Chapter 254
Qin Jiu quickly ordered the maidservant to pour a cup of warm water and personally fed Duan Wangfei, “Wangfei, you should drink some warm water.”
Duan Wang Fei slowly sipped water but never looked up at Duan Wangye again and the back of her hand gripping the teacup has protruding veins.
Obviously, Duan Wang Fei was not as calm as she appears.
The surrounding servants of the wangfu also know that the atmosphere was not right, one by one, their heads crouched even lower and trembling with fear.
Only Qin Jiu noticed that Gu Zezhi did not even say a single word to Duan Wangye from the beginning to the end. She could not help but glance at Gu Zezhi again who was a few steps away, he was listening intently to the three physicians discussing the prescription.
The imperial physicians gathered around and talked for about a cup of tea before finally Physician Liu Fang came up with two plans.
“Third Master Gu, the first prescription we will prescribe is a warm tonic to supplement her body for half a year. And as for the second prescription, we will use a strong medicine to detoxify the poison….”
Gu Zezhi read both prescriptions with a single glance, and said with a gentle but decisive expression, “Use the warm tonic.”
As soon as the prescription was settled, Zhou Xin returned and delivered a series of oral instructions on behalf of the emperor.
“Wangye, the emperor has invited you to come over.”
“Third Master Gu, the emperor asked Master Gu to accompany Duan Wang Fei back to the residence, and also, order of two Imperial Physicians to accompany you on your trip to the Duan Wang residence as well.”
Gu Zezhi and the two imperial physicians all received the order: “I will obey the order.”
Only Duan Wang hesitated for a moment.
After thinking about it, he was afraid that since the emperor didn’t know much about the heir’s consort he might misunderstand her, not to mention what Wang momo said just now, he must go and explain it to the emperor.
But he was also worried about wangfei, so after hesitating for a while he told Gu Zezhi.
“Zezhi, take good care of your mother, while benwang goes to see the emperor.”
Duan Wangye then followed Zhou Xin out of the private room.
Gu Zezhi neither answered nor looked at Duan Wangye. He said to Qin Jiu, “Xiao Jiu, go back. I will send mother back to the mansion first.”
Qin Jiu obediently agreed since she couldn’t help much anyway.
The servants of the palace immediately took action. Soon, the room became empty, leaving only a wisp of Jiuhe incense.
Qin Jiu returned to Empress Dowager Liu’s side again. Seeing her back all the other noble ladies craned their necks to look at her, their expressions were either worried, curious, or surprised.
Without waiting for Qin Jiu’s courtesies Empress Dowager Liu anxiously asked, “Xiao Jiu, how is Duan Wang Fei?”
Empress Dowager Liu and Duan Wang Fei have been sisters-in-law for many years, and they still have some friendship.
Qin Jiu told all the things that had just happened, including how the imperial physician found the Chifeng Grass mixed with Jiuhe incense. However, she didn’t mention anything about Wang momo‘s identifying the heir’s consort, while all the noble ladies around her pricked up their ears and were all stupefied.
There was no need for Qin Jiu to say anymore, this alone was enough for Empress Dowager Liu’s imagination to roam: imagine that! Who will poison Duan Wang Fei? The answer is obvious.
The corners of Qin Jiu’s lips curled slightly at an angle that Empress Dowager Liu could not see, leaving Empress Dowager Liu make her own associations.
Empress Dowager Liu slowly twirled the beads in her hand and was lost in her thoughts: In all likelihood, this incident has something to do with Wangye’s firstborn son.
She still remembers how the emperor ruefully said how Gu Zezhi the legitimate son was overthrown by a concubine-born son and that if Gu Chenzhi was a small-minded person, Gu Zezhi would suffer.
At that time, Empress Dowager Liu didn’t think much of it. She had met the eldest son of Duan Wangye, Gu Chenzhi, he was a well-educated and sensible man, and he was so much older than Gu Zezhi. He watched Gu Zezhi like how a father watched over his son, the status of the heir was already been determined so how could the elder brother treat the younger brother badly!
But now it seems that she still underestimated people’s hearts.
If this matter was really done by Gu Chenzi, then Side Concubine Feng might also be involved in it. Gu Chenzhi must want to help Side Concubine Feng so that he could make room for his mother and make her the Duan Wang Fei!
Once Side Concubine Feng was given the right to be the legal wife, and since Gu Chenzhi was also the first son, his position as the heir apparent would naturally be more stable and solidify.
The more Empress Dowager Liu thought about it, the more she thought it was plausible. The discord between a consort and a side concubine was a big taboo, and it was a sign of unrest in the family whether it was an ordinary family or the royal family.
Empress Dowager Liu secretly sighed as she held the teacup in front of her and was about to take a sip to calm her mind, but suddenly thought of Gu Jing and Gu Zhen which made her hands pause midair.
Weren’t the situation of these two brothers the same with the Duan Wangfus’?!
She has so many grandchildren, and because of the Liu family’s blood flowing in Gu Jing’s body, she has been partial to him since he was a child. However, recently she was disappointed with Gu Jing for pleading on behalf of Qin Xin but Gu Jing was still her grandson after all. And these days he often comes to the Cining Palace to pay respect and cheer on her, so this somewhat softens her heart.
But now, Empress Dowager Liu couldn’t help but shiver.
Gu Zhen was the legitimate son, if the elder brother succeeds to the throne, would he be able to accommodate his younger brother in the future?!
For thousands of years, has been there any few cases where brother don’t kill each other?!
Empress Dowager Liu’s expression change from bright to dim as she twirls the beads on her hand before stopping, and all of these were seen by Qin Jiu.
And for a while, Empress Dowager Liu did was silent.
A moment later, she looked at Qin Jiu again and said, “Xiao Jiu, the lantern festival only happens once a year. You don’t have to stay here to accompany this dowager empress, go and play by yourself.”
Qin Jiu responded but since she wasn’t really in the mood for a stroll she sat back in her seat and continued to watch.
In front of the high platform, the dragon lantern dancers have retired and replaced with a lion dance team, Qin Jiu held her chin and watched for a while, but seeing that it was still the same dance with a different costume she was feeling bored.
Qin Jiu was so idle that she feel agitated when a palace maid in blue from Lanse Palace came over to serve her tea, then silently pointed in a certain direction, and said, “Third Miss Qin, look down.”
Qin Jiu looked in the direction she pointed and saw a purple figure in the crowd on the street.
Gu Zezhi looked up at her, smiled, waved to her, and motioned for her to come down.
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