Chapter Ninety-One
The following February, in the bedchamber of Chengqian Palace, Qi Xiao led the princes into the hall to attend to the Emperor's illness.
"Physician Liu, what exactly is the Emperor's illness...?" After Physician Liu Tiankou finished taking the pulse, Empress Feng followed him out of the warm pavilion. Her brow furrowed slightly. Hesitating, she lowered her voice. "What exactly is the diagnosis? Last night the palace servants merely served tea that was a bit too hot, and the Emperor became agitated. After coughing for quite some time, he actually... actually..."
Physician Liu looked at Empress Feng and said quietly, "He coughed up blood, didn't he?"
Empress Feng crossed herself. "Indeed, Physician Liu, as expected. You diagnose everything correctly. Wasn't that the case? The Emperor refuses to acknowledge his illness and forbids anyone from speaking of it. If Fu Hailu hadn't told me, I would still be kept in the dark. Could this possibly be... is it..."
Empress Feng trailed off, unable to bring herself to say it. Physician Liu was silent for a long moment before saying, "The Emperor's illness originates from distress of the heart. Since last year, the Emperor has had many frustrations weighing on his mind. Each time he suppresses his melancholy in his chest, over time it transforms into a serious illness. His internal fire cannot be released, so it remains trapped within. When heart fire builds, one becomes prone to anger, which then damages the liver and spleen, and subsequently injures the lungs. This coughing blood symptom comes precisely from the lungs..."
Empress Feng felt her vision darken. She exclaimed, "So it truly is consumption?!"
Physician Liu shook his head. "Your Majesty need not worry. It hasn't reached that point yet. If he receives proper rest and care now, refrains from anger, avoids overwork, and avoids foods that generate heat, it can be cured."
Empress Feng let out a long sigh. "Getting the Emperor to stop being angry—how could that be easy? And not allowing him to overwork? The Emperor has been reviewing memorials until the fifth watch every day since his ascension. He only sleeps two or three hours a day. How can anyone advise him otherwise?"
Physician Liu lowered his gaze. "The Emperor carries the world in his heart, naturally he refuses to rest. But this illness absolutely must be nursed. Your Majesty... even catching a common cold requires quiet rest and recuperation, let alone this. To be cured, he must follow these three conditions, otherwise..."
Physician Liu did not finish his sentence. Empress Feng understood the implications. She paused, then waved her hand. "It's useless telling me only. You must speak to the Emperor directly."
Physician Liu nodded. "This minister understands. Once I write the prescription and consult with the other physicians in the Imperial Medical Academy to make the necessary adjustments, I will speak with His Majesty."
Empress Feng nodded wearily. "Go then."
Before Empress Feng could catch her breath, Qi Xiao and the princes entered from outside. Everyone paid their respects. Empress Feng managed a smile. "Rise. You've all had a difficult time, standing guard in the heavy snow before dawn. Don't worry—your father isn't seriously ill. The imperial physicians have examined him. With proper rest and care, he will recover gradually."
Qi Xiao pulled his dark sable fur cloak tighter around himself, half-closing his eyes. "What exactly is the diagnosis? What did the imperial physician say?"
Empress Feng's smile froze on her face. After a pause, she said, "What else could it be but exhaustion from overwork? The Emperor... alas, the Emperor's temper has been difficult lately, all because of the burdens of state affairs. I only hope you all will grow into talent soon and become capable of great service, to share your father's burdens."
A strange glint flickered in Qi Xiao's eyes. He did not respond further. The Third Prince, however, frowned with worry. "What exactly is the matter? Are any rare medicinal herbs needed? Last month I obtained a snow lotus and have been meaning to present it to Father Emperor but never found the opportunity. I will have someone retrieve it from my palace immediately."
Empress Feng gazed deeply at the Third Prince for a long moment before saying, "You have always been filial. Your father knows this. Once you bring the item, I will have it properly prepared for your father."
