The Valued Lady is Truly Dominant

The Empress Dowager’s illness is a grave matter; every family is fixated on news from the palace, and Song Ci is no exception. The Empress Dowager is her best friend and great support, so naturally, she is more concerned.

News from the Prime Minister’s Mansion is always reliable. After executing two Imperial Physicians, Empress Dowager Wang has woken up, but she is extremely weak.

Song Ci swallowed hard: ”Executed two Imperial Physicians?”

Nanny from the palace said: ”If she hadn’t woken up soon, it wouldn’t just be two.”

Song Ci was silent, clutching the prayer beads tightly. At this moment, she felt deeply the dominance and tyranny of ancient royal authority — under it, everything seemed so insignificant, human life as cheap as a dog’s.

”Deliver a card to the palace. Now that the Lady has awakened, one must go to the palace to offer greetings, at the very least.”

Nanny shook her head and said: ”Even if she has awakened, she won’t see outsiders. Now, the cause of the Empress Dowager’s illness hasn’t been determined, and she’s still sick. The Emperor surely won’t allow anyone to disturb the Lady’s rest and recovery.”

”Whether or not she sees us is one thing; the card must still be delivered.” Song Ci sighed: ”If I fall, she falls with me. What have we done to upset someone malicious? We’re on the verge of the New Year, and with this incident, we won’t even be able to celebrate properly.”

Nanny also sighed; the Madam has been recuperating for a while, but her health hasn’t fully improved, dragging on.

”Don’t worry too much. The Empress Dowager, with heaven’s protection and the care of Imperial Physicians, will surely recover soon. But you, you must take good care of yourself.”

Song Ci looked at her own shriveled hands like chicken claws and said: ”You see how attentive I am with my health, yet my body refuses to cooperate.”

Nanny was a bit helpless.

”Ah ah ah.”

Song Ci, hearing the infant’s babbling, immediately cast aside all her frustrations and unhappiness, smiled broadly: ”Our little Dan is here, quickly let him in, don’t let the outside wind chill him.”

...

Imperial Palace.

Emperor Chu looked extremely displeased. Within a day, several wronged souls had been added to the palace, a few new faces in the Cold Palace, all because of the Empress Dowager’s sudden illness, with no cause found yet.

Song Zhiyuan said: ”You may be at ease. Since the Imperial Physician said it’s not poisoning, then it’s a small blessing within misfortune.”

”Mother’s health has always been fine, the Imperial Physicians asked multiple times a day, but suddenly she’s vomiting, having diarrhea, and nosebleeds; it’s too unusual.” Emperor Chu found it unreasonable.

Song Zhiyuan, silent, said: ”The Empress Dowager, she’s aged.”

Emperor Chu’s eyes sharpened.

Song Zhiyuan, seemingly unaware, sighed: ”Even my mother, after falling ill, has been recuperating for a long time, but hasn’t completely recovered her spirits yet. She often loses appetite. In her own words, she’s old.”

Emperor Chu felt a sting in his heart.

Your consolation, it’s not even comforting; bluntly say we’re all alike, fellow sufferers.

Song Zhiyuan added: ”I’ve sent for Master Buhui from the Lu Family to attend to my mother. If the Emperor doesn’t mind, should the Empress Dowager remain unwell, perhaps let the master attend to her pulse?”

Emperor Chu was a bit surprised: ”From the Lu Family known for their medicinal heritage?”

Song Zhiyuan nodded and counted fingers: ”Barring unforeseen circumstances, he should arrive soon.”

Emperor Chu didn’t express his opinion; whether he would see or not see, anyway, with Song Ci around, at least see what capabilities he has.

Song Zhiyuan understood the boundaries, didn’t persist, as after all, he’s an outsider, even as a monk, it’s not easy to enter the palace to attend the most revered.