Zhurou

Chapter 247 Recovery

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There were storms outside the palace, and in the back court, Zhao Mingzhi tossed and turned. That day, he struggled to get up and asked someone to stop Zhao Hong from entering the house to prevent him from contracting the disease.

When the fever started to rise, her whole body became hot. She felt like her eyes and nose were on fire, her hands and legs were sore, her back ached, and even the gaps between her bones felt like someone was scraping them with a knife.

At one point she was unconscious from the fever. No matter how she moved her hands and feet, she felt extremely uncomfortable and had no strength at all. When the pain reached its extreme, her mind went blank and her ears were buzzing. She didn't know whether she was in the eighteenth level of hell or somewhere else, and she couldn't hear the sounds around her. In a daze, she only knew that someone was coming and going beside her, and someone was fiddling with her hands and feet. In fact, her mind wanted to be clear, but she didn't even have the strength to open her eyes.

I don't know how long it had been, but one day, Zhao Mingzhi woke up and felt much more relaxed. Although he still had a headache, he no longer had a fever. He opened his eyes and saw a small candle lit on the wooden cabinet beside the bed, shining dimly through the half-drawn curtains.

She wanted to get up, but when she exerted force, she found that her hands and feet were wrapped in something unknown, and her head and face felt slightly heavy. Just as she was about to move, the palace servant on duty had already noticed it and hurried over. When he saw Zhao Mingzhi's appearance, he was surprised and happy. He first called out "Your Highness", rang the bell with his hand to call for people, and then hurried forward.

After just a few breaths, a medical officer came to take his pulse and found that the high fever had indeed subsided.

The medical officers were busy with their work, either using moxibustion or taking medicine. After the treatment was completed, they had to give new medical instructions.

Zhao Mingzhi had been in a coma for too long and had only taken medicine as meals. She had not felt anything when she was sick, but now she was finally hungry. However, her tongue felt bitter and astringent, and her stomach seemed to be separated by a layer of something, causing dull pain. After acupuncture for a while and a few mouthfuls of porridge, she was about to speak when she felt inexplicably sleepy and fell asleep again.

This time I woke up because I was hungry.

As soon as she opened her eyes, she saw a person beside the bed wiping her hands and feet with a wet towel. She turned her head and saw that the person was wiping while shrugging his shoulders and wiping his face with clothes.

Now that Zhao Mingzhi was awake, she was no longer sleepy at all. Her five senses had already returned to 70% or 80%. Her eyesight was very good. Although it was not very bright, she could see that the person opposite her had tears on her face - it was Mo Xiang.

She knew she was seriously ill, and when she had a high fever, she even thought she would not make it through this time. Now that she was feeling better, she laughed and said, "What's wrong? You're crying like this, did anyone bully you?"

However, as soon as she opened her mouth, she felt a sore and tingling sensation in her throat, and her voice became extremely hoarse.

But Mo Xiang had already heard her voice, and for a moment she didn't even care about the snot and tears on her face, and she didn't even know how to ring the bell. She turned around and called for someone in a hurry. Only when she heard footsteps outside did she turn back and touch Zhao Mingzhi's forehead.

She cried and laughed, saying, "Why is Your Highness so ill this time! At least he woke up!" After she finished speaking, a snot bubble came out of her nose. She was so embarrassed that she quickly stepped back, making way for the medical officer to come forward, and went to wash her face without saying anything.

Zhao Mingzhi half leaned against the head of the bed, waiting for the doctor to prescribe a prescription. From then on, he took the medicine on time several times a day to recuperate.

But once the fever subsided, all her other symptoms resurfaced. She had a constant cough and a stuffy nose, which was really painful.

Fortunately, I am still young after all, and no matter how poor my health has been in the past two years, my foundation is still there. After having a fever for many days and a lingering period, I finally feel that my energy has returned to 60% or 70%. The other symptoms are gradually disappearing. I only feel shortness of breath and chest tightness when I walk. There is no other way, so I can only slowly recuperate.