Since the Third Prince Qi Qi took on the Ministry of Works assignments at the end of last year, the Xue family's influence had grown audacious. Consort Xue's position in the inner palace had become stronger, and Qi Qi had also become more talkative in her presence. Empress Feng laughed coldly in her heart. A illegitimate son—even if he gained some influence, what of it? Setting aside that Qi Xiao stood before him, even her own son Qi Hua was superior to Qi Qi. He merely relied on the Emperor favoring him more these past two years and thought himself entitled to great things. Every day he ran around before the Emperor like a sycophant, using filial piety as a pretense, deceiving the Emperor into constantly assigning him duties...
Thinking of this made Empress Feng's anger burn hotter. Where was her son lacking compared to this villain's offspring? It was only because he wasn't as sweet-tongued and skilled at currying favor. Empress Feng looked around. Qi Hua was not among the princes paying respects. Her brow creased. She said coldly, "Where is the Second Prince? Why hasn't anyone called him?"
After Qi Hua turned eighteen at the end of last year, he had moved out of the palace and continued residing in his former estate outside the palace walls. There were indeed many advantages to being outside the palace—many matters were easier to handle. Empress Feng had not spared any effort for this arrangement. But now that he was outside, while others might not easily learn of his activities, if anything truly happened... communication would be troublesome. Everyone remained silent. Just as the awkwardness spread, Consort Xue arrived, supported by a female official, and entered the main hall. She smiled gently, "Empress, please don't be angry. This concubine sent someone to invite the Second Prince first thing this morning. But with the snowy and slippery roads, there was some delay—these things happen."
Consort Xue approached and handed the palace attendant the cloisonné yellow jade hand warmer she carried. She curtsied gracefully to Empress Feng. "Greetings to Your Majesty."
Empress Feng suppressed the fire in her heart. She had not lacked experience managing palace affairs. There were many tricks and hidden schemes in matters of passing messages and relaying words. When Consort Xue said she had sent someone early, perhaps she had secretly had them delay deliberately, making Qi Hua arrive late and causing the Emperor to resent him.
Consort Xue wore a gold-flecked brown fur-lined jacket with a front opening, over which she had an outer coat of dark silk. Her hair was arranged high on her head with no excessive ornaments, save for a crimson gemstone suspended from her fair forehead. Each time she spoke or nodded, the gemstone trembled, its light flowing brilliantly. Her outfit contained no eye-catching garments, yet compared to the Empress who wore gold and jade ornaments crowning her entire head, Consort Xue possessed an entirely different charm.
"The Second Prince now lives outside the palace, so naturally it's not as convenient as when he was in the palace. Even if he arrives a little late, Your Majesty the Emperor will not blame him." Consort Xue continued to smile warmly. Her peripheral vision swept to Qi Xiao, and she started in surprise. "I sent people out at the same time, and the Crown Prince has arrived?"
Empress Feng's anger flared at these words. What did Consort Xue mean by this? Was she implying that Qi Hua was deliberately delaying, not taking the Emperor's illness seriously?!
Consort Xue's expression showed pretense of ignorance, but in her heart she laughed coldly. Now you know how it feels to be angry? For the past dozen years, Empress Feng had not少 used such petty tactics against her. Now that it was her turn, she couldn't bear it?
Qi Xiao disdainfully refused to let these two women use him as a banner for their squabbling. His face cold, he remained silent. Consort Xue dared to offend Empress Feng but not Qi Xiao. Knowing when to retreat, she raised her delicate brows with apparent worry. "May I ask Your Majesty—how is the Emperor?"
"He just fell asleep." Empress Feng still had no pleasant tone. She sat down and said, "We are waiting for the physicians to finalize the prescription."
Consort Xue now enjoyed the Emperor's special favor. Fu Hailu did not dare treat her too perfunctorily. Seeing that the Empress was being unresponsive, he had to step forward himself to explain the Emperor's condition. Upon hearing it, Consort Xue's brow dampened with anxious sweat. "What should we do? Which imperial physician is attending? Is it appropriate?"
Fu Hailu nodded. "Your Highness, please rest assured. The one who took His Majesty's pulse is the Chief Physician of the Imperial Medical Academy, Physician Liu. His diagnostic skill is something the Emperor has always trusted."
