Chapter 144 Entering the Palace for a Diagnosis

Chapter 144: Going to the Palace for a House Call

Luo Junhe knew that she was considering his well-being—he had mistakenly trusted Nanny Xu for eighteen years, and his true savior in the palace had gone unnoticed all this time.

Guilt-ridden, Luo Junhe said, "A Tang, I trusted the wrong person all these years, and I have failed my true savior."

"When you see Nanny Shen, please thank her on my behalf. Once I recover, I will personally visit and thank her properly."

Ji Yuntang smiled and pulled the blanket up around him. "Don't worry, A He. Leave this to me. Just rest well at home."

"Now the entire West Courtyard is under our control. If you need anything, just call for them—don't try to do everything yourself."

Ji Yuntang had already prepared thank-you gifts, even if Luo Junhe hadn't asked.

Nanny Shen had shown him kindness, and last time she personally testified on her behalf at the Dali Temple. For both practical and emotional reasons, Ji Yuntang owed her a proper thank you.

"Alright, go ahead and go to the palace without worrying, A Tang. I'm feeling much better now—don't worry about me."

Luo Junhe's eyes softened. How lucky he was to have married such a wonderful princess.

She considered everything for him so thoroughly, leaving him with almost nothing to worry about.

He recalled the days when he was the pillar for hundreds of thousands of soldiers, always taking the lead and shielding them from hardships.

But now, for the first time, Luo Junhe experienced what it felt like to have someone support him like that.

His heart swelled with happiness.

Ji Yuntang walked to the door and gave instructions to Xuan Bing and Leng Yan.

"I am going to the palace. Guard this courtyard well and let no one set foot inside."

The two, standing tall in black robes, replied, "Yes, Your Highness, we will."

Ji Yuntang told them to use the courtyard's fitness equipment to exercise when free, or spar lightly with Chen Hu, stopping before any actual contact.

After giving her orders, she left the manor with Tao Zhi.

At the Dongchen imperial palace, Ji Yuntang presented the token given by Luo Qingge. The gate guards didn't dare stop her and respectfully let her pass.

She and Tao Zhi went straight to the Fengyi Palace.

The Empress was teaching Luo Xianan to write. The little one was hunched over the desk, clumsily holding a brush, laboriously writing the character "An." Despite the Empress guiding his hand, the three‑year‑old's characters were still crooked, like caterpillars crawling.

After a few strokes, Luo Xianan dipped his brush in ink and began scribbling aimlessly over the book before him, covering his small face and hands with black ink.

Yet the little guy gleefully asked, "Mother, do you think An'er's drawing is pretty?"

The Empress clenched and unclenched her fists repeatedly.

She told herself over and over, "He's my own flesh and blood—I can't hit him."

"Be gentle, be gentle. Luo Qingge turned out okay this way, so this little rascal can be taught too…"

When the eunuch led Ji Yuntang in, this was the scene she saw.

Ji Yuntang watched mother and son interact, her lips curving slightly. She bowed respectfully. "Long live the Empress!"

The Empress's eyes lit up at the sound of Ji Yuntang's voice. A brilliant smile spread across her lips, instantly pushing aside her earlier frustration.

"Tang'er is here! Come here quickly."

The Empress had previously instructed the servants that when Ji Yuntang came to Fengyi Palace, no announcement was needed—just bring her straight in.

That's why she was so delighted to see her now.

Luo Xianan's dark eyes sparkled. He blinked, jumped off his chair, and ran toward Ji Yuntang on his short legs.

"Fairy Sister‑in‑law! I missed you so much. Did you come to see me?"

Before the little dumpling could throw himself into Ji Yuntang's arms, the Empress scooped him up.

"An'er, look how dirty you are. What if you get Fairy Sister-in-law's clothes dirty?"

"Be good, listen to Mother. First, let Nanny Shen take you to wash up and change into clean clothes, then come back."

The little dumpling looked up at Ji Yuntang pleadingly.

Ji Yuntang, seeing his cat-like face, couldn't help but laugh. "Her Majesty is right. I'll wait here, Seventeenth Prince. Come back after you're clean, okay?"

"I also brought some really tasty cookies and candy!"

With that, Ji Yuntang had Tao Zhi bring out the cookies and candy.

The cookies were packed in a paper box, Ji Yuntang's homemade ones.

The candies were wrapped in colorful paper, with various fruit flavors—very different from what was usually seen in the palace.

Luo Xianan was immediately captivated, his eyes sparkling. "Wow! These candies are so pretty!"

"Go wash up quickly, Seventeenth Prince. Your sister-in-law will keep all the candy for you."

Ji Yuntang unwrapped a strawberry‑flavored candy and popped it into his mouth. The little dumpling immediately closed his eyes in bliss.

"So sweet, so delicious."

Only then did Nanny Shen manage to hold the little dumpling. "Your Highnesses, I'll take the Seventeenth Prince to wash up."

After Luo Xianan left, Ji Yuntang talked about his condition with the Empress.

"Your Majesty, how has the Seventeenth Prince been lately? Has he had any more seizures?"

It had been over ten days since her last acupuncture treatment; she wanted to know how the little one was getting along.

"Three days ago, An'er had a seizure. He fell to the ground and started convulsing. After I gave him the medicine you prescribed, he quickly got back to his lively self."

The Empress smiled bitterly. Seeing her son suffer from epilepsy stabbed her heart.

Fortunately, the pills Ji Yuntang gave Luo Xianan were very effective; once given, they quickly brought the condition under control.

Nevertheless, the Empress remained worried.

What if one day Luo Xianan had a seizure with no one around?

The epilepsy was a ticking time bomb. Without a complete cure, her heart would always be uneasy.

The Empress took Ji Yuntang's hand in hers and asked softly, "Tang'er, tell me honestly, can An'er really be cured?"

"Even if it cannot be completely cured, that's fine. I will not blame you."

It wasn't that the Empress was overthinking. Rather, not long ago, after she told Emperor Jingyang about this matter, he not only refused to believe her but also thought she was becoming more and more unfit to be Empress.

The imperial physicians in the palace all said there was no cure, yet she fully believed Ji Yuntang's just a few words.

If that's not being easily fooled, then what is?

But the Empress felt that since Ji Yuntang had made a promise, she would definitely be able to cure Luo Xianan.

Because of that, she didn't hesitate to get into a big fight with Emperor Jingyang.

After Emperor Jingyang left in a rage, he had not come to her Fengyi Palace for ten days.

It is said that he spends every night at Consort Chu's palace.

The Empress only smiled faintly at this.

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