Chapter 38 The Imperial Edict in the Belt (Part Two) He summoned her to the palace to be by his side, protecting her…
Deng Jie retreated to the inner room, and Consort Dong, feeling guilty, asked, "Who...was it?"
"Please forgive me, Your Excellency, it was...it was the Military Advisor..." Deng Jie found it difficult to speak for a moment, feeling somewhat guilty. The commotion just now had certainly frightened her.
The noblewoman's face showed surprise. "What...what is he doing here?" she asked, shrinking back. Facing Deng Jie's questioning gaze, she lowered her eyes in even greater panic.
The person in question is only a teenager, and their appearance suggests they are still harboring something on their mind.
"Sending plums..." Deng Jie was a little reluctant, not wanting these things to affect the young girl in front of him who was about to become a mother, so he softened his voice, "Please don't worry, sir."
Hua Tuo's voice came from outside the door: "My lord, it's getting late, time to move on to the next place. Is everything alright here, sir?"
"Is Your Excellency alright?" Dong Cheng stepped forward and asked. "If there is nothing seriously wrong, then let Madam Deng go."
Upon hearing her father's voice, Consort Dong regained some strength and cleared her throat, saying, "Yes, I am unharmed."
Just as she was about to get up, Deng Jie rushed forward to support her. As their eyes met, a fleeting glance and a sudden movement caused Deng Jie to sigh inwardly.
After Deng Jie and Hua Tuo left the Dong residence, Dong Cheng waved to dismiss the servants and gathered with Ji Ping and Consort Dong at the table to take their seats.
"How is it? What did she say to you? She looks so pale." Dong Cheng asked urgently, his voice low.
Consort Dong, clutching her chest, repeated Deng Jie's words with lingering fear, "What exactly does she mean? How does she know about 'the affairs of the Imperial Academy,' and why did she say 'the family is unharmed'? Could it be... could it be that they have already..."
Dong Cheng and Ji Ping exchanged a glance. Ji Ping stroked his beard and said, "Please rest assured, Your Excellency. In my humble opinion, Deng's words do not seem to refer to that... 'major matter'."
The matter at the school administration office is indeed over. It caused quite a stir back then, and the maid was personally escorted out of the residence by her, so it's not surprising she knew about it. I think that's about all she knows, which is why she assumed we were 'unaffected.'"
Dong Cheng nodded. "That's right. Her open mention of the Imperial Secretariat actually shows she doesn't know the inside story... Compared to that, Guo Jia's statement 'The Left General is in the residence' is much better..."
As he spoke, his brows furrowed. "He specifically mentioned Liu Bei... he must have sensed something. He came with such a menacing aura, but then suddenly fell silent, casually put down the plums, and left."
Consort Dong looked at Dong Cheng with concern: "Why is that?"
“Indeed… Ever since they arrived in Xuchang, rumors about the couple have been rampant. Considering what they did today, it seems that Guo Jia truly has a fatal weakness!” Dong Cheng’s expression was resolute as he turned to Consort Dong, his eyes burning with determination: “Daughter, we have gained another protective talisman!”
Consort Dong was taken aback: "What does Father mean?"
"When you return, you should petition the Emperor to summon her to the palace so she can stay by his side and protect him until childbirth. At least that way, Guo Jia won't dare to act rashly, and the Imperial Secretariat won't easily harass him." Dong Cheng thought to himself, "Even if we can't stop Cao Cao, we can at least create discord between him and his minister, plus his status as a scholar from Yingchuan... If we can use this opportunity to win over Lord Xun, that would be even better!"
"But can she really agree..." Consort Dong hesitated. "Besides, can it really go so smoothly? Xun Yu's relationship with Cao Cao is probably very close, and Father doesn't have many personal guards..."
“She entered the palace by imperial decree, which was perfectly legitimate. No matter how unwilling Guo Jia was, he was just a private advisor. What right did he have to disobey the emperor’s orders? I don’t believe that Cao Cao would interfere in such a legitimate matter within the palace.”
Dong Cheng dispelled her doubts. "As for the troops... naturally we'll have to rely on Liu Bei. We've already discussed it, and once he gains military power, we'll take action immediately!"
"Daughter, do not worry. Didn't Chen Gongtai and Zhang Mengzhuo have close ties with Cao Cao back then, yet they still opened the gates to welcome Lü Bu? As long as we win over the gentry of Yingchuan, yesterday's Puyang... will be today's Xuchang!"
