Chapter 183: The Dragonfly

Chapter 183: The Dragonfly

In Fuyang Palace.

After removing his fingers from the wrist of the Sixth Prince, Doctor Yan turned to Gao Zhao, waiting nearby, and reported, "Your Grace, the Sixth Prince is now out of danger."

Although the weather was gradually warming up, due to the Sixth Prince's young age and recent chill, a charcoal brazier was still placed in the chamber, causing those inside to perspire slightly.

Lady Gao Zhao fanned herself with a hand fan and smiled, "Thank you, Doctor Yan, for your care these past few days."

"It is my duty," Doctor Yan replied with a slight bow, preparing to pack his medical kit and take his leave.

Lady Gao Zhao instructed her chief maid, "Si Yue, please escort Doctor Yan out."

"Yes," responded the maid, dressed in aquamarine, her delicate features glinting subtly as she curtsied and led Doctor Yan out of the hall.

Lady Gao Zhao's gaze lingered on Doctor Yan's upright figure, then she softly asked, "San Yue, you mentioned last time that Doctor Yan is unmarried?"

The maid standing behind her replied, "Mistress, I inquired about it. Doctor Yan entered the palace in the fifth year of Jianzhao and has just passed the age of thirty, indeed unmarried. I heard from a junior eunuch in the Medical Bureau that he was once betrothed, but his fiancée died of illness before their marriage. Doctor Yan was deeply in love with her and has since led a solitary life, not remarrying."

"He's a man of deep affection," Lady Gao Zhao remarked, "Given Doctor Yan's looks and talents, there must be many women who adore him. Yet, he has remained single, which speaks to his noble character."

San Yue, bowing her head, agreed, "Indeed, since your arrival in the palace, every time Doctor Yan was summoned, he has been thoroughly dedicated and meticulous, never showing the slightest negligence. His medical skills are also quite exceptional."

"If he could be fully devoted to serving me... I could advance much further in this palace," Lady Gao Zhao mused to herself.

Seeing this, San Yue spoke softly, "Mistress, I have something to report."

Lady Gao Zhao turned to her, noting the seriousness on her face. She instructed the other maids to take care of the Sixth Prince and returned to her main room with San Yue, then asked, "What is it?"

"Mistress," San Yue knelt down and revealed what she had been holding back, "I've observed that Si Yue... seems to have feelings for Doctor Yan."

"Si Yue?" Lady Gao Zhao raised an eyebrow, suddenly smiling, "Has she done anything?"

San Yue quickly shook her head, "Mistress, Si Yue has always been diligent. Even if she harbors affection for Doctor Yan, she hasn't acted on it. Please rest assured."

Lady Gao Zhao replied, "No... When Si Yue returns, have her come to me first instead of attending to Wei'er. I have something to discuss with her."

"Yes," San Yue agreed, then added, "Mistress, there's another matter. I've heard that Lin Yipan has been frequently visiting the Crown Prince lately, but the junior eunuchs at the Medical Bureau are reluctant to say more."

"The Crown Prince?" Lady Gao Zhao recalled the news her mother mentioned during her last palace visit, saying that the Emperor had found the Tianshan Snow Lotus and it would be harvested and brought back to the capital in a few months.

Logically, if it were for the Crown Prince's treatment, it would still be months away... Could it be that the snow lotus was already delivered?

Lady Gao Zhao suddenly asked, "San Yue, who told you this news?"

San Yue hesitated for a moment before responding respectfully, "Mistress, I overheard it from a junior eunuch while at the Medical Bureau to invite Doctor Yan. I tried to ask more, but they were reluctant to say anything further."

Lady Gao Zhao tossed her silk fan onto the table, reclining on the couch, and murmured to herself, "So the scheme has reached my Fuyang Palace."

She took a sip of the tea brought by San Yue and smiled, "Let it be."

Unable to contain her curiosity, San Yue asked, "Mistress, is the Crown Prince’s health really improving?"

As the chief maid to Lady Gao Zhao, she was also privy to the news that the Emperor had found the Tianshan Snow Lotus.

"Perhaps," Lady Gao Zhao's smile faded as she set her teacup on the side table, "True or false, I must not act rashly. Wei’er is still so young."

She thoughtfully went over the Emperor's sons in her mind.

Setting aside the Crown Prince for now, the Second Prince was openly intelligent, the Third Prince seemed uninterested in the throne, the Fourth Prince was conventional, and the Fifth Prince had foreign blood...

If the Crown Prince’s health remains poor, among the younger princes, only the Fourth Prince was worth noting. But like her Wei'er, he was still young, not a concern for now.

But if the Crown Prince's health significantly improves...

In her heart, Lady Gao Zhao contemplated: "I've read the 'Records of Heroic Women' written by the Empress and Noble Consort Jing, and even delved into the histories of past dynasties, as urged by my parents. How many eldest legitimate sons have succeeded the throne throughout history? Even if the Crown Prince is designated as the heir, by the time he comes of age, the Emperor will still be far from his twilight years. I refuse to believe there won’t be mutual wariness between them. Instead, my Wei'er, being of the right age... If he dutifully serves by his elder brother’s side, he will naturally find his opportunity to shine."

"However, before that, I must first ensure Wei'er secures the Emperor's favor..."

With this thought in mind, Lady Gao Zhao softly inquired, "Whose tablet did His Majesty choose to visit today?"

Upon hearing this, San Yue bowed her head silently and replied, "Mistress, His Majesty did not choose any tablet today. He went to visit the Empress at Fengyi Palace."

"The Empress..." Lady Gao Zhao murmured with her eyes closed, "I understand."

The Empress, whom Lady Gao Zhao had just mentioned, was sitting by the window in a warm alcove, her eyes covered by the Emperor.

The twilight deepened, the spring breeze waned, and the eaves bells were silent. Nameless birds perched in pairs on the eaves, nipping and grooming each other's ashen feathers with their sharp beaks. Behind the glazed tiles, the Emperor and Empress whispered softly.

"Your Majesty, is it ready yet?"

"Just a moment longer."

“……”

"Your Majesty, what are you planning to show me?"

"Don't be impatient, Hui'er. You'll find out soon."

As this clear voice faded, rustling sounds of garments echoed from within. Xiao Sheng sat beside Jiang Hui, reaching to untie the black silk cloth covering her eyes.

"Hui'er, look, what is this?"

Jiang Hui's long, curled eyelashes fluttered as she opened her eyes. She first saw the lush pomegranate tree outside the open window. After a moment, seeing nothing unusual, she slightly turned her head and saw Xiao Sheng's smiling eyes. "The pomegranate tree?" she asked.

Xiao Sheng chuckled and pointed towards a small table next to the soft couch where they were sitting, "Look here."

On the small table carved with magnolia flowers, there wasn't any precious treasure as Jiang Hui had guessed, but a smoothly polished bamboo dragonfly.

Xiao Sheng placed the bamboo dragonfly in Jiang Hui's hand, smiling, "The Astronomical Bureau says this summer will be hotter than last year. I plan to stay at Qingning Mountain Villa for a while, and I want you to accompany me."