Chapter 151

Chapter 151

Dr. Wan came out of Yonghe Palace and was expected to report to the Emperor about Consort Rong's health.

Initially, the imperial physician handled it, but later he took over.

It must be said that Consort Rong usually stays healthy like anyone else, but when she falls ill, it gets really tricky.

However, the Emperor's urgency was surprising.

Dr. Wan thought, although the Emperor did not come personally, he seemed really worried, eager to find out the exact condition of Consort Rong's health.

Upon arriving at the Qianqing Palace, the guiding eunuch walked quickly, seeming a bit rushed, though it was not explicitly stated, it was clear from his demeanor.

Dr. Wan's heart skipped a beat, sensing something was off.

This wasn't the norm; the guiding eunuch didn't seem so frantic.

Dr. Wan suddenly remembered that at Cining Palace, the Emperor drank that Summer Cooler Soup.

Could it be! Was it actually tainted?!

He figured the Emperor had it under control, as if he had prepared something in advance! So he drank it without hesitation.

He reasoned that if it was dangerous, the Emperor wouldn't have sent him to check on Consort Rong first.

So he didn't delay and followed along.

But now?!

Now Dr. Wan picked up his pace.

But he was not unaware of the current situation. Since there was no news of the Emperor's discomfort, it was likely that the Emperor intended to keep it quiet.

He didn't want anyone to know the Emperor was unwell.

Therefore, Dr. Wan only silently quickened his pace, restrained, and did not directly express his realization.

On the surface, he did not show too much panic, pretending to be as calm as before.

When Dr. Wan arrived at the Emperor's bedroom, "Dr. Wan, you are finally here."

Liang Jiugong was already sweating profusely with anxiety. If the imperial physician had not come, he would have been really desperate.

Upon seeing Dr. Wan, the light in Liang Jiugong's eyes was no less than seeing a savior, wasn't it?

If something happened to the Emperor, their lives as servants would also be at risk.

He was almost scared to death by the Emperor.

As soon as Liang Jiugong discovered the Emperor's discomfort, he wanted to summon the imperial physician immediately.

But the Emperor did not want it to be known. If it weren't for the fact that the Emperor had not fainted, Liang Jiugong would not have dared to delay.

Fortunately, Dr. Wan needed to come over anyway, so it could be treated as the Emperor being concerned about Consort Rong's illness.

This reason would not arouse suspicion.

The Emperor's discomfort was no small matter. If it got out, not only would the concubines in the harem be anxious, but the ministers in the court would also be in a hurry.

Liang Jiugong waited anxiously, vaguely guessing why the Emperor wanted to keep it quiet.

It likely had to do with the "Summer Cooler Soup."

Moreover, once people knew that the Emperor was unwell, the incident at the Cining Palace would inevitably be connected.

It could even drag Consort Rong into it.

After all, the Emperor had drunk the "Summer Cooler Soup" handed to him by Consort Rong before feeling unwell.

Although the "Summer Cooler Soup" was prepared by the Cining Palace, Consort Rong couldn't be entirely off the hook.

That's why it had to be kept under wraps.

Yonghe Palace

The bowl-cut cat snuck in, after the maids wiped its paws clean, and then darted off to Su Yi's place.

It hopped onto the bed effortlessly, found a comfortable spot, and lay down.

Then it wriggled its way into Su Yi's arms as if it were the most natural thing.

Su Yi reached out to stroke its head, "Meow~" The cat nuzzled her hand with its head.

It meowed and purred, almost like it was flirting. Su Yi smiled as she listened, her hand gently stroking its fur.

To others, Su Yi's mood seemed unchanged over the past two days, except for the obvious gloom when she woke up this morning.

She seemed her usual self.

But while others didn't notice, the cat did, and it had been avoiding Su Yi for two days.

It practically avoided her on purpose.

Either playing alone or with the maids who looked after it, or going out to wander among the flowers, chasing butterflies.

It just steered clear of Su Yi.

Today, the cat noticed that the human, who had seemed a bit intimidating before leaving, didn't appear as frightening upon returning. It was back to being the human it adored, and it even sensed the human calling for it.

So, it ditched chasing butterflies and ran straight back, ordering the maids who usually tended to it to clean its paws, and then dashed over.

