Chapter 1279 - 1115: A Fit of Rage and Heartbreak
Chapter 1279: Chapter 1115: A Fit of Rage and Heartbreak
"Dundun! It’s not you that your father favored, nor is it Zhao Xian and the others. Regardless of who the will names, you are now the Emperor. Take good care of yourself; once the poison is cured, we will surely make them pay."
The Empress Dowager suppressed the bitterness and anger in her heart and again advised softly.
"Yes! This son understands!"
"Your Majesty, there’s an urgent report from the border!" Pang Chu hurriedly entered the hall, not daring to delay the urgent message from the border.
"Bring it here quickly for me to review!" The Emperor immediately became serious; the use of urgency indicated something had gone wrong at the border again.
The Empress Dowager’s expression immediately darkened. Could it be that Zhao Xian had started waging war again?
The Emperor opened the urgent report, and the Empress Dowager carefully observed his expression. Seeing the emperor’s hand slightly tremble as he held the report, she couldn’t help but panic as well.
"Dundun!" The Empress Dowager took a step forward, asking worriedly.
The Emperor tightly gripped the urgent report, feeling a sweetness in his throat, "Puh!"
"Dundun!" The Empress Dowager widened her eyes in disbelief, watching as the Emperor spat out a mouthful of blood and then collapsed.
"Your Majesty?" Pang Chu exclaimed, looking at the dark red stain on the quilt, and immediately rushed forward.
Supporting the Emperor’s body, which had slumped against the side of the bed, "Empress Dowager, this servant will go summon the Imperial Physician!"
After speaking, without minding the still dazed Empress Dowager, he ran out quickly.
"Dundun?" The Empress Dowager slowly moved to the bed, trembling as she checked the Emperor’s breathing. After a long while, she finally sighed in relief.
Although faint, he was still breathing. Wiping the tears from her face, the Empress Dowager took the urgent report in her hand and read it carefully, but the more she read, the more panicked she became.
Truly a troublesome time! The Empress Dowager slumped onto the bed, thinking, what should be done now?
"Quick, the Emperor has fainted from spitting blood! Come quickly and check on the Emperor!" Pang Chu dragged Director Zhang into the inner hall, handing him the medicine chest he carried.
Director Zhang was out of breath, not even caring to wipe the sweat off his forehead, knowing the gravity of the situation, he remained silent.
"Please, Empress Dowager, move aside, I need to check the Emperor’s pulse!" Director Zhang noticed the Empress Dowager sitting dazed, devoid of spirit, without knowing to make way, and quickly spoke.
"Director Zhang..." The Empress Dowager, seeing Director Zhang arrive, recovered her senses and quickly moved aside.
Now was no time for formalities; Director Zhang stepped forward to check the Emperor’s eyes and took out a cloth to feel the pulse.
The Empress Dowager clenched the cloth in her hands tightly, focusing intently on Doctor Zhang’s expression.
"The Emperor is suffering from emotional distress; I previously mentioned the Emperor should not worry excessively. Although the poison has been temporarily suppressed, if he can’t maintain a calm heart, the excessive flow of his blood will accelerate the poison’s spread."
Director Zhang frowned deeply, aware of the Emperor’s daily burden, knowing maintaining a calm heart was not easily done. Yet, it had only been a few days, and the Emperor had already relapsed; if this continued, he feared even a year would be difficult, let alone three.
The Empress Dowager took a deep breath, "There are many state affairs, how can the Emperor ignore them? Being human, how can one be devoid of emotion? Feelings and desires are inevitable. Director Zhang, think of a way to properly nourish the Emperor’s body until we find an antidote."
Director Zhang sighed, "I also ask the Empress Dowager to remind the Emperor to care for his health. Fortunately, Doctor Li’s Detoxification Pills were previously consumed, otherwise, I wouldn’t dare to perform any needle treatment."
Shaking his head, Director Zhang opened the medicine chest and took out silver needles.
"When will the Emperor regain consciousness?" After fifteen minutes, seeing Director Zhang collecting the needles, the Empress Dowager immediately stepped forward to ask.
"This time the Emperor is severely weakened, it will take about a day. I will prescribe some nourishing ingredients; the Emperor’s body is too depleted. Ruo Yin’s antidote is too strong, might be overwhelming for the Emperor."
After hesitating for a long while, Director Zhang said no more and went to write a prescription.
He worried if Doctor Li and the others could bring back an antidote. Without it, what would become of the Emperor?
Currently, the court is troubled inside and out; the Vassal Kings eyeing the throne, the courtiers busy consolidating power for their families in the Capital.
It’s said the border is not peaceful, war is on the horizon, and Dayan is precariously placed.
Director Zhang further solidified his resolve to resign and return home once the antidote is found, then seek the Emperor’s leave.
"These days, Doctor Zhang, please stay in the palace to monitor the Emperor’s pulse." The Empress Dowager supported herself against the bed, feeling utterly weak.
"Empress Dowager?" Da Ya, Gui Zhu immediately stepped forward to support the Empress Dowager, who couldn’t hold on anymore and leaned against Gui Zhu.
"Empress Dowager, are you feeling unwell? Would you like me to check your pulse?" Director Zhang, seeing the Empress Dowager’s pale face, couldn’t help but ask with concern.
"No need, Pang Chu, you stay here to care for the Emperor, I will return to my quarters to rest for a while!" After speaking, the Empress Dowager, supported by Gui Zhu, began to leave the hall.
Watching the Empress Dowager’s hurried steps, Pang Chu felt a pang of sadness. The Empress Dowager, despite her proud demeanor, never intended to poison those princes. Her harsh words never translated to action, they grew up safe.
If the late Emperor hadn’t grown ever so cold towards her, she wouldn’t have turned her deep love into hatred. She was just a tragic woman!
Pang Chu glanced at the Emperor lying on the bed, and his face clouded over with worry again.
"What is Ye doing? Inform him to accompany me." The Empress Dowager suddenly recalled the Emperor’s legitimate eldest son and addressed Gui Zhu beside her.
Since the enthronement ceremony had yet to be held, naturally the Crown Prince’s investiture ceremony was postponed. But the Emperor had long promised to name the legitimate eldest son as Crown Prince, only it hadn’t been formalized yet!
Previously, because the late Emperor hadn’t appointed a Crown Prince early on, it led to brotherly strife. The Emperor, being the legitimate son, had suffered greatly from it.
Appointing a Crown Prince early and personally guiding him beside oneself was better than letting the princes engage in disputes.
"The Eldest Prince is practicing riding and archery, this servant will fetch him immediately!" Gui Zhu instructed the palace maids behind her to assist, planning to leave.
"Don’t let Ye find out about his father, and watch closely these days. I don’t want to hear any rumors."
The Empress Dowager glanced coldly at Gui Zhu; as her chief maid, Gui Zhu was trusted by her.
"But the Empress..." Gui Zhu was somewhat troubled; the Empress is the Emperor’s wife, not someone easily concealed from.
"Keep it hidden!" The Empress Dowager recalled the Empress’s family, the Lang Family, who were also ambitious, making her wary.
The Empress Dowager closed her eyes, having little faith in obtaining the antidote.
If Dundun were truly to come to harm, with Ye still so young, unable to support the vast Dynasty, someone would have to stand up to maintain order.