Flowery Hair: A Maidservant

Chapter 218 Secret Medicine

Perhaps it was because the Empress was indeed in good health, and with the help of the renowned gynecologist, Physician Sun, who was skilled in gynecology, to protect the pregnancy, but the fact that she had managed to hold on until now since the day she had a miscarriage at Guangci Temple was enough to make Hua Yan take notice.

Because Hua Yan was very clear that this pregnancy had already sown the seeds of disaster and could not be saved no matter what.

For Jiang Jie, who was on the high platform, the coronation ceremony was undoubtedly the most glorious day of her life.

His father would soon escort the Xiongnu king back to the capital, his two elder brothers fought valiantly and achieved great military exploits, the Jiang family was close to being ennobled, and he himself finally realized his long-cherished wish from many years ago.

However, just after she finished the four prostrations, before she could even get up, she felt her blood surging. After a long and arduous ceremony of taking the book and establishing the proclamation, she could no longer continue.

But no mistake could be made on such a grand occasion; at this moment, she truly felt as if she were being placed on a bonfire.

Granny Gui caught a cold and was unable to attend to the Empress. Only Xingyu and Luwei were by the Empress's side. Luwei was observant and noticed that the Empress's expression was unusual. She looked at Xingyu with a worried expression.

Xingyu hesitated, and in the palm of her right hand hidden in her sleeve, a porcelain bottle about the length of a thumb was already soaked with sweat.

Is it really coming to this? Xingyu felt a bitter taste in her mouth.

Amidst the music, the ceremonial official presented a golden goblet to the platform. Originally, it was Min Shangyi who should have stepped forward to receive it, but Xingyu hesitated and received a cold look from the Empress. She gritted her teeth and stepped forward before Min Shangyi. Although Jingming felt it was inappropriate, he didn't have time to think too much. He stepped forward, took one of the cups from the tray that Xingyu was holding, and respectfully presented it to the Emperor.

Xingyu gently picked up another golden goblet filled with white water, turned her back to everyone, and presented it to the Empress. At the same time, she took the opportunity to place a small red pill in the Empress's palm.

A flash of determination crossed the Empress's eyes as she turned and placed the red pill into the cup.

The Emperor and Empress stood facing each other, drinking from the same cup. After the nuptial ceremony was completed, the Emperor seemed to finally notice that the Empress's expression was not right, and asked with concern:

"If the Empress is unwell, it would be better to move to Renming Palace and summon Imperial Physician Sun."

"Thank you, Your Majesty. I can still manage."

The Empress forced a smile and reached out to support the Emperor's outstretched hand, a faint blush gradually returning to her pale face.

The sight of the Emperor and Empress walking hand in hand on the steps of the palace was witnessed by all the civil and military officials. Prince Rui was the first to kneel down and praise, "Your virtue is boundless and your example is eternal. The Emperor and Empress are in harmony, and the world is at peace. This is truly a blessing for the Great Zhou and a boon for the nation."

Minister Fan of the Court of State Ceremonial shouted, "All officials, kneel to offer your congratulations!"

All the officials knelt down and shouted, "Your Majesty, we congratulate Your Majesty and Your Majesty the Empress. May Your Majesty live a long and prosperous life, and may Your Majesty be a model of virtue for the world. May the world be peaceful and the nation prosperous."

Marquis Tang Xian of Lin'an and Zhou Bai, who was trailing behind a group of officials from the Court of State Ceremonial, had different feelings, and then bowed and paid their respects.

......

The ceremony for the coronation of the empress ended close to noon, and the emperor and empress went to Shou Kang Palace to pay homage to the empress dowager.

When the concubines arrived near the Imperial Garden, Consort Song, Consort Shen, and Consort Wu bowed to Consort Chun and took their leave. After the three had gone far away, Consort Guo casually remarked, "The Princess Consort has been honored with the title of Empress today. She bears the weight of the ancestral temple and the order of yin and yang. Her complexion has improved a lot."

Qu Cairen immediately chimed in: "Her Majesty the Empress had a miscarriage when she went to offer incense. It was a very dangerous day. Now she is more than three months pregnant and the pregnancy is stable. Physician Sun's medical skills are superb. He truly deserves to be called a gynecological master."

