“Your Majesty, spare us! Your Majesty, spare us!” The imperial physicians prostrated themselves and wept bitterly.
When the late emperor was consuming “immortality pills” like meals, they had lived in constant fear for twenty years. When they finally thought they could relax with the new emperor’s ascension, who knew they would encounter such a disaster?
Being an “imperial physician” truly wasn’t a job for humans.
Director Li sat collapsed on the ground, but his expression was numb without crying or shouting.
Ever since the day the late emperor had his incident, he had prepared himself for losing his head. Being able to live an extra year was already luck. So be it—let fate decide.
“Your Majesty, the imperial physicians have done their best,” Empress Dowager Yang said with a heavy expression.
She couldn’t let His Majesty vent his grief like this—they would still need these imperial physicians when people in the palace had headaches and fevers in the future.
Moreover, the successive deaths of the princes and princesses were truly suspicious. If what Director Li said was true, then the root of the problem most likely lay with His Majesty himself, and they would need the imperial physicians to find solutions in the future.
Hearing Empress Dowager Yang’s persuasion, Emperor Taixiang became somewhat clearer-headed. He stared fiercely at the kneeling imperial physicians, finally only executing several who had first examined the princes and princesses.
The other imperial physicians escaped disaster. While feeling fortunate, seeing their colleagues’ fate was also hard to bear. They didn’t dare make a sound and knelt to the side, waiting.
Emperor Taixiang looked at Qiao Zhao.
Feeling Emperor Taixiang’s gaze, Qiao Zhao properly curtseyed.
After a long while, Emperor Taixiang spoke: “Marquis’s wife, you may go back.”
“This subject’s wife takes her leave.”
Qiao Zhao left the inner palace and met with Shao Mingyuan, who was waiting in the front hall.
“How did it go?” After leaving the palace gates and getting into the carriage, Shao Mingyuan quietly asked.
Qiao Zhao shook her head: “The First Prince passed away.”
Shao Mingyuan sighed.
“The Second Princess also passed away.”
“Then—”
Qiao Zhao smiled bitterly: “In the entire imperial palace, only the First Princess remains as a child.”
“How is the First Princess’s condition?”
“I haven’t heard anything yet, so she should be fine for now.”
“This is somewhat strange. If the deaths of the princes and princesses are related to His Majesty’s premature breaking of vows, why would the First Princess be unaffected?”
Qiao Zhao leaned against the carriage wall, wearily closing her eyes: “We would need to see the First Princess to know.”
Shao Mingyuan put his arm around Qiao Zhao’s shoulder and sighed: “I’m afraid when His Majesty recovers from the grief of losing his children, he’ll think of the First Princess, and might summon you to the palace again.”
The next day, Emperor Taixiang cancelled court, and everyone in the court learned of the deaths of the three princes and princesses.
Princesses were one thing, but princes were related to the succession of the dynasty. Having them all die in such a short time was truly disturbing.
His Majesty was already in his thirties…
Memorial letters of consolation flew into the palace like snowflakes.
Emperor Taixiang lay sprawled over the high pile of memorials, silently shedding tears.
“Your Majesty, please eat something,” Wei Wuxie stood to the side, urging.
Emperor Taixiang glanced at the young eunuch beside Wei Wuxie holding a tray, shook his head, and listlessly collapsed back onto the memorials.
“The Grand Empress Dowager arrives—”
Only then did Emperor Taixiang slowly stand up and go out to greet her.
“Imperial Grandmother—”
Looking at Emperor Taixiang’s condition, Empress Dowager Yang shook her head: “Your Majesty, you are the ruler of a nation. No matter what happens, you cannot be so dejected!”
Emperor Taixiang wiped his eyes: “Imperial Grandmother, your grandson is truly heartbroken—”
Empress Dowager Yang sighed heavily: “Your Majesty is still young. There will be more children.”
“But those children all had problems. Your grandson is afraid—”
Empress Dowager Yang interrupted Emperor Taixiang: “Your Majesty should not listen to the imperial physicians’ alarmist talk. Isn’t the First Princess perfectly fine?”
