Over in Shou'an Palace, even though the Queen Mother had already made the worst-case scenario plan, there was still a glimmer of hope in her heart. Although she herself felt that this hope was very slim, Prince Liang was her most beloved grandson, and the thought of him dying made her heart ache like a knife.
Just as he was feeling uncomfortable, he saw Eunuch Sun running in, shouting, "Queen Dowager, Queen Dowager, Prince Liang is much better, Prince Liang is much better."
The Queen Mother stood up suddenly, her face suddenly filled with joy, "Really?"
"Really?" Eunuch Sun knelt down. "I saw it with my own eyes. His complexion is much better, and his breathing is very smooth, just like he is asleep."
The Empress Dowager said quickly, "Quick, prepare the sedan chair. I want to go over and take a look."
Then, she said to the noble concubine, "You should go with us. It seems that Xia Zian is really capable."
The noble concubine's face was pale. She was not happy with any outcome of this matter, because if Xia Zian cured Prince Liang, it would mean marrying Murong Jie.
However, if Xia Zian fails to cure King Liang, Murong Jie will be implicated.
Therefore, Concubine Gui is now in a very conflicted mood. The daughter-in-law she hopes for, besides being from a prominent family, must also be virtuous and able to give Murong Jie the support of her family.
However, Xia Zian lacked all of these qualities. First, she had been married to the King of Liang, and her reputation was already bad. Second, she was not favored in the Prime Minister's residence and was an object that the Prime Minister could sacrifice at will, so even if she married A Jie, she would not get the Prime Minister's sincere support. Finally, a woman only needs to learn good women's virtues, and a woman who knows medical skills is destined to be restless.
She couldn't accept such a daughter-in-law.
Therefore, Xia Zian must die, she made up her mind.
The sedan chair was carried to the Changsheng Palace, but before entering the door, the Empress Dowager said, "Put it down, I will go in by myself."
Eunuch Sun helped her down, and before she could even stand firmly, she had already walked inside.
"Mother, why did you come here in person?" The Queen hurried forward to greet her.
The Empress Dowager looked at him eagerly. Prince Liang woke up after Eunuch Sun left. Zi'an had just finished wiping his face and shaved his stubble clean. He looked very neat and tidy, with all the sickness on his face washed away.
When the Queen Mother saw it, she was so happy that tears came to her eyes. "That's great, that's great."
She patted Eunuch Sun's hand and said, "Hurry, help me over there."
Eunuch Sun smiled and said, "Slow down, be careful with the stone steps."
Zi'an knelt down and said, "Your servant Xia Zi'an pays respect to the Empress Dowager."
"Get up, you are a hero, get up quickly." The Queen Mother was so happy that she even forgot how she treated Zi'an last night.
Zi'an thanked him and stood up to wait on him.
The Queen Mother sat on the couch, staring at Prince Liang. Prince Liang wanted to raise his head, but Zi'an stopped him, saying, "Don't move rashly."
King Liang rolled his eyes, "It doesn't matter, you're just being long-winded."
The Queen Mother scolded: "Don't talk nonsense, listen to the doctor."
Everyone looked at the Queen Mother in surprise, almost thinking they had heard it wrong.
Prince Liang chuckled, "Grandmother, don't think that your grandson didn't hear what you said last night."
In other words, King Liang heard all the harsh words she said to Zi'an last night.
Seeing his spirit, the Empress Dowager was delighted and said with a smile, "Ignorance is not a crime, Grandmother. I didn't know Zi'an's medical skills were so superb. If I knew, I would definitely not say this. Okay, Grandmother, go and apologize to Zi'an."
Go ahead, and Zhenzhen said to Zi'an: "Zi'an, I apologize to you. Don't take my doubts about you last night to heart. Please forgive me, okay?"
Zi'an was dumbfounded. The difference between the past and the present was so huge that he really couldn't accept it.
She had just characterized the Empress Dowager as a self-willed, controlling, and face-conscious person, but suddenly she turned into an old lady who could admit her mistakes and was a bit funny.
"What? You won't forgive me?" The Empress Dowager asked in a raised voice when she saw Zi'an acting stupidly.
Zi'an quickly pretended to be terrified and said, "I dare not. I am not angry with the Empress Dowager."
She wanted to give birth, but how could she dare? Being angry also depends on one's status.
She subconsciously looked at Murong Jie, only to see that he was also looking at her mischievously, as if he had known that this would happen.
When Zi'an withdrew his gaze, he happened to meet the eyes of the noble concubine. She was stunned. The viciousness of that look was no less than that of Madam Linglong.
Moreover, her eyes were neither dodging nor evasive, as if she was warning her, or threatening her.
Zi'an sighed softly in his heart, "Noble Concubine, you don't want a daughter-in-law like me, but how could I want a mother-in-law like you? We are all helpless."
The improvement of Prince Liang completely changed the Empress Dowager's mind, and the Empress Dowager's change of mind also made the whole situation easier.
Zi'an had never expected that the situation would take such a sudden turn for the worse. She had thought that after Prince Liang's condition improved, the Queen Mother might not believe that it was her credit. However, after she arrived, she directly affirmed her without even asking.
Therefore, the subsequent treatment went relatively smoothly.
The imperial physician did not dare to say anything to Zi'an and cooperated extremely well. The judge privately pulled Zi'an away, apologized to her solemnly and asked her if she was really Wen Yi's successor.
Zi'an answered him ambiguously, and the judge actually believed that she was Wen Yi's successor and respected her very much.
While Zi'an was treating Prince Liang, Ni Rong came to Murong Jie and said, "Your Majesty, a palace guard on duty just told me that people from the Prime Minister's Residence have been asking why the eldest lady stayed in the palace."
Murong Jie had just returned from court. When he saw that Prime Minister Xia had asked for leave and would not attend the morning court today, he knew that this person was guilty.
A cold light flashed in his eyes, "Find someone to tell them that the Empress Dowager and the Empress are going to investigate the Xiangfu and Xia Zian's broken engagement. As for Xia Zian, he has been thrown into the torture chamber in the palace."
Ni Rong was stunned, "Why is this?"
"Watch the show!" Murong Jie's expression was so unfathomable that Ni Rong couldn't figure out what he was up to.
"But, I'm afraid the news will get out to Concubine Mei," said Ni Rong.
Murong Jie said calmly, "Since Xia Zian entered the palace and arrived at the Changsheng Palace, it has been sealed off and no one else is allowed to come in. As for the people serving in the palace, they have also been strictly ordered not to let anyone know that Xia Zian is treating Prince Liang, and Concubine Mei will not get the news either."
"However, Imperial Physician Liu has a good relationship with Concubine Mei in the palace. I am afraid that Concubine Mei will get the news from Imperial Physician Liu."
"Then let Imperial Physician Liu also think that Xia Zian was locked up in the torture chamber." Murong Jie said indifferently.
Although Ni Rong didn't know what he was going to do, it sounded interesting, so he said, "Okay, I'll do it right away."
Murong Jie raised his lips, revealing a mischievous smile.
Zi'an just happened to turn around and was startled when he saw his smile. He had to admit in his heart that he was not always stern and cold, but rather approachable.
She was lost in thought, but Murong Jie was also looking at her and was waving his hand to call her over.
Zi'an retracted his gaze and walked over awkwardly, "Your Majesty."
(End of this chapter)