After Zhang Quan finished speaking—
Emperor Qizhen asked, “So how are things now? Has there been progress in the dry well case?”
“Apart from the portraits each side produced, the Ministry of Justice hasn’t received any other information from Prince Rong or Prince Yi. It probably won’t be that quick.”
“Hmm?” Emperor Qizhen’s deeply furrowed brows knitted together. “You’re saying… portraits from each side? Isn’t the skill of drawing portraits from bones only possessed by that Master Ji? The person Prince Yi invited also knows how?”
“Reportedly so.”
Oh?
“Who is this person?”
Emperor Qizhen was curious and also somewhat worried.
In his heart, he hoped Jingrong could solve this case, not Jing Yi.
Zhang Quan bent at the waist and replied, “That person was invited back from outside by Prince Yi. Reportedly, he’s also an expert at solving cases. He’s handled quite a few cases in various prefectures and counties. Those common people all call him a living Buddha. This time, if Prince Rong wants to solve the case before Prince Yi, I’m afraid…”
It will be quite difficult!
Those three words ultimately weren’t spoken aloud.
Emperor Qizhen also grew worried, his strong, powerful hands inside his sleeves clenching into tight fists.
His temples throbbed painfully!
Seeing this, Zhang Quan quickly said, “Your Majesty, you needn’t worry too much. Even so, Prince Rong still has a chance of winning. Master Ji is a capable person and very intelligent. He will certainly be able to help Prince Rong and uncover the truth of the case.”
Emperor Qizhen remained silent.
After a long while, he finally lifted his eyelids and said, “Continue monitoring the movements at the Ministry of Justice. Once there’s progress, inform me immediately.”
“Yes.”
He thought for a moment, then suddenly asked, “By the way, I heard Consort Xiao is ill?”
“Yes, she’s been ill for some time. But the imperial physician has already examined her and says it’s nothing serious—she only needs to rest and recuperate properly.”
Emperor Qizhen pushed himself up, his large sleeves sweeping across the desk and knocking over that bowl of ginseng soup.
The ginseng soup overturned, immediately spilling onto the memorials.
“Oh my.” Zhang Quan cried out and quickly stepped forward to “rescue” them.
Fortunately, only the edge was dampened.
Emperor Qizhen said, “Let it be. Follow me to Zhangjie Hall to see Consort Xiao.”
“Yes.”
Zhang Quan placed the memorials in a clean spot, then after following Emperor Qizhen out, instructed the young eunuch at the door to go in and clean up.
Zhangjie Hall.
Hearing that His Majesty was coming, Consort Xiao, who had been resting on her couch, immediately perked up.
Ever since Jing Yi married the legitimate daughter of the Ji family and the court officials petitioned to recommend Jing Yi as crown prince, Emperor Qizhen had rarely come here and very seldom summoned Consort Xiao to attend his bedchamber.
Between the husband and wife, things had gradually changed!
Now hearing His Majesty was coming to see her, she quickly had the palace maids help her with her hair and makeup.
Applying powder and rouge!
But halfway through the makeup—
She suddenly said, “Make this consort’s face even paler.”
“Your Ladyship?”
The palace maid’s hand paused in midair, not quite understanding.
Consort Xiao glared at her through the mirror. “Just do as you’re told and don’t talk too much.”
“Yes.”
The palace maid complied.
Her originally pale face, after applying much powder, looked even more deathly white.
Like someone on the verge of death!
She quickly lay down on the couch, waiting for her “target” to arrive.
Before long, the voices of palace maids and eunuchs came from outside.
“Paying respects to His Majesty.”
He had arrived!
As soon as someone entered, Consort Xiao clutched her handkerchief and began coughing lightly while struggling to rise with difficulty.
“Paying respects to His Majesty.”
Just as she bowed—
Emperor Qizhen quickly stepped forward and supported her.
“You’re unwell. No need for such formalities.”
“I didn’t know Your Majesty was coming. Please forgive this consort’s transgression.”
