Chapter 299: Touching
Inside Shou’an Hall, the atmosphere grew slightly tense with Tianshu’s arrival.
This Doctor Shu, clad in a moon-white robe, possessed clear, distant eyes like faraway mountains and an aloof, ethereal demeanor.
He seemed to exude a tranquility that isolated him from the surrounding clamor, causing the several young ladies who were initially restless to unconsciously quieten down.
Even Madam Qian Shi, gazing at his focused profile, couldn’t help but praise him inwardly.
This Doctor Shu is truly handsome.
One might mistake him for an immortal descended from the Jade Terrace…
“Phlegm and blood stasis obstructing the meridians, with evil wind entering the viscera.” Tianshu sat on an embroidered stool by Old Madam Cui’s bed, his fingers, separated by a plain silk cloth, resting on her withered wrist, his brow furrowed in concentration.
After a long while, he withdrew his hand and looked indifferently at Xue Sui beside him.
“This pulse is superficial, large, empty, and thin, lacking root. It suggests the use of potent, harsh medicines to forcefully boost vital energy.”
Madam Qian’s hand trembled, her expression changing.
“Harsh medicines? Doctor Shu, these, these medicines for the Old Madam are all prepared according to the doctor’s prescription…”
Tianshu’s words were concise.
“Third Madam, I, Shu, do not err in my diagnosis.”
Madam Qian’s face darkened, and she glared at the maids and old women in the room.
“You useless wretches, how have you been taking care of the Old Madam…”
She managed the household affairs, and with the Xue Mansion’s recent troubles, she had personally spent a considerable amount of her private funds to buy good medicine for the Old Madam. To be accused of neglect now would be a grave injustice.
In her haste, Madam Qian grabbed a nearby maid by the ear.
“You wench! Were you slacking off and dozing, ruining the medicine? Or did you lose track of the heat, overcooking it? If you dared to be negligent, watch your skin!”
The maid, terrified, knelt down with a thud and kowtowed repeatedly.
“Third Madam, have mercy. This servant would never dare to neglect the Old Madam’s medicinal soup… The medicine was personally overseen by Nanny Wu at the stove, and this servant was merely assisting nearby, not daring to leave for even half a step, let alone dare to switch the medicinal materials…”
Xue Sui’s gaze swept over the maid’s rough fingers, her expression unreadable.
“I have seen the prescription given by the doctor. The dosage of Aconite was only three fen, and it was decocted with licorice and ginger to neutralize its toxicity. It was not an excessive amount…”
She raised her eyes and scanned the trembling servants in the room.
“Where are the medicinal dregs?”
Madam Qian hastily ordered someone to fetch them.
Just then, the curtain was lifted, and Xue Yuechen and Xue Yue Lou entered.
Xue Yuechen took off her fox fur coat and handed it to Fei Cui, her gaze sweeping over the kneeling maid and the solemn faces of everyone present.
“Third Aunt, why are you so angry? I could hear you from outside.”
Upon seeing her, Madam Qian immediately began to complain.
“Princess Consort, you’ve arrived just in time. Doctor Shu says there’s something wrong with the Old Madam’s medicine… Isn’t this a terrible injustice? This time, I’ll never be able to clear my name, even if I jumped into the Yellow River…”
Xue Yuechen frowned and glanced at Xue Sui.
“Sixth Younger Sister, you haven’t returned for many days, so you may not know. Since winter, Grandmother has been unwell, and her medicinal soup has never been interrupted. We are all extremely anxious, only hoping that Grandmother can recover soon. The medicinal materials used are all of the highest quality; there will be no mistakes…”
Her tone was gentle, yet carried an undeniable authority.
Xue Sui’s lips curved slightly, and she remained silent.
Soon, the medicinal dregs were brought.
The maid spread them out on a tray.
Xue Sui stepped forward, rummaged through the dregs a few times, and precisely picked up a piece of black, scorched root.
“This is a fragment of processed Aconite. Aconite is originally a potent medicine for reviving Yang and reversing collapse, but if improperly prepared or used in excess, it becomes a deadly poison! Forcibly boosting energy is like draining the pond to catch fish…”
She tossed the dregs back onto the tray.
“At Grandmother’s age, with her qi and blood depleted, she should be even more careful… Even the finest medicinal materials can harm someone if the combination is wrong or the decoction is incorrect…”
The expression on Xue Yuechen’s face stiffened slightly.
“Are you implying, Sixth Younger Sister, that someone deliberately harmed Grandmother?”
“That’s not necessarily the case.” Xue Sui clasped her hands together, her wide sleeves of the Buddhist robe falling, her expression as calm as water.
“Sending tonic medicine is indeed a filial act, but it is more important to discern the medicinal properties to avoid doing harm with good intentions, thus damaging the foundation. For example… those so-called hundred-year-old ginsengs.”
