Xie Jingzhou had not expected to receive such significant news from the Fourth Prince.
When he returned to his manor, he was clearly struggling to process it all.
That evening, Xie Jingzhou sent people to probe the attitude of the imperial post station, and sure enough, they received an urgent letter from Luoyi.
Ever since the divorce, the Emperor had been cold to him. Now that he had finally found an opening, he certainly wasn't going to let it pass.
Although the Seventh Prince had already seized the initiative, it was still worth it for him to gain favor with the Emperor through this matter.
The Seventh Prince's letter was quickly delivered to Emperor Xiaochang.
Of course, Xie Jingqi had only played a suggestive role; the methods for establishing medical clinics and pharmacies mentioned by Han Jingyu in the letter were all according to the Fourth Prince's instructions.
Emperor Xiaochang was pleased. His disappointing son was finally showing some proper conduct.
However, there was also worry.
A wastrel who had been among the princes since childhood now not only had military achievements but also wanted to meddle in court affairs, which was bound to stir envy.
The Crown Prince had not yet been established, and the princes were constantly in conflict.
Emperor Xiaochang might not interfere, but it didn't mean he knew nothing.
Looking at the urgent letter in his hand, Emperor Xiaochang decided it was not too late to wait.
He wanted his favored son to be successful, but he also didn't want his son to become the target of public criticism.
"Fenggu."
"Your servant is here."
Emperor Xiaochang glanced at the letter on his desk again before speaking again, "Convey my decree..."
Suddenly, hurried footsteps sounded from outside the door.
"Reporting to His Majesty, Consort Xi is feeling unwell and has fainted..."
Emperor Xiaochang had been about to issue an order to summon Xiao Qi and the others back, but before he could speak, his intention was thwarted.
Emperor Xiaochang had always doted on Consort Xi, and that evening he rushed to visit her.
Consort Xi, lying weakly on her sickbed, held the Emperor's hand, her face pale and her eyes red. She looked at the Emperor as if she had something to say but hesitated.
Emperor Xiaochang frowned and looked at the Fifth Prince, who was standing nearby. "What exactly is going on?"
Xie Jingzhou trembled all over and knelt to the ground with a 'plop.' "Reporting to Father Emperor, I, I heard that Mother Consort fainted and rushed to the palace to visit. I, I don't know what happened!"
This timid Fifth Prince was still the incompetent coward the Emperor thought him to be.
"Your Majesty, please do not blame anyone. It is my own poor health. I have been feeling unwell frequently lately. I will be fine after lying down for a while." Consort Xi managed a weak smile for the Emperor.
Seeing this, Emperor Xiaochang's heart ached, and he held Consort Xi's hand tightly. "Have you seen the imperial physicians?"
Consort Xi nodded and gently placed the Emperor's hand under her cheek. "I have caused Your Majesty to worry. The imperial physicians say I merely have a cold sensitivity."
A faint warmth traveled from her soft cheek to his palm.
This beautiful Consort Xi, who knew how to show vulnerability, made Emperor Xiaochang's heart ache even more.
The Empress had never shown such weakness; no matter when, she was always so dignified and composed.
Thinking of the Empress, Emperor Xiaochang couldn't help but sigh in his heart.
Even when the Empress had a miscarriage years ago, she had resumed her duties managing the harem within a few days. She was so indomitable, like an impenetrable fortress...
"Wuwuwu... Wuwuwu..."
A series of sobs interrupted Emperor Xiaochang's thoughts.
"Why are you crying like this? Didn't your mother consort say she is not seriously ill?" Emperor Xiaochang knitted his brows and looked at the Fifth Prince kneeling beside him. His head was throbbing from the crying.
Xie Jingzhou frantically wiped the tears from his face, but they wouldn't stop. Seeing his father's increasingly displeased expression, he hastily curled up on the ground and said, "Father Emperor, please calm your anger. This son merely wishes for Mother Consort's comfort. When she is unwell, Father Emperor cares for her so deeply. But the people of Luoyi, I fear, are not so fortunate..."
His words reminded Emperor Xiaochang of the letter the Seventh Prince had sent to the palace.
But before Emperor Xiaochang could ponder further, he saw Consort Xi, who had been lying on the bed, suddenly prop herself up. Her unsteady posture almost made her fall.
As Emperor Xiaochang came back to his senses, he quickly reached out. "What are you doing..."
"Ever since the Seventh Prince went to Luoyi, the Fifth Prince has been melancholic, worrying endlessly. This consort knows that the Fifth Prince should not discuss court affairs lightly. This child has overstepped his bounds. I apologize to Your Majesty on his behalf." As Consort Xi spoke, she prepared to kowtow.
Seeing this, Xie Jingzhou quickly crawled forward on his knees, held his mother consort, and looked at his father Emperor, crying, "It is all this son's fault. This son has spoken out of turn. This son only worries about his Seventh Brother, and fears that due to the war in Luoyi, the nearby people will suffer. If Your Majesty wishes to punish, punish this son."
With the Crown Prince not yet established and the princes not yet enfeoffed, they were not allowed to privately discuss state affairs.
However, Emperor Xiaochang was now unable to utter a single word of blame.
Just now, he had felt that Xiao Qi's suggestion was a bit too presumptuous, but now, thinking about it...
Emperor Xiaochang looked at the Fifth Prince and said, "You are correct. The people in the counties near Luoyi are indeed suffering due to the war. Xiao Qi has even suggested that we establish medical clinics and pharmacies in the counties. I did not expect you brothers to have a tacit understanding."
Xie Jingzhou knelt on the ground, looking extremely fearful and contrite. The heavy stone in his heart had finally fallen.
He hadn't expected that despite his hurried efforts, he was still one step behind his Seventh Brother.
But this was also good. He had garnered enough favor in the Emperor's eyes without appearing too ostentatious. This was enough.
Only after Emperor Xiaochang's figure had completely disappeared from the courtyard did Xie Jingzhou help his mother consort up.
Consort Xi looked at the Fifth Prince, whose face was still streaked with tears, and frowned. "The Emperor has already left. You don't need to continue acting. I didn't expect the Seventh Prince's actions to be so swift. If I hadn't set up this scene tonight, this good opportunity would have been missed."
Xie Jingzhou smiled and said, "With Mother Consort supporting this son, how could we let others benefit?"
"The Seventh Prince is indeed kind, always remembering his elder brother who was raised alongside him by the Empress. Fortunately, the Emperor has always disliked the Fourth Prince, otherwise..."
Even if they were not the Empress's biological sons, if both princes were truly valued by the Emperor, it would not be a good thing for them, mother and son.
Xie Jingzhou comforted her, "Ever since that fire years ago, Father Emperor has regarded Fourth Brother as an ill omen. Even if Father Emperor wishes to forget, the constant gossip in the palace will not let him forget."
Consort Xi gave Xie Jingzhou a meaningful look. However, the events of the past were long gone, and she disdained to bring them up again. After a few more admonishments to Xie Jingzhou, she let him leave the palace.
After Xie Jingzhou left, Consort Xi called Gui Mama to her side. "Go, take some valuable items from my storeroom and send them to the Fifth Prince."
Gui Mama was taken aback. "Wouldn't sending them now be too conspicuous?"
Consort Xi smiled faintly. "My helping the Fifth Prince now is helping the Emperor. Therefore, the more people know, the better."