Knowing the generals' physical and mental suffering, the emperor decreed that all the imperial physicians in the Imperial Hospital could freely visit the military families in the inner city for medical treatment outside the palace grounds.
Given the Fucha family's social standing, it wouldn't be a problem for them to summon the head of the Imperial Medical Academy. However, Zhao Xingming ordered the steward to invite Physician Li, who had a residence in the city. The current affairs of the Fucha family are causing confusion. Fukang'an's frequent visits to the palace to summon physicians are likely due to the old lady's continued illness, but this sudden request for a physician is abrupt, citing a recurrence of his old injury.
Fukang'an and the Fifteenth Prince had become estranged in court, and some time ago Fukang'an had even made a grand petition to have his close advisors demoted. Now, the Fifteenth Prince was worried about finding a way to expose Fukang'an's misdeeds. This public outburst to summon the imperial physician would inevitably be exaggerated and relayed to the Fifteenth Prince. A master's concern for his master can lead to folly. Zhao Xing, however, was a servant, and he could not afford to be foolish.
The days leading up to New Year's Eve were unusually cold. Although Imperial Physician Li was reluctant to go late at night, he had no choice but to accept the immense favor the Emperor showed to the Fucha family. The recent news of the Emperor's decision to demote the Fifteenth Prince's close advisors at Fukang'an's request had already spread like wildfire throughout the palace. Therefore, Imperial Physician Li dared not neglect the Fucha family even more.
His Majesty is now advanced in years. Although he has no chronic illness, his hair is already completely white. The palace appears calm on the surface, but beneath the surface, turbulent waves surge. Of the four princes, three have already been granted the title of Beile, while the seventeenth prince, Yonglin, remains only a prince due to his young age, yet he is deeply favored by the Emperor.
Fukang'an and Heshen had become Qianlong's right-hand men, one close to the Fifteenth Prince, the other distant and suppressing him. However, it was clear the Emperor's will favor Fukang'an. The attitude of those in the Forbidden City towards the Fifteenth Prince differed from their fawning and obsequious behavior after his return from the Mulan Hunting Grounds. Meanwhile, the Eighth Prince, due to his leg ailment, enjoyed considerable imperial favor, making it difficult to discern the Emperor's true intentions.
The eleventh prince remained devoted to calligraphy, occasionally receiving praise from the emperor, though only a few times. The seventeenth prince, being young, often accompanied the emperor and was the most favored by him.
In the palace, from the Empress Dowager and concubines down to the palace maids and eunuchs, everyone was trying to guess the Emperor's intentions. Once a new Emperor ascended the throne, if they could not win his favor, their lives would be no different from those of the concubines and consorts who were relocated to the cold palace. They would only have the freedom to obey orders.
The Fucha family was a family of generals and also relatives of the emperor, so most of the palace servants were watching Fukang'an and Fulong'an's choice closely.
Since returning from the Jinchuan campaign, Fulongan's health had deteriorated significantly, and he often feigned illness to attend to court affairs. Aside from displaying his power to the Fifteenth Prince, Fukangan did not show excessive deference to the other princes.
Imperial Physician Li, having long resided deep within the palace, frequently examined the fetal positions of the various empresses and concubines. While he couldn't claim to be a miracle worker in treating Yan Ning's recent overexertion and resulting signs of miscarriage, a few silver needles and a prescription were enough to stabilize her pregnancy.
Once Yan Ning's pregnancy had stabilized, Physician Li, carrying his medicine chest, was about to leave. However, he was stopped by Fukang'an. His crimson robe, shrouded in the dim candlelight and mixed with daylight, exuded a menacing aura, making Physician Li uneasy as he followed him toward the study in the side room.
The study had been unused for a long time and had no underfloor heating. When the cold light of the morning sun shone on it, the chill was palpable.
With one hand behind his back and his back to Physician Li, Fukang'an said, "I hope Physician Li will keep quiet about the lady's pregnancy!"
Although Physician Li did not fully understand Fukang'an's inner meaning in those few words, after years of serving in the palace, he had long since developed the habit of simply obeying his master's obscure pronouncements without needing to comprehend their implications. He nodded, "This humble official will follow the General's words!"
Seeing Fukang'an wave his hand dismissively, he meekly left. Just as he stepped outside, he encountered Zhao Xing standing there with a tray of gleaming gold ingots. He had originally intended to get a lucky draw from Fukang'an because of Yan Ning's unborn child, not wanting to accept the Fucha family's gold and silver, but now these ingots were his lifeline. He carefully tucked the ingots into his medicine chest and hurried away. The bright sunlight was chilly, and even his mink hat was damp with sweat.
Yan Ning awoke on the afternoon of New Year's Eve. She vaguely remembered what had happened before she fainted, but couldn't piece it together. She remembered You Yuanzhi and Xiang'er and got up in a panic, but lay back down because of a dull pain in her lower abdomen.
Her movement startled Zhu Xiang, who was carrying the soup/medicine, causing her to drop the tray. She quickly ran forward to help her.
Yan Ning looked at Zhu Xiang's flushed oval face, her slender eyebrows furrowed. She was puzzled, "I just wanted to get up, why are you so nervous?"
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