thefictionvixens Chapter 55 Once you've seen the ocean, other waters seem insignificant.
Chapter 55 Once you've seen the ocean, other waters seem insignificant.
"Consort Song is over five months pregnant this time. Her pregnancy had been stable and she looked well, so I thought she would have a smooth delivery. But now it seems that may not be the case!"
Today, Song Jieyu looked very unwell, and everyone could see it.
It's not a big deal for ordinary people to have trouble sleeping occasionally, but it's a different story for pregnant women.
"Who did this?" Granny Qu was also greatly surprised.
The Empress said, "Ten days ago, I heard that someone in Lingbo Palace had fallen and was summoned by the imperial physician, who prescribed a formula that included Panax notoginseng."
Panax notoginseng has the effect of promoting blood circulation, and its effect on pregnant women is similar to that of safflower. It is also a popular abortion remedy.
Consort Qing resided in Lingbo Palace.
"Furthermore, seven days ago, the Empress also summoned the imperial physician to prescribe a medicine, one of which contains frankincense." The Empress chuckled. "Let them fight it out. Light the Four Seasons Auspicious Incense for me!"
Frankincense is also used to promote blood circulation; Consort De lived in Huayin Palace.
The fragrance of lotus blossoms wafts through the air, mingling with the fragrant mist, creating delicate, intertwined scents!
When Shen Shixi returned to Peach Blossom Village, he asked Chaoyu to investigate and also invited Jiang Lingyou over.
Chao Yu said, "Before the state banquet, Madam Song came in once and presented Consort Song with a prescription, saying that taking the decoction according to the prescription would guarantee the birth of a boy. Many people know about this."
Three days ago, Imperial Physician Liao went to check on Consort Song's pulse as usual. He heard a loud noise coming from inside, which was even heard in Yinyue Pavilion, which is close to Yixiang Pavilion. Afterwards, Consort Song took a dose of medicine, and then crying could be heard coming from inside.
Shen Shixi frowned and said, "Could it be that her fetus is gone? Her belly doesn't look fake today, Physician Jiang, is it possible that her fetus has died?"
Chao En pulled out a handful of dregs from the medicine. "This is what I found out. Qianyun buried the dregs, and I secretly dug some out."
Jiang Lingyou examined the dregs of the medicine and found the main ingredient, Chuanxiong, among them. He confirmed, "Yes, Consort Song's pregnancy is probably in danger. This is Chuanxiong."
Seeing Shen Shixi's confusion, Jiang Lingyou explained, "If a woman is five or seven months pregnant and accidentally injures the fetus, she can take this medicine to check the fetus. If there is no injury, the pain will stop and both mother and child will be safe. If the fetus is injured, it will be expelled immediately."
According to this prescription, even if Consort Song's pregnancy were to be saved, it would ultimately be lost, as the dosage of Ligusticum striatum and Artemisia argyi is extremely high.
Bai Ping was terrified. "Master, you should stay away from Consort Song from now on. She's always been hostile towards you, and she might just try to pin this pregnancy on you."
Shen Shixi never expected that he would soon be scheming against the imperial heir.
"Alright, let's leave it at that. It wouldn't be good to alarm the Emperor. If he asks, just say I came to consult you about the pregnant woman. Tell the truth, just don't mention Consort Song."
As Shen Shixi led her people through the peach orchard, picking a few ripe peaches to wash and eat, Li Fude arrived with several large boxes.
"How has His Majesty been these past few days?" Shen Shixi asked.
"His Majesty has been very upset lately, as you know, Your Highness. The war in the west has been causing him great anxiety. Some people in the court are urging His Majesty to issue an edict of self-reproach, saying that the fall of Tianfei Pass was due to His Majesty's lack of virtue. His Majesty is truly distressed."
Shen Shixi said, "It's just a few days of hardship. Go back and tell the Emperor not to worry. Even if the hot air balloon method can't take back Tianfei Pass, we'll always find other ways."