“I deliberately didn’t have anyone announce my arrival to spare you the trouble.” As he spoke, Emperor Qizhen helped her sit down on the couch.
Then he ordered someone to bring a blanket and covered Consort Xiao’s legs with it.
“You must rest more.”
“Your Majesty, this consort is unwell and fears she cannot serve Your Majesty.”
“I came specifically to see you. I don’t need your service, and besides, I’ll be leaving shortly.”
Leaving shortly?
Consort Xiao’s expression immediately soured.
She thought: He’s going to leave?
Then she’d better appear even more pitiful.
She lowered her very weak-looking eyes, drew a breath, then raised her gaze and said, “Your Majesty, you handle ten thousand affairs daily. This consort has merely caught a cold—it’s nothing serious. Why did you need to come in person?”
“That’s what I should be saying! How did you get so ill without sending someone to notify me?”
She smiled gently, her increasingly thin body leaning against Emperor Qizhen’s side. “This consort’s illness is nothing compared to national affairs. Your Majesty must attend to matters concerning all the people under heaven, matters of state and dynasty. Naturally this consort dares not disturb you. Moreover, it’s not a serious illness. With rest, it will naturally improve. The imperial physician has also prescribed much medicine which I drink daily. I will recover.”
After saying so much in one breath, she began coughing violently again.
As if she would cough up blood.
Her deathly pale face had not even a trace of color.
Although Emperor Qizhen held a grudge against Consort Xiao for suggesting that Prince Yi marry the legitimate daughter of the Ji family—otherwise he wouldn’t have made such a wrong choice, causing Jing Yi to become so arrogant now.
It was a thorn in his heart!
One he could never remove in this lifetime.
But seeing Consort Xiao so gravely ill, his heart ached somewhat.
He grasped those delicate hands and said, “Recently I’ve been busy with important matters and have indeed neglected you. You’ve become so ill yet still refuse to send someone to notify me. This troubles my conscience.”
“Your Majesty speaks too highly. National affairs are urgent—this consort dares not compare.”
So sensible and understanding!
Yet tears welled in both eyes.
Emperor Qizhen said in a low voice, patting the back of her hand.
Then he asked the palace maids in the room, “How exactly has the imperial physician been treating her? Why hasn’t Her Ladyship improved after all these days?”
The palace maid bowed. “In response to Your Majesty, the imperial physician has come many times, but the diagnosis is always the same—Her Ladyship’s body is too weak, and with the recent poor weather, her constitution caught a chill. But it’s not a serious illness. He prescribed some medicine for Her Ladyship to take daily to nourish her body.”
“Which imperial physician?”
“Imperial Physician Chang and Imperial Physician Liu.”
Those were two old imperial physicians!
Emperor Qizhen’s expression darkened. He snorted, swept his large sleeve, and ordered, “Relay my decree—have Imperial Physician Gao come immediately.”
His voice rang out loudly.
The young palace maid nervously shrunk her neck, not daring to raise her head. She responded hastily, “Yes.”
Then hurried out to summon the imperial physician.
Consort Xiao pulled at Emperor Qizhen’s hand. “Your Majesty, why are you summoning Imperial Physician Gao?”
The ones treating her illness were Imperial Physician Chang and Imperial Physician Liu. If he were to summon anyone, it should be those two old physicians!
Why summon Imperial Physician Gao instead?
Emperor Qizhen explained, “Although Imperial Physician Chang and Imperial Physician Liu are veteran palace physicians, they’re getting on in years. Their eyes are somewhat dim and they’re becoming increasingly confused. Mistakes and omissions are inevitable. I’m not reassured. Better to have Imperial Physician Gao come examine you again, diagnosing you in my presence.”
“Your Majesty, this consort truly is fine.”
“Look at yourself—your face is deathly pale and you speak without strength. Since I’ve come today, I naturally won’t ignore your condition. The cause of your illness must be identified so proper treatment can be prescribed.” His authority was absolute.
Consort Xiao’s eyes reddened as she lowered her brows and wiped away tears.
Moved.