Chapter 970: Chapter 966: Curtain Call (10)
Old Madam Shen rushed in through the palace gates, just as Consort Wen, with a bloodied face, was being carried out by others in a miserable state. She entered and asked the Empress, "What happened?"
"Mother." The Empress leaned against the head of the bed and recounted what Consort Wen had said that afternoon: "... I couldn’t bear it. She really thought just because I was ill and she had the Phoenix Seal, I couldn’t do anything about her. If I want to punish her, I can do so at any time, and even the Emperor can’t blame me."
Old Madam Shen nodded, not very interested in this matter, and said, "The news has returned, the Emperor will reach the Shandong border the day after tomorrow, and in three or four days, he’ll be back in the capital." She paused and added, "Yan’er has woken up, although somewhat weak, there is no major issue." Every word was spoken with great effort.
Thinking of the contents of the subordinate’s report, Old Madam Shen’s heart wrung with pain. Yan’er’s arm... if it is truly disabled, what will his future be like? In the history of Great Zhou, no, even in the previous dynasty’s history, there has never been an instance where a crown prince ascended the throne while having a disability. Even if the Emperor loves Yan’er, that position will never be his again.
She has schemed her entire life; could it all end up in vain?
Impossible, unacceptable!
She must stop all this, even if it costs her life.
That position belongs to Yan’er, no one can take it away.
Unaware of Old Madam Shen’s thoughts, the Empress was overjoyed upon hearing the news. "Really?" Relieved after days of worry, she clasped her hands together and silently chanted Amitabha Buddha before opening her eyes, only to see Old Madam Shen’s face was cold, with no sign of joy. She asked, "Mother, what is wrong with you?"
Old Madam Shen pondered for a moment: "The sent Death Warriors have mysteriously disappeared." She concealed the injury of the Eldest Prince, only disclosing the matter of the Death Warriors to her.
"What?" The Empress turned pale with fright: "How could they disappear? Weren’t they said to be completely dealt with?" She said this, gripping Old Madam Shen’s hand in agitation: "Mother, what is really happening, please don’t frighten me."
If the Death Warriors had merely lost contact, it would be one thing, but if they were captured and presented to the Emperor, no matter how many mouths they had, they couldn’t clear the suspicion.
"It’s still unclear, I’ve already sent people to investigate." This time, she also lacked confidence. Ever since the last batch of Death Warriors was caught by Fourth Master Xiao, Shen Ji has been reconditioning them, and this batch was the most elite. How could such a thing happen?
She couldn’t figure it out either.
"If only Ah Ji were here." The mother and daughter felt a sense of helplessness, no matter how skilled they were, they couldn’t act as conveniently as a man. They could only stay in the inner courtyard, waiting for news. If Shen Ji were here, he could personally welcome the Emperor and gather information...
"I’ve already sent Shen Li and Shen Hong, as soon as there’s news, they’ll relay it back. Shen Li and Shen Hong are cousins of Shen Ji."
At the thought of the Death Warriors possibly being known to the Emperor, the Empress felt panicked. Old Madam Shen held her hand and said, "We cannot wait any longer." She paused and continued, "Extraordinary times require extraordinary measures; Fourth Madam cannot remain in the palace indefinitely, immediately have the Imperial Physician, regardless of method, awaken her today. We must intercept Fourth Master Xiao before the Emperor returns to the capital."
"I got it." Extraordinary measures required consulting the physician. Whether the Fourth Madam lived or died afterward was not her concern, as long as it bought them time against Fourth Master Xiao.
The Empress immediately summoned the Imperial Physician, giving careful instructions, cold sweat beaded on the physician’s forehead: "Your Majesty, although this method is effective, it’s extremely dangerous. I’m afraid the person may be saved, but their fundamental health will be compromised, and in the future..." If the body suffers damage, no matter how much they are nurtured, recovery will be impossible.
"Just proceed with it." The Empress replied, displeased: "These things aren’t your concern."
"Yes, your servant will prepare immediately." The Imperial Physician wiped the sweat from his forehead and retreated, bowed.
Amid her semiconsciousness, Xiqiu heard footsteps growing ever nearer. She opened her eyes, narrowing them to see the incoming group, and faintly asked, "Imperial Physician?"
Across from her, three nannies and two Imperial Physicians stood with gloomy expressions. One replied, "Fourth Madam, your servant is here to perform acupuncture." Saying this, some nannies deliberately pressed down her arm.
Xiqiu, though weak in body, had a clear mind. Her heart tightened as she instantly understood the visitors’ intent.
Were they planning to force her awake with harsh methods?
Could it be that the Empress and Old Madam Shen had run out of patience?
Her heart sneered, as she weakly looked over at them, speaking softly, "Wait." Her faint voice, ethereal and grasping, bore an undeniable authority typical of a person of high status: "Have you thought about the consequences of doing this?"
Everyone was already on edge, like frightened birds. She wasn’t just any ordinary concubine in the palace, nor a powerless female official, but an outer noble woman, Fourth Madam of Marquis Xuanning, wife of Fourth Master Xiao, and the daughter of Lord Tong in this era...
Behind her were forces they couldn’t resist or rival. Compared to her, they were like ants, easily crushed to death at any moment.
Yet they dared not defy the Empress’s orders.
Holding the Golden Needle in hand, the Imperial Physician began to tremble, hesitatingly looking at Fourth Madam lying on the bed, though her face was pale and weak, the coldness in her eyes made it impossible for him to meet her gaze.
Someone anxiously urged from behind: "Fourth Madam, we are acting on orders, forgive us." With these words, they pressured the Imperial Physician not to delay.
"Forgive?" Xiqiu sneered, questioning back: "If you give me this acupuncture, will I die?"
The Imperial Physician quickly shook his head: "No, absolutely not, Fourth Madam, don’t worry." But Xiqiu raised her eyebrows, coldly questioning: "Since I won’t die, you dare to proceed?" As she spoke, her gaze swept over them one by one: "You might as well kill me right here; only then might you escape with your lives; otherwise, none of you will see tomorrow’s sun."
This was precisely the fear lurking in their hearts. If they carried out the act, neither the Empress nor Fourth Master Xiao would spare them; their only path would be death. Having stayed in the palace for so long, they were well aware.
All human beings fear death, and they were no exception. But in dire straits, all they hoped for was that their families wouldn’t be implicated.
"Fourth Madam, we have no other choice, forgive us for this."
Once the Imperial Physician finished bandaging the wounds on Consort Wen’s head, she rubbed her legs and sat up, looking toward her close servant and asked, "What hour is it?"
"Your Grace, it’s 7:45 PM," the servant replied, placing a pillow behind Consort Wen: "Do you wish to eat something? You haven’t eaten all day."
