You expect me to serve your mistress? The mistress is driving this scumbag and his entire family cra

Chapter 207 The Queen Mother is Ill
"In either case, don't harbor any illusions about royal men. Women may be pawns or discarded pieces for them, but they can never be wives."

Moreover, with their multiple wives and concubines, and their fickle nature, what genuine affection could they possibly have? Even if the Prince of Pingxi wasn't the heartless type, he couldn't resist the emperor showering him with women.

After saying that, he looked at Liang Jiang with some suspicion and asked, "Why are you so interested in this topic today? Have you found someone you like?"

Liang Jiang hesitated, unsure how to begin, her fingertips nervously twirling the ribbon of her skirt.

Lady Liang gradually had a bad feeling: "You mustn't tell Mother that you love Prince Pingxi?"

Liang Jiang finally mustered up her courage and nodded.

"The Prince of Pingxi protected me throughout the entire journey to Xiliang, risking his life for me, daughter..."

"No!" Before Liang Jiang could finish speaking, Lady Liang interrupted her decisively: "Whoever you want to marry, even if it's just a boatman or a blacksmith, as long as you like him, your mother won't interfere too much, except for the Prince of Pingxi."

"Why?" Liang Jiang's heart sank. "Why can't it be him?"

Madam Liang said solemnly, "Because if you marry him, you will undoubtedly harm him. Your mother is doing this for your own good. You may ignore other advice, but you must remember this."

Lady Liang's attitude was firm, leaving no room for negotiation.

Liang Jiang became even more puzzled: "Why would I harm him? Mother, you must give me a reason, right?"

Madam Liang took a deep breath: "Once your father's tomb is repaired, you should immediately return to Yuhua Mountain. Your master will tell you why then."

After saying that, he immediately got up and left.

Liang Jiang was left sitting there, frustrated and confused.

a few days later.

The tomb of the Duke of Liangguo has been renovated.

The white marble tombstone bestowed by the emperor upon the Duke of Liang has also been completed.

The Imperial Astronomical Bureau selected an auspicious day for the ceremony of erecting the monument. The Emperor decreed that the Ministry of Rites be responsible for the ceremonial procession and music, as a sign of imperial favor.

After all the busy work was completed, Liang Jiang and Lady Liang went to the palace to express their gratitude to the emperor.

In reality, this was just a formality; the emperor was extremely busy with state affairs, so how could he have time to receive him?
Generally, it's just a matter of kowtowing outside the palace gate; that's enough to show proper etiquette.

The Imperial Guards went inside to announce the arrival, and soon came running out, panting, saying, "His Majesty says that Lady Liang and Princess Heya have arrived at the perfect time, and requests that you two come with me to Cixi Palace immediately."

Lady Liang and Liang Jiang exchanged a glance, somewhat surprised.

Cixi Palace is the Empress Dowager's sleeping quarters. Why would I be sent there?
Lady Liang inquired, "Is the Emperor in Cining Palace?"

The Imperial Guard nodded: "His Majesty went directly to Cixi Palace after the morning court session today. The Empress Dowager's headache has flared up again."

"What headache?"

"I don't know the specifics, but I've heard that the Empress Dowager's headaches have been flaring up frequently lately. She summoned the imperial physicians to examine her and prescribed several remedies, but none of them have been very effective. Every time it flares up, she feels a headache."

The Emperor was at his wit's end today, but upon hearing of your arrival, his brow immediately unfurrowed. So, it's better that you two arrived at the right time than early. No amount of gratitude can compare to relieving the Emperor's worries.”

The Imperial Guards led the two into the inner palace, where palace servants then guided them directly to Cixi Palace.

Upon seeing the two, the emperor skipped the formalities and immediately ordered Lady Liang to come forward and examine the Empress Dowager.

The Empress Dowager leaned weakly against the phoenix couch. When she heard that Lady Liang had arrived, she only lifted her eyelids to glance at her before her brows remained furrowed and her face was full of weariness.

Beside it, there was a bowl of herbal soup that had already cooled down.

