Zhao Hua was summoned, and Zhang Imperial Physician came quickly.
He was still recovering from the cold and coughed repeatedly when he came, covering his face with a veil to avoid passing his sickness to others.
Upon entering, he simply paid Xiao Jingheng a quick courtesy call before urgently beginning to diagnose Zhao Hua.
The pulse diagnosis process was exceptionally agonizing. Seeing Zhang Imperial Physician's expression become graver and graver, Xiao Jingheng anxiously asked:
"How is it? What are the chances?"
Zhang Imperial Physician withdrew his hand and glanced around at the surrounding consorts waiting nearby. He said,
"Your Majesty, there are too many people inside the inner palace, obstructing the air circulation, which is detrimental to Her Majesty the Empress's health. I ask that Your Majesty please allow the ladies to first go outside and wait."
Zhang Imperial Physician was asking everyone else to leave, but did not ask Xiao Jingheng to leave.
So Xiao Jingheng knew that Zhang Imperial Physician must have wanted to tell him something in private.
Sure enough, after everyone had been sent away, Zhang Imperial Physician said in a low voice to Xiao Jingheng,
"Your Majesty, Her Majesty the Empress has blood clots in her skull that are difficult to disperse. She must be needled in order to save her life. However... after needling, Her Majesty the Empress will definitely recall all of her past memories. Moreover, Her Majesty the Empress has already been needled twice. In the future, if you want Her Majesty the Empress to completely forget about the past again, I'm afraid it will be difficult..."
Hearing this, Xiao Jingheng fell silent in contemplation for a little while, and soon said:
"Just carry on with the medical treatment. As long as the Empress can be kept safe, there is no need to worry about other matters."
Zhang Imperial Physician bowed with his hands clasped and respectfully replied: "Your Majesty, please rest assured that I will definitely do my utmost to ensure Her Majesty the Empress comes to no harm!"
After Xiao Jingheng had also exited the inner palace, Zhang Imperial Physician began to "treat" Zhao Hua.
He first parted her thick black hair to reveal a slit, then gently pressed his fingertips near the crown of her head until a silver needle as fine as a strand of hair gradually emerged from Zhao Hua's scalp. Only then did he swiftly and accurately grasp the end of the needle and pull the entire needle out.
He put away the silver needle and started briskly massaging Zhao Hua's Baihui acupoint.
Soon, seeing Zhao Hua slowly open her eyes, Zhang Imperial Physician finally wiped the sweat from his brow and heaved a long sigh of relief.
Zhao Hua glanced at Zhang Imperial Physician and gave him a weak smile, saying softly:
"You and I have made it through another hurdle."
Still terrified, Zhang Imperial Physician replied: "This method is truly perilous. I cannot guarantee that all will be well. Thank heavens, thank heavens that Your Ladyship has received divine protection..."
"Zhang Imperial Physician's medical skills are outstanding. I have always trusted you very much," said Zhao Hua.
Today, Zhao Hua's alleged fall from the Cloud Terrace was nothing but a ruse.
The only one who truly fell from the Cloud Terrace was Zhao Baozhong, who had been secretly spying on Zhao Hua's every move.
He had followed Zhao Hua up the Cloud Terrace. It was Xiaofuzi who gave him a sudden push from the terrace when he was caught unawares.
Afterwards, Zhao Hua only sustained some minor abrasions on her body. She quietly lay next to the now dead Zhao Baozhong, after which Zhang Imperial Physician, who had been secretly waiting nearby, inserted this hair-like silver needle into Zhao Hua’s skull.
With this needle pressing on her acupoint, the other imperial physicians would of course only be able to detect anomalies in Zhao Hua’s pulse but be at a complete loss.
Moreover, the only ones accompanying Zhao Hua at the time were Ning Wanshuang and Rongyue.
No matter how they would later try to distort the facts, it would be easy for them to pull it off.
Although risky, this tactic was the only way forward to a bright future.
"Next, go and tell the Emperor I'm fine now," said Zhao Hua faintly.
Zhao Hua slowly closed her heavy eyelids. "I'm tired. I need to get some good rest first before I have enough energy to see what kind of act the Emperor will put on in front of me."
