Since Yonglian returned to Prince Bao's residence, Changchun Palace has become somewhat less lively.
Lanqin had been feeling uneasy lately. She had instructed Su Peisheng to keep a close eye on the Fourth Master's health and to report any changes immediately.
However, on this day, Cui Niang reported that Su Peisheng's apprentice had come to see her.
Lanqin picked up a cup of tea, took a sip, and asked, "What business does Su Peisheng have with you?"
"Your Majesty, my master sent me to inform you that His Majesty suffered a relapse of his headache last night."
"What?" Lanqin, who was holding a cup of tea, trembled slightly upon hearing this, and almost dropped the teacup.
"Why didn't you come to report this last night? Why are you only informing me now?" Lanqin slammed her teacup on the table and asked sternly, "Did you all just ignore what I told you before?"
"Your Majesty, please calm down. It's not that I was unwilling to report in time, but His Majesty forbade me to report. I was worried that I might offend you, and His Majesty didn't want you to worry too much."
Hearing the anger in Lanqin's words, the eunuch hurriedly knelt down and continued, "This morning, when my master was serving His Majesty at court, he noticed that His Majesty was not feeling well and was very worried. So he secretly ordered me to come and report to him."
Upon hearing this, Lanqin frowned, but forgot to scold him, and immediately went to the Hall of Mental Cultivation with Cui Niang.
"Greetings, Your Majesty the Vice Empress." Seeing Lanqin rushing over, the palace maids all stopped what they were doing and greeted her.
Lanqin looked around the Hall of Mental Cultivation but did not see the Fourth Prince, so she asked, "Where is the Emperor?"
"Your Majesty, the Emperor has not yet returned. He is currently handling state affairs in the Hall of Supreme Harmony," a palace maid reported.
"Cui Niang, summon all the palace maids and eunuchs serving in the Yangxin Hall. I have some questions to ask them."
"Yes, this servant will go and call someone right away."
A moment later, the servants who were close to the Fourth Master followed Cui Niang in and stood in front of Lan Qin.
"I am asking you all, so answer me honestly and do not hide anything."
"Yes," the palace maids replied in unison.
"Has His Majesty's illness flared up badly lately?" Lanqin picked up the tea on the table and asked slowly.
Upon hearing this, they all became nervous, their hands clenched tightly, and none of them dared to speak.
Seeing their expressions, Lanqin couldn't help but feel a little angry. She threw the teacup in her hand hard on the ground, and the tea spilled everywhere.
Lanqin asked sternly, "Did no one hear what I said? Are you all mute now? Why aren't you answering?"
One of the palace maids hurriedly knelt down and said in a trembling voice, "Your Majesty, please calm down. It's not that we don't want to, but His Majesty forbids us from uttering a single word."
"Otherwise, otherwise..."
Lanqin frowned upon hearing this, then waved her hand and ordered them to leave, "Alright, all of you, go down."
"Thank you, Your Highness. This servant takes her leave." The palace maids all rose and left.
"Your Highness, please calm down. Don't upset yourself. His Majesty will surely be alright." Standing to the side, Cui Niang quickly served Lanqin a cup of tea.
Hearing this, Lanqin frowned even more deeply. "His Majesty's headaches have been a long-standing problem. A few days ago, I noticed that His Majesty was in much better spirits and his headaches had not flared up again."
"I never imagined that His Majesty would endure it all and even issue a gag order, forbidding anyone from reporting to me." Lanqin sighed deeply. "Presumably, yesterday's headache was not the first time it had flared up, but His Majesty did not want to tell me."
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