C228 (1/2)

Although the news of the Emperor Ruikang being ill once again did not spread out openly, it still spread as the court officials followed them home.

It was just that the Emperor Ruikang had already decided on New Year's Eve, that they would be meditating on the Fifth Prince's Ye Jingxing. Furthermore, he wasn't young anymore, and his health hadn't been well since the new year.

Furthermore, Ye Jingxing was currently living in the palace, so even though everyone knew that Emperor Ruikang was sick, they did not panic.

After all, they had already chosen the next emperor. Even if the Emperor Ruikang were to pass away now, they would immediately welcome a new emperor.

This was what most people thought.

But apart from most of them, there were also those who were unwilling or planning to take advantage of this opportunity to do something.

On New Year's Eve, after Ye Jingche's birth mother failed, he was ordered by the Emperor Ruikang to be locked in the cold palace.

But even though the Emperor Ruikang had locked her in the cold palace, she had forgotten that the Madame Liu had been in charge of the palace for many years.

Although most of the people in Madame Liu's possession had been cleared out by Empress Hu and the Emperor Ruikang, there were still some scattered people that neither the Empress Hu nor the Emperor Ruikang had noticed.

Today, when the news of Emperor Ruikang's illness reached his, he sat motionlessly in front of the Buddha statue, not moving at all.

The palace maid who came to deliver the message waited for a long time before the Madame Liu who was sitting in front of the Buddha statue spoke: ”My son shouldn't be here anymore, right?”

Although it was an inquiring tone, the palace maids could hear the affirmation from Madame Liu's words.

The palace maid was somewhat worried. She had originally planned to hide it from the Empress for several days, but who knew that she would actually guess.

”Empress, this servant did not intentionally hide it from you.” The palace maid knelt on the ground, her eyes red from worry.

Hearing the palace maid's voice, Madame Liu turned to look at her, then sighed: ”I know that you're doing this for my own good, but I understand my son's personality.” After saying that, the Madame Liu thought for a moment, then looked at the palace maid and continued: ”I still have one last wish, are you willing to help me?”

”Yes! This servant is willing! ”

The palace maid had lost her own mother since childhood, and the empress had sent her to the palace. She had almost passed away due to illness, and all these years, it had been the Madame Liu who had been protecting her in secret.

At that time, she was just a small palace maid who did crude work. All these years, it was because of Madame Liu's promotion that she had her current status.

Although the palace maids knew that the Madame Liu was protecting her and possibly trying to bribe her, she also knew that if it wasn't for the help from Madame Liu in the past, she would have died a long time ago.

Furthermore, when her brother was getting married, it was the Madame Liu who secretly gave her money so that she could send it out of the palace to her brother. Now that her sister-in-law had given birth to a nephew, her brother also took his wife and children and left Beijing at the end of last year.

She only wanted to return the favor from Madame Liu and be a clean person in her next life.

Madame Liu should have also guessed what the palace maid was thinking, but she didn't care, as long as she was willing to work for him.

”This palace knows that you have connections, and I have a packet of medicine right here. Think of a way to add it to His Majesty's daily spring water.”

When Madame Liu said this, the palace maid who was kneeling on the ground trembled.

Madame Liu saw that she was afraid and could not help but open her mouth again, ”Ordinary people who have eaten this pill would only feel upset in their stomachs at most. The imperial physician would not be able to find anything about it.”

She had the medicine ready by the end of last year when she knew what her son was going to do.

This medicine was the family heirloom of the woman in the imperial household. When she was about to enter the palace, her mother had given her the prescription.

It was just that after so many years, she had never used it in the palace. She thought that she would never be able to use it, but who would have thought that she would still need to use it now?

She knew that Emperor Ruikang's body was in a bad condition, if she took the pill even once, Emperor Ruikang's body would definitely not be able to take it.

When the palace maid heard Madame Liu's words, she already understood what she meant. At the same time, the palace maid also understood that from the start, she had accepted the medicine sent by Madame Liu, and after saving her, she had no other way out.

The palace maid took the medicine bag and left. She also promised to not come here again within three days.

Watching the palace maid leave, Madame Liu suddenly raised her head and smiled towards the Buddha statue.

”Che'er, don't worry. Just wait a few more days. Mother will accompany you.”

Madame Liu's voice was very soft. Other than her, no one else heard anything.

— —

Because Emperor Ruikang had fallen ill, Xu Shiqiu had been exhausted in the past few days.

Just as he was about to speak with Dong Shu about Ye Jingxing becoming the emperor in a while, who knew that the bell within the palace that had not rang for many years would suddenly chime.

”This is …” Dong Shu had been instructed by Mama Yan and herself, so when she heard the bell, he immediately sensed that something was amiss.

Before she could even finish speaking, Xu Shiqiu suddenly turned and ran out from his armor.

But just as he ran a few steps, Xu Shiqiu suddenly stopped, turned and walked towards Dong Shu, holding her in his arms, and said: ”My wife, I'm afraid I won't have time to return home.” After saying that, Xu Shiqiu paused for a moment before continuing, ”I'll leave the family to you!”

Finished speaking, Xu Shiqiu turned around again. This time, he did not take a few steps forward, but immediately turned and ran outside.