To Physician Lu, the Empress Dowager's words sounded like a chilling wind, as if they were meant to take his life.
His entry into the palace was entirely due to the efforts of Consort Cheng's brother, Sun Zhuhe. His ability to distinguish himself in the Imperial Hospital after entering the palace was also thanks to Consort Cheng's favor with the emperor.
He would benefit from Consort Cheng's glory. But if Consort Cheng were to suffer any harm, his fate would be dire.
The Empress Dowager's question clearly indicated her extreme dissatisfaction with Consort Cheng. She was even so eager to use the Emperor's illness as an excuse to get rid of Consort Cheng.
This wasn't just a hint; it was an explicit statement! If he didn't follow the Empress Dowager's instructions, she could easily deal with him, the imperial physician, with just a glance.
But if he followed the Empress Dowager's words, even if he had no relationship with Consort Cheng, he still wouldn't dare.
Who made Consort Cheng favored? When the Emperor woke up, he was unhappy. The word "filial piety" weighed on him, so he dared not blame the Empress Dowager, nor could he take his anger out on the imperial physician.
He'll be the one who suffers in the end!
It's true that no matter what you do, it's wrong. But if you don't fit either side, it's even more wrong!
If it weren't for the inappropriate occasion, Lu Jingsi would have loved to burst into tears. He had been quite strong before entering the palace...
Lu Jingsi knelt on the ground, hesitating for a few moments, before steeling himself and deciding that he had no choice but to take a gamble.
The Emperor will wake up soon; we just need to delay it for a little while longer.
"Reporting to the Empress Dowager, Consort Cheng suddenly fell ill last night. It was because the Fifth Prince had just entered the palace and was not yet used to it, so he cried and made a fuss."
"Consort Cheng is worried that the prince is hurting his health by crying and is overwhelmed by grief over the past. This is a mental illness and will not harm the emperor's health."
"The reason why His Majesty suddenly developed a high fever is because he has been busy with state affairs for many days. In addition, it is now the time between winter and spring, a season when people are more susceptible to colds."
The Empress Dowager said coldly, "Oh, so it's still my and the Emperor's responsibility?"
Physician Lu quickly said, "Your Majesty, please forgive me! I dare not! I had no such intention!"
The Empress Dowager looked very displeased. The young imperial physician seemed either unable to understand her words or dared to disobey her.
Although it wasn't her intention that Consort Cheng lost her child, it was still somewhat related.
She was initially upset about this, because no matter who her mother was, he was still her own grandson.
But because of this, the emperor not only harbored resentment towards her, but also implicated the fourteenth prince.
The Empress Dowager now finds Consort Cheng utterly displeasing. She regrets not stopping the Emperor from entering the palace and causing such unrest in the harem.
The Empress spoke up, saying, "Your Majesty, please calm down. Physician Lu did not mean that."
“Consort Cheng just lost her child and only recently completed her postpartum period. The Fifth Prince is still young, and in the past, it was the wife of Prince Zhuang who took care of him.”
“It’s normal for a child to cry when suddenly separated from their parents and moved to a new environment. It’s only natural for Consort Cheng to be saddened by this.”
"The Emperor and Empress Dowager entrusted the Fifth Prince to Consort Cheng's care to comfort her. Consort Cheng must be extremely grateful to the Empress Dowager and the Emperor."
The Empress Dowager glanced at the Empress with surprise. Ever since her illness, her niece had become increasingly unpredictable.
Shouldn't she be hoping Consort Cheng suffers? Why is she speaking up for her now? Has she gotten so used to playing the virtuous empress that she hasn't been able to break the habit?
The Empress Dowager did not want to let this opportunity slip by, but looking at her eldest son lying on the dragon bed in front of her, Zhu Xi gently tugged at her sleeve from behind.
She sighed inwardly. Oh well, the emperor has taken the medicine and should wake up soon. It's not worth it for a mere Consort Cheng.
There will be plenty of opportunities in the future; she refused to believe that the emperor would continue to favor her like this...
The Empress Dowager said, "I don't need her to be grateful. I just hope she can be more restrained and sensible."
"As a concubine, one should be dignified, polite, and magnanimous. Consort Cheng is not like that at all, and is also jealous by nature, causing trouble for the emperor every few days."
"I wonder what it is about her that the emperor likes..."
"As the Empress, you have the responsibility to instruct the concubines. I am old and no longer have the energy to manage affairs. Now that you are almost fully recovered, you should take on this important responsibility."
The Empress lowered her head and said, "It is my incompetence, please forgive me, Your Majesty."
The Empress Dowager's doubts were also on the Empress's mind. However, she always knew that Sun Miaoqing was no ordinary person and must have something extraordinary about her.
Bewitching a man can be difficult in some ways, but easy in others. At least in the Empress's eyes, it was an easy task for Sun Miaoqing.
The Empress said, "Consort Cheng is young and has a lively personality. Other concubines are all well-behaved in front of the Emperor, but she is different, which is why the Emperor dotes on her so much."
"But even though His Majesty dotes on her, he hasn't gone too far. Consort Cheng has always been respectful to the Empress Dowager and to me. She's also very amicable with the other concubines. It's just some childish temper. Why should the Empress Dowager take it to heart?"
"Besides, she is now raising the Fifth Prince. As a mother, things will naturally be different from before, after all, she has to set an example for her child."
"So Your Majesty need not worry too much. I'm sure it won't be long before Consort Cheng becomes much more composed."
The Empress Dowager said, "What you said makes some sense."
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