Injuries lie in the child’s body, but the pain resides in the mother’s heart.
Little Xinzhuo suffered serious injuries, and Shi Guiren had already received the news from Xin Lin.
Empress Feng pursed her lips and smiled lightly.
"That’s good, if there are any difficulties, you can speak freely to , and I will ensure that Third Prince takes good care of Little Qi."
Having said that, Empress Feng, with her exquisitely adorned hands, gently patted Shi Guiren’s shoulder a few tis.
"Empress truly cares about Shi," said Consort Zhao from the side, flattering.
The other concubines imdiately echoed in agreent, their complints unceasing.
Shi Guiren, with her head lowered, wished she could smash her food box on the faces of the Empress and these hypocritical won.
For the sake of my son, I must endure. I must.
Shi Guiren forcefully suppressed her rage.
"Additionally, let remind you, the Empress Dowager isn’t in the best of health. So unsuitable words should not be spoken, to avoid upsetting the Empress Dowager; even I can’t protect you then."
Empress Feng’s tone was neither too soft nor too hard as she gave this reminder.
Empress Feng’s early arrival was certainly not about jealous trivialities; in fact, with all these won combined, they still couldn’t shake her status in the Emperor’s eyes.
She was here to prevent Shi Guiren from snitching.
The news of Little Xinzhuo’s serious injury last night within the Qingtian Academy certainly did not escape Empress Feng’s notice.
Shi Guiren lifted her head and said with a smile.
As soon as her words finished, an old nanny walked out from Jingchao Palace.
"Empress Dowager requests the presence of the Empress and all the esteed madams."
After the old nanny spoke, Empress Feng and the concubines adjusted their attire and followed in procession according to their ranks.
Shi Guiren, being rely a Noble, had just enough status to be invited and stood on the outermost edge.
As the head of the Six Palaces, Empress Feng stood at the forefront.
Empress Dowager Longteng, now in her early fifties, appeared well preserved with an oval face, dignified features, smooth skin, and not a single wrinkle; today, she wore a golden robe beautifully embroidered with peonies, exuding elegance and nobility.
Yet, the Empress Dowager’s face showed signs of fatigue, perhaps from the physical toll of recently returning to the palace.
"Empress Dowager, your servants are here to pay their respects," declared Empress Feng as she took a step forward and bowed deeply with utmost respect.
The other concubines and Nobles also bowed respectfully.
"Your servant has heard that the Empress Dowager has been unwell recently, and I have specially prepared so Elixir Pills and dicinal herbs," said Empress Feng.
With that, palace maids presented several bottles of Elixir Pills.
"More Elixir Pills? The Emperor also just sent so last night. The Elixir Pills from the Imperial Hospital are mostly bitter, and I dislike them. Your thoughtfulness is appreciated," said the Empress Dowager, frowning a bit as she saw the dicine bottles, bitter taste flooding her mouth.
Located inland, Purple Cloud City experiences intense heat in sumr, and the Empress Dowager, sensitive to heat due to her constitution, thus sought refuge in the Sumr Palace.
Autumn had arrived, and she had returned to the palace; however, the tail end of sumr’s heat persisted, keeping Purple Cloud City sweltering.
Since her return, the Empress Dowager had been sleeping poorly and eating sparingly.
The filial Emperor Longteng had thus ordered the Imperial Hospital to prepare dicines, but the pills the Imperial Physician provided did not relieve the heat and instead worsened her appetite.
The Empress Dowager was troubled by this.
"If the Empress Dowager dislikes Elixir Pills, perhaps so cooling soups would be better. I have instructed my servants to prepare so," suggested Consort Zhao, her eyes lighting up as she eagerly stepped forward with the soup.
"Soup and water, day in, day out from the Imperial Kitchen, I’ve grown tired of them too. I appreciate your kindness; you may all withdraw," the Empress Dowager waved them off.
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