As soon as Song Ci finished speaking, Eunuch Hai, standing at the entrance of the bedchamber, announced that the Emperor and Pri Minister Song had arrived.
Song Ci stood up and indeed saw Emperor Chu, clad in a bright yellow Dragon Robe, entering the room. Two steps behind him was her cunning son. When her gaze t his, he tugged at the corner of his lips, and her mood instantly lightened.
"Your humble servant greets the Emperor..." Song Ci was about to bow, but Emperor Chu swiftly ca forward and helped her up with both hands.
"Aunt, there are no outsiders here, so please dispense with the formalities."
Being addressed as ’Aunt,’ Song Ci was not exactly floating with pride; rather, her scalp tingled and goosebumps appeared all over her body.
Oh my, the Emperor’s sweet surprise was rather sudden, leaving her sowhat flustered.
"Emperor, you overwhelm your humble servant. How dare I accept such an address?" Song Ci’s face was filled with panic.
Emperor Chu said, "When you were young, you and Mother ford a sisterly bond blessed by the heavens. How can it not count? I used to call you that often back then."
"The past cannot be compared to the present; it doesn’t count anymore."
Emperor Chu blinked and said, "Your words would sadden Mother."
Uh, Song Ci turned her head, and indeed, saw Empress Dowager Wang looking sowhat distraught with teary eyes. She chuckled awkwardly and said, "I didn’t an the bond with Her Majesty doesn’t count. I just...well, Your Majesty, you can call Madam, otherwise the Imperial Censor would impeach for lack of propriety."
Emperor Chu saw her slightly annoyed expression and couldn’t help but smile, "In Mother’s presence, no one dares to spread gossip outside."
His words were light and gentle, yet everyone present tightened their robes and maintained solemn expressions, their eyes focused downward, cold sweat forming on their backs, not daring to breathe audibly.
It was still Empress Dowager Wang who broke the heavy atmosphere, saying, "Enough, don’t display your Emperor’s airs here. You’ve co to pay respects, now take your leave. It’s rare for Ah Ci to visit the palace, and I wish to speak more with her."
"Look at us, we’ve barely arrived and the old ladies are already starting to dismiss us." Emperor Chu feigned helplessness, looking at Song Zhiyuan.
Song Zhiyuan smiled gently.
"If you wish to speak with Aunt, you’ll have to wait. Your son has summoned Master Buhui to the palace. He is outside now, ready to check your pulse and prescribe redies for your health."
Empress Dowager Wang muttered, "These are all old ailnts. dicines and dietary therapies don’t change much."
A sharp pain struck Emperor Chu’s heart, and his hand, hidden beneath the Dragon Robe, clenched into a fist. His lips drew into a thin line, concealing his true emotions. He then smiled and said, "Maybe Master Buhui’s diagnosis will differ."
He did not allow Empress Dowager Wang to refuse, instructing Lian Qiao and others to make arrangents, then let Master Buhui enter.
Buhui was accompanied by Physician Lu. He entered calmly and, upon seeing Empress Dowager Wang, rely chanted "Amitabha" with both hands, wishing the Empress Dowager prosperity and joy as a greeting.
Empress Dowager Wang examined Buhui’s appearance, thinking to herself that this monk resembled not a monk but an intimidating guardian deity, quite frightening.
While waiting, Buhui had already t with Emperor Chu and Song Zhiyuan, learning the reasons for his invitation to the palace. He had gauged the situation. Pressing his two fingers on Empress Dowager Wang’s wrist that was covered with a gauze scarf, he spent the duration of two cups of tea feeling her pulse. Then, carefully inquired about the symptoms and pulse diagnosis after the onset of the disease, all of which Physician Lu answered.
Buhui withdrew his hand and said, "Empress Dowager’s pulse is superficial and spread, not cohesive, with shortness of breath. These are symptoms typical of an elderly frail body, occasionally coughing blood, indicating a deficiency involving the five organs, possibly suggesting signs of consumption."
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