Chapter 2648 - 2581: Return to the Palace

The Emperor was very busy that day and thus had no time to read the letter sent by the Crown Prince. Later, he forgot about it. Imperial Doctor Tan’s diagnosis indicated that Wei Zhi’s health was not optimistic.

Not in a good mood, he did not wish to dwell on personal matters and instead focused entirely on official documents, hoping to distract himself with work.

When he remembered that the Crown Prince seemed to have sent a letter, it was already almost noon the next day.

Everyone had finished a round of discussions and it was time for a break.

The Emperor rifled through the items on his desk and saw the letter from the Crown Prince, opening it casually.

Upon reading it, the Emperor realized how rampant the rumors outside were. He scanned the ministers in the room, coldly scoffed in his heart, but with a gentle expression said, "I feel much better today, Doctor Zhou deserves credit. Someone, go to the storehouse and fetch two rolls of silk for her as a reward."

Gu Zhong was momentarily stunned but then bowed and agreed.

The ministers below maintained their expressions, flattering, "If the Emperor is well, then all under heaven is well."

"Heaven bless, the Emperor will surely enjoy long life and health..."

Who doesn’t know that the one who’s sick is Wei Zhi, you’re just a decoy.

But there are not many in the world who can make the Emperor willingly become a decoy.

Minister Han and a few others quietly glanced at Wei Zhi, no matter how they looked, he didn’t seem like someone with only a few years to live.

He looked lively and energetic, showing no sign of illness.

After rewarding Zhou Man, the Emperor had lunch and took the ministers for a stroll in the shade to digest their food, letting everyone see his royal visage, thereby dispelling the rumors of his serious illness.

Meanwhile, Manbao and Imperial Doctor Tan had already returned to the capital. She first dropped Imperial Doctor Tan off at the Tan residence before reluctantly leaving with her horse.

Imperial Doctor Tan was also somewhat reluctant, having gained much from exchanging medical knowledge with Zhou Man along the way.

Manbao had gained even more, feeling it was quite remiss of her to have missed meeting Imperial Doctor Tan in previous years.

She was already rummaging through the bookshelves in Keke’s space, pondering which book or recipe to use to exchange some medical knowledge or experience with Imperial Doctor Tan.

As she contemplated, Manbao returned to the Zhou Residence.

Grandma Liu was slightly startled and personally brought Ms. Zheng over, asking, "Why have you suddenly returned?"

Manbao replied, "Grandmother, I came back to find some medical books. I’ll leave first thing tomorrow morning."

Grandma Liu heaved a sigh of relief and with a smile asked, "Is Shanbao doing well at the temporary palace residence?"

"Quite well."

"Is Erlang behaving? Has he caused any trouble?"

Manbao: "Don’t worry, with Princess Mingda around, he can’t cause any trouble."

She laughed gleefully, "The Emperor dotes on Princess Mingda, so their residence is right next to the Longevity Palace, quite close indeed."

According to Bai Shan, Bai Erlang now has to greet the Emperor and Empress every morning and evening, and occasionally gets pulled by the Emperor to study, dragged inside to listen to the elders’ discussions, it’s quite miserable.

At hearing this, Grandma Liu felt at ease and seeing that she was about to enter the palace after putting things down, quickly stopped her saying, "It’s hot at this hour, why not wait until it cools down a bit before going in, and besides, you haven’t had lunch yet, have you?"

Manbao thought for a moment and nodded, "Then I’ll eat lunch first, but I won’t wait for it to cool down, waiting for the sun to set might not guarantee it’s cooler."

"Then I’ll have someone prepare a carriage for you, at least it can shield you from the sun."

Manbao agreed and went to have lunch with Grandma Liu and Ms. Zheng.

She handed the list she had written last night to Grandma Liu, "These are all things that Princess Changyu and the others asked me to bring. Grandmother, please help me buy them, I’ll take them with me tomorrow morning when I leave."

Grandma Liu looked at it and couldn’t help but chuckle. There were quite a few treats on it that Manbao and Bai Shan liked, how could it be that they were all requested by Princess Changyu and the others?

She smiled with narrowed eyes and nodded, "Alright, I’ll send someone to the shop right away to reserve, have them make it fresh tomorrow morning, and let the servants fetch it, then you can directly take it to the temporary palace residence."

Manbao nodded repeatedly.

Ms. Zheng also looked at the list, saying, "Your sister-in-law isn’t home."

"Upon my return, I’ve already sent someone to Pu Village to find my sister-in-law. They’ll send them directly to the temporary palace residence tomorrow."

Grandma Liu then advised, "It’s hot in summer, don’t overindulge in food."

Manbao promised that they wouldn’t overindulge.

After all, there were many people at the temporary palace residence, not to mention Yin Huo and a few others, and among the family members accompanying the ministers, many were Bai Shan and his classmates from the Imperial Academy and Chongwen Pavilion. When they meet, wouldn’t they have to show courtesy?

After finishing her lunch and resting briefly, Manbao went into the palace.

The atmosphere in the palace was somewhat oppressive. The gate guards watched her get off the carriage with wide eyes, with all kinds of conjectures in their hearts.

Everyone looked at her intently. Manbao met their gaze with confusion and tentatively walked towards the palace. Seeing them still watching her, she suddenly felt a bit guilty without reason and explained more, "I returned to the capital by order, not sneaking back."

The guards: ... Was that what they wanted to ask?

What they wanted to ask was whether the Emperor was truly seriously ill. Why was she not attending to him but returning instead?

But no one dared to ask, as it bordered on prying into the Emperor’s health, which was not something they could bear.

Manbao feeling a bit shaky crossed the palace gate, still puzzled looking back. Seeing them still staring, she nervously asked Keke, "Keke, why are they acting strange? Is it because my attire isn’t properly worn?"

Manbao looked herself over, instinctively touching her belt and chest, but found no issue.

Moreover, when she left home, Grandma Liu and her mother-in-law had sent her to the courtyard gate, if there were any issues, they undoubtedly would have pointed them out.

Manbao felt somewhat reassured but still a bit unsure.

Keke scanned back and forth a few times, unable to determine the reason, thinking that human beings were indeed too complex creatures.

Manbao bewilderedly made her way to the Imperial Hospital, deciding to look for books first and then head to the Chongwen Pavilion, so she could leave the palace with Mr. Zhuang that afternoon.

The atmosphere in the palace turned even more solemn than before, with a touch of caution and anxiety, everyone widened their eyes upon seeing her, wanting to approach yet hesitating to do so.

Head lowered, Manbao climbed the steps and contemplated whether something major had happened in the palace during the few days they were at the temporary residence.

But she hadn’t heard anything.

Yongzhou and the capital weren’t far apart, and information traveled quickly; if something had occurred, the Emperor couldn’t be oblivious, after all, she met with the Emperor every day.

Just as she pondered, a voice called from behind, "Lord Zhou, Lord Zhou..."

Manbao turned around to see Eunuch Wu with two young eunuchs running towards her.

She raised her eyebrows, clasped her hands, stood on the steps in thought, watching as Eunuch Wu finally reached her, took a couple of breaths, and continued to run up the stairs.

Inwardly shouting, Manbao asked Keke, "The palace has a rule against rushing, it was even Eunuch Wu who told me that. Could it be that something happened with the Crown Prince? Surely, he didn’t launch a rebellion?"