Ask the Nine Ministers

Chapter 349 Testing
When Xue Sui had Zhou Mama lead her to Jiaofang Palace, Empress Xie was accompanying Emperor Chongzhao in the waterside pavilion of the Imperial Garden.

The emperor valued the empress's pregnancy highly.

Whenever he had free time, he would always go to the Jiaofang Palace to sit for a while and ask a few questions in detail.

Empress Xie observed coldly that his actions were not entirely for the sake of the child in his womb.

It's highly likely that the imperial court has encountered a thorny and difficult matter...

Just like back then, when the two new and old lovers in the harem were vying for his attention and causing chaos, he would often find an excuse to hide at her place, just to get some peace and quiet.

The emperor was a man of deep thoughts and never spoke the truth.

She responded gently as usual, maintaining the unspoken decorum between the emperor and empress.

"The Empress seems...absent-minded?"

Emperor Chongzhao suddenly spoke, his gaze falling on the shimmering lake in the distance. He coughed heavily twice, his expression unreadable.

"Is it because you dislike the dampness near the water?"

Empress Xie paused slightly with her fan in her hand, then bowed slightly.

"Your Majesty, please forgive me. Perhaps it's the heat of summer; I'm feeling rather unwell today..."

Emperor Chongzhao gave a soft hum, glancing sideways at her perfectly timed smile, before suddenly changing the subject.

"The other day, Consort Xiao sent someone to say that she was feeling unwell and wanted to see me. I did not want to see her. But the Cold Palace is remote and the Xiao family is..."

He paused, as if carefully choosing his words, "...If I were to show no compassion whatsoever, I would appear rather harsh and ungrateful."

Speaking of it.

He gently placed the teacup in his hand on the stone table.

"Let the Empress handle this matter."

Empress Xie's heart stirred slightly.

Ever since Xue Sui visited Xiao Qing'er at Shuangheng Garden, Xiao Qing'er has remained quiet. She hasn't stirred up trouble for a long time, so why is she suddenly jumping out again?

She hesitated for a moment, then said, “Your Majesty is benevolent. However, Lady Xiao is a criminal and has always been arrogant and stubborn. If I were to go there rashly, I fear that I might offend her with my words and cause an argument. If that happens, I might even injure the imperial fetus, which would be undesirable.”

Normally, if she made such a fuss, Emperor Chongzhao would most likely be furious.

But today, there was not a trace of displeasure on his face; he simply nodded thoughtfully.

"So be it. She's just a deposed concubine, let her stay out of the spotlight. Your focus should be on taking care of your pregnancy."

The unusual concession and gentleness left Empress Xie momentarily dazed.

She had only ever seen him with this expression before, when he was with Consort Xiao or when he needed to appease an old minister.

The two were speechless for a moment.

The only sounds in the waterside pavilion were the chirping of cicadas and the soft rustling of wind through the willow branches...

The atmosphere quieted down, and a subtle stagnation ensued.

Aunt Yu quietly entered and whispered, "Your Majesty, Master Miaozhen has come to take your pulse."

Empress Xie felt relieved and took her leave.

"Your Majesty, please rest and enjoy the scenery here. I will go change my clothes and take your pulse first..."

Emperor Chongzhao's gaze swept over her slightly clumsy figure, and finally landed on her gentle and calm face.

For some reason, having grown accustomed to her dignified and aloof demeanor, I felt a strange sense of melancholy at this moment.

"This Miaozhen has been increasingly eager to visit the palace lately?"

"Your Majesty..." Empress Xie replied with her eyes lowered, "Master Miaozhen is skilled in gynecology and is meticulous in her work. With her care, both I and the child in my womb feel much more at ease."

Emperor Chongzhao did not say anything more.

He waved his hand, then turned his gaze back to the center of the lake.

"Go."

Only after Empress Xie's figure disappeared at the end of the corridor did the gentleness on Emperor Chongzhao's face slowly fade, and his eyes darkened.

"Wang Chengxi".

"The old slave is here."

"Send someone to Shuangheng Garden to see what Consort Xiao is up to. Is she really ill? Or... has she developed some inappropriate thoughts again?"

"Yes." Wang Chengxi understood perfectly well that His Majesty's compassion in front of the Empress was merely a test and assessment of the emperor's intentions.

