Chapter 355 - 355 352 Reason_1

Chapter 355: Chapter 352: Reason_1 Chapter 355: Chapter 352: Reason_1 Thus, Li Mao would understand that the Bai family was unwilling to stir up trouble. It wasn’t that they lacked the ability to create trouble for him, and he would realize that even though the Bai family had only a widow and orphans left, they were definitely not powerless.

Li Mao needed to feel pain, to feel fear, and to know just how ruthless the Bai family could be. Only then would he be truly wary and scared from the bottom of his heart.

Otherwise, if Li Mao harbored thoughts about the Bai family or caused trouble for the Bai family army stationed in the southern borders without reason, it was not something she wanted to see. She needed the Bai family to be safe and the Bai family army to be successful. Thus, Li Mao had to be subdued and even made to protect the Bai family and their army.

In this way, the letters that Li Mao dreaded would also temporarily remain hidden.

Although Bai Qingyan hated Li Mao deeply in her heart, compared to killing him outright, the opportunity to use this powerful figure was something she would relish.

It’s just a matter of dealing with him later. There’s no rush.

Understanding Bai Qingyan’s intentions, Bai Jinzhi nodded vigorously, “Then I will keep a close watch on the movements of Left Prime Minister Li Mao these days and prevent him from making any moves!”

Bai Qingyan nodded.

Bai Jinzhi, remembering that the Emperor had not yet summoned Miss Lu to the palace for a consultation, felt a bit anxious: “Eldest Young Lady, do you think I should go and find Arong from the Huang family again and ask if she didn’t relay my message to Doctor Huang? The Emperor has such a headache that he can’t attend court sessions. Why hasn’t anyone from the palace come to ask for Aunt Suqiu?”

“I think Doctor Huang must have already mentioned Aunt Suqiu to the Emperor. Let’s wait a bit longer; it should be soon,” Bai Qingyan replied.

The Emperor’s headache and the inability to find the cause had left the Imperial Medical Bureau in a state of panic. If Doctor Huang had heard from his granddaughter about Miss Lu curing many difficult illnesses, he would likely mention Miss Lu to the Emperor.

After all, Doctor Huang had previously discussed medicine with Miss Lu for the Eldest Princess and was very confident in her medical skills.

The Emperor, in desperate pain and already curious about this Miss Lu, would likely seize the opportunity to meet her under the pretext that she might cure his headache.

The reason for the delay in summoning Lu Ninghuan was probably because of the Emperor’s mixed feelings — wanting to meet her but also worried that she might truly be the reincarnation of Aunt Suqiu. Given the current state of suspicion towards the Bai family, even though he didn’t want to admit he was wrong, deep down, the Emperor felt ashamed to face Aunt Suqiu.

Just as Bai Jinzhi mentioned that the Emperor had not yet sent someone to summon Lu Ninghuan to the palace to diagnose him, at noon, a messenger from Doctor Huang’s house came, saying that Miss Lu was requested to accompany Doctor Huang to the palace to treat the Emperor.

Lu Ninghuan, hearing the news that she would enter the palace to see the Emperor, did not panic. She only went to consult with Nanny Jiang about how she should dress, coincidentally meeting Bai Qingyan, who had just received the news.

Bai Qingyan thought for a moment and said, “There’s no need to deliberately pick favored colors, just choose a similar style. If it’s too intricate like that of Lady Qiu, it would seem overly crafted.”

Nanny Jiang nodded, “What the young miss said is right. Why not choose that light blue moonlight dress made a few days ago? It appears refreshing.”

Lu Ninghuan thanked Nanny Jiang with a curtsy.

“Who did Grandmother appoint to accompany Aunt Suqiu?” Bai Qingyan asked.

Nanny Jiang hurriedly replied, “The Eldest Princess has ordered this servant to accompany Miss Lu into the palace. Since it’s Miss Lu’s first time entering the palace, the Eldest Princess is understandably worried.”

Bai Qingyan nodded, “I still have some instructions for Aunt Suqiu. I’ll accompany Aunt Suqiu to change clothes.”

Nanny Jiang smiled and said, “I’ll go prepare Miss Lu’s medicine chest.”

“Thank you, Nanny,” Lu Ninghuan said politely.

