Chapter 53a: What’s on Empress Wang’s Mind
Within the magnificent and spacious drawing room in the palace, candles shined brightly, as if it was daytime. A trace of ambergris wafted through the air. A faint sandalwood fragrance made a person’s heart carefree and relaxed, tranquil and peaceful.
Sending away the palace maids, Empress Wang and Luo Qing Luan gradually started to talk about what happened with Imperial Consort Song just now.
It was truly too chaotic previously, so Empress Wang had not pondered things carefully. Now that things had calmed down and she recalled what had happened, she felt that it was really unusual and couldn’t help but ask, “Qing Luan, aren’t you a sheltered mistress in the general’s mansion? How……you really know the art of medicine?”
When she heard these doubts from Empress Wang, Luo Qing Luan’s mind spun as she thought. She felt that she should give a good reason.
Her medical expertise was her greatest strength. There’s no way she wouldn’t use it in the future. However, once she used it more often, people would inevitably spread the word, to the extent that they’d marvel as much as Empress Wang. Why not use this opportunity to clarify the matter, so that there would be an explanation in the future.
As if she was recalling the past, Luo Qing Luan sighed before answering, “Replying to Your Highness, you may not know. It isn’t an accident that I learned medicine. Because my mother passed away from difficulties giving birth, after I started to understand things, I swore that I had to learn medicine well. That way, I could prevent this kind of tragedy from happening again in the future.”
“So it’s like that.”
She originally already knew of Luo Qing Luan’s past. Empress Wang didn’t doubt her in the slightest. Instead, she was touched by her dedication. Ever since the Flower Bestowment Feast last time, Luo Qing Luan had entered her sights. Empress Wang had once also asked a little about Qing Luan’s circumstances. Even though she didn’t understand much, she knew more or less some matters.
Not mentioning other things, a noble daughter from the general’s mansion, born with a silver spoon, yet was diligent and wanted to teach herself genuine medical knowledge was not an easy thing to do at all. It was obvious what kind of circumstances Luo Qing Luan had to experience to be able to have such an achievement.
She loved more and more such an intelligent, yet gentle girl. Empress Wang consoled Luo Qing Luan again before she said, “From what I can see, Qing Luan, when you saved Imperial Consort Song today, this kind of ability is not something an ordinary person can have. My health has recently also been a little off. How about…..you also give me an examination?”
Testing her? Or jokingly probing her?
“Your Highness is joking again, please don’t tease me.”
Luo Qing Luan was somewhat unable to make sense of Empress Wang’s intention. This person’s identity was no small matter. She certainly could not move forward randomly. Even though she had absolute confidence in her medical expertise, she still hesitated. If she really discovered some health issues with Empress Wang, or if she spoke of misfortune, then should she provide treatment or not, after all?
If she didn’t provide treatment, then that would really be inexcusable, especially when she’s the disciple of the ghost doctor. But if she provided treatment, then what if Empress Wang grew even more fond of her and immediately made her the crown prince consort. That would certainly be trying to be clever and ending up with egg on her face.
“Your Highness has always been cared for by the imperial physicians. I’m an outsider. How can I dare to take matters into my own hands? Moreover, I can see that Your Highness’ complexion is not bad. All three energies seem vigorous. It can be assumed that you’re fine.” She could only say that. Luo Qing Luan’s inwardly told herself it’s not that she would not, but she could not. No way around it. Who could be blamed for this being a special period of time?
Seeing Luo Qing Luan decline tactfully, Empress Wang also felt that it wasn’t good to force her. She knew the condition of her own body. There was indeed no big problem. However, for many years now, she’d suffered in her heart. It’s just that……sigh, forget it. It’s also unpleasant to discuss this matter with a young girl like that, never mind.
Just like that, a night passed within Phoenix Presence Palace. A brand new day like a silk brocade quilt started, cool, refreshing, and soft. It was cool and refreshing inside the palace, no sense at all of it being hot or stuffy. Even though she was in the palace, Luo Qing Luan slept well the entire night.
On the next next between 5-7 in the morning, she woke up and freshened up before accompanying Empress Wang again for breakfast.