It cleverly slipped past the maids guarding outside when they weren't looking, quickly and lightly slipping in without being noticed.

Su Yi was in a good mood now, even though she wasn't feeling well physically, it didn't affect her joyful mood.

If that bowl of Summer Cooler Soup had just been a regular soup without any additives, even if Kangxi drank it, it wouldn't have quelled her anger.

Of course, it had to be problematic.

There was no way Kangxi didn't understand. Since she already knew this time that the bowl was problematic.

He couldn't possibly not know that the last time, the contraceptive soup had been tampered with.

She just didn't point it out and pretended not to know, but that didn't mean Kangxi really thought she was clueless.

Plus, having the imperial physician keep it from her, as if out of guilt or pity.

But she wasn't having any of it.

What kind of twisted pity and care is this, ‘the beloved concubine was sabotaged, resulting in her inability to conceive, fearing she’d be devastated if she found out, so he kept it from her on purpose, just to spare her the heartache, and didn’t want others to mock her’?

It’s absolutely hilarious.

She struck back right away.

Otherwise, how did the Grand Empress Dowager end up with a migraine?

It’s just that the jerk didn’t catch on at first, and only realized it when the Cining Palace doctors were completely stumped, then he vanished for days.

Only then did he realize,

She doesn’t need his fake pity and care, does she?

Plus, she wouldn’t hold back just because the Grand Empress Dowager is his grandma, afraid he’d be upset over his grandma’s illness, and thus wouldn’t act.

A headache won’t kill you, but the pain is excruciating.

And with medicine doing nothing, it’s like being slowly tortured with a dull blade.

Who’d have thought it wouldn’t even calm down?

Wouldn’t it be better to just rest quietly in Cining Palace?

Perhaps, it could even lead to a full recovery.

But then, why drag in the whole ‘serving the sick’ act?

Even while sick, still scheming to make others suffer, enduring more pain, how can anyone blame her for being petty and holding a grudge?

Besides, she hardly ever holds grudges.

She usually strikes back right then and there.

Of course, she always covers her tracks.

The headache and misery aren’t just the Grand Empress Dowager’s problem, but she thinks it’s a curse or some kind of bad luck.

The latter suspects it’s her handiwork but can’t figure out how she pulled it off so quickly.

Or perhaps, she doesn’t even need to meet face-to-face to succeed.

Her blatant malice and brief flash of murderous intent in Cining Palace were her final warning.

Someone’s gotta pay for pissing her off, if not the Grand Empress Dowager, then it must be Kangxi.

Only if Kangxi drank that bowl of ‘Summer Cooler Soup’ with added ingredients, could her anger from being offended by the Grand Empress Dowager be quelled.

Just thinking about how the Grand Empress Dowager’s added ingredients didn’t end up in her stomach, but were instead consumed by Kangxi.

The expression and reaction of the Grand Empress Dowager upon finding out, Su Yi almost laughed out loud.

If it weren’t for her body being in pain, which would be worse if she laughed, Su Yi would have really laughed out loud.

It’s just a pity not to witness it firsthand, only to know through other means.

Somewhat unsatisfying.

This time it’s over, but if Kangxi can’t manage his dear grandmother and lets her continue to do such suicidal things in the future.

It might be a bit challenging for the Grand Empress Dowager to live out her full natural lifespan.

Su Yi isn’t quite sure how Kangxi will feel after drinking the spiked Summer Cooler Soup.

One thing’s for sure, it was his dear grandmother who prepared it; Su Yi didn’t mess with it.

Drinking it won’t kill him, but it’ll definitely make him feel like crap.

Since it’s not fatal, it’s no big deal.

A man should tough it out, especially since it’s a ‘kind gesture’ from his dear grandma.

It’s good for him to deal with it on his own.

After watching from the sidelines for so long, it’s only fair he gets a taste of his own medicine.

As for feeling sorry for him, Su Yi would rather save her sympathy for herself!

She’ll have to endure that unbearably bitter medicine for a while again.

It’s so bitter!

Especially with the added coptis, and who knows how much more is in store for her!

She might be alive before drinking it, but after, she’s almost sent straight to the afterlife.

