In the Forbidden City at night, the wind and snow were like complaining, and the lights of Yikun Palace swayed in the wind, giving off a strange atmosphere. Concubine Zheng sat alone in front of the dressing table, her delicate face reflected in the bronze mirror, her brows slightly raised.
She frowned, with a complicated light shining in her eyes. In her hand was a small jade bottle, which contained the exotic medicine from the Western Regions that she got from Li Wenjin.
She sighed softly, put the jade bottle away, and secretly calculated in her mind. Li Wenjin had said at the beginning that this strange medicine from the Western Regions had special effects and could cure all diseases in a short period of time and eliminate all pain, but... it did not cure the root cause.
However, it also has some other effects, such as sharpening one's five senses and doubling happiness, which will inevitably lead to addiction over time. The last time the emperor coughed up blood, she quietly began to add this medicine to the decoction for the emperor, and the effect was also extremely good.
As for the emperor, after returning to the palace this time, he almost always lived in Yikun Palace and refused to move. This was certainly because the emperor doted on her, but the strange medicine from the Western Regions must also have had some credit.
What reassured her the most was that Li Wenjin, as the emperor's uncle, had patted his chest to ensure that the medicine was non-toxic, and he even dared to take it in front of her as proof.
Concubine Zheng truly believed that Li Wenjin’s words were true. After all, the entire Li family’s wealth came from the emperor, and his special status as “no one dares to offend” stems from the fact that he entered Prince Yu’s palace to protect him.
Concubine Zheng believed that Li Wenjin might not be a good person, but at least he would not harm the emperor, especially not kill him... except for one situation.
Yes, who is willing to harm the emperor? The emperor is good enough to the people around him. It is a pity that the emperor cannot withstand the pressure of those outside and cannot make the final decision for my mother and son...
"My Lady, it's time to deliver medicine to the Emperor." An "old" palace maid in her thirties next to Concubine Zheng reminded her softly.
Concubine Zheng nodded, a trace of determination flashed in her eyes, she glanced at the medicine jar on the tray in the maid's hand, and sighed. She stood up, led the maid, walked through the corridor, and walked towards the main hall where the emperor was.
In the main hall of Yikun Palace, Zhu Yijun is sitting in front of the case, playing with a private seal in his hand. His complexion is still not good, sallow, but his face is calm, and his slightly swollen eyes reveal a sharp light. He seems to
Waiting for something, and seeming to be meditating on something.
"Your Majesty, the Imperial Concubine is here to deliver medicine to you." Liu Ping, the Superintendent of Ceremonies, announced softly at the side.
Zhu Yijun nodded slightly and signaled Concubine Zheng to come in. Concubine Zheng walked into the palace, holding a bowl of medicinal soup in her hand, with a light gait and a gentle smile on her face.
"Your Majesty, this is tonight's medicinal soup. It's no longer hot because of the heavy snowfall. Your Majesty, please drink it quickly." Concubine Zheng said softly and handed over the medicinal bowl.
Zhu Yijun took the medicine bowl, glanced at Concubine Zheng gently, nodded, and drank the medicinal soup slowly. A trace of unnoticeable struggle flashed in Concubine Zheng's eyes, but then she returned to her gentle demeanor.
"My beloved, thank you for your hard work." Zhu Yijun said softly, his tone as gentle as usual, but a trace of complicated emotions flashed in his eyes.
"I never find it hard to share the emperor's worries." Concubine Zheng picked up a fine cotton handkerchief, gently wiped the residual soup from the corner of the emperor's mouth, and said: "If you want to talk about hard work, it is Yuan Fu's hard work. Just now, the queen was in Jingguo Gong. The government carefully asked the doctor of traditional Chinese medicine, and also had three imperial doctors discuss it. Yuan Fu's illness was caused not only by overwork but by overwork... It is said that during this period, Yuan Fu could only sleep for three hours at most every day. Most days I can only sleep for more than two hours."
Zhu Yijun looked worried, nodded and said: "I have been sick since I was a child, so I know how to cherish it. Pragmatism is to avoid minor illnesses. It seems like a good thing, but it has also developed a problem that he does not care about himself. In the past, when he was young, Even if he feels a little uncomfortable, he will be fine with a little rest. Now that he is almost 40 years old, how can he not get sick as he did back then?"
After a pause, he sighed and said: "It's my fault, I let him worry about everything... Although the court is indeed in need of capable ministers like him, we really can't let him be so involved in everything in the future.
It's ridiculous to say that Zhao Zhigao is old and frail and has not been involved in government affairs for a long time. But I can't bear to show my sympathy to my old ministers. I can't easily agree to his appointment and can only keep him. Although Shen Yiguan is able to serve, he was killed in Nanjing not long ago. After a somersault, it was now clear that he was deliberately pretending to be dead, and even when he was writing and drawing up votes, he could only use the word "accurate".
In the end, there is only one Zhou Yong left, but he doesn't care about anything other than military affairs... Well, I will pass on the decree tomorrow. Please pragmatically draft one or two new assistant ministers and bring them to Jiu Qing for discussion."
Concubine Zheng smiled slightly and said: "Your Majesty is telling these things to me, but I can't say anything, so what's the point? After all, the world belongs to the Emperor, and all officials are the Emperor's officials. How to appoint them? Isn’t it true that the emperor can do whatever he wants?”
"You can do whatever you want?" Zhu Yijun laughed at himself, closed his eyes, put his hand on his forehead, and sighed: "No one in the world can do whatever they want, unless they ignore all the consequences. But if you don't care about all the consequences, then everyone can do whatever they want. Why does it have to be the emperor?"