With this being the imperial palace, moreover it’s the empress, so even though this was breakfast, it was still sumptuous and meticulously planned. The food was refined yet nutritious. The quantity of each dish wasn’t much. However, meat and vegetables were paired up. Not only were the colors fresh and appealing, they were tasty in the mouth.
There were fragrant and sweet jujube glutinous rice, lily congee paired with several side dishes, shredded tender bamboo shoot slaws; red, white, and green pickled julienned vegetables, and also a dish of lotus root tips mixed in fragrant sesame oil sprinkled with sesame seeds. It was crunchy, yet delicate and fragrant.
Luo Qing Luan’s breakfast was normally not so fine. She also didn’t stand on ceremony and ate two bowls of congee as well as half a steamer basket of small steamed pearl dumplings, and a bowl of five grained soy milk, before she was satisfied and put down her chopsticks.
When the palace maids offered tea to rinse her mouth, then changed that for a small cup of green tea for drinking after meals, Luo Qing Luan found that she had already stayed at the palace for practically another half day.
Just as she was considering whether to go see Imperial Consort Song, after all, she had already agreed to do so yesterday, and was going to tell Empress Wang, when unexpectedly, she hadn’t opened her mouth before Empress Wang proposed that they have a stroll around the imperial garden. Unable to do anything about it, Luo Qing Luan could only accompany her.
In early autumn, the imperial garden was as verdant as before, rare and precious blooms were everywhere. As Empress Wang walked, she chatted with Luo Qing Luan. The things she talked about weren’t particularly important, but she just wouldn’t let her leave. Luo Qing Luan felt more and more baffled.
Logically speaking, Empress Wang also shouldn’t be so idle, so why did she insist on holding on to her without letting go?
“Qing Luan, you know, I really like you a lot. It would be great if you can come frequently to the palace to see me.” Empress Wang’s face was filled with affection as she looked at her and continued with a smile, “Maybe you don’t believe it, but when I see you, I’m reminded of my daughter. I truly feel close to you.”
Empress Wang’s daughter? Luo Qing Luan still wasn’t very clear regarding matters of the inner palace and couldn’t help but ask, “Is Your Highness talking about Third Princess? Hee hee, if Your Highness misses the princess, it’s also good to summon her to come and accompany you.”
It’s just a pity that she simply did not have that good an impression of this princess at all. This Wan’Er’s temperament and character, with one look, a person could tell that she’d been spoiled. The arrogance and willfulness, as well as narrow mindedness, simply differed too much with her good natured imperial mother.
Chapter 53b: What’s on Empress Wang’s Mind
“Are you talking about Wan’Er?”
Empress Wang looked a slightly blanked out then smiled and continued. “No. Qing Luan, you guessed incorrectly. I’m not talking about Wan’Er, but rather, my own birth daughter, Princess Mingyi. Sigh……it’s too bad that I don’t have this good fortune. She already passed away.”
Hearing the grief and longing in her voice, Luo Qing Luan quickly responded, “I’m sorry, Your Highness, it’s a temporary slip of the tongue. I hope Your Highness will forgive me.”
Only now did she grasp the situation. As it turned out, Empress Wang longed for her daughter, that’s why she attached her feelings to her? However, could it be that besides this princess, Empress Wang had not other children? Otherwise, why would she be so alone and lonely, and wanted her company no matter what?
“There’s no harm. I don’t blame you. It’s also because I like you that I treat you like my own daughter who passed away. Otherwise, I also wouldn’t go as far as……” Empress Wang shook her head while the tone of her voice became slightly emotional.
“Since the princess has already passed away, then Your Highness can birth a few more little princesses and princes, right?” Luo Qing Luan spoke, but the words barely left her mouth before she noticed the gloominess that flashed in the back of Empress Wang’s eyes. She suddenly felt that something’s wrong and was afraid that she misspoke again.
Sure enough, Empress Wang was silent for a long while before she smiled with difficulty. “Forget it. There are some things that can not be insisted upon. I’ve already come to accept it, it’s nothing.”
Once she heard these words, Luo Qing Luan was certain that very likely, Empress Wang could no longer give birth!
