Chapter 45 Sudden Emotional Change
Yingying was carried out.
Huang Rui stood at the gate with his hands hanging down, coldly watching them. After a long while, a soft "humph" finally escaped from the corner of his mouth.
Someone leaned closer and said, "Steward Huang, since this is someone His Majesty values, wouldn't it be... a bit much to just beat him like this...?"
Huang Rui waved his hand lazily, "The person was sent by Grand Attendant Mei, and he certainly deserved to be punished for what he did. We were just following palace rules, so who can say anything against him?"
"But those two palace servants last time, His Majesty said he would protect them, but we..."
Huang Rui glanced at him sideways, "They deserved it. If they don't die, am I supposed to die? What's the use of someone with such a loose tongue!"
He turned and walked inside, no longer looking out.
The man followed closely behind, saying, "But Chief Steward Huang, Attendant Mei's status is different now. He's someone close to His Majesty, after all. You..."
Huang Rui glanced at him sharply, his eyes drooping downwards, like the cold, sinister eyes of a snake.
“If you’re a dog, you should lie down obediently on the ground. Don’t think that just because your owner is different, you’re no longer a dog. Understand?” He spoke in a low, slow voice, and when he said the last two words, he drew out the last syllable slightly, causing the people next to him to bow down even more and dare not say anything more.
Mei Shu instructed the palace servants to carry Yingying back to Chengde Palace in a way that would not aggravate her injuries.
However, because Ying Ying had been whipped by Huang Rui and was unconscious, Xiao Qing was still startled when Ying Ying was brought to him, and something suddenly popped into his head.
Zhao Youchen glanced at it and, although he felt that Ying Ying deserved it, he also knew that the palace prison had gone too far.
Ying Ying lay there unconscious, her entire back covered in varying shades of red, some areas dry, others still damp. The thick, layered streaks of red, stained by the constant seepage of blood, resembled the twisted, ferocious claws of a monster, a horrifying sight.
Mei Shu knelt on the ground with her head down, not uttering a single word in defense. She was not only silent, but also seemed somewhat dejected.
Xiao Qing closed his eyes briefly, suppressing the various negative emotions in his heart, and said, "Three imperial physicians, please take a look."
He Shu then quickly came up.
The other two imperial physicians looked at each other, seemingly hesitant.
Just as Xiao Qing was about to ask, He Shu had already quickly examined the wounds and said, "They are whip marks, and judging from the situation, they are mostly external injuries. However, this palace servant is young and not yet physically strong. For the sake of the future, I would like to ask Your Majesty to allow me to find a place to examine him more carefully."
Xiao Qing nodded, "Thank you for your help, Physician He. Mei Shu, please make the arrangements nearby."
He Shu bowed and said, "Your Majesty's grace is boundless. This humble subject will return shortly." He then turned to the other two imperial physicians and said, "Please continue to take care of His Majesty's health here."
The two imperial physicians were overjoyed and quickly returned the greeting with clasped hands, breathing a sigh of relief.
Since the founding of the Great Xiao Dynasty, the Imperial Medical Academy has only served the imperial family and relatives; it would never treat an insignificant palace servant.
Although it was His Majesty who made this request...
The two imperial physicians were grateful to He Shu for rescuing them, but they couldn't help but exchange a glance, seeing the same emotion in each other's eyes.
He Shu... is far too unscrupulous. Otherwise, why would he be so eager to please His Majesty?
He Shucai didn't care about any of that.
To be frank, the fact that the man lying on the golden dragon bed before him proves that the etiquette of the Great Xiao Dynasty was utter nonsense. In his heart, two things mattered most—the lives of him and his grandson, and their dreams.
Everything else is just bullshit that others insist on.
Mei Shu had assumed that Xiao Qing would be furious upon seeing Ying Ying's demeanor and might even punish her. However, to her surprise, His Majesty not only did not punish her, but also did not utter a single harsh word.
This did not put her at ease; instead, it made her even more uneasy.
She quickly accepted the order and then sent someone to carry a stretcher and take He Shu to the room where the palace servants were resting not far from the palace.
As the group walked out, Dan Ying happened to walk over carrying a piece of gauze.
The two met briefly, and Mei Shu's gaze lingered on the piece of gauze for two seconds.
She quickly recognized it as the precious Yin-Yang gauze from the Nanhua Palace.
This gauze was a treasure presented by the Western Regions during the Tianhe era, and it is said to be the last piece of yin-yang gauze in the world, because the technique for weaving this gauze has been lost.
What does Your Majesty need this for?
This gauze is precious; not just anyone can get it from the Imperial Household Department.
Dan Ying was usually low-key and quiet, often barely saying a few words a day, and His Majesty had never paid any attention to her.
But this time, was it she who went to the Imperial Household Department to get this gauze?
She suddenly remembered Huang Rui's words, and Huang Rui's sinister eyes with slightly drooping corners seemed to flash before her eyes again.
A soft, gentle voice came from Xiao Qing's bedchamber.
"Your Majesty, please look, this is the Yin-Yang Silk."
Mingxiu, Yingying... will they soon fade into obscurity?
Ma Hong and Liu Yi were also about to leave the palace; they were two insignificant individuals, not worth worrying about. But Dan Ying…
She shook her head. No, she couldn't think like that. They were all His Majesty's regular attendants; it was only natural for His Majesty to trust and be close to whomever he pleased…
The image of Xiao Qing angrily smashing things in the desolate side hall, trying to drive her and Zhao Youchen out, leaving only Mingxiu by her side, once again pierced her heart like a sharp thorn.
No, it's obvious His Majesty doesn't like her now. It wasn't so obvious before; when did it start?
After those two palace maids died?
Or was it after she said that to His Majesty?
Your Majesty is young, but her actions are not simply naive and childish. Could it be that Your Majesty has seen through her thoughts?
No, that's impossible. She must have been influenced by Huang Rui!
What does Huang Rui know?
Or let's talk about those things from back then...
She was so distracted that she almost bumped into the door frame without even realizing it.
He Shu quickly reached out to stop him, saying, "Attendant Mei, are you alright?"
Mei Shu was startled, and her shoulders trembled.
She then realized that now was not the time for her to think about these things.
She forced a smile, mustered her spirits, made arrangements for Yingying, and stood guard outside, trying her best to remain calm.
When Zhao Youchen turned his head and saw this scene, he felt a pang of pity.
"Your Majesty, I have something I wish to say to you privately."
Xiao Qing and Dan Ying admired the yin-yang gauze together. She had Dan Ying hold the gauze between them, showing them the gray side one moment and the white side the next, thoroughly enjoying themselves. The two imperial physicians were also amazed, their eyes crinkling with smiles, occasionally offering a word of praise.
Upon hearing Zhao Youchen's words, she nodded to Dan Ying, who then put away the veil and led the two imperial physicians out.
"General Zhao, please speak." Xiao Qing felt that this was probably about to involve the jade, so he couldn't help but feel a little uneasy.
There was no way around it; this was the first time she had ever damaged someone else's property without permission.
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