Chapter 812: Chapter 812: What "Recovered" Means
The Emperor couldn’t tell whether he felt relieved or disappointed. He was afraid that the diagnosis would soon bring a conclusion, yet he also wished to quickly finish so he could be by her side. A myriad of emotions turned the ice in his eyes into deep concern and anxiety.
He quietly stepped until he was about ten steps away from the door and stopped, looking toward the direction of the sleeping chamber, his whole being fell silent, all his thoughts of the person inside condensed into waiting at a standstill...
The night grew colder, his broad shoulders and dark hair covered in frost.
Not until Zhang Qing returned after a long while, did he feel a pang in his heart seeing this. After reporting the matter concerning Consort Liu, he worriedly advised, "Your Majesty, it’s deep night and bitter cold, please wait in the hall."
No response came, the Emperor still stood tall, staring at the sleeping chamber, motionless.
Zhang Qing sighed heavily in his heart, knowing that His Majesty was getting worse. There was no need to guess; anyone could see his emotions were extremely bad, even worse than before he went out.
If Master Lian were here, she would certainly figure out a way to cheer up His Majesty. Surely it wouldn’t be long before she could open his heart and make him happy again. He had witnessed such scenes many times.
Not to mention Master Lian’s kindness toward him, but just for Master Lian’s heart for His Majesty, he regarded her highly and thought well of her.
In the whole palace, the varied Concubines all had their own schemes. Who truly cared about His Majesty’s well-being or his happiness?
Only Master Lian genuinely cared for His Majesty, even when she held the humblest position...
Thinking of this, Zhang Qing shook his head and laughed bitterly to himself. Master Lian was straightforward, even when she held the humblest position, she never thought of currying favor with His Majesty for anything. What was what, she was sincere and earnest, even foolishly using her own money to supplement His Majesty’s meals until the silver ran out, and when she truly couldn’t do anything more, she secretly cried at night, only to be discovered by His Majesty. Who else in the palace would do such a thing?
At that time, he saw clearly through Master Lian; whenever she was to serve His Majesty, she would wear a miserable face, her simple, straightforward expression was plain to see, yet how could he not understand His Majesty? That was His Majesty playing with Master Lian.
Later, His Majesty provided ingredients for Master Lian’s meals, just that little deserved benefit made her laugh with joy, as if she felt she’d gained the world’s biggest advantage, each day thinking of ways to treat His Majesty well in return.
Master Lian never for a moment believed His Majesty’s kindness toward her was something she deserved, but with a sincere heart, she reciprocated warmth toward His Majesty, never complaining, bravely facing life with strength and optimism, leading a solidly good life.
How could Consort Liu compare? Consort Liu even at her most difficult times continued to enjoy the privileges of the concubine rank, never suffering cold indifference like Master Lian, and yet she claimed heaven was unfair — what a joke.
Why did he think of that ominous person again? Truly unlucky!
Since Master Lian came along, His Majesty gained much more life; only she had the capability to make him laugh, yet now... alas...
Zhang Qing glanced toward the sleeping chamber and then back at the upright, slender figure, sighing quietly.
Bowing slightly, his voice grew hoarse as he advised, "Your Majesty, if Master Lian knew you were like this, she would surely feel distressed. I beg you to take care of your imperial self and wait inside the hall."
No response came for a long time, just as Zhang Qing despaired of his efforts, finally the figure before him moved.
"Let’s go inside, and dress me," the Emperor said, stepping toward the Main Hall.
He didn’t want her to wake up still worrying about him, and he detested the bad omens that sullied his garments; he also didn’t want to be wearing them when he went to see her.
"Yes, yes, your servant obeys," Zhang Qing said with great joy, and immediately set to work.
After walking a few steps, the Emperor halted, eventually turning back to order, "Those two Palace Maids, give them the staff execution."
These two were as insignificant as ants, not worth his exception. However, he hated how they led his Little Concubine to such dire straits.
Now that Consort Liu has passed, there’s no need for slow slicing to make the Palace Maid suffer, yet he still needed to accumulate virtue for his Little Concubine and the Imperial Son within. Forget the slicing.
Zhang Qing was taken aback, then his eyes moist, he bowed deeply, "Yes, your servant obeys the order!"
This was a wise ruler; even with boundless rage, he remained restrained after calming down.
He rose and wiped his eyes, quickly dispatching someone to the Punishment Bureau to issue orders, then instructed retrieving the Emperor’s clothes, ordered Young Eunuchs to prepare hot tea and hot water, busy with ensuring the Emperor washed his hands and face and changed clothes, bustling around.
The night grew thicker, the frost heavier.
Finally, the door to the bedroom of the East Side Hall opened, Divine Doctor Huang emerged wiping sweat, seeing a Young Eunuch outside, he immediately beckoned, "Go call His Majesty here, there are matters the old man needs to inform."
His catalyst had been administered, from now on it was up to the little girl herself and the Emperor...
Xiao Linzi upon hearing this hesitated briefly, first time disobediently asking what he most wanted to ask tonight, "Divine Doctor, is she well?"
Divine Doctor Huang was startled, not quite responding right away, "Would the old man still be here if she were not well?!" What kind of nonsense is that.
Xiao Linzi’s eyes shone, he dashed off, shouting, "Your Majesty, Master is healed, Master is healed!" His tone full of exhilaration and joy.
Divine Doctor Huang: "..."
This little eunuch, a fool, didn’t he understand human speech or what? His meaning was that he had completed the treatment, the matter settled, not that she was healed!
Inside Xiao Jizi heard the outside commotion, joyous inside, glanced at the person lying over there, suddenly slapped his forehead, he was utterly confused.
He couldn’t bother with much, apologized briefly to Nanny Qi and rushed outside.
Oh dear, what a fool, he thought he was so tired that he hallucinated, Master wasn’t awake at all, this fool passed on the wrong message, was he trying to deceive the Emperor or what, it was really worrisome...
The two ran past one after another, the Emperor already heard the sound and came out from the Main Hall. Just as Xiao Linzi was about to continue speaking, Xiao Jizi grabbed him and slapped his mouth shut.
Then Xiao Jizi proceeded to recount the earlier treatment scenes and explained the current condition of Lian Hua to the Emperor, finally saying, "Your Majesty, Master... Divine Doctor says Master is stable now, but perhaps needs her to overcome her inner demons to awaken..."
The Emperor was full of disappointment, said nothing, and moved toward the chamber.
Behind him, Zhang Qing was infuriated, slapping Xiao Linzi repeatedly, extremely angry. He had witnessed His Majesty’s joy upon hearing that message, saw the cup thrown aside rushing out, then heard it was a misunderstanding, that disappointment truly was heartbreaking.
Xiao Linzi felt both sorrow and grievance, he thought what the Divine Doctor said meant she was well, meant Master was recovered, but since Master wasn’t well he was very sad...