After the Substitute Male Bride Fled, the Emperor Turned Dark - Chapter 22

Early the next morning, as the sky was just beginning to turn gray, Zhang Zhongan, the Court Physician most trusted by the Empress Dowager, was pulled from his warm bed by a formal decree. It was evident that the Empress Dowager had likely not slept well all night.

Physician Zhang was over fifty years old and had served in the Imperial Academy of Medicine for more than thirty years. Having attended to two generations of emperors, there was no storm he had not weathered. However, this particular decree left him somewhat surprised.

“The Empress Dowager wishes for this subject to take His Majesty’s pulse?” Zhang Zhongan knelt in the main hall of the Palace of Benevolent Tranquility, carefully seeking confirmation.

The Empress Dowager sat high above. Her hand, which had been fingering her prayer beads, paused. Her tone was flat. “Why? Do you find it inappropriate?”

“This subject would not dare,” Zhang Zhongan kowtowed. “It is only that His Majesty’s dragon body has always been robust. He just had his routine health check two days ago.”

The Emperor labored for the state with utter devotion, and his time was limited. If the physician went to take his pulse now without a clear reason, His Majesty might feel he was simply looking for trouble.

The Empress Dowager gave a cold snort. “Since I have ordered you to go, then go. Be meticulous.”

Zhang Zhongan’s heart skipped a beat. There was something peculiar in the Empress Dowager’s tone. Though he did not know the inner details, he vaguely sensed an unusual atmosphere.

The Empress Dowager continued, “I have heard that the Emperor has been overworked with state affairs recently and often cannot sleep at night. Go and see if there is any depletion that needs early treatment.”

“This subject obeys the decree.”

With a formal reason established, he no longer feared the Emperor’s reproach. Zhang Zhongan took his leave and wiped the beads of sweat from his forehead.

There was no morning court today. Inside Qianqing Palace, Xiao Huan was reviewing memorials. With the end of the year approaching, the reports from various regions had piled up like a small mountain.

Eunuch Li entered with a bow and whispered, “Your Majesty, Physician Zhang requests an audience.”

Xiao Huan did not look up. “For what matter?”

“The Empress Dowager heard that Your Majesty has not been sleeping soundly lately. She specifically ordered Physician Zhang to perform a routine health check.”

Xiao Huan’s brush paused. He looked up at Eunuch Li. Eunuch Li wore a sheepish expression, not daring to look the Emperor in the eye. Xiao Huan set down his vermilion brush and leaned back in his chair, feeling helpless.

His mother was truly anxious. Having noticed something amiss last night, she had sent someone from the Imperial Academy of Medicine first thing this morning.

The hall was so quiet that the sound of the water clock dripping could be heard. Seeing that the Emperor remained silent for a long while, Eunuch Li could only offer a flattering smile and advise, “The Empress Dowager worries for Your Majesty; it is out of a heart of devotion.”

“Enough,” Xiao Huan interrupted him. “Let him in.”

Zhang Zhongan entered carrying his medicine chest and knelt in greeting. “This subject pays respects to Your Majesty.”

“Rise.” Xiao Huan extended his wrist, his tone indifferent. “Since it is my mother’s wish, take the pulse.”

Zhang Zhongan hurriedly stepped forward and placed his fingers on Xiao Huan’s wrist. The pulse was steady and powerful, neither superficial nor deep, calm and leisurely with a regular rhythm. It was clearly the pulse of a perfectly healthy man.

After confirming there was nothing else wrong, he asked, “I heard Your Majesty has not been sleeping well. This subject shall prescribe a formula; taking it for two days may provide relief.”

Knowing that the less said the better, Xiao Huan nodded in agreement.

“I have troubled Physician Zhang.” Xiao Huan withdrew his hand, his voice cool. “When my mother asks you, just answer truthfully.”

Zhang Zhongan was stunned for a moment before hurriedly complying.

“Li Mao, see Physician Zhang out.”

Xiao Huan had already picked up his vermilion brush again. Eunuch Li hurried forward to lead Zhang Zhongan out. Once outside the palace, the physician asked with a bitter face, “Eunuch Li, His Majesty’s body is indeed robust. Why did the Empress Dowager?”

Eunuch Li waved his hand, signaling him not to ask further. Zhang Zhongan tactfully shut his mouth and headed toward the Palace of Benevolent Tranquility.

Inside the Palace of Benevolent Tranquility, the Empress Dowager’s expression was quite subtle after hearing Zhang Zhongan’s report. It seemed to be a mix of relief and a touch of displeasure.

“Are you certain there is nothing wrong with the Emperor’s body?” she asked once more.

