Chapter 1001: Chapter 995: Entering the Palace (3)
Xiqiu crouched to salute, "This humble one greets the Imperial Concubine." Beside her, Ruan Jingliu followed suit with a hasty curtsey, considering it as paying respects.
Consort Le didn’t mind, nodded at Ruan Jingliu, and personally helped Xiqiu up with a smile, "For my sake, you specially asked Fourth Madam to make this trip." Saying this, she pulled her inside, "Let’s talk inside."
The group entered the room, directly turning to the side hall inside. As soon as they entered, Xiqiu saw Min sitting inside, wearing a dark blue robe with hidden patterns and silver edges. He sat there, and upon seeing her enter, he stood up excitedly, muttering something to himself... The noble concubine smiled and said, "His Highness just arrived." Then she introduced Xiqiu to Min, "Your Highness, this is Madam Xiao, the wife of the Grand Commander Xiao."
Xiqiu’s gaze quickly scanned Min’s face, noticing that he had lost some weight and had grown taller. She curtseyed, "Your Highness," and did not look up again. Ruan Jingliu also took a closer look at Min and paid her respects alongside Xiqiu.
Min reluctantly withdrew his gaze from Xiqiu, lowered his eyes, and waved his hand, saying, "No need for formalities." His eyes were full of helplessness and bitterness as he sat back down and lowered his head to drink tea.
Le Xiu, with a lively gaze, said, "His Highness happened to pass by to visit me. Fourth Madam is not an outsider, so let’s sit down and chat together." After saying this, she ordered tea for Xiqiu and Ruan Jingliu and waved away the attendants in the hall, "Everyone leave!"
Chief De waved the Buddhist Dust, leading everyone out to guard the entrance. Inside, only Xiqiu and the others remained.
Min raised his head, looking at Xiqiu with joy, to which Xiqiu gently shook her head. Min gathered his expression back to its former distant demeanor...
"Wenhua Hall will be on break starting today," Le Xiu said casually. "The Emperor, out of consideration, decided to let the princes study in the inner hall of Yangxin Hall starting tomorrow. They will get to listen to important court matters without missing their studies." Saying this, she looked at Min, full of support in her eyes.
Xiqiu paused in her thoughts. This was an excellent opportunity to show oneself and accumulate knowledge about court affairs. Although it seemed somewhat hasty, as the youngest of the princes was only a year old and might not gain much, it was still a method of subtle influence. Moreover, it provided a chance to meet and interact with key ministers, potentially aiding their future prospects.
She looked at Min and said with a smile, "Then Your Highness must listen carefully to what the Emperor and the officials say. Different angles and perspectives on one matter lead to different conclusions. By listening, memorizing, and thinking more, you will surely gain something, not letting the Emperor’s good intentions go to waste." Realizing she might have spoken out of turn, she quickly added, "I’m just speaking nonsense, forgive my rudeness!"
"No!" Min waved his hand, "What you said is very good." Seeing Xiqiu speaking to him like this, he felt somewhat anxious, wanting to uphold her dignity.
Le Xiu glanced at Min, and joining the conversation with a smile, she said, "Yes, Fourth Madam is right. This is indeed a great opportunity." After speaking, she looked at Min, "His Highness must remember this."
Min lowered his eyes and nodded, "Yes!"
Xiqiu looked at him like this and felt a faint heartache...
Le Xiu thought for a moment and said, "It’s just that getting up early is quite difficult, and Yangxin Hall is colder than elsewhere." After finishing her thought, she said, "I’ll instruct Chief De to bring more silver frost charcoal to your place later. Be sure to light the hand warmer early tomorrow morning."
Min paused, nodding, "Alright!" His gaze involuntarily fell once again on Xiqiu.
"Nurse Zhang," Le Xiu glanced outside the hall and said softly, "I trouble you to take the pulse of the Eldest Prince..."
Xiqiu and Ruan Jingliu were both taken aback, with Xiqiu blurting out nervously, "Is there any discomfort?" Le Xiu waved her hand, "Fourth Madam needn’t worry, it’s just a routine peace pulse check."
Xiqiu slightly frowned as she looked at Min. Min, fearing Xiqiu’s concern, explained, "I’m really all right."
Only then did she slightly feel reassured, watching as Ruan Jingliu stood up, walked over to Min, and attentively checked his pulse, later replying calmly, "Everything is fine!" After this, she looked at Min, "It’s just that His Highness is still growing, so pay attention to nutritional balance!"
Xiqiu was taken aback, looking at Min, who blushed... Xiqiu had a sense of understanding, probably worrying that Min often refrained from eating certain foods out of safety concerns!
She sighed inwardly, with Le Xiu thoughtfully watching Min, then smiling as she thanked Ruan Jingliu, "No issues mean everything is fine."
Ruan Jingliu returned to her seat and sat down. Le Xiu then said to Min, "Does His Highness still need to fetch something from Wenhua Hall? Should I ask Chief De to take you there?"
Min stood up: "No need." After giving Xiqiu a deep look, he rose and said, "I will go by myself, I still need to go to the Imperial Study Room later." After speaking, he clasped his fists towards Le Xiu and turned to leave. Le Xiu also stood up: "Then let me see you off." After saying this, they both left the room. At the door, she straightened his collar, saying, "It’s cold outside, wear more layers." She then had someone bring Min’s cloak, and personally draped it over him with a gentle smile: "Go ahead!"
