CHAPTER 433: CHAPTER 401: HIS HIGHNESS FALLS ILL

The Eldest Prince, Zhao Xi, who had always been as sturdy as iron, fell ill.

Others might have thought it was just an ordinary cold infection.

The servants in Qianqing Palace knew that His Highness had been scolded when he came to see the Emperor yesterday.

They had never seen the Emperor lose such a temper with His Highness.

The sharpness of words, as if determined not to stop until the other party is trampled underfoot.

A fourteen-year-old child, no matter how resilient his nature, can withstand external criticism, endure the countless trials of harsh environments, but can definitely not bear the cruel words from his biological father like sharp knives.

...

The Imperial Physician had come to see him and prescribed a treatment, and by afternoon, Zhao Xi’s fever had subsided considerably, yet he was still unconscious.

Princess Consort Qi rushed over upon hearing the news, and seeing her son with an abnormal flush on his face, lying there motionless, completely lacking the usual vibrant spirit, she instantly felt her heart and liver twist with pain. With reddened eyes, she sat by the bedside, combed Zhao Xi’s hair, and asked Wan Qiu, "Was the quilt not covered well at night, causing him to catch cold?"

Last night, His Highness did not allow anyone to keep watch, Wan Qiu couldn’t answer and could only look pleadingly at Eunuch Sanbao.

Eunuch Sanbao, personally chosen by Princess Consort Qi to serve Zhao Xi, maintained more calm compared to other palace attendants when facing Princess Consort Qi, he replied, "Your Highness, His Highness went to see the Emperor yesterday, and it’s said that he provoked the dragon’s ire and was scolded. I think the reason His Highness fell ill may partly be related to this."

The incident was not spread outside Qianqing Palace, Princess Consort Qi was temporarily unaware of this matter, and upon hearing it, she was stunned, "What? The Emperor scolded His Highness?"

Eunuch Sanbao thought to himself it wasn’t just a scolding, but a particularly harsh one.

This matter was told by his foster father, Mr. Cui, who works in Qianqing Palace.

Princess Consort Qi’s mind was in turmoil, "Why on earth did the Emperor scold the Eldest Prince?"

Eunuch Sanbao shook his head.

In fact, his foster father had mentioned the reason, but he warned repeatedly not to spread it outside.

With so many palace attendants present, Eunuch Sanbao dared not speak directly.

Princess Consort Qi felt disheartened.

All along, because Emperor Guangxi had only this one son, though strict, his fatherly love was never diminished, and he was never willing to say harsh words to him.

Now, for some unknown reason, he went directly to scolding.

Has he forgotten the eldest now that there’s a second?

Always self-assured, Princess Consort Qi suddenly felt a sense of crisis swelling within her.

She felt she had to do something for her son.

After ensuring that the Eldest Prince was well taken care of, Princess Consort Qi took her people and left Yutang Palace.

Gu Yu asked, "Is Your Highness planning to go to Qianqing Palace to see the Emperor?"

Princess Consort Qi shook her head, "No."

Gu Yu was puzzled, "His Highness was scolded, doesn’t Your Highness plan to see the Emperor to probe his attitude and plead for forgiveness?"

Without pausing her steps, Princess Consort Qi said, "Going to plead with the Emperor at this time would not only fail to ease the relationship between father and son but might worsen the situation."

After a moment of silence, she added, "It’s said that in the palace, women gain power through their sons, but if the mother does nothing, how can the wealth and future of the son possibly come out of nowhere?"

Gu Yu didn’t quite understand, but dared not ask further, only followed behind Princess Consort Qi.

Back at Xianfu Palace, Princess Consort Qi instructed to prepare colored cloths to make prayer flags.

Gu Yu roughly understood that her master was planning to honor the Empress Dowager, "Is Your Highness planning to use a roundabout tactic?"

Princess Consort Qi neither affirmed nor denied.

During the period of mourning in the palace, she discovered Emperor Guangxi’s deep affection for his mother was profound, otherwise, he wouldn’t have been so devastated and dejected for such a long time after the Empress Dowager’s death.

Since the Empress Dowager mattered so much to him, why not directly leverage her?

For the sake of her son, Princess Consort Qi was willing to endure certain hardships willingly.

Once the materials for making the prayer flags were prepared, she did not entrust anyone else, but worked through the night herself, and the next day she took them to Shou’an Palace to offer them in memorial for the recently departed Empress Dowager’s spirit.

This matter was reported to Emperor Guangxi by a little palace maid stationed at Shou’an Palace.

Without a doubt, Princess Consort Qi had timed it precisely, her actions moved Emperor Guangxi.

Recalling Princess Consort Qi’s wise and graceful nature, then thinking about his harsh words spoken to his eldest son in a moment of anger, Emperor Guangxi felt a sense of remorse, and taking advantage of Zhao Xi’s illness, he personally went to Yutang Palace.

The Emperor’s arrival astounded the palace attendants of Yutang Palace.