After hearing this, Concubine Zheng didn't know what she thought of. She was lost for a moment and did not answer. Then she heard the emperor continue: "I originally wanted to make Chang Xun the crown prince, but all the officials did not allow me to do so; I also wanted to give Chang Xun more. The officials are still opposed to sealing some land... If I hadn't cooperated with pragmatism on several businesses, I could get a lot of dry shares every year, and I'm afraid I wouldn't even be able to get the rewards given to Chang Xun now. Do you think I can really do it? Do you want to do whatever you want?"
Concubine Zheng was angry when she heard this, and subconsciously pursed her lips and said: "All officials can only use words. Think of Shizong's time... hmph, I want my concubines to say that the emperor was too kind to them."
Zhu Yijun looked a little unhappy and said: "Oh, my beloved concubine hopes that I will also receive a "Public Security Manual". I was pointed at my nose and scolded by the minister, "It has been a long time since the people of the world have been honest with you." Then you can't really do anything to this person. In order to prevent his reputation from falling into disrepute and eventually being pissed off to death?"
Concubine Zheng knew she had made a mistake, but as always she refused to sincerely admit her mistake. She just pursed her lips and said: "How can I know these truths? After all, good or bad, right and wrong are all the words of the emperor. If the emperor said that I was wrong, then I I’ll just bear with it.”
Zhu Yijun was speechless for a while. After a while, he sighed softly and said, "You go to bed first. I just took the medicine and have a fever. I'll come back later."
Concubine Zheng did not doubt that he was there, she gave a shallow salute, turned around and left. Zhu Yijun watched her leave, the light in his eyes becoming deeper.
Liu Fangcai had been standing quietly in the shadows, and he came out at this moment. In his hand, he also held a small jade bottle. From the looks of it, it was actually the same as the one that Concubine Zheng held in her hand before.
The jade bottles are exactly the same.
"Your Majesty, everything is under control." Liu Ping said softly, his voice low but with a hint of firmness.
Zhu Yijun nodded slightly, with a trace of pain flashing in his eyes. "I just want to know what she wants to do and what step she wants to take..." There was an imperceptible tremor in his voice.
Liu Ping was silent for a moment, and then said slowly: "My servants have inquired about this thing, and it is called 'Wuxiang'. It is occasionally used by some wealthy people. It is indeed not a poison, and it has also been used as medicine, but..."
"But what?" Zhu Yijun asked.
"However, when the Department of Medicine of Jinghua Craftsman School compiled its medical code, it was listed as an 'addictive hallucinogenic poison', and it is said that Yuanfu insisted on writing it. Because of this, Yuanfu also had serious conflicts with some professors at the medical school.
dispute."
Zhu Yijun said in surprise: "Really? But he is not very knowledgeable in medical skills. How could he argue with doctors on medical matters and force medical books to be compiled according to his wishes?"
Liu Ping shook his head and said: "Although this matter is bizarre, I have indeed found out no cause and effect. If the emperor wants to know the key, I am afraid he will have to summon Yuan Fu and inquire in person."
Zhu Yijun thought for a while, shook his head and said: "He is ill now, let's put him down for a while."
After a pause, he seemed a little unwilling and said: "Whether it's addiction or hallucination, it doesn't seem to be a big deal. In the Wei, Jin, Southern and Northern Dynasties, there was a famous 'Han Shi San', which was loved by celebrities at that time.
, seems to have a similar effect.
In the Tang Dynasty, Sun Simiao, the king of medicine, said: "When you encounter this prescription, you must burn it immediately, do not leave it for a long time", so it gradually disappeared. Could it be that this 'Wuxiang' is pragmatically regarded as a cold food powder, and therefore it is strongly advocated as a poison?
"
This question seemed to be a bit over the top, so Liu Ping smiled bitterly and said: "By any chance, I can't learn as well as Yuan Fu, and I really can't check what Yuan Fu is worried about."
Zhu Yijun thought about it, nodded, and said, "Have you finished writing the edict you were asked to draft?"
Liu Ping immediately took out a bright yellow notebook from his sleeve, opened it and handed it to the emperor, saying: "It has been drawn up. Please take a look at it."
Zhu Yijun took it over and looked at it for a few times, then put it on the case. He used the private seal that Concubine Zheng had played with when she came in to seal the oracle. Then he handed it back to Liu Ping and ordered: "This is the way to go."
With your status, you must not be able to be restrained by the curfew and the city. In that case, you should work harder tonight and send it there."
Liu Ping took the handwriting and looked at it. There were four red inscribed characters "Eternal Life" at the signature. He blew it gently, then carefully closed it and replied: "Don't worry, Your Majesty, I will send it to you right now."
, it must be delivered to...him personally."
Zhu Yijun asked again: "It's heavily guarded there, how do you get in? Also, this matter cannot be known to outsiders, how do you hide it?"
Liu Ping lowered his voice and said: "I have already thought about it... I will come to the door in the name of Yuan Fu. I think he would not dare not come out to see me, nor would he dare to let others know."
Zhu Yijun was silent for a moment, then waved his hand and said: "Well, you can step back first. Remember, these two days are very important, don't ignore it."
"I dare not show any disrespect to you, Your Majesty, please rest assured." After Liu Ping said this, seeing that the Emperor stopped answering, he slowly left the main hall.
The wind and snow are still there, and the night in the Forbidden City becomes darker. In this snowstorm, everyone inside and outside Forty-Nine City is busy for their own purposes, but they don't know who can achieve their goals?
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PS: The number of words in this chapter seems to be a little short, but the content is indeed so much. If I scrape up 4K, I will definitely add more to it, so be it. I also wish all book friends a Happy New Year and all the best in 2025!
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