Chapter 302: Symptoms
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After lying down for a while, Mingzhu still couldn’t fall asleep. Sensing her tossing and turning, Su Lan, who was sleeping nearby, asked, “Is Wangfei worried about the Great Empress Dowager?”
Mingzhu couldn’t say she was worried about both the Great Empress Dowager and Yuwen Chu, so she said, “Go and see if there’s still light in the Great Empress Dowager’s sleeping chamber.”
Su Lan got up as instructed and returned, saying, “The light is still on.”
Unable to sleep, she decided to accompany the Great Empress Dowager. Since she was already married, such opportunities were becoming increasingly rare. Mingzhu got up, put on her clothes and shoes, and quietly left the room. However, she saw that the light in the Great Empress Dowager’s sleeping chamber had just gone out, indicating that the Great Empress Dowager had already fallen asleep. Just as she was about to turn back, she noticed a faint light appear in the sleeping chamber, followed by the opening of the door, and two people came out one after the other.
Even though both of them were wrapped in large cloaks, Mingzhu recognized them at a glance as the Great Empress Dowager and Mu Gugu. Realizing that sneaking out at this time couldn’t be for matters of state, Mingzhu thought of Eunuch Rong who was still lying in the side hall. After a moment of hesitation, she quietly retreated back into her room. The Great Empress Dowager probably went to bid farewell to Eunuch Rong, and Mingzhu didn’t want to intrude on that scene.
Seeing her return, Su Lan asked, “Is Wangfei not going?”
Mingzhu shook her head. “The Great Empress Dowager has gone to bed, so let’s sleep too.”
The next morning, Mingzhu got up very early and went to wait outside. When she heard the sound of clapping inside, she knew the Great Empress Dowager was getting up, so she took the hot water brought by the palace attendant and followed the attendant in to assist the Great Empress Dowager in getting up.
The Great Empress Dowager was already dressed neatly, sitting in front of the dressing table with her eyes closed, waiting for the attendants to wash and dress her. Seeing her looking haggard with swollen eyes, Mingzhu wrung a hot towel and placed it on her face. She had intended to be gentle, but being inexperienced in such matters, her hands were inevitably clumsy, and she accidentally bumped into the Great Empress Dowager’s chin with her little finger.
The Great Empress Dowager’s eyebrows shot up immediately, and Mingzhu knew this was a prelude to her anger. She quickly preempted, whispering, “Aunt, I always clumsily do things.”
Hearing her voice, the Great Empress Dowager suppressed her anger and opened her eyes to look at her. “It’s you,” she said, her voice hoarse, and even her usually bright eyes suddenly lost their luster, making her look aged.
Mingzhu’s heart ached, but she continued to apply the towel to her face, smiling as she said, “Yes, my mother never served me like this.”
The Great Empress Dowager chuckled. “Your mother and I used to joke that you were born for me.”
Mingzhu added, “People say I look like you when you were young.”
“Niece Aunt, it happens.” The Great Empress Dowager let the attendants finish dressing her, her demeanor calm and composed as if she was back in control of everything.
In a moment, everything was in order. Sang Shen came in to invite the Great Empress Dowager for breakfast. The Great Empress Dowager stood up, about to step out, when she suddenly raised her hand to touch her forehead, then slumped down weakly.
Mingzhu was startled and quickly reached out to support the Great Empress Dowager. One of the attendants was about to scream, but Sang Shen glared fiercely at her and growled, “No screaming.”
Mu Gugu hurried in and helped Mingzhu lay the Great Empress Dowager flat on the bed. Mingzhu was extremely anxious, remembering that the Great Empress Dowager’s illness had started with this dizziness. Because it was not taken seriously, other symptoms gradually appeared, making it increasingly uncontrollable, until she couldn’t even get out of bed.
“It’s no use, we need medicine.” Mu Gugu took out a pill the size of a soybean from the embroidered box she carried with her and fed it to the Great Empress Dowager. After about half an incense stick’s worth of time, the Great Empress Dowager finally let out a long breath and woke up. She first glanced at the attendants in the room, then whispered, “You all go outside. Sang Shen and Ah Shang stay.”
Mingzhu anxiously said, “Send for the imperial physician to come and check her pulse.”
The Great Empress Dowager shook her head firmly. “No need, I’m fine. It’s just that I haven’t rested well these past few days, so this happened.” She smiled coldly again. “Many people are hoping I fall ill, but I won’t give them that satisfaction. Those who served me just now, especially the one who was disrespectful just now, deal with them first, especially that one, don’t let them off lightly.”
Mu Gugu calmly bowed to the Great Empress Dowager and walked out steadily, while Sang Shen pretended not to hear anything and continued with her tasks.
Having reached this point, Mingzhu understood what “handling” meant. It means to prevent leaks, so either keep a close watch, drug them, or take their life. But the Great Empress Dowager is only sick, that’s all. Is it necessary to go to such lengths suddenly? The Great Empress Dowager suddenly grabbed her hand, looking directly at her and said word by word, “You must not tell this to Old Six, otherwise the political situation will immediately become chaotic, understand?”
Mingzhu saw her stern expression and thought of Mu Gugu and Sang Shen’s accustomed appearance. She guessed that the Great Empress Dowager had been ill for some time, but for some reason, it had not been disclosed to the public, and no one else was allowed to know.
Although Mingzhu didn’t understand how an early dizziness could affect the political situation, she still nodded and promised, “I won’t tell him. But since you’re not feeling well, why don’t you refrain from attending to matters this morning?”
“Help me up,” the Great Empress Dowager said, relying on her to sit up, taking a few breaths, and calmly said, “No, I can slack off anytime, except for these few days.” After speaking, she stood up forcefully, her back straight, and her eyes determinedly walked out.
Mu Gugu stood outside the curtain and whispered, “Your Majesty, the Empress Dowager and His Majesty are here to greet you.”
The corner of the Great Empress Dowager’s mouth lifted slightly, forming a cold sarcastic smile, “They’ve come to see if I’m really angry and dead, haven’t they?”
Mu Gugu responded and went back to relay the message.
The Great Empress Dowager sat down at the dining table and began to eat. Seeing Mingzhu standing respectfully on the side, she smiled, “I can’t eat much, but having someone accompany me can make me eat a little more. Will you join me, Ying Wangfei?”
Mingzhu didn’t hesitate and poured herself a bowl of milk.
But outside, a commotion erupted. Empress Dowager Min’s cries were mournful and loud, echoing for miles. “Royal Mother, are you blaming us? It’s all because of the unfilial daughter-in-law, who didn’t teach His Majesty properly, causing him to act recklessly and angering you. It’s all our fault. Please let us in to kowtow and apologize to you.”
The Great Empress Dowager seemed to ignore it, calmly finishing half a bowl of porridge and an egg roll before setting down her chopsticks. She loudly instructed Sang Shen, “Sang Shen, go and tell her, since the Empress Dowager knows she’s not capable of nurturing, she should refrain from interfering in the affairs of the emperor in the future.”
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