Bai Qingyan walked out with Miss Lu, smiling and speaking, “Aunt Suqiu, during this visit to the palace, if you can alleviate the Emperor’s headache with acupuncture, that should be sufficient. As for the cause of his headache, since the Imperial Medical Bureau couldn’t diagnose it, it wouldn’t be wise for you to offend the entire Imperial Medical Bureau. And only if the Emperor’s headache improves but doesn’t completely heal, would there still be reasons to continue seeing you.”

Lu Ninghuan nodded, bowing to Bai Qingyan, “Young miss, rest assured. Ninghuan knows the proper balance and will do well.”

“Auntie, no need for such courtesy,” Bai Qingyan said, supporting Lu Ninghuan, “I am the younger one. Auntie, please don’t be too formal with me.”

Nanny Jiang prepared the medicine chest and all necessary tools and came to summon Lu Ninghuan, who had already changed her clothes.

Bai Qingyan escorted Lu Ninghuan to the gate, and with a bow, said, “Thank you for your hard work, Aunt Suqiu, and Nanny Jiang.”

Lu Ninghuan returned Bai Qingyan’s bow and, supported by Nanny Jiang, boarded the carriage, her palm tightly clenched. This was her first time meeting the Emperor. Success or failure hinged on this one occasion. The Eldest Princess had repeatedly instructed her.

The Eldest Princess had shown immense kindness to her and her mother. If it weren’t for the Eldest Princess, both she and her mother would no longer be in this world. She could only repay the Eldest Princess with her life. She absolutely couldn’t ruin the Eldest Princess’s plans.

At the hour of You, the Emperor’s reward returned with Lu Ninghuan to the Princess of Zhen’s mansion.

Bai Qingyan and the Eldest Princess had been waiting for Lu Ninghuan.

When Lu Ninghuan returned, she recounted in detail the events in the palace.

Hearing Lu Ninghuan say that the Emperor dismissed everyone and left her alone in the hall, with eyes filled with sadness and watery red eyes, the Eldest Princess, sitting on the soft yellow West Passionflower cushion, closed her eyes, stroked the Buddha beads, and pursed her lips without speaking.

Bai Qingyan knew that the Emperor believed that Lu Ninghuan was Aunt Suqiu’s reincarnation.

“You have worked hard today, Aunt Suqiu,” Bai Qingyan said with a smile to Lu Ninghuan.

“What exactly is wrong with the Emperor’s health? Is someone deliberately vying for favor and harming His Majesty’s sacred body?” the Eldest Princess asked.

Lu Ninghuan did not dare hide anything from the Eldest Princess and replied, “The Emperor’s pulse showed no abnormalities, so Ninghuan cannot be certain for now.”

“Tell me what you think,” the Eldest Princess said, opening her eyes and picking up the teacup beside her.

“I noticed that the Emperor’s fingers trembled slightly uncontrollably and his body emitted a unique subtle fragrance. I suspect that the Emperor seemed to have used an aphrodisiac from Xiliang. This medicine, when used, makes a person feel potent. But an overdose can cause mild poisoning, which leads to unbearable headaches.”

Lu Ninghuan spoke of these matters without the slightest bit of maidenly shyness, straightforwardly. However, the Eldest Princess frowned, feeling these topics were too crude for Bai Qingyan to hear with her pure ears.

“Did you see Lady Qiu?” Bai Qingyan asked again.

Lu Ninghuan shook her head.

Bai Qingyan thought that only Lady Qiu’s massage could slightly alleviate such a headache and said, “If the Emperor indeed used this medicine, is there anything that can relieve such a headache?”

Lu Ninghuan thought for a moment and shook her head, “This aphrodisiac came from Xiliang. Ninghuan has never come into deep contact with it. I only know about it because my grandfather once treated such a patient, and so far I can only speculate that the Emperor might have used this medicine, but I cannot be certain.”

Bai Qingyan squinted her eyes. An aphrodisiac from Xiliang…

“After applying acupuncture to the Emperor, I suggested that the Emperor recently maintain a clear mind, abstain from desires, and consume a vegetarian diet for ten days,” Lu Ninghuan looked at Bai Qingyan, “If the Emperor does not experience headaches within these ten days, Ninghuan can confirm that the Emperor used this aphrodisiac.”