Chapter 495: Obediently Following the Empress Dowager's Benevolent Edict

"His Majesty!" A chorus of high cries rose from both the stage and the audience.

Noble Consort De's face turned ashen: "Jin'er!" She lifted her leg and hurried onto the stage.

Chen Wang and Qing Wang had not yet awakened from the ecstatic frenzy of the Hundred Birds' tribute.

Tuan Tuan's tumble was like a bucket of ice water poured over the two men's heads.

The two steadied themselves: "His Majesty! His Majesty!" and hurried onto the stage.

The officials exchanged glances; some followed them, while others, bound by protocol, dared not move.

Noble Consort De was the first to run to Tuan Tuan's side, gently reaching out to turn her over.

Tuan Tuan's eyes were tightly shut, but her small hand quietly tugged at the hem of her wide sleeves; Noble Consort De was certain in her heart.

She deliberately shouted loudly: "Quick! Where is the imperial physician? Bring the Chief Imperial Physician to my presence!"

Chen Wang and Qing Wang arrived, standing aside, their faces extremely grim.

In their hearts they cursed: "How cowardly! Truly useless! It's only a Heavenly Sacrifice, yet it scared them this much!"

They had wasted such a good situation for nothing!

Qing Wang said: "Empress Dowager, why not try to awaken His Majesty?"

Chen Wang echoed: "Indeed, Empress Dowager, the auspicious time of the Heavenly Sacrifice must not be missed; once His Majesty awakens we can continue…"

Noble Consort De's face was full of anger: "Do you disregard His Majesty's life and death?"

"His Majesty is so young, already frightened into this state; you, you still intend to force him…"

This was her first time publicly rebuking Chen Wang and Qing Wang; as she spoke, thoughts of her son rose, and tears welled up uncontrollably.

"Is this you, refusing any chance of survival for mother and child?"

Chen Wang furrowed his brow: "Empress Dowager, please speak cautiously."

Noble Consort De ignored him, lowered her head and softly called: "His Majesty? His Majesty?"

Tuan Tuan remained motionless.

Noble Consort De raised her head and shouted angrily: "Where is the Chief Imperial Physician? I ordered you to summon him—did no one hear?"

The officials who followed began whispering.

"Indeed, His Majesty's dragon body is crucial."

"But what about the Heavenly Sacrifice?"

"That also requires first attending to His Majesty!"

Chen Wang's face darkened: "Quick! Bring the Chief Imperial Physician!"

"Yes!" Several eunuchs then hurried away.

Shortly after, Guo Taiyi came running up, panting, carrying a medicine box.

He was about to bow, but Noble Consort De stopped him: "Guo Taiyi, no need for formalities, quick! Come see His Majesty!"

Tuan Tuan leaned in Noble Consort De's arms, lying comfortably, almost asleep.

Hearing Guo Taiyi's name, she was overjoyed: "The imperial physician grandpa is here?"

Guo Taiyi hurried to Tuan Tuan's side, knelt nearby, took out a pulse pillow, carefully placed her small wrist on it, and rested his hand on the pulse.

The pulse was strong, showing no signs of illness.

Guo Taiyi was startled, then leaned slightly forward, drawing closer, and quietly looked at Tuan Tuan.

Tuan Tuan shifted her small body, tilted her hand, tugged at Guo Taiyi's dangling beard, and squinted at him.

Guo Taiyi's mind jolted: "Little Princess?"

In this world, the only child who has ever pulled his own beard is the Little Princess alone!

Noble Consort De saw her move and hurriedly called softly: "His Majesty?"

She lifted her eyes toward Guo Taiyi: "What is happening to His Majesty? Guo Taiyi?"

Guo Taiyi: "…"

What's wrong? How could I know what's wrong with the Little Princess? This is clearly an act!

Where is the Emperor?

Yet, the Little Princess's face is truly lifelike, how was it crafted…

His old habit of medical obsession resurfaced; he lowered his head and examined Tuan Tuan's features carefully.

Qing Wang, seeing Tuan Tuan's earlier movement, hurriedly asked: "How is His Majesty? Though frightened earlier, is he now unharmed?"

Guo Taiyi: "…"

Who was frightened? The Little Princess? It's good if she doesn't frighten others.

Oh my, how should I speak properly?

