OBS Chapter 1197 Who knows what she will do
Chapter 1197 Who knows what she will do
"Prepare some herbs to calm the mind and spirit, and follow me when the time comes."
She didn't complain, didn't resist, and didn't even have a single unnecessary question.
It seemed like this was just a task that needed to be completed step by step.
Concubine Xue lives in the deep palace, like a doll made of ice and snow, and has long been accustomed to all the oppression and calculations in the world.
Living and observing clearly is her way of dealing with the world.
It makes no difference to whom you take care of the sick.
……
The atmosphere in the Yiku Palace is completely different from the coldness and loneliness of the Yanx Palace.
Wangpin was half-leaning on a bed covered with a thick brocade mattress, her body covered with a brocade quilt. Her face, meticulously painted, now had an unnatural sallowness to it, and fine beads of cold sweat oozed from her forehead.
She was breathing slightly, her chest rising and falling, and between her brows was an unshakable look of suspicion... and a hint of fear.
"Cough...cough..."
Another heart-wrenching cough.
Concubine Wang covered her mouth tightly with a handkerchief. When the coughing stopped a little, she spread out the handkerchief, and there was a small, glaring scarlet spot on it!
"Empress?!"
Xiao Tianzi was so scared that his face turned pale and he quickly brought some warm water.
Wangpin waved her hands feebly, pushed the cup away, and stared at the bloodstains on the handkerchief. Her voice trembled with weakness and anger: "How could...how could this happen?!"
"I...I was just...just pretending to be sick to avoid the spotlight!"
She was recommended by Empress Dowager Liu. Since the fall of Duke Dingguo's Mansion, in order to avoid suspicion, she used the excuse of catching a cold and stayed indoors.
At first he was just pretending, coughing a few times and putting some lead powder on his face to make himself look paler.
When the imperial physician came to take her pulse, she was also vague.
I thought that after some time, when the storm had died down, I would be able to "recover".
But the development of the matter was completely beyond the control of Concubine Wang!
The so-called "cold" seemed to have taken hold of her. She drank bowl after bowl of medicine prescribed by the imperial physician, but not only did it not get better, it became worse!
First, there was a persistent low-grade fever, then body aches and weakness, and then this excruciating cough...
Until this morning, she even had difficulty getting out of bed on her own!
It was as if something was silently and viciously devouring her vitality...
Xiao Tianzi's voice was filled with worry: "My Lady, you... your illness is very severe. It looks... it doesn't look like an ordinary cold!"
Wangpin's heart sank suddenly!
A terrible thought, like a poisonous snake, entered her mind—
Could it be... could it be that someone took advantage of the opportunity and did something to her? !
Is it Concubine Chen? !
Or...that fake compassionate Concubine Zhuang?!
The more Concubine Wang thought about it, the more frightened she became, and cold sweat soaked through her nightgown.
Just then, another young eunuch came in, his voice frightened, "Your Majesty! Madam Yuan from Cining Palace has conveyed the Empress Dowager's decree, ordering the concubines in the harem to take turns attending to the patient in Cining Palace starting tomorrow!"
This news was like a bolt from the blue to Concubine Wang!
Attending to the sick? !
She's in such a state now, even breathing is difficult, and she needs help getting out of bed. How can she take care of the patient?!
What is the Cining Palace? The drug is corrosive, the air is lifeless, and the Empress Dowager is even more terminally ill.
If she dragged her sick body over there, it would only make things worse...
But can she not go?
The Empress Dowager is still the most noble woman in the world!
Filial piety is as important as the sky. Don’t say that she is just seriously ill. Even if she only has one breath left, as long as she hasn’t died, she must be carried to the Cining Palace!
Otherwise, if she is charged with the crime of "unfilial piety" and "disobedience", not only she but also the Wang family behind her will not be able to bear it!
“Cough… cough… cough… cough…”
Concubine Wang coughed violently again, until tears came out.
She didn't understand. She just wanted to pretend to be sick to avoid the limelight, but how could she fall into the quagmire from which she couldn't escape step by step?
It was as if an invisible hand was coldly pushing everything from behind, pushing her into this desperate dilemma...
Wangpin squeezed out a few words from between her teeth, her voice hoarse and broken, filled with resigned despair: "Get ready to go down, when it's my turn... I will go to the Cining Palace... to tend to the patient!"
Even if she dies, she must die on the way to take care of the sick!
This is the cruel rule.
Xiao Tianzi said: "Yes."
Wangpin looked at the empty medicine bowl beside her, a cold glint flashing in her eyes: "Please check carefully to find out what is wrong with me?!"
Xiao Tianzi was shocked and quickly agreed.
……
Chengqian Palace.
Xuanpin held the mother-of-pearl and red sandalwood five-string pipa that had just been repaired and delivered by the Ministry of Internal Affairs, and frowned slightly: "...attending to the sick?"
"This palace... What can this palace do?"
Zhu'er hurriedly reminded in a low voice: "Your Majesty, you just need to stay quietly with her, or... play a soothing song for the Queen Mother?"
Xuanpin nodded, not quite understanding.
……
Chuxiu Palace.
Concubine Kang was afraid of the cold and was wrapped in a thick cloak with ermine fur trim. She was huddled in a cushioned armchair, with only half of her fair face exposed.
She held a small hand warmer in her hands, and her fingertips unconsciously rubbed the warm wall of the warmer, with a posture that was so weak that it made people feel pity.
Just like she was in the deep palace, always keeping her head down, looking docile and quiet.
After hearing Caiju's report, Concubine Kang paused for a moment, her fingers resting on the stove. Her long eyelashes trembled like butterfly wings.
Those big eyes that always seemed a little timid were instantly filled with just the right amount of worry and uneasiness, like a frightened deer.
She subconsciously hugged the heater tighter, as if the meager heat could dispel the sudden chill.
Kangpin's voice was soft and light, with a hint of panic: "Cining Palace... that place is full of medicinal smells and cold air..."
"My body cannot stand the cold..."
She frowned slightly, looking very troubled.
Caiju's face was filled with worry: "Yes, my lady."
"You've always been afraid of colds, and you were complaining of a headache a few days ago. What if you suddenly go to a place filled with medicinal fumes and catch a cold?"
Concubine Kang lowered her eyes, her gaze fixed on the delicate lines of the heater, concealing the fleeting thoughts deep in her eyes.
As soon as the Liu family fell, the Empress Dowager summoned all the concubines to take care of her.
This pool of water is very deep and muddy.
Where is the Cining Palace now?
That is the final nest of the dying phoenix.
The Empress Dowager is in a state of anxiety, who knows what she will do?
She was just a small concubine and lived cautiously in the deep palace. She didn't want to be sucked into the turbulent vortex and become cannon fodder in their game!
Pretending to be sick to avoid disaster was Kangpin's subconscious thought.
However...she can't.
There has never been a real safe haven in the deep palace.
A trace of helplessness and resignation of fate, as well as a deep fear of unknown risks, flashed across Kangpin's face.