As an empress, yet having no way of producing her own flesh and blood, as far as a woman was concerned, this was indeed the most cruel, especially for a woman belonging to the inner palace. Even if she was an empress, if she did not have a child, once the emperor died, the outcome awaiting her was ten times more miserable than an ordinary woman. If she wasn’t sent to the imperial shrine to pray and hold a vigil for the rest of her life, then she might be buried along with the emperor at the imperial tomb, better off dead than alive. No matter which outcome, it was not what she wished for. Don’t be deceived by her current impressive standing as an empress. Very likely, she was inwardly concerned all the same about her future fate. Otherwise, how could she be so worried?
In the end, it was her identity as a physician that made Luo Qing Luan somewhat softhearted. Empress Wang was also pretty good to her, and she didn’t want to see Empress Wang depressed while pretending to look happy. No longer able to hold back, she took Empress Wang’s hand and consoled her with some words while seizing the opportunity to feel her pulse. She now understood what’s going on with Empress Wang’s body.
“Your Highness, actually……” She was able to figure out the condition of Empress Wang’s health very quickly. Having learned what’s going on, Luo Qing Luan continued, “If you would like to have another princess, or maybe prince, that’s not impossible.”
“Qing Luan, what did you say?” Empress Wang was shocked, and quite astonished.
Having already made the decision to help her, as long as Empress Wang was willing to go along, Luo Qing Luan nodded her head and replied resolutely, “I said, Your Highness, I know what you would like. If I tell you that I have a way of making your wish come true, I wonder if Your Highness is willing?”
Having heard these words as clear as day, Empress Wang couldn’t help but be overjoyed at this unexpected good news and quickly replied, “Of course I’m willing, but my health……” The words slipped out from her heart under a state of insane happiness, but then she started to hesitate.
It’s not that she was unwilling. Rather, the person before her was merely a young girl. Not to mention giving birth, she wasn’t even married. Even if she’d studied some medicine, how could she be capable of treating her illness? Even the imperial physicians had already examined her and were helpless to do anything. They could only use technical jargon to go through the motions. How could it be possible for Luo Qing Luan to have a solution?
“Forget it, Qing Luan, I know that you’re full of good intentions, but this matter of having a child is certainly not something that one can achieve just by wanting it.” Convinced of this, Empress Wang’s enthusiasm faded as she said indifferently, “Don’t tell others what we spoke about today. I’m a bit tired now, you should return.”
Seeing that Empress Wang wanted to leave, Luo Qing Luan refused to accept it. If she didn’t want to treat someone, she wouldn’t budge even if offered ten thousand pieces of gold. Yet once she wanted to provide treatment for someone, even if the disease was beyond cure, she would still forcibly pull that person back from the gates of hell!
“Your Highness has misunderstood. The person examining your health won’t be me. Rather, it’s my teacher.” Knowing that Empress Wang didn’t believe her because of her age, Luo Qing Luan also didn’t feel like wasting time arguing needlessly. She directly fabricated an even more brilliant master and all issues would be settled.
“Huh, your teacher?” Once Empress Wang heard this, she was indeed moved, as her beautiful eyes shined. “Qing Luan, you have a teacher? Is he the one who taught you your medical skills?”
Things having reached this stage, even if there wasn’t one, she’d still make one appear. Furthermore, Luo Qing Luan’s way of thinking wasn’t as simple as merely helping Empress Wang have a child. Previously, she didn’t know why Empress Wang was so obsessed with helping find a crown prince consort. After hearing the reason just now, she was finally able to guess some things.
Nangong Qing was the crown prince, but he was in fact the son of the deceased ex-empress, while the current empress was actually childless. It was obvious that Nangong Qing was merely raised under her name. That’s only to be expected. But if Empress Wang was able to have her own child, especially when there was hope under this special situation, then she certainly wouldn’t be so obsessed with choosing a crown prince consort.
Exactly! Everyone had some selfishness. If Empress Wang was able to have her own child, why would she still fixate all day long on Luo Qing Luan, making her the crown prince consort?
It would be more like she couldn’t shower enough attention on the child in her belly.
Moreover, even if Empress Wang maintained her original position and still was fond of Luo Qing Luan, Empress Wang would now owe her a favor. It’d be easier for her to find grounds for refusing, likely without making Empress Wang displeased with her. No matter what, Luo Qing Luan already set her mind on it, she must make Empress Wang’s wish come true.
