HBWnovel Chapter 304 Taking the Pulse
Chapter 304 Taking the Pulse
Chapter 304 Taking the Pulse
After hearing Empress Dowager Zhou's words, Consort Chun was stunned for a long time.
The young woman who once leaned against the railing gazing at the moon was full of dreams, hoping to be as devoted to her husband as Xiuyun and Zhoubai, and to spend her life together.
Once she married into the royal family, facing the handsome and dignified Prince Jin, she once had a tender and passionate expression.
pity......
Upon closer reflection, the Emperor had actually treated her quite well, but in the end, it was nothing more than appeasement and perfunctory treatment.
In particular, in order to maintain a balance of power within the harem, the favors he bestowed were always tinged with calculation.
She was depressed for a time because of this, but fortunately, she had Shu'er and Mengzhu by her side. In the middle of the night, she finally understood the meaning of her mother's advice.
So she learned not to be like she was at first, with her heart and eyes only for the emperor.
She was neither stupid nor slow to realize things.
On the contrary, she had seen everything during this period—the Emperor may not have even noticed his inconsistent behavior.
It was precisely because of his indifference and lack of concern that she truly stopped hoping—since she had never entered his heart, why should she continue to give her heart in vain?
Gradually, she let go of her obsession and treated the emperor with only the utmost respect.
However, Empress Dowager Zhou's words just now made Consort Chun realize that, as a concubine, her own honor and the safety of her maternal family were all tied to the emperor.
As the emperor, he could be ruthless, but she could not.
As Shuer had said before, this task had to be done flawlessly.
After Empress Dowager Zhou finished speaking, she closed her eyes to rest. Half an hour later, Consort Chun's eyes changed from reminiscence, heaviness, and confusion to clarity.
Consort Chun stood up, bowed to Empress Dowager Zhou, and said respectfully, "Thank you for your guidance, Your Majesty. I know what to do now."
Empress Dowager Zhou smiled slightly. She was an experienced woman who had been through many ups and downs in the palace for decades. When she first met Consort Chun, she felt that Consort Chun's temperament was not suitable for survival in the harem.
However, after spending a few months together, she changed her mind, not only because she saw the changes in Consort Chun, but also because of the Lin'an Marquis's Mansion behind Consort Chun and the tireless assistance from Consort Meng.
Just then, Rongxiu entered the hall and reported, "Your Majesty, Physician He has come to check on Ping An's pulse."
Just as Consort Chun was about to take her leave, Empress Dowager Zhou said, "Since you're here, let Physician He take a look at you too."
Although Consort Chun was somewhat puzzled, she did not say much and quietly extended her wrist.
Physician He first examined her complexion, then took a silk handkerchief from his medicine box and gently covered her wrist. After a moment, Physician He said slowly, "Reporting to Your Majesty the Empress Dowager, Consort Chun's pulse is clear, her internal organs are in harmony, and she shows no signs of any ailment."
......
On the other side, Granny Gui led Madam Jiang and a woman who looked to be in her forties out of the Phoenix Palace where the Empress resided.
"Madam Lu, is Her Majesty the Empress truly alright?"
Upon reaching a moon gate, Granny Gui couldn't help but ask a question, and Madam Jiang also looked at the woman in front of her, her eyes full of concern.
Lady Lu replied with a smile, "Replying to your question, Madam, Her Majesty the Empress is in good health and her pulse is gentle. You and Madam can rest assured."
Inside her wide sleeves, Madam Lu's ten fingers were still trembling uncontrollably, and her back was covered in cold sweat, but her face showed no sign of it.
Madam Jiang was still worried and pressed on, "It has been more than half a year since Your Majesty's last miscarriage. Since you are in good health, why have you not become pregnant again?"
(Madame Chiang was Jiang Wei's second wife and the Empress's stepmother.)
Lady Lu explained gently, "Madam, you may not know this, but although Her Majesty the Empress is out of danger, this matter of conception is something that cannot be rushed."
A miscarriage inevitably takes a toll on the body, and restoring one's health and vitality is not something that can be done overnight. For a woman to conceive, her blood and energy must be abundant and her uterus warm. Your Majesty only needs to carefully recuperate for a while longer, and your conception will naturally not be far off.
