The World's Number One Medical Hall

Chapter Twenty-Seven: The Empress is Ill

"As the mother of a nation, how could the Empress be disabled?" Mo Bai followed behind the crowd, making his way to the side hall, his heart filled with turmoil.

His gaze lingered on the Empress's legs, which, even with assistance, remained weak as if afraid to touch the ground, and he did not look away for a long time.

Perhaps it was because she was his "mother" after all, but regardless, this identity still had an impact on him, especially after he felt that the "mother's" attitude towards her son was obviously different from that of Emperor Dingwu. He could not turn a blind eye to this situation.

However, he remained silent throughout the journey and did not ask any questions rashly.

It was obvious that the Empress's legs had not become like this today, and he certainly hadn't only found out about it today. Even if he wanted to know more, he didn't know how to bring it up.

The group walked to a side hall, where a table of fine wine and delicacies was already prepared in the center.

Several palace maids were standing on all four sides. When they saw the nobleman approaching, they quickly bowed and paid their respects.

Supported by her elder brother and palace maids, the Empress took her seat at the head of the table. Raising her elegant eyes, she smiled slightly and said to the two brothers, "There's no need for formalities today. Please sit down!"

Having already arrived here, Mo Bai was not about to turn around and leave, and was determined to finish this meal. Without hesitation, he took a step and sat down to the right of the Empress.

But just as he sat down, he heard his elder brother's voice again: "Your subject thanks Your Majesty for your grace!"

Mo Bai's expression paused slightly, and he looked up at his elder brother, only to see that his elder brother was bowing deeply, his posture extremely respectful.

Then, glancing around, he noticed that the palace maids' eyes were instinctively drawn to him, who had already sat down.

Undoubtedly, the atmosphere became awkward.

To be honest, Mo Bai really had no interest in competing with his elder brother for favor, but this man always took the opportunity to undermine him, which made Mo Bai quite annoyed.

In this awkward atmosphere, Mo Bai had no choice but to stand up again, bow deeply to the Empress, and say, "Your subject has been rude; please forgive me, Mother!"

"You should learn more from your elder brother, you know?" The Empress, seated at the head of the table, looked at her son who had sat down and then stood up again, and couldn't help but smile, though she scolded him. But then her tone changed, and she slightly raised her hand: "Alright, all of you, rise and sit down to eat!"

"Thank you, Mother!" The elder brother straightened up, his gaze sweeping over Mo Bai's face before continuing, "Mother, as you know, Sixth Brother has always been thinking of his foster mother from the common people. I think he didn't mean any disrespect to you; he's just so excited about being granted the title of Mingzhu and finally achieving his wish that he forgot his manners for a moment. Please don't blame him!"

Nima!

Isn't this deliberately trying to sow discord, suggesting that Mo Bai only remembers his adoptive mother and has forgotten his birth mother?

Mo Bai had already noticed that this "Empress Dowager" harbored resentment towards his adoptive mother, and now that she was bringing it up again, the Empress would probably feel uncomfortable again.

Sure enough, as soon as the elder brother finished speaking, the Empress's smile froze, turning slightly unpleasant. Her gaze swept over Mo Bai, and her voice was clearly displeased as she said, "My son, is it as your elder brother says? You are so impatient. How can your mother be at ease about your journey to Mingzhu?"

Even with his composure and calm demeanor, Mo Bai was extremely displeased by his elder brother's repeated provocations, and he didn't know what exactly threatened him.

He really didn't want to cause any more trouble before leaving, but if he ignored him now, who knows how many more problems might arise during this meal.

His gaze immediately swept over his elder brother's smiling face, his eyes sharpening slightly, but he didn't linger before turning to the Empress and saying softly, "Mother, please calm your anger. I only heard you say that there was no need for formalities today, so I didn't think much of it. I did as you said without considering anything else, but I didn't expect to be impolite. Seeing your demeanor today, I suddenly realized that no matter when or where, even if it's your words, Mother, I must think carefully before considering whether to obey... I have made a mistake, please punish me, Mother!"

I was stunned!

The entire hall, even the maids and palace servants, were stunned.

Staring blankly at Mo Bai, who was bowing down with a wronged expression, he was shocked.

The old palace maid's jaw dropped slightly, her face filled with astonishment she couldn't quite conceal. Little did she know how strange she was thinking: "His Highness Prince Ming has never gained the slightest advantage over His Highness Prince Cang, yet today he has managed to make His Highness suffer a setback..."

