Heroic Wife Reborn

Chapter 126: Is Someone That Unlucky Really Zhen’s Daughter?

Yu Xiaoxiao circled back to her courtyard and was spotted first thing by a panda-eyed Wang momo as soon as she entered. The woman hadn’t slept all night. She didn’t dare to shout either, even though she desperately wanted to run over howling while pinching the princess’s neck and demanding where she’d gone. Don’t you know that girls aren’t supposed to wander out at night? Ahhhhhhh!

When Yu Xiaoxiao saw Wang momo run silently to her side, she asked, “Eh? Momo, you put on smoky eyeshadow?”

Smoky eyeshadow? Wang momo had all but despaired at understanding any of Yu Xiaoxiao’s daily newfangled phrases. She asked, “Where did you go, princess?”

Yu Xiaoxiao said, “I went to Safeguard Temple to see the State Preceptor.”

The princess went to the State Preceptor’s temple in the middle of the night?! Wang momo was so shocked that she wanted to pack up and leave for her hometown!

Yu Xiaoxiao said, “I’m going to bed. Momo, how about you keep sleeping? If you can’t, you can go find Xiao Zhuang and Xiao Wei to play.”

What does that count for? Wang momo glared at the princess. Even if you don’t want your reputation anymore, don’t go trying to ruin mine too. I’m a single middle-aged woman, so why would I go play with two young men in broad daylight?

Yu Xiaoxiao saw that Wang momo was ignoring her again. From her understanding, women on the cusp of menopause were subject to capricious moods, so she showed extra consideration. “Momo, broaden your heart and you’ll find that the world is still beautiful.”

Aren’t I broadhearted enough? Wang momo rolled her eyes and replied, “I don’t care how beautiful this world is, princess. Why did you go find the State Preceptor?”

Yu Xiaoxiao surveyed her with a look. “I’m afraid you won’t be able to take the truth, momo.”

Wang momo shivered before she stepped closer. Their faces were practically touching as she asked, “Wh, what did you do with the State Preceptor?” She refused to believe that the princess was someone who defied wifely virtues. However, her words were too ambiguous.

“Nothing,” Yu Xiaoxiao found a piece of candy in her pocket and stuffed it straight into Wang momo’s mouth. “Sweet things can cheer a person up, so eat some candy, momo. I got this from the State Preceptor’s bedroom.”

The State Preceptor’s bedroom?! Wang momo trembled even harder. Is my princess’s virtue still intact? It must be, right?!

Yu Xiaoxiao headed for her and Gu Xinglang’s rooms before stopping to toss back, “I think my father’s going to be a little distressed.”

Now Wang momo was lost. What could ever wound His Majesty? Princess, do you think Fengtian’s coming to an end just because you didn’t come home last night?

—

Meanwhile, Xianzong had just finished listening to State Preceptor Cheng Guan’s story with a blank face.

Cheng Guan sighed. “It’s best if Your Majesty quickly comes up with a counter-strategy.”

Xianzong desperately wanted to think of a solution, but he was doubting his ears. Junior Master Fenglin was not only poisoned, but almost choked to death by his daughter? Have I been getting up on the wrong side of the bed every single day?

State Preceptor Cheng Guan waited for an answer in vain before he looked up at his sovereign. “Your Majesty, this is a serious matter. You must make a decision quickly.”

“Heheh,” Xianzong chuckled at him.

“Is Your Majesty laughing?” State Preceptor Cheng Guan asked.

Xianzong’s eyes rolled to the back of his head before he fainted away. The shock was too much for him! State Preceptor Cheng Guan was stunned. How could the sovereign of a nation lose consciousness at a time like this?!

The shadow guards standing in hiding observed the duo, one unconscious, one blank-faced, and had no choice but to emerge from their positions. Outside Xiazong’s door, Jing Zhong and the various eunuchs and imperial bodyguards all heard a few cries of alarm from within.

“Ahhhhhhh, Your Majesty, what’s wrong?”

“Lord Grandfather in Heaven, His Majesty’s fainted! Imperial physicians!”

“State Preceptor, you can’t just stand there!”

“Your Majesty, just what’s happened to you, ah? Your Majesty, wake up, ahhhhhhhh!”

If Jing Zhong could still be standing around after all that fuss, he wouldn’t be a loyal subject. Bringing along his men, they charged into Xianzong’s quarters. The emperor was out cold and the cries of Jing Zhong’s faction soon joined that of the guards. None of them could wake him up. The guards exchanged looks. If we heard the state preceptor’s words, we’d never want to wake up, either.

“Go call for an imperial physician,” State Preceptor Cheng Guan said with knitted brows. He too, was wan and pallid.

“Imperial physicians!” Jing Zhong shouted out the door. A young eunuch soon ran off with his words to the Imperial Physician Courtyard. Jing Zhong placed a pillow under Xianzong’s head.

“State Preceptor, just what monumental event made you enter the palace in the middle of the night?” Jing Zhong asked. And what did you say to knock His Majesty out?

Jing Zhong’s question was reasonable, but State Preceptor Cheng Guan had always disliked his monopoly over court affairs. Ignoring the questions, he only gazed at the near-dead Xianzong.

The imperial physicians didn’t dare delay at the news of the emperor’s state but soon hurried over with Imperial Physician Zheng in the lead. There were nine of them in total.

Jing Zhong urged, “Hurry and wake His Majesty up!”

With the emperor’s health at stake, all of the imperial physicians took turns checking his pulse before falling into a discussion. Such shock-induced comas were easily cured with a single acupuncture needle, but all of them knew Xianzong feared pain. If they tried the treatment on his, it’d be equal to attempted regicide in his eyes.

“How is it?” State Preceptor Cheng Guan asked impatiently after watching them waver.

Imperial Physician Zheng looked at the reclining Xianzong and decided to preserve his own life first. “Write up a prescription,” he instructed his peers.

Now all the imperial physicians dove into discussing a proper prescription. By now, Xianzong had already regained consciousness, but remained with his eyes shut while whimpers came from his lips.

“Your Majesty?” Jing Zhong hurried to his side. “Your Majesty, are you awake?”

Xianzong dearly wished he wasn’t. As soon as he woke up, he would have to face this cruel and heartless world. It brought him not only pain, but enough grief to wish himself dead!

Jing Zhong said, “Your Majesty, what’s happened?”

“All of you get out,” Xianzong said in a feeble but firm voice.

Jing Zhong gave a start. His Majesty wants us out at a time like this?

“Get out!” Xianzong hollered, then sat upright.

Cheng Guan stared at Jing Zhong. “Why aren’t you leaving yet?”

Jing Zhong glanced at Xianzong, who was staring at his bedroom with an empty gaze. His mind was filled with complaints. Is someone that unlucky really Zhen’s daughter?!