Even Consort Hua herself didn't know that she could remain so calm after understanding the sinister intentions of the chubby orange.
From the moment she entered the manor, this man treated her with tenderness and affection. All the wives and princesses in the manor were afraid, but she was not.
Over the years, no matter how many women he favored, he would eventually return to her side.
She thought that apart from the title, she was in no way lacking in affection. Little did she know, it was all a carefully crafted deception.
Consort Hua is ill, very ill. She suddenly developed a high fever and couldn't get out of bed.
When Da Pang Ju found out, he immediately came to visit, but Song Zhi blocked him at the door, saying that Hua Fei looked sick and haggard and did not want him to see her.
They also said that the illness came on suddenly, and they were worried that the emperor might suffer from the illness and damage his health.
The chubby orange had no choice but to say a few words at the door, telling Consort Hua to take good care of herself, before turning around and choosing Shen Meizhuang's nameplate again.
Upon hearing this, the Empress merely sneered, "Consort Hua, you're nothing special."
*
The musk in Huan Yi Xiang can only fool those who don't understand fragrances; it can't fool the experts in this business, nor can it fool doctors.
The matter was of great importance, and he dared not let anyone else know. Zhou Ninghai secretly took some powder out of the palace, not daring to go to any well-known spice shops or clinics in the capital.
Instead, to be on the safe side, they chose a temple called Wenshu Monastery in the mountains on the outskirts of Beijing.
The monk Jueming in the temple was a skilled physician with a compassionate heart. He often provided free medical treatment and medicine to the poor, which made him famous far and wide.
It was only because Wenshu Monastery was located in a remote area and there were many powerful and wealthy people in the capital that, apart from the nearby villagers, only ordinary people who could not afford medical treatment would go through all the trouble to come here for medical treatment.
Despite limping on one leg, Zhou Ninghai managed to climb quite a few steps, taking three steps as if they were two.
Upon entering the temple, they first respectfully offered incense to Manjushri Bodhisattva, praying for the Bodhisattva's protection so that Consort Hua could turn misfortune into good fortune. Then they added two ingots as donations, which made the young monk in his robes with a sallow complexion grin from ear to ear.
Monk Jueming said, “Amitabha, if you sincerely worship the Buddha, you will be blessed by the gods and Buddhas and have peace and good fortune.”
Zhou Ninghai said, "Thank you, Master. May I have a word with you in private?"
Jue Ming clearly understood that this young man was handsome, and although his clothes looked ordinary, the stitching was fine and the fabric was of good quality.
He knew most of the families in the neighborhood and had never heard of anyone having such a distinguished relative.
I just don't know why this benefactor has come. Wenshu Monastery is just a small Zen temple, with only him and his three disciples, nothing else.
"Please come this way, benefactor."
Jueming led Zhou Ninghai to a secluded spot, saying, "If you have anything to say to this humble monk, please speak frankly."
Zhou Ninghai took out a small handful of spices wrapped in cloth from his pocket, glanced at them from both sides, and then carefully handed them over, reciting the same explanation he had prepared before coming.
"I have heard that you have superb medical skills, and I obtained these spices by chance. I would like to ask you to take a look and see if they are harmful to people."
Monk Jueming picked up the incense, rubbed some between his thumb and forefinger, brought it to his nose, and smelled it carefully.
Zhou Ninghai saw that Jueming was still not satisfied after smelling it, so he tasted the spice on his finger, clearly having discovered something.
"Does the master have an answer?"
"Amitabha."
The monk Jueming chanted a Buddhist prayer and then said, "This incense is not poisonous, but it contains musk. It is fine for men to use, but for women..."
Zhou Ninghai asked anxiously, "What if it's a woman?"
Monk Jueming looked at the object in his hand and immediately understood what was going on. This wasn't the first time he'd encountered such private matters within wealthy families, where wives and concubines were numerous.
The ladies were all very cautious and dared not consult any of the famous doctors in the city, for fear of letting others find out.
His place was remote, and he had some medical skills, so he had built up a reputation, and over time people came looking for him.
Otherwise, how could he, a man of integrity and incorruptible character, have obtained the money to provide medical care and medicine to the people?
Monk Jueming said, "Musk has the effect of opening the orifices, clearing blockages, and refreshing the mind. When used in perfumes, it can refresh the mind and prolong life."
"However, if a woman uses it for a long time, it will be detrimental to fertility. This is because this substance can promote blood circulation and menstruation, and induce labor, which is extremely harmful to pregnant women and fetuses."
"If you are using it yourself, that's fine. But if you have a wife at home, it would be best to avoid using it."
Zhou Ninghai asked, "May I ask, Master, if I use this incense for a long time and take good care of myself, will I still be able to have children?"
Jueming thought for a moment and then asked, "May I ask how long you mean by 'long time'?"
"If it only takes one or two years, and you find a doctor who is proficient in gynecology to take good care of you for two years, then maybe it will work."
Zhou Ninghai's lips trembled, but he still asked, "What if it's already been used for four or five years?"
Jueming said, "If it takes four or five years, the medicine will have penetrated the body and reached deep into the bone marrow. With careful conditioning, you may still be able to get pregnant, but you will not be able to have a safe delivery."
Undeterred, Zhou Ninghai asked, "Master, you are so compassionate, is there really no way to help you?"
Jueming sighed. He was a monk, not Buddha. How could he grant every request?
He understood the family's feelings and could only offer words of comfort, "Please forgive my limited knowledge and skills. There are many doctors in the world. I see that your family is well-off. Perhaps you can consult with a few highly skilled doctors and brainstorm ideas to find another solution."
Zhou Ninghai nodded blankly. He had been overthinking it. The Huan Yi Xiang was a gift from the Emperor. The Emperor did not allow the Empress to conceive, and no matter how many doctors were consulted, it would not work.
He took out a silver note and placed it in front of Monk Jueming. "This is a silver note of one thousand taels. Please accept it, Master. The weather is getting colder, and people are more susceptible to colds. If you take it, you can save more lives."
"What happened today is between you and me, so please don't mention it to anyone else. You are a wise man and should know the implications of this."
Jueming clasped his hands together, bowed to Zhou Ninghai, and then accepted the silver note. "Amitabha, please rest assured, benefactor. This humble monk has been worshipping Buddha in the meditation room all day and no distinguished guests have come to visit."
*
Back at Yikun Palace, Zhou Ninghai stood at the entrance of his sleeping quarters, hesitating repeatedly. He wanted to go in several times, but still couldn't make up his mind.
The Empress is so ill, and the news he brought back is so cruel. If the Empress knew, her condition would probably become even worse.
But he couldn't hide this from her even if he wanted to. Because of what happened a few years ago, the Empress had been at odds with Consort Duan ever since. Whenever she was unhappy, she would torment Consort Duan.
Looking back now, Consort Duan's words were practically telling them outright that the bowl of medicine for preventing miscarriage with safflower was an order from the Emperor, but they just didn't believe it.
Even tigers don't eat their cubs, so who would have thought that the one who took the life of the little prince in the empress's womb was none other than the little prince's own father!
In particular, the Emperor has always been very good to the Empress, and the Empress's own brother is also a capable assistant to the Emperor.
Zhou Ninghai stood at the entrance of the bedchamber for a long time, still unsure how to explain things to Consort Hua.
"Eunuch Zhou, you're back."
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