Min turned back to look at Xiqiu and quickly left with his eyes lowered.
Xiqiu’s hands trembled a bit as she held the tea, while Ruan Jingliu silently glanced at her, smiling: "This tea must be brewed with snow water; its flavor is fresh and the aftertaste is rich, truly something unique from the palace."
Xiqiu looked up at her, then pursed her lips and nodded: "Yes, the aftertaste is indeed long-lasting." Just as Le Xiu returned, hearing these words, she said: "It was part of the tribute from Fujian this year. If the Fourth Madam likes it, you can take some back later."
"It would be impolite to refuse. I will shamelessly accept the reward from Her Highness," Xiqiu said with a light laugh. Le Xiu waved her hand: "No need to be so formal with me." She then sat back in her seat, her eyes falling on Ruan Jingliu: "I’ve heard of you when I was at my aunt’s house. Today, I finally have the fortune to meet you in person, and you are indeed even more beautiful than they said!"
"Your Highness praises me too much." Ruan Jingliu responded lightly and then fell silent. Le Xiu, not minding, got straight to the point with them: "... Actually, it’s not just for checking the Eldest Prince’s pulse." She said while bringing over a prescription: "I also want you to look at this prescription. I don’t understand it... see if there’s any issue."
Ruan Jingliu stood up, accepted the prescription with both hands, and glanced over it, frowning slightly before turning and handing it to Xiqiu. Xiqiu also took a look and looked up at Le Xiu, asking: "Is this prescription for treating a cough?" The dosage in the prescription was a bit light, and it was missing purple perilla.
Le Xiu nodded: "Yes, it’s for treating a cough, prescribed by the Imperial Hospital for the Emperor!"
Xiqiu nodded as well, returning the prescription to Le Xiu. Ruan Jingliu said: "There’s nothing wrong with the prescription, but without seeing the patient I can’t diagnose anything. Do you know how long the patient has been coughing?"
Le Xiu replied without thinking: "Since early November, it’s been about two months. Coughing at night, no symptoms during the day."
The cough lasting so long was problematic, but Ruan Jingliu didn’t say much more, suggesting: "I don’t think a new prescription is necessary. Just increase the amount of each ingredient in the current one, add some purple perilla, and have them drink it more frequently to see if the symptoms lessen."
Le Xiu nodded in agreement: "I’ll take it to the Imperial Hospital and have them handle it accordingly!" Xiqiu then asked solemnly: "Is there any other issue?"
Le Xiu expressed her inner turmoil with a sigh: "It’s just that the Emperor’s illness came on so suddenly and has lasted for so long, it feels strange, but I can’t pinpoint what’s odd..." She furrowed her brows tightly.
Xiqiu’s heart skipped a beat, as if understanding what worried Le Xiu. She asked: "Who manages the Emperor’s meals?"
"Chief Chang," Le Xiu replied: "I’ve already checked what you mentioned and found nothing wrong. Besides the cough, the Emperor has no other discomfort, which makes me wonder if I’m overthinking it."
It was not necessarily an overreaction; since there was suspicion, there was likely a reason. Showing a thoughtful expression, she turned to comfort her: "Perhaps it’s overthinking; coughs are often tough to treat thoroughly. First, take the medication and adjust gradually."
"That’s all we can do, cannot say too much to the Emperor, lest it arouses suspicion," Le Xiu said with a resigned smile, seeing Xiqiu’s furrowed brow, then added: "I have burdened the Fourth Madam with worry." Xiqiu smiled and shook her head, to which Le Xiu explained: "The Emperor entrusted the Eldest Prince to my care, I will be extremely cautious, Fourth Madam can rest assured, I really invited you here just to check the Eldest Prince’s pulse and wish for peace today!"
"With you looking after the Eldest Prince, there is no reason for me not to be at ease," Xiqiu said softly, still pondering the Emperor’s condition. Listening, Le Xiu squinted slightly, revealing a sharp glint: "... I am no longer the Le Xiu who knew nothing back then, to be manipulated and not dare to speak up!"
Xiqiu was secretly alarmed; in that moment, Le Xiu had lost her former innocence, reminding her of the first time she entered the palace and saw the Empress Dowager, though smiling, her gaze was chilling.
"However, Your Highness must also take care of yourself; your own health is most important," Xiqiu said with concern: "A few days ago I heard Madam Ruan mention you had caught a cold. I wanted to come to the palace to pay my respects but feared disturbing you, so I held back. Seeing you recover today brings great relief."
Le Xiu resumed her smile, pressed her lips, and nodded: "Thank you, Fourth Madam, for your concern." After exchanging a few more words, Xiqiu and Ruan Jingliu rose to bid farewell. Le Xiu, seeing them to the door, smiled: "We might meet again for the New Year; I won’t see you off too far."
Xiqiu replied: "Take care, Your Highness!" and returned the way they came with Ruan Jingliu and Chief De.
Min stood behind the flowering branches, watching Xiqiu walk away step by step, tears welling up in his eyes as they reddened...
