After several days of heavy snow, the weather finally cleared up. The blue sky reflected the snow-covered red walls and golden eaves, which was very beautiful.
The situation in the palace is like the weather, and it is getting better day by day.
First of all, the old emperor's injuries. His willpower was indeed extraordinary, and he finally survived the most difficult period after the operation. His leg injury and mental state began to show signs of improvement.
The legs were no longer covered tightly. Su Ci checked them and said, "The pus has stopped festering, the wound has started to heal, and the drainage tube can be removed."
After more than half a month, the old emperor could already stand for a while or even walk a few steps with the help of eunuchs and palace servants.
As for little Prince Zhao, fortunately, he did not need a second operation.
On the second day after waking up from the first operation, he tried various positions with the help of his wet nurse and palace maid. Apart from the wound, he did not feel any obvious pain in his abdomen. The child lay on the large rosewood bed, his pale face showing a shy smile, and whispered, "Thank you, Doctor Su."
Princess Zhao held Su Ci's hand and thanked her profusely, and also prepared many things as rewards.
Su Ci smiled and said, "Your Highness, take the medicine on time, both internally and externally. If there is no accident, the wound will be basically healed in more than a month, and the pain will be completely gone in three months. After the stitches are removed, you may as well sit up and read."
Many people came to visit Prince Zhao, but they were all stopped at the main gate. There was a constant stream of people outside the palace wall, but it was quiet inside the palace wall. Only a little bit of snow could be seen in the gaps between the steps, and the palace servants who were serving him moved very carefully up and down.
Uncle Kun and Queen Kun were nowhere to be seen that day.
Su Ci came here often, but she never saw Changqiu Palace send palace maids to deliver anything.
But she didn't say a word. Even if Princess Zhao said a few words when she was excited, she never responded. Except for what had to be said about the illness, she didn't listen, talk or ask. At most, she kept smiling and consciously played the role of a tool.
As for the next time Su Ci saw Queen Kun and Uncle Kun, it was at the Lantern Festival Palace Banquet.
…
A month passed, and the emperor's legs had recovered by 60% to 70%. He didn't even need anyone's support. He just walked slowly and could stand up and walk a hundred meters without stopping.
It can be said to be very good!
Seeing that recovery was in sight, the emperor felt relieved and naturally turned his attention back to court affairs.
You have to know that the old emperor's injuries had taken a turn for the worse, and he was desperate to find a cure. He ordered his confidants to secretly search for famous doctors among the people. This was a big move, and quite a few people noticed it.
In addition, the subsequent kings in the Yinsha military pay case temporarily reached an agreement to join forces, and with the addition of the young Prince Zhao in the palace, the court can be said to be calm on the surface during this period, but in fact there are undercurrents and people's hearts are restless.
Now that the old emperor is well again, of course he has to show up in public to show that he is safe and sound and dispel all speculations and rumors! The Lantern Festival Palace Banquet is a very suitable occasion, so this year's Lantern Festival Palace Banquet is particularly grand. All civil and military officials and royal family members above the fifth rank in the secondary capital can bring their families to participate, enjoy the Lantern Festival, spend the festival together, and have fun together with the emperor and his subjects!
Su Ci was also specially invited to attend the event. Although she didn't really want to go, she had no choice but to thank the honor with a stiff smile.
Su Ci has been a bit popular in the palace recently. As soon as the emperor bestowed this grace, clothes for attending the palace banquet were quickly made and delivered to her. They were also very considerate, for women, but not those dazzlingly beautiful palace skirts, but more elegant and simple, simple blue short-sleeved shirts that blended elements of men's robes.
Everyone in the palace is really smart. Needless to say, Su Ci was quite satisfied with the dress. She compared it and changed it again, and showed it to Yang Yanzong. She couldn't help but praise it a few times: "Don't tell me, this dress is quite beautiful."
She had two buns on her head, without any hairpins or rings, but only two strings of pearls wrapped around her long dark black hair. She was young, with red lips and white teeth, and was wearing a thick, fluffy silver fox fur hooded cloak. She tiptoed over in the snow, and her face looked even smaller, more innocent, delicate and charming.
