Chapter 56

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Protagonist:

Shen Yao

The system was also helpless; the Virtuous Consort outside the palace was a man-eating flower, her methods too ruthless and vicious.

Who could have imagined that the Virtuous Consort truly did not care about Xiao Yanchen's physical condition.

Was the Virtuous Consort not afraid that Xiao Yanchen might suddenly fall gravely ill, dragging her own life and fortune into it?

Shen Yao could not understand, and neither could the system; after all, the two of them had undergone the tempering of several worlds and were already accustomed to rational consideration, striving to maximize benefits as much as possible.

But the Virtuous Consort was merely a native born and raised here, and moreover from a place like the Huan Yi Ju.

She had little experience, yet her petty schemes were many.

If Xiao Yanchen had encountered the Virtuous Consort, the kind of person one could see through at a glance, in his youth, he would never have fallen for it no matter what.

But Xiao Yanchen was old now; he just liked fresh, tender, and easily understood consorts.

The Virtuous Consort hit every single point of Xiao Yanchen's aesthetic.

So the Virtuous Consort gaining favor was a perfectly normal thing, and Xiao Yanchen being framed by such a short-sighted and ambitious person was also within Shen Yao's expectations.

Shrugging her shoulders, Shen Yao waited to watch the show; it had only been half a month since Xiao Yanchen left the palace, and he would need another half month to return.

"All bitter fruits are self-brewed; they have nothing to do with us.

If you are idle, go keep an eye on those treacherous court officials in the Front Court for me.

Xiao Jin is still too young; I worry he cannot contend with those old foxes."

Shen Yao reached out and rubbed her temples, thinking that those were all veterans who had soaked in officialdom for decades.

Xiao Jin had methods, that was true, but compared to those people he appeared slightly immature and insufficient.

Shen Yao was situated in the Huang Hou; there was not much she could help with. Only the system, having no physical restraints, could run everywhere, investigate gossip for her while also conveying useful information.

"System, we are one; I do well, and you can do even better.

Go be busy; it is not early, I should rest."

These days Xiao Yanchen was not in the Huang Hou, and he had also taken away the Harem's biggest scourge, the Virtuous Consort, so Shen Yao only felt an unprecedented relaxation.

It was truly as if the sky turned blue, the water turned clear, the grass turned green, the flowers turned red — nothing was bad.

System:... Fine then.

The system made no sound, and Shen Yao knew it had already run off to be busy.

Busy is good; being busy is always better than being idle.

Far away in the palace, Shen Yao occasionally worried that Xiao Yanchen's body might not hold up.

While outside the palace, the Virtuous Consort, who was wholeheartedly focused on making the two little consorts she brought with her successfully conceive, did not think of this matter at all.

To say the Virtuous Consort was ruthless was truly ruthless; the Virtuous Consort was not only ruthless, she was also fierce.

How to put it? Just the prescription the Virtuous Consort gave to Ling Changzai and Yan Changzai was the very one that had once caused the deaths of Zhou Ningyan and Zhao Yunyue, and dragged down many consorts with and without rank in the Harem, stirring up a storm of wind and rain — a conception-seeking prescription.

Although the Virtuous Consort had not yet entered the palace at that time, the prescription had long been known to everyone.

After entering the palace, the Virtuous Consort obtained the prescription contents with just a little investigation.

And the Virtuous Consort was not stupid; a prescription that cost lives definitely could not be used on herself.

So insignificant figures like Ling Changzai and Yan Changzai became the targets the Virtuous Consort constantly coaxed with empty promises.

Right now, the Virtuous Consort was eagerly awaiting the Imperial Physician to diagnose the peace pulse for the two.

Time passed quickly; it had been nearly a month since Xiao Yanchen left the palace.

Having finished the long-scheduled ancestral worship, Xiao Yanchen prepared to set off back to the palace.

After all, Xiao Jin in the palace had already intervened in the Morning Court and spring plowing; Xiao Yanchen returning also had a reason to make things difficult.

Compared to Xiao Yanchen, the Virtuous Consort was having a harder time; one must know she had only managed to leave the palace smoothly by bearing the reputation of offending the Empress and all civil and military officials of the court.

If Ling Changzai and Yan Changzai on this side failed to deliver, letting her plans come to nothing, the Virtuous Consort would have the heart to eat people.

"Imperial Physician Ding, how exactly is the situation? Give this Palace a definite answer; His Majesty is still waiting."

The Virtuous Consort could not help but urge him, her sharp gaze sweeping over the wrist Ling Changzai had revealed, wishing she could personally take the stage.

Imperial Physician Ding:...

"Virtuous Consort Niangniang, that medicine taking effect is not rapid," moreover the prescription had even been modified somewhat.

As an Imperial Physician of the Imperial Medical Bureau, Ding Cheng also worried he would lose his little life.

If the Virtuous Consort did not hold his handle, forcing him onto the pirate ship with no way off, he would never have chosen to collude with the Virtuous Consort.

The Virtuous Consort could not stand hearing this; she only wanted Ling Changzai and Yan Changzai to conceive.

