Chapter 68: The Green Waist Dance Performance

Chapter 68: The Green Waist Dance Performance

Cai Shan offered a few subtle suggestions.

Given the gravity of the matter, the physicians from the Imperial Medical Bureau did not dare to delay and arrived at Jade Hall Palace as quickly as possible.

After discussing Imperial Physician Liu's prescription, they exchanged grave glances. After a brief whispered conversation, the head Imperial Physician Lin stepped forward with the prescription and addressed the Emperor, saying, "Your Majesty."

Shen Huai, noticing his troubled expression, asked in a deep voice, "Is there an issue?"

Imperial Physician Lin looked up at the Emperor, hesitating, "After discussion, we believe the prescription is harmless."

"But—Imperial Physician Liu's prescription is unorthodox, contrary to medical texts. We have never seen such an approach to prescribing medicine."

Upon hearing this, Noble Consort Wang immediately asked anxiously, "What does this imply? Is the efficacy uncertain?"

Imperial Physician Lin hesitated, unsure how to reply, not daring to vouch for Imperial Physician Liu.

At this moment, Su Jiaojiao glanced at the Emperor and spoke gently, "Imperial Physician Liu hails from a modest background, and his medical skills blend traditional pharmacology with folk remedies. I've taken his medicine, and it worked well. I have heard that many renowned physicians in the folk are commoners, and their prescriptions are derived from experiences of curing patients. Medical knowledge is vast and cannot be judged by a single text."

Shen Huai's dark eyes were cold and steady as he fixed his gaze on Imperial Physician Liu, saying word by word, "If you lie, your head will accompany the Crown Prince in death."

Imperial Physician Liu remained calm, his clear voice speaking slowly, "I swear on my life and dare not deceive Your Majesty."

"From this day forward, Imperial Physician Liu will solely treat the Crown Prince. No other physicians may interfere. Anyone who opposes or acts recklessly will face severe consequences."

Shen Huai's expression softened slightly, and with a wave of his hand, he stood up and said in a deep voice, "I will have the Inner Palace Bureau replace Jade Hall Palace's servants. You may request trusted servants after their training."

With that, he turned his head to look at Noble Consort Wang, his eyes devoid of warmth, and said indifferently, "Look after Zhou'er."

Shen Huai departed first, and Su Jiaojiao curtsied to Noble Consort Wang before leaving.

Outside the gates, Shen Huai entered the dragon carriage and glanced down at Su Jiaojiao, his tone softening slightly, "You did well today."

"With the year-end nearing, I'm occupied with state affairs and won't visit Pixiang Palace today."

Su Jiaojiao bowed in acknowledgment, seemingly unperturbed.

She smiled warmly at the Emperor, neither causing a scene nor complaining. The red plum hairpin in her dark hair brightened her cool, delicate appearance. Shen Huai remembered that since he had gifted her this hairpin, he had often seen her wearing it, indicating that she must be very fond of it.

Thinking of this, Shen Huai's heart softened unexpectedly.

The accumulated gloom and anger from the past few days due to the heavy state affairs and the Crown Prince's poisoning unconsciously dissipated a little.

"Cai Shan, escort Consort Zhen back."

Hearing this, Cai Shan immediately stepped aside and bowed, allowing the Emperor's dragon carriage to depart first.

Only after Shen Huai's imperial procession had left did Su Jiaojiao smile gently and say, "Thank you for accompanying me, Grand Eunuch."

Cai Shan smiled politely and walked beside her palanquin, saying, "The Emperor's orders are not to be taken lightly. Besides, Consort Zhen has always been kind to the servants, and even I have heard many palace servants speak highly of you. It is clear that your reputation for benevolence is well-deserved."

He did not hold back his praise, "Since you are a virtuous mistress, escorting you back is an honor."

Su Jiaojiao smiled faintly and casually mentioned, "Recently, the palace has been unsettled, and the Emperor has been troubled. As the Emperor's closest confidant, serving him must be quite taxing."

