Part 2
Even the smell was bitter.
Physician Lin said, “If Niangniang had taken the medicine yesterday, this subject wouldn’t have needed to write this prescription today, and it wouldn’t be bitter.”
Zhao Yiyi was annoyed. Seeing Yunzhu bringing a spoon to feed her—dreading drinking bitter medicine sip by sip endlessly—she pushed her away slightly and downed the bowl in one go.
The mouth and nose filled with bitter medicinal taste. Choking unexpectedly while swallowing, Zhao Yiyi managed to swallow the rest before coughing, holding her chest.
Coughing exhaustedly, her body trembling.
After writing the prescription, Physician Lin bowed. “Niangniang, this subject needs to go to Wan Chun Palace.”
Though calling her Grand Princess, he knew… she wouldn’t be for long.
But the Empress Dowager still treasured her. The entire Wan Chun Palace was sealed, and Grand Princess Linchuan was guarded in a side hall by layers of servants—not even a mosquito could enter. But the Empress Dowager forbade negligence.
It was the Empress Dowager’s will. Even if asked to treat a bug, he had to go.
Linchuan fell into the water yesterday; Zhao Yiyi knew who he was going to see. She didn’t stop him, nodding gently. “Mm, go.”
“How is Duanduan?” Still resentful, she couldn’t help asking.
Yunzhu replied, “Second Miss made a fuss just now refusing to change dressing, saying it burned and wanted to scratch. Slaves stopped her.”
Zhao Yiyi sighed, “She’s always delicate, can’t stand suffering. Never mind, send more people to watch her in shifts. Make sure she’s safe.”
Yunzhu bowed, then hesitated. “Niangniang, the Empress Dowager has spoiled the Grand Princess for so many years. Even if not biological, she must cherish her. This slave watched yesterday; the situation is tricky.”
Rubbing a string of red jade beads on her wrist, Zhao Yiyi leaned back, closing her eyes. “She has to recognize it whether she wants to or not. Not knowing before was one thing; now that it’s known, the identity of Grand Princess must be secured for Duanduan.”
Feeling unwell, she spoke a few words then lost energy, curling up and falling asleep again.
The Imperial Medical Bureau worked with heads on their belts, toiling nervously for days.
It wasn’t until three days later that the Emperor truly woke up.
He woke intermittently during the period but fainted without strength to speak.
The Emperor opening his eyes abruptly startled everyone in Zichen Palace. Wu Mao wept with joy. The crowd gathered, then stepped back fearing to disturb him.
“Where is the Empress?”
In the silence, he dragged his hoarse voice, asking abruptly, then propped himself up as if to sit.
No one expected the Emperor’s first words to be asking about the Empress.
After silence, someone said, “Replying to Your Majesty, Her Highness is fine, resting in Yande Palace.”
“Was she injured? Why is she in Yande Palace?”
His throat burned by the fire, every word felt like a knife cutting his throat.
Wu Mao said, “No, no, Your Majesty rest assured, Her Highness is fine. When the fire started, Her Highness happened to be out…”
Just like that, the Emperor’s desperate act seemed superfluous.
“Jiao Fang Palace was totally destroyed, affecting surrounding halls. Her Highness was forced to stay temporarily in the secluded Yande Palace.”
But Gu Zhen smiled, a laugh like winter wind. Before he could laugh a few times, he coughed violently.
Looking at the canopy, he said lightly, “Good that she’s fine. Send more people to clean up Yande Palace. Long uninhabited, it must be dusty.” She was delicate; she probably couldn’t get used to it.
For a moment, he felt self-reproach.
Because he neglected her, letting her live in such a room.
Everyone was shocked, lowering heads silently.
The physicians diagnosed and relaxed slightly. His Majesty had great fortune. Surviving this, the rest just needed recuperation. As long as no complications arose.
Wu Mao brought digestible food. He heard him ask, “Found the arsonist?”
Wu Mao replied, “Slave ordered Wu Nan to investigate. A little maid accidentally knocked over a candlestick, igniting the curtains.”
Gu Zhen sneered. “Accidentally knocked over? What candlestick burns so fast?” Throat stinging, he panted after every few words. Finishing a sentence, he coughed first.
Wu Mao bowed silently, waiting for scolding.
Focusing on His Majesty’s injury these days, no spare hands investigated the fire. Just a rough check, planning to report after His Majesty woke.
Who knew His Majesty would ask immediately.
Gu Zhen glanced at him coldly, phoenix eyes holding anger, finally masking it, calming down.
