The Virtuous Concubine

At this time, Bai Fu had already brought in the basil drink. This basil drink was carefully brewed according to the ancient method with basil leaves, licorice, tangerine peel, lemon and yellow rock sugar. The light pink color of the tea soup was like steaming clouds, sour and sweet at the beginning, with a sweet and fragrant aftertaste, which was endless.

To be honest, Bai Xia's skills in preparing herbs and making soups were taught by Imperial Doctor Rong.

In order to repay Malu's kindness, he not only taught Bai Xia basic knowledge of pharmacology, but also taught her how to transform these medicinal herbs into soups that can both cure diseases and maintain health.

Otherwise, why would Bai Xia be attracted to Doctor Rong? Bai Fu thought, her hands were not flustered at all, she placed the Perilla Drink on the table and gently stepped aside.

But... why is Doctor Rong not quite right today? Bai Fu felt that the atmosphere between him and the Empress seemed different from usual. The two of them were a little too close.

Malu didn't think about this. She picked up the glass cup, blew gently, and the aroma of basil drink spread.

She was very close to Doctor Rong just now and noticed his subtle body language and sudden change in breathing rhythm. She was sure that Doctor Rong must be hiding something from her!

She stared at Doctor Rong with burning eyes and said, "Speak now. Don't let me force you."

Rong Ji's gaze passed from the purple basil drink on the table, fell on Bai Fu who was standing with her head bowed, and then moved to Malu who was sitting at the top.

"Your Majesty has a keen eye. I do have something to tell you..." Rong Ji softened his voice. "It is a matter of great importance. I can only talk to Your Majesty."

Bai Fu immediately angrily rebuked Doctor Rong: "Doctor Rong, what do you mean? The palace rules are strict, how can you be alone in a room with the queen?"

Rong Ji was slightly startled. He did not expect that this would cause Bai Fu to misunderstand him, so he quickly explained: "Miss Bai Fu misunderstood. It's just that this matter is really..."

Malu gently waved his hand, signaling Bai Fu to calm down: "Bai Fu, you step back first."

Although Bai Fu was unwilling in her heart, she did not dare to disobey Malu's order. She had to bow her head and slowly leave the room. Before leaving, she did not forget to give Rong Ji a warning look.

Malu and Rong Ji were the only ones left in the room. Malu nodded: "Now, Doctor Rong can speak."

Rong Ji apologized to the head of the academy in his heart, and then he told Malu: "Your Majesty, when Empress Xiaoyi passed away, it was you and the head of the academy who diagnosed her pulse together."

Malu was curious: "Why? Did the dean poison her and ask you to help conceal it?"

Hearing this, Rong Ji quickly shook his head and denied it: "No, Your Majesty has misunderstood. The head of the court is not such a person. Although he is smooth, he has his own bottom line. However, the situation at that time was a bit complicated... I and the head of the court found that although Queen Tong had passed away, the fetus in her belly still had a weak pulse."

Malu was shocked. Her heart skipped a beat. She could hardly believe her ears. "Ah? Is this possible?"

Rong Ji nodded bitterly: "I also hope that I have taken the pulse wrong, but the head of the hospital also gave the same diagnosis."

Malu still couldn't believe it, and quickly asked the system: "Is it true that the mother died but the fetus can still be alive?"

The system gave a positive answer: "Although this situation is extremely rare, there are examples of this in theory and history. This depends on the cause of death of the pregnant woman and the course of delivery..."

Hearing this, Malu turned pale and his voice trembled: "The fetus... is still alive? Then why didn't you take any measures?"

On this point, Malu's idea was the same as Rong Ji's. That was a life, and every life that could be saved should be saved.

When Rong Ji heard this, his defenses completely collapsed.

He knew that Empress Defei was just like him! He couldn't help but kneel down, lying at Malu's feet, tears in his eyes, and confessed everything: "I am incompetent, and after I found out, I was stopped by the head of the academy... We... We chose to remain silent."

Malu was silent. She knew why. If it were her, she would also choose to remain silent. This was not modern times. If Rong Ji really cut open the corpse and took out the child, and let the child survive, he might be praised as a saint in modern times.

But here, such behavior would only lead him to an irretrievable situation. To move the corpse of Queen Tong not only desecrated the dignity of the royal family, but was also disrespectful to the dead. He had no choice but to die.

And that child, less than seven months old, even if he managed to survive, would be condemned by thousands of people as the ominous monster who killed his mother, and would carry a heavy yoke for the rest of his life.

She sighed and helped Rong Ji up herself: "Doctor Rong, I understand the decision you and the head of the hospital made. You are not incompetent, it's the Qing Dynasty now... But you must keep this secret to yourself, understand?"

Rong Ji felt the warmth of Malu's hand. Her understanding and tolerance slightly alleviated the guilt and self-blame in his heart. He really didn't want to let go of Concubine De's hand!

In fact, he did not let go. He used up all the courage in his life and boldly held the hand of Concubine De that had originally pulled him up. His whole body was shaking with excitement.

Seeing that he looked like he could break at any time, Malu couldn't help but feel tenderness in his heart. He felt sorry for an honest man like him whose beliefs had been overturned, so he didn't pull his hand away and let him hold it, hoping that he would stop shaking.

Rong Ji looked at Malu firmly with tears in his eyes: "My queen, I understand. I will take this secret to my grave and will never reveal a single word."

Seeing him like a loyal puppy, Malu smiled like spring breeze melting snow: "Didn't you tell me? You are also the head of the school, he will definitely not be unable to sleep like you."

Rong Ji's face flushed: "Madam——"

The atmosphere between the two of them gradually became lively, and seeing how easy it was to tease him, Malu felt a little warm in her heart.

He is so cute, handsome, kind, and simple! In modern times, he is a doctor of medicine and a top-level doctor. He is really a rare species.

However, she felt that Doctor Rong had held her hand for too long, and his palm was very hot, so she pulled her hand out and patted Doctor Rong on the shoulder: "Doctor Rong, don't blame yourself too much, you have tried your best."

Rong Ji felt Malu's tenderness, and an unprecedented warmth surged in his heart. In this palace full of intrigues and struggles, it was extremely precious to have someone who understood and cared about him.

The fluctuation of emotions made him unable to suppress the feelings in his heart any longer. He held Malu's hand tightly, with a complex emotion flashing in his eyes: "Your Majesty, I really appreciate your understanding and tolerance."

Malu sighed softly. She knew the pain in Rong Ji's heart. Rong Ji was the person whose thoughts were closest to those of modern people, regardless of gender, since she came to the Qing Dynasty!

Rong Ji felt that he understood him, so why didn't she regard him as a soulmate? His open-mindedness, his perseverance, and his respect for life all made her feel an indescribable resonance.

Malu seemed to be bewitched by something, and she gently pulled him towards her, letting his head rest on her shoulder. Rong Ji's heart was shocked, and he couldn't control his hands, so he hugged Malu tightly, letting the gratitude, dependence, and unspeakable emotions in his heart flood like a flood.

Feeling the warmth of the slender body in his arms, Rong Ji couldn't help but hug her tighter, and sighed foolishly: "Even if I die today, it's worth it!"