She sighed with a hint of shyness, "But with the New Year's Eve banquet approaching, I can't help but worry when I think of what the Empress said a few days ago in the Phoenix Palace."

Regarding palace affairs, Cai Shan was well-informed and knew exactly what Consort Zhen was worried about.

Recently, the Empress proposed at Fengyi Palace that the consorts should perform at the New Year's Eve family banquet, making all the palace consorts prepare nervously.

Even though the palace has been on edge due to the Crown Prince's poisoning these days, the various mistresses have been quietly practicing in their palaces.

The opportunity to gain favor is rare. The Crown Prince's poisoning has been a hardship for Noble Consort Wang and the Crown Prince himself. Though the Emperor is heartbroken for now, he will not remain immersed in sorrow. Once he recovers, life will return to normal.

Moreover, the Emperor is young, and there will surely be many descendants in the future. There are not a few consorts who are out of favor, making this part of the palace banquet particularly important.

Grand Eunuch Cai Shan appreciates Consort Zhen and knows she is intelligent, so he offered a few tips: "There are many elegant arts in the court, the most common being music theory, tea art, painting, calligraphy, embroidery, flower arrangement, music, opera, and dance. This old servant recalls that the late Emperor's favorites were music and dance."

He glanced at Su Jiaojiao with an ambiguous look and smiled: "His Majesty is not one to indulge in refined pleasures, and it is rare for the palace to summon musicians or dancers for entertainment. But as for his tastes, this old servant can only guess."

Su Jiaojiao smiled softly and spoke very respectfully and politely: "Grand Eunuch, having served by His Majesty's side for so many years, who in the palace understands His Majesty better than you?"

Grand Eunuch Cai Shan nodded slightly, neither agreeing nor disagreeing, only hinting: "Before the age of thirteen, His Majesty often watched the Green Waist Dance, but after thirteen, he no longer listened to music."

As they spoke, they arrived at the gate of Guanju Palace. Grand Eunuch Cai Shan bowed slightly and said politely: "His Majesty cannot be left unattended, so this old servant will take his leave here."

Su Jiaojiao waved her fair wrist gently and smiled coolly: "Yu Ying, escort the Grand Eunuch."

Yu Ying personally escorted Grand Eunuch Cai Shan to the palace road ahead. As the palanquin landed, Ling Xiao quickly reached out to help her.

Su Jiaojiao glanced thoughtfully in the direction Grand Eunuch Cai Shan had gone, pondering the deeper meaning of his words.

Before the age of thirteen, His Majesty often watched the Green Waist Dance, but after thirteen, he no longer listened to music.

She whispered to Ling Xiao: "Do you know in which year His Majesty was assigned to the Empress Dowager's care?"

Ling Xiao paused for a moment, recalling carefully: "In the thirty-sixth year of Chong'an, His Majesty should have been thirteen years old."

So it was indeed the case.

Su Jiaojiao's speculation was confirmed. She frowned and asked: "Do you know what the Empress Dowager was most skilled at during her lifetime?"

Ling Xiao shook her head: "I only know that the Empress Dowager liked to listen to people play the pipa, but I don't know what she was skilled at."

Before the age of thirteen, His Majesty often watched the Green Waist Dance, which must mean that Consort Lian was skilled in the Green Waist Dance and often danced in the palace, influencing His Majesty. After thirteen, he no longer listened to music, which must be related to some event.

Unfortunately, little is known about the past, and she has no way to investigate. But now that she knows His Majesty likes to watch the Green Waist Dance and dislikes music, it is a very important piece of information.

Su Jiaojiao nodded understandingly and was helped by Ling Xiao into the inner hall.

It was so cold outside that her hands were stiff, but once inside the hall, she felt warm all over. Ling Xiao asked curiously: "Now that you know what His Majesty likes, will you start practicing the Green Waist Dance from today?"

Just as Yu Ye came over with tea, Su Jiaojiao raised her cup and took a sip. The steam misted her stunning eyelashes as she smiled gently: "There is still Concubine Lian in the palace, why should I get involved?"