As the empress spoke, she turned her head and looked at Yuyao lying on the bed. Recognizing her, she wondered aloud, "How did she get hurt along with you?"
Xuanyuan City did not conceal the matter, summarizing the process, "Today, I took her to go riding in the suburbs. On our way back, we were ambushed. She blocked an arrow to save me."
The empress slightly hesitated, her gaze falling again on Yuyao, the expression on her face softening somewhat. "She's a good child. How is she now?"
The doctor, in a timely manner, approached and bowed respectfully, "Madam Empress, the injuries of Prince Qin and Concubine Yue have stabilized. However, since Concubine Yue is pregnant, it is not advisable to use medication. We are currently formulating an appropriate formula."
The empress showed a look of surprise, her gaze shifting to the imperial physician, "What did you say? She's pregnant? How many months?"
How can there be such foolish women in the world? She's pregnant and still risking her life to protect the city child.
Does she not even know she's pregnant?
The imperial physician bowed respectfully, "Your Majesty, after my diagnosis, Concubine Yue has been pregnant for nearly two months."
"Nearly two months? Is the child in her belly still doing well?"
The empress was tensely asking again.
This is her own grandson, and the first child of the prince, so even as a concubine's child, she can't help but show a bit more concern.
"Your Majesty, please rest assured. Concubine Yue's fetus is healthy, but this time it has moved the fetal Qi. Plus, she is injured and cannot take medication. I will prescribe a proper formula and care for her carefully at home for a few days."
The imperial physician said respectfully again.
The empress nodded slightly, her expression relaxing considerably, "This matter is in your hands. You must come up with a proper prescription and not let it affect the fetus in her belly. Also, inform those around her of all the necessary precautions."
The imperial physician promptly nodded, "Your Majesty, please be at ease. I am currently compounding the prescription and will inform Concubine Yue's attendants and nurses when it is ready. They will take good care of her."
The empress nodded slightly, no longer asking.
Her gaze fell upon Xuanyuan Cheng, and seeing her son covered in blood and wrapped in bandages, it pained her immensely.
"Cheng'er, look at your appearance. It truly breaks my heart. As the military strategist of Jing country, your every move is vital to the stability of our country. Why didn't you bring more bodyguards with you when you went out? If something were to happen to you, how could I live on? Who is the thief who sneak-attacked you?"
Xuanyuan Cheng looked at the empress with his eyes, wanting to say that it was likely from the Western Kingdom Court. However, thinking about Yuyao also being from the Western Kingdom, he feared that his mother might have a misunderstanding of Yuyao in her heart. He swallowed his words.
"It is still under investigation."
He lowered his eyes and spoke in a low voice.
Hearing that it was still under investigation, the empress did not say anything.
Yet, thinking about her son suffering such a great ordeal and nearly losing his life, she was extremely angry.
She let out a loud, impolite curse.
"Damn thieves! They dare to harm my son so boldly. If I can unmask the culprits, I will cut them into a thousand pieces!"
Her expression was extremely angry, and she took Xuanyuan Cheng's hand, gently patting it, filled with concern. "Cheng'er, you are the pride of your mother and the pillar of strength for Jing country. You must take good care of yourself. Don't make your mother worry day and night."
"It's my fault, causing your Majesty to worry."
Xuanyuan Cheng looked at the empress with a worried gaze, and his expression showed a bit of guilt.
He also knew that his mother truly loved him.
The empress sighed and said, "Dear child, we are a mother and son. There's no need for these polite words. In the future, you must be more careful and don't take such risks again."
After that, she left the hospital with a palace maid's hand.
"Accompany the Empress as she departs."
Seeing the empress leave, everyone in the Imperial Hospital prostrated themselves in a row.
Everyone remained kneeling until they couldn't see the empress anymore. Then, they stood up.
The imperial physician quickly came up with a gentle and non-harmful prescription, each herb in the formula having been carefully considered.
The imperial physician walked in front of Xuanyuan Cheng and gave a serious warning, "Prince Qin, with regard to Concubine Yue's pregnancy, you must be extra careful. Her diet should be light and avoid spicy and oily foods. She should rest more often and not overwork."
He seemed afraid that the prince might not remember or care about such trivial matters, so he called a nursemaid over and repeated the instructions to her, asking her to accompany him back to the Prince of Qin's mansion to take care of Concubine Yue's pregnancy.
Xuanyuan Cheng wrote down what the imperial physician had said and accompanied Yuyao to leave the Imperial Hospital.
Following behind were Dong Feng and Nan Feng, both wrapped in bandages, and a nursemaid carrying a medicine chest.
Dong Feng and Nan Feng were also injured, with their injuries being much more severe than Xuanyuan Cheng's.
However, they have already been treated and bandaged, so there is nothing serious.
The sunlight fell on the cobblestones of the palace path, creating a golden halo.
The guards on both sides of the palace path bowed respectfully with heads down. The gentle breeze gently blew the corner of Xuanyuan Cheng's robe, making the bloodstains on it particularly eye-catching.
