Chapter 319
**Chapter 317: Whispers and Rumors**
Mo Xun sat in a chair, sifting through the herbs in the box, and said nonchalantly, “The noble consort insists on acupuncture; how could I refuse?”
The old physician, flustered, replied, “There are boundaries between men and women! Even if the noble consort insists, you shouldn’t comply like this!”
Mo Xun merely curled her lips, not responding, and continued to fiddle with the herbs in her hands. Throughout the exchange, she maintained an air of calm, completely unlike someone on the brink of death.
...
After leaving the Imperial Medical Institute, Shen Wei headed to Cining Palace to visit the Empress Dowager.
On the way, Cai Lian handed Shen Wei a letter. “My lady, this is a letter from Princess Zhaoyang.”
As Shen Wei walked, her eyes brightened as she read.
In the chill of late autumn, Cining Palace was quiet; the children had gone to Guangwen Academy for their studies. Only the slightly older Li Wan'er was there to keep the Empress Dowager company.
“Your Highness,” Li Wan'er greeted Shen Wei with a bow.
Shen Wei asked, “Is Mother feeling any better?”
Li Wan'er shook her head, her delicate face betraying her worry. “The Empress Dowager is resting in her chamber; she doesn’t want to take her medicine.”
Shen Wei spoke softly, “Good girl, you’ve worked hard. You should rest now; I’ll stay with Mother.”
Li Wan'er nodded gently and stepped out of the Empress Dowager’s chamber. Shen Wei lifted the heavy windbreak curtain, and the strong scent of medicine wafted through the room. The Empress Dowager lay on the couch, wearing a silk headpiece, her brows and eyes showing signs of fatigue.
“Mother,” Shen Wei called softly.
The Empress Dowager beckoned her over. “Sit.”
Shen Wei settled beside the couch, tucking the fox fur blanket around the Empress Dowager snugly.
The room was warm, filled with the rich aroma of sandalwood.
Seeing Shen Wei, Mama Qian looked as if she had found a savior and hurriedly brought over the half-finished medicine.
Shen Wei held the bowl of medicine and told the Empress Dowager, “Mo Xun is a renowned healer with exceptional skills. The medicine she prescribed is bitter, but you mustn’t be afraid; you need to finish it.”
The Empress Dowager closed her eyes. “I’m not afraid of the bitterness; I just don’t want to drink it.”
Shen Wei replied, “Mother, I know you’re upset about the Xie family’s troubles. But you must also think of Zhaoyang and her child.”
The Empress Dowager’s eyes snapped open.
Shen Wei smiled as she pulled a letter from her sleeve, unfolded it, and read its contents aloud. Zhaoyang, who had married the emperor of the Yue Kingdom, was already two months pregnant and had written to inform Shen Wei.
Zhaoyang expressed her concern for the Empress Dowager in the letter, aware of the Xie family’s plight.
After finishing the letter, Shen Wei handed it to the Empress Dowager. “Mother, one cannot remain trapped in the past; we must look forward. When Zhaoyang’s child grows up, perhaps they will come to visit you in Yanjing.”
The Empress Dowager flipped through Zhaoyang’s letter, her nose tinged with sadness, and tears fell.
Shen Wei assisted the Empress Dowager in taking her medicine, and despite the bitterness, the Empress Dowager ultimately swallowed it all.
Mama Qian took the empty bowl away, her gaze toward Shen Wei filled with admiration.
“As long as Zhaoyang is well, I can rest easy,” the Empress Dowager said, leaning back on the soft couch, her tone gentle. “I’ve heard you’ve been frequenting the Imperial Medical Institute and spending time with that Mo physician. What are you up to?”
The Empress Dowager knew Shen Wei was clever.
She wouldn’t make obvious mistakes.
Shen Wei’s eyes sparkled. “You know me best, Mother. I’m just fishing.”
The Empress Dowager chuckled indulgently. “Be careful; don’t get burned.”
Shen Wei nestled closer to the Empress Dowager, her bright eyes earnest. “With you here, I’m not afraid of anything, even if the sky were to fall. Mother, please don’t fall ill again; I’m truly worried.”
