章節 78: A Request

In an instant, the servants around the Princess' palace dropped down and kowtowed. The guards on duty lowered their gaze, while Mingyue and her brother lowered their head and knelt as the imperial couple made their way towards the princess' sleeping quarters. The imperial couple stopped before the siblings.

The Emperor stared at Mingyue and then turned to the young General Jiang. "What happened? Weren't you with Her Highness today? How did the poison show up again?"

The young General did not know how to answer to the Emperor's question. The last time something triggered the poison in the princess' body, they have agreed to keep it as secret. Jiang Xiao Xian tilted his head down and spoke, "This servant failed to protect the Crown Princess. Your Majesty, please punish me."

"Your Majesty," the Empress stepped beside her husband and shook her head. "Please don't blame General Jiang. The poison in Lingchen's body will show up whenever she gets too tired or cold. Lingchen has been busy with the preparation of the Spring Hunt. She's probably too tired. That's probably why the poison reacted."

The Emperor clenched his fist. He was angered when he got the news that his daughter was unwell upon returning from the Jiang's wedding. But the Empress was right. The poison in the princess' body would react when she gets too tired.

"Moreover," the Empress continued. "Today was a happy day for the Jiang's family. It was Physician Jiang Mingyue's wedding, but she hurriedly entered the palace once she heard that Lingchen was unwell."

The Emperor's gaze softened as he looked at Mingyue. "How is the Crown Princess?"

"Answering to the Emperor' question, the Crown Princess' condition has stabilized for now. She is now resting," Mingyue answered.

The imperial couple was both relieved upon hearing the news. The Empress nodded towards the siblings. Then, the couple went in into the room to look at their daughter. The Empress sat beside her daughter on the bed while Ah Zhen bought a stool for the Emperor.

The Empress took the hot towel from Ying Yi and helped to press the hot towel on the princess's body.

As the towel touched the princess' skin, Princess Lingchen slowly opened her eyes slowly and tried to sit up, but the Empress stopped her movement.

"Imperial Father, Imperial Mother, forgive this daughter for not able to greet you properly," the Princess spoke weakly.

The Empress sighed. "My daughter, how are you?"

Princess Lingchen forced a smile at her parents and said, "I'm alright. Forgive me for worrying you."

"As long as you're alright," the Emperor said. His tone softened as he spoke with the princess. "You don't have to tire yourself too much with the preparation of the Spring Hunt. Just assign some people to deal with it. Don't tire yourself. I will ask the ministers to help. You should recover quickly."

"Thank you, Your Majesty," The Princess bowed. "With Mingyue by my side to nurse me, this daughter will recover soon."

Hearing the Princess mentioning the physician's name, the Emperor then turned to Mingyue, who stood with her head lowered not far away from them. "Physician Jiang, will the Crown Princess be able to get better before the Spring Hunt?"

Mingyue stepped forward and bowed. "Your Majesty, I will do my best to help the Crown Princess recuperate."

The Emperor nodded, but he could stop to worry. It won't be long before the princes from the seven countries arrived in Da Cheng to join the Spring Hunt. It won't be right if news gets out that the Crown Princess is unwell.

"Your Majesty," Mingyue bowed. "I have a request."

The Emperor waved a hand. "Speak."

"I'm requesting for Your Majesty to allow my grandfather, Physician Han Zhenting to enter the palace to look at the Crown Princess' condition," Mingyue said. "The Spring Hunt will be held in another few weeks. I would like to hear opinions from Physician Han to help the Crown Princess to recover."

It will be easy to summon Han Zhenting to enter the palace. However, they have been keeping the princess' health a secret from the others. If the ministers heard about the Crown Princess' deteriorating health and the poison in her body, the ministers would appeal to change the next heir to the throne.

"I will call my father to visit me," the Empress said as she looked at her husband. "We will use this opportunity to get father to examine the princess' health."