Chapter 1829: Chapter 1804: Overeating
Manbao said again, “And her husband’s family is willing to wait. Given Commandery Princess Yunfeng’s temper, is she willing to wait?”
The Empress Dowager was silent. After a while, she said, “I understand. You may leave now.”
She paused, thinking of Yunfeng’s rejection of Zhou Man, and finally sighed, “Don’t worry about this matter. Isn’t Ms.Doctor Liu your apprentice? Starting tomorrow, let her enter the palace to tend to Commandery Princess Yunfeng’s pregnancy.”
Manbao was taken aback for a mont, then lowered her head to agree, got up, rubbed her stiff knees, and was about to leave when the Empress Dowager suddenly said, “Do not speak of this matter outside, and do not inform Yunfeng.”
Manbao thought to herself: I knew it; you people surely like to hide things from patients.
She agreed and then retreated.
The Empress Dowager waited until she left and then couldn’t help but mutter, “Shaless, who said we were friends with her?”
Afterward, she beca worried about Li Yunfeng again, wondering why the child must have such an ailnt.
The Empress Dowager, filled with anxiety, had no ti to dwell on these thoughts as the New Year’s Eve palace banquet arrived, forcing her to dress up, maintain a composed smile, and attend the banquet with the Emperor and the Empress.
The royals and high-ranking officials saw that the Empress Dowager appeared in decent spirits, speculating inwardly. Although she was said to be gravely ill, it seed she might still live for another year or two.
Everyone then displayed smiles and one by one raised their glasses to bless the Empress Dowager, wishing her a long life, like the unending East Sea.
Yet, among them, few were sincere. After they finished blessing the Empress Dowager, each with their own intentions, they began to extend their good wishes to the Emperor, Empress, and the Li Emperor Dynasty.
It was a cheerful and harmonious scene.
Commandery Princess Yunfeng only downed the first glass of wine; for several subsequent toasts, she rely touched the wine to her lips, since most people already knew of her pregnancy, and no one found her rude.
The Empress Dowager also feared Yunfeng might carelessly eat and drink, so after sitting for only a short while, she leaned over to advise her, “Yunfeng, you’re newly with child; refrain from over-drinking and consuming cold things.”
Those pretending not to know about Li Yunfeng’s pregnancy had to turn their heads to look at her and exchange a few words, “Yunfeng is pregnant? What good news, this happened quickly. How many months?”
The Empress Dowager smiled and replied, “She’s been married for nearly six months now, and typically sturdy as a calf, isn’t it normal to be with child?”
Commandery Princess Yunfeng lowered her head and smiled shyly.
Seeing this, everyone chuckled kindly. The Empress Dowager even said to Prince Consort Sun, “Yunfeng is delicate; the Prince Consort will need to care more for her in the future.”
Close in age to Commandery Princess Yunfeng, the youthful Prince Consort Sun stood in fearful reverence, accepting the charge.
Due to poor health, the Empress Dowager did not remain long; a banquet intended to last until late at night saw her seated for only an hour before she rose to leave, summoning Commandery Princess Yunfeng along.
Commandery Princess Yunfeng glanced at the reserved Prince Consort Sun, hesitated briefly but then stood, leaving a maid behind to take care of him, lest he be bullied.
Changyu sat above, watching, and couldn’t help whispering to Mingda, “Who would have thought, Yunfeng really does like her Prince Consort. Seeing her disdainful manner when ntioning him, I thought she didn’t care for him.”
Mingda rely glanced down and then withdrew her gaze, softly telling Changyu, “Behave, Grandmother Empress isn’t well, don’t argue with her.”
“Who’s arguing with her?” Changyu replied, “As long as she doesn’t bother , I wouldn’t bother arguing at all.”
After carefully studying Prince Consort Sun for a mont, Changyu said quietly, “You know, this Prince Consort Sun is quite good-looking, though he doesn’t have Wei Yu’s deanor. He seems fairer and even more handso.”
Mingda: “… Weren’t you hoping to marry soone strong and robust?”
Changyu murmured, “But Wei Yu isn’t all that strong either. I asked him in a letter once, and he’d only learned one swordsmanship set, not even more than Third Brother.”
Mingda couldn’t help glancing at the opposite table, where Third Brother, Prince Gong, was focused on eating.
The Emperor hadn’t forbidden him from leaving his palace, but given his confinent, appearances had to be minded, so his outings were rare.
The Empress had strictly controlled his diet, and though he recently traded so hogrown vegetables with Mingda for at, he hadn’t managed to secure any in recent days.
As a result, at that mont, Prince Gong’s eyes were fixed on the at before him, barely glancing at the Princess Consort and their son, who had co a long way to visit.
The Emperor, reunited with his many sons and brothers after a long separation, was delighted, especially with the Crown Prince having recently blessed him with a grandson. At the banquet, he rrily had the Crown Prince pour wine as he toasted his uncles, thinking to involve his brothers too if the Crown Prince weren’t so limited in drinking.
Amidst the joy, the Emperor recalled his dearest son, turning to ntion him, but upon seeing Prince Gong gnawing hungrily on a large piece of at, his heart ached.
Seeing his son’s emaciated form, the Emperor glanced at the minced at before him, and without hesitation, gestured for Gu Zhong to send over a platter of mutton, whispering, “Tell him to eat slowly, it’s New Year, tomorrow I’ll have so at sent to him.”
Sitting nearby, the Empress sneaked a glance at him, softly admonishing, “Don’t be foolish, Third has only managed to lose weight after half a year. He’s still plump even now.”
Unconvinced, the Emperor replied, “How is this still considered plump? This is clearly robust. He’s just fine now; how can a man have strength without eating at?”
The Empress was speechless for a while, nearly pinching him in front of everyone.
The Crown Prince, sitting lower at the table, pretended not to hear his parents’ bickering and simply took a large bite of at.
Unfortunately, the at still wasn’t sent, as before the night was over, Prince Gong clutched his stomach and fell in distress.
The Emperor, seeing his son’s pale face and bloodless lips, feared he was poisoned and imdiately summoned the imperial doctor.
Upon hearing of a potential poisoning, Imperial Doctor Liu and Manbao, who were in the Imperial Hospital enjoying grilled at, stead buns, atballs, and other delicacies, hurriedly picked up their dical kit and rushed to the main hall.
Imperial Doctor Liu, frightened, hurriedly advised Manbao as they swiftly moved, “If it is poisoning, speak little. Just focus on saving him and ignore other matters.”
Manbao quickly agreed.
The two arrived at the main hall to find that Prince Gong, struggling with intense abdominal pain, had already been carried into the inner hall and was rolling on the couch.
Imperial Doctor Liu and Manbao were imdiately ushered in by Gu Zhong. The Emperor, holding Prince Gong’s head in grief, quickly implored them, “Check and see what’s wrong with Prince Gong?”
Leading, Imperial Doctor Liu promptly stepped forward to examine Prince Gong’s eyes, tongue, and complexion, then felt his pulse, remaining silently grave.
anwhile, Manbao was inquisitively asking the maids and eunuchs, “What did Prince Gong eat just before? Bring it here for inspection.”
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