Chapter 674: For You Alone
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After a tense examination, the imperial physician shook his head and whispered a few words to Mu Gugu. Mu Gugu was shocked and speechless, choking back tears, “Your Majesty…”
Peng Liang and the others whispered among themselves, the buzzing sound filling the air. Yuwen Guang stood up, glaring at the physician and demanding, “What are you saying?”
The physician hastily knelt down and explained at length. The conclusion was that the Great Empress Dowager’s condition was critical and she wouldn’t last much longer.
Though he spoke in veiled terms, Mingzhu, Yuwen Chu, and Yuwen Guang nearby all understood. The Great Empress Dowager had consumed too much secret medicine, depleting her body’s reserves of vitality. It was as if she were a candle burning with multiple wicks simultaneously, exhausting her limited energy. Moreover, her preexisting conditions had flared up, leaving her with little chance of recovery.
Yuwen Guang was dumbfounded. He knew the Great Empress Dowager’s health wasn’t good, but he didn’t realize it was this severe. He burst into tears, feeling deeply guilty, blaming himself for his actions possibly causing her demise. Though he still held firm to his convictions, he felt he should have temporarily softened his approach.
Mingzhu was taken aback. What secret medicine was the Great Empress Dowager taking? Why didn’t she know anything about it? She glanced at Mu Gugu, who was too busy weeping to offer any hints, then at Yuwen Chu, whose expression, though grim, showed no surprise. It was clear he had known all along.
Mingzhu’s emotions became complicated. Was it Yuwen Guang’s intention, or was he coerced by Yuwen Chu? The Great Empress Dowager had been taking secret medicine for a long time, and Yuwen Chu knew the danger but never informed her. Mei Yusi, whom the Great Empress Dowager trusted deeply, was actually a pawn planted by Yuwen Chu.
She understood from a political standpoint that Yuwen Chu was not wrong, but on a personal level, she felt anguish. Even though the Great Empress Dowager once gave her a cup made of purple sandalwood and never mistreated her, instead providing her with refuge in times of danger. She believed that if the Great Empress Dowager didn’t truly care for her, she and Zhuang Zhuang wouldn’t have lived so peacefully.
If all her speculations were true, it meant that the Great Empress Dowager indirectly perished due to Yuwen Chu’s machinations. It wasn’t a matter of right or wrong, but she still felt deeply saddened because she didn’t even have the chance to persuade the Great Empress Dowager not to take the secret medicine.
Yuwen Chu immediately sensed Mingzhu’s inquiry and distress. He looked at her, unsure how to explain or even comfort her. He remained silent.
Yuwen You observed the slight discord between them and realized that there was a crack. He thought to himself, even the best of couples have some gaps between them; they couldn’t be as close as one person. Finally, he saw an opportunity and knew he had to do something.
Yuwen Chu naturally understood the situation, especially after Mingzhu mentioned the matter to him earlier. This incident happened right after, and if mishandled, it could be fatal. The key was whether he was willing to mend this crack. So he looked at Mingzhu and made a decision he wouldn’t normally make: “Let Tang Chunlai come to the palace to treat the Great Empress Dowager. We can’t give up as long as there’s a glimmer of hope.”
Allowing Tang Chunlai to enter the palace to treat the Great Empress Dowager was a huge risk for him. If successful, it would be fine, but if not, it would be a stain he couldn’t wash away in his lifetime. Everyone would believe that the Great Empress Dowager died because of him, and the Great Empress Dowager was clearly beyond help. Under normal circumstances, he wouldn’t involve himself in this matter, but for Mingzhu’s happiness, he was willing to take the risk.
For you alone, I’m willing to brave the world’s censure.
Mingzhu was somewhat surprised. After seeing the sincerity in Yuwen Chu’s eyes, she nodded heavily, “Okay.”
Yuwen Chu immediately instructed Wei Tiande, “Summon Tang Chunlai to the palace immediately to treat the Great Empress Dowager. I don’t care how he comes, but he must arrive within half an hour.”
Not only did Wei Tiande think he had misheard, but Yuwen You and Peng Liang also thought the same. Such a rational and calm person unexpectedly made such an irrational and emotional decision. When they saw the evident joy and satisfaction on Mingzhu’s face, they understood. Indeed, love is the greatest troublemaker, and heroes are vulnerable to the charms of beauties. From this, they could see that the relationship between the Wangfei and the Great Empress Dowager was not a simple matter of right and wrong.
Some shook their heads in sighs, finding it hard to agree with Ying Wang in this matter. Others sneered, thinking he wanted to take advantage of every benefit. Ying Wang was too greedy!
Tang Chunlai arrived soon after and, seeing the Great Empress Dowager’s condition, frowned deeply. There was simply no way. He had originally thought Yuwen Chu was just giving him a formality, so after a brief examination, he was about to say he couldn’t do anything. He only diagnosed, not treated. Surely, this wouldn’t cause any trouble?
But before he could speak, Yuwen Chu spoke earnestly before him, “Give it your all. I’ll take responsibility if anything happens.”
Tang Chunlai looked at Yuwen Chu in surprise, as if asking, “Are you sure?”
Yuwen Chu nodded, confirming his decision.
Tang Chunlai then gave Yuwen Chu a thumbs-up and loudly declared in front of everyone, “Everyone knows the Great Empress Dowager’s condition. Under such circumstances, no one dares to intervene for fear of causing trouble. Our Highness, however, is willing to take the risk and let me do my best to save her. Not because he’s not afraid of rumors or accidents, but because he’s willing to take the risk for the Yuwen family and the people. I, Tang Chunlai, want to make it clear that if anything happens, I alone will bear the consequences.”
Mingzhu calmly said, “No, I’ll take the blame because I’m the one who forced His Royal Highness Ying Wang to do this.” With that, she didn’t look at anyone else, just instructed Tang Chunlai, “Go ahead.”
Tang Chunlai’s method of treatment differed from other imperial physicians. He first prescribed medicine, then had a thick soup brewed and brought in, instructing Mu Gugu to feed it to the Great Empress Dowager. He then proceeded to insert golden needles all over her body. About half an hour later, the Great Empress Dowager’s throat made a gurgling sound, and she woke up quickly.
Her eyes were unfocused, her mind somewhat unclear. Mu Gugu leaned in and whispered a few words to her ear. She then looked at Mingzhu, who quickly stepped forward and whispered, “Aunt, it’s me.”
The Great Empress Dowager stared at Mingzhu for a moment, then looked at Yuwen Chu and Yuwen Guang, closed her eyes, and remained silent.
Fu Mingcheng called out, “Great Empress Dowager!”
Yuwen You also exclaimed, “Mother, do you have any orders?”
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