Chapter 23: Unearthly Affairs

Chapter 23: Unearthly Affairs

She wants me to be buried with him? Even to the Yellow Springs (underworld)?

If he's unapproachable in life, how much more in death?

Enraged and trembling, Zhuyan felt pain in her heart, liver, spleen, and lungs. The fury that surged up extinguished all her reason. She grabbed the armrest next to her and hurled it at the despised Emperor, thinking, 'If you're not acting human, then let's all stop being human.'

"What are you doing, stop right now!"

The Emperor, terrified, widened his eyes. He tried to step forward to stop her, then thought better and stepped back. In his hesitation, he could only turn slightly to the side, and the armrest hit his left elbow squarely. It fell to the ground with a series of loud clangs, rolling several times on the golden-brick floor before stopping.

The Emperor cried out in pain, clutching his left elbow, furiously saying, "Zhuyan, you are outrageous!"

"You want me to be buried with you, and yet I can't even act out once? If I'm going to die either way, should I just obediently wait for your decree?" Zhuyan retorted, seeing the Emperor in pain, hunched over, his brows and eyes scrunched up in discomfort, and his cheeks puffed up as he ground his teeth. She felt a sense of satisfaction.

Indeed, one doesn’t feel the pain until it hits them.

Only when it hurts them, do they feel the pain.

"If you're okay, then call someone in. Summon the imperial physician to examine you. If you're not okay, don't call anyone. That way, you won't leave a decree for me to be buried with you. Better you die than me…"

"Silence!"

The Emperor, clenching his teeth, scolded. Not only was his elbow numbingly painful, but his heart ached even more. He regretted his words about Zhu Yan's sacrificial burial the moment he saw her face turn pale. He hadn't expected Zhu Yan to call someone in, his first reaction being to prevent anyone from coming.

He was worried she would be accused of defying the Emperor, completely ignoring the harsh, unbearable words she had spoken.

He was bewitched.

He even heard himself say, "Ah Yan, don't call others, just summon Xing En alone."

Bent over in pain, sweating profusely, he felt a sense of relief that Zhu Yan was not like other concubines, who loved to gossip. Her surroundings were usually devoid of attendants, and likely no one witnessed her defiant act.

Amidst her rage, Zhu Yan prepared to resist, her fighting spirit high. She planned to persist, but the Emperor suddenly ceased his aggression.

It was always like this.

Always pulling such a stunt.

"Stand your ground," she thought, planning to break his third leg.

As she regained her composure, so did her rationality. Passing by the fallen furniture, Zhu Yan didn't stoop to pick it up, reminding herself that her son, Ah Ji, must not have a mother accused of crimes. Since the Emperor wasn't planning to punish her, she could continue to survive.

Reaching the courtyard, she called for Xing En to enter the palace.

Xing En was startled to see the Emperor crouched on the ground in pain. He hurried over, asking, "Your Majesty, what happened?" His hand supported the Emperor, but his gaze was on Zhu Yan, his suspicion understandable given her audacity and that they were the only ones in the hall.

Before Zhu Yan could respond, the Emperor scolded, "What are you shouting about? I accidentally hit my elbow, it's terribly painful. It'll pass, just help me to a chair."

Xing En's mouth formed an 'O'.

He did it to himself?

Was he overthinking?

He honestly brought over a pear wood chair, placed it behind the Emperor, and helped him sit, anxiously asking, "Your Majesty, should we call the Imperial Physician?"

"Summon Doctor Li to come."

"Summon Doctor Li from the Imperial Hospital," ordered the Emperor, recalling Doctor Li's expertise in bone-setting. He suspected his arm might be dislocated and hoped a timely adjustment would mitigate any serious harm. The piercing pain reminded him of his son, Ah He, who had suffered similarly due to the treacherous Lady Wei. She not only injured his son but delayed his treatment, causing a permanent disability. The Emperor regretted sparing her life.

However, his thoughts were mostly clouded by the intense pain.

And he still had to think about how to resolve the situation.

So, after Xing En acknowledged, the Emperor added, "Send someone to call the Imperial Physician, but say it's Lady Zhu who is unwell."

"Understood," Xing En replied without question, though his gaze involuntarily shifted between the Emperor and Lady Zhu.

Was there another conflict brewing?

A significant upheaval?

Zhu Yan, holding onto a wooden armrest, settled back onto her seat, ignoring Xing En's suspicious gaze. With rationality intact and in the presence of others, she wouldn't defy the Emperor, as doing so could easily engulf her in a whirlpool of public opinion and compel the Emperor to punish her.

