The process of reinstating Cheng Yu as Crown Prince was very simple. Since the inauguration ceremony for establishing him as Crown Prince had already taken place previously, this time it only required an imperial edict to announce it to the world. Although everything was simplified, Consort Zhao Hua's prestige grew even more after this matter. Not only did the imperial concubines curried favor with her one after another, even when the officials' wives entered the palace to pay respects to her, they also flattered Zhao Hua with their words, that made one's ears grow calluses.
Later, Zhao Hua got really tired of it, so she simply pleaded illness as an excuse to tactfully decline these trivial matters.
On this day, when Imperial Physician Zhang came as usual to take Consort Zhao Hua's pulse to check on her health, he heard Zhao Hua laughingly ask him about something, "Imperial Physician Guo's diarrhea has been going on for half a month, and still hasn't gotten better?"
Zhang the Imperial Physician shook his head and sighed, "He is also unwilling to admit that he is getting old. At 60 years old, he obstinately got obsessed with the art of longevity, and has taken quite a lot of expensive elixirs peddled by various Taoist priests. Even with my medical skills, his body is still damaged by eating the wrong things."
Zhao Hua said, "Physicians find it hard to heal themselves. When you have time, go take a look at him."
Zhang the Imperial Physician quickly said, "Of course, that's natural. After all, we are colleagues. When I first entered the Imperial Medical Bureau, Imperial Physician Guo took care of me a lot too. In recent days when I was treating him, I heard him sigh with feelings. He should be planning to ask for retirement from His Majesty after his health recovers completely, so he can go home to enjoy family happiness."
Zhao Hua looked at him with bright, meaningful eyes, and said profoundly,
"You are the deputy chief imperial physician. After he steps down, you will be in charge of the Imperial Medical Bureau."
Zhang the Imperial Physician bowed with clasped hands, "I am able to attain my present position today, entirely thanks to Empress's nurturing and promotion."
Zhao Hua laughed, "What can I nurture you with? It is entirely your own capability after all."
How Imperial Physician Guo got sick, both Zhao Hua and Zhang the Imperial Physician knew very well in their hearts. Hence, there was no need to spell it out bluntly. On the other hand, Zhang the Imperial Physician's later words aroused Zhao Hua's interest even more.
She heard him say softly, "Empress, Eunuch Jiang who serves at Your Majesty's side, his leg illness has not been very good these few days."
Zhao Hua thought for a while and said, "I haven't seen much of him recently. It looks like only Little Yinzi has been busy serving at my side. What happened to Jiang Deshun?"
Zhang the Imperial Physician slowly said, "His Majesty ordered me to take a look at his illness. He is prohibited from drinking alcohol, but somehow he got greedy and drank a cup, aggravating the hidden afflictions in his body. His right leg is completely paralyzed now."
He paused briefly, and then suddenly added, "Fortunately... when Little Yinzi is free these days, he goes to take care of him."
Zhao Hua carefully savored this matter. She could not help smiling sardonically,
"An imperial physician harmed his own body by taking too much medicine. Someone who abides by the rules clearly knew he should not drink alcohol yet he got greedy and drank, harming his own body."
She gently caressed the wide sleeves of her phoenix robe, and sighed softly,
"This high position, there is only one of it. It is said the higher you go, the colder it gets. But who is not born wishing they could stride through the clouds and ascend to the highest point? The means to ascend may be clever or despicable, being able to remain in the light does not matter... What matters is being able to climb up smoothly."
As she spoke, her gaze slowly focused on Zhang the Imperial Physician, and she meaningfully said,
"The key is whether you can climb up successfully."
Zhang the Imperial Physician understood her implied meaning, and acquiesced, "Your Majesty is wise."
Zhao Hua casually yawned and waved her hand, saying,
"You may go now. Since Jiang Deshun's leg is already crippled, just treat it perfunctorily."
Zhang the Imperial Physician took his leave.
As soon as he stepped out the door, Zhao Hua immediately heard Yun Shan scoff in disgust,
"So Little Yinzi made a move against Imperial Physician Jiang? He is the mentor who helped raise him to this position! He has always said he treats Imperial Physician Jiang like his own father. How could he..."
"He is his mentor, but also his stumbling block." Zhao Hua said unhurriedly, "For the sake of profit, some people can even murder their own fathers. Those below will follow the example of those above. It is not strange for others to do shameful things."
Yun Shan nodded slowly, but still said worriedly,
"But for Little Yinzi to act this way, it is really... My lady, it would be best if you don't get too close to him."
"Hmph, get close?" Zhao Hua sneered coldly, "A servant, how dare he get close to Me?"
As she spoke, she held Yun Shan's hand, and looked at her with sincere, gentle eyes,
"In this palace, I do not trust any of My servants. As for you and Little Fuzi, you are not slaves or maidservants. I have long treated you like my own siblings."
These words warmed one's heart to hear,
But Yun Shan did not dare forget propriety, and quickly said,
"Being able to serve My Lady is this slave's fortune. If My Lady treats this slave as a sister, it would kill this slave."
Zhao Hua knew she was stubborn, and did not argue with her. Instead she said,
"I see Little Yinzi's true nature very clearly. From beginning to end, I never expected him to be loyal to Me. The relationships between people, they can be simple, and they can be complicated.
Unless there is a life-and-death bond, ultimately everyone interacts based on the word 'benefit'. They come together for benefit, when the benefit is gone they separate. He wants Me to protect his life, but he must also see if he still has value that I can make use of."
*
Jiang Deshun's illness could not be delayed.
Since he could no longer get off the bed to serve at the imperial court, it was time for him to retire and return home.
Three days later, Jiang Deshun resigned. Little Yinzi smoothly succeeded him in the position of head eunuch.
After thanking the emperor for his grace, he naturally had to come thank the empress afterwards.
Little Yinzi did not show the slightest disrespect to Zhao Hua.
Upon entering the main hall, he faced the seat of honor and performed three kneelings and nine prostrations.
Only after the ritual was completed did Zhao Hua gently laugh and say, "Congratulations to you."
Little Yinzi looked up at Zhao Hua. Seeing his expression, it seemed he had private words to say.
Thus, Zhao Hua dismissed her attendants, leaving only him alone.
She heard Little Yinzi say,
"Empress, regarding the question you asked this servant last time, this servant has thought it through clearly. A servant cannot serve two masters. In this imperial palace, the biggest master is naturally His Majesty. Therefore, this servant can only be loyal to His Majesty alone."
His words made Zhao Hua feel somewhat astonished.
But she did not show it on her face, still smiling thinly as she said,
"There has only ever been His Majesty as the proper master in the palace. It shows your mentor taught you well that you can discern this."
"Empress." Little Yinzi's expression darkened. He bowed to Zhao Hua and said word for word,
"However, the Crown Prince is the future new ruler. Therefore, serving Empress means serving the future new ruler. It is all being loyal to the emperor and loyal to the Qi Dynasty."
Having said that, he lowered himself and respectfully kowtowed three times to Zhao Hua,
"This servant hopes Empress will take good care of this servant from now on!"
Hearing this, Zhao Hua looked at him with raised eyebrows, and could not help laughing.
He was clever after all, and spoke nicely.
Zhao Hua beckoned Little Yinzi to rise,
"As Empress who emulates the Mother of the Nation, I care for and protect all the emperor's subjects. Just like... how I treated Consort Yun, who made mistakes in the past."
As she spoke, she suddenly assumed a serious expression and loudly asked,
"I just want to know... Why did His Majesty inexplicably restore Consort Yun's status?"