Lady Lu was a famous female doctor in the southwestern border region. Her words were exactly the same as the diagnosis of the imperial physicians in the palace, which finally put Madam Jiang and Granny Gui at ease.
Yingzhou Hall.
Dong Ming and a group of eunuchs were helping the emperor change out of his imperial robes when Jing Ming hurriedly entered the hall with a whisk in his hand.
He took the outer robe from Dong Ming and waved for everyone to leave.
"Your Majesty, Lady Jiang, the Marquis of Weibei, came to Changchun Garden early this morning with a letter to greet us, and she has now come out of Fengyi Palace."
"Understood," the Emperor replied indifferently.
Jingming helped the Emperor change into his everyday clothes and whispered, "Wei Ying had already made all the necessary arrangements for Lady Lu, and there were no mistakes."
(Wei Ying, the emperor's personal guard, appeared in chapter 138)
The Emperor did not speak about the matter again, seemingly not taking it to heart. Instead, he said, "Summon Minister Zhou to see me. Lunch will be arranged at Bilang Pavilion, where he can dine with Consort Meng."
Jingming looked troubled and had to carefully remind him, "Your Majesty, you forgot, Madam Zhou also came to the palace with Lord Zhou."
The Emperor was clearly taken aback for a moment before he remembered that he had given Consort Meng a special favor in order to appease her.
Jingming, observing the situation, quietly took a small step back, but unfortunately, he was still kicked!
He rubbed his bottom, bent over, and smiled ingratiatingly: "How about this servant has a palace maid take Madam Zhou to Bilang Pavilion? If Your Majesty knew that she would be able to see her family today, she would surely be even happier."
"Go and make the arrangements."
The Emperor's lips curled slightly, and then he ordered, "Have the kitchen prepare a few more dishes and send them to Consort Meng."
"Yes."
Jingming bowed and left the main hall, then went to the Waiting Moon Pavilion himself.
Zhou Bai received an audience with the emperor three days ago and was overjoyed to learn that he would be able to see his niece before taking up his post outside the capital.
The couple dressed up and left home at 5:15 a.m., their carriage packed full of gifts for Hua Yan.
At this moment, at the Waiting for the Moon Pavilion.
Zhou Bai, dressed in the robes of a sixth-rank official, was talking to his wife, Xiu Yun. Ding Xiang watched longingly, also wanting to see Hua Yan, wondering if she could come along.
"Judging by the time, the eunuch Jing should have sent someone by now. This isn't the palace, so Yun'er doesn't need to be too nervous," Zhou Bai said, reassuringly holding Xiu Yun's slender fingers.
Xiuyun, her hair styled in a married woman's bun, beamed with joy. She playfully scolded, "I'm here to see Shuer, how could I be nervous? No matter Shuer's status, she's still our niece. Don't worry, Sir, Madam Yun specifically reminded me yesterday..."
A messenger came from outside, saying that the official Jing had arrived.
The couple quickly rose to greet each other. It was Jingming's first time seeing Xiuyun, and he thought to himself that Lord Zhou was quite fortunate; both of them were so beautiful, their future children would be extraordinary...
After exchanging a few pleasantries with Zhou Bai, Jingming said, "Lord Zhou, the Emperor summons you immediately. Madam Zhou, this servant will take you to visit Consort Meng."
Seeing that there were maids following behind Xiuyun, Jingming did not stop them. Dingxiang was delighted and followed closely behind Xiuyun.
"Thank you for your trouble, Eunuch Jing." Zhou Bai laughed heartily, took out a purse from his sleeve, and quietly stuffed it into Jing Ming's hand, but Jing Ming did not accept it.
Seeing that he seemed genuine, Zhou Bai took a jade pendant from his waist and said with a smile, "I just received this special white jade when I received the Uyghur envoy a couple of days ago. You may enjoy it in your spare time, Jing Neiguan."
Jingming's eyes lit up, and this time he didn't refuse and accepted it with a smile.
......
Hua Yan had just settled into Bilangxuan when she asked Ruizhu to go outside the palace to greet Consort Chun.
Consort Chun had not yet arrived, but Donggua had brought the kitchen staff with him, and Lvliu hurriedly stepped forward to help serve the meal.