Lady Liang inquired about the illness in a low voice, and a palace maid beside her answered for her.

"I haven't been able to sleep well these days, and when I do fall asleep, I often wake up from nightmares. During the day, I feel irritable and have frequent headaches."

"How is your diet?" "Your appetite is much worse than before, and you often have little appetite."

Madam Liang nodded, and after a thorough examination using the four diagnostic methods of observation, listening, questioning, and palpation, she offered words of comfort:
"The Empress Dowager's headache is likely caused by stagnation of blood in the brain. I will prescribe some formula to promote blood circulation and soothe the liver, and I will also perform acupuncture to improve blood flow. This should stop the headache."

The Empress Dowager said listlessly, "If it's some kind of blood-activating formula, then don't waste your time. I'm really tired of taking it. Not only does it have no effect, but it also makes my mouth sore and painful."

Lady Liang glanced at the medicine soup beside her and asked the palace maid for the prescription written by the imperial physician. Just as the Empress Dowager had said, the prescriptions were all very similar.

However, this recipe doesn't contain any nourishing herbs, so how could it cause internal heat?

Lady Liang asked, "May I examine Your Majesty's tongue and mouth?"

The Empress Dowager opened her mouth very reluctantly.

Madam Liang examined her closely and noticed two obvious ulcers in her mouth, a red tongue tip, and swollen gums.

She took the Empress Dowager's pulse again, and her complexion looked rather unwell.

The emperor was getting impatient: "But is something wrong?"

Before Lady Liang could speak, a palace servant entered and reported, "Your Majesty, Taoist Priest Li is waiting outside the palace."

The emperor was both surprised and delighted: "Master Li has finally returned to the capital! Quickly, invite him in."

The Empress Dowager also opened her eyes: "Is it Master Li from the Imperial Observatory?"

The Emperor nodded: "Indeed, Master Li's elixirs are a hundred times better than this imperial physician's prescription. Mother Empress is truly blessed."

Lady Liang immediately stood up from the embroidered stool and respectfully said to the emperor, "Since Master Li has come, then this humble woman will not presume to teach him anything. I will take my leave now."

The Empress Dowager impatiently shooed them away: "Go!"

The emperor glanced at Liang Jiang, who was standing guard to the side, and said, "The Duke of Liang is erecting a monument. Master Li has returned just in time. He can perform a water and land ritual for the Duke. Please wait a moment."

Lady Liang said with trepidation, "Master Li must be tired from his journey. I dare not trouble you. Your Majesty's grace is appreciated."

"This is my heartfelt gift to the Duke of Liang, Lady Liang need not refuse it."

Lady Liang dared not insist any further and stepped aside, standing in front of Liang Jiang, trying her best to minimize the presence of the mother and daughter, but inwardly she was filled with bitterness.

When Liang Jiang heard the name Master Li, she immediately became alert.

It wasn't just her senior brother's admonition that sparked her curiosity about this Taoist priest who claimed to be able to observe celestial phenomena at night and investigate dragon veins, but also what Gu Xizhi had said to her a couple of days ago.

Does he really have such supernatural powers?

In no time, Master Li arrived at Cixi Palace.

He seemed to know the palace like the back of his hand, and did not need any palace servants to lead the way. He went straight in, and when he saw the emperor and empress dowager, he knelt down and kowtowed.

The Empress Dowager struggled to sit up: "Recently, I have been unable to sleep well at night, often waking up from nightmares. During the day, I feel dizzy and frequently have splitting headaches. Please take a look at me quickly."

Master Li stepped forward, examined the Empress Dowager's condition, and pondered for a moment: "What did the imperial physicians say?"

The Emperor said, "Just now, Lady Liang from the Duke's Mansion examined it and said there was some blockage."

Master Li turned his head and saw Lady Liang dressed in court attire. He cupped his hands in greeting.

Lady Liang smiled and nodded, but her hands were behind her back, pulling Liang Jiang tightly to completely obscure her figure.

Master Li turned around, and his expression became somewhat solemn.

(End of this chapter)