Reborn as Murong Fu: This Time I'm the Protagonist

Chapter 494 A Neighborhood on the Sickbed
Murong Fu bowed and said, "Your Majesty, I have come from Suzhou. A few months ago, my nephew went to the capital to visit Your Majesty. Unfortunately, he was not skilled enough. After returning from Bianliang, he told me that Your Majesty was unwell, and I took it to heart. His Majesty the Emperor was concerned about Your Majesty's health and therefore specially summoned me to the capital to visit Your Majesty, so as to fulfill the filial duty of a grandchild."

Murong Fu didn't tell the whole truth, but he didn't lie either. In fact, he had invited Zhang Dun, a capable minister of the New Party, to come to Bianliang. This was completely contrary to Empress Dowager Gao's wishes, and Murong Fu didn't want to upset the old lady at this time, so he chose to downplay the issue.

"Oh? So you're Doctor Xue's uncle?" The figure behind the screen became visibly interested upon hearing the name "Doctor Xue": "I really appreciate Doctor Xue's efforts in traveling all the way from Suzhou to prescribe these two medicines. Although I haven't recovered much after taking them, I feel much more comfortable."

Murong Fu said, "Your Majesty is too kind. Xue Muhua did indeed learn some medical skills under our sect. I am honored by the friends in the martial arts world who have given me the title of divine physician. This Xue Muhua is none other than my unworthy nephew."

The old woman in palace attire behind the curtain was slightly moved: "Sir, you are indeed the senior uncle of Doctor Xue. I am deeply grateful for your visit, but please forgive my frail health, which prevents me from rising to greet you. Please forgive me."

Murong Fu rose and bowed slightly. Two nimble palace maids immediately stepped forward to serve tea, while two eunuchs stood on either side to remove the screen.

The screen was removed, revealing an elderly woman in palace attire wearing a phoenix crown, seated on an embroidered couch. Behind her, besides the beautiful woman in palace attire who had led Murong Fu earlier, were two palace maids holding fans on either side. The elderly woman was around sixty years old, and time had not left many marks on her face, except for a pair of aged eyes that spoke of the vicissitudes of life. At this moment, she was looking at Murong Fu with a smile, as if she were looking at a junior who had come to visit her home, her appreciation and satisfaction undisguised.

Empress Dowager Gao, who served under four emperors—Renzong, Yingzong, Shenzong, and Zhezong—was the most powerful and controversial empress dowager in the Song Dynasty. At this moment, she sat quietly in front of Murong Fu, her peaceful expression like a ray of sunshine in winter, gently illuminating him.

Some say she is a female Yao and Shun, while others say she is the Song Dynasty version of Empress Dowager Cixi. At this moment, she looks at Murong Fu with kind eyes, like a kind old lady looking at a junior who has come to visit.

Empress Dowager Gao smiled and looked at Murong Fu, saying, "At noon today, Yunxia came over and spoke with me for a while. She said that the Emperor had invited a renowned physician from Suzhou for me. I thought he would be an old doctor with white hair and beard, but he turned out to be such a handsome and dashing young man. Judging from Mr. Murong's age, he is about the same age as my nephews and nieces, so I took advantage of my seniority and addressed myself as an elder."

Murong Fu rose and bowed, then smiled slightly and said, "It is my honor to be called a nephew by the Empress Dowager. In our Suzhou custom, we call older female elders in the family 'aunt.' If the Empress Dowager does not mind, I will humbly address the Empress Dowager as 'aunt.'"

Upon hearing this, Empress Dowager Gao smiled like an autumn chrysanthemum and repeatedly said, "Good, good, good child!"

She looked Murong Fu up and down carefully, then turned to look at the beautiful woman in palace attire behind her, and asked, "May I ask how old my nephew Murong is this year, and whether he is married?"

Murong Fu couldn't help but shudder slightly: Why did the Empress Dowager look at him like a mother-in-law was looking at her son-in-law? This wasn't right.

Murong Fu quickly replied, "In response to your question, Aunt, I am twenty-eight years old this year, and I already have a daughter from the Wang family of Suzhou."

Upon hearing this, Empress Dowager Gao's eyes dimmed slightly, as if she were somewhat disappointed: "Oh, is that so? That's right, that's how it should be, that's how it should be."

Murong Fu wanted to end the topic as soon as possible, so he hurriedly said, "Judging from the Empress Dowager's complexion, she has been bedridden for half a year. Why didn't you summon a famous doctor earlier? Perhaps things wouldn't have turned out like this today..." Murong Fu couldn't continue.

Empress Dowager Gao smiled and said, "It can't be as critically ill as it is today, can it?"

Murong Fu quickly replied, "I had no such intention."

Empress Dowager Gao shook her head and smiled, "It's alright, I know my own body."

At this point, she couldn't help but sigh again, saying, "But I can't rest easy. I married Emperor Yingzong when I was young, but unfortunately, he passed away halfway through his life. I wiped away my tears and watched my son ascend the throne, thinking I could enjoy my old age in peace. But in the end, I was the one who had to bury my son. I wiped away my tears again and helped my grandson ascend the throne. For the past eight years, I have been trembling with fear, worrying day and night, terrified that if I make a single mistake, I will fail the late emperor's trust and leave behind a bad name for all eternity."

Murong Fu said, "My aunt has done so for the sake of the nation and the people. History will remember her achievements."

Empress Dowager Gao shook her head and sighed, "What do I care about being recorded in history or being remembered for all time? As long as I don't have a bad reputation, I'll be satisfied. Just now, my dear nephew mentioned the title of 'female Yao and Shun' outside. Did you hear this from someone else, or did you come up with it on the spot? It doesn't matter, just say it. This isn't a court audience; let's just treat this as a family chat."

Empress Dowager Gao's expression remained calm, but there was a faint tremor in her voice.

Murong Fu said solemnly, "Aunt, please forgive me. What I just said came from the bottom of my heart, and there was not a single falsehood in it."

"Oh, that's quite strange. How so?" Empress Dowager Gao said with a smile.

Murong Fu said, "Throughout history, emperors and generals have all considered establishing merit and expanding territory as the greatest pursuit in life. However, as the saying goes, 'One general's success is built on the bones of ten thousand,' the achievements of emperors and generals are often written at the cost of the blood and tears of ordinary people. When the late emperor was alive, Song and Xia were at war for years, with five routes attacking Xia, resulting in the loss of troops and generals, endless war and disaster, and countless losses. The people of the world were in turmoil, and the four seas were in turmoil. The Empress Dowager assisted in governing, allowing the people to recuperate, and countless people and families were spared the suffering of being torn apart, their homes destroyed, and their lives ruined. This is a meritorious deed that saved countless lives. How could the people resent the Empress Dowager?"

Empress Dowager Gao showed a hint of relief on her face: "You are indeed sensible and reasonable. It's just a pity that the Emperor may not be able to understand my good intentions."

Murong Fu said solemnly, "But..."

Empress Dowager Gao asked, "But what?"

Murong Fu said, "It's just that we were too hasty. As the saying goes, 'One day of hard work followed by ten days of stagnation'—how can that last? The Song Dynasty spans a thousand miles of land, with four hundred prefectures and counties, and the customs and conditions vary greatly from place to place. Among the officials in the court, how many have actually gone deep into the countryside to conduct genuine on-site research?"