Chapter 745: Ji Hui
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It seemed that everyone had changed over the past year. The Great Empress Dowager had become colder. Mingzhu smiled and sent for Jiang Zhouzi, also handing over the “Complete Pathology.”
A palace attendant respectfully presented the book in a huanghuali wood box. The Great Empress Dowager struggled to sit up and shakily grasped the book, asking hopefully, “Does it have what I need?”
Mingzhu felt both sad and pitiful seeing her like this and said softly, “This book is too profound for me to understand. Jiang Zhouzi has been studying it during our journey. Maybe he has found something.”
The truth was that Jiang Zhouzi and Shi Jiuqing had thoroughly discussed the Great Empress Dowager’s condition and concluded that only surgery could cure it. Since that wasn’t possible, they had to rely on medication to prevent further deterioration. Shi Jiuqing even predicted that the Great Empress Dowager would gradually lose her sight and become paralyzed.
This matched Mingzhu’s memories. In her previous life, the Great Empress Dowager spent her final days bedridden, unable to do anything but wait for death. Back then, Rongming hadn’t died so early, and the Great Empress Dowager hadn’t fallen ill so soon, nor had they encountered Jiang Zhouzi and Shi Jiuqing, so it might not have been so dire.
Jiang Zhouzi came in humbly and gave a lengthy but carefully worded diagnosis, essentially saying that while the disease was irreversible and incurable, it could be managed with medication and acupuncture to delay its progression.
The Great Empress Dowager was deeply disappointed and remained silent for a long time.
The atmosphere in the hall grew tense. Mingzhu exchanged a look with Yuwen Guang, who was also saddened but mustered his strength to speak, “Grandmother…”
“Haha….” The Great Empress Dowager suddenly laughed hoarsely, “After all the trouble to get this precious book, it turns out to be useless?”
Jiang Zhouzi, fearing she might destroy the book or blame him, quickly said, “It is useful. I’ve been thinking of some plans during the journey. There must be a way.”
The Great Empress Dowager was noncommittal, placing the book beside her pillow, and said calmly, “You may take my pulse.”
Jiang Zhouzi hurried forward to examine her. The hall fell silent, with everyone afraid to disturb the diagnosis. By the time he finished and wrote a new prescription, it was already dark.
Mingzhu, eager to return to her family, began to bid farewell but saw Fu Zifei whispering to the Great Empress Dowager. The Great Empress Dowager then said, “I haven’t seen you for a long time and missed you greatly. I even lost my appetite. Since you are here, stay and have dinner with me. The Emperor and Empress should stay as well.”
Fu Zifei whispered a few words again, but the Great Empress Dowager ignored her and instead ordered the serving of food.
They were all dishes that Mingzhu loved to eat, but Mingzhu no longer enjoyed them as she once did. The Great Empress Dowager obviously couldn’t eat either and quickly stopped the serving maids. After rinsing her mouth, she didn’t let Mingzhu leave but instead said, “I heard that the place you went to search for the secret manuals was very interesting, and you brought back a girl?”
Mingzhu’s heart skipped a beat. Initially, when she brought Caiyun down from Yandui Mountain, she had strictly ordered those around her not to spread the news due to Caiyun’s special status. Externally, they only said that they had encountered the daughter of a hunter in Yandui Mountain, who, having lost her elders, was willing to follow her to the capital. But now, the Great Empress Dowager’s implication seemed to be that she knew Caiyun’s true identity?
Because she didn’t know how much the Great Empress Dowager actually knew, Mingzhu smiled and replied with her original story, “Yes, that place is treacherous, and people rarely visit…” She didn’t want to reveal the various miraculous aspects of the cliff, roughly skimming over it and then speaking of Caiyun: “She is the daughter of a hunter in the mountains. We got lost when descending the mountain, and she guided us.”
The Great Empress Dowager smiled, “To have caught your eye and brought back to the capital, she must be interesting?”
Mingzhu smiled and said, “Indeed, that girl is simple and lovely, with a kind heart. I liked her as soon as I saw her.”
Then the Great Empress Dowager said, “It’s a coincidence. I have a girl here too, simple and lovely, with a kind heart. I liked her as soon as I saw her.”
Why would she bring up such a person out of the blue? Mingzhu hesitated in her heart, glancing tentatively at the people in the hall. She saw Yuwen Guang with a helpless expression, Fu Zifei’s eyes shining, Sang Shen avoiding her gaze, and the Great Empress Dowager staring at the canopy, refusing to look at her.
“Empress, have someone bring Ji Hui over,” the Great Empress Dowager’s voice sounded distant yet close, “This girl is from the Northern lands, has been in the palace for some time, and seeing her reminds me of your childhood, so I arranged for her to stay in the room you used to occupy. I often have her come to accompany me for a chat, to comfort me. You won’t mind, will you?”
Mingzhu was curious now, “Of course not. That room belongs to you, Niang Niang. You can assign it to whomever you wish.”
“Royal Grandmother, I’ve always said that Aunt has a broad mind, understands righteousness, and would never be angry. Do you believe me now?” Fu Zifei smiled, her eyes gleaming, gesturing for Mingzhu to look at the door. “Aunt, look, isn’t Ji Hui just like a fairy?”
At the entrance stood a petite and delicate young girl, dressed in a sapphire blue brocade gown and skirt, adorned with a white fox fur coat and a ruby forehead ornament. Her snow-white skin and delicate features made her extraordinarily pure and beautiful. As she walked in, her movements were graceful and fluid, like a white lotus slowly blooming.
Mingzhu was momentarily stunned. This was indeed a rare beauty. While the famed Ping Nushi had striking features, she lacked charm in her movements. In contrast, the young woman before her was not only beautiful but also possessed an exceptional aura and demeanor, exuding elegance and nobility. Such outstanding qualities could only be cultivated in an illustrious family over generations.
The girl approached the group and gracefully greeted each person. When she smiled, a small dimple appeared on her right cheek, adding to her charm. Even Yuwen Guang treated her with courtesy, and the Great Empress Dowager and Fu Zifei also showed her respect. Although a trace of jealousy flashed in Fu Zifei’s eyes, she still smiled sweetly and said, “Miss Ji, no need for formalities. Come over here, and I’ll introduce you to our Regent Wangfei.”
Ji Hui glanced quickly at Mingzhu, a layer of bashful unease appearing on her face, yet she still gracefully bowed to Mingzhu. “Ji Hui greets the Regent Wangfei. I wish you well, Your Highness.” Her voice was clear and melodious, with a gentle cadence.
Mingzhu thought to herself that if this voice were to sing, the concubines in her Northern Garden would surely pale in comparison. She then heard Fu Zifei add, “I forgot to mention to Auntie that Miss Ji is also skilled in dancing and playing the qin, and she is quite accomplished in painting and calligraphy. Auntie will have a wonderful companion in her.”
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