Mu Fengqie grabbed the medical kit in her hand and strode forward. Only then did she notice the woman in front of her with a tightly furrowed brow. Although there were three or four palace maids massaging her, it seemed they still couldn't relieve her pain.
One had to admit that the women in the palace were well - maintained. The Empress Dowager looked like she was of the same age as the dog - emperor. It was hard to imagine that such a young woman was actually the Empress Dowager.
"Empress Dowager, please stretch out your fair hand. I'll feel your pulse," Mu Fengqie said calmly with her head down.
The Empress Dowager still didn't open her eyes, but she obediently stretched out an arm. Mu Fengqie patiently felt the Empress Dowager's pulse. Before long, she found the root cause of the illness.
"Your Majesty, your headache is a migraine caused by excessive heart - fire and qi deficiency with blood depletion. I'll apply acupuncture for you and prescribe a few doses of medicine. You'll recover soon," Mu Fengqie reported.
Women of the Empress Dowager's age usually had some symptoms of menopause. The Empress Dowager had pent - up heart - fire and long - term qi deficiency with blood depletion, which was why her headache was so severe.
However, Mu Fengqie was a bit surprised. Her son had become the emperor, and the Empress Dowager only needed to live a life of ease. How could she have such excessive heart - fire?
"Really? Then hurry up and apply acupuncture for me!" The Empress Dowager finally opened her eyes and said with a hint of anger.
Mu Fengqie responded and dismissed the palace maids beside the Empress Dowager. Then she picked up the silver needles and quickly inserted them into the Empress Dowager's head. As soon as the first needle went in, the Empress Dowager's headache was indeed lessened, and she even felt a tingly sensation.
When Mu Fengqie had inserted all the needles, the Empress Dowager's headache had completely disappeared, and she felt refreshed. She became interested in Mu Fengqie.
She opened her eyes and sized up Mu Fengqie. There was a flash of surprise on her face, which quickly disappeared. "You're the folk doctor Chuan'er found for me?"
"Yes, Your Majesty. It's my great fortune to be able to apply acupuncture for you," Mu Fengqie knelt down and answered obsequiously.
Although she didn't see the dog - emperor today, she had successfully entered the palace. Maybe the Empress Dowager would be her breakthrough.
The Empress Dowager was satisfied with Mu Fengqie's humble attitude and treated her more gently. "Since you're from outside the palace, stay in the palace for a few more days. Leave the palace only when my illness is cured. There will be rewards for you then."
Staying in the palace was exactly what Mu Fengqie wanted. But it seemed the Empress Dowager had no intention of keeping her in the Imperial Hospital. She had to find a way to stay by the Empress Dowager's side.
"I obey your order. Thank you, Your Majesty."
"Grand Imperial Mother, are you feeling better? Has the divine doctor diagnosed you?"
Yuan Yuchuan's overbearing voice came from outside. Mu Fengqie breathed a sigh of relief. With Yuan Yuchuan's help, things would be easier for her.
It seemed that if she had the Empress Dowager as a backer in the palace, the dog - emperor wouldn't dare to do anything to her. So the Empress Dowager became Mu Fengqie's target to win over.
When the Empress Dowager saw Yuan Yuchuan, she finally showed a relieved smile. "Our Chuan'er is the most filial. He knows how to care about Grand Imperial Mother."
"Grand Imperial Mother, are you feeling better? Your headache is an old problem, so I've found a divine doctor for you," Yuan Yuchuan flattered the Empress Dowager beside her, making her smile again and again. Mu Fengqie rolled her eyes silently.
A scoundrel like Yuan Yuchuan couldn't have any real filial piety. It was probably all a show with ulterior motives.
The Empress Dowager nodded. "Chuan'er is the most to my liking. You've been troubled. Has your father asked about your studies recently?"
Sure enough, upon hearing the Empress Dowager's question, a sly look of triumph flashed across Yuan Yuchuan's face. No one noticed except Mu Fengqie. "Father has been busy with state affairs recently. I haven't seen him for many days."
Both the Empress Dowager and Yuan Yuchuan knew very well that the emperor must be hiding in the harem enjoying himself. The Empress Dowager sighed.
Although the emperor dealt with state affairs every day, he didn't care about his offspring at all. He even visited her, the Empress Dowager, more often than his sons.
The Empress Dowager heaved a heavy sigh. "He's really muddle - headed! Chuan'er, remember that you're the crown prince. Don't neglect your studies. Only when you're learned will people submit to you in the future."
After hearing the Empress Dowager's words, Mu Fengqie raised her eyebrows. No wonder Yuan Yuchuan was so ambitious. It seemed he had been spoiled. The Empress Dowager really liked Yuan Yuchuan.
Yuan Yuchuan nodded and reached out to massage the Empress Dowager. He looked exactly like a filial grandson. It was hard to connect him now with the one outside the palace.
"I'll surely listen to Grand Imperial Mother. Grand Imperial Mother just needs to recuperate in peace. I'll never let Grand Imperial Mother down."
Yuan Yuchuan was the son of the queen, and the queen was the niece of the Empress Dowager. So the Empress Dowager treated Yuan Yuchuan and Yuan Yuze better, after all, their blood also flowed in the family's veins.
Mu Fengqie removed the silver needles from the Empress Dowager's head and then followed the crown prince to the State Affairs Hall. There was no one in the State Affairs Hall at this time, not even the emperor.
Mu Fengqie was a bit confused. If the emperor didn't come back, would she have to wait here forever? What a bunch of scoundrels!
The emperor was having a good time in the harem at this moment. After hearing the report, he showed an impatient look. "Let the crown prince wait in the State Affairs Hall. He's disturbed my good time!"
Hearing the emperor's anger, the eunuch who delivered the message had to return to the State Affairs Hall dejectedly. Even the crown prince showed an unhappy look.
"Since father has asked us to wait here, let's wait for a while."
Yuan Yuchuan knew exactly where the emperor was. The queen had fallen out of favor and only had an empty title. There were always young and beautiful women in the harem. Yuan Yuchuan had to find a way to stabilize his position by himself.
Mu Fengqie rolled her eyes silently. "Your Highness, can I go out of the palace today?"
"Go out of the palace?" Yuan Yuchuan looked up and asked in surprise. "Didn't you hear Grand Imperial Mother ask you to stay and treat her? What do you want to go out for?"
"I came into the palace in a hurry this time and didn't prepare anything. The Empress Dowager's illness needs to be treated for some time. I have to go back and get some things."
She really did come in a hurry. She was still worried about those shops. It would be great if she could enter the palace every day without living in it.
Thinking of this, Mu Fengqie suddenly remembered something. She had heard that the imperial doctors didn't need to live in the palace. She only needed to apply acupuncture for a few days to treat the Empress Dowager's illness and didn't need to stay in the palace for too long.