
However, she remained calm and composed, holding fast to her original aspirations.
She gently squeezed his hand that was on her waist, her voice soft and gentle.
"Your Majesty's kindness is overwhelming, I am filled with trepidation."
But in her heart, she was calmly calculating the many obstacles on the road to becoming empress, and the Empress herself...
She could not sleep or eat in peace until the Empress was removed...
The next day, the weather happened to be fine.
Shui Xian took Yong Ning for a walk in the Imperial Garden, enjoying a rare moment of leisure.
Yongning could already walk unsteadily, holding a colorful, exquisite ball specially commissioned by Emperor Zhaoheng to be made by the Imperial Household Department, and was having a great time playing with it.
Just then, Princess Duan led her son, Cheng Ge'er, into the palace to pay their respects to the Empress Dowager.
Although Xiao Yirui was executed, he retained the titles and privileges of a princess consort and heir apparent thanks to the Empress Dowager's insistence.
Although the Empress Dowager was seriously ill, she longed to see her grandchildren, so she summoned them to the palace for an audience.
That Cheng-ge'er was about five years old, dressed in a brocade robe, and was spoiled rotten.
He spotted the dazzling, exquisite ball in Yongning's hand at a glance, and his small eyes immediately lit up with greed. He ran over and reached out to snatch it.
"mine!"
Although Yongning is small, it is very protective of its food, holding onto the ball tightly and refusing to let go.
Cheng-ge'er, unable to snatch it, became furious and raised his chubby hand to strike Yong-ning!
"presumptuous!"
Shui Xian's face darkened, and she strode forward, shielding Yong Ning behind her while simultaneously using her other hand to precisely deflect Cheng Ge'er's wrist.
Although she didn't exert any force, her aura as an Imperial Noble Consort was fully unleashed, which frightened Cheng Ge'er into trembling.
Princess Consort Duan then strolled over slowly. Instead of scolding her son, she smiled insincerely at Shui Xian and said, "Your Highness, please forgive me. Children are just playing around and don't know their own strength. Cheng'er just likes the little princess's toys. Why is Your Highness so nervous? It's making a mountain out of a molehill."
Shui Xian looked at her aggrieved daughter and the arrogant Princess Duan, a slight smile playing on her lips, but it didn't reach her eyes...
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