Chapter 56: Revelations
This novel is translated and hosted on bcatranslation
Outside the grand palace gates, a myriad of carriages stood in neat rows, signaling an event of significant importance. As the year drew to a close, snowflakes danced gracefully in the air, but their icy chill penetrated to the bone as soon as one stepped out of a carriage.
In a swift motion, Deng Zhi, blending care with urgency, quickly wrapped Madam Xu in a thick, warm cloak, also ensuring that the young miss was well protected against the cold.
The gathered women from various esteemed families wore expressions of deep concern, seemingly too preoccupied with their own thoughts to engage in the usual exchange of news or pleasantries with their peers.
It was widely acknowledged that the current king, celebrated for his deep respect and devotion towards his mother, the dowager queen, exemplified filial piety, a virtue revered across the kingdom.
“Ahh, it’s unbearably cold,” lamented a group of elderly noblewomen, who felt the sting of winter more acutely due to their age, causing them to shiver and sniffle.
“My lady, perhaps this will provide some relief,” Ying Xue suggested with genuine concern, presenting a hot water pouch to discreetly place under one’s sleeves for warmth.
At that moment, the majestic palace gates opened with grandeur. The assembled ladies of various ranks promptly organized themselves, each according to her family’s standing within the court’s intricate hierarchy. Despite the Xu family’s prestige, Madam Xu’s marriage into the Lu family placed her in a position of average importance within the court’s social strata. This fact was well recognized but seldom discussed.
The atmosphere changed dramatically when an elderly nanny, beaming with importance, emerged from the palace. She was the favored nurse of the grand princess, a woman of considerable influence and esteem. Navigating through the ranks of noblewomen, she approached Madam Xu with an unexpected and extraordinary message. “Madam Xu, given the tender age of your daughter and the harshness of this cold season, the grand princess has graciously extended a special invitation for you to enter the palace in the comfort of a sedan chair,” she announced, followed by the appearance of the grand princess’s ceremonial guard, a clear indication of the seriousness of the invitation.
The crowd was visibly taken aback by this gesture. The grand princess, known for her adherence to protocol, made a remarkable exception. The personal invitation allowing Madam Xu to enter the palace by sedan chair defied customary practice, sparking speculation and intrigue among the onlookers.
Madam Xu glanced tenderly at Lu Chao Chao, who innocently sucked on her fingers, a silent testament to the unexpected favor they were receiving. She mused, “It appears we’re enjoying the benefits of our Chao Chao’s charm today.”
“Then, I must extend my deepest thanks to you, Nanny, and express my heartfelt gratitude to the grand princess for her thoughtfulness,” Madam Xu said, inclining her head respectfully. She then carefully picked up Chao Chao and stepped into the sedan.
As they traversed the palace grounds, covered in snow, a faint layer of white blanketed the earth. The further Madam Xu ventured, the more she felt a chill seeping into her soul. The sight of many palace servants, coughing softly and showing signs of ill health, added to the somber atmosphere.
Approaching Kuning Palace, even before she saw the grand hall entrance, the potent aroma of medicinal herbs hinted at the seriousness of the situation.
“How is the dowager?” Madam Xu asked as she stepped out of the sedan, her concern palpable.
The nanny, with reddened eyes from worry or sleeplessness, shared distressing news. “The dowager had been healthy this year, seldom suffering from even minor colds. But the recent drop in temperature has taken a grave toll on her health. She’s been beset by a persistent fever and a relentless cough, with breathing difficulties arising this morning.”
She continued, revealing the king’s concern. “The morning court was suspended as the king remained at the dowager’s bedside. The Royal Medical Bureau has been convened at Kuning Palace, but her fever rages on.”
The unspoken implication hung heavy: had the king not maintained his composure, the situation for the Royal Medical Bureau officials might have become dire.
The illness was pneumonia, a contagious ailment that starts like a common cold but intensifies, leading to continuous coughing, high fever, and if untreated, organ failure and death. Meanwhile, Lu Chao Chao, held in Deng Zhi’s arms, seemed oblivious to the situation’s gravity, her eyes alight with a child’s curiosity.
But within Madam Xu’s heart, a cold dread took hold after hearing the truth.
“Is the king still in Kuning Palace?” she asked solemnly.
The nanny confirmed, “Yes, the king has remained here.”
Madam Xu’s concern deepened as she asked about the grand princess, “And the grand princess?”
“The grand princess planned to visit, but before the dowager lost consciousness, she forbade her visit due to her pregnancy. After waiting over a decade for this child, the grand princess couldn’t take such a risk.”
Hearing this, Madam Xu sighed in relief, her worries momentarily alleviated. Yet, at that moment, Chao Chao began to stir restlessly as if picking up on her mother’s concerns. Madam Xu, aware of her daughter’s unique sensitivities, felt a surge of unease. The potential for illness to spread to the king or the crown prince weighed heavily, knowing such an event could plunge the nation and the royal family into chaos. With newfound resolve, Madam Xu decided to personally carry Chao Chao into Kuning Palace.
