Chapter 43 The Plan Remains Unchanged
Because Physician He's head was hit by a piece of broken tile, he had to be carried back to the Imperial Hospital.
Mingxiu followed closely behind Xiao Qing, who was also being carried, back to Chengde Palace.
Having reached this point, Zhao Youchen felt that it was inappropriate and pointless to keep He Shu and Mingxiu under house arrest any longer.
As was customary, he wrote to the Grand Tutor to explain the situation, thinking to himself that man proposes, God disposes; even if the Grand Tutor were present, he would not have persisted in his insistence.
Xiao Qing lay in his bedchamber in Chengde Palace, fiddling with a few pieces of broken jade in his hand, and was puzzled.
It's embarrassing to admit, but this is something she casually tore off Zhao Youchen and threw away when she went berserk. It must have been hanging on Zhao Youchen's waist before.
Even if she doesn't know much about jade, she can tell it's a good piece just by touching it.
Fine jade is fine too. What's missing in the palace? It's not like we can't find a good piece of jade to compensate him.
She had never seen Zhao Youchen wear this jade before. It was probably ruined by her the moment he put it on today.
This jade probably doesn't have any special meaning, right?
Thinking about it this way, Xiao Qing felt a huge headache coming on.
"Your Majesty," came Mei Shu's voice from outside the door.
Xiao Qing quickly tucked the jade into the quilt, though she didn't know why she did it.
Mei Shu walked in slowly.
Mingxiu was exhausted today, so Xiao Qing told her to go and rest. Mei Shu and the others were keeping watch outside.
"How is His Majesty? Although Chief Eunuch Ming has examined the wound, it would be safer to call in an imperial physician..."
Xiao Qing felt that Mingxiu had handled the situation very well, so she said calmly, "No need."
Mei Shu paused for a moment, then recalled the scene where His Majesty had angrily driven them away, but had kept Mingxiu by his side alone.
Even though Mingxiu was treating Doctor He's injuries at that time.
Doesn't she know that His Majesty should be the priority in everything?
Why would such a person win His Majesty's favor and be so attached to and protected by His Majesty?
Mei Shu's eyes darkened. "Your Majesty, I have something to say, but I don't know if I should."
"Go on," Xiao Qing said. She actually felt awkward lying there listening to someone talk. But Mei Shu seemed determined not to leave until she finished speaking.
"Your Majesty is the ruler of the world and the supreme sovereign of all people. No one, no matter who, should put Your Majesty first and above all others. This is the duty of us servants. If any servant fails to do so, it is an act of insubordination. If this trend continues, it will greatly damage Your Majesty's dignity."
Xiao Qing was stunned for a moment.
What does that mean?
Mei Shu was about to speak further when news spread that Zhao Youchen was requesting an audience.
Mei Shu hesitated for a moment, then stepped aside.
Xiao Qing was in such a terrible state that she didn't really want to see any guests.
First, Mei Shu spoke earnestly, seemingly lecturing her. Then, Zhao Youchen, whose jade she had smashed, requested an audience.
Xiao Qing felt that not only her legs hurt, but her head was also starting to hurt.
At this moment, she missed Mingxiu again.
If it were Mingxiu, she wouldn't have said so much at this time, nor would she have bothered her with so many things. Mingxiu would have just quietly stayed by her side, helping her recover as soon as possible.
That's why doctors are different.
She said reluctantly, "Come in."
Zhao Youchen then entered.
After bowing, he said, "The news of Your Majesty's leg injury has spread throughout the court and the country. Prime Minister Wang, Minister Sun, Minister Yu, and others are waiting in the front court to ask Your Majesty how the martial arts competition at the South Training Ground should be arranged?"
Xiao Qing pursed her lips, thinking to herself, "See? If she were an ordinary patient, she'd be quietly resting in her ward right now. But she's wearing the 'Emperor's' hat, so she has to work despite her injury."
She silently complained again before saying seriously, "The martial arts competition at the South Training Ground cannot be changed."
She thought for a moment, then said, "Let the Imperial Medical Academy come up with a plan. I will go in person, but I cannot lose my composure in front of my ministers."
Zhao Youchen looked at her somewhat serious little face and felt genuine heartache.
Zhao Youchen clasped his hands in a bow. Although he knew that resting and recuperating was the best course of action for His Majesty, the martial arts competition at the South Training Ground was related to the important matter of placing vacant military officers. If His Majesty was not present, all the efforts made before might be in vain.
And he had just received even worse news...
He composed himself, forcing himself to stay alert, and said, "The newly drafted nominations by the ministers are in the Prime Minister's office. The Prime Minister asked when would be the most appropriate time to present them to His Majesty."
"Now." It's better to end it quickly than to suffer for a long time. Now that Xiao Qing has made up her mind, she won't run away.
Zhao Youchen is gone.
Seeing that Mei Shu was still standing there, Xiao Qing couldn't relax. Especially since she felt that Mei Shu still had something to say.
Sure enough, Mei Shu stepped forward.
Xiao Qing's heart skipped a beat, and he quickly said, "Let Dan Ying in. I need to make a lot of preparations for the martial arts competition at the South Training Ground. You are more familiar with this, so I will leave the arrangements to you."
Mei Shu paused for a moment, then bowed deeply before going to make the arrangements.
The usually quiet and reserved Dan Ying entered. She silently tidied Xiao Qing's bed and bedding, then noticed the screen beside him and asked softly, "His Majesty wishes to see an official; would you like a screen placed there?"
Xiao Qing glanced at her again, thinking that he hadn't looked at her much before, but now it seemed that she was also a thoughtful person.
She nodded.
Dan Ying walked to the door and quietly beckoned Ma Hong and Liu Yi to come in. They quietly moved the screen to a spot not far from the bed, concealing Xiao Qing on the bed.
Ma Hong and Liu Yi returned to their positions by the outer gate, while Dan Ying stood behind the screen on the right.
It was not far from Xiao Qing, and it would allow people outside the screen to see her.
Soon, Wang Xiang and his group arrived.
They exchanged greetings through the screen, and finally produced the list.
Dan Ying stepped forward to retrieve it and presented it to Xiao Qing.
Xiao Qing glanced at the list and saw that the people Fu Mingyi mentioned were on it, so she felt a little relieved.
Finally, Wang Xiang said, "His Majesty is unwell, yet he still decided to come to the scene in person, which will surely give all the soldiers a great boost. His Majesty has the world in his heart and values the people's welfare; this is truly a blessing for all the people and for the Great Xiao!"
Xiao Qing said, "Thank you all for your help. This is truly thanks to you all."
Half a day later, Physician He, also injured, came with two other physicians. Physician He took charge of the treatment and examined the patient carefully once again.
After discussing it, the Imperial Hospital presented a plan, saying that although His Majesty was injured in the femur, firstly, the treatment was timely and the bone had been set and stabilized, and secondly, no bone fragments were found, so the recovery time would not be too long.
However, since His Majesty is injured in this area, he cannot sit or stand for the time being and can only lie down.
Therefore, if His Majesty insists on attending the martial arts competition at the South Training Ground, firstly, he must bring an accompanying imperial physician, and secondly, he can only be carefully carried to the South Training Ground on a soft carrying pole, and once there, he can only lie down.
Xiao Qing's lips twitched; this was awkward.
Zhao Youchen was inspired. "Add a screen to block the view of the officials."
Xiao Qing's eyes lit up. "Are there any screens like that where you can see clearly from the inside out, but can't see anything from the outside in?"
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