Chapter 53a: What’s on Empress Wang’s Mind
Within the magnificent and spacious drawing room in the palace, candles shined brightly, as if it was daytime. A trace of ambergris wafted through the air. A faint sandalwood fragrance made a person’s heart carefree and relaxed, tranquil and peaceful.
Sending away the palace maids, Empress Wang and Luo Qing Luan gradually started to talk about what happened with Imperial Consort Song just now.
It was truly too chaotic previously, so Empress Wang had not pondered things carefully. Now that things had calmed down and she recalled what had happened, she felt that it was really unusual and couldn’t help but ask, “Qing Luan, aren’t you a sheltered mistress in the general’s mansion? How……you really know the art of medicine?”
When she heard these doubts from Empress Wang, Luo Qing Luan’s mind spun as she thought. She felt that she should give a good reason.
Her medical expertise was her greatest strength. There’s no way she wouldn’t use it in the future. However, once she used it more often, people would inevitably spread the word, to the extent that they’d marvel as much as Empress Wang. Why not use this opportunity to clarify the matter, so that there would be an explanation in the future.
As if she was recalling the past, Luo Qing Luan sighed before answering, “Replying to Your Highness, you may not know. It isn’t an accident that I learned medicine. Because my mother passed away from difficulties giving birth, after I started to understand things, I swore that I had to learn medicine well. That way, I could prevent this kind of tragedy from happening again in the future.”
“So it’s like that.”
She originally already knew of Luo Qing Luan’s past. Empress Wang didn’t doubt her in the slightest. Instead, she was touched by her dedication. Ever since the Flower Bestowment Feast last time, Luo Qing Luan had entered her sights. Empress Wang had once also asked a little about Qing Luan’s circumstances. Even though she didn’t understand much, she knew more or less some matters.
Not mentioning other things, a noble daughter from the general’s mansion, born with a silver spoon, yet was diligent and wanted to teach herself genuine medical knowledge was not an easy thing to do at all. It was obvious what kind of circumstances Luo Qing Luan had to experience to be able to have such an achievement.
She loved more and more such an intelligent, yet gentle girl. Empress Wang consoled Luo Qing Luan again before she said, “From what I can see, Qing Luan, when you saved Imperial Consort Song today, this kind of ability is not something an ordinary person can have. My health has recently also been a little off. How about…..you also give me an examination?”
Testing her? Or jokingly probing her?
“Your Highness is joking again, please don’t tease me.”
Luo Qing Luan was somewhat unable to make sense of Empress Wang’s intention. This person’s identity was no small matter. She certainly could not move forward randomly. Even though she had absolute confidence in her medical expertise, she still hesitated. If she really discovered some health issues with Empress Wang, or if she spoke of misfortune, then should she provide treatment or not, after all?
If she didn’t provide treatment, then that would really be inexcusable, especially when she’s the disciple of the ghost doctor. But if she provided treatment, then what if Empress Wang grew even more fond of her and immediately made her the crown prince consort. That would certainly be trying to be clever and ending up with egg on her face.
“Your Highness has always been cared for by the imperial physicians. I’m an outsider. How can I dare to take matters into my own hands? Moreover, I can see that Your Highness’ complexion is not bad. All three energies seem vigorous. It can be assumed that you’re fine.” She could only say that. Luo Qing Luan’s inwardly told herself it’s not that she would not, but she could not. No way around it. Who could be blamed for this being a special period of time?
Seeing Luo Qing Luan decline tactfully, Empress Wang also felt that it wasn’t good to force her. She knew the condition of her own body. There was indeed no big problem. However, for many years now, she’d suffered in her heart. It’s just that……sigh, forget it. It’s also unpleasant to discuss this matter with a young girl like that, never mind.
Just like that, a night passed within Phoenix Presence Palace. A brand new day like a silk brocade quilt started, cool, refreshing, and soft. It was cool and refreshing inside the palace, no sense at all of it being hot or stuffy. Even though she was in the palace, Luo Qing Luan slept well the entire night.
On the next next between 5-7 in the morning, she woke up and freshened up before accompanying Empress Wang again for breakfast.