Her gaze casually flickered towards a brocade box on the nearby desk.
Inside lay two ginsengs of excellent quality.
“Princess Consort, you are accustomed to fine things, perhaps you could smell the earthy scent of this ginseng…”
She gestured for a maid to bring the ginseng closer.
“True wild ginseng from Liaodong, grown in the black soil of deep mountain pine forests, should have a clear scent with a hint of pine. This one, however, has a strong, pungent earthy smell, as if ordinary garden ginseng was fumigated with sulfur to enhance its color, then deliberately covered with a layer of Changbai Mountain humus to impersonate it.”
The entire room was shocked!
All eyes turned to Xue Yueying.
That “hundred-year-old ginseng” was precisely her “filial offering”…
“Hmph!”
Xue Yueying hugged her son tighter, her face losing its composure, and forced a cold laugh.
“Sixth Younger Sister, have you been cultivating in Shui Yue Nunnery for too long that you’ve developed fiery eyes? Or is the incense at the nunnery not strong enough, forcing you to take up ginseng appraisal? With mere words, why are you stirring up trouble?”
“This nun has simply read a few more medical books in her leisure time than Young Madam.”
Xue Sui, not wanting to waste more words with her, turned to Madam Qian, her tone returning to its usual calm.
“I trouble Third Madam, but from now on, the Old Madam’s medicinal soup must be prepared strictly according to Doctor Shu’s prescription, personally decocted by a reliable person, and the medicinal materials must be carefully inspected. The Old Madam’s illness cannot be rushed; it requires gentle nurturing.”
Madam Qian readily agreed.
In a daze, cold sweat broke out on her forehead.
“Please, Doctor Shu, write the prescription…”
Tianshu nodded slightly and walked to the desk outside the screen, picking up his brush to deliberate on the prescription…
Just then, an unusual commotion suddenly erupted from the front courtyard, accompanied by hurried footsteps.
The Old Madam, disturbed by the noise, frowned deeply and let out a pained groan.
“What is all this… noise… again… Are you tired of this old woman… having lived too long… Do you only want to be at peace when King Yama takes this old woman’s life…”
Xue Yuechen quickly stood up and signaled everyone to be quiet.
A moment later, she led everyone out to the outer room.
A steward from Prince Duan’s Mansion, an old woman, rushed into Shou’an Hall, bowed to Xue Yuechen, and reported in a hurried tone.
“Princess Consort! From the palace, there’s news… His Majesty urgently summons Prince Duan to the palace. The Prince said that the Princess Consort should also return to the mansion quickly and prepare…”
Xue Yuechen’s heart leaped.
“So suddenly? For what reason?”
“It’s said… Consort Xiao Xiu has been diagnosed with pregnancy. His Majesty is overjoyed and has immediately promoted her to Consort Li, and has also decreed a general amnesty—to be announced along with the New Year’s ceremony, as a sign of auspiciousness for the imperial family…”
The old woman’s voice trembled slightly with nervousness.
“Empress Dowager has set up a prayer ceremony in Baohua Palace and ordered all imperial clan wives to attend… Fasting for three days, praying for the imperial heir, and sharing in the auspiciousness…”
Having said this, she glanced at Xue Yuechen with difficulty and lowered her voice.
“Princess Consort, please hurry. Princess Ruihe has been waiting at the mansion since early this morning; she made a warm hat for the Prince and said she would accompany the Princess Consort to select ceremonial robes…”
It was Li Yuning again.
Still trying to get close to Li Huan in various ways…
Xue Yuechen’s expression instantly became extremely complex.
The Xiao family now supported Prince Duan, Li Huan…
But the Emperor was in his prime. If Xiao Qing’er were to bear another imperial prince, the Xiao family’s foundation in the palace would become even more stable. Would it be an aid to Prince Duan, or a variable?
“Oh my! This is truly a great auspicious sign.” Xue Yueying’s voice suddenly rang out.
With exaggerated surprise and a hint of imperceptible amusement.
“Congratulations, Eldest Sister. Prince Duan’s Mansion and the Xiao family are of one heart. If Consort Xiu is pregnant, Prince Duan and Eldest Sister will also gain honor…”
“Presumptuous.”
The hand in Xue Yuechen’s sleeve clenched tightly, and she turned around abruptly.
“A pregnancy in the harem is a great fortune for the nation. How dare you speak of such things here and try to associate yourself with it? What are you?”
This Consort Xian of Prince Duan had always been dignified and virtuous, with a tolerant and forbearing nature. She had never shown such a sharp demeanor in the mansion before.
Everyone fell silent.
Xue Yueying’s body stiffened, and she shut her mouth sheepishly.
