Chapter 90: The Countdown to Life Begins
Upon entering the Cining Palace, a very unpleasant medicinal smell was immediately noticeable.
Fanghua couldn't help but cover her mouth and nose with a handkerchief.
Many people do this, such as Ma Jiashi, who couldn't help feeling nauseous even after covering her mouth.
The commotion could not be kept secret from everyone, and Fanghua stopped and looked at Ma Jia.
"What's wrong with Lady Ma Jia?" Fanghua asked Lady Ma Jia knowingly.
Just as Ma Jia was about to speak, she was interrupted by nausea.
After a while, she steadied herself with the help of a palace maid. "Your Majesty, I am fine, but the imperial physician says I am two months pregnant." She could no longer hide this matter, as the Empress Dowager was seriously ill, and as a Noble Lady, she naturally had to attend to her.
She wouldn't gamble with her own child. Even if she could keep it a secret for three months, it would be easy for someone to harm her. It would be better to report it early to avoid unnecessary trouble.
Fanghua smiled slightly upon hearing this, but quickly suppressed it. "Since you are pregnant, you should go back and rest. I will convey your filial piety to the Empress Dowager on your behalf."
Fearing that Ma Jiashi might not be able to distinguish between what was important and what was not, Fanghua spoke up again to advise, "Everything should be done with the continuation of the imperial lineage. The Empress Dowager loves the prosperity of the imperial harem. Don't let the Empress Dowager worry."
Upon hearing this, Lady Ma had no rebuttal and could only kowtow to the Empress Dowager's bedroom in the main hall to pay her respects.
"Yes, Your Majesty the Empress." Ma Jia was willing to go back, but she couldn't just leave like that. So she said, "But the Empress Dowager is seriously ill, and I am very worried. Why don't I kowtow to the Empress Dowager here and wish her a speedy recovery?"
Fanghua would never stop someone's filial piety, saying, "You're so kind."
So Ma Jia kowtowed and was taken back.
The imperial harem had a system of checking the pulse every half month to ensure the emperor's well-being. Why was it kept secret for two months without it being exposed? That can only mean that Lady Ma Jia had successfully won over the hearts of the people.
Inside the Empress Dowager's bedroom, Fanghua saw Su Ma standing guard to the side as soon as she entered, her eyes filled with a fierce light.
At this moment, Su Ma heard the commotion and hurriedly paid her respects, naturally taking in the Empress's gaze.
Her heart tightened. She knew that the Empress knew about what happened last time, but so what? So what if she knew? Could she take her life?
She just didn't kill the Empress, otherwise the princess's condition wouldn't have worsened.
The Empress truly deserves to die.
"Rise, all of you."
After waiving the formalities, Fanghua calmed herself down and went to the Empress Dowager's bedside. Seeing that her once plump body had become thin and frail, Fanghua knew that the Empress Dowager's days were numbered.
I'm afraid she won't have another chance to get out of bed this time.
"Imperial Physician, how is the Empress Dowager?" Fanghua's face was full of worry, and her eyes were almost overflowing with concern.
The imperial physician was a confidant of the Empress Dowager. When the Empress asked him a question, he naturally did not reveal the truth about the Empress Dowager, but instead said some ambiguous things.
Fanghua didn't care; as long as she confirmed it, that was enough.
"Then I will have to trouble the imperial physicians," Fanghua said to them in gratitude.
"Your Majesty, I will do my utmost," the imperial physicians hurriedly replied.
Fanghua bypassed the imperial physician and came to the Empress Dowager's bedside. Looking at the emaciated person on the bed, the resentment in her heart faded a little.
Anyway, this person is going to die soon, so she can just wait.
The imperial concubine was also trying her best to suppress her smile, probably waiting for the person in her bed to die.
Having so many people guarding the place wasn't going to be a good idea, so Fanghua left the Imperial Concubine behind and sent the rest of the people back.
Su didn't dare say a word during that time.
It's entirely up to the Empress to decide.
It wasn't until the Emperor arrived that Su Ma showed some signs of life, her eyes reddening as if she had suffered a great injustice.
If it weren't for the significant age difference between her and the Emperor, Fanghua would have thought that she had taken a liking to the Emperor.
It's truly disgusting.
"Greetings, Your Majesty."
"Rise, Your Majesty. How is the Empress Dowager?" Emperor Kangxi was still very worried about the Empress Dowager. After receiving the news, he rushed over after court.
"Your Majesty, the imperial physicians say that the Empress Dowager is fine and just needs to rest and recuperate." Hmph, that's what the imperial physicians told her, regardless of how thin the person in bed is.
The imperial physicians all said it wasn't a serious illness; how could she possibly be better than them?
The emperor frowned upon hearing this, clearly not believing it.
He gave the Empress a deep look, seeing the helplessness on her face and the grievance in her eyes, and understood that the imperial physicians had not told her the truth.
With a sigh, she said, "The Empress has just recovered from her illness. It's alright that the Imperial Concubine is here to look after you, Grandmother. You should go back and rest." She went to the Empress's side, took her hand, and spoke with concern.
She wouldn't compromise herself; she could watch the show anytime, so there was no rush.
"Your Majesty, I am worried about my grandmother." She had only spoken halfway when Kangxi stopped her, saying, "I know you are worried about your grandmother, but you should also think about your own health. Don't make me worry, okay?"
"I don't want you to fall down with your grandmother. Be good and listen to me."
Seeing him act like this in front of so many people, Fanghua blushed deeply with embarrassment. "Your Majesty, there are still people here."
Only Su, standing not far away, had bloodshot eyes filled with hatred. This was right in front of her own princess's sickbed, and the Emperor had actually... actually done this...
"Alright, go back now, don't make me worry." Kangxi smiled and then sent the person back.
Fanghua readily agreed, "Yes, then I will go back first and come to see my grandmother again tomorrow." She would not argue with the Emperor's words and obediently went back.
Turning around, she looked at the Imperial Concubine and said, "I'm sorry to trouble you, Imperial Concubine. I will come tomorrow to relieve you."
Niohuru smiled happily, "No need, Your Majesty the Empress has just recovered and should rest more. I am here with the Empress Dowager, so Your Majesty need not worry."
She didn't want to miss this rare opportunity; it would be best if she could get rid of the person this time.
Upon hearing this, Emperor Kangxi came to the two of them and said, "Yes, let's listen to the Consort."
What else could Fanghua say? "Well, alright then. If the Imperial Concubine gets tired, please tell me. I'm almost fully recovered." After saying that, Fanghua couldn't help but frown, and her face became noticeably pale.
Seeing her like this, how could Kangxi let her attend to him when he was ill? Others might not know, but he knew perfectly well that the Empress had miscarried.
Although I've been resting for a while, my body is still weakened, and it won't be easy to recover in a short time.
Take him for example.
well.
"Qiaoling, hurry up and help your mistress back to rest. Don't let her be willful these days. The late spring cold is the most uncomfortable time. You must not let your mistress run around outside like today." Kangxi instructed Qiaoling with concern.
Qiaoling obediently agreed, "Yes, Your Highness, this servant will take good care of you."
After leaving Cining Palace, the servants below took out a cloak and put it on her, and Fanghua couldn't help but cough.
"Your Majesty, let's go back. Don't let the Emperor worry," Qiaoling whispered, trying to comfort her mistress.
"Okay, little housekeeper, I'll do whatever you say."
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