Although, his cousins had long been suppressed by him.
Could it be a minister? Or a rebel who infiltrated the ranks?
Who is it that poisoned the Empress and is trying to take advantage of the situation?
Emperor Qianlong could barely get up and stared at Hailancha, asking questions.
"How is Fifteen?"
"It will be in the next two days."
"What about sixteen?"
"It's gone. The memorial from the palace announcing the death is still on its way."
"That's good."
He immediately summoned several trusted ministers.
Fuheng was Emperor Qianlong's brother-in-law. Born into a noble family, he was skilled in both literature and martial arts and was deeply trusted by Emperor Qianlong. He once served as a Grand Councilor.
Agui was a Manchu from the Plain Blue Banner, who was later promoted to the Plain White Banner due to his military achievements. After Fuheng's death, he succeeded him as a Grand Councilor. He was cautious and calm in the face of adversity.
Shi Yizhi was the most trusted Han Chinese prime minister during the Qianlong reign. He served under three emperors: Kangxi, Yongzheng, and Qianlong, making him a true veteran of three reigns.
Also, there were Grand Secretaries Liu Tongxun and Yu Minzhong...
No one knows what Emperor Qianlong said to those ministers.
People speculated that it might be to establish a crown prince.
It could also be to monitor all officials.
In short, there are various speculations!
Besides leading his men to salvage Qianlong's reputation, Yongqi also paid his respects to the Emperor and Empress.
Of course, Sherry refused to meet.
She currently presents an image of someone who has just recovered from the poisoning, but is severely weakened and needs to recuperate.
As for her food and surroundings, the only person who could take action was the deceased Consort Ling.
No amount of blame can compensate for Consort Ling's current predicament.
Even so, once Sherry felt a little better, she still went to see Emperor Qianlong.
Honestly, if I hadn't spied on him that day, I would have witnessed Emperor Qianlong summoning his ministers to draw up the imperial edict appointing the crown prince.
Sherry was even considering using force.
At this point, she doesn't mind continuing the performance.
Her makeup made her look older, her complexion was dry and sallow.
There's nothing else to it, but Shirley is afraid that if she's too beautiful, Emperor Qianlong might lose control and want to be with her through thick and thin.
I didn't see any of the concubines, whether they were old favorites or new favorites, staying in their respective courtyards copying scriptures and chanting Buddhist prayers.
What we pray for is the Emperor's recovery, the Empress Dowager's safety, and the Empress's health.
They're all incredibly cunning.
When Sherry was about to leave, she was repeatedly stopped by her servants.
When they finally arrived at Shuimoxuan, Xue Li burst into tears before she could even speak.
He cried out in a choked voice, "Your Majesty! Your Majesty!"
Several eunuchs favored by Emperor Qianlong at the gate concealed their astonishment and stepped forward to pay their respects.
"This servant greets Your Majesty the Empress. Your Majesty the Empress—"
Sherry pushed them aside and tried to go inside: "Get out of the way! How is the Emperor? Why is he sick again? I must stay with the Emperor and help him through this difficult time!"
"Your Majesty, the Emperor is recuperating. May I report back?" Li Yu asked, bowing as he flicked his whisk.
"Alright, go quickly!" Shirley supported the old woman with one hand and coughed softly while covering her mouth with a handkerchief with the other.
The eunuchs and guards around her were all amazed by the Empress's thoughtfulness.
Sherry tried hard not to overthink things so she wouldn't burst out laughing.
There was nothing she could do; she could see the admiring looks on the faces of those servants.
After all, the other masters either offered Buddhist scriptures or nourishing soup.
Not one dared to offer to care for the ailing emperor.
They were terrified that the emperor would grant their request.
Everyone was relieved that Shirley was sick and couldn't organize everyone to take care of her.
Of course, Consort Qing and Consort Rong went to the Empress Dowager's place early in the morning.
It's understandable that people can't be in two places at once, right?
