Peerless Physician: The Path of a Foolish Eldest Daughter's Rise to Power

"Consort Ling, I remember this is the first time the two of us have strolled through this Imperial Garden together!" Emperor Yongfeng asked the beauty beside him with a smile.

Consort Ling nodded slightly and replied in a sweet voice, "Noble Consort Yun is usually busy managing the affairs of the inner palace, so it is only I who can accompany Your Majesty."

After saying that, Consort Ling covered her mouth and chuckled, her appearance as beautiful and charming as a peach blossom in full bloom in spring.

Upon hearing this, Emperor Yongfeng laughed heartily, reached out and gently grasped Consort Ling's soft, boneless hand, and said with emotion, "Haha, my beloved consort is absolutely right. It is truly a rare treat that we can now stroll so leisurely in this imperial garden."

In the future, we can slowly make up for the wonderful years we missed in our youth.

Upon hearing this, Consort Ling's heart stirred.

In fact, what woman doesn't long to meet someone in this life who understands and cherishes her, and who will stay with her forever?

However, looking back, Consort Ling felt that she had never truly met such a perfect husband.

However, to be fair, the Emperor has treated her very well in the last five years.

Even with his busy schedule, the Emperor would always find time to visit her in her palace. Sometimes, even if it was only for a short fifteen minutes, the Emperor never showed any displeasure.

Thinking of these things, Ling Fei's slightly melancholy mood immediately warmed up again.

She had never been interested in dealing with the scheming and treacherous concubines in the harem.

The Emperor never asked her to help manage the chaotic and complicated affairs of the inner palace, which suited her just as well, allowing her to enjoy this rare tranquility.

As for the fact that the Emperor had never mentioned promoting her rank, it was exactly what she wanted.

After all, high position and great power often mean becoming the target of everyone's envy and schemes, and the object of jealousy and scheming from other concubines.

Her current obscurity allows her to avoid endless attacks and live a peaceful life.

However, if asked who truly benefited the most in this palace, she believed it was none other than herself.

Although Aze was sent to his fiefdom, far from the bustling capital, it was undoubtedly much better than the perilous situation of risking his life on the battlefield and never knowing when he would die on the battlefield.

At least on his fiefdom, he didn't have to constantly face life-or-death situations and his life was safe.

Moreover, Chu Yize also married Gu Xinyue. It should be noted that the Gu family wields considerable power in the court, and the Yang family is also a strong backer of them.

With these two powerful families as his support, Chu Yize's future path will likely be much smoother.

Even more fortunately, the emperor adopted the second prince to her.

From then on, she had an extra thoughtful and sensible child.

Consort Ling had always wanted to figure out what position and importance she held in the Emperor's heart.

For some reason, I found myself asking today, almost as if possessed, "Your Majesty, do you still remember the first time you met me?"

After saying that, she couldn't help but regret her abruptness, but the words were already out and could not be taken back.

Upon hearing this, Emperor Yongfeng's lips curled up slightly, revealing a gentle smile, and he said softly, "My beloved consort, I never thought you would ever ask that question."

His gaze was deep and gentle, as if he could see through time to the past.

Consort Ling immediately felt her face flush and quickly changed the subject, feeling a little embarrassed. "Oh dear, I was just asking casually. If Your Majesty doesn't remember, then let's just forget about it."

After saying that, she lowered her head, no longer daring to look the emperor in the eye.

However, Emperor Yongfeng gently shook his head and slowly said, "My dear consort, you are wrong to say that. How could I forget the first time we met?"

That was twenty-six years ago. At that time, I was passing through the outskirts of the capital when I happened to hear a melodious zither tune.

Following the sound, I saw you dressed in a snow-white dress, sitting there intently playing the guqin.

The sunlight falls on you, making you look like a fairy descending to earth, which is incredibly captivating.

It's a pity you didn't look up at the time, so I couldn't see your face clearly.

However, that piece of music still lingers in my heart. It's the one you often played for me.

Consort Ling's eyes widened in surprise upon hearing this, never expecting that the Emperor had noticed her so many years ago.

Upon hearing this, Emperor Yongfeng stopped in his tracks, slowly turned around, and gazed at the delicate woman before him—Consort Ling—with a deep and complex look in his eyes.

He frowned slightly, a hint of doubt and confusion on his face: "Why did you choose a name like 'Pearl and Jade' for yourself?" His words seemed to carry a hint of reproach.

This name actually caused him to mistake Ling Xue for someone else! The consequences of such a misplaced love are beyond words…

Consort Ling pondered to herself, her tense nerves gradually relaxing.

Just then, her gaze suddenly fell upon a gleaming dagger hidden in the sleeve of a maid not far away! The cold, sharp blade sent chills down her spine.

Without the slightest hesitation, Consort Ling hurriedly spoke up, wanting to warn the Emperor.

Before she could speak, the maid seemed to sense something, and suddenly leaped forward, rushing towards them like a gust of wind.

Consort Ling was shocked by what she saw and instinctively pushed Emperor Yongfeng aside.

Because the incident happened suddenly and the force was too great, Emperor Yongfeng was caught off guard and fell heavily to the ground.

At the same time, the maidservant thrust the dagger straight at Consort Ling.

Although Ling Fei reacted quickly and tried to dodge to the side, she was ultimately a step too late.

With a muffled "thud," the sharp dagger mercilessly pierced her chest, and blood gushed out instantly, staining her magnificent palace dress red.

Seeing this, the surrounding shadow guards immediately sprang into action.

They were agile and quick, and in the blink of an eye they rushed forward and firmly subdued the maid who had committed the crime. They then pried open her jaw and found a medicine sachet containing a deadly poison.

At this moment, Emperor Yongfeng, who had just been helped up from the ground, finally saw everything that was happening before his eyes.

When his gaze fell upon the shocking bloodstains on Ling Fei's chest, a piercing pain instantly coursed through his entire body.

His face was deathly pale, his lips trembled, and suddenly a sweet taste rose in his throat, causing him to spit out a mouthful of bright red blood.

With a solemn expression, he reached out his arms without hesitation and gently yet firmly embraced Consort Ling, then strode into the solemn and majestic Hall of Nourishing Life.

At the same time, several imperial physicians hurriedly followed them into the hall.

They came to the bedside and carefully examined Consort Ling's injuries.

One of the imperial physicians grew increasingly grave, slowly kneeling down and reporting to the emperor in a trembling voice with his head bowed: "Your Majesty, this dagger is far too dangerous; it has severed Consort Ling's heart meridian..."

Judging from the current situation, Consort Ling probably won't last another quarter of an hour. We hope Your Majesty can make arrangements as soon as possible!

Upon hearing this, the emperor's eyes instantly turned cold, but he quickly regained his composure.

He took a deep breath, then loudly ordered, "Guards! Immediately issue an imperial decree summoning Prince Ming, Prince Ding, and Princess Chaoyang to the Hall of Mental Cultivation to see Consort Ling one last time!"

As soon as he finished speaking, the attendant beside him hurriedly took the order and left. However, at that moment, the emperor quietly beckoned to one of his shadow guards.

Upon seeing this, the shadow guard quickly stepped forward.

After the emperor whispered a few words in his ear, the shadow guard nodded and then dashed out like lightning, disappearing from everyone's sight in the blink of an eye.