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At that moment, Jingxi came in and knelt before Mo Xiao Li, saying, "Your Majesty, you should go see the Empress Dowager quickly; she is not well—"
This statement hit like a thunderclap, startling everyone present. No one expected such news at this moment. A flash of panic crossed Mo Xiao Li's face, and he tightened his grip, asking sharply, "Where is the imperial physician? Wasn't it said to be just a common cold? How could it have become so serious!"
Without waiting for Jingxi to respond, he instructed Ziyue behind him, "You and Huixin take good care of the Crown Prince and the Empress. I will go first." With that, he prepared to leave.
However, his hand was grabbed by Mu Junqi. Turning around to look at her, he said, "Your Majesty, no matter what, I should go and take a look."
Mo Xiao Li looked at her with some concern; after all, he was somewhat aware of the situation. But seeing Mu Junqi like this, he didn't know how to refuse her and could only nod. Meanwhile, Jingxi looked at Mu Junqi in front of him, clearly thinking he had seen a ghost, trembling in fear and muttering, "Ghost... ghost."
Huixin immediately stepped forward and said, "Our lady is not a ghost! Look more carefully!"
Only then did Jingxi dare to take a closer look but was momentarily confused about what was happening. He had clearly seen the Empress's burial that day, yet now she stood right in front of him. If she wasn't a ghost, then what had happened back then? Although he had countless questions in his heart at this moment, it was not the time for them; he could only walk ahead.
Mo Xiao Li led Mu Junqi toward Jinghe Palace. The people they encountered along the way looked as if they had seen a ghost, their expressions filled with fear as they stared at her.
Before long, the two arrived at Jinghe Palace. Before they even entered, they saw quite a few people standing outside the hall. At the forefront was Consort Xi. Upon seeing Mo Xiao Li enter, she rushed up to him and cried tearfully, "Your Majesty, you finally came! Consort is so worried about the Empress Dowager; how could she have been fine just moments ago and now be like this?"
One must admit that Consort Xi was indeed clever; she completely disregarded Mu Junqi beside her and focused solely on Mo Xiao Li. However, the other consorts behind her were already terrified out of their wits and thought they had seen a ghost. A few of the more timid ones were so scared that their legs went weak; some even fainted on the spot.
Mo Xiao Li glanced around and then said to Mu Junqi beside him, "Come with me to see what exactly is going on."
Mu Junqi obediently nodded and followed behind Mo Xiao Li. It wasn't until they entered that Consort Qian stepped forward to say to Consort Xi, "I really didn't expect this day would come."
"It was unexpected; no matter how hard we try, we cannot compete with her position in the Emperor's heart. Hmph..." Consort Xi seemed to have finally given up as she gazed at the disappearing doorway and sighed.
But no one knew that at this moment, she was already plotting her next move. If the Empress Dowager were to pass away just like that, there would be no support left in the harem, and the only one remaining would be Consort Qian. Thinking of this, she smiled and said, "Although this Empress is neither yours nor mine, the days ahead will surely be good. I wonder what Sister Consort Qian thinks?"
Consort Qian was not as anxious as before; her smile remained, and she replied cheerfully, "Perhaps Sister Consort Xi does not know, but this Empress has been the Emperor's favorite since childhood. With us two, it is absolutely impossible to separate them. Moreover, after all that has happened, the Emperor still brought her back to the palace without holding grudges. We should understand this."
Consort Xi naturally understood the implications behind her words, so she looked outside and said, "Perhaps in your eyes I am nothing, but maybe we can work together this time."
Consort Qian also understood the hidden meaning in her words; she smiled and then looked inside.
At this moment, the Empress Dowager lay on the bed, her face pale and breathing heavily. The imperial physicians were bustling around her. Xia Ziqian was originally at the table looking at the prescription when he suddenly saw Mo Xiao Li enter. He stood frozen for a moment, thinking he must be seeing things.
As Mu Junqi walked in, he also noticed Xia Ziqian standing there and was somewhat surprised. He still appeared as elegant as ever; it seemed that nothing fazed him.
"Long live the Emperor!" everyone bowed in unison, none noticing the woman beside him until they stood up and realized it was the already deceased Empress, whose complexion was not good.
Perhaps it was this bowing that startled the Empress Dowager awake; she struggled to say, "You have come... cough cough..."
Mo Xiao Li hurried forward and looked at the Empress Dowager with a heavy heart, saying, "I have come, Empress Dowager; you will be fine."
Mu Junqi stood a short distance away watching this scene unfold but did not step forward. Mo Xiao Li noticed and asked, "Why don't you come closer?"
"The Consort is worried that the Empress Dowager might be frightened upon seeing me; it's best for me to stay here." came a gentle reply.
Xia Ziqian had been watching this scene, and although he knew from the beginning that it was all a trap, he never expected to see her again. Suddenly, he felt a pang of guilt towards her, so he lowered his head and continued with his work.
The Empress Dowager, who had her eyes tightly shut, suddenly seemed to remember something. She opened her eyes and weakly looked at Mo Xiao Li, saying, "Just now... who were you speaking to?"
"Empress Dowager, everything that happened before was a scheme. Now I have brought the Empress back," Mo Xiao Li said, unable to hide the joy in her heart.
Mu Junqi then approached, and the Empress Dowager finally saw her face. Her eyes were filled with disbelief as she reached out with trembling hands. Mu Junqi hurriedly extended her hand in return. The clear sensation made the Empress Dowager finally acknowledge that this was not a dream, but she suddenly began to cough violently.
Xia Ziqian quickly came over and inserted silver needles into several acupoints. After a while, the Empress Dowager finally stopped coughing and fell into a weak sleep. Seeing the Empress Dowager like this made Mu Junqi feel a bit distressed; after all, the former Empress Dowager had been so healthy.
Mo Xiao Li also felt uneasy. During this time, all these chaotic events had kept him from visiting the Empress Dowager, leading to her current state. The guilt in his heart was beyond words.
The two of them sat on a nearby chair, both feeling heavy-hearted. "Xia Ziqian, what exactly happened to the Empress Dowager?"
Xia Ziqian hurried over and respectfully said, "The Empress Dowager has developed a chest infection due to wind-cold and a respiratory infection. This is why she is in this condition. However, given her age and how long this has been going on, I cannot guarantee that I can cure her."
With those words spoken, everyone present understood the implication. Mu Junqi looked up again, filled with worry, while Mo Xiao Li felt even more distressed. In just a few days of absence, she had become like this. After a moment of silence, he said, "No matter what, you must do your utmost to treat her. Do not forget your promise to me from years ago."
"I understand," Xia Ziqian replied.
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