The Valued Lady is Truly Dominant

Empress Dowager Wang lay on the phoenix couch, eyes half-closed, her face, devoid of makeup, was waxy yellow, and her brows were furrowed. Just one day, and her temples had gained a few silver threads, looking extremely weak.

”Mother,” Emperor Chu’s voice was very soft.

Empress Dowager Wang’s eyelids lifted slightly, she opened her eyes and spoke weakly: ”The Emperor has come.”

The voice was hoarse, as if ground by gravel.

Emperor Chu felt a deep ache, and said: ”I have come, and Yunzhi has come too.”

Song Zhiyuan stepped forward, knelt before the phoenix couch, and paid his respects: ”I greet the Empress Dowager, may Her Majesty be blessed with health and peace.”

Empress Dowager Wang tugged at her lips: ”Yunzhi has come also, rise.”

Song Zhiyuan stood up, looked at Empress Dowager Wang and said: ”My mother is concerned about your health, unable to visit the palace for the moment, she sent me to visit you. She hopes you will take care of your health and recover soon.”

Empress Dowager Wang felt a warmth in her heart and said: ”You are considerate, Ah Ci... cough cough.”

Lian Qiao quickly supported her, soothing her back, and gently covered her mouth with a cloth.

Empress Dowager Wang coughed severely, her throat sounding rough, as if she was about to cough up her internal organs, which alarmed Emperor Chu and Song Zhiyuan. They quickly summoned the Imperial Physician.

Imperial Physician Lu personally came in, checking her pulse and soothing her breathing, busy indeed.

When Empress Dowager Wang ceased coughing, Lian Qiao took away the cloth, saw a bit of red, her face turned pale, and instinctively clenched the cloth in her palm.

She was quick, yet didn’t escape the eyes of Emperor Chu and Song Zhiyuan, both showed a look of dread, hearts changing greatly, yet as those in power, they maintained composure before Empress Dowager Wang.

Imperial Physician Lu at this moment said: ”Your Majesty, Empress Dowager should avoid agitation due to her unresolved illness.”

Empress Dowager Wang drank a sip of water, leaning on Lian Qiao, she gave a bitter smile, weakly said: ”Ai Jia is old now, of no use.”

Falling ill is nothing but a consequence of aging.

”Mother,” Emperor Chu frowned, sat at the bedside, holding her hand, said: ”Don’t think too much, it’s merely a mild cold, many elderly also suffer from it in autumn and winter, just need to recuperate.”

As he spoke, he glanced at Song Zhiyuan, who continued: ”Indeed, Empress Dowager should set her mind at ease, my mother is the same, now recuperating.”

”Ai Jia and Ah Ci seem to share an illness tale, she hasn’t fully recovered and Ai Jia follows likewise, alas, fortune does not favor us.”

Emperor Chu and Song Zhiyuan exchanged a glance and said: ”Naturally, there is fortune ahead. Yunzhi is about to marry a daughter-in-law, the candidate is already chosen. When his eldest son weds, if you have leisure, I shall accompany you to enjoy a cup of wedding wine, provided you recover well.”

Empress Dowager Wang showed a trace of joy indeed, said: ”Indeed? Oh my, with this, Ah Ci is close to becoming a great-grandmother, excellent, excellent. Which family is confirmed?”

Song Zhiyuan smiled and said: ”Not fully decided yet, think to let the two kids meet first, so that Lady knows, they are from Duke Dingguo Mansion, the youngest daughter, where my mother is very fond of her.”

”Ah Ci picked her?” Empress Dowager Wang grinned and said: ”If she chose her, then it must be good, her judgment has always been sound, cough cough.”

”Mother, stop speaking, rest now.” Emperor Chu lovingly helped her lie down.

At that moment, a scent of medicine wafted through, it was Wan Yicheng, the child, leading Eunuch Hai and palace maids, walking in, upon seeing Emperor Chu and the others, they hurriedly knelt to pay respects.