Chapter 24

Chapter 24

Song Qingying stiffened, managing a hoarse "Hmm." With Zhao Heng staying over, Yu Shuangzi would have no chance to visit. She wondered where Yu Shuangzi was hiding and if she would be caught.

Zhao Heng, holding Song Qingying's hand as they walked back, cast long shadows under the moonlight. Song Qingying grew increasingly anxious, hoping Zhao Heng wouldn't take advantage of the situation.

Just a few steps out, they saw Lu Deli hurrying over from outside. Zhao Heng had sent him on an errand, and his anxious return suggested something urgent had come up.

Zhao Heng turned to Song Qingying, "Go inside first."

Song Qingying nodded and proceeded to the inner chamber, hoping that some noble lady was summoning Zhao Heng away, giving her a chance to speak with Yu Shuangzi. She felt unsafe hiding in the palace.

Zhao Heng walked a few steps forward and stopped by the begonia flowers, with Lu Deli approaching.

"Your Majesty, the Noble Consort is unwell!" Lu Deli reported breathlessly.

Zhao Heng was shocked: "What? Let's go, I need to see her!"

At the entrance of the small courtyard, Zhao Heng paused to instruct Shang Lin, guarding the gate, "Secure the courtyard well and have the concubines rest. If that white shadow appears again tonight, ensure it does not get close to Lady Song."

"As you command!" Shang Lin, hearing the Emperor's concern for his master, resolved to protect the courtyard diligently.

Inside, hearing that Zhao Heng had indeed left, Song Qingying managed to keep her composure, but her heart leaped with relief, having dodged another encounter.

Shen Bi, concerned that Song Qingying might be upset, comforted her, "My lady, the Emperor wasn't called away by any of the noble ladies; the Noble Consort suddenly felt ill, and he went to check on her."

Song Qingying didn't care why Zhao Heng left; as long as he was gone, that was enough. His presence required her to act, so his absence, especially if he didn't return tonight, was preferable. However, she remembered she hadn't finished copying the "Lotus Sutra." Having slept all day, she wasn't tired, so she decided to copy the scripture.

"Qing Hong, prepare the ink and my scriptures. I want to finish copying the sutra early to offer it in front of the Buddha for the Noble Consort's blessing," Song Qingying instructed.

"My lady, won't you rest?" Shen Bi asked, puzzled.

Song Qingying smiled, "It's still early, and I slept too much during the day to feel sleepy now. Go on, Qing Hong."

Shen Bi said no more, and Qing Hong quickly prepared the ink and scriptures.

"One must be calm to copy scriptures; you needn't stay here," Song Qingying suggested, hoping to send them away so Yu Shuangzi could enter.

Shen Bi insisted, "My lady, I cannot leave. His Majesty ordered us to protect you, and I dare not disobey." If a real ghost were to scare her mistress, her own life might be at risk.

Song Qingying, already seated at the desk, blocked Shen Bi from grinding the ink. Shen Bi, opening her mouth to protest, then stepped aside, saying, "I'll be silent and won't disturb you."

Song Qingying sighed internally, blaming them was not just. Whether as a master or servant, everyone was striving for a better future, which first required safeguarding their lives. Given the extensive implications of current events, any mishap to her could endanger everyone in the courtyard. With this in mind, she no longer insisted they leave.

Copying scriptures required meticulous care, especially for the Noble Consort, leaving no room for errors. Song Qingying warmed up by writing a poem on a blank sheet. Positioned by the window under the moonlight, she penned: "As the Big Dipper turns, hanging over the western chamber, the golden house empty, fireflies flow. The moonlight nears Changmen Palace, let it not deepen the sorrows of the secluded palace." Shen Bi, watching from afar, was curious about Song Qingying's writing. After finishing, Song Qingying, dissatisfied, crumpled the paper and tossed it aside. Seeing this, Shen Bi quickly looked away.

Zhao Heng, accompanied by Lu Deli, left Qiu Hua Court and headed straight to the Noble Consort's residence, Qiongjing Palace. As they walked, Lu Deli reported the Noble Consort's condition: like Zhao Heng, she suddenly suffered a headache. Zhao Heng, being younger, could endure it, but the Noble Consort, advanced in years and with chronic ailments, fainted from the pain. Hearing this, Zhao Heng grew increasingly worried and quickened his pace.

Upon arriving at Qiongjing Palace, Zhao Heng saw a line of imperial physicians arguing in front of the Noble Consort's bed, displeasing him greatly. He demanded, "What are you doing!"

The physicians, seeing the Emperor, dared not argue any longer and all knelt down.

Approaching, Zhao Heng first checked on the Noble Consort, whose face was pale, eyes closed, barely distinguishable from a corpse. Feeling both shocked and regretful, he suppressed his anger and asked in a lowered voice, "What has happened to the Noble Consort!"

Deputy Chief Physician Lin spoke first, "The Noble Consort has a history of dizziness, which today led to a sudden headache and fainting. The combination of both conditions overwhelmed her, causing her to lose consciousness."

"Is the Consort in grave danger? When will she wake up!" Zhao Heng pressed on.