Consort Guo was originally looking to see how Consort Chun would react, but unexpectedly, Consort Qu beside her answered. Upon hearing this, she could only nod reluctantly to hide the displeasure in her eyes.

"It's getting late. Tomorrow we still need to accompany Her Majesty the Empress to pay our respects to the Empress Dowager. You should all return to your palaces to rest."

Consort Chun spoke calmly and slowly as she led Hua Yan toward Huining Palace.

Guo Xiuyi and her companion bowed respectfully as they saw her off. The Qianying Pavilion and Dieqiong Pavilion, where Consort Qu resided, were located in the same area. On the way, Qu had intended to get closer to Guo Xiuyi, but she clearly had no intention of speaking to her...

Qu Cai Ren was left behind, her eyes blank, unable to understand how she had offended the other party when they lived together in the Prince's mansion.

After Consort Chun entered the palace, she instructed Mengzhu to stand guard outside and said to Huayan, "...Something is not right. During the second half of the ceremony, Her Majesty the Empress's complexion was rosy, and she looked like a completely different person compared to before."

"Perhaps he took a secret medicine."

For a long time prior, Hua Yan and Dong Gua had studied medical texts at the Zhen family's medical clinic. (Dong Gua identifies medicinal herbs and incense materials)

"At that time, the Zhen family physician mentioned that aristocratic families often keep several kinds of secret medicines in their homes. It is not surprising that the Jiang family, with its power, possesses one or two of them. However, secret medicines often overdraw one's own potential, which is not worth the loss."

Consort Chun was stunned, muttering to herself, "How could this have come to this? She's still carrying the emperor's child, if..."

"It was precisely because Her Majesty the Empress knew that this pregnancy was in danger that she resorted to this desperate measure. The coronation ceremony was of utmost importance, and the Empress, being proud and aloof by nature, could not tolerate any mishap."

This also shows how ruthless the empress was.

"Your Majesty, we must find an opportunity to see Jian Zhi. The Empress may miscarry at any time, but no matter when, Your Majesty is currently in charge of the six palaces. Who knows if the Empress will use this pregnancy to her advantage?"

Consort Chun felt a sense of unease. The Empress's pregnancy was like a sword hanging over her head. If the other party used it even slightly, it would implicate countless people in the harem.

"After the imperial concubine is conferred tomorrow, let's find an excuse to have Jian Zhi come and take her pulse."

Hua Yan pondered for a moment, then said helplessly, "For now, we can only play it by ear. Renming Palace has recently welcomed many palace servants, and it's possible that some of them were arranged by the head of the family."

Tang Xian and Madam Yun could only ensure that the trained personnel were sent into the palace. As for how many of them would be lucky enough to reach dangerous positions after entering the palace, that was beyond their control.

However, Consort Chun now controls all the departments in the six palaces, and with Hua Yan assisting her, it will not be long before she can place her own people in the palace.

In this way, if any rumors arise, there will be enough time to plan and respond...

......

The ceremony for bestowing titles upon imperial concubines was held in the Hanyuan Hall. It was far less elaborate than the ceremony for bestowing titles upon empresses. It was presided over by officials from the Court of Imperial Clan Affairs and the Court of State Ceremonial Affairs, and only the imperial concubines attended the ceremony.

On the same day, outside Tonghua Gate in Beijing, a convoy of over a hundred people slowly entered the city.

In the lead carriage sat a middle-aged couple. Hearing the commotion outside, both of them showed excitement. The Duke of Qing reached out and lifted the curtain, gazing intently at the majestic city gate.

After more than ten years of exile, I am returning to the capital today. My heart is filled with a myriad of emotions, which turn into a sense of感慨 about the passage of time.

If Madam Ruoyun were here, she would be quite shocked. In the second carriage of the Duke's mansion's convoy, a young girl dressed as a maid was staring out the window with a hateful expression.

Qing Zhifei straightened her clothes and said to her, "Sister Xiu'er, would you like me to send someone to take you to your maternal home?"

Upon hearing the voice, Zou Xiuer immediately knelt down to express her gratitude, saying, "Thank you so much, sister, for taking me in and guiding me all the way back to the capital. I am deeply grateful."