Chapter 965: Chapter 961: The Final Curtain (5)
Xiao Yanyi exchanged a glance with the First Master, thinking someone had come from the Empress’s side. The two greeted a few others and went to the door. The eunuch looked around to ensure there was nobody nearby before lowering his voice and saying, "I have been entrusted to inform the Marquis and the cabinet minister that the Fourth Madam is perfectly safe in the palace. As for when to fetch her, please wait for her message."
Then he paused and spoke to the First Master, "The Fourth Madam said to go to Four Symbols Alley to find Nurse Zhang." The words were brief, with no superfluous meaning.
The First Master’s eyes moved, yet he understood his daughter’s hint and nodded slightly.
Seeing no further need to stay, the eunuch made a gesture as if to leave.
"Thank you, Your Excellency." Xiao Yanyi clasped his hands with a smile and said, "I entrust the Fourth Madam’s well-being to your care in the palace." As he spoke, he casually took off his jade pendant and placed it in the eunuch’s hand. "Thank you!"
The eunuch hesitated but accepted it after some thought, nodding, "I’m just a messenger. Rest assured, I will inform the Marquis immediately if there’s any news."
Xiao Yanyi nodded, and the eunuch gave a nod to the First Master before swiftly leaving through the back door.
The First Master frowned slightly, pondering that Miss Qiu must know about their upcoming plans, perhaps not wanting her situation to disrupt them or that she was already prepared. He glanced at Xiao Yanyi, who was deep in thought, secretly puzzled as the eunuch’s rank clearly indicated he served nobles like imperial concubines. Could it be that Xiqiu was discreetly seeking assistance from a noble concubine?
"We should wait a bit longer!" Xiao Yanyi said slowly.
They all knew the Empress had her reasons for keeping Xiqiu in the palace, and she wouldn’t be in danger before achieving her goals. Moreover, whatever the Shen Family wanted to do, they would have to weigh it carefully.
At this time, a nanny hurriedly entered Fengwu Palace. Nanny Mao frowned from the hall door, asking, "What happened? You look as if you’ve lost your soul."
"Nanny." The nanny appeared frantic, "The Fourth Madam suddenly developed a high fever. I don’t think it looks right." She was fine the night before and now suffering a fever so unexpectedly this morning.
Nanny Mao was also shocked, her face turning serious as she stepped outside. "Let’s go and take a look." She said, hurrying towards the Glazed Hall.
Walking in, she made her way straight to the inner chamber and approached the bedside. Indeed, the Fourth Madam lay there with closed eyes, sleeping fitfully, muttering in her sleep, her face flushed peculiarly. Reaching out to feel her forehead, Nanny Mao was alarmed; it was extraordinarily hot!
She turned to instruct the nanny, "Quickly, summon the Imperial Physician." Saying this, she had someone attend to the Fourth Madam and hurried back to Fengwu Palace to report to the Empress.
"Sick?" The Empress frowned, immediately showing displeasure. To be truly sick just when spoken of: "Have the Imperial Physician take a look." She couldn’t tell if it was genuine or feigned.
Nanny Mao acknowledged and went out to instruct a few words, just as a female official brought in medicine. Nanny Mao took it and sat on the stool beside the bed. "Your Majesty, let this servant help you with the medicine." The Empress nodded and opened her mouth for each spoonful, inquiring afterward, "What has Consort Wen been doing these past two days?"
Nanny Mao scooped another spoonful and waited for it to cool before replying, "This morning, she punished a new young eunuch at the Imperial Kitchen and even personally visited the Imperial Hospital." The Empress raised her eyebrow, "What for, at the Imperial Kitchen?"
"She claimed the Emperor’s medication wasn’t enough, urging the Imperial Hospital to expedite the delivery." Nanny Mao spooned the medicine to the Empress’s mouth and softly said, "She probably fears the Eldest Prince’s injuries needing medicinal aid."
The Empress sneered, "Clever of her this time, adhering to surface matters early. She fears the Emperor’s suspicion of her." Finishing speaking, she took the bowl from Nanny Mao and downed its contents in one go: "Only because there’s no chance to deal with her this time."
The mistress’s affairs were not for her to judge. Nanny Mao lowered her head silently, while the Empress, with a faint smile, closed her eyes: If not for being preoccupied, she would indeed have made plans.
"You needn’t stay here with me; go see how the Fourth Madam fares." After a pause, she added, "Have the Imperial Physician report the illness to me."
Nanny Mao rose with the tray and left.
Some time later, the Imperial Physician reported from outside, "The Fourth Madam’s symptoms are due to acute agitation compounded by a cold intake during the night, resulting in persistent high fever." The Empress showed no interest in such details, directly questioning, "Is she conscious? Is a long carriage journey feasible?"
The Imperial Physician, without hesitation, replied, "The Fourth Madam is currently unconscious. It’s inadvisable for her to undertake a long journey; her body is already deficient and cold, with incessant fever that, if not carefully managed, might escalate to pulmonary heat, making the condition rapidly uncontrollable, even..."
This serious?
The Empress’s face flushed with anger, commanding coldly, "Quickly prescribe the medicine to bring down the fever and revive her." Time waits for no one; she can’t remain in the palace until the Emperor returns to the capital.
The Imperial Physician acknowledged and withdrew.
Ruan Jingliu hurriedly packed her things and instructed Wan’er, "Go to the Governor Mansion and find Tiancheng to accompany me on my journey." Wan’er acknowledged, asking cautiously, "Mistress, where are we headed?"
"Within the border." Without turning back, she weighed the medicinal ingredients and matched them. "Hurry, we depart today, with just travel expenses needed, no other possessions."
Such situations occurred regularly, and Wan’er nodded, soon boarding a carriage to the Governor Mansion to fetch Tiancheng. Entering, Tiancheng asked, "Nurse Zhang, where are we off to?"
Ruan Jingliu was ready, tossing the bundled package and medicine chest to Tiancheng, grabbing a small bundle herself while heading out. "I’ll explain on the way."
"Nurse Zhang." Tiancheng was agitated; yesterday at midday he had sent the second young master to the Marquis Mansion for the Grand Dowager to care for. With no master at home, he had several matters to handle, fearing any servant with ill intentions might seize the moment for chaos. He pursued persistently, "You must tell me our destination so I can make arrangements."
Ruan Jingliu’s compound wasn’t large, and just outside the main gate was the carriage Wan’er had summoned. Ruan Jingliu boarded, arranged the items Tiancheng held into the vehicle, then tossed the driving whip to Tiancheng. "Go outside the border."
Tiancheng was momentarily stunned, stammering, "Now?" Ruan Jingliu furrowed her brows, giving him a sidelong glance. "Your mistress instructed me to go treat your third young master’s illness!" Eyes widening, she urged, "What are you dawdling for? Let’s strive to reach Shandong today."
Treat an illness?
"Alright!" Tiancheng echoed in pleasant surprise, hastily grabbing a passerby to relay a message: "Please inform Tianjing at the Governor Mansion that I’m off on an errand and won’t return for half a month, tell him to manage the household well." The person seemed bemused, so Tianjing pressed broken silver into his hand. "Thank you." He leaped onto the carriage, whipped the reins, and quickly set off.