Zhao Mingzhi had been ill for many days, and all other urgent matters were decided by the two governments. The remaining matters that were beyond their control had to be left alone. Zhao Hong read what he could read and listened to the reports of the ministers. Most of them could not be pressed, so he obeyed them, but there were always some that he had seen Zhao Mingzhi would not give in.

For example, the list of officials' appointments and dispatches, the court's attitude towards the rebellion caused by bandits and stragglers in Guangnan, western Shu and eastern Guizhou, and the officials' request to close the market with the Di people. These matters had all been discussed in the court before, and Zhao Mingzhi had repeatedly rejected the request. The two governments took advantage of this time to ask him to confirm everything, so Zhao Hong refused to nod and insisted on waiting for "sister to come and see".

The emperor's actions not only dissatisfied the Privy Council, but also there were many complaints in the Council of State. However, Zhao Hong turned a deaf ear to them and kept flipping through the family files and history books.

But of course not everything in this world has a reference, and not everything is the same all the time.

Even if the situation is the same, the decisions made in the past may not necessarily have the same results if made again now.

He held the pen day and night, very worried, fearing that if he nodded hastily, it would cause a disaster. He was also afraid that if he did not nod and delayed, he would also miss out on important things, especially since the previous dynasty urged him every day, which made him feel really helpless.

Just as he was getting anxious, Zhao Hong finally waited until the doctor said that the princess was well again. He put aside the things at hand and came out in the rain without paying attention to the heavy rain outside.

He did not care about the emperor's manners and could not wait for the ceremonial gate official to report. He entered Zhao Mingzhi's palace and went into the inner room. He called "Sister" as soon as he opened his mouth. Seeing Zhao Mingzhi leaning on the couch, as if she was frozen, he did not dare to go forward. After several breaths, he walked quickly, took Zhao Mingzhi's hand, and choked up and said, "Sister, you have lost a lot of weight."

At Zhao Hong's age, it's hard to tell what his complexion is, but he can tell that he looks sick and thin. His nose felt sore for a moment, so he just held back his snot and tears and asked, "Is Sister okay?"

Zhao Mingzhi knew his brother was worried. He was nervous because of the heavy rain outside and his hurried approach. He didn't say anything else. He hurriedly touched his hair, leaned down to touch the tip of his shoes and the corner of his robe, and asked, "It's raining so hard, why are you in such a hurry? Are you wet?"

Zhao Hong's shoes were indeed wet, and most of the back of his outer robe was also wet. Fortunately, Zhao Mingzhi had left a spare one in the palace.

He changed into new clothes and shoes, then sat beside the chaise longue, repeatedly asking Zhao Mingzhi where she felt uncomfortable, her current symptoms, what she wanted to eat, what she wanted to do, and whether she felt stuffy or hot, and whether she wanted someone to add another ice basin.

During the hot summer, such sudden rain does not actually bring coolness, but makes it even more hot and humid.

Zhao Mingzhi had just recovered from an illness and felt very weak. He was not afraid of the heat, but when he saw his brother running so hard that sweat was oozing from the tip of his nose, he asked someone to bring a basin of ice to the side so that he could feel more comfortable.

She answered slowly, only saying a few words, and finally smiled and said, "It's all healed now."

He then asked if there was anything going on in the court, as well as the recent situation of several prime ministers, and whether there were any major events in or outside the city.

Zhao Hong also laughed and said, "Ajie is very sensible about this illness, and she knows how to choose the right time! There is nothing important in the court these days, so the two governments can make the decision. I have learned a lot from them, and the gentlemen haven't said anything bad..."

He only reported good news and not bad news, and only concealed the quarrel he had with others. He did not mention those urgent matters. He only thought in his heart: I'm glad that my sister has been dragging on for so long anyway, don't bother her with it, just leave it aside for now, and I will quarrel with them again to see if I can come up with something. If not, we can talk about it tomorrow.

