"Did they really start fighting?"
"They're in the middle of it. I heard the Empress Dowager has rushed over."
On the small couch by the window in the inner hall of the Jiuzhou Qingyan Palace, Ling Shan, who had "innocently lost a child" and "been deeply troubled," was laughing merrily.
On the small table beside the beauty's couch were washed purple grapes, big, round, and a deep purple-black, looking sweet and inviting.
The food and provisions in the Jiuzhou Qingyan Palace were always of the best quality.
Ling Shan popped one grape after another into her mouth. When she reached out again, Banchun quickly spoke up:
"Your Ladyship, His Majesty said you shouldn't eat too many cold foods. How about I heat you up a bowl of milk custard?"
Ling Shan looked at Banchun with her almond-shaped eyes full of pity, gently biting her rosy lips, presenting herself in the delicate and graceful manner of Xi Shi.
Banchun almost softened her heart and was about to agree to anything.
Fortunately, a gust of cool wind blew on her back, stopping her in time and allowing her to hold back.
She forcefully shifted her gaze, respectfully and stubbornly silently refusing.
Ling Shan sighed dejectedly in her heart. Although the miscarriage was fake, the pulse was real.
It was a kind of medicine specially prepared by Dr. Chang, on the order of Jun Wuyuan. It was so realistic that even if the Empress Dowager's faction suspected something, they would never be able to find out.
Speaking of Dr. Chang, Ling Shan couldn't help but recall the interesting scene of him being chased by a dog.
As a result, in several subsequent meetings, she couldn't look Dr. Chang in the eye.
She had to hold back her laughter, lest others mistake her for a crazy woman laughing to herself. It was really hard to bear.
However, Dr. Chang's medical skills were truly outstanding. Maybe she could pin her hopes of finding an antidote on him.
"Your Ladyship, Nanny Dou from the Empress Dowager's side is here. She said she's here on the Empress Dowager's orders to visit you, and she's brought Dr. Helian with her."
A cold look flashed in Ling Shan's eyes. She exchanged a meaningful glance with Banchun, then closed her eyes weakly.
Banchun greeted the guests. She quickly cleared away all the snacks and fruits on the small table, lit some incense, and then went out to greet them with the poise of a top-ranking palace maid in front of the Emperor.
Although Nanny Dou was the most favored person by the Empress Dowager, the Jiuzhou Qingyan Palace was the Emperor's residence, so she still had to wait outside the hall.
"This servant greets Nanny. Why is Nanny free to come to the Jiuzhou Qingyan Palace today? Is the Empress Dowager in good health? His Majesty has been worried about her every day and wishes he could share her worries."
Nanny Dou forced a smile. "Thank His Majesty for his concern. The Empress Dowager is much better after taking the medicine today. She heard that Miss Ling Shan has suffered this misfortune and has been very worried. She specially sent this old servant to visit."
"Isn't this Chief Physician Helian? He usually only diagnoses the Empress Dowager. Is the Empress Dowager specially showing concern for our Miss Ling Shan today?"
Banchun was both surprised and delighted. Her eyes softened a bit when she looked at Nanny Dou.
It was as if the person inside was really in poor health.
Nanny Dou nodded and followed Banchun inside, her mind racing.
When she was directly led into the Emperor's inner hall, a glint flashed in Nanny Dou's eyes.
It seemed that this girl Ling Shan was truly favored by the Emperor.
On the couch in the inner hall for temporary rest, a beautiful but pale and wan woman could be seen resting with her eyes closed from afar.
Looking at her complexion, smelling the faint smell of blood that couldn't be completely covered by the incense in the hall, seeing the thick brocade quilt she was still covered with in summer, and the medicinal soup on the small table...
Nanny Dou's mind turned for a moment. Without showing any emotion, she gave a subtle look to Chief Physician Helian.
"Poor thing. She was favored by His Majesty and was pregnant with the dragon heir. She should have had endless wealth and honor. The Empress Dowager has been very guilty and worried after hearing about it. She sent this old servant to visit you."
"Cough... Thank the Empress Dowager for her concern. It's this servant who is useless and has damaged His Majesty and the Empress Dowager's good fortune..."
Ling Shan's face was ashen, and her voice was weak. She looked as if she had lost all hope.
Nanny Dou's heart skipped a beat.
Seeing the person on the couch starting to cry as she spoke, even Nanny Dou was momentarily at a loss for words.
For a moment, the only sounds in the hall were "Don't cry. Tears will harm your body" and "You must take good care of your body after a miscarriage. There will be better days ahead"...
Ling Shan seemed not to notice. She was lost in endless grief and despair. Her eyes were red, her cheeks were pale, and her body was trembling so much that she was almost on the verge of fainting.
Nanny Dou had witnessed the Empress Dowager's grief when she lost her beloved son back then. At this moment, even the most hidden part of her heart was touched with pity.
In any case, for a woman, losing a child was something that others could never truly understand.
Unfortunately, it was the Empress Dowager's own niece who had caused Ling Shan to lose her child.
Nanny Dou sighed inwardly. Although she was half convinced, she still advised Ling Shan to let Chief Physician Helian diagnose her and take good care of herself.
Perhaps it was Nanny Dou's sincere consolation that had an effect.
Ling Shan gradually stopped crying and regained her composure. As if seeing hope, she stretched out her wrist for the doctor to feel her pulse.
Banchun, understanding the situation, immediately stepped forward and placed a brocade handkerchief. After Chief Physician Helian bowed, he carefully felt Ling Shan's pulse.
This diagnosis took a long time. It seemed that he didn't want to miss any possible signs of doubt.
After the diagnosis, he quietly exchanged a look with Nanny Dou and then prescribed medicine without finding any mistakes.
Ling Shan seemed to fall into another bout of despair. Her face was tired, and she looked extremely weak.
Nanny Dou got the information she wanted. She knew there was no point in staying any longer. After comforting Ling Shan a few more times and leaving some tonics, she led the others away.
When Banchun came back after seeing them off, she saw the brocade quilt kicked aside.
Her eyelids twitched. She quickly picked up an outer robe and walked forward to wrap Ling Shan up.
"My dear Lady, be careful of the temperature difference. If you catch a cold, His Majesty will be angry and worried."
Ling Shan's eyes were bright and clear. She mumbled, "Good Banchun, loosen up a bit. I'm almost dying of heat..."
The top-ranking palace maid Banchun very dutifully said "Forgive my rudeness" and quickly covered her mouth with her small hand.
She whispered, "My dear Lady, you must never say such inauspicious words again. If others hear it, it will be a big problem."
Ling Shan: "..."
"Got it, got it. Can you let go of me now? It's really hot—"
The summer outer robe was thin, which was much better than the brocade quilt she had used for the act just now.
Banchun saw the unnatural redness on Ling Shan's peach-blossom-like cheeks. She felt sorry for her and immediately picked up a fan and gently fanned her while still coaxing her.
"Your Ladyship, do you think the Empress Dowager will believe it?"
"Whether she believes it or not, compensation should be coming our way."
For a woman in the harem, what kind of compensation could be considered real compensation?
A glint flashed in Banchun's eyes.
"Your Ladyship, do you mean..."