Situ Yan would soon be leaving the capital, so it was clear he wouldn't be able to attend Qingya's wedding feast.
Song Ming, who followed everywhere, sent two gifts in advance: one for the wedding and one for her dowry. Both were hefty gold ornaments. In his words, nothing was as practical as gold and silver. Da Mao followed suit, also gifting gold, just slightly less in weight than Song Ming's. It wasn't that he was stingy, but rather he was broke.
This fellow lived a life where he only had himself to worry about, and his monthly allowance never lasted until the end of the month. For these two gold ornaments, he had borrowed ten taels of silver from Song Ming.
However, this was not a problem. The boss was about to take them on a raid, and then, let alone ten taels, even a hundred wouldn't be an issue.
Apart from these two, Situ Yan also had many acquaintances among the military officers who were familiar with Qingya. The gifts they sent were far more numerous than those sent by Qingya's sisters within the mansion. This had even caused quite a few maids to become envious. They were all servants, so why could she have such a glorious life?
If Qingya were exceptionally intelligent, it would be understandable. But she was not particularly sharp.
Her success in the outside world was entirely due to her brute strength, capable of defeating the prince's subordinates.
In any other household, a wild and rough maid like Qingya would be unwanted. Yet, the master of their mansion was a prince who led troops in battle, and his soldiers only valued loyalty.
Truly, comparing oneself to others could drive one to death.
On November 28th, a heavy snow fell. Situ Yan rose early, paid his respects to Emperor Changwu in the palace, and then quietly led fifty thousand troops out of the capital. Lu Nianfu stood atop the high city walls, watching until the procession had dwindled to tiny black specks before returning home by carriage. As soon as she arrived back at her mansion, an imperial decree from the Empress arrived, summoning her to the palace for a talk.
Lu Nianfu could not disobey the imperial summons, so she had to wash and dress, then board the carriage to the palace.
Fortunately, the Emperor was particularly reliable. As soon as she entered the palace gates, Li Furui stopped her with his men, presenting her with a pile of tonics and instructing her to rest safely at her mansion and care for her pregnancy.
The Empress, who had been waiting long for Lu Nianfu in Changning Palace, was furious upon hearing that the Emperor had intercepted her and sent her back with gifts.
Logically, with the Emperor's attitude so obvious, she should have retreated. However, she could not swallow her anger. Coincidentally, a palace maid brought her a bowl of bird's nest soup. She packed it into a food box and took it to the imperial study. She was determined to get an explanation from the Emperor regarding today's events. If she, the dignified Empress, was not even allowed to summon her daughter-in-law for a conversation, how could she manage the inner palace and embody the virtues of a queen after this was known?
She proceeded with righteous indignation but was stopped by Li Furui outside the imperial study.
"Your Majesty the Empress, His Majesty has instructed that he is busy with state affairs today and will see no one."
Was he so busy with state affairs that he had time to concern himself with his daughter-in-law's whereabouts?
The Empress was seething, her lungs about to burst. That wench had been dead for many years, yet the son she bore was treated as more precious than others. Now, even his daughter-in-law was protected by the Emperor.
Despite her anger, a gust of icy wind cleared her mind. The Emperor's attitude clearly indicated that he did not want her to interfere with the Rui Princess. What could she possibly say if she went to confront her?
In Zhenfang Palace, Consort Jian was greatly amused to hear that the Empress had been denied entry to the imperial study and had slunk back to Changning Palace.
Serves her right. Thinking she was the best in the world just because she was Empress. Now she'd bumped into a hard obstacle. However, the Emperor's favoritism towards Prince Rui made her uneasy. The Crown Prince was already a troublesome obstacle, and now with Situ Yan added to the mix, when would her Jue ever rise to prominence?
Situ Jue, however, was not in a mood to worry about his future. He was currently having people discreetly investigate renowned physicians.
After visiting many, he finally found a barefoot doctor who identified the root of his illness: "Your symptoms don't seem like an illness; they seem more like poisoning."
"What poison?"
"Gu poison from Xijiang."
Among all the doctors he had seen, only this one seemed to have grasped something. Although still uncertain, Situ Jue treated him as a lifeline. "How can this poison be cured? If you can cure it, I will pay you ten thousand taels in consultation fees."
This was a high-paying client. The barefoot doctor felt a pang of regret. "Unfortunately, I have only encountered such poison in ancient texts, and I have no idea how to cure it. However, you might try to find a doctor who specializes in Xijiang Gu poison."
After leaving the barefoot doctor, Situ Jue's trusted subordinate offered a suggestion: "Your Highness, I hear that Imperial Physician Ji in the palace has considerable research on Gu poison, and His Majesty himself praises him highly. Why don't we seek him out?"
Situ Jue glared fiercely at his subordinate. "Idiot! Don't you know Ji Jin is close with Situ Yan? Seeking treatment from him would be no different than telling Situ Yan directly!"
That reckless fellow dared to slap the Crown Prince's face in court. Given their past animosity, if he found out, wouldn't he publicize my condition throughout the capital?
With such a reputation, he would not only be unable to ascend the throne but would likely be ashamed to even stay in the capital.