Pointing a finger, she scared Ling Changzai into trembling all over.

"Go check on Yan Changzai," having said that, the Virtuous Consort glared fiercely at Ling Changzai, truly useless!

The innocently framed Ling Changzai:... Great Heavenly Lord, she is truly wronged, she did nothing at all!

Ding Cheng was also helpless; he stood up, put down the pulse pillow he had felt for half a day without any reaction, and went directly to sit at Yan Changzai's side.

Yan Changzai was that palace-attired beauty who had once spoken with the Virtuous Consort.

Her title was truly deserved for her; a gorgeous and frivolous face, she had a strong sense of presence before His Majesty.

In comparison, Ling Changzai appeared plain-featured and unremarkable.

During the little month Xiao Yanchen was out of the palace, aside from the main culprit the Virtuous Consort, it was Yan Changzai who attended the bedchamber the most; Ling Changzai merely picked up some odds and ends.

The Virtuous Consort also placed most of her attention on Yan Changzai.

There was no helping it; Yan Changzai was simply too outstanding, making Ling Changzai look like a little maid by comparison.

"Imperial Physician Ding, how is Noble Consort Yan? This palace awaits your reply."

Consort Xian kept urging them, making several people's scalps go numb, and Ding Cheng dared not stop his hands.

Ding Cheng was also afraid; if anything went slightly wrong, Consort Xian would act like a mad old woman and cause trouble everywhere.

As one of the imperial physicians accompanying this trip, his life was in Consort Xian's hands.

Sweat drops popped out on both sides of his temples; Ding Cheng didn't have time to wipe them away, patiently sensing the faint pulse beneath Noble Consort Yan, and his eyes suddenly widened.

Got it!!!

"Replying to Consort Xian, Noble Consort Yan's pulse is like rolling pearls and jade—great joy!"

Ding Cheng forced a calm expression, cheering inwardly; no matter what, he finally had something to report.

He bowed slightly, not even having time to put away the medicine box beside him, showing how happy he was.

Not only was Ding Cheng happy, but Noble Consort Yan, whose pulse was being taken beside him, was also very happy.

Pregnant? Who? Me! Pregnant!

Several large words kept turning over in her mind; Noble Consort Yan looked at the dazed Consort Xian, and because she was trying hard to suppress her laughter, her face looked quite twisted.

"Good! Good! Good!"

Consort Xian said "good" several times, clapped her palm, and told Noble Consort Yan not to move, "Stay here and take good care of Noble Consort Yan; this palace will go report to the Emperor right away."

After speaking, without waiting for the several people in the room to answer, Consort Xian ran off like a gust of wind.

Consort Xian was truly happy; the imperial heir she had longed for had finally appeared, and next was the time for her to launch an assault on the Empress's position.

Hmph!

Empress, Shen Yao? Wait and see; that position will surely end up in Liu Qingyan's pocket.

"Hurry, don't keep the Emperor waiting."

Consort Xian steadied her mind slightly and urged the several eunuchs carrying the sedan chair.

The Xing Gong where they stayed this trip had a huge floor area; walking from Consort Xian's Palace to Xiao Yanchen's residence took at least a quarter of an hour.

After running out, Consort Xian got on the sedan chair; right now she was thinking about how to tell Xiao Yanchen this good news after arriving.

Pity that man's plans cannot match heaven's; the day she chose was truly bad.

When Xiao Yanchen got up in the morning, he felt a bit dizzy, and on a whim asked an imperial physician to come take his pulse.

As a result, once the pulse diagnosis came out, a group of people knelt down before his eyes with a clatter.

Xiao Yanchen:...

Xiao Yanchen flew into a rage again and scolded the several imperial physicians responsible for his daily pulse checks until they were covered in dog's blood.

Before Consort Xian arrived, Xiao Yanchen had driven everyone away in a bad mood and was lying on his side in the bedchamber with his eyes closed, resting.

Consort Xian chose this moment to push the door and enter; even if Xiao Yanchen liked her again, he could not give her a good face.

Consort Xian was completely unaware, smiling as she walked to Xiao Yanchen's side and spoke to offer congratulations.

Xiao Yanchen:... Huh?

Congratulations?

What did he have to be congratulated for? Was it that his body was depleted, and Consort Xian had played a trick, deliberately running over to mock him?

That shouldn't be; Consort Xian didn't have that intelligence; what brains could someone of such background have?

Xiao Yanchen muttered a couple of words in his heart, raised his eyes, looked at Consort Xian with a blank expression, "I don't remember; what happy occasion is there for Consort Xian to offer congratulations?"

She was too happy; Consort Xian simply didn't hear the dissatisfaction in Xiao Yanchen's words.

She tidied her sleeves and told the Emperor about Noble Consort Yan's pregnancy.

"... Noble Consort Yan has been pregnant for less than a month; the imperial physician said her pulse is strong and powerful, surely it is a young lord; this subject comes to report the good news to the Emperor, Noble Consort Yan"

Before she finished speaking, Consort Xian was interrupted by Xiao Yanchen with a face full of brutality.

Xiao Yanchen's anger attacked his heart; only four words circled in his mind: It's you!