Zhao Hua woke up at dawn the next day.
When she opened her eyes, she discovered Xiao Jingheng keeping vigil at her bedside, gazing at her intently.
Seeing that she was awake, Xiao Jingheng eagerly grabbed her hand,
"Zhao'er, you're finally awake!"
However, Zhao Hua instead seemed frightened, abruptly pulling her hand back.
She frowned at Xiao Jingheng, her eyes filled with complex emotions.
Xiao Jingheng's half-suspended hand froze awkwardly in mid-air. "Zhao'er... does anything feel uncomfortable?"
"It's nothing." Zhao Hua listlessly shook her head, then turned her face away, no longer looking at him.
"I'm tired. Your Majesty should go back first," she said flatly.
Hearing Zhao Hua address him this way, Xiao Jingheng was also stunned.
"Zhao'er... why do you not call me Xiao Lang anymore?"
He gently caressed Zhao Hua's cheek, gradually making her turn her head towards him.
The beauty looked back with tears streaming down her face.
Xiao Jingheng tenderly wiped away her tears. Hesitantly, he asked:
"Have you... recalled something?"
Song Zhao in the past was originally a strong-willed woman. Disregarding her vulnerability, she would dare to sternly question even Xiao Jingheng.
Now that Zhao Hua had "regained" her past memories, how could she not have traces of Song Zhao's shadow within her?
At this moment, the complex look in her tearful eyes towards Xiao Jingheng contained intertwined love and hatred, distinct coldness and warmth.
"Yes, I've recalled many things. I remember the Xiao Lang who cherished me like a precious jewel, but I also remember the Emperor who killed Cheng Yu and threw me into the cold palace..."
"So you do remember everything..." said Xiao Jingheng remorsefully.
His face was filled with guilt, and the fingers resting on Zhao Hua's cheek also trembled slightly.
He slowly withdrew his hand, his tone frustrated. "I was also in a difficult position. Zhao'er, are you willing to listen to my explanation?"
Zhao Hua miserably wiped her tears and said coldly and decisively: "Now that things have come to this, does Your Majesty still feel there is any need to explain anything to this servant?"
"Cheng Yu is not dead," said Xiao Jingheng solemnly, each word striking Zhao Hua's ears like a ringing bell.
She was utterly astonished. "What did you say?"
Xiao Jingheng explained with bloodshot eyes: "I had no choice but to throw you into the cold palace back then. By feigning Cheng Yu's death, it may have seemed heartless towards you mother and son, but in reality everything stemmed from how deeply I cared about you.
Early on, I had noticed Consort Hui's suspiciousness, but unfortunately I lacked evidence while also fearing she would secretly harm you and Cheng Yu. So I had no choice but to throw you into the cold palace, and while it seemed I was removing an heir like a tiger devouring its cubs, I actually secretly sent Cheng Yu to Hengzhou to be cared for by people I trust.
That way, no matter what chaos arose afterwards with the former dynasty or with the harem, I could at least ensure you mother and son were safe."
As he spoke, seeing the tear pearls rolling down Zhao Hua's face, Xiao Jingheng couldn't help reaching out to wipe her tears.
And this time, Zhao Hua did not recoil.
So he continued earnestly:
"I knew that if I told you all this, you would definitely disagree to being separated from your son. In any case, although I did it for you and Cheng Yu's well-being, I did deceive you and hurt you. If you want to blame me, I have nothing to say..."
As his voice trailed off, the tears in his eyes could no longer be contained either, spilling over.
It certainly seemed genuine.
Zhao Hua still wore an expression of disbelief, repeatedly asking: "Is Cheng Yu really not dead?"
Xiao Jingheng stated firmly and solemnly: "Now that the threat lurking in the dark has been eliminated, there is nothing more to fear. I already sent the Prince of An first thing to fetch Cheng Yu back from Hengzhou. In a few days, our son will be able to return to our side."
He paused for a while, gripping Zhao Hua's hand tightly again, his words imploring:
"Zhao'er, I know my selfishness in protecting you has also hurt you. But I am the Emperor, I also have my own difficulties. Now that you know the truth of the matter, are you willing... to forgive me?"
