Chapter 376
Evil Wind
Chapter 376 Evil Wind
On the table, six food boxes were lined up in a row, containing rice, vegetables, soup, bread, and so on.
The journey from the Imperial Palace to Prince Lu's residence wasn't short, but the food was preserved with charcoal and was specially selected, featuring a wide variety of dishes and top-quality ingredients, truly deserving of the title "a gift from the Empress Dowager."
The meal looked perfectly appetizing, yet it caused the cold sweat that King Lu had just wiped away to reappear.
He swallowed hard, then stood there motionless.
If it were Zhao Yu who bestowed the meal, he would naturally not be afraid—if he ate the emperor's gift and suffered any harm, he would be unable to shake off the reputation of harming his elders.
People these days care about their reputation and these things.
But this time it was Empress Dowager Yang who came!
When her brother died, she merely inquired about the delayed rewards for the Imperial Guards, wondering when they would be distributed. However, she somehow heard about the past of the King of Yue and, in front of many ministers, actually imitated the phrase, "It is up to you to do it yourself."
Later, when he was outside, he was just a little too aggressive, but she showed no tolerance at all and even sent him an empty food box, imitating the story of Cao Mengde and Xun Yu.
Although another copy was sent immediately, saying it was a mistake—how could such a thing be a mistake?
The old woman has always been fierce. It is said that when the late emperor was still a prince, the two had a dispute. She even tore off her husband's beard, which was still covered in blood and flesh, and then she had to help cover it up.
If someone who never cares about saving face really poisoned herself and died, and then pretended to be stupid, who would compensate her?
Also, the palace gates, which had been sealed for two days, have suddenly opened, and food has been brought in from inside...
Could it be that Zhao Yu really doesn't have long to live, and she's afraid she'll take his place...?
Thinking of this, King Lu was even less willing to gamble.
Seeing that he did not move, the eunuch who delivered the imperial decree said politely, "This humble official has received the Empress Dowager's order and must serve the prince his meal."
As he spoke, the man turned around and gestured.
Several eunuchs immediately came forward, some moving tables and chairs, others taking out various dishes from the food boxes and arranging them, and preparing bowls and chopsticks.
The Prince of Lu felt a chill run down his spine.
He turned to look at the retainers behind him.
Seeing his movements out of the corner of their eyes, the group frantically exchanged glances, some quickly closing their eyes, others leaning to one side, striking a pose.
King Lu understood immediately. He took two steps forward and was about to sit down when his bottom had barely touched half of the chair when he slid to one side.
Several retainers rushed forward and caught him.
"Your Highness!"
"Oh no! The prince has fainted—quickly, call a doctor!"
King Lu fainted, and the hall was in chaos.
The eunuch, however, seemed even more anxious than the other retainers. He immediately sent someone to the palace to report the news, urged the doctor, and sent someone to find ice water, saying that in such a situation, it was best to use ice water to stimulate the face and head.
Mid-Autumn Festival is just around the corner, and the weather is already turning cold. Who would dare to throw ice water at Prince Lu?
Some of the retainers had already slipped out to make an explanation, so everyone in the Prince's mansion naturally pretended to be ignorant.
There was no cold water, but a doctor arrived quickly.
Before the old doctor could even speak after taking the prince's pulse, the eunuch anxiously asked, "Your Highness, could it be that you've been infected by an evil spirit?"
"Your Highness is in poor health and has indeed been affected by some evil influences..."
"Last time, I heard Imperial Physician Peng report to the Empress Dowager, saying that the older one gets, the less one should delay once evil wind enters the body, as one will wake up slowly and may even have brain damage... In such cases, acupuncture at the philtrum is the most effective treatment—Doctor, is that right?"
The physicians summoned by the Prince of Lu's residence dared not deny what the head of the Imperial Medical Academy had said, and could only vaguely agree. The eunuch then said, "Then hurry—use the needles!"
Under the watchful eyes of a group of retainers, the old doctor glanced behind him and winked at his apprentice who was about to retrieve his needle kit from his medicine box. He then hurriedly shook his head and said, "Oh dear! I was in such a hurry that I forgot to bring my needles—apprentice, hurry back and get them!"