"Ah, Your Majesty"

A sharp cry came from Consort Xian's mouth; Consort Xian stared with a panicked face, meeting the wrist deeply pinching her neck, and her complexion quickly turned ugly.

"Your, Your Majesty, Your Majesty, let, let go... cough cough cough, cough cough"

Consort Xian struggled and slapped Xiao Yanchen's arm with all her might, but her strength was limited, and Xiao Yanchen remained motionless.

"Slut! Slut! It's you; no wonder my body is so depleted; you used tricks on them! Tell me, is it you!"

Xiao Yanchen roared in collapse, and even more so was the surge of anger from embarrassment.

All day long hunting geese, but the geese pecked his eyes, and in such an extremely shameful way.

This was simply provoking Xiao Yanchen's anger, and also declaring war on Xiao Yanchen!

The defects of himself that had been ignored before were now all recalled by Xiao Yanchen.

Hmph!

His physical foundation was not like the Empress, who had the ability to safely give birth to a healthy imperial heir.

What tricks Consort Xian had used went without saying!

Xiao Yanchen went completely mad, directly pushing his own body's problems onto Consort Xian.

Consort Xian's complexion became increasingly ugly, mainly because Xiao Yanchen's hands were too strong.

"Your, Your Majesty, Your, Majesty, lo, loosen hands..."

He uttered a few words with difficulty, as if it would take his own life.

Consort Xian gradually lost her strength to struggle, until Xiao Yanchen flicked his arm, as if throwing away something dirty, tossing Consort Xian out like a broken doll.

Thud—

When a human body touches the ground, the greatest sensation is pain.

Consort Xian was dazed; she didn't know what madness the Emperor had just gone into, only knew she was about to die, and every part of her body hurt; after all, why was this?

Why?

Xiao Yanchen also wanted to ask Consort Xian why. Wasn't he good enough to her? What dissatisfaction did she have, that she actually wanted to put him to death?

Xiao Yanchen was indignant, ignoring Consort Xian lying on the ground shrunk into a ball, and strode toward the doorway.

But before his hands could touch the room door, his vision spun, and he lost consciousness.

Boom—

A louder crashing sound rang out; Zhao Cai standing in the doorway stiffened, not knowing whether he should go in or pretend to know nothing.

Tsk tsk, this is troublesome.

After pondering left and right for a while, Zhao Cai, thinking he had to go take a look anyway, sneaked to the side of the room door and listened with his ear pressed close.

Huh? Not a sound at all? Something's wrong.

Zhao Cai knew Xiao Yanchen was angry; before Consort Xian came over, the whole palace had been trembling.

But after Consort Xian came over, not very intense quarreling voices came from the room, and finally two thudding impact sounds made Zhao Cai feel alarmed.

But after all, Zhao Cai knew that no movement in the room for a long time was a problem.

He scratched his head, and simply used the excuse of delivering tea to go in and test things out.

As soon as he entered, he saw the Emperor unconscious and life unknown, and Consort Xian lying not far away without any movement or reaction.

Zhao Cai:?!?!

"Mother Empress, Father Emperor had an accident outside the palace and has been unconscious until now; I cannot not go."

Xiao Jin stood in the great hall of Fengyi Palace, discussing with Shen Yao who had just received the news.

"You cannot go; the morning court still needs you. I will go personally. Rest assured, nothing will happen."

Shen Yao could not let Xiao Jin go, and Xiao Jin still bore the reputation of being a regent.

Furthermore, Xiao Jin is a son; what use would it be for him to go? There is Consort Xian over there; she going is most suitable.

Xiao Jin hesitated. "Mother Empress, between you and Father Emperor" — old grudges have long existed; after going, can you get along well?

Shen Yao reached out and lightly tapped Xiao Jin. "Don't forget Father Emperor's current situation."

She would like to quarrel with Xiao Yanchen, but she has to see if Xiao Yanchen has the energy for it.

A person in a coma, directly following in the Former Emperor's footsteps; Xiao Jin's move this time is purely worrying to the point of confusion, thinking too much himself.

Xiao Jin:...

Being awakened by his own mother, Xiao Jin reached out and awkwardly rubbed his nose tip.

"Go back. Leave the outside matters to me; arrange the morning court well, and do not delay the spring plowing."

However Xiao Yanchen's side is handled is fine, but Xiao Jin's side here needs more care.

Xiao Jin nodded after listening. "Mother Empress, rest assured; I understand."

"All right. The court is busy; take care yourself."

Smiling, she reached out and patted Xiao Jin's shoulder. Shen Yao had Qiu Yue send the person off, then she turned around and hummed an unknown cheerful tune.

Although doing this is somewhat despicable, after all, Xiao Yanchen and she had once been loving.

It's a pity that time urges people to age, and changes happen too fast; the feelings between the two of them have long been worn flat by the years.

It's unclear when it happened; just looking back suddenly, there is no longer the previous mood.

"Pack up; we'll leave the palace as soon as possible and bring the Emperor back."

Even if he becomes a vegetable, he must be in the palace; outside the palace is another matter entirely.