How could Zhao Mingzhi believe it? But he didn't say much in person, just accepted his brother's thoughtfulness. As he was talking, a palace servant brought in medicine.

In fact, Zhao Hong had wanted to come here in person for a long time, and was more willing to take care of her personally. Now that he got the chance, he immediately stood up, took the medicine cup, and walked up to Zhao Mingzhi to feed her the medicine.

He was used to taking medicine, and his actions of feeding him medicine were actually very serious. Zhao Mingzhi was amused, so he stretched out his hand to stop him and said, "He is not that sick yet."

Zhao Hong was a little disappointed that he couldn't serve the medicine himself, but he couldn't force himself to go forward. He sighed and turned to ask Mo Xiang, "Sister, do you have any rock sugar?"

Mo Xiang was startled, and hurriedly pushed the tray forward, saying, "I have prepared some preserved fruits."

Zhao Hong shook his head and said, "The preserved fruit is not good. I don't know if other medicinal materials will be added when making it. If it washes away the medicinal properties, it will be troublesome. It is better to eat rock sugar, which can suppress the bitter smell of the medicine."

He added: "After taking rock sugar, don't drink water for one stick of incense. If you really need to drink, just take a sip of warm water. You can't drink tea after taking medicine, so as not to conflict with the medicinal properties."

He was so experienced that everyone around him dared to refuse. Some went to get rock sugar, while others went to pour warm water.

After finishing the medicine, Zhao Mingzhi dismissed his attendants and asked Zhao Hong to sit down on a chair. Then he asked again, "Is there really no urgent matter in the previous dynasty?"

Zhao Hong was not willing to say anything. He looked around and talked about something else. He glanced and saw several bottles of pills on the wooden cabinet beside the bed. They were the pills that the palace servants had brought to mix with water to reduce Zhao Mingzhi's fever. They were not put away in a hurry because they were afraid that they would be needed in a hurry.

Seeing the porcelain bottle, Zhao Hong seemed to be saved. He changed the subject and said, "Sister, you are very ill this time. The doctor only dared to prescribe Taifang medicine. It took a long time for the fever to go down. I was about to ask people to post a notice to find a doctor. Fortunately, Pei Jiedu came out to offer medicine..."

Although Zhao Hong had been emperor for two years and his words and deeds were no longer the same as before, he was born in a vassal state after all. Deep down, he did not regard himself as a superior emperor and still believed in the way of reciprocity.

He now recounted the previous events in great detail, beginning and end, and finally said, "Sister is well now, I should thank her sincerely, but I don't know what to give her in return."

In fact, he didn't need to mention it specifically at this time. Zhao Mingzhi also remembered this matter in her heart. When she woke up a few days ago, she sent someone out of the palace to deliver a letter. However, she didn't regard Pei Yong as an outsider after all, so she naturally didn't bother about it. When she heard her brother ask about it, she thought about it and simply said, "Being too solemn will make it seem deliberate. It's better to hold a banquet to entertain him."

He added: "There is no need to hold a big banquet, just a small one without anyone else accompanying you..."

Zhao Hong seemed to be hesitant to speak after hearing this. After a pause, he could not help but ask, "Sister, isn't it too rude to greet you so simply?"

Although Zhao Mingzhi didn't say it directly, he didn't hide it from him either, saying, "When I went to Jingzhao Prefecture before, I had some time with Pei Yong and Li Yan. They were not ordinary friends. If we host a grand banquet, it will make people feel unfamiliar. I will let Mo Xiang take care of it, so as not to be too rude to others."

Zhao Hong had no idea what the so-called "having a relationship with someone else" meant, and he was confused and thinking in his heart: In that case, should I ask my sister to sit in the host seat then?

Then I thought: I can't really just eat at one table, right? This is not a state matter. I took the Peiyong pills. Now it seems that it is thanks to these pills that my sister is getting better faster. This time I am thanking my sister, it is a private matter. It is also my share to give her some money.

