Seeing her straightforward refusal, no one else dared to bring it up again. Laughter and chatter eased the awkwardness, and other topics were discussed. It wasn’t until mid-afternoon that everyone gradually dispersed.
By the time she returned to Qingya Residence, it was already getting dark. Xia Ruqing and Consort Hui Pin walked together for a while, one in front and the other behind. They hardly spoke along the way, simply smiling and bidding farewell when they parted.
「Qingya Residence」
As soon as Xia Ruqing entered, she called for someone to hastily remove the phoenix crown from her head.
"It’s so heavy!"
Zi Yue smiled. You think this is heavy? In the future, there might be even heavier ones on Your Highness’s head! But of course, no one dared to say that out loud.
After removing the phoenix crown and washing off her heavy makeup, Xia Ruqing changed into comfortable clothes and lay down on her bed.
Sister Liang brought Little Bun over.
Xia Ruqing quickly beckoned, "Little Bun, come here!"
Sister Liang smiled and placed Little Bun beside her master.
"Did he cry while I was away?"
Sister Liang shook her head, "He cried a couple of times at first, but then he stopped! However... the Little Prince didn’t sleep much at all today! He just lay there with his eyes open, not fussing or crying, as if... he was waiting for you to come back!"
Xia Ruqing smiled. "He’s only two months old, what could he know?"
Sister Liang quickly corrected her. "Your Highness, you mustn’t say that. Children are the most perceptive; they understand a lot!"
Xia Ruqing smiled helplessly and said no more. However, she found it strange that as soon as Little Bun lay down beside her, he really did fall asleep.
Xia Ruqing chuckled to herself, "You really are a clever one, aren’t you?"
Little Bun moved his lips, his eyes closed, his expression one of utter disdain. Clever? It’s all out of worry for you. Which prince has such a silly mother, I ask you!
Xia Ruqing was oblivious to her son’s scorn. Seeing his adorable little face, she couldn’t help but give his soft, tender cheek a kiss. Then she contentedly settled down to sleep with her son.
Before she slept, she didn’t forget to give her orders. "For dinner, let’s have something vegetarian. Pick some vegetables from the little garden and send them to the Imperial Kitchen! Also, serve tonight’s dinner a little later!"
Zi Yue acknowledged the order. She drew the curtains, lowered the bed hangings, and tiptoed out.
In Jiaofang Hall, the Empress was barely clinging to life. Once her makeup was removed, her complexion was as pale as paper. Sister Ji watched with anxiety and fear.
"Empress, you can’t keep pushing yourself like this. Please call for the Imperial Physician!"
The Empress lay slumped on the couch, eyes closed. It took a while before she opened them, her eyes weary.
"Sister!" Her voice was feeble and breathless, each word a struggle.
Just as Sister Ji was about to say something, she saw the Empress’s eyes suddenly flutter closed, her arm that had just started to lift falling limply. The body slumped on the couch began to slide off.
"Empress!"
"Your Highness!" Sister Ji and Yu Lan screamed.
Yu Lan stood frozen, her mind a blank.
Sister Ji, however, reacted swiftly. "The Empress has fainted! Quickly, call the Imperial Physician!"
Coming to her senses, Yu Lan ran out with trembling legs. Meanwhile, Sister Ji stopped Yu Fu, who was about to enter.
"Go, close all the doors. No one is to enter or leave. Anyone who dares to spread rumors is to be tied up and thrown into the firewood room in the back courtyard!" She was, after all, an Old Sister with years of experience; her methods were shrewd and ruthless!
Yu Fu’s expression also turned solemn. She acknowledged the order and quickly stepped out.
Having dealt with these arrangements, Sister Ji knelt before the Empress, tears streaming down her face.
"Empress, you’ve endured all this hardship, but what is it all for in the end? Have you ever thought about who stands to benefit if something were to happen to you?! Why must you put yourself through this!"
Sister Ji cried for a while but managed to stop her tears before the Imperial Physician arrived. Yu Lan led the Imperial Physician in, hurrying. Sister Ji had composed herself and rose to greet them.
The visitor was Imperial Doctor Zhang. The Empress was, after all, the mother of the nation and could not be neglected.
After examining her pulse, Imperial Doctor Zhang’s expression was extremely grave. "The Empress has been afflicted by cold invading her body. Not only has she not rested properly, but she has also overexerted herself, leading to exhaustion and injury!"
Sister Ji and Yu Lan quickly knelt down. "Imperial Physician, what treatment does the Empress need to recover?"
Imperial Doctor Zhang pondered for a moment before answering truthfully. "Her heart and lungs are damaged. Recovering fully will require a long period of careful recuperation. I shall prescribe a medicine for the Empress. From now on, it is imperative that she undergoes daily conditioning! Remember, she must not stay up late or overwork her mind, and she certainly must not engage in any stressful or laborious activity!"
Sister Ji and Yu Lan nodded repeatedly. Fortunately, it was not serious enough to threaten her life.
Imperial Doctor Zhang wrote a prescription and meticulously explained the necessary precautions. He then personally instructed Sister Ji and Yu Lan on how to brew the medicine. Finally, he watched them administer the entire dose to the Empress before he breathed a sigh of relief.
"I will take my leave for now and return early tomorrow morning to check her pulse again!"