Yang Yanzong held her hand. There was a grand banquet in the palace today. The palace maids and eunuchs were constantly coming and going in front of the Deqing Palace. He held her hand and slightly avoided the flow of people, saying, "Don't panic at the palace banquet, just eat and drink."
Now, many people inside and outside the palace have their eyes focused on her, but the overall situation has been decided and nothing can be changed by staring at her. It is a palace banquet, under the emperor's nose, so no matter how turbulent the undercurrents are, it will not affect her much.
Moreover, according to Yang Yanzong's judgment, with the definite "good news" that the emperor's health has recovered, tonight's Lantern Festival palace banquet should be a "harmonious and peaceful" occasion with singing and dancing. Those who are capable will not provoke the emperor to become the first to stand out and become the chicken to be killed to scare the monkeys, and those who are incompetent will keep their mouths shut. Over the years, those who are careless and incompetent have long since retired and returned home.
There are definitely some hidden meanings in the verbal sparring, but everyone will definitely stop when enough is enough.
Su Ci nodded rapidly. Needless to say, she would definitely not talk nonsense. She hoped that this stomach-ache meal would not cause too much stomachache.
Amitofo!
…
Overall, there were no major problems at the Lantern Festival Palace Banquet. There were a few unexpected situations, but they were quickly dealt with by Su Ci and were not a big deal.
She and Yang Yanzong arrived outside the Yongle Hall where the palace banquet was held, and then the two separated. Sun Shiping came in advance and told the eunuch to meet her, and also sent someone to personally lead her to the table.
——Ever since the old emperor's condition improved, the eunuch chief has been very friendly to her.
There is no need to elaborate on the magnificent Yongle Hall with melodious music. Among so many people, I am the only one who has no official position and is not a member of the category of high-ranking officials' family members or princesses. It is necessary for me to keep a low profile. However, after Su Ci took a seat, she found that her position was a bit delicate.
She looked around first. Yang Yanzong was sitting diagonally opposite her, in the section for military generals. The distance was quite far and there were so many people that she couldn't even see his face clearly. So she just took a cup of tea and sipped it, without moving her head, but looking around with her eyes.
Then the old emperor came.
"Your Majesty has arrived—"
The entire Yongle Hall was bustling with people. When they heard the sound of whips, they stood up. The bright yellow jade carriage went up the steps and arrived at the main gate of the Yongle Palace. It lowered with a slight "click". The curtains embroidered with nine dragons and cloud patterns were opened one by one, and the old emperor stood up wearing the imperial crown and a red court gown with bright yellow and sable inlays!
He slowly stepped down from the imperial chariot, one step at a time, his steps were not fast, but definitely steady. He walked through the hall, went straight up the jade steps, and sat down on the gold-painted nine-dragon chair. "Everyone, please stand up."
The voice is slow and deep, neither empty nor superficial.
There was no sign of illness or death, and he seemed as healthy and strong as ever.
The faces of many people below suddenly changed, and their eyes became gloomy and mysterious. Seeing is believing. No matter how many sources of information there are, it is not as shocking as seeing it with one's own eyes.
There were four kings, six kings, seven kings, as well as other civil officials and military officers. They all lowered their heads to hide the sudden changes in the expressions in their eyes.
All the ministers shouted "Long live the emperor" and were then asked to stand up and return to their seats. After a brief opening speech, the sound of silk feet was heard and dancers entered the stage gracefully, swaying their waists to the music.
The banquet began. The dancers were very beautiful and danced very well, but not many people really paid attention to the dance on the stage.
Su Ci felt that there were suddenly more eyes on her. She had just seen that all the eyes that should and shouldn't have come had come. On the gilded phoenix chair with a dragon head above her head sat the Empress Kun, who was wearing a dazzling and imposing golden and red palace skirt with a pattern of hundreds of birds paying homage to the phoenix. She glanced at Su Ci coldly. Opposite Su Ci was also the Duke of Kun. He no longer looked as embarrassed as he had that day. He sat calmly with a slight smile on his face, his eyes deep, and he sat together with a group of important ministers and high officials. He was a cabinet minister, and the chief cabinet official, the Left Prime Minister Feng, had white hair and beard and sat with his eyes slightly closed, as if he could hear or feel nothing and was concentrating on listening to the music.
