Chapter 36 Jiangnan People
As they were talking, a report came from outside. It turned out that Hu Shanxiang heard that Zhu Yuhuan had brought a doctor from outside the palace to diagnose Empress Dowager Zhang's pulse, so she brought a group of concubines to visit the Empress Dowager.
Empress Dowager Zhang smiled and let them in. She said, "Haven't you been exempted from paying respects these days? Why are you here?"
Hu Shanxiang glanced at her daughter. Before she could speak, Concubine Sun smiled and said, "We heard that the princess has found a common doctor for the Empress Dowager. We are all a little curious."
Zhu Yuhuan hadn't seen Sun Mengqiu for a while. When he saw her today, she looked much better, at least better than Hu Shanxiang.
Zhu Yuhuan didn't believe in any secret recipe for having children, but the idea of conditioning the body was indeed true. Xu Wangzhi happened to be there, so he asked her to take the opportunity to examine these concubines, and she would probably be able to come up with some results.
Empress Dowager Zhang had just offered everyone in the harem a seat when she saw Concubine Sun take the initiative and said with a smile, "Wangzhi's medical skills are no less than those of the imperial physicians. Just now, with just a simple examination of my condition, he was able to diagnose my condition. It's a good opportunity, Wangzhi, for you to check on them too, to see if anyone is feeling unwell."
Hu Shanxiang said gently, "Mrs. Xu came here specifically to see the Empress Dowager. She should be concentrating on treating you. Why should she be distracted by us? The doctors at the Imperial Hospital are also dedicated and can cure any minor illness we have."
Empress Dowager Zhang sighed and said, "The Empress is busy with palace affairs and also has to manage the charity outside the palace. You should take care of your health." She glanced at Concubine Sun and said, "I heard that your mother has been visiting you frequently in the palace lately, bringing some medicinal herbs. But when it comes to medical skills, you should see a doctor more often. You can't avoid seeing a doctor and try those folk remedies recklessly. Not only will you harm your health, but Your Majesty will also suffer."
Concubine Sun understood the Empress Dowager Zhang's intention and was stunned for a moment, but she still smiled and replied, "Your Majesty is right. Today, I am also blessed by Princess Shunde's filial piety to the Empress Dowager."
The concubines immediately followed suit and complimented Empress Dowager Zhang.
Empress Dowager Zhang knew that Concubine Sun's mother had brought "fertility medicine" into the palace, but the ordinary concubines did not know about it. They just thought that Concubine Sun was unwell and asked her to take care of her health.
Concubine Sun just forced a smile and agreed.
Zhu Yuhuan had already understood that Empress Dowager Zhang was anxious to have a grandson and wanted to check the health of her son's concubines to see if there was anything wrong with their bodies.
Empress Dowager Zhang could check Zhu Zhanji's pulse, but unless it was a special case, she didn't want to touch the emperor's pulse. In comparison, checking the concubines' health was much more convenient. This was especially true of Concubine Sun, who was the most favored in the palace, but she had only one daughter. Even though Empress Dowager Zhang didn't care which concubine her son favored, considering the issue of national succession, she always had to play the role of "the wicked mother-in-law" at critical moments.
Xu Wangzhi didn't understand these twists and turns. He just glanced around at the concubines' faces and then said, "The Empress seems to be lacking in energy and blood. Is it because she hasn't been getting enough rest?"
Hu Shanxiang hadn't expected her to start with her illness. Seeing Empress Dowager Zhang looking at her, she could only say, "Yes, there are some. I've always been a light sleeper, so I've gotten used to it."
Empress Dowager Zhang disapproved, saying, "While it's important for the Empress to take care of the six harems, she can't neglect her own health either. Wang Zhi, take a close look at her."
With Empress Dowager Zhang's words, Hu Shanxiang had nothing to say and had to let Xu Wangzhi take her pulse.
Because they were both women, Xu Wangzhi was much more comfortable taking Hu Shanxiang's pulse than the imperial physician. She then carefully examined Hu Shanxiang's hand before speaking solemnly, "The Empress is not only suffering from insufficient Qi and blood, but also from overwork. You should use your eyes less, eat more mutton, fish, and shrimp, and less buckwheat and mustard greens... You must take good care of your body before considering other matters."