The Empress Dowager stroked Shen Wei’s soft hair, saying nothing more.
In the afternoon, Shen Wei didn’t return to Yongning Palace but stayed in Cining Palace with the Empress Dowager. As dusk approached, the children who had been studying at Guangwen Academy rushed back.
Le You, particularly concerned for the Empress Dowager, dashed into the room, his voice sweet and innocent. “Grandmother, did you take your medicine this afternoon? I brought two pieces of red sugar; you can have them after you finish your medicine.”
Upon entering, Le You spotted Shen Wei.
Shen Wei was sitting at the desk, reviewing the accounts sent from the Neiwufu (the Imperial Household Department). Le You beamed, “Mother, you’re here too! Do you want some sugar?”
Shen Wei set down the account book. “Give it to your grandmother; she doesn’t like the bitterness of the medicine.”
Le You leaned over the couch, his big, watery eyes studying the Empress Dowager. “Grandmother, you look a bit better. Don’t forget to take your medicine tonight!”
The Empress Dowager nodded with a smile.
The room filled with laughter as the children gathered around the Empress Dowager, the sweet scent of candy wafting through the air.
...
In Changxin Palace, Lu Xuan learned that Shen Wei had gone to the Empress Dowager’s palace and hadn’t returned for a long time. She asked Xiao Qin, “What’s going on in Cining Palace?”
Xiao Qin shook her head. “Cining Palace is like a fortress; we can’t gather any news. I suspect the noble consort is seeking help from the Empress Dowager.”
Lu Xuan replied coldly, “Caught red-handed in a secret meeting with a man, not even the Empress Dowager can save her.”
Today, Li Yuanjing had gone to the Ministry of War for a meeting and hadn’t returned yet. Lu Xuan planned to wait for him to come back before confronting the noble consort about her scandalous affair.
As night fell, Li Yuanjing finally returned from the Ministry of War. After entering the palace, he first went to Chang'an Palace to deal with the memorials from the border, picking up his brush to write a response.
Chang'an Palace was quiet, the golden incense wafting through the air, while the guards at the palace gate stood solemnly, the cold moonlight casting a layer of frost on the eaves.
The dinner from the Imperial Kitchen was already getting cold.
But Li Yuanjing continued to review the memorials, showing no intention of having dinner. After a while, Gonggong Deshun brought in a cup of hot tea, his face showing hesitation. “Your Majesty, the noble consort just sent someone to deliver a message.”
Li Yuanjing paused in his writing. “What did she say?”
Gonggong Deshun lowered his head deeply, his voice trembling. “The noble consort said… she’s starving. If Your Majesty doesn’t have dinner, she won’t eat a bite either; she’ll starve alongside you.”
Li Yuanjing halted his writing, finally noticing that it was dark outside. Recently, Liangzhou City had been unstable, with barbarian tribes frequently invading. He had been discussing strategies with the emperor of the Yue Kingdom to jointly eliminate the barbarian tribes outside Liangzhou City.
Lost in thought about the strategies, he momentarily forgot the passage of time.
His stomach growled at the perfect moment.
With a sigh, Li Yuanjing set down his brush and rubbed his temples. “Prepare the sedan; I’m going to Yongning Palace.”
Knowing Shen Wei’s nature, if he didn’t eat dinner, she wouldn’t either.
His Wei Wei always cared for him like this.
The moonlight was as bright as frost, and the lanterns illuminated the long palace path. As Li Yuanjing sat in the sedan, he continued to ponder the matters at the border. As they turned a corner, he suddenly overheard two eunuchs whispering.
“Is it true? The noble consort and Mo Xun have an affair?”
“Of course! Miss Xiao Qin saw it with her own eyes; it can’t be false.”
“Shh, keep your voice down. Is this something to be proud of?”
In the stillness of the night, the whispers of the two eunuchs were particularly jarring.
Li Yuanjing’s eyes widened in irritation, his handsome brows furrowing slightly.
He ordered Deshun, “Drag those two gossiping fools away and execute them.”
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