Thinking of this, Su Yi’s smile faded, already tasting the bitterness.

Yanxi Palace

Consort Hui knew the eldest prince was returning to the palace today and had been busy sprucing up for a while.

She was waiting for the eldest prince to come to Yanxi Palace after meeting the Emperor, hoping to make a great impression.

When the eldest prince was sent out of the palace to be raised, he was too young to remember much, so he probably doesn’t recall her appearance.

This would be their first meeting in many years.

Consort Hui was so excited she didn’t sleep a wink last night and was up before dawn, waiting.

Even though Consort Hui knew the eldest prince couldn’t come to Yanxi Palace to see her right after returning, but had to see the Emperor first.

Only after meeting the Emperor could he come to see her, so Consort Hui kept glancing outside now and then.

When the maids reported that the eldest prince had entered the palace and was on his way to see the Emperor,

A maid serving Consort Hui, seizing the moment, smiled and said, "Your Highness, the eldest prince is back. He’ll surely come to see you soon."

Consort Hui, smiling though eager to see the eldest prince right away, said,

"It’s good that the eldest prince hasn’t seen his father in a while. It’s nice for them to catch up.

After all, the eldest prince is back, and my Yanxi Palace isn’t going anywhere."

She can see the eldest prince anytime, but the Emperor isn’t always free.

The eldest prince is now the Emperor’s firstborn son.

If it weren't for those years in the palace when the princes died one after another, the Emperor, heartbroken over the eldest prince and worried that he might also 'die young' in the palace and not survive, reluctantly sent him to be raised outside the palace.

Fortunately, even though the eldest prince was raised outside the palace, his health became increasingly robust.

According to news from her uncle, the eldest prince, still young, had already excelled in riding and archery, which brought Consort Hui great comfort, joy, and pride.

While the women in the palace were still struggling to establish their footing and vying for the Emperor's favor to secure their positions, she didn't need to, because she had the eldest prince, which made her stronger than those childless consorts in the palace.

As long as the eldest prince was alive, she, as his mother, could bask in his glory.

Even if she grew old and lost favor, her position would not fall or be shaken; it would only become more stable, and the servants would not dare to slight her.

The more outstanding the eldest prince became, surpassing the crown prince, and being the eldest son, the future...

Consort Hui stopped herself from continuing this line of thought, as it was not yet the time, and thinking about it now was still premature.

Consort Hui thought that since the Emperor hadn't seen the eldest prince for a long time, he would surely keep him for a while, asking about his recent situation.

Or perhaps testing his studies.

This would surely take a considerable amount of time.

However, the eldest prince came to Yanxi Palace not long after.

Consort Hui naturally went out with a face full of joy, but she felt something was amiss; why had the eldest prince come so quickly?

Counting the time, hadn't the eldest prince left the Emperor's presence very soon after arriving?

Though it had been a long time since mother and son had seen each other, and despite Consort Hui's immense excitement, she maintained a graceful smile on her face, showing no sign of impropriety.

When the eldest prince greeted her, Consort Hui restrained herself and had him rise, not overly emotional.

She then took the eldest prince into the hall, asking him how he had been.

The eldest prince was now only two years older than the crown prince, and though he had grown taller, he was still just a young boy.

Seeing Consort Hui after so long, the eldest prince was not unhappy, but beyond his joy, there was a sense of unease in this unfamiliar environment.

Before seeing Consort Hui, he had met the Emperor.

The Emperor's majesty filled the eldest prince with awe and admiration, and he was eager to perform well in front of the Emperor.

Especially since the Emperor was about to test his studies.

But before they could speak much, Liang Jiugong, who should have been attending closely to the Emperor, hurried over and whispered something in the Emperor's ear, after which the eldest prince saw the Emperor's expression change.

The Emperor then told him to go to Yanxi Palace to see Consort Hui and left in a hurry.

The eldest prince watched the Emperor's departing figure, which carried a sense of urgency.

Though he felt a bit disappointed for not being able to perform well in front of the Emperor, the eldest prince thought the Emperor must have urgent matters to attend to.

Although the meeting between the eldest prince and the Emperor ended somewhat abruptly.

