Her complexion was unnatural, and her breathing was very weak as she spoke.
She was obviously seriously ill.
The Empress Dowager was somewhat displeased. However, in the presence of all the Ladies of Enjoin and the concubines, she ultimately could not make things difficult for her.
With feigned concern, she let her leave after a couple of words.
Among the rest, some were gloating, some pretended not to see, and others, positioned in secluded spots, truly didn’t pay attention.
In short, there were many who would add flowers to brocade, but very few who would send coal in the snow.
Of course, she wasn’t in need of the coal, so it didn’t matter to her.
「Back at the Qingya Residence.」
Xia Ruqing completely broke down. Burning with a high fever, she collapsed onto the bed, not wanting to move at all!
Zi Yue was terrified. She personally tended to her, wiping her with ice-cold cloths, while sending someone to rush for an Imperial Physician.
Xiao Xizi and Xiao Zhu Zi received the news and sprinted towards the Imperial Medical Bureau as if their lives depended on it.
But this was New Year’s Eve, after all.
There were only two Imperial Physicians on duty at the Imperial Medical Bureau.
One looked too young, apparently a newcomer being tested and very unfamiliar. The other was elderly; not only were his legs and feet an issue, but he was also a bit deaf.
Xiao Zhu Zi nearly burst into tears. "How can this be acceptable? We should send someone out of the palace to fetch an Imperial Physician!"
Xiao Xizi refused without hesitation. "There’s no time! Our master cannot afford the delay. Let’s just invite both of them!"
If one couldn’t handle it, there was still the other. Besides, anyone who could enter the Imperial Medical Bureau had to be a capable young talent, definitely not incompetent.
Xiao Zhu Zi glanced inside and could only nod in agreement.
And so, the two Imperial Physicians were hurriedly whisked away by them.
Upon arriving at Qingya Residence, the young Imperial Physician took her pulse, pondered for a moment, and directly concluded, "Consort Xian gave birth less than half a year ago. She should have been recuperating properly, but she caught a severe cold. Naturally, her body couldn’t withstand it! Thus, the high fever!"
The older Imperial Physician also took her pulse. His final conclusion was more or less the same: postnatal weakness, a severe cold, a frail body!
Xiao Xizi, seeing that the two physicians weren’t playing any tricks, finally felt relieved.
Then, prescribing the medicine, fetching the herbs, and brewing the decoction all went smoothly.
In the end, when Zi Yue brought the medicinal soup to Xia Ruqing’s lips, she was almost unconscious and couldn’t even swallow it.
Zi Su bit her lip, and in desperation, pinched her master’s philtrum, finally rousing her.
"Master, please hurry and drink the medicine!"
Xia Ruqing was groggy, her head splitting.
Lowering her head, she smelled an extremely unpleasant medicinal odor and almost vomited.
"What is this!"
"Madam, you have a high fever. This is the medicine prescribed by the Imperial Physician. I personally watched its preparation. Please drink it quickly!"
Xia Ruqing knew she was unwell.
Upon hearing it was medicine, her strong will to survive took over. She grabbed the bowl and gulped it down in one go! She even let out a belch at the end!
Oh, Master, Master, you truly are... unconcerned with trivialities!
Having taken the medicine, Xia Ruqing slept much more soundly, though her body was still hot.
One Shi Chen later, she began to sweat. Her body temperature gradually decreased, and her complexion improved considerably.
Zi Yue and Zi Su finally breathed a sigh of relief.
"The master’s fever has finally subsided..."
"Yes! But there’s the ancestral worship ceremony early tomorrow. The master surely can’t be absent!"
Zi Yue shook her head. "It would be somewhat improper not to attend, but I think there’s no need to go to Ningshou Palace and Xifu Palace for the banquet tomorrow!"
The Empress Dowager and Noble Consort joined forces in a plot, a ’substitute peach tree for a plum tree’ scheme, attempting to push the Noble Consort to the position of Empress. Unfortunately, the Emperor had sharp eyes. A fox’s tail, however deeply hidden, will always be exposed one day! Moreover, the position of Empress isn’t something just anyone can attain by wishing for it! In short, the Noble Consort’s chances are slim. If it were possible, it would have happened long ago, wouldn’t it? Why wait until now!
「After the Zi Hour passed, it was the first day of the new year.」
Fireworks and firecrackers were set off everywhere in the palace to celebrate the arrival of the new year.
However, Qingya Residence refrained due to the child, fearing the loud noises and close proximity might frighten him. Moreover, the master was still ill and had just fallen soundly asleep.
So, in the end, Xiao Xizi only took a few quieter fireworks and lit them with an incense stick.
A few BANGS sounded, and that was their New Year celebration.
As the fireworks ignited, they shot into the sky, bursting into extremely dazzling blooms.
Below, Xiao Xizi and Xiao Zhu Zi clasped their hands, closed their eyes, and prayed.
"May the Bodhisattva bless our master with good health!"
"May the Bodhisattva bless our master with safety and peace!"
Encountering a good master in the palace was crucial; it was a lifetime benefit. If the master prospered, so did they! So, their prayers weren’t just for the master; they also held a share for themselves. Thus, they were exceptionally sincere!