High-ranking consorts like Consort Zhuang and Consort Ning all sent gifts of tonics. However, lower-ranking consorts found it inappropriate to send gifts and were unsure of the situation, so they dared not act rashly, leaving no one to take the lead.
The Virtuous Consort couldn’t help but laugh coldly, feeling more acutely the coldness of human nature and the fickleness of the world.
When she was in her prime, those little hussies had rushed to flatter her, even at the cost of offending the Empress. But now that she was ill and coughing blood, they didn’t even come to visit.
As for Consort Zhuang and the others, sending tonics wasn’t meant as comfort but clearly to mock her.
Looking around the desolate Yuquan Palace, the Virtuous Consort closed her eyes and laughed bitterly.
How did it come to this? She couldn’t accept it, truly couldn’t accept it!
The Virtuous Consort opened her eyes and lowered her gaze to her hands.
The nail on her right pinky finger was broken, looking bare and unsightly.
She repeatedly pondered why Prince Qi’s actions had been exposed, but couldn’t figure it out. As she grew more agitated, her throat began to itch again.
She struggled to control the urge to cough up blood, her heart gradually turning cold: her body was failing, and she feared she couldn’t hold on as she wished.
Was she to leave this world with endless worry for Zhangr?
She truly couldn’t accept this!
The Virtuous Consort gripped the bed curtains tightly, her expression contorted.
At this moment, a palace maid hurried in: “Your Highness, someone from Cining Palace is here.”
The Virtuous Consort thought she had misheard: “Cining Palace?”
“It’s Mama Chang from Cining Palace,” the maid quickly added.
“Quickly, show her in.”
Soon, Mama Chang entered and bowed to the Virtuous Consort: “This servant was sent by the Empress Dowager to check on Your Highness.”
The Virtuous Consort’s eyes reddened as she murmured, “I’m ashamed that the Empress Dowager is concerned about me…”
“Your Highness shouldn’t think that way. The Empress Dowager said she hopes all those who have been with His Majesty from early on are doing well.”
The Virtuous Consort suppressed her confusion and feigned being moved.
Zhang had angered the Emperor by scheming against the Empress Dowager, so why would she send someone to check on her? Could it be that the Empress Dowager was unaware?
Mama Chang continued, “Your Highness should rest well. When you’ve recovered, you can pay your respects to the Empress Dowager.”
After seeing Mama Chang off, the Virtuous Consort pondered for a long time, increasingly feeling that the Empress Dowager’s gesture held deep meaning.
It seemed she should visit Cining Palace once she felt better.
The news of Cining Palace sending someone to visit the Virtuous Consort quickly reached Emperor Jingming’s ears.
The next day, when Emperor Jingming went to visit the Empress Dowager, he brought up the matter.
“Mother, did you send someone to Yuquan Palace yesterday?”
The Empress Dowager nodded: “I heard the Virtuous Consort was seriously ill, so I sent someone to check on her. The Virtuous Consort has been with you for many years. If not meritorious, she at least has endured hardships.”
Emperor Jingming fell silent for a moment, ultimately deciding not to mention Prince Qi’s schemes against the Empress Dowager. He sat with her for a while longer before taking his leave.
The Empress Dowager picked up her teacup, gently blowing on the tea leaves floating on the surface, and casually asked Mama Chang beside her, “How long do you think it will take for the Virtuous Consort to recover enough to move about?”
Mama Chang replied, “With your concern, I believe the Virtuous Consort will recover quickly.”
The Empress Dowager smiled slightly and lowered her gaze to drink her tea.