The Emperor's Beloved: My Ancestor is the Crown Prince?

The atmosphere in the warm room subtly changed after Xiao Sizi coughed up a mouthful of phlegm. The suffocating despair and panic of the previous moment was replaced by a tension mixed with surprise, relief, and greater uncertainty.

Empress Zhangsun remained seated by the couch, gently holding Sizi's still burning hot little hand in one hand and stroking her daughter's forehead with the other. She had just witnessed Sizi's most dangerous moment and had also seen with her own eyes how her daughter's tightly furrowed brows relaxed little by little after the medicine dripped from the small blue bottle.

At this moment, her calm gaze swept over Li Lizhi, whose forehead was sweaty and who had visibly relaxed but was still tense, then over the Imperial Physician Wang standing to the side with a look of surprise and uncertainty, and finally landed on the small figure a little further away, trying to hide himself in the shadows behind Li Lizhi.

She seemed quite frightened by what had just happened; her face was still a little pale, and a few strands of her soft hair were damp with a thin layer of sweat. When she saw the Empress's gaze sweep over, she subconsciously shrank behind Li Lizhi, only peeking out half of her face. Her big, dark eyes looked over timidly, like a frightened little rabbit cautiously observing the outside world.

Empress Zhangsun looked at her, and the deep-seated solemnity in her eyes softened slightly. For some reason, this child always stirred a strange tenderness in her heart.

She didn't immediately ask anything, but instead turned her gaze back to the strange, dark blue bottle on the table.

"Imperial Physician Wang," the Empress began, her voice much calmer than before, "in your opinion, what is the reason behind this thing?"

Imperial Physician Wang bowed hastily, carefully choosing his words: "Your Majesty, this medicine is truly unprecedented. However, judging from its effects, it seems to quickly dissolve phlegm and clear the airways. The princess's improved breathing and phlegm discharge are clear evidence of this. The underlying principles... require further investigation. I am too dull to make a hasty judgment."

"In other words, although the reason is unclear, it is indeed effective," Empress Zhangsun concluded, her tone revealing neither joy nor anger. She lightly tapped the edge of the bed with her fingertips, then her gaze returned to the small figure in the pale yellow dress, her voice even gentler than before, as if it were just casual conversation: "Child, come closer, don't be afraid."

Li Lizhi's heart tightened slightly. She gently nudged Xiao Qingyi's back and whispered, "Yiyi, Her Majesty the Empress is calling for you."

Xiao Qingyi glanced at Li Lizhi, and seeing her nod slightly, she slowly moved to the Empress's side. The Empress reached out and pulled her to her knees, the movement natural and intimate.

Empress Zhangsun scrutinized her carefully, her gaze lingering for a moment on her refreshing and unique pale yellow dress. A faint smile curved her lips. "Were you frightened just now?" The Empress gently brushed away the stray hairs that were damp with sweat from her forehead, her fingertips moving softly. "Your face is all pale."

Xiao Qingyi nodded, leaning against the Empress's side dependently, and whispered, "Sister Sizi is in pain... Yiyi is scared."

"She's a kind-hearted child." The Empress gently patted her little hand, paused, and then asked casually, "Does Yiyi have any other brothers or sisters at home?"

Xiao Qingyi's eyes lit up: "I have a brother! Yiyi has a brother!" Her tone immediately became excited when her brother was mentioned.

"Oh? What kind of brother is he?" The Empress's eyes flickered slightly, but her tone remained gentle.

"Brother is the best! He tells Yiyi stories, buys her delicious food, and even... he prepares medicine!" As she finished speaking, she suddenly realized something, quickly covered her mouth, and blinked her big eyes anxiously.

Empress Zhangsun's hand paused almost imperceptibly. She lowered her eyes, looking at the child in her arms with an innocent yet slightly guilty expression, and the vague suspicion in her mind gradually became clearer. The child's expression when mentioning "medicine," and the resolute way Lizhi took out that strange medicine bottle…

But she didn't press the matter. She simply pulled Xiao Qingyi closer to her and softened her voice, saying, "Then your brother... must love you very much."

"Mmm!" Xiao Qingyi nodded vigorously, completely relaxed, and rubbed her little head against the Empress's chest, like a little animal that had found a sustenance. "Brother loves Yiyi the most."

This complete trust and reliance warmed Empress Zhangsun's heart.

She raised her eyes, her gaze sweeping over the blue medicine bottle on the table before returning to Xiao Qingyi. A sense of understanding had already formed in her heart. This child's origins might be extraordinary, and those strange objects were likely connected to her in some way. But now, looking at the defenseless little life in her arms, completely dependent on her, those doubts and questions strangely faded away.

Most importantly, the medicine did work on Si Zi. Although Si Zi is not fully recovered, the most dangerous period has passed.

"Alright," the Empress gently patted Xiao Qingyi's back, her tone filled with the doting affection of an elder, "Go and keep your sister Lizhi company. You were frightened today too."

Xiao Qingyi nodded, slid off the Empress's lap, and stood obediently beside Li Lizhi.

Empress Zhangsun rose again, picked up the blue medicine bottle on the table, examined it for a moment, and handed it to Imperial Physician Wang. Her tone returned to its usual composure: "Since this medicine is effective, the Imperial Hospital should carefully store and study it." Xiao Sizi's illness was inherited from her. If the Imperial Hospital could study these medicines, perhaps her condition could also improve.

"As for these items..." She glanced at the fever-reducing patches and thermometer, "Since they are somewhat useful for lowering fever, keep them for now, and you can use them as you see fit."

"Your subject obeys the decree." The imperial physician Wang respectfully accepted the medicine bottle.

Having arranged everything, Empress Zhangsun rose to leave. As she reached the door, she glanced back – Xiao Qingyi was standing on tiptoe, trying to place a strangely packaged little candy, which she had somehow managed to pull out, next to Sizi's pillow. Her earnest little expression brought a soft smile to the Empress's eyes.