If the Emperor chose not to punish her, others present would bear the blame.

And all the bystanders would suffer the consequences.

She had learned this lesson profoundly. Over two years ago, everyone in Fuhua Palace, except for Xiangcao, was purged. When she barely survived and awoke, everyone around her, except Xiangcao, was a stranger.

All her previous palace servants and attendants were gone.

Having experienced it once, she hoped to avoid a second occurrence, which had led to her habit of keeping few people close.

Doctor Li arrived promptly.

Despite Lady Zhu usually being treated by Doctor Song Jingru, Doctor Li did not dare delay. As the head of the Imperial Hospital, he understood the significance of Fuhua Palace, ranking it as important as the Qianyuan Hall. Before leaving, he had specifically asked Song Jingru for Lady Zhu's medical records.

Upon reaching Fuhua Hall, Doctor Li was surprised to find the Emperor injured. After paying his respects, he hurriedly supported the Emperor's left elbow without even setting down his medical box, feeling the bone.

"Your Majesty, your elbow is dislocated," Doctor Li reported while taking out his tools from the medical box.

The Emperor merely hummed in response.

Doctor Li added, "I will realign it for Your Majesty and then apply medicine for rest and recovery." After instructing Xing En to bring a low stool with a cushion, he gently placed the Emperor's arm on it, warning, "Forgive my impudence," before rolling up the Emperor's sleeve.

The inner side of the elbow was red, though not broken, with traces of blood seeping out. In contrast, the outer side was unmarked, suggesting an injury caused by a heavy blow to the inner elbow.

"Who would dare do this to the Emperor?" he wondered.

The Emperor, noticing Doctor Li's drifting thoughts and aware of his experience to infer the cause, endured the pain and reminded him, "Doctor Li, this injury happened due to my own carelessness. Please focus on setting the bone," his voice notably sharp.

Immediately, Doctor Li snapped back to reality, acknowledging the command, and warned, "Your Majesty, it might hurt a bit."

"I'm not afraid, just proceed," the Emperor replied, gritting his teeth.

As he spoke, the Emperor glanced to his right, where Lady Zhu's profile was slightly turned. Her beauty seemed ethereal, her pale face not as rosy as before, yet possessing a different kind of desolate beauty.

He had always favored opulence and grandeur.

Yet at that moment, the tranquility on Lady Zhu's face not only softened the bleakness but also relaxed his entire being.

Outside the window, large, vibrant red canna lilies were strikingly beautiful.

Yet in his eyes, they paled in comparison to Ah Yan's allure.

A crisp snap, accompanied by a muffled, restrained groan.

During the bone-setting, the Emperor clenched his teeth, refusing to cry out in pain. As a result, both were sweating profusely, their faces flushed red with strain. Hearing Doctor Li announce it was done, the Emperor almost moved his hand but was promptly stopped, "Your Majesty, you mustn't move it yet."

"How long?" The Emperor, touching his elbow with his right hand, noted the absence of the previously protruding bone.

"About fifteen days."

"That long?" The Emperor exclaimed in surprise, then worried, "How can I conceal this for so long? And... endure the pain for that duration?"

"Fifteen days is relatively quick, Your Majesty. I must apply medicine and secure the arm with a splint to prevent the bone from healing incorrectly. In the coming days, please refrain from using your left hand excessively and allow the injury to heal properly."

"You mean to say I have to endure that unsightly splint for fifteen days?" The Emperor's voice wavered at the thought, recalling his third son's awkward appearance with a splint on his right hand, which distressed him completely.

"Yes, Your Majesty."

Doctor Li replied nervously, "The splint must stay on for at least fifteen days until the recovery is complete, all for the well-being of Your Majesty's health." He dared not take the Emperor's health lightly.

Zhu Yan, noticing the Emperor's distress, took delight in his misfortune, "First apply the medicine, then the splint. It could be fifteen days, or perhaps even twenty."

"I refuse," the Emperor protested on the spot, glaring at Doctor Li with a threatening tone, "If it's not healed in fifteen days, you can consider your position as the head of the hospital over."

"As you command," Doctor Li hastily agreed, wiping sweat from his brow.

The Emperor turned to Zhu Yan, "Ah Yan, I will be staying in Fuhua Palace to recuperate during this time."

"..." Zhu Yan felt she had been too lenient.

Author's Note:

Update for the 11th~~~