Chen Wang said impatiently: "Guo Taiyi, speak plainly."

Guo Taiyi looked at Tuan Tuan, carefully choosing his words: "His Majesty's condition, there is no…"

Tuan Tuan exerted force with her hand.

"Ah!" Guo Taiyi winced in pain, instantly stopped speaking.

"No what?" Qing Wang urged, "Explain clearly!"

Guo Taiyi understood: "His Majesty has no life‑threatening danger, but… this ailment is a sinking of the ancestral Qi, a disharmony between the Ying and Wei."

Qing Wang furrowed his brows: "What does that mean?"

Guo Taiyi's heart raced, yet his face remained composed: "His Majesty's pulse is floating and slightly disturbed; heavy pressure yields a void, and startled it shows chaotic Qi."

"His Majesty possesses a youthful Yang body, with delicate organs, yet now his vital spirit has been depleted."

He paused: "Fortunately, the dragon body is heaven‑blessed, currently without serious injury. However," he emphasized, "it must never be moved again."

Tuan Tuan listened contentedly, laughing, "Ha ha, finally I don't have to recite that incantation!"

Seeing that his beard was no longer being painfully pulled, Guo Taiyi's heart settled, and he finally got it right!

He rose, bowed to Chen Wang and Qing Wang, and said, "This humble official dares to advise: His Majesty should promptly relocate, rest and recuperate."

With medicines to calm the spirit, settle the will, nourish the heart and regulate the qi. With such regulation, in as little as half a month or as much as a month, he can then resume governing.

Guo Taiyi rattled off medical theory, one set after another, speaking with great authority.

Noble Consort De covered her face and wept, her voice choking: "What Guo Taiyi says is quite right."

His Majesty has been unable to sleep soundly these past few days; it turns out his foundation has already been weakened.

Upon hearing this, the officials looked at the little emperor leaning in the Empress Dowager's arms, all filled with pity.

A five-year-old child, in such a situation, was frightened into fainting; truly pitiful.

His Majesty is young and frail, and having suffered such a fright, how can he possibly endure any longer?

Guo Taiyi is the head of the Imperial Medical Institute; since he says this, he must be correct.

But this Heavenly Sacrifice ceremony...

Chen Wang's face was as dark as iron, yet he ultimately said nothing more.

Qing Wang gritted his teeth, staring at the soft little figure leaning in Noble Consort De's arms, wishing he could step forward and pick him up.

But under everyone's watchful eyes, the Chief Physician has already said 'must not exert oneself'; if he were to force it further, wouldn't that confirm the accusation of 'bullying the young ruler' made by the clean officials?

He clenched his fists: "If so, quickly send His Majesty back to the palace to rest."

But this ceremony...?

The ceremony? Humph, since you want to hold it, you handle it yourselves.

Noble Consort De spoke softly: "Both Regent Kings, your diligent assistance in governance, day and night handling state affairs, Our Palace and His Majesty have always been grateful."

She paused: "His Majesty's dragon body is unwell, yet we cannot therefore neglect the Heavenly Sacrifice ceremony."

She lifted her gaze to Chen Wang: "Please, Chen Wang, perform the rites on behalf of the Son of Heaven, reverently undertake the sacrificial duties, to complete the ceremony."

Chen Wang startled, performing the Heavenly Sacrifice on behalf of the Son of Heaven, though it is the utmost honor, it also carries the suspicion of overstepping.

Given the current situation, this hot potato is best left untouched if possible.

He clasped his hands and said: "Empress Dowager, I..."

Noble Consort De interrupted him: "Chen Wang, there's no need to be overly modest."

"His Majesty is young; for Your Highness to perform the rites on behalf of the Son of Heaven is within your duty, proper and justified."

Chen Wang and Qing Wang exchanged a glance; Qing Wang's gaze drifted toward Noble Consort De and the Emperor, and Chen Wang understood: "I shall faithfully follow the Empress Dowager's edict."

"Since the physician says he needs rest, please have Qing Wang escort His Majesty back to the palace, and do not disturb him further."

Qing Wang's face turned ashen, yet he could only bow and say: "I, obey the order."

Noble Consort De no longer looked at them, lowered her head and gently gathered Tuan Tuan's crown pendants, covering that little face, flushed red from sleep, more securely.

"Let's set out."