The eunuch replied, "What can we do then? Even if we can wait, how can His Highness's condition wait?"
He rolled up his sleeves, looking like he was gritting his teeth, and said, "I have no choice but to do it myself. Chief Physician Peng specifically instructed me that when things are urgent, one cannot hesitate. If there is no acupuncture, pinching with your hands will also work, but you must use force and strength!"
As he spoke, the eunuch stepped forward, seemingly unafraid of death, and charged at Prince Lu.
Judging from his posture, it looked like he was about to pinch Prince Lu's philtrum through with one hand. The group of people were so frightened that they practically dragged him away.
"Two days ago, when the prince heard that His Majesty was ill, he lost his appetite and could not eat or drink anything day or night. He was very worried. He also heard some rumors outside, which made him angry and resentful. Now that the Empress Dowager has shown him compassion, he must have been so moved that he suddenly stopped breathing!"
"Yes! Yes! It shouldn't be a serious illness. There's no sign of illness. I'll be fine in a bit!"
"You can't just randomly pinch the philtrum... It's better to wait for acupuncture!"
"Doctor! Doctor, please see if there's anything else you can do!"
Amidst the commotion, the old doctor himself took matters into his own hands, pressing on something, and Prince Lu finally woke up slowly, thanking him breathlessly.
He said he was dizzy and had a headache, which was a pity for the Empress Dowager's good meal. He then paid his respects to the Emperor and said that it was nothing serious, that he would get better after a rest, and that there was no need to worry about it. He also asked the eunuch to go back and report.
The eunuch refused to leave, speaking with utmost deference: "His Highness is seriously ill, and I happen to be here to take care of him. I used to work in the Imperial Pharmacy, so I know a little about medicine and pharmacology. I also studied medicine under Physician Peng for two years. Now that the Princess is not here, there is no one in the household to make decisions. If I just leave, and His Majesty finds out, he will surely punish me!"
As he spoke, he overstepped his bounds and summoned the chief clerk, instructing him to set out bedding in the outer room, saying, "I will stand guard here tonight! It is extremely dangerous for the body to be infected by evil winds!"
This time, King Lu felt a throbbing sensation in the back of his head, as if he had truly been infected by an evil wind.
In the afternoon, the imperial physicians and eunuchs arrived in droves.
Even though the King of Lu repeatedly said that he was fine, the physicians still came up with a prescription.
The eunuch who delivered the imperial decree, along with several junior eunuchs, served Prince Lu his medicine.
Although the prescription had been reviewed by a trusted doctor and the medicine had been prepared by a trusted confidant, Prince Lu still felt uneasy looking at the bowl of medicine in front of him.
When the medicine is being prepared, palace eunuchs and palace servants are also present. There are always times when subordinates are careless and wonder if they might do something to sabotage the process.
Having been caught off guard all day, looking back now, he finds the events utterly absurd and bizarre.
Why are you arguing with those eunuchs and palace attendants sent by the Empress Dowager?
We can't afford to delay anything important!
He picked up the medicine bowl, but accidentally spilled the medicine all over himself. He looked up and said, "I spilled it by accident—but I'm already feeling better and don't need to take any more medicine. You may all go back to the palace and report."
Unexpectedly, neither the physician nor the eunuch made any trouble and simply returned to the palace.
King Lu breathed a sigh of relief. After everyone left, he quickly arranged for his men to make various plans and preparations.
He was initially worried that something might happen in the palace, but after waiting for half a day without any action, he finally felt relieved.
The next morning, before he even got up, someone rushed back to deliver the news.
Early in the morning, despite the distinctly chilly autumn mornings and evenings, the man was still covered in sweat.
"Your Highness! News has come from the palace that the Empress Dowager, along with the Empress... went to mourn the late Emperor!"
Hello everyone, I'm really sorry, please don't wait for updates, as there's currently no way to guarantee updates.
(End of this chapter)