Xia Dongchun from Legend of Zhen Huan: I want to live till the last episode

After returning to Changchun Palace, Concubine Qi sat there for a while, then called Cuiguo: "Cuiguo, go ask the Imperial Hospital to bring some croton seeds."

Cuiguo was puzzled and asked subconsciously, "Why did Your Majesty think of asking for croton seeds out of nowhere? But Your Majesty is not feeling well? How about I go and ask the imperial physician to come over?"

"No need, just go and ask for it."

Although Cuiguo didn't understand, she just did as her master told her to do and went to the Imperial Hospital.

Unexpectedly, she happened to meet Yunling who also came to the Imperial Hospital to pick up Xia Dongchun's Hibiscus Beauty Cream. When she saw Cuiguo, Yunling greeted her first: "Sister Cuiguo, why did you come in person? Is Concubine Qi feeling unwell?"

Yun Ling was just asking casually. The two of them looked at each other. They couldn't just pretend they didn't see it, otherwise people would think Xia Dongchun looked down on Concubine Qi.

Cuiguo smiled and said, "My queen asked me to get some croton seeds. Maybe my appetite has improved in the past two days, so I feel bloated and painful in my stomach."

“I see…” Yun Ling nodded, feeling somewhat skeptical in her heart, but showing nothing on her face. She would not make random guesses about things without evidence, and certainly would not show it on her face.

Soon, the imperial physician packed up everything Cuiguo wanted to take. Before leaving, the imperial physician did not forget to ask Cuiguo: "Is Concubine Qi really okay? How about we go and treat her? After all, croton is something that cannot be taken carelessly."

Cuiguo waved her hand: "Thank you, sir, but my queen said that there is no need to trouble you sirs."

The imperial physician then gave up.

After Cuiguo left, he and Yunling sighed, "Fortunately, the one who asked for croton today was not from Suiyuxuan, otherwise we would never dare to give it to him."

Yun Ling continued, "What do you mean, sir?"

The imperial physician explained to Yun Ling while sorting out the herbs: "Miss, you don't know this, right? Croton is a spicy, hot, and toxic substance. It is forbidden for pregnant women and the weak. Otherwise, it is easy to cause miscarriage or damage the spleen and stomach."

At this time, Yun Ling also got Xia Dongchun's Hibiscus Beauty Cream. After listening to the doctor's words, she bowed and smiled sweetly: "Thank you for clearing up my doubts, if you hadn't told me, Yun Ling would not have known."

"It's just a small matter." The imperial physician waved his hand.

Yunling left the Imperial Hospital.

On the way back to the Yanx Palace, Yun Ling thought all the way, and finally thought of the conversation between Concubine Qi and Zhen Huan in the Jingren Palace this morning. She also thought of the fact that the Queen asked Concubine Qi to stay and talk after paying her respects. The fog in her heart dissipated a little, and she seemed to understand something.

After entering the Yanxi Palace, Yun Ling found that Noble Lady Fucha was making tonic medicine again. She curled her lips and quickly went back to her room.

After entering the house, Yun Ling saw the wet nurse holding Ling Yuan. She did not mention the encounter with Cui Guo in the Imperial Hospital. She just put down the things in her hand and said, "My lady, I have brought the Furong beauty cream."

Xia Dongchun said, "Put it on the dressing table."

Yun Ling put the things away, came out of the inner room, and looked at Xia Dongchun, seeming to want to say something but stopping herself.

Xia Dongchun realized that she had something to say, so he took Ling Yuan from the nurse and said, "You go down first. I'll ask you to come back and hold the princess later."

The nurse tactfully left first and said, "I will leave now. If you have any further instructions, please call me."

After everyone left, Xia Dongchun asked, "What happened?"

Yunling then told the story of how she met Cuiguo at the Imperial Hospital when she went to get croton seeds, and especially emphasized what the imperial physician said to her later.

"You suspect... Concubine Qi wants to harm someone?" Xia Dongchun quickly understood Yun Ling's meaning, but she didn't quite believe it. "No way? If Concubine Qi really wanted to use croton to harm someone, she wouldn't be so blatant as to ask her trusted followers to get it. And once this method is implemented, wouldn't it be discovered at a glance?"

Xia Dongchun felt that Concubine Qi would not be so stupid.

At least it shouldn't.

However, regardless of whether Concubine Qi was trying to harm people or not, Xia Dongchun had to be on guard now that she knew about it: "Forget it, no matter what Concubine Qi was going to do, pay attention to whether anyone in our palace went to get croton in the next two days, so that no one could take advantage of it."

Yun Ling said "eh" and took note of Xia Dongchun's words.

"But my lady, when should we let Lady Wan know about the scar-removing glue?"

"Wait a little longer." Xia Dongchun said, "It's not the right time yet."

Yunling didn't ask any more questions.

……

During these two days, Chun Changzai, the last lady in the palace who had not served the emperor in bed, also served the emperor in bed, and Yinzhen went to Yikun Palace more frequently.

On this day, Yinzhen had breakfast in the Queen's Palace. After breakfast, he mentioned the matter of status. Yinzhen wiped his mouth with a handkerchief and said, "Concubine Nian has been obedient and humble during this period. In addition, I see that your complexion has not been very good recently. It is not good for you to work too hard. It is better to restore Concubine Nian's title after the New Year and let her continue to help you and assist in the affairs of the six palaces."

The queen had long guessed that this day would come, so she was not surprised. Although she was unhappy, she still smiled and said, "Everything is up to the emperor."

"In addition, there is Concubine Wan. She has been in the palace for more than a year. She is cautious and humble in everything she does. Now she is pregnant. I also want to promote her position."

The smile on the queen's face froze for a moment, but soon she returned to her usual virtuous and dignified appearance in front of Yinzhen: "Concubine Wan is pregnant, and she serves the emperor very diligently. Logically, it is time for her to be promoted, but..."

Yinzhen asked casually: "Just what?"

"But the ancestral system does not have a rule for promoting a concubine once she is pregnant. It would be better to wait for Concubine Wan to give birth to a prince, and then she can be promoted to the position of concubine legitimately." The Queen seemed to be considering Zhen Huan very much.

Yinzhen frowned slightly and said, "So what? It just so happens that Jingpin has been in the position for a few years. Why not wait until the next year and promote Jingpin to Jingfei, Wan Guiren to Wanpin, and Fu Nianfei to Huafei."

The Queen only hated herself for speaking too quickly, but since Yinzhen had already made up his mind and would not accept her suggestion, it would be better for her to just go with the flow and give a helping hand to Noble Lady Fucha and An Lingrong.

Although Noble Lady Fucha was pregnant, the Empress was not worried. She knew that even if Noble Lady Fucha was promoted to a concubine, she would probably only be able to hold the position until the day when she gave birth to her baby. So she smiled and said to Yinzhen, "Since that's the case, why don't the Emperor also show some favor to Noble Lady Fucha and Concubine An."

"That's true," Yinzhen had no objection. "Noble Lady Fucha is also pregnant. It's not a good idea to only promote Noble Lady Wan. Then let's do as the Queen says. You can make the arrangements."

The Queen agreed and asked, "Then does the Emperor intend to grant Noble Lady Fucha a title?"

"Let the Ministry of Internal Affairs draft one." Yinzhen cleared his throat, swung the jade beads in his hand twice, and stood up. "I have something else to do, so I'll leave first."

"Your Majesty, I respectfully bid you farewell." The Queen stood up and saw him off.