"What’s wrong with Shih Jieyu?"
Ahead, Zhao Junyao had also heard the commotion. He turned his head, frowning, and berated them coldly, "Fools! What are you sneaking around for?"
Li Shengan and Little Zhuzi both knelt.
"Your Majesty, forgive us!"
Zhao Junyao, being in a good mood, couldn’t be bothered to pursue the matter and said lazily, "Speak. What’s the matter?"
Little Zhuzi, trembling with fear, still answered, "Your Majesty, Imperial Doctor Zhang sent this servant to report that... Shih Jieyu... I’m afraid... she might not make it!"
Zhao Junyao’s expression instantly turned grave, his good mood vanishing. After a pause, he said flatly, "Let’s go and take a look."
With that, he set off. Shih Jieyu lived in Lijing Pavilion, and to get there, one had to pass Qingya Residence. As he passed the entrance of Qingya Residence, Zhao Junyao’s pace slowed. He habitually thought of turning in, but Li Shengan reminded him, and only then did he snap back to his senses.
Ahem, a habit, too much of a habit.
Yet, not going felt as if something were missing, so he instructed, "Go and see how Consort Xian Pin is doing. What is she up to?"
Sweat beaded on Li Shengan’s forehead.
Even at a time like this, His Majesty is still thinking of Consort Xian Pin. She truly is the apple of the Emperor’s eye!
But he dared not delay and immediately sent someone.
「Meanwhile.」
Arriving at Lijing Pavilion, Zhao Junyao went to Shih Jieyu’s bedside. Before he could even get a good look at her, Imperial Doctor Zhang knelt.
"Your Majesty..."
"The arrow cannot be removed. The wound has festered, and Shih Jieyu’s high fever persists. Your servant has exhausted all methods!"
Imperial Doctor Zhang had, in fact, always known that removing the arrow would mean death from excessive blood loss. Not removing it would also lead to death from the festering wound. Either way, death was inevitable. He reflected that it was already quite good she had lasted this long. Being of the Royal Family, she had access to the best medicine. If she were a commoner, her funeral would likely be over by now. Thus, Imperial Doctor Zhang didn’t feel overly guilty. In such a situation, it wasn’t surprising at all that she couldn’t survive; it would be astonishing if she could.
Zhao Junyao also felt a pang in his heart. At this point, anything he might say felt inadequate and hollow. In the end, he could only force out one sentence: "Give her the best medicine!"
Imperial Doctor Zhang hastily replied, "Your Majesty, she has always been receiving the best medicine!"
It was the Empress who had ordered it. However, since the Empress was no longer in the palace, Imperial Doctor Zhang dared not mention this.
Zhao Junyao merely frowned and said no more.
Perhaps sensing the Emperor’s presence, Shih Jieyu actually stirred awake. Her body was burning hot and her face was flushed, but she could still recognize people. Seeing the Emperor, she immediately smiled weakly and called out, "Your Majesty!"
Her voice was somewhat hoarse, yet it couldn’t hide her excitement and shyness.
Zhao Junyao’s expression suddenly stiffened; he even looked somewhat at a loss. He didn’t know how to treat a woman he disliked but to whom he owed a debt of gratitude. Initially, he had detested her because she was someone the Empress Dowager had arranged. But over time, he realized this woman had always been discreet and well-behaved, never causing trouble. Her genuinely maternal heart had indeed touched him.
At least, she was much warmer to me than the Empress Dowager.
So, gradually, his dislike lessened. But not disliking her didn’t mean he liked her. At most, it meant he would ensure her life in the palace was more comfortable; that was all.
Now, she had taken an arrow for him, and he felt deeply grateful. If she were to recover this time, he wouldn’t mind making her a consort. As for favor, she shouldn’t expect it. But now, it seemed she might not live to see that day. The thought that an innocent woman was about to die for him made Zhao Junyao’s heart feel as heavy as lead.
Such a debt of gratitude, how can it ever be repaid?
"Your Majesty..." Shih Jieyu called out again.
Perhaps her mind wasn’t as clear as usual, or perhaps, sensing her time was short, she wanted to say everything on her mind. In any case, she was much bolder than before.
She tremblingly extended a hand, wanting to grasp Zhao Junyao’s.
"Your Majesty!" Her voice was hoarse and trembling.
She had lost so much weight. Her hand, like a withered branch, resembled a twig in late autumn about to lose its last leaf—bleak and desolate.
"Your Majesty, will you take my hand?" Shih Jieyu looked at him expectantly, a tearful smile on her tragically beautiful face.
"Your Majesty, please take my hand, won’t you?" Shih Jieyu continued to plead, her hand, lacking strength, already starting to tremble violently.
Zhao Junyao, however, remained unmoved. For some reason, at times like this, he would always think of Qingqing. He remembered her face, smiling through tears, her voice, her expressions.
Qingqing... Would she blame me? What if she gets jealous? Why do I feel this sense of guilt?
Zhao Junyao’s thoughts were a tangled mess, and he couldn’t make sense of it.