As long as his empire is secure, I can enjoy wealth and luxury in the harem. Therefore, I will support him no matter what.
Li Fude smiled and said, "This servant is clumsy with words. If Your Highness has something to say to the Emperor, this servant is not good at it. Why don't you write it down and I will take it to you? When the Emperor sees Your Highness's handwriting, it will be as if he has seen Your Highness. He will surely be very happy."
Therefore, those who could serve in front of the emperor were all intelligent people.
Shen Shixi was too lazy to write and glared at Li Fude.
Li Fude was very attentive, taking over all of Bai Ping's work, such as laying out paper and grinding ink. Bai Ping even advised from the side, "Your Highness, the Emperor is thinking of you. Aren't you thinking of the Emperor too? Just write a few words. I'll massage your arms for you in a bit."
Who's eyeing this?
Shen Shixi had no choice but to pick up his pen, think for a moment, and write: "Having seen the vast ocean, other waters are nothing; having beheld the clouds of Wushan, other clouds are nothing; I idly stroll through the flowerbeds, too lazy to look back; half for cultivating the Tao, half for you."
As she finished writing, she realized something was wrong. It was a poem mourning the dead. Just as she was about to grab it and rewrite it, Li Fude had already put it away.
Well, when she was trying to coax him, she said that with him, everyone else was just a compromise. So, this far-fetched explanation makes sense.
"Your Highness, His Majesty said that if he doesn't have time to spend Qixi Festival with you tomorrow, he will make it up to you after the matter of the Heavenly Consort is settled. These things are all rewards that His Majesty had us carry here. They are nothing much, but it is worth it as long as Your Highness is happy."
"Alright, whether the festival is celebrated or not is secondary. The matter of the Imperial Concubine is the most important. I know the priorities. Also, you are someone who serves the Emperor closely, so the Emperor's safety is of utmost importance."
However, you don't need to tell him these things; just keep an eye out for him.
"This servant will remember!"
Li Yuanke sent mostly high-quality items, which piqued Shen Shixi's interest. She had the furnishings in the room changed, and compared to the previous extravagance, the current decor was more elegant and simple, and even looked cooler.
Everyone knows that Shen Shixi received a reward, and the rumors that she had fallen out of favor have stopped. However, if the emperor doesn't let you know what he rewarded her with, no one else can find out even if they want to.
Li Fude came to report back, relaying Shen Shixi's words and presenting the poem she had written to the Emperor.
"Consort Zhao said that she heard someone else recite it and thought it was good, so she wrote it down for the Emperor."
Li Yuanke didn't realize it was a poem mourning the dead. Just like Shen Shixi, he thought of the words she had said to him that night in the corridor, holding his face in her hands. His emotions surged.
"I'll go see her again in a few days!" He said this as if he were comforting himself.
Li Fude said, "Princess Shen said that the Emperor's health is important, and the Heavenly Consort Pass is important. Although the Princess cares about the Emperor, she is not someone who does not know what is important and what is urgent. She also said that she hopes the Emperor's country will be stable so that the Princess can enjoy wealth and honor for the rest of her life."
Li Yuanke chuckled, "You scoundrel, only she could say something like that! I knew she wasn't worried about me, but about her own wealth and status!"
Li Fude knew the emperor was joking, and he also sensed the emperor's special feelings for Consort Shen, which was why he dared to say, "Consort Shen is honest and will not deceive the emperor!"
Li Yuanke laughed heartily, "If she heard you say that, she would consider you a confidant!"
Li Fude was terrified, her legs went weak, "This servant wouldn't dare, how could I, a lowly person, be regarded as a confidante by Miss Shen!"
Looking at the poem, Li Yuanke couldn't help but think, "What a scoundrel! He's already fantasizing about having ten or eight male lovers, and he still calls himself a Taoist!"
He put it away in a small box, along with the string of colorful rope, and placed it in a hidden compartment. "Don't forget to take it with you when you return to the palace!"