Chapter 1587 - 1434: The Fake Commandery Princess 44
Ye Shuangshuang once again saw the Emperor and Empress, both wearing expressions of calmness, as if nothing had happened before. Truly, they were the Emperor and Empress, possessing the remarkable ability to remain unruffled amidst chaos.
In the following days, apart from administering acupuncture and regularly checking the Emperor’s pulse to assess his recovery, Ye Shuangshuang kept a low profile outside, avoiding involvement in the Emperor and Empress Dowager’s conflict.
The process of expelling the poison was very slow. It took Ye Shuangshuang a full month to completely cleanse the Emperor’s body of the toxins. However, the Emperor inevitably weakened physically.
Next was the long period of recuperation. To prevent any mishap in the Emperor’s health, Ye Shuangshuang decided to stay in the Capital City for a while to focus on nursing the Emperor back to health.
Today marked Ye Shuangshuang’s final acupuncture session for the Emperor. The Emperor no longer showed any signs of pain as before, appearing very calm, although he had lost significant weight.
After finishing the acupuncture, a smile appeared on Ye Shuangshuang’s face as she bowed to the Emperor and said, "Your Majesty, I congratulate you. The toxins in your body have been completely eradicated."
Upon hearing this, the Emperor was also delighted, and his tensed expression began to relax. Even the Empress beside him appeared joyful; with the Emperor out of danger, her support was secure.
This time, her attentive care for the Emperor without rest, and facing the formidable Empress Dowager together with him, could be considered sharing both happiness and hardships. Henceforth, the bond between Emperor and Empress would deepen, which was a great boon for the Empress.
Feeling happy, the Empress displayed a gentle and joyful smile, bowing to the Emperor, "I congratulate Your Majesty, celebrate Your Majesty’s recovery, from now on, may your life be smooth and peaceful."
The Emperor, in high spirits, helped the Empress up, holding her hand with uncharacteristic tenderness: "During the days of my illness, the Empress always took care of me tirelessly, it truly was hard on you, Zitong."
The Empress’s eyes reddened, tears welled up at the corners, and she dabbed them with a handkerchief, her voice choked, "Your Majesty, do not speak of hardship. As a couple from youth, our bond is deep; it was my duty."
The Emperor’s face bore a relaxed smile, patting the Empress’s hand once more, turning to the side where Ye Shuangshuang stood: "It is thanks to you, Princess Renxin, that I am well again. However, I have one question I wish to ask, and I hope Princess Renxin will answer truthfully."
Ye Shuangshuang solemnly bowed, "Your Majesty, please ask, I dare not deceive Your Majesty with falsehoods."
The Emperor nodded, "That is good. I ask you, after this poisoning, will it affect my lifespan? How many more years can I live?"
As soon as the Emperor finished his question, he stared fixedly at Ye Shuangshuang’s face. To say he was indifferent to life and death would be untrue.
Even though he had previously appeared composed in the face of life and death, it did not mean he was truly as composed within. As the Emperor, he simply could not afford to panic.
However, Ye Shuangshuang confidently said to the Emperor, "Although Your Majesty’s body was severely compromised by poison, affecting life expectancy,
if Your Majesty can adhere to my prescribed lifestyle regimen, coupled with the restorative effects of my medical techniques, I guarantee you will enjoy a long life."
The Emperor was momentarily taken aback, his expression shifting from solemn to relaxed. Heaven knew the apprehension he felt when awaiting Ye Shuangshuang’s answer, akin to a death sentence looming over him.
Ye Shuangshuang’s response allowed the Emperor to completely lay his worries to rest. There was no doubt in the Emperor’s mind about Ye Shuangshuang’s medical expertise.
Despite the Empress Dowager’s thorough preparations to exhaust the detoxifying medicines, hoping for his death, Ye Shuangshuang found a way to save his life. Since she said he could live to a ripe old age, the Emperor firmly believed it.
Having confirmed that he was not bound for death, the Emperor’s smile grew more relaxed, "I wonder how Princess Renxin requires me to cooperate with your treatment?"
Ye Shuangshuang replied, "Firstly, in diet, Your Majesty should consume medicinal dishes, keep the diet light with less oil and salt. Wine is poison to the intestines, and lust is a steel blade that scrapes the bones. Therefore, I ask Your Majesty to abstain from these indulgences.
In addition, Your Majesty must maintain regular rest, sleep early and rise early. I will teach Your Majesty a set of Five Animals Qigong, which you must practice twice daily. As long as these are adhered to, I guarantee Your Majesty’s well-being."
The requirements mentioned by Ye Shuangshuang were not problematic for the Emperor, as abstaining from women, sleeping early, and even practicing Five Animals Qigong were in line with his penchant for health preservation.
However, abstaining from alcohol and maintaining a bland diet proved a bit challenging, as the Emperor had a fondness for fine food and drink, making this sudden restriction feel somewhat painful.
Nonetheless, preserving life was more critical than palate pleasures. In the end, the Emperor gritted his teeth and agreed, instructing Liao An beside him, "Note down everything Princess Renxin said and remember to remind me often."
Liao An bowed, his face showing a joyful smile, "Rest assured, Your Majesty, I have recorded Princess Renxin’s words verbatim and will remind Your Majesty accordingly."
The Empress, too, softly remarked, "Rest assured, Your Majesty, I will also remember to remind you constantly."
When it came to the Emperor’s abstention from indulgences, the Empress was perhaps the happiest. With age, she had long ceased to win favor, and the Emperor’s occasional stays were only out of courtesy to not embarrass her, merely involving chatting beneath the covers.
Moreover, the Empress already had a son, with no need to bear more offspring. She found this situation quite satisfactory but couldn’t help worrying about the Emperor being seduced by the vibrant younger concubines.
Thankfully, the Emperor wasn’t overly enamored with beauty, providing much relief to the Empress. But the Emperor acted on whims, and who knew if he might suddenly become infatuated later on?
Now, the situation was favorable. To restore his health, the Emperor absolutely had to abstain from women, naturally preventing any concubines from capitalizing on imperial favor to challenge the Empress.
With no young concubines competing for attention, the women in the harem were unlikely to share the Emperor’s rapport or closeness with the Empress, hence all the benefits were reaped by her.
The Empress, in splendid mood, even grew more fond of Ye Shuangshuang. She had always admired Ye Shuangshuang, who, in her eyes as Princess Renxin, was skilled in medicine and steady in demeanor.
During the Empress’s most anxious moments, it was Ye Shuangshuang’s calm demeanor that put the Empress at ease, allowing her to wait composedly until the Emperor awoke and worked against the Empress Dowager.
Lacking a daughter of her own, the Empress became increasingly fond of Ye Shuangshuang and couldn’t help but say, "This time, the Emperor’s recovery is truly thanks to Princess Renxin.
To have reached the Capital City so swiftly from the distant Nanzhao shows the hardship endured on the journey, surely without rest.
Your Majesty, Princess Renxin has rendered such meritorious service this time and must be richly rewarded."
The Emperor also smiled, "Indeed, I have decided to adopt Princess Renxin as my daughter, bestow her the title of Princess Renxin, grant her a Prince’s stipend, and give her a token to allow free entry to the palace."