Zhou Changling: "Summon Imperial Physician Zhang in to report."
Although Zhou Changling tried his best to let go of Bai Lingxi, he couldn't help but care about everything concerning her. Now that she was saying that she might never wake up, how could he not be anxious?
Judge Zhang was already waiting at the door. Now that he had received the order, he immediately went in to report.
Judge Zhang: "Your subject Zhang Yuan pays his respects to His Highness Prince Jing."
Judge Zhang bowed respectfully to Zhou Changling. Seeing that he was honest and didn't seem like someone who would scheme, Zhou Changling didn't make things difficult for him, but instead asked directly.
Zhou Changling: "What's wrong with Consort Rong? Is there anything unusual about her health?"
Zhou Changling's eyes flashed with a cold light, as if he would execute the imperial physician if he did not get a satisfactory answer.
Seeing this, Judge Zhang was both shocked and frightened, but he dared not speak nonsense to save his life. He looked like he was going to his death, and chose to tell the truth.
Imperial Physician Zhang: "Your Highness, Her Majesty's pulse is stable, and there are no abnormalities in her body, but she remains unconscious. I once read in an ancient book that recorded a similar case, and I dare not speak recklessly. I hope Your Highness will forgive me."
Seeing that his expression didn't seem fake, Zhou Changling knew that what he said was probably true, but how could that be?
Such a beautiful woman died so tragically; just thinking about that scene makes his heart ache so much he can't breathe.
Zhou Changling remained silent. Everyone in the hall felt suffocated by his powerful aura. Zhang Yuanpan even thought he was going to die, and large beads of sweat rolled down his forehead to the ground.
After a long pause, Zhou Changling finally spoke, "Have the other imperial physicians accompany you to the temporary palace for treatment."
Zhou Changling's order did not specify how he would be punished for his dereliction of duty, which finally put Zhang Yuanpan's mind at ease. He then kowtowed to express his gratitude.
It wasn't until he stepped out of the Taiji Hall that Zhang Yuanpan felt alive again. He hurriedly wiped the sweat from his brow with a handkerchief. It had felt like the underworld, and his head could have been thrown off at any moment. It was too dangerous.
After everyone left, Zhou Changling clutched his heart, his face bitter, even his tongue tasted bitter: Didn't we agree to set her free? How come I can't control myself when I hear news about her? If something really happens to her, I'm afraid I'll go crazy.
This feeling persisted for several days, because there was no good news from outside the palace. Zhou Changling was extremely agitated. Could it be that Bai Lingxi really wouldn't wake up?
Finally, on the sixth day, the day the Emperor's body lay in state at the funeral palace, Zhou Changling personally escorted Bai Lingxi back to the palace. Even if she were to die, she wanted to die before his eyes.
On the day Zhou Changling set off, the sun shone brightly. Despite the disapproving gazes of many court officials, Zhou Changling still departed, and his reason was quite legitimate: his father had appeared to him in a dream, wishing to see this Bai woman, and specifically requesting that he bring her over to see him off on his final journey.
Seeing that the others still wanted to say something, Zhou Changling coldly swept his gaze over them, and everyone was intimidated by this look, no longer daring to stop them.
After Zhou Changling left, everyone else looked at Princess Jing, who hadn't been able to speak to Prince Jing earlier, and their gazes changed.
Princess Jing, also known as Zhao Xueqi, was extremely angry at the questioning or gloating looks in everyone's eyes. She did not expect Zhou Changling to be so disrespectful to her. He ignored her words and made her lose all her prestige. How could she negotiate with the ladies in the future?
Zhao Xueqi never considered how she, as empress, could win the hearts of the people. Even if she were to sit on the throne, an empress without a family, without favor, and without virtue would be a huge joke!
"Princess Jing, shall we continue?" Li Mu did not allow this situation to continue for too long. After all, this was a major event of mourning the emperor. If something went wrong, where would the face of the royal family be?
Li Mu's words were merely a reminder to Zhao Xueqi not to overstep her bounds.
Li Mu's words still carried weight. The others were all shrewd and calculating individuals. Even if Prince Jing didn't give the Princess any face, it was still an internal matter of the royal family, and a family matter of the soon-to-be-ascended Prince Jing. It was best not to get involved.
Even though Zhao Xueqi was hopeless, she knew that Li Mu was helping her establish her authority. She quickly agreed and obediently knelt down to continue mourning. However, the moment she lowered her head, her eyes were filled with resentment and unwillingness.
——————
Imperial Palace.
When Zhou Changling arrived, almost all the imperial physicians from the Imperial Medical Academy had gathered at Luanfei Pavilion.
Zhang Yu was the young imperial physician who had previously helped Bai Lingxi with her pregnancy, but Zhou Jin later felt that he was not steady enough and replaced him with Zhang Yuan, the imperial physician.
Zhang Yu had sharp eyes and spotted Zhou Changling immediately, reacting quickly.
Zhang Yu: "Your subject Zhang Yu pays respects to Your Highness Prince Jing."
The other imperial physicians also realized what was happening and bowed, saying, "Your humble servants pay their respects to Your Highness Prince Jing."
Zhou Changling raised his hand to signal them to dispense with the formalities, then asked in a deep voice, "How is Consort Rong?"
Logically speaking, Zhou Changling should have addressed Rong as his mother, but he had some inexplicable feelings for Bai Lingxi, so how could he call her "mother"?
Others wouldn't be foolish enough to remind him, since the most important thing for a subject is to play dumb and see through things without saying anything.
As for the question raised by Zhou Changling, the imperial physicians were stumped, because Consort Rong was still unconscious and the cause could not be found at all.
Finally, it was Imperial Physician Zhang who stepped forward and said, "Your Highness, it is my incompetence that I was unable to find the cause of Her Majesty's coma."
Zhou Changling scanned everyone in this way, and the imperial physicians who were scanned all lowered their heads and dared not speak, for fear of being questioned by Prince Jing.
When Zhou Changling's gaze swept over Zhang Yu, Zhang Yu remained unmoved, exuding confidence and composure.
Zhou Changling: "You tell me."
Zhang Yu: "In my humble opinion, Her Majesty will wake up soon."
Zhang Yu's words piqued Zhou Changling's interest. Could it be that he was really confident?
Zhou Changling urged him to continue, saying, "If you are deceiving me, you should know what the consequences will be."
Zhang Yu: "I know I am not very learned, but Your Majesty's pulse is strong and the young prince is out of danger. I believe that Consort Rong will wake up soon."
Zhang Yu's voice was calm and unhurried, as if he was very confident. Zhou Changling looked at him with a dark and unreadable expression, because Bai Lingxi was not awake yet, and everything was just empty talk. Zhang Yu's words could not put his mind at ease at all.
Zhou Changling: "Since you're so confident, go back to the palace and examine Consort Rong's pulse. If she doesn't wake up, you shouldn't stay awake either."
Zhou Changling left those words behind and walked into the inner room.
The other imperial physicians looked at Zhang Yu as if he were a fool; some felt sorry for him, while others were secretly pleased. Zhang Yu, however, looked towards the inner room, ignoring the gazes of the others.
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