Occasionally, Yong Changzai and Ning Changzai would come, their faces pale and trembling.
Otherwise, how could Shirley's current demeanor appear so precious?
Emperor Qianlong was now skin and bones, and looked more than ten years older.
A faint stench mingled with incense and the smell of Chinese medicine in the air.
"The Empress? Isn't she still recuperating? Why is she here?" Qianlong spoke with some difficulty and was slightly out of breath.
"Of course Your Majesty is worried about His Majesty. This servant noticed that Her Majesty the Empress looks much more haggard, and she's even coughing slightly right now." Li Yu was quite favored by the Emperor, mainly because he had high emotional intelligence.
Neither despise nor flatter, but understand the will of the emperor.
"Let her go back! Let her go back and take good care of herself!" Emperor Qianlong paused before saying this.
"Yes, sir!" Li Yu bowed and took his leave.
When Shirley saw Li Yu come out, she asked excitedly, "Has the Emperor woken up?"
"Uh, the Emperor hasn't woken up yet..."
Just as he was hesitating about how to refuse, Shirley was about to go in: "I heard the Emperor wake up! Li Yu, how dare you! Cough!"
"Your Majesty, the Emperor is also concerned about your health. Why don't you go back and rest? Come back when you're better!"
Li Yu turned pale with fright when she heard Xue Li cough.
"I am much better now, and I can serve Your Majesty!" Xue Li tried her best to maintain a proper posture, proving that she was in good spirits.
Li Yu looked at her with a complex mix of admiration and complexity.
Sherry pushed him aside and went inside.
Li Yu hurriedly pretended that she couldn't stop them.
When Sherry went in, she was stunned when she saw the person on the bed, whose face was sunken and who was skin and bones.
Tears streamed down my face uncontrollably.
Emperor Qianlong turned his head slightly in surprise, and when he saw Xue Li's haggard appearance, a hint of surprise flashed in his eyes.
"Your Majesty..." Shirley burst into tears instantly, "Your Majesty..."
Sherry rushed over and grabbed his hand, unable to hide the heartache in her eyes.
Emperor Qianlong was touched, but still gently scolded, "You're still weak, what are you doing here?"
"Your Majesty, I miss you so much that I can't sleep at night!" As Xue Li spoke, two words suddenly flashed through her mind: nausea.
She wondered if Emperor Qianlong would get goosebumps if he heard this.
Qianlong: ...
It was a bit of a surprise, but I was mostly happy.
After all, previous empresses were always gentle and considerate, like a gentle breeze or a flowing stream, expressing everything with subtle tenderness.
Instead of such straightforward enthusiasm!
He thought his illness had frightened the Empress.
"I should be pleased that my Jingtan is so enthusiastic." A smile spread across Qianlong's face.
"Your Majesty~" Shirley turned slightly to the side, unable to help it, her face was too flushed and she was too embarrassed to blush.
If your facial expressions aren't right, then your behavior will be exaggerated.
"You've seen it all, Jingtan, go back and take good care of yourself." Qianlong's eyes lingered, but he still glanced at Li Yu before pushing Xue Li away.
Sherry maintained her sickly appearance and knelt down on the ground following his force.
Emperor Qianlong was now worried and angry: "Look at him, so weak and still running around. I have to ask Yongqi how he's taking care of his mother!"
"Your Majesty, please don't be angry. Jingtan was wrong, please don't be upset." Xue Li looked up at him. "Your Majesty is wrong, how can I be in the mood to think about anything else?"
Looking into her red eyes, Emperor Qianlong found himself finding her old face strangely pleasing to the eye.
Two patients, one with a face full of scars and acne, was half-leaning on the bed, while the other had a sallow complexion and a thin body, and was kneeling on the ground.
The two looked into each other's eyes, reluctant to part!
"Someone, escort the Empress back! Remember to let her bathe and change her clothes!" After saying this, Qianlong lay down.
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