Chapter 364: Unworthy of Being a Mother
Throughout August, when the concubines went to Yonghe Palace to pay their respects to Ning Wanshuang, they rarely saw Concubine Hui.
She was also worried about Cheng Jing's paralysis.
Zhaohua and Concubine Yun went to see Concubine Hui together a few days ago. Not only were her eyes red and swollen, but she had also lost a lot of weight, which was quite pitiful.
However, her careful care for Cheng Jing was rewarded.
On this day, Xiao Jingheng summoned the opera troupe from the Nan Mansion into the palace to sing songs for Zhaohua to entertain him.
As the two were listening to the music, Doctor Zhang came to check Zhaohua's pulse.
After he told Zhaohua that everything was fine, Xiao Jingheng asked him again,
"Some time ago, Judge Guo said that your golden needle technique might be able to cure Cheng Jing's paralysis. Has he improved in the past few days?"
Doctor Zhang said respectfully, "Your Majesty, the Third Prince originally had no feeling in his lower body, but after I gave him acupuncture three times a day, he could already feel pain the day before yesterday. This is a very good sign, indicating that the Third Prince's lower body may not be completely paralyzed, and there is still a possibility of recovery!"
In the past, Xiao Jingheng had only one healthy son, Cheng Jing, but he became paralyzed due to an unexpected disaster.
Now, he was delighted to hear Doctor Zhang say that there might be a turning point in this matter.
"Then in your opinion, is it possible for Cheng Jing to fully recover?"
Doctor Zhang said, "I dare not make a definite statement. I can only do my best to treat the patient, but there is hope."
Zhao Hua also smiled happily, "It's good to have hope. Cheng Jing is still so young. If he has to stay bedridden for the rest of his life, it would be heartbreaking for others to hear about it."
Turning to look at Xiao Jingheng, he couldn't help but sighed, "Xiao Lang doesn't know, but Concubine Hui and I witnessed the dangerous incident in Changle Palace that day. If it weren't for Concubine Hui's maidservant who desperately protected Cheng Jing's mouth and nose and blocked most of the poison powder for Cheng Jing, I'm afraid that even if Cheng Jing had survived, it would be difficult for him to have such a turnaround now."
Xiao Jingheng always rewards and punishes clearly. He was very pleased at this and said:
"Her loyalty to her master is also commendable. The dead are gone, but the living may be able to praise her."
Then he called out to Xiao Yinzi, "Go and find out the maid's name, and ask the Ministry of Internal Affairs to give her a reward of 100 taels of silver to comfort her family."
Xiao Yinzi was a lively person, and knew the backgrounds of the palace servants on duty in each palace, so he immediately replied to Xiao Jingheng's words.
"Your Majesty, the maid who loyally protected the master that day was named Chunlan. She was from a poor family and her parents died early, so she has no ties anymore."
After hearing this, Zhao Hua couldn't help but joked, "Yuan is also a pitiful person. Perhaps she has regarded Concubine Hui as her relative for many years, so she risked her life to protect Cheng Jing at the critical moment. It can be seen that Concubine Hui treats the palace maids very well on weekdays."
But Xiao Yinzi said, "Chun Lan was originally a clerk in the Sizhiku. He was only transferred to work in the palace of Concubine Hui three months before the incident. He can't be considered to have served Concubine Hui for a long time. But he is indeed loyal."
Zhao Hua was surprised and said, "Is it really like that? I saw Chun Lan almost risking her life to protect Cheng Jing that day. I thought she had been serving Sister Hui for a long time, but I didn't expect she was a newcomer. That's even more rare."
When she said this, she was looking at Jamel Xiao from the corner of her eye.
She saw Xiao Jingheng's originally bright eyes dimmed a little.
But he quickly said in a casual way: "It is my duty to protect my master. Those who do good deeds in protecting my master will be rewarded. I think Chunlan is loyal on the one hand, and on the other hand, he may also want to fight for a good future for himself."
At this point, Zhao Hua knew that Xiao Jingheng had doubts in his heart.
As smart as she was, she knew the principle of stopping at the right time, so she changed the subject without leaving any trace and said:
"Doctor Zhang said that Cheng Jing has improved, which is great news. I went to see Concubine Hui a few days ago, and she was exhausted from taking care of Cheng Jing day and night. Since we are free today, why don't you go with me to visit them?"
Xiao Jingheng had the same idea, so he stopped the opera troupe and rode in the imperial chariot with Zhao Hua to Zhaochun Palace.
At the same time, in Zhaochun Palace.
"Son, drink this medicine quickly."
Concubine Hui sat on the edge of Cheng Jing's couch, helped him sit up and lean against the head of the bed.
I also took a goose feather cushion and placed it behind him so that he could sit more comfortably.
The medicine on the small table next to it has been cooled to a suitable temperature.
She took it, stirred the bottom of the bowl with a spoon from time to time, and put a spoonful to Cheng Jing's mouth.
The medicine was very bitter, and just the smell made people feel nauseous.
The child frowned and a small bulge appeared between his eyebrows. He took a bite with difficulty and then started to get upset with a bitter face.
"Mother, this medicine is so bitter, I don't want to drink it."
"Cheng Jing, be good. You have to take the medicine obediently so that you can get better quickly. Do you understand?"
Concubine Hui scooped another spoonful and handed it over, but Cheng Jing had a bad temper and knocked the spoon over, crying at the top of his voice:
"I don't want to drink! I don't want it!"
"My dear son, you have to be strong. You want to get better soon, right?"
Concubine Hui tried to persuade him earnestly, and then said with a smile: "Be good. After you drink the medicine, I will give you some candied fruit, okay?"
"I don't want to drink! I don't want the doctor to give me an acupuncture! It hurts! I don't want it!"
He was making such a fuss that he kept pushing Concubine Hui with his little hands, his eyes full of grievance.
Concubine Hui originally had a smile on her face, but when she saw Cheng Jing like this, her face suddenly darkened and she said in a cold voice:
"I'll ask you again, do you want to drink?"
"I don't want to drink! I don't want to drink! I...well..."
Before he could finish his spoiled words, Concubine Hui suddenly got angry, pinched Cheng Jing's jaw with her tiger's mouth, pried his mouth open, and forced the medicine into his stomach.
"Drink it! If your body becomes paralyzed, what can I expect from you in the future? Drink it!"
She was born young and looked harmless.
It looked so ferocious that even the children were frightened and dared not cry out loud.
After the medicine was finished, Concubine Hui threw the medicine bowl aside in anger and said to Cheng Jing in a low voice:
"Put away your tears. You are my son. If you can't even endure this little hardship, what can I expect from you in the future?"
——"The Emperor has arrived~"
Hearing the eunuch's shrill voice coming from outside the door, the anger on Concubine Hui's face disappeared instantly.
Then she looked towards the door with red eyes, waiting for Xiao Jingheng and Zhao Hua to enter, and her tears fell.
"I pay my respects to His Majesty the Emperor and His Majesty the Imperial Concubine."
When Cheng Jing saw Xiao Jingheng coming, his originally suppressed crying became even louder.
"Wuwuwu, Father! Father!"
"What's going on?"
Seeing the mother and son crying together, Xiao Jingheng felt a headache, so he questioned Concubine Hui:
"Why is Cheng Jing crying for no reason?"
Concubine Hui was about to reply, but Cheng Jing sobbed before her and started crying to Xiao Jingheng.
"Wow, this medicine is so bitter. I don't want to drink it, but Mother forced me to drink it. Mother is so fierce... I'm scared!"
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