Flowery Hair: A Maidservant

Chapter 536 Meng Shu Speaks of Consort Chun

He Yizheng was fifty-eight years old, only two years younger than the retired Imperial Physician Sun. Jingming hurriedly dragged him to Lingcui Palace, and he was out of breath, feeling as if his old bones were about to fall apart.

Jingming, however, still felt it was too slow, so he simply ordered two strong young eunuchs to lift He Yizheng up on either side. Amidst cries of "Slow down, slow down, my bones...", the group rushed to the outside of Cuiyu Hall in just a quarter of an hour.

Jian Zhi followed behind, carrying the medicine box, completely dumbfounded.

Inside the Cuiyu Hall, Meng Shu was already lying on the soft couch. On the way back, she took the opportunity to gently squeeze Consort Chun's hand, indicating that she was alright. Although Consort Chun was slightly relieved, seeing Meng Shu's face gradually turning pale, she could no longer remain truly calm.

Physician He's heart was still pounding wildly in his chest, but his fingers had already instinctively landed on Meng Shu's wrist. The Emperor stood behind him, and Consort Chun was close by beside him. He dared not be careless in the slightest, forcibly suppressing his surging blood and qi, and concentrating on taking her pulse.

This examination took a full cup of tea's time. After examining the left hand, he switched to the right. The more he examined, the more he thought to himself: This pulse is calm and gentle, with a steady rhythm, and a very solid foundation! Among the concubines in the harem, there is probably no one healthier than Consort Jin!

At first, judging from Meng Shu's complexion and hearing about her symptoms, he thought it was a sign of pregnancy, but upon closer examination, he found that it was not.

How should we respond? The Emperor is waiting anxiously!

Doctor He opened one eye a crack, trying to find a clue in Meng Shu's eyes, but of course it was in vain.

He couldn't help but sigh inwardly: Being a royal physician is difficult, but being a royal physician in the palace is even more difficult! The noble ladies in the harem are all as cunning as the bottom of the sea; you might accidentally say the wrong thing and commit a taboo.

Cold sweat beaded on his forehead. In a moment of quick thinking, he turned to Jian Zhi beside him and said, "Imperial Physician Jian, you have always been in charge of treating Consort Jin and are most familiar with her pulse. Please examine her carefully, and we can discuss it together."

Upon hearing this, the Emperor's heart tightened. "Imperial Physician He! How is Consort Jin...?"

Physician He's words not only startled the Emperor, but also made Consort Chun and Green Willow, who were standing nearby, jump to their throats.

Physician He bowed immediately. “Your Majesty, please rest assured. Consort Jin is currently fine. Just to be on the safe side, I suggest that Physician Jian examine her.”

Jian Zhi knelt down as instructed to take the pulse. After examining it carefully for a moment, he asked cautiously, "I took Your Majesty's pulse yesterday, and there was nothing wrong with it. Your Majesty's symptoms today came on suddenly. I dare to speculate that perhaps... it is not due to an internal ailment, but rather caused by an external force."

He raised his head slightly, his gaze sweeping across the hall. "May I ask Your Majesty, were any special incense burned in the hall today? Or was it exposed to any unusual substances?"

Before Meng Shu could speak, the Emperor's face suddenly darkened.

He had caught a whiff of the fragrance of dew in the Renming Hall, but his anger had prevented him from giving it much thought. He then shouted sternly, "Guards! Summon Wei Ying immediately! Have him take men and guard the Renming Hall! Without my decree, none of the people in the Renming Hall are to step outside the palace gates!"

At this moment, Physician He suddenly realized that the symptoms described by Consort Jin were exactly the same as those of the Emperor recently. However, after practicing medicine for half his life, he was quite certain that neither the Emperor nor Consort Jin could be diagnosed with any substantial illness based on their pulse.

The Zhenbei Marquis's mansion is mired in corruption, and the Empress is suspected of involvement... This time, the Jiang family is truly doomed.

Doctor He was filled with shock and disbelief. He lowered his head even further, wishing he could shrink into the ground, and dared not utter another word.

Meng Shu finally felt at ease.

The Emperor's actions are tantamount to placing the Empress under complete house arrest in the Renming Palace. Whether the Empress is secretly practicing witchcraft or has other motives, she should be unable to cause any more trouble before the truth of the Zhenbei Marquis's embezzlement case comes to light.

The Emperor, looking weary, waved his hand, ordering Physician He and Jian Zhi to leave.

Led by Green Willow, the two imperial physicians went to a side hall to discuss the prescription. Jian Zhi's heart stirred; he had been longing for an opportunity to observe the Emperor's pulse, and this was now his chance...

Consort Chun took two steps closer and knelt before the Emperor: "Your Majesty, I was serving the Empress her medicine just now, and I was quite close to her... There's something strange about Renming Palace, it's definitely not ordinary. Back in Changchun Garden Palace, Lady Qing mentioned that there was a bloody smell around the Empress, and now I think it's probably not unfounded. I beg Your Majesty, for the sake of your health and the peace of the harem, please thoroughly investigate Renming Palace!"

The Emperor helped her up. "I know what's going on and will find out everything. Consort Chun has worked hard attending to the sick today. Go and rest. I'll stay here with Consort Jin."

Consort Chun was extremely disappointed when she saw that the Emperor did not immediately order a search, and said "Yes." She walked to Meng Shu's bedside, bent down and gently instructed, "I'll go to the small kitchen and have someone stew a calming soup with winter melon. You must remember to use some."

Meng Shu winked at her and reassured her, "With Green Willow taking care of you, Wan'er, don't worry."

After Consort Chun left, only the Emperor and Meng Shu remained in the bedchamber.

The Emperor sat down by the bed, a hint of regret on his face. He reached out and gently grasped Meng Shu's wrist, intending to remove the sandalwood beads to soothe her nerves. Instead, he saw a string of blended incense beads with a faint osmanthus scent.

It was immediately obvious that its effect was better than the string of beads in his hand.

emperor:"......."

Meng Shu had no choice but to explain, "...This was given to me by Wan'er this morning."

The Emperor patted her hand and sighed sincerely, “I have lived in this palace since I was a child. My mother was not favored. I have witnessed the open and covert struggles and hypocrisy among the concubines of the late Emperor. I have never seen such a sincere and supportive relationship between Shu’er and Consort Chun.”

Meng Shu was silent for a moment, then said softly, "Wan'er is sincere to others. If someone is kind to her, she will repay them tenfold. Perhaps in the eyes of others, she is straightforward and naive, but it is precisely this pure and untainted sincerity that is most precious. It was my good fortune to meet her when I was in a lowly position and could not even protect myself."

The Emperor rarely heard Meng Shu speak so frankly. After a long silence, he said slowly, "Consort Chun truly deserves the title 'Chun'."

Then, he changed the subject, his tone becoming serious: "Shu'er is meticulous and has always been exceptionally intelligent. Could it be that you already suspected the Empress's various actions, and even the many strange occurrences in Renming Palace, back when you were at Changchun Garden Palace?"

Meng Shu lowered her eyes slightly, as if she was quickly weighing things in her mind for a moment, before calmly raising her gaze to meet the Emperor's probing eyes.

"Your Majesty, I did have some doubts."