OBS Chapter 1473 A Sudden High Fever Occurred (Bonus Chapter for 198 Million Votes)
Chapter 1473 A Sudden High Fever Occurred (Bonus Chapter for 198 Million Votes)
She did feel a sense of worry for Princess Wenshu's safety: "Wenshu is gentle and has always been unassuming. It's impossible for her to have such a powerful enemy."
"It must be just as His Majesty guessed. She discovered the problem with Nangong Xuanche's corpse, which is why she was abducted by his remaining forces."
Nangong Xuanyu said coldly, "I have ordered the Prefect of the Capital to investigate this matter with all his might!"
But what the emperor cared about most was not the safety of Princess Wenshu, but what was wrong with Nangong Xuanche's body.
Shen Zhinian looked at Nangong Xuanyu's furrowed brows and said gently, "Your Majesty, since this matter has occurred, there must be traces to follow. The Prefect of the Capital is a capable person and will surely be able to find out the truth."
"Your Majesty is an emperor, protected by the gods. The tricks of petty people are ultimately unworthy of respect."
"Please don't worry too much, and take good care of your health."
Nangong Xuanyu grasped Shen Zhinian's soft hand, gently squeezed it, and sighed: "Only here with you can I find a moment of peace."
Shen Zhinian smiled slightly: "As a concubine, it is my duty to share Your Majesty's burdens."
"Moreover... Your Majesty is the person I love most, and of course I hope that you can have fewer troubles, so that I can be happy to see you like this."
Nangong Xuanyu didn't say anything more, but simply reached out and pulled Shen Zhinian into his arms.
……
The concubines in the harem are most concerned about the selection of imperial concubines.
Who knew that His Majesty's visit to Yongshou Palace would postpone the palace selection, originally scheduled for the beginning of the month, to the end of the month, causing many speculations to arise in everyone's minds.
Changchun Palace.
While pouring tea for Consort Zhuang, Xiao Caizi said with concern, "Your Majesty, the Zhuang family has put so much effort into this palace selection. The young lady of the third branch has been practicing etiquette and demeanor day and night, hoping to make a name for herself in the palace selection."
"This... His Majesty's sudden postponement of the palace selection, could it be because the Imperial Noble Consort heard something and is deliberately suppressing it? Is she afraid that the new concubine will enter the palace and share her favor?"
Consort Zhuang took the teacup, her expression calm and composed, and said lightly, "The one in Yongshou Palace has a very deep mind. Your guess is not entirely unreasonable."
"The Imperial Noble Consort enjoys great favor, so it's understandable that she might want to delay the entry of new concubines into the palace and secure her exclusive favor."
Immediately, Consort Zhuang instructed Ruoji: "Tell the family to remain calm and wait patiently."
"The palace selection is only postponed, not canceled. Let them stabilize their situation."
Ruo immediately bowed and replied, "Yes, this servant understands."
Xiao Caizi, however, couldn't contain himself and leaned closer, saying, "Your Majesty, are we just going to wait here like this?"
"If the Imperial Noble Consort is truly delaying the selection of concubines out of jealousy, that would not be a good reputation for her."
"Besides, we're not the only ministers eagerly awaiting to send their daughters to the palace. Now that the palace selection has been postponed, they're bound to harbor resentment. Perhaps we could..."
Consort Zhuang interrupted Xiao Caizi, warning, "What can you do?"
"Spreading rumors and criticizing the Imperial Noble Consort? Or inciting those impatient ministers to submit memorials?"
"With the truth of the matter still unclear, taking rash action will only backfire."
"Don't forget, the Emperor's favor now belongs to the one in Yongshou Palace."
Xiao Caizi lowered his head and said, "Your Majesty is right."
"But... are we just going to do nothing?"
Consort Zhuang changed the subject, saying with a half-smile, "Just you wait and see, there are bound to be people who can't hold their temper."
Xiao Cai's eyes darted around, and he immediately realized, "Does Your Highness mean that one from Yikun Palace?"
Consort Zhuang nodded, her fingers gently fiddled with the Buddhist beads on her wrist: "Consort Dun only caught the eye of Empress Dowager Gongsu and was promoted to the rank of Consort because her family was attached to the Duke of Dingguo's mansion, and she raised the Third Prince."
"She is not particularly intelligent by nature, and her methods are ordinary. In the past, she only managed to avoid making any major mistakes because she had the guidance and support of Empress Dowager Gongsu."
"Since the passing of Empress Dowager Gongsu, her scheming and patience have become insufficient."
"Given the old grudges between Consort Dun and the Imperial Noble Consort, it would be strange if she could remain calm in the face of such a situation."
Xiao Caizi smiled knowingly: "Your Majesty is wise. Let's wait and see."
At this moment, a wet nurse who served the eldest princess rushed in with a panicked expression. She knelt down with a thud and cried out, "Your Highness, something terrible has happened!"
"The eldest princess suddenly developed a high fever, her forehead was burning hot, and she was also talking nonsense from time to time..."
Consort Zhuang frowned.
Since Bahargul drowned in Taiye Pond, the eldest princess had been in a very low mood. Her usual smile was rarely seen on her face, and she ate very little. She visibly became thinner and weaker, and her body naturally became much weaker.
At this time of year, it's not surprising to catch a cold and develop a high fever.
A hint of annoyance flashed in Consort Zhuang's eyes, but she didn't show it on her face. She asked with concern, "How could this be?"
"Hurry and fetch the imperial physician!"
Xiao Caizi immediately replied, "Yes!"
Consort Zhuang gave instructions as she walked out, her steps hurried, her words filled with detailed instructions: "Go and wring out a cloth with warm water, and apply it to Yun'er's forehead first."
"There are still some snow frogs bestowed by His Majesty in the storeroom. Take some and stew them. We'll use them when the eldest princess is feeling better."
Ruoji replied, "This servant understands!"
Consort Zhuang personally came to the eldest princess's bedchamber.
The little princess lay in the brocade quilt, her cheeks flushed red, her lips chapped, her long eyelashes trembling uneasily, and she occasionally uttered indistinct murmurs.
"Mother..."
"Sister Xiyan..."
“Guli…”
"Don't leave Yun'er..."
Consort Zhuang sat down by the bed and reached out to touch the eldest princess's forehead. The burning temperature made her frown slightly.
She took the warm, damp handkerchief from the nanny, gently placed it on the princess's forehead, and carefully tucked her in.
Consort Zhuang's gaze fell on the eldest princess's pained little face, her eyes filled with pity and worry. Anyone who saw her would think she was a loving mother.
Only Consort Zhuang herself knew the slight impatience in her heart...
However, in the inner palace, every word and action is observed. The eldest princess is a crucial figure in consolidating her position, and she must never show the slightest aloofness or indifference in front of outsiders.
The imperial physician arrived quickly, carefully examined the patient's pulse, and prescribed a formula to reduce fever and calm the mind.
Consort Zhuang examined the prescription, instructed the wet nurse to carefully decoct the medicine, and personally fed it to the eldest princess.
She stayed by the bedside until the princess's high fever subsided slightly and her breathing became steady. Only then, after Ruoji's persuasion, did she return to her own bedroom to rest.
The next morning.
When Consort Zhuang woke up, she asked about the eldest princess while washing up.
While combing her long hair, Ruoji softly reported, "...Your Majesty, rest assured, the eldest princess sweated it out in the middle of the night, and her high fever has completely subsided."