Zhu Yuhuan, who was standing by, had already taken what he had said to heart. He was thinking of asking Xu Wangzhi later if there was anything else that needed extra attention, and then asking the palace maids around his mother to help him.
Approaching fifty is passing, approaching six is basic, and approaching seventy or eighty is a great joy.
Empress Dowager Zhang said solemnly, "Queen, your health is the most important thing. If you fall ill, what will happen to Huanhuan and Tongtong?"
Hu Shanxiang agreed repeatedly, and seeing Zhu Yuhuan laughing secretly, she felt a little helpless. Then she said to Xu Wangzhi, "I have written down all the medical instructions of Madam Xu."
Xu Wangzhi met her gaze and saw that she was gentle and humble. Although she was dressed luxuriously, she did not seem overbearing or condescending at all. Only then did he understand where Zhu Yuhuan's innate friendliness came from.
The mother and daughter do have similarities in essence.
Empress Dowager Zhang asked Xu Wangzhi to examine Concubine Sun. As soon as Xu Wangzhi stretched out his hand, Concubine Sun seemed to want to dodge, but Empress Dowager Zhang was above her, so Concubine Sun couldn't really refuse. She had to stretch out her hand and let her take her pulse. There was only a trace of panic between her brows, and Concubine Sun continued to look cheerful and talkative as usual.
Zhu Yuhuan noticed that she was looking at him intentionally or unintentionally. He didn't know whether she was afraid that Xu Wangzhi would diagnose something or that Zhu Yuhuan would find out something.
The two had already agreed to "depend on their own abilities", so it was understandable that Concubine Sun would be wary of Zhu Yuhuan. However, this was indeed a bit too deliberate, which made Zhu Yuhuan more convinced that the so-called "fertility medicine" was just a cover, and Concubine Sun must have other preparations.
Xu Wangzhi took her pulse for a moment and said, "Your Highness is in good health, there is no need to worry."
Hu Shanxiang smiled slightly upon seeing this and said, "That's great. Previously, the Imperial Concubine had been feeling unwell occasionally, but the Imperial Hospital was unable to find a cure. Unexpectedly, she's getting better now. This shows that this folk remedy is truly unique."
Concubine Sun looked at Hu Shanxiang with gratitude on her face, but her expression froze when she noticed Zhu Yuhuan's gaze.
She naturally knew that Zhu Yuhuan thought more deeply than ordinary people, and she was probably already doubting her at this moment.
Zhu Yuhuan didn't have so many thoughts in her mind. She just watched Xu Wangzhi taking Wu Miaosu's pulse and thought about Wu Miaosu's physical condition.
She naturally didn't know when these emperors were born, but when Xuanzong died, Zhu Qizhen was still young, and Zhu Qiuyu was only one or two years younger than Zhu Qizhen, so it was probably within the past two years.
Empress Dowager Zhang asked again, "How is Concubine Xian's health?"
Apart from Concubine Sun, the only one who was still favored in the palace was Concubine Wu, so she couldn't help but have high hopes for her.
The queen's health was already poor, and her relationship with the emperor was distant. It was highly unlikely that she would give birth to a legitimate son. Therefore, no matter which concubine it was, giving birth to a prince was the most important thing.
"Her Majesty's pulse is stable, but she seems to have a cold. She needs careful treatment." Xu Wangzhi looked at Wu Miaosu's hand, startled. He asked, "Her Majesty, did you often do rough work? Did you occasionally suffer from back pain and leg pain?"
Although most of the women in the palace came from ordinary backgrounds, once they entered the palace and became concubines, they rarely mentioned their past backgrounds, not to mention that some concubines' families had lived in poverty in the past, but now they have become well-off. It would be embarrassing to mention these things, and it is also a taboo in the palace.
Therefore, several concubines couldn't help but look at Wu Miaosu, curious about how she would react.
