Ming Dynasty: Gain one supernatural power every day

The turmoil in Kunning Palace gradually subsided. Empress Xu leaned against the headboard, her complexion rosy and her breathing steady, a stark contrast to her near-death state an hour earlier.

Zhu Di sat on the edge of the bed, holding her hand, his thumb gently stroking the back of her hand, while his gaze occasionally fell on his youngest son.

Zhu Gaoxi leaned against his mother's chest, his eyelids drooping with sleep. His seven-year-old body had been exhausted for most of the day, and he had even used his life force; he simply couldn't hold on any longer. His head slumped down little by little, but his little hands still clung tightly to Empress Xu's clothes, refusing to let go.

Zhu Di stood up and gently lifted his youngest son from Empress Xu's arms. Zhu Gaoxi rested his head on his father's broad shoulder, rubbing against him sleepily, like a very sleepy kitten.

"Let Xi'er stay in the palace tonight." Zhu Di's voice was not loud, but it brooked no argument. "The east side room of Kunning Palace has been prepared. I have ordered Ji Gang to guard it personally, with a sentry every three steps and a sentry every five steps."

He paused, his gaze sweeping over his three sons: "You three, go back to the manor first. You can go to the palace early tomorrow morning."

Zhu Gaochi, Zhu Gaoxu, and Zhu Gaosui bowed in unison: "Your subjects obey your command."

The three brothers, with Zhu Zhanji in tow, quietly withdrew from Kunning Palace. The palace doors closed gently behind them, shutting out the warmth and medicinal fragrance inside.

A night breeze swept over them, carrying the sultry heat unique to July. Zhu Zhanji had already fallen asleep on Zhu Gaochi's shoulder, his breathing even and steady. The three brothers walked side by side along the palace path, none of them speaking first.

After walking several dozen steps, Zhu Gaoxu suddenly stopped, frowned, moved his right shoulder, twisted his neck, and hissed.

"Second brother, what's wrong?" Zhu Gaosui asked in a low voice.

"It's nothing," Zhu Gaoxu waved his hand, but the expression on his face betrayed him. "I just stood all day, and some parts of my body are... really sore. It's probably because I knelt in front of Mother's bed for too long today."

He spoke casually, but Zhu Gaochi and Zhu Gaosui could clearly see that when he moved his right shoulder, his movements were noticeably stiff, as if he were being pulled by something.

Zhu Gaochi understood perfectly well that his second brother had sustained many hidden injuries from fighting on the battlefield over the years. These injuries were not usually noticeable, but would flare up when he was overworked.

"Has Second Brother's old injury flared up again?" Zhu Gaosui asked softly.

"It's an old problem." Zhu Gaoxu stretched his shoulders, then suddenly lowered his voice, "Do you think that since Fourth Brother could save Mother, he could also cure our minor injuries and illnesses?"

Zhu Gaochi paused, turned around and glanced at him.

Zhu Gaosui also stopped, seemingly lost in thought.

Seeing that his two brothers were looking at him, Zhu Gaoxu decided to be blunt: "This is what I think. We were all there when Fourth Brother treated Mother today. You saw his abilities; he brought the dead back to life! What are our injuries compared to Mother's?"

Zhu Gaochi pondered for a moment and slowly nodded: "You're right. Fourth Brother is our own brother, how could he not help?"

"What about Father?" Zhu Gaosui suddenly spoke, his voice low but earnest. "Father also has quite a few old injuries. Tomorrow when we go to the palace, we'll mention it to Fourth Brother and ask him to take a look at them as well."

Zhu Gaochi nodded: "It's settled then."

The three parted ways in front of the palace gate and each boarded a carriage.

Zhu Gaoxu ran to the carriage, brimming with boundless energy. Zhu Gaosui brought up the rear, his steps neither hurried nor slow, but each one firm and powerful. Zhu Gaochi carried the sleeping Zhu Zhanji, steadily settling into the carriage, his gaze lingering through the window at the faint lights in the direction of Kunning Palace.

The news spread faster than the wind.

Although the imperial physicians were expelled from Kunning Palace, the palace eunuchs and maids had their own channels of communication. In less than an hour, the news that "the Empress has come back from the dead" spread like wildfire throughout every corner of the Forbidden City.

Although they don't know how it was cured, it just worked. Isn't that amazing?

In a side hall of the inner palace, Consort Quan, Consort Wang, and Consort Gong (née Li) gathered together again.

Consort Quan wore a light red nightgown, her black hair half-tied up, and held a sandalwood fan in her hand, idly waving it. She leaned against the soft couch, her phoenix eyes slightly upturned, and a half-smile playing on her lips.

"Have you heard? Her Majesty the Empress has woken up." Consort Wang lowered her voice, her expression unreadable, whether it was surprise or something else.

"The imperial physician clearly said there was nothing that could be done. How many hours have passed? Not only has the Empress woken up, but she can even get out of bed and drink porridge."

Consort Gong, Lady Li, clutched her chest, her face filled with disbelief: "This is too strange. Could it be... that His Majesty invited some highly skilled person from outside the palace?"

"A master?" Consort Quan chuckled lightly, pausing her fan.

"Do you know what happened at Kunning Palace this afternoon? His Majesty dismissed all the imperial physicians, palace servants, and eunuchs, and closed the palace gates for almost half an hour. When they reopened, the Empress was already better. And the one His Majesty personally carried out..."

She paused, then looked at the two of them meaningfully.

"It's Prince Rui. Zhu Gaoxi. That seven-year-old child who was just recognized and brought back to the palace half a year ago."

The side hall fell silent for a moment.

Consort Wang frowned: "You mean... Prince Rui cured the Empress? He's only seven years old!"

"What's wrong with being seven years old?" Consort Quan raised her fan again.

"There are some things in this world that cannot be measured by age. Think about it, Prince Rui was fostered in a villa in the suburbs of Beijing for six years. Who took care of him? Yao Guangxiao. Who is Yao Guangxiao? He is proficient in yin and yang numerology, and knows everything about astronomy and geography. Some people say that he has unpredictable abilities."

Consort Gong, Lady Li, was horrified and couldn't help but cover her mouth: "You mean... Prince Rui has learned some kind of sorcery?"

"I didn't say that," Consort Quan chuckled. "I do think this child might have some background. Look at His Majesty's arrangements. He prepared the east wing of Kunning Palace for Prince Rui to live in, with the Imperial Guards stationed every three steps and every five steps, and even Ji Gang personally guarding outside. What kind of treatment is this? Even the Crown Prince doesn't have this kind of treatment."

Consort Wang nodded thoughtfully: "So, Her Majesty the Empress's recovery is indeed related to Prince Rui. And what method did Prince Rui use?"

"Who knows?" Consort Quan closed her fan and looked towards Kunning Palace. "But one thing is certain: from now on, this seven-year-old Prince Rui is no longer the abandoned child sent out of the palace to be raised. He is the apple of His Majesty's eye, and no one can touch him."

Consort Gong, née Li, asked timidly, "Then, shall we do something?"

"What are you doing?" Consort Quan glanced at her. "Stay put, pay your respects when you should, and keep quiet when you should. The waters in this palace are murky enough already. We don't need to stir things up."

She stood up, walked to the window, and pushed it open a crack. The night breeze blew in, causing the candlelight to flicker.

"Interesting," she said softly, her smile deepening.