The Splendid Brocade of the Painting Physician – Chapter 116

Chapter 116: A Deal with the Empress

Liu Jingyan was taken aback. She never expected Xiao Jinyu would refuse so decisively. After all, treating the Emperor was a supreme honor. If she succeeded, it was highly likely she would be granted an official position.

“Your Majesty must have heard the folk song about the cloth and the grain: ‘A foot of cloth can still be sewn; a peck of grain can still be pounded, but two brothers cannot reconcile.’ This humble woman believes that His Majesty’s illness is a minor matter. What you should truly be concerned about is your son!”

Liu Jingyan’s expression shifted. She looked at Xiao Jinyu for a long while, then asked again,

“Are you truly unwilling to treat His Majesty?”

“The palace has many learned imperial physicians. If I were to treat His Majesty, wouldn’t that be calling them all quacks?!”

After saying this, Xiao Jinyu changed the subject. “However, Your Majesty, since you have summoned this humble woman to the palace, I do have a request. I beseech Your Majesty to grant it!”

“Speak!”

“This humble woman wishes to see the former Empress, the Empress of Emperor Wen, Empress Shen!”

Shen Miaorong, Empress Wen?

This request stunned Liu Jingyan, who was known for her composure and detachment.

Though Liu Jingyan never involved herself in court politics or factional struggles, after Emperor Wen’s death, a fierce power struggle had erupted between Chen Xu and Empress Shen, who was then ruling from behind the curtain.

Fearing Chen Xu’s growing power as regent, Shen Miaorong had secretly sent eunuchs to entice Zhang Anguo of Jian’an to assassinate him. But Zhang Anguo’s plot failed, and both he and the eunuchs were killed by Chen Xu in retaliation. This struggle ended with Chen Xu’s victory.

To cover up her involvement, Shen Miaorong even silenced all the maids and attendants in her palace.

Although Chen Xu knew Shen Miaorong was behind the plot, to appear benevolent, he feigned ignorance and simply placed her under house arrest in Wende Palace.

“You want to see Empress Shen? Is it because of your mother’s affair?”

Xiao Jinyu didn’t deny it.

“Indeed, Your Majesty. If you allow me to meet Empress Shen, I can guarantee the safety of your son, Crown Prince Chen Shubao’s position!”

Liu Jingyan was stunned once more!

“You are indeed a perfect Empress. You don’t involve yourself in politics, you don’t compete for favor, you have no desires or ambitions, and you even help your husband expand his lineage. The harem is filled with beauties, and there are countless princes and princesses.

But are you truly without desires?”

“Over the years, you have only borne one son for His Majesty, but Crown Prince Chen Shubao is not His Majesty’s most favored son. He even knows that Prince Chen Shuling of Shixing is acting recklessly and has ambitions for the Eastern Palace, yet he allows him to do as he pleases and form his own faction.”

“And… Prince of Shixing has even attempted to assassinate the Crown Prince, hasn’t he?”

Liu Jingyan’s eyes now held utter disbelief.

“Your Majesty must be aware of these matters. You are simply turning a blind eye and pretending not to know.”

“How did you learn about these things?” Liu Jingyan asked in shock.

“Your Majesty, I have seen the account books of Apricot Blossom and Misty Rain Tower. A year ago, the Crown Prince frequented the establishment, but he stopped going after that. Could it be because of that assassination attempt, he learned of Prince of Shixing’s ambitions and ceased associating with him?”

“You deduced all this just from looking at the account books?” Liu Jingyan asked in astonishment once more.

“Yes!”

“You are truly intelligent and perceptive, just like your mother…”

Mentioning Xiao Luan, Liu Jingyan sighed softly and suddenly asked with a bitter smile,

“You are so intelligent and insightful, do you know why His Majesty favors Prince Chen Shuling of Shixing so much?”

Xiao Jinyu looked at her, waiting for her answer.

