Mrs. Hwa, wife of State Duke Hua and Old Mrs. Xue, after their conversation with the Empress in the Warm Pavilion, were seen by others with their eyes slightly moist, as if they had wiped away tears. With a large number of ladies who had been conferred titles by the Imperial Court in the palace today, although everyone appeared harmonious on the surface, there was inevitably private speculation about what the two Old Madams had discussed with the Empress.
Regrettably, from the ti the two Old Madams erged until all the noble ladies left the Imperial Palace, the Empress did not show herself again.
She simply sent Nanny Xiao, who was close to her, to convey a ssage, "The Empress is not feeling well with her Phoenix Body and cannot co out to speak with you all. Ladies, please return to your hos for now. When ti permits, the Empress will call another gathering for everyone to enjoy."
The Empress is unwell with her Phoenix Body?
This imdiately set the minds of the many noble ladies spinning.
So hastily stepped forward to inquire of Nanny Xiao, "Nanny Xiao, there is no serious concern with the Empress’s Phoenix Body, is there?"
"Please rest assured, ladies. The Empress simply suffered so indigestion after eating so pastries. Right now, Nanny Long, who is skilled in dicine, is looking after her and a few Imperial Physicians have been summoned to attend to her. There will be no problems," she replied.
These words reassured the noble ladies, who couldn’t stop uttering blessings for the Empress’s long and prosperous life, before they slowly retreated and left.
In the Warm Pavilion, Su Pan’er was pressing her hand to her forehead with her eyes closed, reclining on a chaise lounge.
Nanny Long, who was skilled in gynecology, had carefully examined her, and several Imperial Physicians had taken turns to diagnose by feeling her pulse. Seeing that there were no serious concerns with the Empress’s Phoenix Body, they withdrew.
Mrs. Su-Hua and Qin Yueshi, who had been anxiously waiting to one side, quickly rushed forward.
"Pan’er, are you really okay? Please don’t scare your mother, I can’t take the shock," Mrs. Su-Hua gently prodded Su Pan’er, then reached out to feel her forehead.
However, she was pushed away by Su Pan’er, "Mother, I’m fine. I’m just a bit tired. It’s been a long ti since I sat for half a day, and my body is just not used to it," she said.
"Don’t deceive your mother. Though you were not born to , I raised you since you were a child. Whether or not there is sothing wrong, these motherly eyes cannot be deceived."
Mrs. Su-Hua was both angry and anxious, thinking of the two Old Madams who had left earlier, "Could it be that the two Old Madams said sothing to upset you, or did they put you in a difficult position? Child, why won’t you speak!"
She had to admit that her mother’s intuition was truly sharp!
Su Pan’er chuckled, "Mother, I really am alright! Believe , please go outside and let sleep for a while."
With those words, she turned her back and closed her eyes.
"Child, why are you like this, you..." Mrs. Su-Hua wanted to say more, but she was pulled out of the Warm Pavilion by Qin Yueshi. While being led away, she kept looking back anxiously, "You, elder sister-in-law, why are you pulling out? Didn’t you see Pan’er’s complexion was off? Wait, let go back in and ask..."
"Fourth Aunt Su, please don’t go."
Qin Yueshi quickly held onto her, glancing back towards the Warm Pavilion, "You see, the Third Brother’s wife is not feeling well and is currently resting. If you go in now, wouldn’t that just trouble her? Besides, it seems that the Third Brother’s wife doesn’t want to speak about this matter with us. Let’s not make her uncomfortable."
"That... makes sense."
Mrs. Su-Hua realized the logic in this and abandoned the thought of going back in.
However, Qingwen, who was in service to Su Pan’er, ca out to them and greeted the two won, "Ladies, the Empress says that today is a festive day, with a strong wind and cold weather outside. She hopes you both return ho early and don’t catch a chill. Additionally, the Empress has prepared two tables of Imperial als for you both, sent to your respective hos already."
Mrs. Su-Hua and Qin Yueshi exchanged a look, it seed Su Pan’er truly wanted them to go back first.
"In that case, please pass on our thanks to the Empress," Qin Yueshi said.
After expressing her gratitude, she finally led Mrs. Su-Hua out of the palace.
Qingwen personally escorted the two ladies out of the palace gates before returning to report back to Su Pan’er.
"Both ladies were deeply concerned about your empress’s health," Qingwen said, "and before leaving, they entrusted repeatedly to take good care of your highness’s diet and daily needs."
"Mm, understood."
Su Pan’er responded softly and closed her eyes to ponder.
Not long after, Qin Yi returned swiftly with the sll of alcohol on his breath.
Before Su Pan’er could get up to greet him, he pushed her back down into the bed: "Pan’er, I heard that you were feeling unwell and even summoned the Imperial Physician. Were you affected by fetal gas?"
"I’m alright. Wasn’t today a ti of shared joy between the ministers and your majesty? Why did you return so early from the banquet at the palace?"
Instead, Su Pan’er asked about the banquet at the palace.
"The banquet is always the sa old routine; we all drank, and later when Eunuch An ntioned you had called for an Imperial Physician, I dismissed the banquet early to hurry back. What exactly happened? Quick, summons the Imperial Physicians."
While speaking, Qin Yi ordered Eunuch An to send for the Imperial Physicians.
"There’s no need for Eunuch An."
Su Pan’er quickly interjected, and took the opportunity to take Qin Yi’s hand: "Your Majesty, I have sothing to discuss with you in private."
Looking at the earnest Su Pan’er, Qin Yi slightly furrowed his brow and nodded his head.
After the serving attendants had all withdrawn, he urged her, "Didn’t you have sothing to say to ? You can speak now."
Su Pan’er hesitated for a mont.
"Does Your Majesty know about the great fire that suddenly broke out at Liu Family’s residence the other day, causing a chain of fires and indirectly destroying half of the Jun Family’s property, resulting in heavy losses that might take years to recover from?"
"I am aware, I’ve been inford."
Qin Yi nodded. Half of the Jun Family was burned down, which cost them more than just gold and silver; even so of their ongoing sches were brought to a halt. Moreover, the Jun Family was now surrounded by watchers, making it difficult for them to turn their situation around anyti soon.
"Today, the ladies who had been conferred titles by the Imperial Court ca to the palace to et . Among them, Mrs. Hwa, wife of State Duke Hua, and Old Mrs. Xue stayed a mont to speak to about an individual."
"Who?"
"It is... Jun Ruochen."
Su Pan’er’s voice was low as she averted her eyes from Qin Yi.
"Jun Ruochen? Ha, he really has so nerve, unexpectedly getting two first-grade noble ladies conferred by Imperial edict to speak on his behalf!" Qin Yi laughed coldly a few tis, then lowered his head to look at Su Pan’er, who avoided his gaze. He raised his hand, gently lifting her chin to force her to look into his eyes, "Are you trying to plead on his behalf? Do you know what Jun Ruochen has done?"
Su Pan’er looked into his eyes and spoke slowly.
"It is said he got involved in a case of treason."
"Knowing it’s a case of treason, you still dare speak up to !"
Qin Yi suddenly tightened his grip on her chin and leaned close to her ear: "Do you know what this case of treason involves exactly?"
The pressure on her chin caused Su Pan’er to frown, but she did not struggle.
"Isn’t it said to be related to an iron mine?"
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