The night was deep and heavy, yet the Longevity and Health Palace remained brilliantly lit. When Yan Huai entered, he saw the Empress Dowager's stern and aged face.
After paying his respects, Yan Huai's expression remained gentle. "Mother, your spirits seem somewhat low these past few days?"
The Empress Dowager fixed her gaze on Yan Huai for a long moment before suddenly sighing. "Huai'er, I won't beat around the bush with you. I only ask you this: are you planning to depose Che'er?"
If Yan Huai had no such intention, he would have laughed and denied it upon hearing these words. Yet at this moment, the gentleness on his face momentarily turned grave. In that brief instant, the Empress Dowager knew - Yan Huai had truly entertained this thought.
All restraint vanished from the Empress Dowager's face as she slammed the table, her tone turning cold and sharp. "Why? Why would you entertain such thoughts? What has Che'er done wrong? What does the matter of Zhang Qide have to do with him? Hmm?"
The Empress Dowager's breathing grew rapid. Mammy Chen, standing guard at the door, heard the commotion but dared not enter to offer comfort.
Yan Huai averted his gaze from the Empress Dowager. "Mother, your health is not good. You shouldn't trouble yourself with this matter."
Hearing this, the Empress Dowager's anger surged even higher. "Huai'er! I only want an explanation. If you can convince me, I won't stand in your way. In all these years of your reign, when have I ever interfered? Last year when you appointed Che'er as Crown Prince, it showed your approval of him. Yet now, after only one year, you want to depose the Crown Prince. Huai'er, this isn't your usual way of doing things. What's come over you? Or has Che'er done something else that I don't know about?"
Yan Huai's back stiffened slightly, his lips pressed tightly together, but he remained silent.
His silence only deepened the Empress Dowager's fury. She narrowed her eyes and stared at Yan Huai, her gaze filled with confusion and doubt. This Yan Huai was nothing like the Yan Huai she knew. Since childhood, he had always been steady and scholarly, never acting without near certainty, and once making a decision, he always had his reasons. The Empress Dowager hadn't wanted to fundamentally question Yan Huai's decision from the start - though she supported the legitimate succession, though she cherished Yan Che - if Yan Huai could provide a reason today, she would accept it without argument. But this Yan Huai before her was stubborn and cold, like hard iron, completely unwilling to reveal any reason to her. How could this still be Yan Huai?!
The former Yan Huai would never have shown her this side of himself. He would calmly explain to her, openly persuade her. He would prioritize the greater good, skillfully considering everyone's feelings. But the current Yan Huai clearly had no intention of doing so.
The Empress Dowager's face rapidly darkened. "Huai'er! If you have no explanation, I won't let you depose Che'er like this!"
Yan Huai narrowed his eyes slightly, still avoiding the Empress Dowager's gaze. "Mother, I have my own considerations."
The Empress Dowager slammed the armrest of her chair. "What considerations?! At this point, you won't even explain the reason to me?! Huai'er, Che'er is your legitimate son, your only child with the Empress. I've watched him grow up all these years - there's nothing wrong with him. He's exactly like you were as a child. Why have you suddenly changed your mind? What are you wary of? Even if the Empress has been too controlling with Che'er, Che'er has never thought of overstepping his authority. What more could you possibly be dissatisfied with?"The Empress Dowager's tone grew increasingly subdued, almost pleading, yet Yan Huai's brow remained stern and unyielding.
He suddenly stood up. "It's getting late. Your Majesty should rest early."
After saying this, Yan Huai turned to leave. The Empress Dowager immediately straightened up. "Huai'er! What is the meaning of this?!"
Her sharp cry did not stop Yan Huai. He continued striding away without looking back. Mammy Chen kept her head lowered, feeling a cold gust sweep past her. When she looked up again, Yan Huai was already far away. Hearing a shattering sound from the inner chamber, her expression changed drastically as she hurried inside. There she found the Empress Dowager sitting rigidly, her hand resting on the table trembling violently. Only the saucer remained beside her hand—the teacup had fallen to the floor, shattered to pieces.
Mammy Chen's face paled. "Your Majesty—"
She rushed forward, but just as she reached the Empress Dowager, the latter stiffly collapsed backward.
