Chapter 180: Chapter 180
After saying this, Emperor Yongning’s legs went weak, and his heart began to pound wildly within his chest, so loud that he could almost hear the thumping. The weakness in his calves nearly made him collapse to the ground. Sensing his inability to hold on, he quickly reached out to steady himself with the desk in front of him and sat down. Only then did he avoid an unseemly fall.
At this moment, Emperor Yongning’s mind was filled with images of the little girl often holding up her skirt, running to the Imperial Study Room, shouting "Father Emperor" from afar before she even entered, her lively and adorable demeanor.
At this moment, how he wished the little girl could run to the Imperial Study Room like she used to, holding her skirt to find him!
But clearly, that was impossible.
The little girl must be lying in bed, sick now!
And everyone fears the plague.
He didn’t know how the little girl was doing now, whether anyone was attending to her or taking care of her. Without her Father Emperor and mother by her side, would she be afraid?
Although the Crown Prince had always been good to the little girl, he had seen it with his eyes and felt comfort in his heart. But now that the little girl had contracted the plague, he didn’t know if the Crown Prince would stay by her side, comfort her so she wouldn’t be afraid, and find a reliable Imperial Physician to treat her, or if he would just care for himself and keep a respectful distance from her?
Emperor Yongning couldn’t guess, and he really didn’t want to.
Taking a deep breath, Emperor Yongning slowly calmed his emotions, realizing that now was not the time to waste thinking; saving the little girl’s life was urgent.
He said, "Xiao Lizi, immediately send an Imperial Physician to the National Guardian General Mansion to treat the Princess for the plague. If the Princess isn’t cured, the entire Imperial Hospital will be buried!"
Emperor Yongning’s tone was so calm yet it contained hidden pressure and invisible lethal force, so much so that even Xiao Lizi found it hard to breathe. Dıscover more novels at 𝘯𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘭·𝓯𝓲𝓻𝓮·𝙣𝙚𝙩
Xiao Lizi knew the Emperor wasn’t joking; he was very serious.
"Yes, Your Majesty." Xiao Lizi respectfully replied, bowed, and retreated. The usual ease and relaxation he felt when facing Emperor Yongning vanished completely, showing how much this version of Emperor Yongning made Xiao Lizi nervous.
The Imperial Guard did not linger, they followed him out.
The vast Imperial Study Room was now only left with Emperor Yongning alone.
Emperor Yongning slumped in the Taishi Chair, like a person without bones; his sitting posture was unlike his usual dignified and solemn demeanor. Something inside him seemed to have been drained away, his vigor vanished, and a listlessness surrounded his entire being.
"Why did this happen?"
"Why make my precious child experience these things? She is still so young, what wrong has she done?"
Emperor Yongning talked to himself, completely immersed in his own world.
Qiong Hua brought Jun Yu into the Imperial Study Room, and Emperor Yongning didn’t even notice.
Though Qiong Hua was now only Hua Pin, because she had a pair of children, with the daughter being favored by Emperor Yongning, she still held significant status in the palace, and the servants dared not trouble her.
Today, after hearing about Jun Ning’s situation, she immediately brought Jun Yu to the Imperial Study Room to see Emperor Yongning. Wei Lin and others guarding outside were perceptive and didn’t deliberately block her, directly allowing her entry into the Imperial Study Room.
Now that Princess Anle had encountered such a situation, the Emperor seemed completely deflated.
It was thought that only Princess Anle’s birth mother could comfort him!
The servants collectively thought.
Qiong Hua, bringing Jun Yu into the Imperial Study Room, immediately saw the lifeless Emperor Yongning slumped in the gilded dragon-encrusted Taishi Chair.
"Greetings, Your Majesty!"
Qiong Hua bowed in courtesy then looked to Emperor Yongning, waiting for him to respond and allow her to stand. But after a while, Emperor Yongning still showed no reaction, as if he hadn’t heard her at all.
Qiong Hua straightened herself and looked towards Jun Yu by her side.
"Ah Yu, can you go and comfort your Father Emperor?" She estimated that if she tried to comfort him, Emperor Yongning might not listen. Only with Jun Yu, being Jun Ning’s twin, she guessed Emperor Yongning might listen somewhat.
Jun Yu nodded, stepped forward, knelt obediently on the ground, kowtowed to Emperor Yongning, and comforted him: "Father Emperor, please don’t be sad for my sister, sister’s fortunes are good, she’ll surely pass this trial safely."
These words were taught by Qiong Hua for Jun Yu to say; she taught him along the way to the Imperial Study Room, fearing he might forget.
Fortunately, the little one remembered and said everything he needed to.
Qiong Hua nodded appreciatively, yet her eyes also bore hidden sorrow.
Since Emperor Yongning sent numerous Imperial Physicians to the National Guardian General Mansion for treatment and set forth such fatal orders, the news of Jun Ning contracting the plague spread like wildfire throughout the palace.
Qiong Hua couldn’t possibly be unaware.
Upon learning it, she even cried terribly in the Weiyang Hall.
But now, she controlled her emotions to strive not to cry, lest Ah Yu be frightened. Plus, if she just indulged in crying, there’d be no one to pray for Jun Ning.
She wanted to pray for Jun Ning and also make food to send to the National Guardian General Mansion, hoping to accompany Jun Ning through this ordeal.
"Ah Yu, come here..."
After hearing Jun Yu’s voice, Emperor Yongning glanced at Qiong Hua, then looked at Jun Yu.
Whether it was due to his excessive worry for the little girl, his mind was a bit befuddled, or simply because he missed her so terribly, he saw Jun Ning’s shadow in Jun Yu.
Emperor Yongning beckoned Jun Yu.
Jun Yu walked up to Emperor Yongning.
Emperor Yongning hoisted Jun Yu up and embraced him like he would Jun Ning, held his little hand, as if he found some way to express his emotions. He looked at Jun Yu and murmured: "Jun Ning, you’ll certainly recover."
Jun Yu, with an incredulous expression: "..."
Father Emperor must be mistaking him due to dim eyesight?
He’s not Jun Ning; he’s Ah Yu!
Qiong Hua also looked worriedly at Emperor Yongning, correcting him: "Your Majesty, that’s Ah Yu, not Jun Ning."
Emperor Yongning didn’t respond but continued holding Jun Yu, endlessly hugging him like he’d lost his soul.
As such, Jun Yu stayed in the Imperial Study Room, temporarily serving as Emperor Yongning’s emotional solace.
Qiong Hua attempted to comfort several times, but without much effect; Emperor Yongning largely ignored her words.
Knowing it was pointless, she didn’t linger long and returned to her palace, preparing some favorite dishes for Jun Ning, then instructed a Palace Attendant to deliver them to the General Mansion.
But just as the Palace Attendant stepped out of the door of Weiyang Hall, they encountered the Empress Dowager.
The Empress Dowager, looking quite unwell, was being supported by two attendants as she came to Weiyang Hall. She had heard all sorts of rumors about Jun Ning contracting the plague and couldn’t believe it, insisting she come personally to inquire.