Chapter 666 - 669: Secret

Chapter 666: Chapter 669: Secret

The Doctor Tian Tai Zhi Li, a man past fifty, was scared half to death. He knelt on the floor, trembling uncontrollably.

Divinations were determined by the heavens. One couldn’t just demand a re-reading simply because they disliked the outcome. Doing so would render the results completely inaccurate.

But at this moment, the Doctor Tian Tai Zhi Li didn’t dare bring this up.

When the Empress Dowager said to do it again, he hastily agreed.

"Empress Dowager, please calm your anger. This humble servant will perform the reading again at once."

Under the silent gazes of everyone present, the Doctor Tian Tai Zhi Li finished the second divination.

He had learned his lesson this time. He was no longer so direct, instead explaining the result in a more roundabout and tactful manner.

"This is the Qian Trigram. The reading shows that the future is uncertain, filled with great turmoil and risk. However, if this period can be endured, it will give way to boundless vitality. It is as the saying goes: to find life, one must first be placed in a field of death!"

This sounded quite reasonable, but upon careful thought, one would realize it was all just empty words.

Everyone already knew the Emperor’s treatment this time was very risky, and they also knew that if he could just get through it, he would live.

The Doctor Tian Tai Zhi Li was, in fact, just trying to placate them.

But no one present said a word. They all listened in silence.

The Empress Dowager, frantic with worry, had no mind to consider whether the Doctor’s words were reliable.

Her eyes red-rimmed, she pressed, "As long as the Emperor can endure, he will be fine, is that right?"

The Doctor Tian Tai Zhi Li nodded and said yes.

His words seemed to give the Empress Dowager immense strength.

She took a deep breath and steeled her heart.

"Administer the medicine to the Emperor!"

Back then, even when Empress Ji held a blade to her neck, she had not died. Instead, she had risen step by step to become the Empress Dowager.

’She believed the heavens were always on her side.’

’She and her son would both live long and prosperous lives!’

The Imperial Physicians busied themselves once more.

A bowl of steaming medicinal soup was brought over.

Zuo Ji was about to step forward and take the bowl when the Empress Dowager stopped him.

The Empress Dowager said, "The Emperor has met with this disaster, and it is uncertain if he will survive. The Crown Prince is his son. If he does not show his filial piety now, then when will he?"

Her words were extremely blunt, even carrying an aggressive, demanding air.

Before Crown Prince Li Qiong could speak, Princess Consort Zhen stepped forward and said in a soft, gentle voice.

"The Crown Prince has never served anyone before. He is clumsy and bound to make a mistake. This bowl of medicine concerns the Saint’s safety and allows for no carelessness. It would be best to let me do it."

The Empress Dowager was in no mood to contend with her right now. Upon hearing her words, she said,

"That’s true. You are accustomed to these tasks. It is most appropriate to leave this matter to you."

"Thank you for your trust, Empress Dowager."

Princess Consort Zhen took the medicine bowl and walked to the bedside.

Her slender, jade-like fingers picked up the spoon, scooped up the medicinal liquid, and brought it to the Emperor’s lips.

Princess Consort Zhen called out in a soft voice.

"Your Majesty, it is time for your medicine."

The Emperor was delirious and could not even open his mouth.

With no other choice, the Imperial Physicians had to help pry the Emperor’s mouth open, and then Princess Consort Zhen fed him the medicine one spoonful at a time.

After the bowl of medicine was finished, the Emperor was still unconscious.

The Chief Imperial Doctor explained.

"It will take some time for the medicine to take effect. Please be patient, Empress Dowager." ℴ

Everyone waited a while longer.

Finally, the Emperor’s eyelids trembled, and then slowly, they opened.

The Empress Dowager was overjoyed. Her voice cracked with excitement.

"Emperor!"

The others also showed looks of pleasant surprise.

Anyone with eyes could see that the Emperor’s complexion had improved significantly. There was even a hint of ruddy color on his face, and some light had returned to his eyes.

This was a clear sign that his condition was improving!

It seemed fate had not yet decreed the Emperor’s death; that potent medicine had brought him back!

The Empress Dowager wept with joy.

’She hadn’t gambled wrong. The heavens were on their side after all!’

The Emperor opened his mouth, his voice hoarse.

"I... what happened to me?"

The Empress Dowager wiped away her tears and gave him a rough account of what had happened.

When the Emperor learned he had been at death’s door, a lingering fear crept into his heart.

’He had almost lost his life right here.’

Everyone rushed to express their concern for the Emperor.

It wasn’t until the Chief Imperial Doctor reminded them that the Emperor had not yet recovered and still needed to rest that everyone took their leave.

Only Princess Consort Zhen remained.

She had to stay and take care of the Emperor.

With a wave of her hand, she dismissed all the palace attendants from the bedchamber.

The Emperor lay on the excessively large bed, covered by a soft silk quilt.

He turned his head with difficulty and saw Princess Consort Zhen standing by the incense burner. He asked in a raspy voice,

"What are you doing?"

Princess Consort Zhen poured her self-made incense into the burner and put the lid on.

A faint, fresh fragrance slowly began to spread.

She turned around and gave the Emperor a captivating smile.

"Your Majesty has been tormented by your illness lately and has had trouble sleeping at night. I specially developed a new incense to help calm your mind and spirit, allowing you to sleep more peacefully."

The Emperor knew that Princess Consort Zhen enjoyed blending incense. In her leisure time, she loved to study all sorts of fragrances.

She would often send some incense to Hanzhang Hall.

But she usually gave the incense to Zuo Ji, unlike now, where she was pouring it directly into the burner herself.

The Emperor was naturally suspicious, and a sense of alarm inevitably rose within him.

"I have had no appetite for incense lately. Have someone remove the burner."

Princess Consort Zhen slowly walked to the bed, sat gracefully on its edge, and rested her slender, jade-like fingers lightly on the Emperor’s chest. she said softly,

"But this is an incense I specially tailored for you. You smell this fragrance every day. Why have you suddenly taken a dislike to it today?"

The Emperor’s heart skipped a beat.

Due to his severe illness, his senses had dulled considerably. That, combined with the thick, bitter smell of medicine that constantly filled the chamber, meant he hadn’t even noticed the faint, almost imperceptible fragrance in the room.

He stared wide-eyed at the woman before him.

"Could it be you..."

Before he could finish, he found that his throat had suddenly gone mute.

No matter how hard he tried, he couldn’t make the slightest sound.

Princess Consort Zhen looked at his horrified expression, leaned in, and spoke softly, whispering intimately as if to a lover.

"Is Your Majesty unable to speak?

Don’t be alarmed. This is normal. The potent medicine the Chief Imperial Doctor gave you is only just beginning to take effect."

The Emperor was terrified. With all his might, he could only manage a faint, rasping sound.

Princess Consort Zhen continued to speak, slowly and deliberately.

"Let me tell you a secret.

I had someone add Lu Ying Grass to your medicinal soup.

Lu Ying Grass itself is non-toxic. In fact, it has properties that strengthen the body’s foundation and cultivate vitality, which is suitable for your condition.

But Lu Ying Grass has a peculiar characteristic—

when mixed with Mountain Agarwood, its medicinal properties change.

With the medicine no longer treating the ailment, Your Majesty’s illness would naturally grow more and more severe.

And because this isn’t technically a poisoning, not even the Imperial Physicians could find the cause."

The Emperor was utterly shocked.

He stared at Princess Consort Zhen in disbelief.

Her face was still as beautiful and captivating as ever, her tone just as gentle and melodious.

But to him, she seemed like a complete stranger.

It was as if he had never truly known her at all.