Chapter 73
WHEN LIN QINGYU entered the palace to take the emperor’s pulse the next day, both the empress and Noble Consort Chen were present. The empress managed the entire Inner Palace, and Noble Consort Chen was her assistant. The three royals were currently discussing plans for New Year’s celebrations.
In their youths, both the empress and Noble Consort Chen had been extremely beautiful. Now that they were older, the empress was still graceful and prudent, looking every bit the mother of the nation, and Noble Consort Chen had retained a youthful appearance. She appeared no older than thirty years old; she looked like a vibrant blooming peony.
Lin Qingyu kneeled to greet them. “Your Majesty, Empress, Noble Consort.”
The emperor felt frustrated with these two women; now that he’d encountered Lin Qingyu, he felt like his wives talked too much. Lin Qingyu, meanwhile, had no official title and wore plain, undecorated white clothes—but still drew attention.
When the empress saw him, her expression cooled, but Noble Consort Chen remained polite. “The emperor’s headaches have lessened greatly thanks to you, Physician Lin.”
“It’s my honor to help His Majesty,” Lin Qingyu replied.
“I’ve heard that it was Physician Lin who found a cure for the epidemic in the South last year.” Noble Consort Chen grasped the emperor’s arm. “Your Majesty, I wish to borrow Physician Lin for a bit.”
“Do you feel sickly, my beloved consort?” the emperor asked absentmindedly.
“I wish to borrow him not for myself, but for the crown prince.” Noble Consort Chen’s thin brows knit tightly; she embodied a concerned mother. “Ever since the crown prince…fell ill, his health has been poorer. However much medicine he takes, he isn’t recovering. In the end, the Department of Imperial Physicians is culpable for all this. They can’t cure Your Majesty’s migraines nor heal the crown prince’s body.”
The emperor’s expression was cool. “I think that the crown prince is afflicted by demons of his own mind. Otherwise, he wouldn’t have botched the tasks I gave him so badly.”
Noble Consort Chen’s expression tightened slightly, as did her grip, but she forced out a smile. “The crown prince must’ve wanted to push himself harder, but maybe he truly couldn’t.”
Lin Qingyu snuck a glance at the empress. She hid her emotions well; he couldn’t tell what she was thinking.
“Never mind.” Extending his wrist, the emperor told Lin Qingyu, “Go to the Eastern Palace later and tend to the crown prince.”
“I shall,” Lin Qingyu responded.
The empress hesitated briefly. “I’ve written the list of those to be invited to the New Year’s Eve feast. Please look over it, Your Majesty.”
“No need,” the emperor said noncommittally. “I trust you.”
“Why don’t you look at it anyway, Your Majesty?” Noble Consort Chen’s lips curved up. “This year, the empress left a spot for the sixth prince.”
The emperor’s face fell. “Is that true?”
The empress immediately kneeled, less calm. “New Year’s Eve is for family reunions! Li-er is still the flesh and blood of Your Majesty and myself, and he’s the other princes and princesses’ brother…”
“He doesn’t understand these things,” the emperor interrupted coldly. “Why make the effort to bring him?”
“Your Majesty…” the empress begged.
“Empress, don’t press the issue.” Noble Consort Chen made a show of mediating the conflict. “His Majesty will be angry.”
He was, in fact, extremely annoyed. “Both of you leave now.”
“I shall,” the empress said, barely holding herself together.
After the empress and Noble Consort Chen had left, Lin Qingyu finished taking the emperor’s pulse. “The root cause of Your Majesty’s migraines hasn’t been cured yet. As much work as leading the nation is, please remember to rest.”
The emperor certainly wanted to rest. In the past the crown prince could assume part of the responsibility for governing, but who knew where the crown prince’s attention was nowadays? The emperor could only attend to most things in person.
The emperor stared at Lin Qingyu. Finally, he said, “It’s been a while since you married Gu Fuzhou, hasn’t it?”
“Yes.”
“Is he good to you?”
Lin Qingyu smiled. “The general treats me very well.”
Feeling only more frustrated, the emperor waved a hand to dismiss him.