Imperial Doctor Li looked around, and after ensuring there was no one else, slowly shook his head at Empress Xu.
At this mont, while Empress Xu appeared composed externally, only she knew the tumultuous mix of joy and sorrow within her heart.
Imperial Doctor Li spoke quietly: "Your Majesty must take care, the matters ahead will need your arrangent."
Empress Xu nodded: "Try to treat the Emperor." Right now the Emperor mustn’t die, or else what use would she have for the Heir of Prince Qi?
Both Prince Lu and Prince Qi must die, only then would Daqi’s civil and military officials heed her, the Empress’s, commands.
If the Empress is inadequate, upon the Emperor’s demise, she as the Empress Dowager will help a young master ascend.
Imperial Doctor Li withdrew to prescribe dication, while Empress Xu stepped outside, looked towards Tang Yusheng in the distance. Tang Yusheng, seemingly unaware of her gaze, stood there composedly.
It must be said, Tang Yusheng is quite the character, yet it’s unknown why he harbors such resolve to harm the Emperor.
...
In the absence of others in the Warm Pavilion, Du Zheng spoke softly to the Emperor: "Heavenly Family, you must stop using Tang Yusheng’s dicine; Tang Yusheng may be plotting against you."
The Emperor fixed his gaze steadily on Du Zheng.
Du Zheng said: "Empress fears for your health, ordered this old servant to take the pills prescribed by Tang Yusheng... Empress had several Imperial Physicians take a look and said those pills contained suspicious substances, especially the recent ones whose dosage increased significantly."
"Although Tang Yusheng’s regular regin for you is extensive... it’s damaging your kidney essence, and now with strong dicine, it’s already hard your foundation. However, Imperial Doctor Li suggests your sudden illness might involve more than Tang Yusheng’s dications, possibly others have ddled, but in my thinking, Tang Yusheng remains the most suspicious."
After all, these days, the Emperor faithfully consud all the dications Tang Yusheng delivered. If bla is to be placed, bla the Emperor, for the Emperor solely trusted Tang Yusheng, dismissing Imperial Doctor Li several tis when he ca to diagnose.
Had it not been for this sickness, permitting the Empress to oversee affairs, Imperial Doctor Li would not have had a chance to examine.
The Emperor looked outside the Warm Pavilion, faint traces of anger and murderous intent erged in his murky gaze.
Du Zheng said: "Empress believes Tang Yusheng harbors ulterior motives, ordered an investigation into Tang Yusheng; servant girl... too holds suspicions towards Tang Yusheng, thus sent soone to follow him, but hadn’t found anything before you, Heavenly Family, fell ill..."
The Emperor suddenly clenched his fist, his entire arm trembled uncontrollably, and he silently mouthed one word: "Investigate."
"Understood," Du Zheng replied, "Servant girl will certainly investigate thoroughly."
The Emperor’s forehead was saturated with cold sweat; earlier he relied on Tang Yusheng’s dicine to stay overnight in the concubine’s palace. Despite Du Zheng’s persuasion, he always felt it wasn’t a severe issue; at night he would expend so, but by the following morning he was spirited, though occasionally fatigued, yet after two doses, he would recover.
Such repeated usage already fostered dependence on those dicines, had it not been for the matter with Prince Lu clouding his judgnt, he might not have taken the dicine so frequently.
If Tang Yusheng indeed intends to harm him, then who does Tang Yusheng serve?
Prince Lu or Prince Qi?
The Emperor wished he could imdiately rise and personally wield a sword to kill those people. Overco by rage, his vision again darkened, his hands shook uncontrollably.
"Emperor," Beauty Xu just arrived, witnessing this scene, and knelt by the Emperor’s bed, "What’s the matter with you? Please do not frighten ."
Unable to speak, the Emperor was aided by Du Zheng nearby: "The Heavenly Family has just awoken, his body requires rest, please do not talk too much with the Heavenly Family, just let him look at you."
Beauty Xu nodded.
Du Zheng whispered: "Heavenly Family, Beauty Xu is here, look."
The Emperor raised his eyes slightly, then focused his gaze on Beauty Xu’s face.
Beauty Xu felt a flutter inside her chest, steeled herself: "May I stay to care for your illness?"
The Emperor could not speak; Beauty Xu looked at Du Zheng: "Eunuch Du..."
Du Zheng couldn’t perceive the Emperor’s thoughts, but considering the situation, recalling when the Emperor awoke and called for Beauty Xu, it appeared she was indeed missed.
Hence, he said softly: "First report to the Empress, if she permits, you may stay here."
Beauty Xu wiped her tears and went to see Empress Xu. Before leaving the Warm Pavilion, she glanced back at the Emperor several tis; she knew the Emperor’s condition best, having seen him weaken day by day, his face darkening, eyes shadowed, feet gradually swelling.
She hadn’t spoken, told no one, only shared a glance with Imperial Doctor Tang during diagnosis.
Soon, with the Emperor seriously ill, Prince Qi will make his move. Once the Prince gains power, she can retreat entirely, change her identity, and flee far to live happily.
Beauty Xu walked past Tang Yusheng, who nodded to her.
Beauty Xu understood, quickly went to the side hall to et Empress Xu.
"You may stay," Empress Xu said, "but take care of your health, have the Imperial Physicians diagnose you daily for the Emperor’s peace of mind."
Beauty Xu agreed.
After the Emperor lay down, he remained unconscious; Empress Xu only returned to Zhengyang Palace after observing the Emperor take his dication.
Beauty Xu looked around; inside the inner hall, apart from attendants and eunuchs, there was no one else.
She stood and found the incense burner nearby; the Emperor enjoyed burning incense at night, now her usage wouldn’t arouse suspicion.
Beauty Xu removed the bracelet from her wrist, gently broke its gold encasing, mixing the powder inside into the incense burner.
This was given to her by Imperial Doctor Tang; every day after the Emperor took dicine, she would mix the powder into the incense, Imperial Doctor Tang said this powder combined with the Emperor’s dicine would accelerate his physical decline, yet wouldn’t harm her.
With no more powder, this would be the last ti.
Beauty Xu lit the incense burner, the ethereal smoke rising, she finally sighed in relief.
"So it was you."
A voice suddenly sounded, and then Du Zheng erged from the corner.
The palace doors opened, eunuchs stepped forward to restrain Beauty Xu’s arms, seizing the bracelet from her hand.
Panicking, Beauty Xu looked towards the bed; the Emperor lying there had also opened his eyes, filled with hostility, seemingly ready to leap up and tear her to pieces.
Beauty Xu shuddered, her frail body began to tremble.
In her terror, she heard laughter from outside, drawing near and entering the hall.
The one laughing was none other than Tang Yusheng.
"Too late, far too late," Tang Yusheng said, suddenly his expression darkened, yelling, "Foolish Emperor! You are stubborn, ruthless, and foolishly paranoid, unworthy of the dragon throne. After years alongside you, every diagnosis filled my heart with disgust."
"Disgusted at how soone like you isn’t dead yet, now your death is finally near. Even if today fails, you won’t survive much longer, hahaha, you still fantasize about an heir, when a monarch who without dicine can’t accomplish anything, hahaha, can even have children?"
"This is heaven’s punishnt for you."
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