The Valued Lady is Truly Dominant

Song Zhiyuan returned to the side hall of Yangxin Hall and saw Imperial Physician Lu happily approaching him.

”That method really worked, the Emperor’s fever has subsided a bit.”

Song Zhiyuan felt relieved and asked, ”Is he awake?”

Imperial Physician Lu’s smile froze slightly, and he shook his head.

Song Zhiyuan walked in and saw the man still lying there, with several imperial physicians kneeling before the bed alternately checking his pulse, occasionally conversing in low voices, pursing his lips.

Seeing him enter, the imperial physicians made way, gathering around Imperial Physician Lu to discuss the next prescription. Given the Emperor’s current condition, how to medicate, whether to use strong drugs, and if acupuncture treatment is needed, all must be handled with utmost caution, for this is the Emperor, of supreme importance, any negligence is unacceptable.

Song Zhiyuan noticed the towel on Emperor Chu’s forehead was askew, so he reached out to remove it, checking the temperature with the back of his hand, and personally replaced it with a clean, cool cloth.

”You must hurry and wake up, the empire relies on you, laziness is not an option.”

Eunuch Zhou, standing aside, listened, his eyes slightly red.

Song Zhiyuan steadfastly looked at Emperor Chu for a moment, then said to Eunuch Zhou, ”Until the Emperor wakes up, do not let down your guard, keep a close watch, and alertly monitor any signs of the fever returning.”

Eunuch Zhou nodded solemnly.

Song Zhiyuan felt a tightness in his chest, turned around, and walked out of the bedchamber, standing in the side hall, exhaling heavily.

This crisis is temporarily passed today, but if Emperor Chu doesn’t wake up, with court sessions suspended tomorrow and the Emperor absent, even a fool would suspect something major has happened, and inquiries might come wave after wave.

Song Zhiyuan folded his hands behind his back, fingers ruminating, calculating the situation ahead—if the Emperor is unwell, who to support to ascend, which side the Song Family should ally with, these are critical decisions, impacting the future of the Song Family, not to be taken lightly.

The more he strategizes, the clearer his thoughts become, and he can’t help but smile self-mockingly at the end.

Everyone has personal interests, himself included.

Eunuch Zhou came out and stood by Song Zhiyuan.

”The Emperor’s illness came swiftly, Eunuch Zhou, you must work hard, only trust those of direct lineage, outsiders are strictly prohibited from intervening,” Song Zhiyuan said solemnly.

Eunuch Zhou bowed and rasped, ”Rest assured, everyone serving in this hall is of direct lineage to the Emperor, all trustworthy, not even the Empress Dowager’s people are among them.”

Song Zhiyuan nodded, saying, ”Take me to see that concubine.”

Eunuch Zhou led the way to the small room where the concubine was held, accompanied by Song Zhiyuan.

The concubine, tremors of fright keeping her awake through the night, now with her hair loosely tied, her delicate face pale, shivering all over, evoking pity.

Upon hearing someone arrive, she raised her head, meeting Song Zhiyuan’s sharp, eagle-like eyes, her body shrinking, trembling even more violently.

Song Zhiyuan looked at her coldly and said sternly, ”Was it you who attended the sleeping quarters last night? How did the process go, did the Emperor show any abnormalities? Describe everything in detail without missing a word.”

The concubine’s face turned crimson hearing this, her lips quivering, eager to say something, but Song Zhiyuan’s imposing authority was overwhelming, and her young age inexperienced against such a storm, compounded by the frightful night, stared down by Song Zhiyuan’s interrogation, she fainted dead away from terror.

Song Zhiyuan’s face darkened, he looked at the palace nanny overseeing the concubine, and instructed coldly, ”Splash her awake, and continue questioning.”