Emperor Xiaochang's brow furrowed slightly, and his gaze flickered towards the inner chambers.
Empress Zhong, having been married to the Emperor for many years, instantly felt an ominous premonition.
Just then, Princess Wenhui softly spoke again, "Fifth Prince's current injuries are not well-suited for relocation. However, Your Majesty, please rest assured, I will personally accompany the palace attendants and do my best to ensure Fifth Prince's wounds are not aggravated during the transfer."
Emperor Xiaochang directly stated, "There is no need for such an ordeal. Let Fifth Prince recuperate here for now."
Empress Zhong's heart skipped a beat. "Your Majesty is correct, but this is, after all, Your Majesty's temporary palace. Even if Your Majesty is concerned about Fifth Prince's condition, there are still many observant eyes outside. I've heard that the war in Tonglin has become rather tense again recently. If any minister comes to report, disturbing Fifth Prince's peace would be most unfortunate."
Emperor Xiaochang's already furrowed brow tightened further.
Just yesterday, he had received news from the Imperial Palace that the Western Rong were like mad dogs, relentlessly pursuing the Yu Lin army. A few days ago, when the Seventh Prince led the troops to engage the Western Rong, the situation was fraught with peril. Had it not been for Old General Zhong's continued prowess, the Seventh Prince's arm might have been lost on the battlefield.
The Seventh Prince had been favored and raised by the Emperor. Under normal circumstances, the Seventh Prince would have been prioritized. But now, the Fifth Prince lay injured because he had saved the Seventh Prince...
The palm is flesh, and the back of the hand is also flesh!
Princess Wenhui, seeing the Emperor hesitating, moved her lips as if to speak again, "In my humble opinion..."
"Your Majesty's palace here is the largest, and it's not the only place for recuperation. I believe it would be best to move Fifth Prince to the Shangyin Courtyard in the back. While it is somewhat distant from the front hall, it is still within Your Majesty's temporary palace. A few diligent palace attendants can carry him, and it will only take the time it takes to brew a cup of tea," Empress Zhong interrupted Princess Wenhui before she could finish.
Princess Wenhui's mouth hung open, appearing somewhat embarrassed.
Empress Zhong paused before looking at Princess Wenhui. "Wenhui, what were you about to say?"
Princess Wenhui quickly replied, "That is precisely what I intended to say, Your Highness."
Empress Zhong nodded and smiled with satisfaction.
Ji Zizhao had no standing to participate in the subtle exchanges between the Empress and Princess Wenhui. However, while they were speaking, she took the opportunity to carefully observe Princess Wenhui.
Even though she wore a somewhat heavy padded skirt and a cloak draped over her shoulders, it did not conceal her tall and slender, jade-like figure. Her dark hair was simply styled in a fallen horse bun at the back of her head, with only a swallowtail hairpin threaded through her dark tresses.
Unlike the dignified and opulent ladies of the inner court, she possessed her own unique charm.
Sensing Ji Zizhao's gaze, Princess Wenhui offered a gentle smile that outshone the starlight.
She was not only beautiful but possessed a magnificent, ethereal beauty, like a celestial being descended to earth.
After much deliberation, Emperor Xiaochang finally ordered Fifth Prince to be carried to the Shangyin Courtyard in the back.
Consort Xi, who had just fainted in the front hall, turned pale upon hearing this news and closed her eyes once more.
Princess Wenhui was considerate and thoughtful. Seeing the palace attendants enter, she hurried to their side, staying with them throughout the entire process, from when Fifth Prince was lifted to when he was carried out.
Ji Zizhao looked at the Empress doubtfully. She hadn't heard that the Fifth Prince had an elder sister.
Empress Zhong took the opportunity to say to the Emperor, "Fifth Prince is still unconscious. My presence would be of little help. It just so happens that I remembered the Zhong family has a hundred-year-old Ganoderma lucidum. I shall send someone to retrieve it for the Imperial Hospital."
Emperor Xiaochang patted Empress Zhong's hand as he nodded. "You have worked hard."
"He is the Emperor's and my child; there is no need to speak of hardship," Empress Zhong smiled demurely, then curtsied and withdrew from the room with Ji Zizhao.
The crowd in the courtyard had not yet dispersed. Seeing the Empress emerge, they all wished to step forward to pay their respects and inquire if they might visit Fifth Prince now that he had been moved elsewhere.
At this moment, anyone with eyes could see the Emperor's concern for Fifth Prince. Thus, everyone sought to cater to his wishes.
Empress Zhong disdained engaging in pleasantries with these individuals, yet she could not outright ignore them and give them cause for gossip.
Just then, Ji Zizhao supported Empress Zhong's side and said in a voice that was neither too loud nor too soft, "Empress Dowager's pulse is straight and long, firm beneath the touch. This is due to excessive worry. This humble physician knows that Empress Dowager is concerned about Fifth Prince's injuries, but at this moment, it is most important to rest and calm the mind. Caring for Empress Dowager's health is paramount."
Those who had stepped forward a moment ago instantly retreated several paces upon hearing this.
If even the Imperial Physicians were advising the Empress to rest, wouldn't it be courting disaster to approach her now?
Empress Zhong slightly tightened her grip on Ji Zizhao's arm. Under everyone's gaze, she truly staggered one step at a time, her movements trembling every three steps as she exited the courtyard.
Ji Zizhao: "..."
Excessive worry, in reality, was not that severe...
Empress Zhong paid no mind to such trivialities. What if it was an act? Were the Fifth Prince and Consort Xi not plotting together? Had they not harmed her son enough? The only reason she hadn't laughed to the heavens was her own benevolence!
Granny Dai, who had been waiting by the door, saw Ji Zizhao supporting the Empress and quickly sent the palace attendants inside away.
Empress Zhong only let out a long sigh after crossing the threshold. "This is suffocating me."
Ji Zizhao: "..."
She heard nothing.
Empress Zhong summoned Granny Dai to her side and coldly commanded, "Take my token and personally go to the Zhong family. Then, go to the small storeroom and send that Ganoderma lucidum to the Imperial Hospital."
"That was part of Empress Dowager's dowry back then. How could Empress Dowager bear to part with it?" Granny Dai's eyes twitched with heartache.
Empress Zhong sighed. "If I don't shed some blood now, the Emperor's heart may only hold Consort Xi and her son in the future."
Ji Zizhao frowned. If that were the case, the Fifth Prince's injury this time was intentional?
Seeing Granny Dai standing still, Empress Zhong waved her hand again. "Go. Make a fuss on your way, so that everyone knows this Ganoderma lucidum was requested from the Zhong family by me."
Granny Dai nodded and left, still pained.
Ji Zizhao certainly felt reluctant to use such a valuable item on the Fifth Prince, but she truly admired the Empress's decisiveness and wisdom.
The Seventh Prince and the Fourth Prince had been unable to participate in this hunt. The Empress could not seek benefits from them. It was better to use this opportunity to gild the Zhong family's reputation. When the Emperor thought of the Zhong family's kindness, he would naturally recall the Seventh Prince in Tonglin.
Once the room was empty of other people, Empress Zhong looked at Ji Zizhao and said, "I did not allow you to get involved before His Majesty just now, not because I distrust your medical skills, but because no matter what you said, as long as Wenhui was present, His Majesty would likely not believe you."
Ji Zizhao's heart skipped a beat.
Since ancient times, emperors have been fickle and prone to suspicion.
What kind of ability did Princess Wenhui possess to earn such trust from the Emperor?