"Someone! Fetch the imperial physician! Quickly, summon the imperial physician!"
Her urgent shout threw the Longevity and Health Palace into chaos in the dead of night. The Empress Dowager was drenched in cold sweat, her face ashen. Her lips moved slightly, but no words came out. Mammy Chen, frantic, instinctively said, "Your Majesty, this servant will send for the princess to enter the palace at once.".."
Previously, when the Empress Dowager was critically ill, it was Qin Guan who had saved her. Now, if the Empress Dowager fell seriously ill again, Mammy Chen naturally thought of summoning Qin Guan first. But as soon as she spoke, the Empress Dowager seized her arm with all her strength, her grip turning pale. Mammy Chen's eyes reddened. "Very well, this servant understands. I won't summon the princess."
The Empress Dowager had been unwell lately, and occasionally calling for an imperial physician was nothing unusual. But sending for Qin Guan in the middle of the night would inevitably spark rumors. Hearing this, the Empress Dowager slowly closed her eyes. She likely did not wish to collapse just yet, so she released Mammy Chen and leaned against her, trying to steady her breathing.
After a while, the Empress Dowager gradually recovered. Soon, the imperial physician arrived and conducted an examination. Diagnosing it as an onset of Wind Disorder, and fearing complications, he recommended needle therapy. Usually, Qin Guan attended to the Empress Dowager's ailments, and Mammy Chen considered waiting until the next day for Qin Guan to perform the needle therapy. But worried the Empress Dowager might not last the night, she had no choice but to let the imperial physician administer a few needles first. Amid the flurry of activity, by the time the Empress Dowager finally rested, it was long past midnight.
Exhausted and uncomfortable, the Empress Dowager felt no drowsiness at all.
Yan Huai's attitude was utterly baffling. She felt both furious and heartbroken, but more than anything, bewildered. Yan Huai would not act this way without reason, even to the point of turning against her. The last time he had behaved like this was shortly after he recovered from his injuries, back when she had wanted to erect a cenotaph for Yan Han. That matter had been resolved years ago. What could be causing his behavior now?
As she aged, the Empress Dowager cherished her relationships with the younger generation even more, uncertain how much time she had left. She struggled to accept Yan Huai's sudden change.
Tossing and turning all night, she only managed a shallow sleep in the early hours of the morning.
Deeply anxious, Mammy Chen waited until daybreak, then promptly sent someone out of the palace to find Qin Guan without delay.
...The palace servants arrived far too early. By the time they reached the Marquis' residence, Qin Guan had just risen from bed. With no time for breakfast, she hastily changed clothes and tidied up before leaving Pine Breeze Courtyard. Upon reaching the main courtyard, she saw that the visitor was a steward mammy from the Longevity and Health Palace. The moment Qin Guan recognized her, she knew something was wrong.
The mammy urgently said, "Your Highness, please come with this servant to the palace at once. Her Majesty the Empress Dowager is unwell."
Both Hu Shi and Qin Shu had been alerted and were now in the main courtyard. Naturally, they inquired about the situation, but the mammy hesitated to speak further. "This servant is unaware of the details..."
Exchanging glances, Hu Shi and Qin Shu each formed their own suspicions. Not daring to delay, Qin Guan immediately accompanied the mammy to the palace.
After their departure, Qin Shu remarked, "At this critical juncture, even the Empress Dowager has fallen ill. Could this be... related to the Crown Prince?" His expression shifted, and his palms grew clammy with sweat.
Hu Shi replied with a pained expression, "This... I'm afraid we'll have to wait for Guan'er to return before we know... Ah..."
Qin Shu frowned deeply, shaking his head after a long pause. "Yan'er was right. We cannot place all our hopes on the Crown Prince."
Hu Shi's face paled dramatically, her body swaying slightly. If they weren't to rely entirely on the Crown Prince, did that mean they would have to abandon their own Yu'er as well? Hu Shi felt her heart wrench with anguish.
...
Upon arriving at the Longevity and Health Palace, Qin Guan immediately sensed the tense atmosphere. The entire palace was unusually quiet, with even the maids outside keeping their eyes lowered and not daring to make a sound. Qin Guan instinctively felt that something was amiss, though she couldn't pinpoint exactly what. She proceeded directly to see the Empress Dowager.