“Apart from a slight guilt he feels for holding him hostage in the Northern Zhou Dynasty, there is another reason. His mother, Consort Peng, closely resembles someone, someone he killed but can never forget…”

This statement shocked Xiao Jinyu.

“His Majesty believes in the immortality of the soul. He has always believed that the one he loved most will be reincarnated, but he doesn’t know who she will be reborn as. Therefore, anyone who slightly resembles her, I will, as he wishes, keep by his side.”

Seeing Xiao Jinyu’s speechless astonishment, Liu Jingyan smiled again.

“Do you find it ridiculous? Indeed, this palace has never been one to fight for favor. My marriage to him was a political one. He respects me, so I do as he wishes. Therefore, I don’t care how many women he has!”

“But you are right about one thing. The only thing this palace cares about is my son!”

“Therefore, I agree to the request you just made!”

“And I ask you to fulfill your promise as agreed!”

After a pause, she added,

✿✿✿

“If you need any assistance from this palace, find a way to send a message.”

Xiao Jinyu interrupted with a smile,

“No need. Your Majesty should continue to be the virtuous Empress who does not involve herself in court affairs or factional struggles, without desires or ambitions. I will handle the rest!”

“My only request is to meet Empress Shen!”

✿✿✿

Wende Palace, where Empress Shen resided, was situated atop an artificial mountain north of the Hualin Garden’s residential area. It had become an isolated palace. If not for Liu Jingyan’s kindness in sending people to care for the former Empress, it would be no different from the Cold Palace.

When Xiao Jinyu arrived at Wende Palace, led by Liu Jingyan and her maids, Empress Shen Miaorong was kneeling on a rush cushion, reciting Buddhist scriptures.

When a maid informed her that Empress Liu was coming to visit, Shen Miaorong was astonished. She gripped her Buddhist beads so tightly they scattered across the floor.

Sensing something amiss, she turned to see Liu Jingyan entering Wende Palace, followed by a woman.

Upon seeing Xiao Jinyu, disguised as Xiao Luan, Empress Shen’s face was filled with fear.

“Sister-in-law, I’ve come to see you. I’ve brought someone else today. I’m sure you haven’t had a good chat with anyone in a long time. You two should have a good talk today!”

After saying this, Liu Jingyan looked at Xiao Jinyu.

“Ask whatever you need to ask. This palace will wait outside!”

“Thank you, Your Majesty!”

Liu Jingyan left with her maids, leaving Xiao Jinyu and Shen Miaorong alone in the hall, their eyes locked.

“You’re actually back alive?” Shen Miaorong asked first. She scrutinized Xiao Jinyu again, then shook her head. “No, you’re not her. Even if she were alive, she wouldn’t be so young…”

“You… could you be her daughter?”

Xiao Jinyu nodded.

“So, Your Majesty, you knew about my mother’s affair, didn’t you?”

Shen Miaorong’s face paled.

“You want to learn the truth about your mother’s affair from me?” she asked, chuckling. “What makes you think I’ll tell you?”

“Empress Shen, you have lost everything. Your husband is dead, your son is dead. Although you are still alive, you live in fear, not knowing when the current Emperor will tire of you and have you poisoned!”

“So what good is it for you to keep this secret?”

“And what good would it do me to reveal it?” Shen Miaorong retorted.

Xiao Jinyu smiled.

“So, Your Majesty wants to negotiate with me!”

“Since you have gained Empress Liu’s favor, your status must be considerable. If you want to know the secret, you must help me escape from here!”

“But I believe it is safest for Empress Shen to remain here.”

Seeing Shen Miaorong’s dejected and gloomy expression, Xiao Jinyu added,

“At the very least, I can guarantee Your Majesty’s safety!”

Shen Miaorong was overjoyed, but then she heard Xiao Jinyu ask solemnly,

“Your Majesty, you were the one who ordered someone to give Han Zigao that cup of aphrodisiac wine, weren’t you?”