Deputy Chief Physician Lin continued, "I believe acupuncture is necessary for the Noble Consort. Remaining unconscious like this is harmful to her health."

"Then why haven't you administered acupuncture instead of arguing here!" Zhao Heng said coldly, wishing he could dismiss all the physicians on the spot.

"Your Majesty, I fear the Noble Consort's frail condition might not withstand the strain of forceful acupuncture," the Chief Physician explained.

"Does the Chief Physician know when the Noble Consort will awaken? If we end up needing to administer acupuncture after a long delay, it would be better to do so sooner rather than later, with ginseng soup ready as a precaution," Deputy Chief Physician Lin argued.

Zhao Heng glanced at Deputy Chief Physician Lin, noting that unlike the typically cautious and inactive physicians, he was daring and proactive. Zhao Heng asked, "Is there a risk with the acupuncture?"

"Your Majesty, there are risks whether we administer acupuncture or not, but the risks are lesser with acupuncture," Deputy Chief Physician Lin added.

After a moment's thought, Zhao Heng concluded that waiting was not beneficial. If it were him, he would prefer to receive acupuncture sooner rather than later. He decided, "Then proceed with the acupuncture. Should anything happen to the Noble Consort, none of you shall be spared."

Zhao Heng coldly finished speaking and stepped aside. With the imperial command given, the physicians, now facing a life-or-death situation together, began to work collectively.

Watching the Noble Consort, Zhao Heng reminisced about the past. His birth mother had a low status, and he was often bullied by other princes and princesses in the palace. Without the Noble Consort's care, his life might have been lost early on. After his mother's death, the Noble Consort took him under her wing as her own son, and her support was crucial in his ascension to the throne. In Zhao Heng's heart, the Noble Consort was like his birth mother.

After his ascension, he showed great respect and favor towards the Noble Consort and her family, the Duke of Chengguo's residence. Perhaps due to excessive favor or the inevitability of having unworthy descendants, a censor impeached the Duke's second son for abducting a woman and seizing farmland, leading to death. The evidence was conclusive, and Zhao Heng ordered an immediate execution. The Noble Consort's plea for mercy was denied, leading to her prolonged sadness. With numerous duties and frequent headaches, Zhao Heng seldom visited her, regretting now how gravely ill she had become.

The physicians had agreed on a plan, with Deputy Chief Physician Lin administering the acupuncture, assisted by the Chief Physician and two experts in gold needle technique, ensuring no mistakes.

Zhao Heng nodded after hearing their plan, having already issued a stern warning, he said, "The Noble Consort's care is in your hands," and then stepped back.

Deputy Chief Physician Lin took out a packet of gold needles from his medicine box, but the Noble Consort suddenly awoke with a groan, startling him and causing the Chief Physician to push him aside.

"The Noble Consort has awakened; what need is there for needles now!"

Deputy Chief Physician Lin looked puzzledly at the Noble Consort, remained silent, packed away the needles, and stepped aside, his eyes flickering with an indeterminate meaning.

Zhao Heng, not noticing Lin's expression, hurried forward, asking, "Mother, how do you feel?"

The Noble Consort weakly murmured, "Has the Emperor come? It's... hard on you to still remember... an old woman like me..."

Hearing this, Zhao Heng felt even more remorseful, thinking the Noble Consort was of advanced age, and pacifying her now mattered little; once she passed away, if the Duke's family disobeyed, he could easily deal with them.

"How could I ever forget you, Mother," Zhao Heng said softly.

The Noble Consort closed her eyes and said no more, causing Zhao Heng to panic and urgently call for the physicians to check on her.

The Chief Physician hurried forward to take the Noble Consort's pulse.

"Your Majesty, the Consort's pulse is weak but stable, and there is no serious concern. She will recover with some days of rest," the Chief Physician reported.

Zhao Heng felt relieved. With so many issues arising in the harem lately, he feared he couldn't manage them all.

Leaving one physician behind and sending the others away, Zhao Heng sat beside the Noble Consort's bed, hoping to talk with her, but she kept her eyes closed and ignored him. Resigned, he stayed another hour before leaving.

It was late when Zhao Heng left Qiongjing Palace, heaving a long sigh, momentarily unsure where to go.

Sensing the Emperor's discontent, Lu Deli quietly asked, "Your Majesty, where would you like to rest?"

"Let's return to Qiu Hua Court," Zhao Heng decided after a moment, "It's a good opportunity for a walk."

Qiongjing Palace was the farthest from Qiu Hua Court, and Zhao Heng walked slowly, passing numerous palaces along the way.

In Qiu Hua Court, Song Qingying, having not waited for Yu Shuangzi, had gone to bed under Shen Bi's urging.

Zhao Heng entered the small courtyard and the inner chamber quietly, finding Song Qingying deeply asleep. Seeing her peaceful sleeping face calmed him considerably, and he smiled gently. After removing his outer garment, he lay down beside her, drawing her into his embrace, the troubles of the day melting away.

Song Qingying had awakened upon his entry, her heart racing at the sound of his movements. When he pulled her into his embrace, she couldn't help but gasp and attempted to wriggle free.

Zhao Heng held her tightly, whispering in her ear, "Don't move, let me hold you."