Wu Miaosu didn't care. She nodded slightly and said, "My family is poor, so we always need help. Working is inevitable. Moreover, I was a maid when I entered the palace. Even if I passed the examination to become a female official, I still had to work. I think it must be a leftover illness from before. The leg pain has only been there for the past two years."
Everyone then remembered that this virtuous concubine had disguised herself as the emperor, who was then the crown prince, in order to ensure His Majesty's safe return to the capital to inherit the throne, and had lured away the King of Han's ambush, so she could be considered a meritorious official.
With such courage and insight, if Wu Miaosu were not a woman, she would surely have become an important official.
Xu Wangzhi didn't know what the others were thinking, so he said seriously, "Her Majesty the Concubine has a good health foundation, but she has had some minor ailments over the years. She just needs to pay more attention to her diet on a daily basis."
Hu Shanxiang was more concerned about this than her own health. She immediately said, "That's perfect. Let Madam Xu go to your palace and ask the palace maids to pay more attention to the food in the small kitchen."
Wu Miaosu hurriedly stood up and said, "Thank you, Her Majesty, and thank you, Madam Xu."
Xu Wangzhi quickly returned the greeting, "Your Highness, you are so polite."
Concubine Sun unconsciously looked at Zhu Yuhuan again, and seeing her standing there without saying a word, her heart tightened.
Even though Zhu Yuhuan had made a promise to her before, Concubine Sun always became more wary of him when she thought of Zhu Yuhuan's scheming.
She knew that with the Queen's temperament and His Majesty's preference, the Queen would probably not have any more children. However, Concubine Xian was from Hu Shanxiang's family. If Hu Shanxiang intended to adopt Concubine Xian's child, like what happened with Emperor Renzong of Song Dynasty...even if Wu Miaosu was not as favored as her, Concubine Sun would have to be on guard against her.
Empress Dowager Zhang suddenly thought of something and said, "I remember that Concubine Xian's family is in Dantu, and Wang's family is in Wuxi. They are not very far away."
Wu Miaosu had never expected that Empress Dowager Zhang would suddenly bring up this matter, so she replied, "Yes."
Xu Wangzhi was very surprised and said, "I used to practice medicine in Dantu."
Wu Miaosu's heart tightened, and she could only smile. Just as she was thinking about how to respond, Zhu Yuhuan had already said jokingly, "You're not going to try to get close to Empress Wu by using her parents and brothers who have treated her, are you?"
Xu Wangzhi didn't know the situation and said quickly, "I didn't... No, I didn't... The parents of the virtuous concubine are naturally safe and sound..."
Empress Dowager Zhang glanced at Zhu Yuhuan with a look of disapproval, and then comforted Xu Wangzhi: "She loves to joke around, so don't take what she says to heart."
Wu Miaosu also breathed a sigh of relief, then smiled and said, "The princess was just teasing a few words, Madam Xu, don't take it to heart. My younger brother wrote to me a while ago, saying that he is safe and sound."
Xu Wangzhi finally breathed a sigh of relief, but she was quite confused as to why Zhu Yuhuan suddenly made such a joke, and she was frightened and at a loss as to what to do.
Zhu Yuhuan realized that Concubine Sun was looking at him, but he didn't make any unnecessary movements. He just smiled and said to Empress Dowager Zhang, "Grandma, I tried a dish of roasted mutton a while ago. It was really delicious. Winter is almost here, so why don't we add a dish of mutton to the menu for everyone in the palace?"
Empress Dowager Zhang thought that mutton was indeed more nutritious. All the concubines in the palace had some minor health problems. The most important thing was to recover their health and give birth to children as soon as possible, so she nodded in agreement.
"I'll issue this precedent and have someone tell the Guanglu Temple staff not to leave any concubine behind."
A female official next to her responded, "Yes."
Xu Wangzhi naturally couldn't see all the beauties in Zhu Zhanji's room, and since this was in the Empress Dowager's palace, he couldn't let the Empress Dowager look at them all one by one, so he quickly moved on to Hu Shanxiang's Kunning Palace. By the time Xu Wangzhi had seen them all and given instructions to the palace maids one by one, it was already dark.
