Chapter 61: Concubine Tian's Illness
Back at the bungalow, Zhao Xiaofei took a look at the goods. Shampoo, cosmetics, and sanitary napkins filled the house and yard. He nodded and called his eldest brother again, asking him to continue purchasing. Then, he traveled back to the Ming Dynasty with the goods.
Xiao Wen and Xiao Wu followed Zhao Xiaofei back to the Prince Consort's residence. Upon entering, Zhao Xiaofei saw Princess Kunxing practicing archery. With a whoosh, the arrow hit the bull's eye. It was fifty paces away. Zhao Xiaofei practiced even when he had nothing else to do, but it wasn't working. He could only say that the arrow hit the target.
Zhao Xiaofei clapped his hands and said, "Princess, your archery skills are truly amazing! I, your husband, can't even come close to your level!"
"Husband, you're back early!" When Kunxing heard that it was Zhao Xiaofei who came back, she immediately put down the bow in her hand and ran over with a smile.
"Let's go! Let's talk inside!" Zhao Xiaofei took Kunxing's hand and went into the house, and everyone else left.
Zhao Xiaofei sat down, and Princess Kunxing poured him a cup of tea and asked, "Husband, why are you here so quickly this time?"
"I have a bad feeling about your husband. Something might have happened, so I came back early!" Zhao Xiaofei lied.
Princess Kunxing's smile faded as she spoke, "My husband's premonition was truly accurate. Yesterday, news came from the palace that my brother, Cican, passed away the day before yesterday. Imperial Concubine Tian has been crying so much these days that she's injured herself. The imperial doctors are all busy treating her!"
"Oh! Then you should go to the palace to see her!" said Zhao Xiaofei.
"I can't enter the palace without my father's summons!" Princess Kunxing said dejectedly. She had lived in Yonghe Palace with Concubine Tian for so many years, and Concubine Tian had always taken good care of her. They had a good relationship, and when she heard that her youngest son had died, she felt very sad for her for a while.
Zhao Xiaofei thought, it's the rules again. But that's how the rules are. You think I'm just an ordinary citizen, and I can just go and visit someone whenever I want! Zhao Xiaofei took Princess Kunxing in his arms and asked, "Forget it, let's not talk about the palace. Then let me ask you, how are your studies going recently?"
"The history books record that Wu Zetian became emperor. I really admire her talent. But why do people say she is not good? Is it because she is a woman?" said Princess Kunxing.
"Yes! That's right! Everyone thinks that since she is a woman, she should abide by the code of conduct for women. And she cheated on Li Zhi, so these historians don't like her. But this has nothing to do with the cuckold. Even if Wu Zetian didn't cheat on Li Zhi, these historians would still write bad things about this female emperor. They are just afraid that this woman in power will affect the status of men!" said Zhao Xiaofei.
"My husband, you said that in the Kingdom of Nan'ao, not only are men and women officials serving in the same palace, but there is also a queen. How do queens live? Do they have countless concubines like Wu Zetian?" Kunxing asked.
"No! The queen has a husband! Only one! Her husband has to help her handle state affairs every day and govern the country with her, but all the credit goes to the queen. He can only be the man behind the queen!" Zhao Xiaofei said nonsense.
"Really? Your queen is the happiest woman in the world!" Kunxing said.
"Hey! What's wrong? Do you have any opinions about your husband? Then what makes you unhappy? Tell me!" Zhao Xiaofei asked teasingly.
"Husband! That's not what I meant! You're so mean, don't!" Princess Kunxing said coquettishly. Zhao Xiaofei immediately kissed her on the lips, catching Princess Kunxing completely off guard. Zhao Xiaofei's hands also became dishonest, wandering all over the princess's body. When the two were about to further communicate their feelings, Liu Gongzheng's voice came from outside the room: "Princess Consort! Eunuch Wang is waiting in the living room! I heard that he is going to invite the Prince Consort to the palace!"
This time it was Princess Kunxing who asked, "Which eunuch is it?"
"Princess! It's Eunuch Wang Chengen!" Liu Gongzheng replied.
Princess Kunxing felt a little disappointed. This eunuch Wang was not to be trifled with. If Wang Erxi could have asked her to wait a little longer, Princess Kunxing would have said, "Prince Consort! Go quickly and come back soon!"
"Evening! Wait for your husband in the evening!" Zhao Xiaofei tidied up his clothes with a wicked smile and went to the living room.
"Eunuch Wang! What's the matter that brings you here in person?" Zhao Xiaofei said with a smile.
"Empress Tian is ill, and the imperial doctors are helpless. Imperial Doctor Hu has recommended you again this time. Pack up and come with me to the palace." Wang Chengen said anxiously.
"Isn't this bad? It's against the rules for me to go here when Concubine Tian is sick." This time, Zhao Xiaofei finally brought out the rules to make an excuse.
Wang Chengen was so angry that he laughed and said, "Rules? Rules are for others, not for the emperor! Do you want to understand this clearly?"
"Oh! Okay, let's go!" said Zhao Xiaofei.
"Aren't you going to take the medicine box?" Wang Chengen asked.
"I need to see what the disease is first! My medicines are not omnipotent. I will go to the palace and talk to Doctor Hu first." Zhao Xiaofei said.
"Okay! Let's go!" Wang Chengen urged.
The two entered the Forbidden City and went directly to Yonghe Palace. Doctor Hu was in the side hall where he and several other doctors were discussing how to prescribe medicine for Concubine He Tian.
Doctor Hu saw Zhao Xiaofei and quickly stood up and saluted, saying, "Your Majesty! You are finally here. Please take a seat."
"I'm talking to Doctor Hu, Envoy Hu. You're really good at finding trouble for me! I'm not an imperial physician. It doesn't seem appropriate to ask me for help when the imperial concubine is sick," asked Zhao Xiaofei.
"There's nothing I can do! Although the imperial concubine has managed to eat something, her complexion and spirits are still very bad. The palace maid said that the imperial concubine always couldn't sleep at night and she has lost a lot of weight. Moreover, no matter what the palace maid asked her, she took a long time to respond. The emperor is very worried and asked us to cure the imperial concubine. I and other imperial doctors have tried several prescriptions, but none of them worked!" Doctor Hu said anxiously.
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