After the banquet around the fire in the palace, the queen felt dizzy and weak, coughing and sore throat.
This is a common disease. When the weather is cold, it is often easy to contract external symptoms.
The imperial doctor prescribed a prescription to dispel cold and relieve the symptoms, and also told him to rest, get enough sleep, and eat lightly.
Thinking that the affairs in the palace cannot be left unattended, the queen ordered Concubine Xian and Concubine Ying to take charge of the harem together.
In the past, when the queen was unwell or had other matters, Concubine Ying would take charge of it. Now Concubine Xian is Yao Wanyi's mother-in-law and has a very close relationship with the queen.
On this day, the queen had just finished drinking the medicine, and the emperor sent Shang Qiyan to visit her.
"Empress, the Emperor is currently busy discussing state affairs with the ministers. He has sent his servants over to see if you are feeling better.
The emperor also said that after finishing the affairs of the previous dynasty, he would come to visit the empress in person.
There are also winter pears sent as tribute from Laizhou, which are the most detoxifying and soothing to the throat. They are best steamed with lilies, or stewed with white fungus." Shang Qiyan whispered softly, his hair was as white as snow, and his face was like snow.
But he is on par with a forty-year-old.
"Reply His Majesty and say that my symptoms are milder and there is no need to worry about it.
When you are serving the Emperor, you should always remind His Majesty not to work too hard.
I also want to tell Your Majesty, never come to see me. What if I get sick and pass on to Your Majesty?" The queen coughed twice, and the maid next to her immediately came up to gently pat her back, and then handed her a hand.
Warm water.
"The Empress really feels sorry for Your Majesty. I will definitely tell the Emperor exactly what you said." Shang Qiyan bowed his body, thoughtful and respectful, "The Empress must be taken care of with peace of mind. You are the backbone of the Sixth Palace, and more importantly, His Majesty's."
You are a good wife. All the slaves still have to rely on you!"
"Du Juan, bring a box of donkey skin ointment to Eunuch Shang." The queen ordered, "This stuff warms the stomach and activates blood circulation. It is best for three to nine days of tonic. I remember that you have cold legs, so be careful."
Shang Qiyan quickly thanked him.
After he left, Liang Jing came in from outside. The frost on his brow melted due to the heat, making his brow look even darker.
The queen knew something was wrong when she saw his expression, and waved her hand to all the people serving in front of her to get out.
Liang Jing first asked how the queen was doing, and then told the story: "Mother, the people we sent to monitor Qingque were attacked by a sneak attack last night."
"Who did it?" The queen's heart sank.
"The man in black," Liang Jing's tone was somewhat helpless, "I don't know where he came from. Only one of our people escaped, and the rest were all killed on the spot.
The man returned to the reception area with serious injuries and died after only saying a few words."
"What did he say?" The queen's hoarse voice was cold.
"He said that the men in black were highly skilled in martial arts and looked very much like Ouchi masters.
It was also said that a person visited Shangqing Temple in the middle of the night. Not long after the person left, they were attacked," Liang Jing said.
"Who?" the queen asked.
"The man said he was the second prince."
"Why did he go there?" The queen frowned, "Are you sure it's him? You saw it right?"
"I was afraid that I might make a mistake, so I went to investigate. The second prince did leave the city last night, and he went in the direction of Shangqingguan." Liang Jing was also afraid of making a mistake, so he went to investigate.
"What do you think of this matter?" the queen asked.
"I think it's too early to draw a conclusion now," Liang Jing said cautiously, "Maybe the second prince and Taoist Qingque colluded, maybe there was some misunderstanding."
The queen has been asking him to investigate who is the person behind Qingque. There is no doubt that this person must be from the royal family.
Otherwise, it would be impossible for ordinary people to stretch their hands so long.
It was precisely because of this consideration that when the queen secretly pursued Qingque, she did not let the second prince know at all.
Although in the eyes of everyone, the second prince has always been his powerful helper.
But the queen still had to guard against him.
"Replace with a group of people who are more vigilant," the queen said, enduring the discomfort, "and ask the people in the second prince's residence to keep a close eye on them, and report any abnormalities in a timely manner."
"Your Majesty, you have spent half a day concentrating on it. Please lie down and have a rest. I will help you." Liang Jing saw that the Queen was tired and was busy helping her lie down.
Let’s talk about the second prince.
He followed Qingque's instructions and went to Shangqing Temple three days later to seek talismans.
After arriving at Qingque, he didn't say much, took the talisman and there was a portrait.
He warned: "The second prince has always been sincere and wise.
After you return, you should create a secret room, post the portrait in the shrine, press the talisman paper under the incense burner, and burn a stick of incense in the morning and evening.
Either of you and your husband can offer incense.
Except for you and your wife, no third person is allowed to enter this secret room.
In addition, it is not appropriate to let others know about the matter of seeking a child talisman. As the saying goes, things are done secretly."
After Qingque said these words, he closed his eyes and meditated, and ignored the second prince again.
The second prince then took away the portrait and the talisman, left the Taoist temple and went back home.
Ma still stayed up until her husband came back.
The second prince knew that Ma was the most impatient, so he took out the things and gave them to her, and then said what Qingque had told her, and finally said: "In my opinion, this thing may not be effective. If it makes you nagging, you have to
Burn incense every day."
As if he had received a priceless treasure, Ma carefully unfolded the portrait and the talisman.
The talisman paper was drawn with cinnabar, and she couldn't figure out why. But she recognized the portrait. It was a picture of Zhang Xian giving a son.
"Stop talking nonsense! I have already said it, sincerity is what matters." Ma glared at her husband, "This is the most annoying thing about you. You have done everything you can, but you always speak harshly."
."
"It's not that I'm being harsh, I'm trying to advise you not to be too crazy." The second prince was afraid that if he couldn't have another son, Ma would go crazy, so "it's better to leave things to chance when it comes to children."
"I don't believe it! How come other people can give birth to a son, but I can't?!" Mrs. Ma couldn't hear this the most, "Don't be disgusting, as if you don't want a son!
We have been husband and wife for so many years, don’t I know you? What I want in my heart, I never say out loud.
You think I'm crazy, but I think you're hypocritical!"
"Okay, okay, I won't argue with you. Anyway, I'll beg you for what you want." The second prince yawned, "You can take care of the rest. The most I can do is offer some incense.
”
Ma carefully opened the bedside drawer and put these two things in properly.
Her heart was up and down, and she even lost sleep. She waited until the rooster crowed before she fell asleep.
When I woke up again, it was already three shots in the morning, and the second prince got up early and went out.
Ma had something on his mind, so he quickly got up, washed himself, drank a cup of bird's nest, and then started preparing to enshrine the portrait and the fertility talisman.