Emperor Chongzhao picked up the now-cold teacup, took a large gulp, and suppressed the itch rising in his throat. "Keep a close eye on her. If I tell her to behave, she'll behave."

Wang Chengxi bowed and accepted the order.
-
Inside the Jiaofang Palace, the fragrance of medicine was refreshing.

After paying her respects to Empress Xie, Xue Suiyi stepped forward to take her pulse.

Xue Sui rested his fingertips on his wrist for a moment, then his brows furrowed almost imperceptibly.

"Your Majesty's pulse is floating and slippery, and your heart is slightly unsteady. Has Your Highness been overthinking lately, or perhaps you have been disturbed?"

Empress Xie stroked her lower abdomen, smiled, and sighed wearily.

"There are too many people and too many eyes in this palace, and there are always some troublesome things that make people restless... Perhaps it's because it's too hot these days, but I've been feeling very tired lately and can't sleep well at night."

Xue Sui withdrew his hand, stepped back, and bowed.

"Summer heat depletes body fluids and easily ignites the heart fire. This humble nun will add a few more calming and soothing herbs to Your Highness's body, just a minor adjustment, which will not harm the fetus."

Just as she was about to get up to write the prescription, Li Zhao lifted the curtain and entered.

"Is Mother Empress resting?" His voice was clear and bright. His gaze swept over Xue Sui. His tall figure stood in the hall, exuding an aura of solemnity.

"My son, I send my regards to my mother."

When Empress Xie saw her son arrive, her smile became more genuine.
"Your Highness, you're up early today?"

Li Zhao said, "Your Majesty, I just returned from a meeting at Chongwen Hall and heard that Your Majesty was not feeling well, so I came to see you."

Empress Xie smiled and said, "You are busy with court affairs, so there is no need to always worry about me."

"No matter how busy I am, the health and well-being of my mother is the most important thing."

Li Zhao spoke respectfully, then suddenly turned his head to face Xue Sui.

"Master Miaozhen is here too? Is the Empress Dowager fully recovered?"

Xue Sui sensed the deeper meaning in his gaze, and her back involuntarily tensed slightly.

"Your Highness, Her Majesty's pulse has gradually stabilized. However, the summer heat has caused her heart fire to be slightly excessive. She needs to calm her mind and take good care of herself... but there is nothing seriously wrong with her."

Li Zhao nodded without saying much, only saying to the Empress, "Mother, please take good care of yourself. I think Master Miaozhen is a very capable person. With her around, I can focus on governing the country with peace of mind."

The air was filled with the fragrance of medicine, and the conversation seemed to be laced with witty remarks.

"These past few days, I've troubled Master Miaozhen with all her care..." Empress Xie's gaze swept subtly across her son's face, then she smiled gently and fixed her gaze on Xue Sui.

"The sun is scorching outside, and you must be thirsty after your long journey. Yunxin, take Master Miaozhen to the side hall for some chilled plum juice. You can rest for a while before we start the prescription."

The Empress's voice was as gentle as ever, yet it held a hidden edge, carrying a subtle reminder...

Xue Sui dared not be ignorant of his place.

She bowed again, her posture impeccable.

"Thank you for your kindness, Your Majesty."

A meek and obedient palace maid led her through a side door into a cool and quiet side hall.

Soon, someone presented a crystal-clear glass cup and placed it on a small rosewood table.

The purplish-red broth, with tiny ice crystals floating on top, exudes a refreshing coolness that is incredibly tempting.

Xue Sui sat down on the brocade stool, his fingertips touching the saturated cup, but instead of dispelling the melancholy in his heart, it stirred up even deeper unease...

The empress knew everything but kept it hidden.

Li Zhaona appeared ordinary, yet he boldly probed...

She was like a silk thread running between the mother and son.

The feeling was indescribable.

She sighed inwardly, lightly touched her lips to the ground, and then put the bottle down.

He ground the ink, spread out the paper, and took out the Empress's medical records to compare them carefully.

The hall was silent, with only the faint sound of a pen falling on paper.

Just as I finished writing the prescription, I heard the soft rustling of clothes behind the screen.

Xue Sui raised his eyes.

Li Zhao walked around the screen and entered the hall, bringing with him the summer heat from outside.

(End of this chapter)