Jinling—
The Imperial City.
The Imperial Medical Academy is currently living in fear, for the Emperor's health is deteriorating.
The Empress was furious and ordered the Imperial Physician to cure the Emperor within three days!
Otherwise, your head will roll!
What should we do?
In the sweltering summer heat, the emperor indulged in excessive cooling foods and drinks, which caused his health to deteriorate further.
No matter how meticulously the Imperial Physician cared for the Emperor's health, he couldn't sway the Emperor's mind.
"Alas, my life is over."
The old doctor sighed helplessly and closed the medical book he had been reading.
"Your Excellency, if ordinary medicine is ineffective, why not seek out some miraculous elixirs?"
One of the imperial physicians stepped forward and came up with a solution.
"A miraculous elixir? Where in this world can such a thing exist?"
The old physician sighed. If such a thing truly existed, why would there be any need for imperial physicians like them?
"A holy monk has arrived at Lingyin Temple, claiming he can concoct a miraculous medicine that can bring the dead back to life. Recently, many powerful and wealthy families in Jinling have been asking for the medicine for their elderly ladies, and the effects are..."
"Trying anything is better than certain death."
"Shh, keep your voice down. That's the Emperor, how can you compare him to..."
"Old Qian, tell me, do you have any better prescriptions?"
"If I had it, I wouldn't be standing here staring at you like this!"
"Your Excellency~"
"Send someone to fetch the medicine, but be extremely careful!"
"good!"
......
Qiankun Palace —
Inside the hall.
The palace maids knelt on the ground, trembling as they awaited the Empress's judgment.
"His Majesty has fainted! Is this how you try to fool me and His Majesty?!"
"This servant dares not, please forgive me, Your Majesty the Empress!"
"Guards, drag them all away and give them thirty strokes of the cane!"
"Yes, sir!"
"Spare this servant!"
"Mmm~"
After the palace maids were dragged out, the Empress, clutching her dizzy forehead, slowly sat down on the edge of the dragon bed.
"Your Majesty~"
Judging from his appearance alone, he seems to care about His Majesty and feel sorry for him.
After putting on a show, the Empress wiped away her tears with a handkerchief and instructed the palace maids she had brought to take good care of His Majesty and not to make any mistakes!
"Yes, ma'am!"
Soon, the palace maids he had brought with him took control of the Qiankun Palace...
The Grand Steward of the Imperial Household respectfully entered and reported:
"Your Majesty the Empress, His Highness the Crown Prince requests an audience."
"Youqin is here? Quick, let him in."
A flicker of panic crossed the Empress's eyes, but she quickly regained her composure.
What is he here for?
Baili Youqin calmly surveyed the situation outside the palace, and when she caught sight of her own informant among the palace maids being flogged, her eyes flickered.
Could it be that his mother has begun to take action?
"Your Highness, the Empress requests your presence in the palace."
The head steward bowed and stepped forward, smiling as he led the way.
"Thank you for your trouble, Steward Li."
Baili Youqin was able to become the crown prince not only because he was the eldest son of the legitimate wife.
More importantly, he is very talented.
He was so outstanding that even if the person was a eunuch, he could remain calm and extremely polite.
The imperial palace is a place rife with intrigue and scheming, making it impossible to guard against everything.
Even the lowest-ranking eunuch can play a significant role, let alone the Grand Eunuch of the Imperial Household.
Steward Li lowered his eyes, his smile deepening.
Few princes and princesses remember his surname and treat him with such courtesy and respect. His Highness the Crown Prince must have remembered his surname since childhood...
If His Majesty passes away, and if he is not assigned to the imperial mausoleum, then he will remain to serve the next emperor.
"Your subject greets Your Majesty the Empress Dowager."
Upon entering the inner palace, Baili Youqin immediately paid her respects to the Empress.
"You have a zither, so please dispense with the formalities!"
The empress's hand clenched into a fist inside her sleeve, her sharp, long nails piercing her skin.
For now, they haven't completely fallen out, and the two still need to put on a show of maternal love and filial piety.
"Mother, I was very worried about Father's health because he was unable to personally attend the ceremony at the Golden Palace today, so I came to visit him..."
Baili Youqin explained respectfully, her eyes subtly scanning the unfamiliar faces around her.
It seems that the Empress has replaced all the palace maids serving in the palace with her own people!
"Alas, your father has suddenly fallen ill with a chronic condition. Your mother has instructed the head of the Imperial Medical Academy to treat him as quickly as possible..."
The empress sighed and continued to go along with the flow, feigning compliance.
During their conversation, the emperor inside the bed curtains twitched his fingers, but did not open his eyes.
Yes, the emperor did not completely lose consciousness, but he was unable to move, his body was very tired, and he had no strength.
But that doesn't stop him from being able to hear and perceive what's happening around him.
For example, the current dialogue between the Queen and the Crown Prince.
Strangely, what was clearly a scene of maternal love and filial piety sounded like a string of deadly words to him!
"Youqin, you are the Crown Prince. Your mother hopes that before your father recovers, you will take charge of the overall situation."
As for your father, he'll be fine with your mother's care.
As the Empress finished speaking, her tone became somewhat impatient.
The crown prince is difficult to deal with, but it's not advisable to completely break ties with him for now...
"Your subject obeys the order and will certainly act as Your Majesty's representative to handle official business temporarily, while waiting for Your Majesty to recover."
Baili Youqin understood the Empress's implied meaning, so she wisely stopped talking, expressed her attitude, and took her leave.
After the Crown Prince left, the Empress seemed to have something to attend to as well. She instructed the palace maids to take good care of His Majesty before hurriedly departing.
These palace maids naturally acted with utmost care, daring not to make the slightest mistake...
It wasn't until the Imperial Medical Academy delivered the medicine that Eunuch Li personally examined it and carried it into the palace.
"Someone, quickly lift the bed curtains! This servant must personally attend to His Majesty's medicine!"
Chief Eunuch Li had served the emperor for over twenty years, so he naturally commanded respect. He was also the highest-ranking eunuch, and with a single word, the palace maids in the hall all stopped what they were doing.
Finally, the head palace maid curtsied politely and said:
"Yes, ma'am!"
Steward Li didn't say much. After all, the person was brought by the Empress. Even if you don't care about the person, you should at least give her some face. It's better not to offend her.
It's just a simple job of serving people, so it's okay to give instructions.
"Your Majesty, this old servant has fed you your medicine. Only by drinking it will you recover faster."
Steward Li held the medicine in his hands, one hand holding the bowl and the other using a silver spoon to feed the patient...
Perhaps his words had an effect, for although the emperor did not open his eyes, he swallowed the food cooperatively.
Inevitably, a small amount of the herbal medicine stained my clothes, which was quite noticeable.
The emperor was a germaphobe, a fact that Chief Eunuch Li, who had served him for over twenty years, was naturally aware of.
He immediately gave the order:
"Go and fetch His Majesty's sleeping robes. I need to help His Majesty change his clothes."
"Yes, ma'am!"
Upon hearing this, the palace maids quickly brought over his nightgown. Chief Eunuch Li, accustomed to serving the emperor, didn't notice his presence, but these maids were all in the prime of their youth, and he immediately turned his head away...
"You all turn your backs, I will help His Majesty change his clothes."
Manager Li frowned, thinking, "A bunch of worthless jerks."
"This servant thanks Steward Li for his consideration!"
However, these palace maids were unaware that as they turned around, the emperor on the dragon bed opened his eyes...
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