The moment Mammy Chen spotted Qin Guan, she seemed to grasp at a lifeline, pulling her toward the inner chamber. "Your Highness, you've finally come! Her Majesty fell ill last night. It was too late to summon you then, so we called the imperial physicians. They diagnosed a recurrence of Wind Disorder and administered needle therapy, which provided some relief. But only after you've examined her will this servant feel at ease. Her Majesty is still resting."
Qin Guan instinctively asked, "What caused Her Majesty's relapse? Wasn't she well before?"
Mammy Chen also hesitated briefly, but given their close relationship, she ultimately whispered, "His Majesty visited last night... regarding the Crown Prince's matter."
At these words, Qin Guan's heart sank. However, being perceptive, she knew better than to pry further and instead inquired about the medicine prescribed by the physicians the previous night.
As they spoke, Qin Guan entered the inner chamber. Hearing the commotion, the Empress Dowager turned over and caught sight of Qin Guan. Her expression shifted slightly, and Qin Guan clearly detected traces of sorrow in her eyes. Seeing this, Qin Guan could imagine how unpleasant the previous night must have been and hurried forward to pay her respects.
The Empress Dowager spoke to Qin Guan in a hoarse voice, and Qin Guan promptly checked her pulse.
After finishing the examination, Qin Guan sighed. "As the weather grows colder, Your Majesty's constitution was already somewhat weakened. Now, with this sudden agitation, it has naturally stirred up the suppressed Wind Disorder. Your Majesty must avoid any further distress these coming days. The prescription from last night's physicians is suitable; I'll merely add two additional herbs. We'll forego needle therapy today, and I'll administer it tomorrow instead. For now, please rest well, take your medicine, and conserve your energy."Listening to Qin Guan's instructions, Mammy Chen felt reassured and immediately ordered the medicine to be prepared according to the new prescription. Seeing Qin Guan's gentle and soft-spoken manner, the Empress Dowager felt even more sorrowful in her heart. Yan Huai used to be like this too—how could he have changed so suddenly?
"Wan Yatou, you say... Ah..."
The Empress Dowager wanted to confide in someone, but Qin Guan was too young, so she held back for the moment.
Qin Guan sat beside the Empress Dowager, holding her hand and massaging the acupoints on her wrist. She said, "No matter the reason, your health is the most important. If this continues, I won't dare to perform needle therapy on you. I’ve put in immense effort over the past year—you mustn’t take your health lightly."
The Empress Dowager was both amused and exasperated by Qin Guan's plaintive tone. She let out a long sigh and said, "I don’t want to be angry either, but... Ah..."
Qin Guan couldn’t help saying, "You shouldn’t be at odds with the Emperor."
The Empress Dowager was taken aback, then realized Mammy Chen must have let something slip. She smiled bitterly and openly admitted, "It’s not that I’m at odds with him—it’s that he’s being utterly unreasonable. He..."
Since Yan Che had married Qin Chaoyu, the Empress Dowager had been somewhat cautious around Qin Guan. But Qin Guan was perceptive: "Is the Emperor dissatisfied with the Crown Prince?"
Once the topic was broached, the Empress Dowager couldn’t hold back. "Don’t mention these words to your uncle and the others. The Emperor has gone mad—he’s actually considering it. Though he hasn’t said it outright, I know him. He’s truly... If the Crown Prince had made mistakes, it would be one thing, but he hasn’t. Yet the Emperor..."
As she spoke, the Empress Dowager grew angry again, her breathing becoming labored. Qin Guan quickly soothed her, saying, "Alright, alright, don’t think about it anymore. Perhaps the Emperor has reasons he can’t disclose. Try to trust him for now..."
The Empress Dowager wasn’t convinced, but she didn’t dare to be careless and quickly stopped speaking.
Though Qin Guan spoke these words, inwardly she thought: Every mistake the Crown Prince could have made had already been exposed by Prince Cheng. At most, it could only be considered negligence and poor judgment in appointing officials. Yet the Emperor still wanted to depose the Crown Prince. Not only that, he had argued with the Empress Dowager over the matter, causing her to fall ill from anger. Why was the Emperor so determined to do this?
Outwardly, Qin Guan showed no emotion, but her unease grew stronger by the moment.
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