” Zhen revealed Linchuan’s identity that day, and fire broke out that night. No connection? Zhen doesn’t believe it.” He clenched his fist, voice deep. “Send more people to investigate thoroughly. Bring Dali Temple into the palace to assist.”
Speaking with difficulty, brow furrowed, he paused and added, “Bring Linchuan out from Mother’s place.”
Wu Mao agreed to everything, then withdrew.
Gu Zhen closed his eyes. Sleepy but kept awake by severe pain.
The prickling pain of burns made him frown subconsciously.
“Wu Mao.” He called again. “Summon the ministers this afternoon. Zhen has orders.”
Gu Zhen smiled coldly. “Lest they discuss Zhen’s death again.”
Palace fire was no small matter, especially involving the safety of Emperors and Empresses. The court watched closely. Led by the Attendant-in-Palace, the investigation was tight.
Only the next day, news came from Dajiao Temple. He Taifei confessed she set the fire, providing details matching the investigation.
Everyone reported up hurriedly.
Wu Mao said, “Your Majesty, she claims she hated the Empress, so she used old contacts to set the fire.”
He just said no one would give her grievance, and she suffered such a huge one instantly.
If Yiyi hadn’t been out…
Gu Zhen dared not think further.
Thinking of it caused chest pain. Burned areas felt soaked in salt water.
Gu Zhen looked at him through the curtain, laughing ambiguously. “Do you believe it?”
To make others believe, one must believe first.
If even oneself doesn’t believe, how to convince others?
Wu Mao shook his head. “Slave doesn’t quite believe either. But having interrogated her several times, the result is the same. Had to report.”
He knew clearly. Why would hating the Empress require this? Even if the Empress was hurt, He Taifei couldn’t escape. His Majesty wouldn’t spare her.
“She confessed voluntarily just because she knew she couldn’t hide.” Gu Zhen’s voice was flat, palm clenching, eyes revealing ruthlessness. “How to interrogate—need Zhen to teach you?”
Palace interrogation methods were numerous.
Wu Mao, serving closely, knew them well.
His Majesty wasn’t good-tempered but gentler than the late Emperor, rarely using torture unless against heinous criminals.
This time, he was truly angry.
Wind whistled outside; frost covered tree tips.
Wu Mao stood by the couch, knowing why His Majesty was angry. Hesitating, he asked, “Your Majesty, Her Highness is better these days. Should we ask Her Highness to visit you?”
A physician entered with ointment to change dressing.
The ointment was cool, followed by itching and burning pain from countless wounds.
Gu Zhen looked down at his left arm, nearly ulcerated. In the fire, a screen collapsed on it.
The screen, made of nanmu wood, burned his arm while engulfed in flames.
Staring until his eyes were dry, his gaze dimmed.
“She’ll be scared seeing it.” Gu Zhen smiled bitterly, looking at the canopy, coughing violently.
She was so timid, scared of silkworms. Seeing such wounds, she would be frightened.
Would she cry from fear?
Gu Zhen couldn’t say.
After a long time, he said, “The Empress is weak and suffered shocks. Let her rest for a few days, lest she relapse.”
The Emperor missed court for days. Rumors flew inside and outside the palace.
Many guessed the Emperor was dying.
The Emperor had no heir, making officials anxious.
Just as everyone speculated, the Emperor woke and summoned ministers. Though still not holding court, he summoned officials more frequently.
Surviving earthquakes and fire in one year.
The Emperor’s hard fate reassured the officials.
When Zhao Yiyi came to Zichen Palace, the Emperor was meeting the Political Hall officials. She waited in the side hall.
A quarter later, the officials left. Zhao Yiyi put down her tea cup and entered with the attendant.
Zichen Palace was unlit, dim.
Zhao Yiyi followed the attendant to the inner hall, around a five-bat screen, arriving before the Emperor’s tent.
She never imagined Gu Zhen would see her here.
“Yiyi.”
A hoarse, low voice came from inside the tent, like a leaking window in winter, raspy and short.
Zhao Yiyi replied, “Nothing today. Duanduan is better. Heard Wu Mao mention it, so stopped by to see Your Majesty.”
Hearing slight movement inside, sounding like struggling, Zhao Yiyi thought he wanted to get up. Seeing no servants around, she stepped forward.
Hand touching the curtain, before exerting force, she was stopped by his hand pressing through the black gauze.
Even through a layer, she felt roughness.
Unlike usual roughness—like sand and stone.
“Don’t look.” He trembled, pressing with all his might, speaking with difficulty. “Don’t open it, Yiyi. Zhen… looks very bad now.”
His throat stung, voice sounding faint.
Raspy like a frayed zither string sliding on the board.
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