C547 Queens disease (2/2)
Except, it was up to the empress dowager and the emperor to decide when and how the empress would die. The princess was too naive to think of such things.
Xining palace.
The empress dowager was pruning flowers while Zhou Chengdi sat on the side, drinking soup and coughing from time to time.
The empress dowager gave the scissors in her hand to Wen mama. ”Your dragon body doesn't feel well, so there's no need to pay respects to an old woman like me. Take good care of yourself.”
Zhou Chengdi smiled and said, ”Your son is already much better these two days. He can't be lacking in filial piety. Your son is the ruler of a nation. He has to show the way for his daughter and the rest of the world.”
”Esteemed Empress Dowager, Your Majesty, Imperial Physician Liu is here.” At this moment, the eunuch outside reported.
After a while, Imperial Physician Liu walked in and knelt on the ground. ”This lowly servant pays his respects to Your Majesty, Esteemed Empress Dowager.”
”How is the Queen?” the Empress asked.
”In reply to the empress dowager, this humble servant has just treated her. The medicine the empress drank has completely ruined her body. She won't live for long.” Imperial Physician Liu was extremely respectful as he spoke.
Zhou Chengdi put down the bowl in his hand and asked, ”Did the people from the Changchun Palace notice anything?”
”No one noticed that the medicine was placed in the daily meal of the empress.” Imperial Physician Liu reported truthfully.
”Before the day of the Queen's funeral, don't let anyone else enter the palace, lest they discover anything.” Zhou Cheng Di instructed.
”Yes, Your Majesty. This lowly subordinate understands.” Imperial Physician Liu left cautiously.
A useless queen could only end in death.
The empress dowager sighed. ”Emperor, have you thought about which imperial concubine to bestow upon you after the funeral of the empress?” ”As for the matter regarding the crown prince, it's about time to make a decision. The crown prince's position has been vacant for a long time, and the various princes are eyeing him covetously. The officials are fighting in the open and in the shadows, so it's not a good idea to maintain the stability of the imperial court.”
”Your son has always been thinking about the things that your mother was worried about. I had originally wanted to reinstate the crippled crown prince, but the empress failed and caused Feng Ming to be exiled. Now that the crown prince has been reinstated, your son won't dare to be careless anymore.” Zhou Cheng Emperor said worriedly.
”What you are worried about, is what I am worried about.”
”When Yun Zheng returns from San Lian, my son will be announcing to the world the new empress and the new storage king's candidate.” Zhou Chengdi said.
”Esteemed Empress Dowager, Your Majesty, Thirteenth Princess requests an audience.” At this time, someone came to report.
”You're here?” The empress dowager turned around to look at the emperor. ”You seem to have distanced yourself from Thirteen recently. Is it because of that matter with Eleven?”
”I've always loved this child the most. Since she was young, she was weak and very considerate. Although she didn't arrange all eleven events by herself, I always felt that they had something to do with her. I wanted to distance myself from her and let her reflect on them.” Zhou Chengdi said.
”Since we're already at the door, let her in. You have so many children, you have to be distant from them and be close to them. Children are truly filial to you, so you as an emperor are not acting for nothing.” Her Majesty spoke her opinion.
”Then let her in.” Zhou Cheng Di said.