Chapter 523: Chapter 523: Keep It Quiet_1

Weakness in both the heart and spleen, excessive mental strain over the years leading to a deficiency across the five key organs…

Wei Ruo stayed silent for a while, and the Emperor didn’t interrupt, only watching her with a kindly, approving gaze.

After a moment, Wei Ruo withdrew her hand.

Then bowing slightly, she explained to the Emperor, “Your Highness may benefit from this tonic I recommend.”

“Do you realize the extent of testing and validation the medicines that I take must go through?” The Emperor asked Wei Ruo knowingly.

“Your humble servant is unaware. However, I can guarantee that this medicine will only serve to benefit you, without any harm.”

Wei Ruo’s words were firm, her tone unwavering.

Meanwhile, High Minister Gao still frowned, looking greatly worried.

“Very well. Let’s try your medicine,” agreed the Emperor.

Hearing this, Wei Ruo pulled out a bottle of medicine she had prepared earlier from her bosom, presenting it with both hands, “Your humble servant has made the medicine into pill form, ready for consumption. They should be taken with warm water, thrice a day, one at a time.”

High Minister Gao urgently interjected, “Queen Rui, this is not appropriate! Wouldn’t it be better to provide the formula for this medicine and pass it to the Imperial Institute of Medicine for research? They can personally prepare and test the medicine and only administer it to the Emperor after they confirm it’s safe.”

High Minister Gao had wanted to express his reservations for a while, but when he heard Wei Ruo offering the already prepared medicine directly to the Emperor, he couldn’t hold back any longer.

There’s a procedure to go through for giving medicine to the Emperor. Who could bear the responsibility if something goes wrong?

The Emperor raised his hand to stop High Minister Gao’s protests, “That won’t be necessary. I trust Queen Rui.”

“But, Emperor…” Gao’s face was full of concern.

This wasn’t proper! And besides, this could be too risky!

“Bring Queen Rui’s medicine here.” The Emperor didn’t give High Minister Gao any further room to block his decision and gave his command.

High Minister Gao reluctantly carried out the order, taking the potion from Wei Ruo’s hand but still wearing a look of worry and unease.

The Emperor examined the bottle, then added, “Furthermore, Queen, don’t mention this matter of the medicine to anyone. I do not want anyone to know that I am taking medication, especially that it is coming from King Rui Residence. Do you understand?”

Wei Ruo was slightly confused. She didn’t understand why the Emperor had no objections when she offered him the medicine, yet he specifically instructed her not to let outsiders know about it.

Of course, Wei Ruo personally wished to keep this event quiet too. The Emperor’s words were in line with her intentions.

“Your humble servant obeys,” replied Wei Ruo.

“Today, Yiyi is in good spirits. Please join me for dinner.” The Emperor then spoke to Wei Jinyi.

“Your humble servant obeys.”

Following dinner, the Emperor spoke a great deal about Wei Jinyi’s daily life.

There were moments when Wei Ruo felt that it wasn’t the Emperor questioning, but a regular father showing interest in his long-absent son’s life.

And from time to time, Wei Ruo felt the Emperor’s gaze wander past Wei Jinyi, as if looking at someone else that the Emperor had been yearning for a long time.

After dinner, seeing that the evening was growing dark, the Emperor granted Wei Jinyi and Wei Ruo permission to leave.

After they left, the Emperor asked High Minister Gao to pour him some warm water. He took out a medicine pill from the porcelain bottle and consumed it with the water, just as Wei Ruo had instructed. Afterwards, he securely kept the bottle and just before dismissing the High Minister, he advised, “The matter of King Rui and his wife bringing medicine today must be kept confidential.”

“Your servant understands.” High Minister Gao responded. He paused, then tentatively voiced the doubts in his heart, “But Emperor, why go to such lengths? What if this medicine….”

“If the medicine is poisonous, then so be it.” The Emperor muttered.

High Minister Gao was taken aback, staring at the Emperor in disbelief.

“You may leave now.” The Emperor allowed Gao no time to express his astonishment.

“Yes.” High Minister Gao had no choice but to withdraw.

###

Wei Ruo and Wei Jinyi exited the palace in their palanquin. Only when they heard Lin Fang’s voice from outside the palanquin, “Prince, Queen, we are now outside,” did Wei Ruo finally breathe easy.

She then turned to Wei Jinyi and asked, “Why did the Emperor specifically instruct me not to divulge this to anyone outside today? I don’t want to talk about it, but why does he feel the same way?”

“I’m not sure, I don’t understand him that well.” Wei Jinyi couldn’t provide her with a definite answer.

“The saying ‘the Emperor’s heart is unpredictable’ is indeed true.” Wei Ruo exclaimed, “When I was facing him today, my palms were sweating with nervousness.”

“Ruo, you did well, there was no sign of panic.”

“Of course I was nervous, he is the Emperor after all! He has the power to behead me in an instant. If I really anger him and he decrees my beheading, what can I do? Wasn’t it necessary for me to be nervous and cautious?” Wei Ruo responded using a somewhat playful tone.

Seeing this, Wei Jinyi couldn’t help but chuckle.

“Second Brother, what are you laughing at?” Wei Ruo asked.

Looking away sheepishly, Wei Jinyi responded in a low voice, “Despite being nervous, you insist on tending to the Emperor. Sometimes, Ruo, you are both brave and afraid.”

“No, ultimately I just value my life. Whether I’m afraid or persist in examining the Emperor, it’s all for the sake of preserving my own existence.”

Wei Jinyi responded, “I will protect you.”

The volume of his voice wasn’t high, but the conviction in his tone brought an inexplicable sense of calm.

“Ok.” Wei Ruo simply replied.

Wei Jinyi then turned to Wei Ruo and asked a question, “How did you manage to prepare the medicine in advance today?”

Wei Ruo possessed excellent medical skills, but she did not have the power of foresight. The explanation she gave in front of the Emperor was not quite convincing enough for Wei Jinyi.

“During my previous meeting with the Emperor, I surmised his illness by observing his complexion, eye color, as well as his subtle movements. However, I wasn’t completely sure since I hadn’t taken his pulse. So, I took a gamble and prepared several types of tonics that I felt could be useful for him. I carried them all in my possession and presented the most suitable one after confirming the diagnosis through his pulse.”

While saying this, Wei Ruo pulled five more bottles from her sleeve. Including the one given to the Emperor, that made six in total.

Actually, Wei Ruo was withholding a bit. Her prediction about the Emperor’s illness was not only grounded in their encounter at the Mid-Autumn Festival banquet but also from certain descriptions in the original text.

But even so, Wei Ruo could only deduce a rough estimate, hence the need for extensive preparation.

“What if none of these six types had been suitable?” Wei Jinyi asked.

“Then I would have had to admit it was unsuitable. But I would have suggested that the medicine prescribed by Doctor Xu might be useful.” Wei Ruo answered.

“Ruo is very clever.” Wei Jinyi chuckled.

“It takes one to know one!”

Wei Ruo leaned back into the cushion, her voice now carrying a hint of lethargy.

“It’s still a distance to our residence, take a rest first,” suggested Wei Jinyi.

“Ok,” Wei Ruo responded as she closed her eyes to rest.

She seemed relaxed and at ease beside Wei Jinyi.

Watching her, curled up as comfortably as a kitten on the cushion, Wei Jinyi felt a wave of satisfaction wash over him.