A Foodie Transmigrated into the Palace Chapter 425: The Empress’s Illness
When Sister Ji and Yu Lan saw that the Empress was alright, their legs went soft, and they collapsed to the ground.
"Please... please call the Imperial Physician!"
Yu Lan took a while to recover before she managed to get up on her shaky legs.
The hustle and bustle started again in Jiaofang Hall. Calling the Imperial Physician, taking her pulse, administering medicine—another round began.
This time, the Empress was much more cooperative than before. She drank the medicine the Imperial Physician had decocted without a word, tilting her neck back to gulp it down.
When the Imperial Physician told her to rest, she complied readily, going to sleep right after finishing her medicine.
Worn out from consecutive days of exertion, coupled with the medicine’s potency, the Empress slept soundly.
Sister Ji no longer concealed the news of the Empress’s severe illness. She didn’t hide anything from those who inquired.
By the afternoon of the second day of the first lunar month, the news had spread throughout the entire palace.
「...」
On the second day of the first lunar month, according to custom, the families of consorts of the Third Rank and above were permitted to visit the palace.
However, Xia Ruqing’s family was far away in Jiangnan.
Thus, she could only hope that one day her elder brother would marry and her younger brother would take a wife. Perhaps then their wives could visit her, their husband’s sister, in the palace.
In the afternoon, news arrived from outside the palace: the Empress was seriously ill.
Xia Ruqing furrowed her brow, though she wasn’t particularly surprised.
Xiao Xizi added, "I heard Imperial Doctor Zhang visited her three times today. She must be truly, seriously ill!"
Xia Ruqing patted Little Bun in her arms. Her expression tensed, but she ultimately said nothing.
After a moment, she finally instructed, "Since the news is out, the authority over the Harem will likely be transferred. Regardless, make sure our people are well-behaved. It’s best to avoid any trouble during this period."
Xiao Xizi hurriedly complied. "This servant understands! Please rest assured, Mistress!"
Xia Ruqing nodded slightly and dismissed him.
「...」
「Zhaochen Palace」
The Emperor had left the palace to visit several teachers from his youth and only returned very late in the evening. As soon as he entered the palace gates, he heard the news of the Empress’s collapse.
Zhao Junyao immediately frowned. "Collapsed? Has an Imperial Physician been called?"
Li Shengan stepped forward to reply, "An Imperial Physician has already been summoned. This servant inquired. It’s said she caught a chill, aggravated by consecutive days of exhaustion and lack of proper rest, which caused her to collapse."
Zhao Junyao gave a faint nod. After a considerable pause, he finally ordered, "Go to the storeroom, select a few items, and send them over. Make them generous."
Li Shengan quickly nodded in acknowledgment.
He was exhausted from the day’s activities. After bathing and changing, Zhao Junyao lay down, feeling a distinct emptiness beside him.
Zhao Junyao tossed and turned, finally falling asleep only in the dead of night.
「...」
「Jiaofang Hall」
That evening, Li Shengan arrived with a box of nourishing supplements.
Sister Ji personally came out to greet him. "Greetings, Eunuch Li."
Li Shengan repeatedly said he wouldn’t dare presume such honor.
Upon entering, Li Shengan presented the box of supplements with his own hands. "The Emperor went out of the palace today and has only just returned. As soon as he heard Her Majesty the Empress was ill, he immediately instructed this servant to deliver these supplements."
The Empress, supported by Yu Lan, sat up, her face pale as she leaned weakly against a cushion. "Your humble servant thanks His Majesty the Emperor for his concern. It’s just..."
How could Li Shengan dare to listen to such words? He quickly cut her off. "Your Majesty, please do not worry. You are young and in good health; a minor ailment like this will surely pass with some rest. Please lie down now! His Majesty also mentioned he will come to see you tomorrow."
A layer of joy appeared on the Empress’s face. She nodded and lay back down as bidden. "Thank you, Eunuch Li. And thank His Majesty. This one truly cannot hold on much longer; please forgive my discourtesy."
With that, she closed her eyes in exhaustion.
Seeing this, how could Li Shengan dare to linger? After saying, "May Your Majesty rest well and enjoy boundless peace and health!" he bowed and retreated.
「...」
The next day, after finishing his morning meal, Zhao Junyao indeed went to visit the Empress.
"The Emperor has arrived!"
At the eunuch’s loud announcement, the Empress immediately put down her porridge bowl, threw off the covers, got out of bed, and knelt. "Your Majesty!"
The Empress was, of course, thrilled.
When Zhao Junyao entered, he saw the kneeling Empress. "Haven’t you caught a cold? Kneeling like this... aren’t you afraid of aggravating your illness?"
Zhao Junyao was naturally displeased.
The Empress, discerning the implication in his words, quickly rose. However... she had forgotten about her makeup and looked up directly.
And then... Zhao Junyao beheld what was perhaps the most grotesque face he had ever seen. Her face was white as paper, her lips red as blood—a stark, shocking contrast.
He subconsciously took a step back.
Completely oblivious, the Empress asked, "Your Majesty, what’s wrong?"
Zhao Junyao coughed lightly twice, nodded, then shook his head, finally mumbling ambiguously, "It’s nothing."
Ultimately, when Zhao Junyao left Jiaofang Hall, he felt as if he were practically fleeing in disarray.
However, before that, one more thing had occurred. Zhao Junyao had taken a seat at a table in the inner chamber, and a Palace Attendant had brought in tea. But the room reeked of medicine, and he couldn’t bring himself to drink, so he had merely toyed with the teacup. The Empress had been granted permission to remain lying in bed. After the Palace Attendants had been dismissed, the Empress had begun to weep softly.