The Valued Lady is Truly Dominant

When Emperor Chu exerted himself to open his eyes, he only felt layers of white shadows before him, causing him to close his eyes involuntarily before opening them again. His pupils gradually focused, and he could see the things in front of him more clearly.

Many people were there, but their faces were all covered with cloth, and their eyes looked at him with a mix of joy and excitement, as if they were about to cry tears of joy.

”I...” Emperor Chu opened his mouth to speak, but his voice was as coarse and hoarse as if it had been ground by gravel.

He tried to lift his hand, only to find his entire body was sore, weak, and utterly devoid of strength.

Emperor Chu felt a bit of fear in his heart; he felt like a lamb lying on the chopping block, unable to muster the slightest bit of resistance.

This feeling left him flustered and helpless.

After all, as someone who was an emperor, after an instant of panic, he calmed himself and carefully looked at the people around him, his gaze stopping at Song Zhiyuan with a questioning look.

Song Zhiyuan was so excited he nearly cried.

It’s good he woke up.

He let out a long breath and concisely said, ”You’ve just woken up, don’t rush. The discomfort in your body is due to the epidemic, but the imperial physicians will treat you. Imperial Physician Lu, please take the Emperor’s pulse first.”

When Emperor Chu heard the words ”epidemic,” his pupils contracted, a storm swirling in his eyes.

”Your Majesty, this old minister will take your pulse,” Imperial Physician Lu came forward, knelt beside the Dragon Couch, and placed two fingers on his pulse.

Song Zhiyuan stepped back a short distance to watch, his tense nerves from the past two days slightly relaxing. As long as he was awake, the illness could be cured.

Imperial Physician Lu and several other imperial physicians took turns checking the pulse and then explained to Emperor Chu about his body’s condition and how it should be treated. The final plan was to first soak in medicinal baths, supplemented by moxibustion and acupuncture to expel the wind-dampness toxins.

In such matters of treatment, Song Zhiyuan naturally had no place to intervene. Instead, he went ahead to handle the memorials submitted from various places, setting aside those that required the Emperor’s urgent approval to present later.

By the time the sun was high, Song Zhiyuan was summoned by Emperor Chu for an audience.

In the side hall, the smell of moxa was still strong, with moxibustion smoke lingering. Emperor Chu lay with his eyes closed on the Dragon Couch. At his side, Eunuch Zhou was bent over reporting the events of the past two days. Seeing Song Zhiyuan enter, he paused mid-sentence, raised his head, and gave a reassuring smile.

”Your Majesty, the Prime Minister has arrived.”

Emperor Chu opened his eyes, watching Song Zhiyuan approach him and salute, his gaze falling on his eye rim, noticing the redness in his eyes, and his own eyes softened involuntarily.

”You’ve worked hard.”

Song Zhiyuan smiled, lifted his robe, and knelt down, saying, ”I wish my Emperor boundless fortune and immunity from all illnesses.”

Emperor Chu said, ”Rise and speak.”

Song Zhiyuan stood up and said, ”It’s good that you’ve woken up. In just one day, many memorials have piled up from various places. You need to recover soon to review them, otherwise I might lose a few more precious hairs from this beautiful beard.”

Emperor Chu rasped, ”I am the patient, and you are my strong support. The capable should do more work, so you must endure a few more days.”

”I can only pick out the important ones for your approval,” Song Zhiyuan pursed his lips and said, ”You need not worry too much about national affairs; no matter how big the issue, it’s not as important as your health. Your main responsibility now is to cooperate with the imperial physicians and focus on recovering. The empire depends on you, Your Majesty.”

Emperor Chu nodded. Even if he wanted to work, he felt powerless, his body genuinely weak and sore, unable to muster any strength.

As an emperor, he feared death more than anyone else.

”Let’s not spread the news of my awakening and continue to keep the situation in Yangxin Hall confidential,” Emperor Chu suddenly said.