There are so many different expressions. As for the Fourth, Sixth and Seventh Princes, there is no need to say anything. The Sixth Prince looks okay. Although he doesn't want to see the old emperor resurrecting, he is not sure of successfully defeating the Second Prince and Kun in one fell swoop. After thinking about it, he reluctantly accepts it. Besides, Yang Yanzong and Su Ci are his people, so his look looks okay.
In comparison, the Crown Prince's expression was much worse. He tried hard to restrain himself and not show any strange expression, but if you looked closely, you could still see the heavy haze in his eyes, and the knuckles of his fingers were turning white from the force he used to hold the cup.
None of this was surprising, but what was surprising was that she actually saw Ji Chengtan. Ji Chengtan also came and sat behind his brother Ji Yuanhao. When he noticed Su Ci looking at him, he looked at her with eyes full of longing, suppressed pain and rich emotions, which made Su Ci shudder and feel nosy.
——It turned out that Ji Chengtan was hit hard by her implicit, tactful and pointed questioning at the hunting ground that day, saying that he was irresponsible and could not bear the accusation of their future breakup. After that, he actually learned his lesson, stood up, put down his books, and took the initiative to ask to go out with his brother to learn how to do things. He failed the imperial examinations twice, and after considering it, Ji Yuanhao finally agreed to his request.
——Originally he didn't want his brother to get involved in this quagmire, but now the water is getting muddier and muddier. If the nest is overturned, Ji Chengtan will not be spared even if he stays at home. So he simply agreed and arranged him to a suitable position, and gave him some guidance when he was free.
So Ji Chengtan is now an official, serving as a clerk in the Ministry of Revenue, a position of low rank but with many promising predecessors.
Su Ci didn't like to talk to anyone, but she couldn't just sit there and do nothing, so she sipped her tea and pretended to concentrate on enjoying the singing and dancing. She sipped two cups without realizing it. When the banquet was halfway over, she followed the crowd to the side hall to change clothes. She even specially asked the eunuch that Sun Shiping had just called to lead her to the table to help lead the way.
But who would have thought that Ji Chengtan would actually sneak into the yard of the women's restroom. When Su Ci came out wiping her hands, a hand pulled her into the evergreen flowers from the side, almost scaring her to death: "Are you fucking crazy?!"
Do you know that scaring people can scare them to death?
Ji Chengtan was stunned by her scolding, and said anxiously for a while: "Second Mother, I'm sorry, I just have something to say to you..."
Su Ci was a little annoyed with him. She had been taught by her elders since she was a child that a person must have the ability to take responsibility for their own choices, regardless of whether they were men or women. Ji Chengtan's behavior just touched her nerves. In addition, this man was confusing and she became subconsciously annoyed when she saw him.
She said, "I'm already engaged, and I'll get married when I return home from the palace."
Ji Chengtan knew this, so he felt uncomfortable, "...Second Mother, I..."
"Alright, alright, leave me alone. If you really want to do this for my own good, don't come to me again. You know he has a bad temper."
Ji Chengtan lowered his head and took a deep breath, then looked up: "So, does he treat you well?"
"It's a good place chosen by my parents. Okay, I won't say any more. This is the palace! I'm busy. You should go back quickly. This is not a place for you. If you get caught, you'll be in big trouble."
Don't sacrifice your life for love.
Su Ci pulled her hand back in two or three moves, quickly pushed the guy away and got out of the flowers, straightened her clothes, walked out of the courtyard, smiled at the young eunuch, and then went back together.
However, Ji Chengtan is a bit annoying this time, but in comparison, he is still like a mosquito. His buzzing makes people irritated but has no lethality. This episode will pass if we put it aside.
But there was another thing that she couldn't easily get over.
Not long after Su Ci took her seat, she discovered that her seating arrangement was a little strange.
It turned out that she thought she would be arranged to sit next to Yang Yanzong. After all, they came together and she was his fiancée.
But when they arrived at the Yongle Hall, they found that the two were not sitting together.
That's fine. After all, Yang Yanzong is an official, so it's quite appropriate for him to sit on the side of the military generals. There's nothing wrong with that.
But after sitting down, she observed carefully and found that she was arranged between the seats of officials' wives and royal family members, very close to the latter, only separated by an aisle.