Zhang Zhongan knelt on the ground and said respectfully, “In reply to the Empress Dowager, His Majesty’s pulse is steady and strong. The dragon body is healthy, and there are absolutely no hidden ailments.”

The Empress Dowager’s hand slowly stopped moving the prayer beads. No problem. The Emperor was fine. In that case, it went without saying where the problem lay.

“Fine, you may go.” The Empress Dowager waved her hand, then seemed to remember something and called him back. “Wait.”

Zhang Zhongan stopped in his tracks.

The Empress Dowager pondered for a moment and said, “Concubine Zhuang has been in the palace for several months now. Go to Chengqian Palace later this evening to perform a routine health check there as well.”

Zhang Zhongan hurriedly agreed.

After the physician withdrew, the Empress Dowager leaned against her soft couch, eyes closed in deep thought. The managing mamma brought a cup of tea and said carefully, “Empress Dowager, about this?”

“I want to see exactly where the problem is.” The Empress Dowager opened her eyes, her gaze heavy.

Chengqian Palace.

Fang Zhiyan woke up late today, rising nearly at the time for the midday meal. While he was dressing, Lan Ruo hesitated but eventually could not help saying, “Your Ladyship, this servant heard that early this morning, the Empress Dowager sent Physician Zhang to Qianqing Palace to take His Majesty’s pulse.”

Fang Zhiyan was indifferent. “His Majesty manages ten thousand affairs a day. A routine health check is a common occurrence.”

Lan Ruo was also puzzled, her movements gentle. “I heard the Empress Dowager specifically sent him because she heard His Majesty was not sleeping well at night.”

Fang Zhiyan froze, his brow furrowing slightly. Not sleeping well? He recalled Xiao Huan’s appearance while dining at Chengqian Palace last night. His complexion was excellent and his spirits were high; he did not look like someone who lacked sleep.

As he was thinking, a young eunuch ran in to report, “Your Ladyship, Physician Zhang requests an audience. He says the Empress Dowager sent him to perform a routine health check for Your Ladyship.”

Fang Zhiyan was slightly stunned. He instinctively looked down at himself. He felt perfectly fine, so why the health check? But he quickly realized that the Empress Dowager was not simply ordering a routine check. She was clearly checking something else.

His expression shifted. Lan Ruo also sensed something and whispered, “Your Ladyship, your health is fine. Shall I go and decline him?”

Fang Zhiyan considered for a moment then shook his head. “No need. Let him in.”

By the time Zhang Zhongan entered, Fang Zhiyan was already seated in the main hall with a proper smile. “Physician Zhang has worked hard.”

“This subject would not dare.” Zhang Zhongan bowed and opened his medicine chest. “The Empress Dowager is concerned for Your Ladyship’s health and specifically ordered me to take your pulse.”

Fang Zhiyan extended his wrist, his expression calm. Zhang Zhongan placed his fingers on the wrist and examined it carefully for a moment. He obtained the same result as he had that morning.

He withdrew his hand. “Your Ladyship’s pulse is peaceful. There are no major issues.”

“Thank you, Physician Zhang.” Fang Zhiyan pulled back his hand and smiled. “I appreciate you making the trip.”

Zhang Zhongan hurriedly said it was no trouble and withdrew with his medicine chest.

The hall fell silent. Lan Ruo looked at Fang Zhiyan’s face and said carefully, “Your Ladyship, is there something wrong?”

Fang Zhiyan did not answer. He only looked down at his own wrist. The Empress Dowager had checked Xiao Huan first, then him. She was investigating who had the “problem.” Now that both had been checked and found healthy, what came next?

A sudden sense of foreboding welled up in his heart. This premonition made him so restless that he had no appetite for his midday meal.

Sure enough, within two days, there was movement again from the Palace of Benevolent Tranquility. One afternoon, while Fang Zhiyan was taking a nap in his room, Lan Ruo hurried in with a strange expression. “Your Ladyship, Mamma Gui from the Palace of Benevolent Tranquility has arrived.”

Fang Zhiyan opened his eyes, his brow twitching slightly. Mamma Gui was the most capable managing mamma by the Empress Dowager’s side. Having stayed in the palace for thirty years, even Consort Shu would show her respect. Her personal visit to Chengqian Palace was certainly no small matter.

“Invite her in quickly.” Fang Zhiyan stood up to straighten his clothes and sat properly on his couch.

When Mamma Gui entered, two young palace maids followed behind her, carrying several ledgers in their hands. She performed a proper bow. “This servant pays her respects to Lady Concubine Zhuang.”

“Mamma Gui, no need for such ceremony.” Fang Zhiyan smiled and signaled Lan Ruo to serve tea. “Has the Empress Dowager given any instructions for Mamma’s visit today?”

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