Hu Shanxiang originally wanted to let Xu Wangzhi have dinner in the main hall, but Zhu Yuhuan knew that she probably could not hold on any longer, so he brought her to his own yard and asked someone to simply clean up a side room for her to stay overnight before serving dinner.
Xu Wangzhi had been seeing patients all the time and was already starving. Naturally, he didn't care about his meals, which surprised the female official serving him.
Princess Shunde's daily meals were not infrequent, but she had to study, practice archery, and work alongside the craftsmen. It was natural for her to eat more, but wasn't this Miss Xu a doctor? How could she eat without any restrictions?
Xu Wangzhi didn't care about other people's looks and said frankly: "You must eat your fill, otherwise you won't have the energy to do anything."
Seeing her like this, Zhu Yuhuan laughed and said, "If the palace ladies eat too much, they might make mistakes when doing their work, so they try to eat as little as possible."
Xu Wangzhi had never thought of this before, and was slightly stunned. He then put down his bowl and chopsticks, stood up and said, "I don't know..."
Her behavior made the ladies-in-waiting and the palace maids feel a little embarrassed, and they hurriedly said, "These are the rules that only exist within the palace. It's normal for Madam Xu not to know about them."
Seeing that she was still a little uneasy, Zhu Yuhuan said, "Just enjoy your meal. Grandma's headache is an old illness. You will have to stay in the hospital for a long time at least. You can't keep like this."
Xu Wangzhi was a little depressed when she mentioned this. Suddenly, she thought of something and her eyes lit up. She turned and asked, "When can you take me to the Imperial Hospital? Didn't the Empress Dowager say that she could take me to the Imperial Hospital to learn from the doctors?"
Seeing her suddenly perk up, Zhu Yuhuan smiled and said, "Wait until you've adapted to life in the palace, then I'll take you there."
Hearing her say this, Xu Wangzhi immediately picked up the food with his chopsticks and said, "Then I'll eat more, so I can adapt faster."
Seeing her eating so happily, Zhu Yuhuan's appetite was also aroused and he started to eat.
After eating and drinking, Xu Wangzhi asked curiously, "By the way, why don't you see Huai En, who is always by your side? Is he some kind of expert who is secretly protecting you? He only stays by your side to protect you when you are in danger?"
Zhu Yuhuan explained: "Huai En is studying in the inner hall now, and can no longer stay by my side to take care of me like he usually does."
"Reading?" Xu Wangzhi was a little surprised and asked, "Is there a place to study in the palace?"
"Daddy just opened the Inner Academy. The palace eunuchs select talented individuals to study there. Not only are they taught by renowned teachers, but they also have fewer chores to do." Seeing Xu Wangzhi's stunned expression, Zhu Yuhuan half-jokingly said, "After all, scholars are more respected, and this applies to the eunuchs and palace maids as well."
Xu Wangzhi sighed and said, "Many people outside the palace can't even get an education, yet they still hope to produce a successful candidate... At this time, it would be better to be in the palace."
Zhu Yuhuan said with a half-smile, "Once someone in the family passes the imperial examination, they will be exempt from taxes, labor service, and grain levies... People will naturally flock to study."
Xu Wangzhi also nodded and said, "We have people helping people evade grain taxes." Seeing that there were no female officials or palace servants in the room, she whispered, "By the way, when we were at the Empress Dowager's, why did you suddenly tease Consort Xian's parents? What if she got angry..."
Zhu Yuhuan thought that Wu Miaosu was not angry at all, but was clearly relieved.
She thought for a moment, then said to Xu Wangzhi, "Mrs. Wu hasn't seen her family for a long time. You've practiced medicine in Dantu, and you're also from Jiangnan. I'm sure Mrs. Wu would ask about this. It's just a joke, don't take it to heart."
Xu Wangzhi patted his chest and murmured with lingering fear: "That would be best..."
Zhu Yuhuan recalled what happened today and felt a little uneasy.
Although household registration can be forged, Empress Dowager Zhang's words today have reminded her that she must disguise some traces of her life, otherwise if she is really asked about it one day, there is a risk of being exposed.
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