The room’s doors were securely closed, creating a barrier holding back the intensity within. Yet, when they opened, the overwhelming scent of medicinal concoctions filled the space, a tangible reminder of the seriousness of the illness they fought against, a smell so potent it resisted dispersion.
Inside, the king was deeply concerned and frustrated. His brows knitted tightly, and his reddened eyes, either from grief or lack of sleep, scanned the room intensely. He knelt beside the bed, grappling with emotions he could scarcely control, his voice resonating with anger and desperation as he addressed the medical officials. “How is it that the entire Royal Medical Bureau cannot cure even a common cold? What use do I have for you all?” His visibly shaking hands underscored the gravity of his words.
The dowager queen, who had navigated myriad challenges within the palace, especially after giving birth to the king, was at the heart of his turmoil. Their bond, forged in the complexities of palace life and mutual dependence, was cherished deeply.
The medical officials, faced with the king’s ire, knelt in silent trepidation, aware of the critical nature of their task but powerless to fulfill it. Amidst this tense atmosphere, a group of noblewomen, including Madam Xu, who had just entered and paid her respects, stood to the side, ready to support the ailing dowager.
The dowager lay in a dire state. Semi-conscious, with a fever painting her cheeks red, her coughs were violent outbursts that spoke volumes of her suffering. The king, seeing his mother’s struggle, felt acute distress. He clung to her hand with desperation born of fear and love, a poignant image amidst the oppressive atmosphere, where the air was thick with sickness, occasionally broken by the sound of a muffled cough.
Madam Xu, observing all this, felt a surge of apprehension. This was pneumonia, a sneaky sickness scarier than it seemed. In a country down south, where people had fought for a long time, many were injured, and no one cared for the dead, making it easy for germs to spread. They tried to clean up by burning things, but then it rained like crazy, making the water dirty and causing pneumonia outbreaks. Because the authorities didn’t want anyone to know, nobody else knew how bad things were.
Lu Chao Chao, sensing the gravity of the situation, clung tightly to her mother. Madam Xu, gathering her resolve, stepped forward to kneel before the king, ready to impart crucial information. “Your Majesty, I have something to report. It concerns the dowager, and I beseech you to listen…” Her gaze swept the room, signaling the importance of her message. Even the court officials outside knelt, testifying to the situation’s severity.
Xu Yi Ting, Madam Xu’s brother, watched with a deep frown, concerned for his sister as she prepared to speak. The king, his attention captured, focused on Madam Xu. He recognized her as Xu Shi Yun, esteemed daughter of the Xu family, who had married into the Lu family a decade ago. His mind briefly flickered to recent events where, during an investigation into Minister Chen for personal misconduct, he had also scrutinized Marquis Lu Yuan Ze due to their close association. This inquiry had unearthed noteworthy details, adding layers to the moment’s significance.
Marquis Lu Yuan Ze, esteemed throughout the capital for his loyalty, had a secret family and affection for another woman. This situation cast Madam Xu, who had been by his side for nearly two decades, in a pitiable light. To the king, she appeared naive, deceived for so long without suspicion, rendering her foolish.
With a gesture from the king, the room emptied until only the king, Madam Xu, and, after a moment, not even Lu Chao Chao remained; she, too, was escorted out. Alone with the king, Madam Xu knelt to present her alarming news. “Your Majesty, the dowager’s ailment may be more sinister than we feared. It could be a plague.”
“The southern kingdom has been embroiled in conflict, resulting in deaths and the accumulation of corpses, leading to an epidemic.”
“However, the southern kingdom has censored news. Should Your Majesty investigate, they would surely unveil the grim reality.”
The mention of a “plague” chilled the king, his heart heavy with the implications. Yet, skepticism lingered. How could Madam Xu, confined to domestic spheres, possess such critical information about the southern kingdom? The king signaled Chief Eunuch Wang, issuing an urgent command, “Summon the Protectorate Duke.”
Eunuch Wang, understanding the moment’s solemnity, conveyed the order. When the Protectorate Duke was questioned, tension filled the air. Madam Xu, visibly anxious, awaited his response, her forehead glistening with sweat. The Duke, bearing battle marks yet vital, reported, “Your Majesty, there has been no conflict with the southern country for three months. However, their cities have sealed their gates, and none of our spies who ventured in have returned.”
This news flickered concern across the king’s face.
“It might be due to the winter,” the Duke speculated. “They seem to be amassing grain and medicinal herbs, possibly preparing for recovery.”
The king, overwhelmed or stifled by the room’s atmosphere, stood abruptly, only to be met with dizziness that threatened to overpower him.