Emperor Guangxi swept his gaze over everyone, his voice cold and deep, "How could His Highness suddenly fall ill without warning?"

Others might not understand the Emperor’s thoughts, but Eunuch Sanbao, an old hand in the palace, quickly realized that the Emperor was seeking a way out. He knelt forward two steps and kowtowed, pleading guilty, "Your Majesty, it was my negligence. I forgot to close the window at night, letting the cold wind blow in, which caused His Highness to catch a chill."

"Useless!" Emperor Guangxi kicked him aside, leaving the others outside, and entered the inner hall with Mr. Cui, his hands behind his back.

Zhao Xi’s fever had subsided significantly, but it had induced a cough. When Emperor Guangxi entered, he was covering his mouth coughing dryly, making one’s throat itch just hearing it.

Seeing the Emperor himself, Zhao Xi threw off the brocade quilt and was about to get out of bed to pay his respects.

Emperor Guangxi bent down to support him, "You’re already this sick, why still act strong, quickly lie down and rest."

Zhao Xi had no choice but to lie back down.

Mr. Cui brought over a stool for Emperor Guangxi.

Emperor Guangxi sat down, his gaze falling on Zhao Xi’s flushed face due to coughing, and asked him, "If the people under your command aren’t useful, why not just tell the Imperial Household and have them assign you more people?"

Zhao Xi had already heard Eunuch Sanbao’s voice pleading guilty outside earlier.

In truth, his father, the Emperor, knew better than anyone why he had suddenly fallen ill.

However, as an Emperor of supreme status, how could he bow his head and admit his mistakes to others?

Zhao Xi understood his father’s temperament the best. The fact that he came personally to visit was already lowering his stance as much as he could.

Whether as a prince or as a son, he could not ask for more, or else it would only backfire.

After a brief hesitation, Zhao Xi said, "They’ve all been with me for years and there’s a bond. An occasional lapse is no great crime. Everyone makes mistakes sometimes; they should be given a chance to reform."

His words carried a double meaning, seemingly pleading for Eunuch Sanbao, but in fact subtly indicating he would not hold Emperor Guangxi’s scolding that day against him, valuing family ties above all.

In public, he gave enough face to Emperor Guangxi, while also subtly easing the father-son relationship.

Drawing water brings vegetables, achieving two ends with one move.

Emperor Guangxi most appreciated such clever people. Even if the person lying before him wasn’t his own son, just this conversation alone would be enough to make him take notice.

Moreover, Zhao Xi was indeed his own flesh and blood.

At certain times, Emperor Guangxi could see a shadow of his younger self in Zhao Xi.

Reaching out to pat Zhao Xi’s thin shoulder, Emperor Guangxi smiled with satisfaction, "Take good care of yourself and don’t worry too much about other matters."

Zhao Xi nodded in agreement, though inwardly he felt regret.

No matter that their father-son relationship had become strained, no matter that he was this ill, he couldn’t change his father’s bias against his uncle.

He didn’t know what kind of grudges existed between them in the previous generation, only that his father’s attitude towards the Lu family was somewhat inexplicable.

...

After returning, Emperor Guangxi instructed Cui Fuquan to select a few rare medicinal herbs from the National Treasury and send them to Yutang Palace.

With the rare herbs as an aid, Zhao Xi’s condition improved rapidly.

Although Princess Consort Qi did not visit in person, she paid attention to the news from there every day.

Knowing that the Emperor himself visited the Eldest Prince, she understood that her efforts had not been in vain.

When Yutang Palace sent word of Zhao Xi’s recovery, Princess Consort Qi dressed herself up and went in high spirits to visit her son.

Zhao Xi was no longer bedridden and sat at the writing desk, holding a bamboo slip. The bamboo slip contained complex classics, clearly requiring considerable mental effort.

Princess Consort Qi went over, took the bamboo slip from Zhao Xi’s hand, and under her son’s watchful gaze, smiled and said, "Just recovering and you’re already reading? Aren’t you tiring yourself out? Listen to your mother for once, don’t read today. Rest well. If you feel stuffy inside, take a walk in the Imperial Garden and soak up some sun."

With the bamboo slip taken away, Zhao Xi picked up a thread-bound book instead, leafing through it casually, "Mother, you don’t need to worry, I’m already fine."

Princess Consort Qi didn’t persuade him further but smiled gently, "Xixi, how can I not worry when you’re like this?"

Zhao Xi chuckled, "Haven’t I always been this way all these years?"

Princess Consort Qi couldn’t be too direct and hinted, "It’s good that you’re diligent and constantly improving your abilities. It makes me proud. But being a qualified prince, or even aspiring to the position of Crown Prince, requires more than just this."

Zhao Xi paused his flipping of the book, his tone respectful, "I hope Mother will not hesitate to advise."

Princess Consort Qi said, "Besides being both literate and skilled in martial arts, there’s another skill you need to acquire."

"What skill?"

"The skill of pleasing your father."