“Excellent, General, your plan is brilliant. With Lady Deng by the Nobleman’s side, firstly, she can keep Guo Fengxiao in check, and secondly, she is, after all, a woman and a physician. Her concern for the child in your womb is genuine. The Nobleman should try to win her over while she is in the palace; she might even become an asset to us,” Ji Ping added from the side.
Dong Cheng hesitated for a moment, then gritted his teeth and said, "Even if something were to happen... we could take her and Guo Jia down with us, so that Cao Cao... wouldn't get away with it either!"
Consort Dong touched her swollen belly and nodded solemnly: "I understand. After returning to the palace, I will go and ask His Majesty."
"Good!" Dong Cheng's spirits lifted, but then he remembered something and looked at Ji Ping: "When is the most appropriate time to act? It would be difficult if Guo Jia were at home."
"General, rest assured. I have heard that Yuan Shao is preparing his troops in Hebei and has already made some moves. Guo Fengxiao and Cheng Zhongde will soon be leaving the city to discuss the army's provisions. This is a golden opportunity!"
As the evening drum sounded, the imperial carriage escorted Hua Tuo back to his residence and then set off for the Guo residence.
Deng Jie sat alone in the carriage, recalling the events of the day at the Dong residence: Ji Ping and Dong Cheng's evasive words, deliberately having Consort Dong send her away to whisper in her master's ear, Consort Dong's terrified expression upon hearing "the Imperial Academy," and Guo Jia's sudden intrusion with a full court of armored soldiers...
If it were just to deliver plums, there would have been no need for Guo Jia to personally bring Cao Cao's armored soldiers... His specific mention of Liu Bei suggests he has some information, but no evidence yet. Was he here to trick Dong Cheng, or perhaps... to conduct a direct search? However, upon seeing me, he left immediately, perhaps abandoning the plan because he recognized a distinguished guest...
Everything was a tangled mess, repeatedly intertwined in her mind, yet she couldn't find a way out.
Guo Jia seemed to have been waiting at the door for a long time. As usual, he carried her out of the car. When their tired eyes met, his spirits softened.
Back in the backyard, Guo Jia took her hand and asked, "Your hands are so cold. Could it be... you were frightened at the Dong residence?"
Deng Jie shook his head and forced a smile. "No, it's just... I'm a little tired."
Guo Jia poured her a cup of tea and placed it in her hand to warm it. "Speaking of which, let's put the matter of the Medical Bureau aside for now."
Deng Jie paused, his hand holding the teacup still. Although he had some reservations, he didn't want to be too idle. He looked up at him and said, "Master has just arrived, and the medical cases are in need of manpower right now..."
“I know,” Guo Jia interrupted her. “It’s precisely because Hua Shi has arrived that he can handle things personally. I was the one who asked you to go in and out of those mansions before, but right now… things are a bit unsettled, and I don’t want to get you involved.”
Deng Jie's heart sank; it was indeed because of what happened today.
She put down her teacup. "Is this matter... serious? Is it related to General Liu? Will it affect important people?"
Guo Jia dared not lie to her question, and simply nodded slightly. “In short, you must stay far away. Xiangfang is free now, so you can go and try the new prescription, or stay home and spend more time with A Xiang. I will be going out of the city with Zhongde to collect grain in the next few days and will not be able to be by your side, so you must take good care of yourself.”
Seeing the genuine worry in his eyes, Deng Jie suppressed the disappointment she felt for not being able to help him. She couldn't understand those complicated matters anyway, so she nodded wearily and nestled into Guo Jia's arms, saying in a muffled voice, "Okay, I'll listen to you. As for the Medical Bureau… I'll talk to Master about it tomorrow."
Guo Jia relaxed slightly, leaning his head gently against Deng Jie's back, inhaling her unique fragrance and drawing in the calming scent. With a storm brewing, he hoped this little courtyard could maintain its usual tranquility, protecting the couple.
On the very day Guo Jia left the city, the emperor's decree was delivered to the small courtyard.
Although the eunuch who delivered the imperial decree was polite, his manner in taking her away brooked no questioning. He took her usual medical kit and medicine pouch, put them into the carriage, and headed straight for the palace.
Ayu Huai Niang was left behind in a panic. Although Deng Jie held Huai Niang's hand and comforted her before leaving, saying, "I will be fine. Tell him to wait for me to come back," the two still discussed that they had to go find Lady Bian and Lord Xun immediately.
The carriage drove into the palace gates, and the heavy vermilion doors slowly closed, isolating everything outside.