The seven or eight royal family members closest to her left were all young, and some of them were quite good-looking. With their genes optimized by generations of beauties, most of these young men were handsome and elegant. They were also very enthusiastic and outgoing. They would talk to Su Ci from time to time and seemed very friendly and curious about her.
Su Ci: “…”
This is the most important reason why Su Ci drinks so much tea. She has to keep her mouth occupied so that she can talk less.
She smelled a subtle scent.
This made Su Ci feel a little uneasy, and she had no mood to waste time talking to Ji Chengtan. She quickly sent him away after just a few words.
…
The Lantern Festival banquet ended and it was almost midnight.
It hasn't snowed for several days, but the temperature is still low. The snow on the eaves has been cleared clean, leaving only a little bit of white in the gaps, which is blown down from time to time in the dark cold wind.
Su Ci had just stood up and was about to leave with the people in the left seat. Before she could take two steps, a palace servant came over and said, "Miss Su, His Majesty has summoned you."
This palace maid looked very familiar. Like Sun Shiping, she was the aunt in charge of the emperor’s affairs. Her surname was Xu. She had also been serving the old emperor after he had surgery. There was no doubt that she was by his side.
Su Ci had a feeling that the second shoe was finally about to drop.
At midnight, it was pitch dark and a cold wind howled across the huge white marble square. The imperial guards holding swords and spears stood there motionless.
There were not many lights on in Shangyang Palace, only the dragon throne and three or four candles in the center. The dimness enveloped the not-so-bright light in the middle from all directions. The old emperor leaned on the throne and rubbed his brows. He had drunk a little wine, but vomited as soon as he came back. At this moment, he was drinking a cup of honey water served by palace servants.
Su Ci came in and knelt down to greet the emperor politely. The emperor did not stop drinking the honey water, so Su Ci did not say a word.
After a long time, he finally finished drinking the cup of honey water. The old emperor waved his hand, and the palace maid bowed and silently retreated with the cup of honey. The old emperor leaned on the throne, raised his eyelids, and his cloudy eyes moved, looking at the young girl kneeling quietly under his eyes.
After a long while, he chuckled, his voice a little hoarse from the alcohol, sounding even more profound and unfathomable, "Stand up."
The old emperor sat up straight. No one knew the efficacy of penicillin better than him. With the same method of knife and acupuncture, the imperial doctors in the Imperial Medical Bureau would be able to do well as long as they were willing to learn and study hard and practice makes perfect.
In the end he was able to recover, and the injected medication was the key.
Su called this "penicillin" and said it was accidentally extracted from some molds. The theory was not hers, but was discovered and initiated by her teacher who is no longer in this world. She just followed the subsequent research and took advantage of her predecessors.
The old emperor leaned back and asked, "Can your medicine be mass-produced?"
Su Ci's eyebrows jumped and she replied, "Your Majesty, the cultivation and extraction process is too complicated and cannot be done." This is indeed the fact.
"Yeah?"
The old emperor was a little disappointed. He tapped the armrest with his index finger and said in a deeper voice, "What about that?"
Su Ci blinked, cooperated, and took the initiative to ask for pen and ink to write down the surface production process.
Of course, she dared to guarantee that no one would be able to prepare it successfully unless they were told the key points and she taught them personally.
It’s a pity that a group of death row prisoners may die, but beheading is not very comfortable either.
After she finished writing, she whispered, "To this day, I dare not say that I have mastered the key to making it. It is sometimes good and sometimes not. It takes a lot of time, but only one in ten or two can succeed. I always test it on livestock before I can confirm whether it is successful."
She refused to give in. The old emperor asked her several times. She looked uneasy, but she still insisted on her story.
Finally the old emperor let her go back.
…
When she returned to Deqing Palace, her clothes on the back were soaked with sweat. Su Ci took off her hair and asked the palace maid to fetch water for her to take a bath.
The person went out and she paced back and forth in the bathroom with her hair loose. What should she do? She felt that things were going off the track!
If she doesn't take action, she may never be able to go back!
Oh my god, no!
"Damn Ji Yuanhao!"
She cursed fiercely. Su Ci had already learned from Yang Yanzong what Ji Yuanhao and the prince had done.