“Today, considering Grandmother’s illness and the need to accumulate blessings, I will not punish your transgression. If you dare to speak nonsense again, I will ask Father to administer family discipline.” Xue Yuechen gave her a cold glance.
She briefly instructed Madam Qian and, with Fei Cui and others, left in a hurry.
Inside Shou’an Hall, due to the sudden news and Xue Yuechen’s departure, a subtle silence fell.
Xue Sui watched with cold eyes.
As if watching a play that had nothing to do with her.
After the servants dispersed, she walked to Tianshu’s side and quietly discussed adjusting the prescription with him, shutting out the surrounding noise.
Then she signaled Xiao Zhao to pick up the medicine box and leave the mansion with him, not staying overnight.
The Xiao family had held power for many years, and only slightly restrained their ambition due to the Crown Prince’s checks and balances. Now that Xiao Qing’er had gained the Emperor’s favor and was carrying an imperial heir, the Emperor’s deliberate promotion and amnesty were not merely acts of favor; he was elevating the Xiao family…
From now on, the struggle for the successor position would only intensify.
—
In the warm pavilion of Zichen Hall.
Emperor Chong Zhao leaned halfway on the warm kang, idly rolling two smooth walnuts in his hand.
The blue smoke from the incense burner curled upwards, blurring Li Huan’s somber and inscrutable face.
“What do you think about the Crown Prince’s affairs?” The Emperor’s voice was low, tinged with illness and hoarseness, yet each word struck like a hammer.
Li Huan lowered his head and eyes, his back rigidly straight.
“Your Son believes that market rumors are not to be trusted and should not disturb Your Imperial Ear. However, the celestial phenomenon of Mars offending Ziwei has been reported by the Imperial Astronomical Bureau for three consecutive days; this is an undeniable fact…”
He glanced at the Emperor’s expression, choosing his words carefully, his tone becoming grave.
“True Master Qingyang stated that this phenomenon signifies warfare and bloodshed, its sharp edge pointing directly at the Ziwei imperial palace, which may harm… the national foundation and shake the roots of the state.”
The sound of the walnuts rubbing together abruptly stopped.
Emperor Chong Zhao’s cloudy eyes slowly turned towards him, his gaze sharp.
“In your opinion, how should this be handled?”
Li Huan bowed deeply: “Your Son dares to implore Your Imperial Father to temporarily seal the petition box, stop the slander, and calm the people’s hearts. Once the celestial phenomena stabilize, it will not be too late to investigate accumulated malpractices. This matter should be handled gradually…”
Once the petition box was sealed, those slanderous secret letters would become waste paper, and the Crown Prince could no longer use them to stir up trouble.
The court situation could then be stabilized within a controllable range…
The warm pavilion was very quiet.
The Emperor’s gaze lingered on the back of Li Huan’s lowered neck for a long time…
As if weighing the truth and depth of his words.
Li Huan’s fists, hidden in his sleeves, involuntarily clenched.
After a long while, the Emperor sighed wearily.
“I understand. The defense of the Capital Region and the reports from the Censorate will henceforth also be under your overall command…”
A heavy stone in Li Huan’s heart landed.
Military and supervisory power meant indirect control over the capital’s defenses and a way to cut off the Crown Prince’s accusations…
This was a covert division of the Crown Prince’s power.
“Your Son obeys the decree and will certainly not fail Your Imperial Father’s trust.”
Emperor Chong Zhao closed his eyes and leaned back on the brocade cushion, his voice growing fainter: “You may withdraw. Think carefully before acting… Your Father is old and only wishes for harmony among you brothers and peace under Heaven…”
Li Huan remained prostrate on the ground for a long time before looking up.
“Your Son remembers Your Imperial Father’s teachings and will spare no effort!”
He respectfully kowtowed and took his leave. As he emerged from Zichen Hall, he met Li Zhao, who was walking through the snow in the west corridor.
His black cloak had a layer of light snow on its shoulders, and his features appeared even more stern and profound in the wind and snow.
The two walked towards each other under the vermilion corridor pillars, meeting head-on.
Li Huan was the first to cup his hands in greeting, his smile gentle.
“Crown Prince, braving the snow to come and pay respects to Father is indeed filial.”
“Not as much as Imperial Brother.” Li Zhao’s steps were slow, his boots landing heavily as he stopped in front of Li Huan.
“Consort Xiao Xiu is pregnant; Imperial Brother’s auspicious sign has arrived in good time.”
Before his voice faded, he strode past.
Li Huan’s smile froze on his lips. In the moment they passed, he clearly saw mockery in Li Zhao’s eyes.
Li Zhao: Xue Ping An, did you see? I’m no better than you…
Xue Sui: Brother doesn’t scold brother, you’re all the same.