Deng Jie was taken to the Yeting Palace where Consort Dong lived and placed in a side room. Although it was more spacious than her own bedroom, the cold atmosphere conveyed an invisible sense of oppression and alienation.
The eunuch brought her clothes from the Imperial Medical Bureau and instructed her to change. "The noble lady is already waiting in the hall. Please hurry, Madam Deng."
After tidying his clothes and calming his mind, Deng Jie followed the eunuch to Consort Dong's residence.
Although it was only a few feet from the side room to the main room, she still curiously looked around the inner courtyard of the palace, but it seemed that the flowers and trees here were not as exquisite as those in her own backyard.
She never imagined that she, a commoner from a merchant family, would end up in the capital because of such an opportunity.
It is said that the emperor was born in the fourth year of Guanghe. If we calculate it that the emperor is only eighteen years old, seven years younger than me. No wonder Consort Dong looks so young.
Thinking of this, she couldn't help but feel more pity for Consort Dong. Regardless of their intentions in bringing her here, she couldn't let Consort Dong down. She had to do her best to be true to herself.
Consort Dong was already seated in the main seat of the hall. Compared to the day at the Dong residence, she had applied some light makeup today, and her panic was gone. She finally showed some of the majesty of a noble lady from the palace.
Seeing Deng Jie enter, she gave a deliberate smile: "Madam Deng has arrived, please take a seat."
"Thank you, Your Excellency." This treatment was somewhat different from what Deng Jie had expected. She had thought it would be colder and more distant, but she did not dare to let her guard down and met the nobleman's gaze openly.
"I imagine it must be inconvenient for you to suddenly enter the palace, Madam. It's just that I saw how close you are to me, and that you have received the true teachings of the divine physician. Even Ji Ping praised you for your thoughtfulness, so I asked His Majesty to summon you. Please don't blame me, Madam." As Consort Dong spoke, she gestured to a palace maid to bring tea.
"You flatter me, Your Excellency. I am fortunate to have your favor, how could I dare to speak ill of you... But I am concerned about Your Excellency's weight. Have you been resting well these days?" Deng Jie took out a pulse pillow from the green pouch and placed it on the table.
Consort Dong handed her her wrist, saying, "Much better, much better." Today, Guo Jia left the city and brought Deng Jie to his side, which relieved her of many worries; this was no exaggeration.
Deng Jie focused on feeling the pulse, and it was indeed more stable than the day before. She breathed a slight sigh of relief. "The fetal breathing is stable, which is a good sign..." She put away the pulse pillow, looked into Consort Dong's eyes, and slowly said, "Consort, please rest assured and take care of your pregnancy. I will definitely accompany you until the prince is born."
Consort Dong withdrew her hand and tentatively asked, "What about the Chief Priest..."
"He won't be home these next few days anyway, I'll just send someone to inform him when he gets back." Deng Jie made up his mind, deciding that since he was already there, he might as well make the best of it.
Instead of dwelling on those incomprehensible twists and turns, it's better to focus on the task at hand.
Moreover, Ah Xiang has grown to three years old. She has not seen the newborn baby for a long time, and it is not a bad thing that her expectations can be somewhat relieved here.
Thinking this to herself, she looked at Consort Dong's belly without showing any tenderness. When Huai Niang was pregnant, she had let her touch it, and at this stage of pregnancy, she could feel the fetus's curled-up outline.
Seeing that she was looking at her so intently, Consort Dong pulled her belly in and tugged at the hem of her dress to cover it up a bit.
She straightened up and put on a smile. "With you by my side, Madam... I feel much more at ease." She raised her hand to the palace maid to serve some snacks. "Come, try some of the palace snacks. Although they are not as varied as those outside, they have their own unique flavor."
Knowing he had been impolite, Deng Jie lowered his gaze and nodded slightly in apology.
She politely tasted a small piece; it smelled quite good, but in this unfamiliar and oppressive environment, she found it somewhat unappetizing.
She could sense that Consort Dong was trying to create a friendly atmosphere, but the wariness and distance in her eyes never disappeared.
Deng Jie sighed inwardly. Her years of accompanying Guo Jia had taught her that these were details she shouldn't delve into.
She steered the conversation back to prenatal care, explaining in detail the precautions for diet and daily life, and this exchange gradually calmed the atmosphere between the two.
Just then, a voice announced from outside: "His Majesty has arrived!"
Deng Jie's heart skipped a beat. He quickly straightened his clothes and rose to greet Consort Dong.
A note from the author:
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