The group left the palace and climbed onto the carriage heading back to the Prince of Qin's mansion.
The wheels rolled, the horse's hooves struck the ground, and it seemed like they were trying to leave behind this tense atmosphere.
Inside the carriage, Yuyao leaned against Xuanyuan Cheng's chest, her face as pale as paper, her forehead covered with fine sweat beads, like dewdrops on a morning lotus leaf.
Xuanyuan Cheng tightly held her, his eyes showing deep concern, and he whispered softly, "Yaoer, we're almost home."
Yuyao weakly smiled: "Prince, I am not important as long as you are fine."
Xuanyuan Cheng tenderly rubbed her face, pulling her closer to his chest so that she could be more comfortable.
The carriage raced back to the Prince of Qin's mansion, reaching it just as nightfall. The mansion was well-lit.
The group walked through the gate and long corridor, directly to the back garden - Ming Xin Pavilion.
Xiangling and Xiangju saw their lady being carried back by the prince, looking extremely disheveled, not to mention being wrapped in bandages. They were so startled that the things they were holding dropped to the ground with a "clatter".
Xiangling stared wide-eyed, walked forward hurriedly, and trembled with fear, asking in a low voice, "Madam, what happened to you?"
Xiangju was also hurrying forward in a panic, helpless and at a loss: "Oh my god, how did Concubine Yue get injured?"
Dong Feng looked at the two women and explained, "We were attacked on our way back to the city. Concubine Yue protected the prince with an arrow and got injured. The imperial physician has seen her; you should take good care of her. If you don't understand something, ask the nursemaid."
"By the way, Concubine Yue is pregnant. Be extra careful with her."
Dong Feng thought of something and added a sentence.
Xiangling and Xiangju were startled, their expressions contorting in surprise. Their lady protecting the prince with an arrow? And she's pregnant?
"Madam, Your Lordship is too worried about the prince. He even puts himself and his child aside."
All the maids and servants in Ming Xin Pavilion were flustered, fetching water, laying out bedding, and attending to her needs…
Under the care of Xiangling and Xiangju, Yuyao changed into a set of clean clothes, and the blood-stained clothes were immediately burned.
She ate a simple bowl of congee and some small dishes and then lay down to rest on the bed.
Xuanyuan Cheng came out in a clean set of clothing.
Walking to the bedside, he tucked her blanket neatly in place, speaking in a gentle voice to comfort her, "Rest well. When you're better, I'll take you to Yangzhou for a trip."
Yuyao nodded gently: "Thank you, Your Majesty. I will take good care of myself and there is no need to worry about it."
Xuanyuan Cheng smiled and kissed her forehead tenderly, his voice loving: "Sweetie, take a nap. I'll be right here with you."
"Okay."
Yuyao, who had slept for a long time, didn't have the urge to sleep at the moment. But seeing Xuanyuan Cheng say this, she closed her eyes obediently.
She indeed needed to rest more now.
Xuanyuan Cheng sat by the bed for a while and then got up when he saw her asleep, heading to the front yard.
In the front courtyard, there were a few tall fig trees. The sunlight shone through the leaves, creating patches of light and shadow.
The ground was covered with clean and well-maintained bricks. A flower bed beside them bloomed with colorful and beautiful flowers.
Xuanyuan Cheng looked at Dong Feng and Nan Feng following behind him, "You two should also go back and take good care of your injuries. This time, it was all because of your sacrifice in protecting me."
Dong Feng respectfully bowed his hands and knuckled his fingers: "Master, protecting you is the duty of a loyal servant. I only regret that we couldn't detect the danger earlier, causing your injury and that of Concubine Yue."
Nan Feng also said: "Master, please take good care of your injuries. We'll leave first."
Both men quickly turned and retreated.
Xī Fēng and Běi Fēng heard that the master was injured and rushed over in a hurry, their expressions serious.
Xī Fēng bowed with his hands in front of him: "Master, I heard that you were attacked and injured on your way. Are you okay?"
Běi Fēng, with sweat beads on his forehead, bit his teeth in anger and cursed: "Master, who dares to be so bold as to attack you? I'll tear these bastards apart."
Xuanyuan Cheng looked at the two of them, his face darkening, and he spoke coldly without hiding anything, "From the accent, it seems to be from the west. The method is also similar. The leader of the Xuejiang Kingdom, Boeruto, has no less ambition. He has been stirring up trouble for a while. I suspect that this action was plotted by him. You should focus on investigating that side."
Xī Fēng heard this and his eyes flashed with a fierce light. He angrily roared, "Master, you can rest assured that I will definitely investigate carefully. If it is indeed these savage brats, I will definitely go to the Western Kingdom and demand compensation!"
Běi Fēng clenched his fists, his veins bulging: "Master, you can rest assured that we will investigate carefully. We will not spare these bastards."
Xuanyuan Cheng nodded satisfactorily, "Alright, you may all withdraw."
He waved his hand to the two of them and turned to go inside and rest.
