Soon, Xiao Zhuzi prepared the carriage for entering the palace. After Zhao Shu bathed and perfumed herself, she brought gifts and medicinal herbs and headed straight for the Empress in a grand procession.
Zhao Shu was of high status, and no one dared to stop her from visiting Emperor Mingde. However, since Emperor Mingde was currently residing in Weiyang Palace, the situation became somewhat complicated.
Zhao Shu, accompanied by her entourage, carried a large quantity of precious medicinal herbs, gold, silver, and jade artifacts. She was left waiting at the palace gate for quite some time before being allowed inside by Yi De.
It was just a trivial skill, and Zhao Shu didn't care. She figured they could settle the score later.
When she saw Emperor Mingde, she was startled and hurriedly stepped forward to take his pulse. "Uncle, you are too weak. Have you not been taking your medicine lately?"
"Yes, but I... alas, I know my own body," he said hesitantly.
Zhao Shu turned to the palace maid from Weiyang Palace who was standing guard and said, "Go and fetch a pen, ink, paper and inkstone. I will write a prescription for my imperial uncle to improve his health."
That palace maid was clearly Yide's confidante, used to monitor Emperor Mingde. Now that Zhao Shu had singled her out, she was somewhat reluctant to go. However, Zhao Shu was impatient. With a frown, she immediately snapped, "Are you deaf? Didn't you hear what I, the princess, said!"
Even if she was a spy, she was still a servant. How could she not obey? She looked at Emperor Mingde, hoping he would stand up for her. However, Emperor Mingde only glanced at her and went back to talking to Zhao Shu.
"Has your father written home?"
Zhao Shu checked his forehead temperature and replied, "No, Father is ill. I was going to visit him, but my uncle is also ill. I'm worried about him. I'll visit Father when my uncle is feeling better."
She rambled on without batting an eye, making it sound as if it were the truth.
Emperor Mingde, recalling Prince Yong's youthful physique, felt a pang of envy. "Your father is still young; nothing will happen to him. Don't worry."
"Yes." Zhao Shu nodded in agreement, glancing out of the corner of her eye at the spot where the maid had been. She had already left, and the other palace maids were standing too far away to hear their conversation.
"Uncle, do you still remember Peng Rui?" Zhao Shu asked quietly.
Upon hearing this, Emperor Mingde was startled, and the worries that had been troubling him vanished instantly.
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