No matter what, news that His Majesty couldn’t produce healthy offspring absolutely could not get out. Currently, the official explanation is that the three princes and princesses had died from an epidemic.
“The First Princess?” Emperor Taixiang was startled, his eyes suddenly lighting up with hope. “Yes, yes, the First Princess is still fine. Your grandson must go see the First Princess.”
“Your Majesty!” Seeing Emperor Taixiang rushing out frantically, Empress Dowager Yang helplessly called out.
Emperor Taixiang stopped and looked at Empress Dowager Yang in confusion.
Empress Dowager Yang stepped forward and tidied Emperor Taixiang’s appearance, speaking earnestly: “You are now the Son of Heaven, not an idle prince anymore. You must always remember this.”
This grandson had been left to his own devices by his father for years. He originally didn’t have the bearing of a crown prince, yet had directly become emperor—it was truly exasperating.
“Your grandson understands.” Emperor Taixiang bid farewell to Empress Dowager Yang and hurried toward Yufu Palace.
After the imperial wedding, several concubines who had borne children were conferred the rank of consort. Yufu Palace was Li Jiǎo’s residence.
Li Jiǎo’s mood these past two days had also experienced great joy and sorrow.
Initially, when she learned of the Second Prince’s death, she had secretly rejoiced. However, when the Second Princess and First Prince died one after another, she was completely panicked.
All three princes and princesses had met with misfortune. Now, only her First Princess remained. Would the same ill fate befall the First Princess?
Although Li Jiǎo had been disappointed that the First Princess wasn’t a son, in this palace, especially when His Majesty had few offspring, the status of concubines with children was completely different from those without.
Li Jiǎo understood this point especially clearly, so she was all the more afraid something would happen to the First Princess.
“His Majesty arrives—”
Li Jiǎo’s arms tightened around the First Princess. She had just stood up when Emperor Taixiang walked in.
“This subject pays respects to Your Majesty.”
“Is the First Princess well?” Emperor Taixiang asked urgently.
“The First Princess is perfectly well.” Li Jiǎo gently patted the First Princess. “Yu’er, call Father Emperor.”
“Father Emperor.” A sweet, childish voice rang out as the First Princess stretched out both hands toward Emperor Taixiang, simply uttering one word: “Hug.”
“Ai.” Emperor Taixiang responded, took the First Princess, and affectionately nuzzled her tender cheek.
The First Princess giggled.
“Your Majesty, the First Princess is happy to see you—”
Emperor Taixiang shot Li Jiǎo a cold glance, and she couldn’t help but swallow her remaining words.
“Take good care of the First Princess.” Emperor Taixiang handed the First Princess back to Li Jiǎo. Without saying more, he turned and left.
“This subject respectfully sends off Your Majesty.” Li Jiǎo, who received no response, straightened up after Emperor Taixiang had gone far, her expression shifting uncertainly.
What did His Majesty mean by that glance just now?
It had to be said that ever since His Majesty returned from Mount Qingliang, he had become increasingly strange.
Emperor Taixiang returned to the front hall and immediately summoned Director Li and Judge Chen, instructing: “You two carefully examine the First Princess to see if she has congenital weakness from the womb.”
Before long, the two imperial physicians returned to report, their words meaning roughly the same thing: “Although the First Princess has some deficiencies, she is much stronger than the other princes and princesses. With careful nurturing, she will be no different from ordinary people once she reaches adulthood.”
“So the First Princess won’t be like the other princes and princesses?”
Director Li and Judge Chen exchanged glances.
His Majesty was truly making things difficult for them. Even a man as sturdy as an ox could die suddenly from acute illness, let alone a baby, who could guarantee anything?
Regardless of their inner complaints, they still had to answer His Majesty’s question. Director Li spoke tactfully: “With proper care, the First Princess will not be burdened by congenital deficiencies.”
“That’s good then.” Emperor Taixiang breathed a sigh of relief, then his expression became stern.