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

Early morning, in the Star and Moon Palace.

Chu Yize was having breakfast with Consort Ling, who looked at him with affection.

Consort Ling has been in an exceptionally good mood these past few days. When Chaoyang came to visit her, she was already very content to see him living a healthy and happy life. Yesterday, the Third Prince visited her, and today he had breakfast with her again.

"Won't anyone reprimand you for coming to the palace to see your mother every day, based on the rules of etiquette?"

"It was my father who asked me to spend more time with my mother. He said that you have had a hard time all these years."

"Since you've been away for so long, none of the princes have been granted titles. I imagine your titles will come soon. What are your plans?"

"If my father sends me to continue fighting, I will go to the border; if he doesn't, I will return to my fiefdom."

"Have you thought it through? Which fiefdom do you want?"

"Dengzhou." Consort Ling asked in confusion. Everyone else was thinking of going to wealthy places. "This place isn't prosperous. Your father will agree."

“Mother, please forgive your unfilial son, but I think Dengzhou is close to the border of Xiling, so if the situation changes, I can get there in time.”

"Alright, Mother knows. You're already nineteen, and people your age already have several children. What are your thoughts on your marriage?"

“Mother, I plan to tell you today that I am in love with Gu Xinyue, the third young lady of the Marquis of Changning’s mansion.”

"Ziwei's daughter was a clever and adorable little girl when she was young. Does he also have feelings for you? I hope your wife and you can be mutually in love."

Chu Yize hesitated. Did Xin Yue truly love him, or Young Master Yang? Thinking back on their experiences in the Deadly Forest, although they hadn't consummated their marriage, they had still shared a bed.

At that moment, he was convinced that Xin Yue loved him and that he would marry her.

“Mother, he is the Doctor Gu I was talking about. We are like brothers who have been through thick and thin together.”

"I have to thank her properly; it was she who detoxified you."

Seeing his mother's happy expression, Chu Yize was also in a good mood. "Mother, I know this is not easy. It requires the Emperor's approval and the Marquis's approval."

"You need to think this through. You are a prince, and the Gu family holds such a high position in the army. Prince Rui was also trained by the Marquis. