Translator – Xiao He Lian
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T/N – Hi Guys, I’m so sorry in the delay to release the new chapters. Hope you guys enjoy this chapter!!
Chapter 57.1
On the 12th of the fourth month, it looked like it was a sunny day, so Empress Xu held a flower-viewing banquet in the Jinlan Pavilion of the West Palace. The sun hung high in the sky, but was suddenly covered by dark clouds. A gust of wind blew by, and the birds on the branches flapped their wings and flew away.
While the concubines were chanting poems to the crape myrtle flowers, the cat in Concubine Liu’s arms suddenly went crazy and pounced on the Empress Dowager.
The Empress Dowager was already old and could not withstand such a fright. As soon as the cat showed its claws, she fell to the ground.
Ordinarily, the Jinlan Pavilion in the West Palace does not have those uneven stones. Even if the Empress Dowager fell to the ground, she would only have her legs and feet sprained and suffer some scratches. However, no one could have predicted that there was a sharp rock where the Empress Dowager fell, and the back of her head happened to hit it.
While the furry cat was waving its claws, all the concubines were exclaiming, Xu Yiqing, the niece next to the Empress and the seventh young lady of the Xu family, suddenly shouted, “Don’t move the Empress Dowager’s body! Call the doctor quickly!”
Then, she walked over, squatted down and supported the Empress Dowager’s head with her hands.
The old momo beside the Empress Dowager whispered: “I dare to ask, does the seventh young lady know medical skills?”
Xu Yiqing nodded, “I understand a little bit.”
Empress Xu glanced at her nervously, “Qing’er.” Once something happened to the Empress Dowager, the Emperor would definitely be furious. If he really punished someone, Concubine Liu wouldn’t be able to survive and neither could Xu Yiqing who intervened.
Xu Yiqing gave Empress Xu a look to reassure her.
After a while, two imperial physicians rushed over and carefully carried the Empress Dowager to the nearest Yushu Palace.
When Emperor Chengyuan arrived, his face was gloomier than the sky outside. He hurriedly walked to the Empress Dowager and asked, “How is the Empress Dowager?”
The Imperial Physician Ling said: “Reporting to Your Majesty, although her life has been saved for now, the Empress Dowager is already old. She cannot bear a light collision, let alone today…” The rest of the words, the Imperial Physician Ling didn’t dare say.
“So what are you trying to say?” Emperor Cheng Yuan said.
The imperial doctor bowed and said, “What matters is whether Empress Dowager can wake up by tomorrow evening.”
Empress Xu said: “I can’t escape the blame for what happened today. I hope your Majesty will punish me.”
“Your crime will be discussed later.” Emperor Cheng Yuan took a deep breath, pointed outside and said: “First, confine Concubine Liu to the Huaqing Palace and punish her by fasting for three days. After three days, I will personally interrogate her, no need to kneel outside and be an eyesore.
Anyone with a discerning eye would know that the Emperor was angry.
Empress Xu quickly glanced at Zhuang momo and told her to go outside and pass the news.
After a moment, Emperor Chengyuan cleared his throat and told the crowd to calm down.
The emperor sat on the edge of the couch, looked around and his eyes fell on a bright and beautiful girl who looked like a lotus flower.
“Are you the seventh young lady of the Xu family?”
Xu Yiqing bowed and said yes.
“Do you know medical skills?”
“I have learned some from my mother since I was a child.”
Emperor Chengyuan pursed his lips and squinted his eyes; it seems that the second son of the Xu family married the daughter of the former imperial physician Ling.
Thinking of this, Emperor Cheng Yuan glanced at the imperial physician again.
The imperial physician immediately said: “Thankyou Young Lady Xu, for not letting others touch the Empress Dowager’s jade body, and for handling it in time, otherwise, the situation might have been more serious.”
Emperor Chengyuan said “Hmm”, turned his head and glanced at the unconscious Empress Dowager and said to the attendant: “Go to Zhenguo Duke’s Mansion and call the Grand Princess.”
——
After Princess Jing’an got the news, she immediately brought Lu Yan into the palace.
As soon as she walked in, her eyes turned red. She knew that if her mother hadn’t been seriously injured, her brother wouldn’t have called her in such a hurry.
Emperor Cheng Yuan had deep feelings for his sister. When he saw her coming, many years of past events came to his mind and his throat couldn’t help but feel a little tight. He said, “Jing’an, our mother has always liked you, so you can stay with her tonight.”
“Okay.” Princess Jing’an choked with sobs.
Empress Xu touched Xu Yiqing’s elbow and motioned for her to look at Lu Yan.
Sure enough, the young lady’s face turned red.
Emperor Chengyuan stood up and patted Lu Yan on the shoulder and said, “No need to stand on ceremony, go see your grandmother.”
Seeing Emperor Chengyuan’s attitude towards Lu Yan and Princess Jing’an, Empress Xu couldn’t help pinching her fingertips. She had devoted most of her life to him but in the end, she was not as good as his married sister.
Emperor Chengyuan suddenly tilted his head, looked behind Empress Xu and said: “Who is standing there? Why is there blood on the ground?”
Everyone looked back following Emperor Chengyuan’s gaze.
At this moment, Meng Suxi tugged on her skirt and walked out.
“Your Majesty, this concubine is stupid. She accidentally fell down while trying to catch the cat.” As she spoke, Meng Suxi grabbed the bleeding corner of her clothes.
Emperor Chengyuan looked at her for a moment and then said to the Imperial Physician: “Treat her”
Meng Suxi bowed and said, “I would like to thank Your Majesty.”
Maybe it was because the voice was so familiar that Princess Jing’an couldn’t help but look bac and her eyes couldn’t help but pause.
It turned out to be Madam Wen’s niece, Meng Suxi.
A few days ago, she was still talking to her own son about marriage, but in the blink of an eye, she turned into a woman in the harem, to say the least, it is lamentable.
This look from the Grand Princess reminded everyone of the rumors in the palace before.
At the moment, the Empress Dowager was not awake, therefore no one dares to smile, but it is inevitable that they will laugh in their hearts.
