Unprepared for her return at this moment, the Empress stiffened, having to halt her actions.
As she turned, the Empress Dowager had already entered the hall. The two imperial physicians behind her immediately retreated to the side.
The Empress's eyes flickered as she curtsied.
"Mother Dowager."
The Empress Dowager walked in from outside, her expression stern and silent.
Only after Ye Tingyun spoke, calling her "Imperial Grandmother," did she raise her eyes and cast a displeased glance. "Empress, what are you doing?"
Having seen the situation clearly, the Empress did not show any signs of panic when questioned.
"His Majesty is gravely ill, and I, along with the consorts of all palaces, are worried. Thus, I specially summoned two imperial physicians from the Imperial Hospital to diagnose His Majesty. We arrived in a hurry and did not consult Mother Dowager beforehand. I beg for your understanding."
The Empress Dowager's brow furrowed slightly.
"I understand your intentions, Empress, but the Emperor's health is being diligently treated by Imperial Physician Jiang. You need not worry about this matter anymore."
"Now, the Emperor is gravely ill and needs to rest. Since you have no other matters, take your people and withdraw."
The Empress Dowager's gaze fell upon the two imperial physicians behind the Empress, her meaning clear.
Upon hearing this, the Empress remained rooted to the spot.
"Mother Dowager, it is not that I am being overly suspicious, but this concerns His Majesty's imperial body, and we cannot be too careful."
"Since these two imperial physicians have already arrived, why not let them examine His Majesty? This way, no errors will occur, and the inner palace can be at ease."
The Empress Dowager's expression instantly darkened.
"What errors could there be? Imperial Physician Jiang has been treating the Emperor for many years with excellent skill. What are you worried about?"
"Or are you insisting on this because you suspect I intend to harm the Emperor?"
"Your servant dares not."
The Empress Dowager looked at her and snorted coldly, "You dare not, or you think it but dare not speak it."
This stern rebuke, carrying an unspoken authority, immediately caused the Empress to kneel.
"Mother Dowager, please calm your anger."
"Your servant's actions are out of concern for His Majesty's imperial body, and absolutely not to speculate about you. I hope Mother Dowager will understand."
The Empress Dowager did not wish to look at her any longer. "Enough. I have no time to ponder your thoughts. Take your people back to your palace immediately. Without a summons, you need not come out again."
Her patience was exhausted, and she was on the verge of ordering someone to escort them out.
Seeing this, the Empress lowered her head and agreed. As she stood up, her movements paused slightly.
"I heard Mother Dowager summoned the ministers into the palace today. May I know if there is anything of importance?"
"Empress!"
The Empress Dowager's eyes instantly sharpened. "The inner palace must not interfere in state affairs. Have you been in the palace for too long and forgotten the rules?"
This daughter-in-law was becoming increasingly presumptuous.
Being reprimanded, the Empress did not say another word. She lightly nodded, bowed, and stepped back.
"Your servant takes her leave."
Only after she left did the farcical scene finally conclude.
The Empress Dowager retracted her gaze and immediately turned to look for Jiang Rumuo. "How is the Emperor's condition now?"
As she turned, her eyes first met the robes of a eunuch.
In her haste to stop the Empress earlier, she hadn't even noticed an out-of-place palace servant in the hall.
The Empress Dowager's expression faltered slightly. She instinctively lowered her gaze, but the eunuch, as if sensing her intention, lowered his head first.
His wide-brimmed hat obscured his face. Though they were less than ten feet apart, an unusual sensation arose in an instant.
The Empress Dowager frowned, about to speak, when Jiang Rumuo's voice reached them first.
"Please do not worry, Your Majesty. His Majesty's condition has temporarily stabilized. He will be able to last for another day, without issue."