Chapter 572: Chapter 573, Empress Dowager
Yun Jinnian took her measurements, and her meal had already been brought in. After eating a few bites, she heard the voice of a palace maid at the door, "Greetings to the Empress!"
Yun Jinnian hurriedly put down her bowl and stood up, as the Empress had already entered the small hall.
Though it was called a small hall, it should actually be considered a palace.
"Greetings to the Empress!"
"Are you eating? Continue with your meal. Once you are done, we shall go over!"
Yun Jinnian offered a faint smile, "I am finished as well, Empress, let us go!"
"Then let’s go!"
Someone carried the medicine chest, with Hemei and Henuan following along. Shi Jiayu and Ru Yue were still shocked and had not yet regained their composure, so they were left behind.
Upon leaving Weiyang Palace, the Empress took Yun Jinnian’s hand and they both boarded the sedan chair.
She chatted with Yun Jinnian, back and forth, all about amusing incidents on the road to Nanjiang.
At first, Yun Jinnian did not pay much attention, but later she noticed that whenever the Empress mentioned Prince Yanjun, she would press her lips together and look at her.
She felt surprised but also somewhat understood.
So she added a few more words, "Although the detoxification process was painful, the Commandery Prince endured it all, and was very cooperative during the recuperation period, even though the medicine was extremely bitter!"
The Empress laughed, "You must have deliberately prescribed some bitter medicine!"
"Good medicine is bitter to the taste, Empress!"
"Hmm, that makes sense!"
In her previous life, when Yun Jinnian married into the Fifth Prince’s residence, during her first palace visit to pay respects, many people made things difficult for her, both openly and secretly.
Only the Empress spoke up fairly and sent her back.
There were no harsh criticisms, nor were there any signs of liking or disgust.
Her demeanor was as calm as water, yet it was enough for Yun Jinnian to feel deeply grateful.
They arrived at the Yangxin Hall.
Eunuch Hai greeted them, "This servant pays respect to the Empress and the Fourth Miss!"
"Let’s go inside!"
The Empress nodded slightly and took Yun Jinnian by the hand.
Upon entering Yangxin Hall, there was a thick scent of medicine that even burning incense couldn’t suppress.
Eunuch Hai bowed his head.
He led the Empress and Yun Jinnian to the sleeping chamber.
The Empress Dowager was sitting on one side, and upon seeing Yun Jinnian, only raised her eyebrows slightly.
She didn’t quite believe Yun Jinnian would succeed.
"Your servant pays respect to Your Majesty!" the Empress greeted.
Yun Jinnian also performed a small curtsey, "Your servant pays respect to the Empress Dowager. Wishing Empress Dowager peace and prosperity!"
"Alright, rise. Ensure you detoxify His Majesty properly. If you succeed in detoxifying His Majesty, I will reward you handsomely. However, if you fail..." the Empress Dowager spoke, her voice growing heavy, "I think the consequences would be more than you and the Yun Family can bear!"
Upon hearing this, Yun Jinnian’s eyes grew stern.
If she was so disdained, why did they bother to ask her here so insistently?
What was the point of maintaining such pretense?
She did not care what would happen to the Yun Family, but she couldn’t implicate her mother and the Han Family.
"Your servant understands!"
She glanced around the room. The windows of the hall were closed, probably to prevent His Majesty from catching a cold.
"Open the windows, extinguish the incense. Everyone who is not essential, wait outside. Also, prepare two large tubs, big enough for His Majesty to sit in, and fill them with hot water. Prepare four strong men skilled in martial arts to assist me, and fetch a basin of warm water for washing my hands," Yun Jinnian ordered systematically.
Eunuch Hai immediately went to the entrance of the hall to arrange everything.
Yun Jinnian then walked to the bedside. This time, the Empress Dowager stood up to make room.
Yun Jinnian gave the Empress Dowager a curtsey before sitting down.
"Bring over a table to set up the medicine chest!"
The poison in the Emperor was not difficult to cure, but unfortunately, he had broken his abstinence, and his body had likely become severely weakened overnight. Even after detoxification and a good period of recuperation, he would not have many years left to live.
And the matter of desire was like a parasitic worm in the bones. She could cure the poison, but not the devouring desire in the Emperor’s heart.