With this being the imperial palace, moreover it’s the empress, so even though this was breakfast, it was still sumptuous and meticulously planned. The food was refined yet nutritious. The quantity of each dish wasn’t much. However, meat and vegetables were paired up. Not only were the colors fresh and appealing, they were tasty in the mouth.
There were fragrant and sweet jujube glutinous rice, lily congee paired with several side dishes, shredded tender bamboo shoot slaws; red, white, and green pickled julienned vegetables, and also a dish of lotus root tips mixed in fragrant sesame oil sprinkled with sesame seeds. It was crunchy, yet delicate and fragrant.
Luo Qing Luan’s breakfast was normally not so fine. She also didn’t stand on ceremony and ate two bowls of congee as well as half a steamer basket of small steamed pearl dumplings, and a bowl of five grained soy milk, before she was satisfied and put down her chopsticks.
When the palace maids offered tea to rinse her mouth, then changed that for a small cup of green tea for drinking after meals, Luo Qing Luan found that she had already stayed at the palace for practically another half day.
Just as she was considering whether to go see Imperial Consort Song, after all, she had already agreed to do so yesterday, and was going to tell Empress Wang, when unexpectedly, she hadn’t opened her mouth before Empress Wang proposed that they have a stroll around the imperial garden. Unable to do anything about it, Luo Qing Luan could only accompany her.
In early autumn, the imperial garden was as verdant as before, rare and precious blooms were everywhere. As Empress Wang walked, she chatted with Luo Qing Luan. The things she talked about weren’t particularly important, but she just wouldn’t let her leave. Luo Qing Luan felt more and more baffled.
Logically speaking, Empress Wang also shouldn’t be so idle, so why did she insist on holding on to her without letting go?
“Qing Luan, you know, I really like you a lot. It would be great if you can come frequently to the palace to see me.” Empress Wang’s face was filled with affection as she looked at her and continued with a smile, “Maybe you don’t believe it, but when I see you, I’m reminded of my daughter. I truly feel close to you.”
Empress Wang’s daughter? Luo Qing Luan still wasn’t very clear regarding matters of the inner palace and couldn’t help but ask, “Is Your Highness talking about Third Princess? Hee hee, if Your Highness misses the princess, it’s also good to summon her to come and accompany you.”
It’s just a pity that she simply did not have that good an impression of this princess at all. This Wan’Er’s temperament and character, with one look, a person could tell that she’d been spoiled. The arrogance and willfulness, as well as narrow mindedness, simply differed too much with her good natured imperial mother.
Chapter 53b: What’s on Empress Wang’s Mind
“Are you talking about Wan’Er?”
Empress Wang looked a slightly blanked out then smiled and continued. “No. Qing Luan, you guessed incorrectly. I’m not talking about Wan’Er, but rather, my own birth daughter, Princess Mingyi. Sigh……it’s too bad that I don’t have this good fortune. She already passed away.”
Hearing the grief and longing in her voice, Luo Qing Luan quickly responded, “I’m sorry, Your Highness, it’s a temporary slip of the tongue. I hope Your Highness will forgive me.”
Only now did she grasp the situation. As it turned out, Empress Wang longed for her daughter, that’s why she attached her feelings to her? However, could it be that besides this princess, Empress Wang had not other children? Otherwise, why would she be so alone and lonely, and wanted her company no matter what?
“There’s no harm. I don’t blame you. It’s also because I like you that I treat you like my own daughter who passed away. Otherwise, I also wouldn’t go as far as……” Empress Wang shook her head while the tone of her voice became slightly emotional.
“Since the princess has already passed away, then Your Highness can birth a few more little princesses and princes, right?” Luo Qing Luan spoke, but the words barely left her mouth before she noticed the gloominess that flashed in the back of Empress Wang’s eyes. She suddenly felt that something’s wrong and was afraid that she misspoke again.
Sure enough, Empress Wang was silent for a long while before she smiled with difficulty. “Forget it. There are some things that can not be insisted upon. I’ve already come to accept it, it’s nothing.”
Once she heard these words, Luo Qing Luan was certain that very likely, Empress Wang could no longer give birth!