Even the Empress looked slightly surprised, but it was clear that these words pleased her. What mother doesn't like her son to be completely obedient to her without any reservations?

Looking at Mo Bai, the elder brother's gaze softened, but a flicker of panic crossed his eyes. He truly hadn't expected his usually reckless and thoughtless sixth brother to be so treacherous today: "Sixth brother, you mustn't speak nonsense. I had no such intention..."

"Enough, enough, all you do is find fault. Your brother is right. As a member of the royal family, you must pay attention to your demeanor and appearance, and not be too casual..." The Empress smiled again and waved her hand once more: "Tomorrow you will be enfeoffed as Mingzhu. The journey is long and the mountains are high, so I specially ordered that some of your favorite dishes be prepared. Come, sit down!"

"Thank you, Mother!" The two brothers bowed simultaneously.

The elder brother glanced at Mo Bai across from him with a clear hint of coldness in his eyes, but Mo Bai ignored him.

After this incident, he would certainly not dare to cause trouble again, and Mo Bai really had no desire to wage war against him.

However, as he spent more time with the Empress, he gradually realized that although she was stricter with him than his elder brother, her maternal love was much more evident.

Mo Bai wondered if this was the reason why his elder brother constantly attacked him.

However, this emotional bond made Mo Bai smile bitterly. He was not a cold-hearted person. He had taken Ming Wang's body and gained the Empress's maternal love. He could not turn a blind eye to it.

During the meal, Mo Bai didn't say much, but the Empress spoke quite a bit, mostly giving earnest instructions.

Mo Bai nodded in agreement from time to time. Perhaps the emperor was indeed on guard. Although he still tried to please the empress from time to time, making her smile at his words, he really did not make any more veiled attacks against Mo Bai.

"Sixth brother, I should have seen you off tomorrow, but I just happened to hear today that a white deer has appeared in the western hunting grounds, and its musk is just right for the Empress Dowager's leg ailment..." After the meal, the elder brother finally spoke with Mo Bai again.

The implication was clear: he couldn't send Mo Bai off tomorrow because he was extremely anxious about his mother's leg ailment. If it weren't for his mother's summons tonight, he would have risked everything to go into the mountains that very night to hunt the white deer and obtain its musk to treat his mother's injury.

Needless to say, the Empress was moved by this filial piety, but she still waved her hand and said, "Your Majesty's filial piety is appreciated by your mother. Your sixth brother will be leaving tomorrow, and it is unknown when we will see him again. Bai Lu can arrange for his men to go, but you must see your sixth brother off!"

Mo Bai didn't care whether he saw him off or not, but now that the topic of his mother's leg ailment had finally come up, he couldn't remain indifferent after this meal. In any case, he was willing to do something for the Empress.

"Mother, there are countless skilled alchemists in this palace, so why has your leg ailment not improved yet? Is it because these people are not doing their best?" Not wanting to ask in detail, Mo Bai had to change his approach.

"My son, you mustn't speak recklessly. The alchemists have already done their best!" The Empress seemed to be used to it and didn't say anything more.

Actually, at this point, Mo Bai wasn't in a hurry to leave. Instead, he wanted to find out what had happened. He knew that if he left, he couldn't guarantee what the situation would be like.

Whether there will be another opportunity to examine this "Empress Dowager" in the future is probably unknown.

Regardless, he couldn't ignore the feelings he had for them after meeting them today, but he was troubled by not knowing how to ask any more questions.

Night had fallen, and it was no longer appropriate for him and his elder brother to stay there. With a sigh, he had no choice but to bid farewell to his elder brother.

"My son, remember this: in the future, you must think things through carefully. Never do what you did before. The mountains are high and the roads are far. Even if your mother wanted to protect you, she couldn't reach you!" In the end, the Empress looked at Mo Bai and continued to instruct him, but the sadness in her eyes made Mo Bai's heart tremble slightly.

He slowly exhaled and kowtowed to the Empress together with his elder brother.

He turned and left.

Unlike before when they were in front of the Empress, the two brothers were now silent and walked in silence.

As they reached the doorway, the elder brother suddenly stopped, looked at Mo Bai, and whispered, "Sixth brother, you'd better be careful now that Mother isn't protecting you!"

Mo Bai smiled and said, "Your Majesty, you worry too much. In fact, there are probably few people in the capital as dull-witted as I am. You should take good care of yourself!"

The elder brother stared at Mo Bai's face, seemingly examining him seriously for the first time, before finally chuckling, flicking his sleeve, and turning to leave.

Mo Bai remained unmoved; he had never taken this person seriously.