"That's good, that's good." Consort Xue relaxed slightly. She said softly, "That year when the Third Prince was still young, he had a high fever that wouldn't subside. Countless physicians took his pulse, prescribed many formulas, and force-fed him numerous doses of medicine—all to no avail. I was so anxious I nearly begged for the elixir of the Taoist Immortals. Finally, Physician Liu came. Three doses of medicine, and the illness was cured. Now several years have passed, and Physician Liu has become Chief Physician, proving his medical skill has only improved. With him attending, there must be nothing to worry about. With him present, the Emperor will surely recover soon."
Fu Hailu agreed wholeheartedly. "Indeed. When the Emperor first developed this heat illness, he took many medicines that had no effect. Only after taking Physician Liu's medicine did he improve significantly. Unfortunately... the Emperor will only take medicine but refuses to properly rest and care for himself. Everything gets dragged on and never fully heals. Because of his continuous discomfort and getting provoked again, he suddenly... ah..."
Upon hearing this, Qi Xiao laughed coldly in his heart. Wasn't that right? Every time after Physician Liu gave the Emperor his diagnosis, he would have someone discontinue the "medicine" for a day. The Emperor naturally felt relief, so he became increasingly dependent on Physician Liu.
As they spoke, the Emperor awakened. Everyone hurriedly walked around the display shelves and entered the inner warm pavilion to pay their respects.
Only half a year had passed since he began administering the poison, yet the Emperor appeared to have aged ten years. His complexion was ashen and sallow, his cheeks flushed red, his eyes clouded and muddled. Due to insufficient vital energy combined with frequent outbursts of anger, his breathing was unsteady—rising and falling unpredictably, harsh and grating.
"The Emperor's throat is uncomfortable, making speech difficult. First, drink some loquat paste tea." Empress Feng sat beside the couch. She accepted the tea from the palace attendant and, using a small silver spoon, fed the Emperor spoonful by spoonful. After drinking barely half a cup, the Emperor waved his hand to signal he wanted no more. He looked up at those standing beside his couch and said quietly, "You've all had a difficult time, waiting here so early. I'm fine—just suffering from this heat illness. After taking Physician Liu's medicine pill just now, I feel much better."
Empress Feng was afraid the Emperor would notice Qi Hua's absence. She spoke softly, trying to soothe him. "Since you're feeling better, why doesn't Your Majesty rest a while more? I will wake you when the medicine is ready. Would that be acceptable?"
The Emperor nodded and then asked, "What did Physician Liu say?"
Empress Feng quickly selected the reassuring parts to recount. She concluded, "The physician said that as long as Your Majesty is willing to take proper care, you will recover in no time."
This illness, though vexing, was actually easy to treat. Each time medicine was applied, the illness seemed to disappear, so the Emperor believed it all. He nodded and lay back down.
Fearing she would disturb the Emperor's rest, Empress Feng persuaded everyone to leave. She dismissed each person individually. Except for Consort Xue, who insisted on attending to the Emperor, everyone else departed in small groups.
Qi Xiao walked at the front. As they left Chengqian Palace and headed toward the palace gates, when he saw that the road ahead and behind was clear of people, Qi Xiao turned his head and said quietly, "What did he say?"
Jiang Deqing lowered his voice. "He's been coughing blood for only half a year. If this dosage continues, he can survive at most another nine months."
Qi Xiao said calmly, "Tell Xi Xiang that it's time. From now on, the medicine may be slightly reduced. This prince is not in a hurry."
Jiang Deqing was puzzled. He looked up at Qi Xiao. Qi Xiao curved his lips into a cold smile. "Let him continue believing his illness can still be cured. Only then will he not cause trouble for me."
If the Emperor knew he didn't have much time left, one of the first things he would think of would be deposing the Crown Prince and installing a new heir. That, naturally, would be detrimental to Qi Xiao's plans.
Jiang Deqing suddenly understood. He smiled and said, "Your Highness, rest assured. This old servant will find time to speak with him."
Qi Xiao nodded. As they left the palace, just as they reached the gate, Qi Xiao's carriage driver rushed forward in a panic. He blurted breathlessly, "Your Highness, Your Highness... The man we have at the He family sent word this morning—Her Highness the Princess, she's going into labor, but... but it's a difficult birth!"