He thought about it and realized that he didn't have much private money on hand. However, the gold beads and some small toys he had collected in the past were very valuable, but he wanted to give them away as gifts. Firstly, he had strong feelings for them and couldn't bear to do so. Secondly, if he gave them to Pei Yong, the other party would probably not look at them well.

Zhao Hong was thinking in his heart, when he suddenly heard Zhao Mingzhi across from him ask: "Last time I talked about the matter of pacifying the rebels in western Sichuan and southeast Guizhou. During the few days I was ill, has the Privy Council recommended any new people?"

He shook his head subconsciously and said, "Several people in the Privy Council refused to surrender and insisted on fighting. Because my sister wanted to surrender, Mr. Zhang wanted to use Tang Mian. My sister said before that Tang Mian has a bad temper and treats his subordinates harshly. Normally, he is fine. If he goes at this time, I am afraid that he will not only fail to surrender, but will make the situation worse. So I refused to agree."

"Because I disagreed, Zhang Xianggong recommended another person named Peng, called Peng Chang. I looked through his resume and found that he was just average, and I couldn't see anything special about him. I urged them to recommend someone new, so as not to miss out on important matters. But after a long time, there was no response, so I had another quarrel with the two officials of the Privy Council!"

He finished talking like a bamboo tube pouring beans, and then he suddenly reacted. He looked up and saw Zhao Mingzhi looking at him with a smile. His face turned red and he whispered, "I didn't hide it from you on purpose, but I didn't want you to worry about these things when you are sick, so just now..."

Zhao Mingzhi knew this and said, "Sister has never forced herself. When I was sick before, when did she ever worry about me? Today I am really better."

He added: "You are right. Tang Mian is a fierce general. He is only suitable for attacking and charging. He needs to be under the command of a general, but not for such a campaign of appeasement. If he is sent, nine out of ten things will go wrong. But in the future, you should not quarrel with others easily..."

Zhao Hong sat on the chair with his hands on his knees, listening to Zhao Mingzhi talk. As he listened, he leaned his head against the back of the chair, his eyes slowly narrowed, and he fell asleep.

Naturally, Zhao Mingzhi would not be unaware of it. She stopped talking, just sat up and put on her shoes. Without ringing the bell, she tiptoed to the door and called Mo Xiang, who was guarding outside, to come in. Together, the two of them gently laid Zhao Hong on the bed and let him sleep peacefully.

There are only two siblings in the palace, and Zhao Hong is just a half-grown child. His elder sister is seriously ill, so he has no one to rely on. There are also old ministers in the court who are always urging him. He is unfamiliar with everything and is anxious in his heart. In fact, he is under the greatest pressure and is the most anxious. He has not slept well these days. Today, he rarely sees his elder sister, and he relaxes for a while and falls into a deep sleep.

In Zhao Mingzhi's heart, her brother's health was more important than anything else. Since there was no court meeting the next day, only the imperial lecture, she found an excuse to send someone to ask for leave for the emperor early.

No one came to call him, and Zhao Hong slept from the afternoon until noon. When he looked at the time, he was panicking, but the royal attendant beside him hurriedly told him that he had asked for leave, and said that the princess had instructed, "Tell Your Majesty to have a good sleep. Suitable candidates have been sent to each of the several places for pacification. There is nothing important to do today, so you don't have to worry about sleeping until the afternoon."

After hearing this, he was about to get up, but then he slowly lay back down, gripping the thin mattress and turning over to face the wall, and couldn't help laughing secretly.

So this is what it means to steal a little time off from your busy life.

Sleeping can be so comfortable!

I have received a notification that "Zhu Rou" will be free on August 8th. I suggest that everyone save up the articles and don't subscribe. Please also cancel the automatic subscription if you have it turned on. I will try my best to keep updating and add more words. Please wait for the free period to read it~