But now in Yanxi Palace, under the gentle care of Consort Hui, the eldest prince's initial unease and confusion upon entering the palace were comfortably eased.

Feeling at ease, he began to open up, no longer just answering questions, and Consort Hui and the prince sat together, chatting for quite a while.

Eventually, Consort Hui felt it was the right moment and asked the prince about his earlier meeting with the Emperor.

The Emperor hadn't seen the prince for a long time, and Consort Hui worried that if the prince didn't perform well, the Emperor might think he had been lax in his studies outside the palace, not studying hard, or not being outstanding enough.

He might then be overshadowed by the younger Crown Prince.

At first, she avoided asking to prevent pressuring the prince.

She only observed from his demeanor that he seemed fine while talking to her.

Otherwise, during the meeting, the prince, still young and unable to hide his emotions, would have shown if he hadn't performed well.

Now she simply waited to hear, to guess the Emperor's reaction and how satisfied he was with the prince's performance.

The prince didn't think much and told her.

He had planned to perform well when the Emperor tested his studies, but after only a few questions, the Emperor had to leave abruptly to attend to urgent matters and sent him to see Consort Hui first.

He failed to notice Consort Hui's smile faltering slightly, but she quickly masked it before the prince could notice and continued softly,

"I see. Well, my prince, when the Emperor next tests you, make sure to perform well in front of him."

The prince immediately said, "Yes! I will, Consort Hui, don't worry."

Noticing the prince's lively expression, Consort Hui smiled and continued chatting with him, not bringing up the previous topic again.

After the prince stayed to have lunch with Consort Hui, she ordered the maids to take him back to the prince's quarters to rest.

Though Consort Hui deeply wished for the prince to remain in Yanxi Palace, near her.

But the prince was already of age, and even though he had returned to the palace, he had to move to the prince's quarters.

The Imperial Household Department had already prepared and furnished the prince's quarters.

Additionally, Consort Hui had personally inspected it and added a few items to ensure the prince's comfort.

The moment the prince departed Yanxi Palace, Consort Hui's smile faded, her expression turning somber.

Her personal maid was suddenly a bit scared seeing Consort Hui's expression now, not knowing what had happened to make her suddenly change her demeanor.

She had been perfectly fine moments earlier, when the prince was present.

After all, the prince had returned to see her, shouldn't she be even happier?

Why was she in a bad mood now?

Consort Hui instructed her maid to summon the attendants and dispatch them to inquire about the urgent matter that had caused the Emperor to dismiss the prince so abruptly.

If it was due to political affairs, Consort Hui naturally had nothing to object.

Naturally, political affairs took precedence and couldn't be postponed, a fact she understood.

But if it was for other reasons, Consort Hui might not accept.

Today marked the prince's significant return to the palace—who would dare divert the Emperor's attention!

Consort Hui wondered if it was the Crown Prince's doing.

The Crown Prince had been raised in the Emperor's household, and before her eldest son returned, no one could challenge the Crown Prince's position. The Emperor also valued the Crown Prince highly.

But now that her eldest son had returned, even the Crown Prince would have to address him as "elder brother."

Before the Crown Prince was born, the Emperor had also cherished her eldest son.

Now that her eldest son had returned, perhaps the Crown Prince felt threatened and started causing trouble to divert the Emperor's attention!

Although the Crown Prince was younger than her eldest son and likely incapable of such complex thoughts, Consort Hui still believed the Crown Prince would compete with her eldest son, imagining the worst.

When the maid returned with the news, Consort Hui anxiously asked, "Well? What exactly happened? Was it the Crown Prince?"

The maid didn't dare delay and reported, "Your Ladyship, the Emperor rushed to Cining Palace because something seemed to have happened, but I couldn't find out the specifics.

All I know is that after the Emperor arrived, Consort Tongjia was affected by the heat and returned to Jingren Palace to summon the imperial physician. Consort Rong also became unwell and was sent back to Yonghe Palace in the Emperor's sedan chair, accompanied by the imperial physician.

The Emperor stayed at Cining Palace for a while, likely to visit the Grand Empress Dowager, before leaving."

After hearing this, Consort Hui's expression remained unchanged. Instead, she picked up the teacup beside her and slammed it to the ground in frustration.