Chapter 765: I’ll Listen to You
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Mingzhu’s lifted foot hesitated and then she ordered someone to summon the imperial physician. She couldn’t stand by and watch the Great Empress Dowager die in front of her indifferently. Even though they weren’t related by blood and she was just a Regent Wangfei, she couldn’t ignore the Great Empress Dowager’s serious illness.
The pale-faced Jiang Zhouzi was brought in, and his eyes brightened when he saw Mingzhu, pleading silently for her to take him away. Mingzhu pretended not to see him. “The Great Empress Dowager is vomiting blood. Go and see what’s happening.”
Jiang Zhouzi dragged his feet over, as usual, went through the routine examination, prescribed medicine, and administered acupuncture. As soon as the first needle was inserted, the Great Empress Dowager screamed in pain. Mingzhu was frightened and saddened by her reaction but couldn’t express it. She asked Jiang Zhouzi, “What’s going on?”
Jiang Zhouzi replied, frustrated, “The pain worsens as the disease progresses. It’s not my fault.”
The Great Empress Dowager, in pain and sweating profusely, reached out to Mingzhu, trembling, “Zhu Zhu… pity this lonely old widow…”
“Niang Niang…” Sang Shen and others knelt on the ground, crying uncontrollably.
“I’m here. Don’t worry, Aunt. Endure a little longer, and it will pass.” Mingzhu walked over, took the Great Empress Dowager’s hand, and seeing her emaciated hand and white hair, as well as her distorted appearance from illness, she couldn’t help but remember the past. Her gaze softened, “If it hurts, hold my hand.”
The Great Empress Dowager gripped her hand tightly, gritting her teeth, “Don’t blame me… don’t blame me. I… just resent him for taking you away…”
Mingzhu sighed, “Don’t speak anymore. Rest.”
Another needle went in, and the Great Empress Dowager shook violently in pain, looking up at the canopy and shouting, “Emperor! Emperor! Are you satisfied now? Seeing me in such agony, are you pleased?”
Sang Shen whispered fearfully, “Niang Niang seems a bit delirious lately. She keeps dreaming and wakes up saying that the Emperor and Consort Zhou are waiting for her.”
Mingzhu waved her hand to silence her and turned to Jiang Zhouzi, who shook his head. “There’s nothing I can do about this. Unless we increase the dosage of sedatives. But excessive use will affect her appetite and harm her body. Moreover, the Great Empress Dowager refuses to take them.”
The side effects of sedatives not only affected appetite and physical health but also impaired thinking and adaptability. The Great Empress Dowager refused to take them because she couldn’t bear to let go, couldn’t bear to relinquish power.
Mingzhu understood this well. After Jiang Zhouzi finished the treatment, she instructed Sang Shen to take him aside and said to the Great Empress Dowager, “Auntie, you must have heard Jiang Zhouzi’s words just now. Do you want to endure the pain and live longer, or do you want to live a little longer and recuperate slowly? It’s up to you.”
The Great Empress Dowager smiled bitterly, “I’ll listen to you, okay? I’ll listen to you. Just don’t treat me like a stranger anymore, okay? No one else is as close to me as you are.”
The usually strong-willed Great Empress Dowager was willing to lower herself and plead like this. Mingzhu was taken aback for a moment, before finally saying, “In that case, I’ll let Jiang Zhouzi prescribe some medicine for you.”
The Great Empress Dowager nodded and fell asleep, exhausted.
Mingzhu left Changxin Palace. The sky was already turning pale, and another night had passed like this. She felt extremely tired. Zheng Momo approached her, “Let me support you, Your Highness.”
Mingzhu leaned on Zheng Momo, smiling bitterly, “I’m really tired. I’m even more tired than walking on the road.”
Zheng Momo whispered, “When peace returns to the world, Your Highness will enjoy comfort. At this moment, you’re sharing weal and woe with His Highness.”
Mingzhu liked hearing that, “Yes, His Highness probably didn’t sleep all night either.”
Suddenly, Zheng Momo whispered, “The little troublemaker is here again.”
“Who?” Mingzhu couldn’t understand for a moment, but when she saw Ji Hui approaching in the morning light, she understood. She stood still with a smile and waited to see what Ji Hui would do.
Ji Hui bowed respectfully and asked softly, “The humble one heard that the Great Empress Dowager is unwell and was worried. But she didn’t dare to disturb Her Majesty’s peace. Her Majesty has just come out. How is she? Is everything okay?”
As a guest, it would be impolite not to inquire about the host’s illness. Instead of rushing forward, Ji Hui asked politely. Mingzhu replied in a businesslike manner, “The Great Empress Dowager is much better now and is resting peacefully.”
Ji Hui nodded, “That’s a relief.”
Mingzhu nodded and turned to leave. Zheng Momo reminded her softly, “Your Highness, earlier in the Lansheng Pavilion, I saw Ji Hui. It was when you sent Donghui to see if the ministers had dispersed.”
Mingzhu stopped in her tracks and whispered, “I understand.” Ji Hui had been to the Lansheng Pavilion, a fact that Yuwen Chu had informed her of, but Donghui, as a witness, chose to conceal it.
Zheng Momo sighed, “Donghui is a good girl, and she shares life and death with Your Highness. But she’s always biased when it comes to His Highness. Your Highness should be aware of this.”
Mingzhu felt annoyed, “I know. Don’t bother with these things anymore. Just do your work properly. If anyone makes a mistake due to personal reasons, no matter who it is, I won’t forgive them easily!”
Zheng Momo lowered her head obediently, “I know Your Highness doesn’t like to hear this, but Master and Madam ordered me to be by Your Highness’s side, serving as another pair of eyes and ears. So, even if you don’t like to hear it, I must tell you.”
Mingzhu couldn’t help pouting, feeling suffocated. Suddenly, she saw a eunuch peeking around and rushing out when he saw her. She frowned, “Who is this? What is he doing?” She strode forward and scolded, “Stop him! What is this sneaky behavior?” She hurried out, saying in succession, “Stop him for me! What’s he trying to spy on?”
Zheng Momo quickly pulled her aside, “It’s His Highness.”
In the morning light, Yuwen Chu stood outside Changxin Palace, wrapped in a cloak, with the sleeping Zhuang Zhuang by his side. He smirked and looked at her, “Burning the midnight oil, huh? You look fierce.”
It turned out the little eunuch was sent by him to gather information. Mingzhu felt a bit embarrassed and awkwardly touched her nose, “Why did His Highness come?”
“Worrying about you, so I finished everything in hand and came to take you home. I’ll be with you and the children at home today, and I’ll try to work from home as much as possible in the future.” Yuwen Chu stepped forward to adjust the hairpin on her head and said, “Let’s go.”
Mingzhu happily grabbed his sleeve and followed him out, feeling all the fatigue disappear.
Ji Hui stood not far away, silently watching Mingzhu and Yuwen Chu’s figures. There was no emotion on her pale face. Her attendant urged her anxiously, “Miss, why don’t you go and greet the Regent?”
Ji Hui shook her head, “They are husband and wife. If I go up there, won’t it be bothersome?”
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