——This was what she feared the most at the beginning, otherwise she would not have kept sticking to the male protagonist.
With Yang Yanzong, and six kings above him, Yang Yanzong should have been safe.
Damn, but who would have thought that this Ji Bizi was born in the year of the dog!
Su Ci was exhausted, but she could not stand at all. She paced back and forth for a few circles, waiting for the palace servants to lead the strong eunuchs to carry water in. She tried to remain calm. After filling the bathtub with water, she quickly sent the people away and walked back and forth. The night was very quiet. Suddenly, she heard a very slight "click" sound from the window on the backlit wall of the bathroom in the west wing hall.
"who?"
She held her breath and lowered her voice for a while, "Is there anyone there?" Or was it the wind?
"It's me."
A familiar voice with a hint of natural indifference was heard, and the window frame moved silently. No one knew how he did it, but the window sill, which was tightly closed inside, was pulled up, and Yang Yanzong jumped in.
He was wearing a tight-fitting undershirt with a dark brown vest and soft armor on the outside. He was not wearing an outer robe, and his outfit was similar to a nightgown.
He was very tall, and when he stood there, the space seemed a little smaller. Yang Yanzong felt particularly compelling tonight. His dark pupils were bottomless and heavy, giving people a very strong and oppressive feeling, like a javelin being unsheathed, more dangerous and terrifying than usual.
Su Ci spoke carefully: "What's going on?"
Yang Yanzong slowly raised his eyes and stared at her face.
…
If Su Ci noticed this subtlety, how could Yang Yanzong not notice it? His feelings will only be earlier and more intuitive.
Since the past few days, he has noticed that some of the guards of the Deqing Army have been replaced. On the surface, it is a normal rotation, but in fact there are more people.
The extra part is on his side.
The west is loose and the east is tight. Su Ci lives in the west side hall, while he lives in the east side hall.
Moreover, the guards intentionally or unintentionally blocked him from going to the west side hall in the name of detailed palace rules. To be more precise, he was not allowed to go directly into Su Ci's boudoir.
And Su Ci was extremely busy these days, so she didn't notice it.
Leaving the Yongle Hall, it was dark and the wind was howling. He passed by an ordinary-looking young eunuch, who stuffed a small paper ball into his hand.
When he opened the changing room, he sneered.
This was an order from the Six Kings, asking him in detail about the situation of the Emperor and the Young Prince of Zhao, as well as one other instruction.
Yang Yanzong is different from Su Ci. Su Ci only needs to concentrate on the treatment. All other things are blocked by Yang Yanzong. She does not notice other things, but Yang Yanzong is always immersed in the undercurrent.
Yang Yanzong lowered his eyes and pondered for a moment, then pulled out a short-tipped charcoal pencil from his waist buckle, quickly finished writing, then stuffed it into the gap on the windowsill and left silently.
——Things have reached the most critical moment.
The six princes outside were watching and urging them, while the old emperor inside was very insightful, and the latter directly set his sights on his fiancée.
——It cannot be said that he was making plans. This description is not quite appropriate. He is the ruler of the world, the supreme ruler who looks down on everyone. The old emperor was just making a decision that seemed natural to him.
Humph, but this decision can directly change someone's life and disrupt many of his plans.
Stealing the wife!
Yang Yanzong smiled coldly.
What belongs to him, no one can take it away! !
Yang Yanzong's skills were indeed extraordinary. He pretended to be drunk, went back to the east side hall and fell asleep. He got up quietly, avoided the imperial guards who had a guard post every three steps and a sentry every five steps, and came to Su Ci's bathing room silently.
Su Ci asked him what was wrong?
He walked slowly, came in front of her, and slowly raised his eyes - in extraordinary times, extraordinary measures must be taken!
Su Ci raised her head and looked into his eyes. His deep eyes tonight were like a ferocious beast in a cage, able to devour everything in the next moment.
The bathroom was very quiet, and Su Ci swallowed.
She vaguely understood something, so when Yang Yanzong put his arms around her, she did not refuse.
She was a little nervous, but not too nervous. She always felt that this change made her speechless.
She bit her lip and blinked at him.
This, is this a fait accompli?
Right here? !
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