As an empress, yet having no way of producing her own flesh and blood, as far as a woman was concerned, this was indeed the most cruel, especially for a woman belonging to the inner palace. Even if she was an empress, if she did not have a child, once the emperor died, the outcome awaiting her was ten times more miserable than an ordinary woman. If she wasn’t sent to the imperial shrine to pray and hold a vigil for the rest of her life, then she might be buried along with the emperor at the imperial tomb, better off dead than alive. No matter which outcome, it was not what she wished for. Don’t be deceived by her current impressive standing as an empress. Very likely, she was inwardly concerned all the same about her future fate. Otherwise, how could she be so worried?
In the end, it was her identity as a physician that made Luo Qing Luan somewhat softhearted. Empress Wang was also pretty good to her, and she didn’t want to see Empress Wang depressed while pretending to look happy. No longer able to hold back, she took Empress Wang’s hand and consoled her with some words while seizing the opportunity to feel her pulse. She now understood what’s going on with Empress Wang’s body.
“Your Highness, actually……” She was able to figure out the condition of Empress Wang’s health very quickly. Having learned what’s going on, Luo Qing Luan continued, “If you would like to have another princess, or maybe prince, that’s not impossible.”
“Qing Luan, what did you say?” Empress Wang was shocked, and quite astonished.
Having already made the decision to help her, as long as Empress Wang was willing to go along, Luo Qing Luan nodded her head and replied resolutely, “I said, Your Highness, I know what you would like. If I tell you that I have a way of making your wish come true, I wonder if Your Highness is willing?”
Having heard these words as clear as day, Empress Wang couldn’t help but be overjoyed at this unexpected good news and quickly replied, “Of course I’m willing, but my health……” The words slipped out from her heart under a state of insane happiness, but then she started to hesitate.
It’s not that she was unwilling. Rather, the person before her was merely a young girl. Not to mention giving birth, she wasn’t even married. Even if she’d studied some medicine, how could she be capable of treating her illness? Even the imperial physicians had already examined her and were helpless to do anything. They could only use technical jargon to go through the motions. How could it be possible for Luo Qing Luan to have a solution?
“Forget it, Qing Luan, I know that you’re full of good intentions, but this matter of having a child is certainly not something that one can achieve just by wanting it.” Convinced of this, Empress Wang’s enthusiasm faded as she said indifferently, “Don’t tell others what we spoke about today. I’m a bit tired now, you should return.”
Seeing that Empress Wang wanted to leave, Luo Qing Luan refused to accept it. If she didn’t want to treat someone, she wouldn’t budge even if offered ten thousand pieces of gold. Yet once she wanted to provide treatment for someone, even if the disease was beyond cure, she would still forcibly pull that person back from the gates of hell!
“Your Highness has misunderstood. The person examining your health won’t be me. Rather, it’s my teacher.” Knowing that Empress Wang didn’t believe her because of her age, Luo Qing Luan also didn’t feel like wasting time arguing needlessly. She directly fabricated an even more brilliant master and all issues would be settled.
“Huh, your teacher?” Once Empress Wang heard this, she was indeed moved, as her beautiful eyes shined. “Qing Luan, you have a teacher? Is he the one who taught you your medical skills?”
Things having reached this stage, even if there wasn’t one, she’d still make one appear. Furthermore, Luo Qing Luan’s way of thinking wasn’t as simple as merely helping Empress Wang have a child. Previously, she didn’t know why Empress Wang was so obsessed with helping find a crown prince consort. After hearing the reason just now, she was finally able to guess some things.
Nangong Qing was the crown prince, but he was in fact the son of the deceased ex-empress, while the current empress was actually childless. It was obvious that Nangong Qing was merely raised under her name. That’s only to be expected. But if Empress Wang was able to have her own child, especially when there was hope under this special situation, then she certainly wouldn’t be so obsessed with choosing a crown prince consort.
Exactly! Everyone had some selfishness. If Empress Wang was able to have her own child, why would she still fixate all day long on Luo Qing Luan, making her the crown prince consort?
It would be more like she couldn’t shower enough attention on the child in her belly.
Moreover, even if Empress Wang maintained her original position and still was fond of Luo Qing Luan, Empress Wang would now owe her a favor. It’d be easier for her to find grounds for refusing, likely without making Empress Wang displeased with her. No matter what, Luo Qing Luan already set her mind on it, she must make Empress Wang’s wish come true.
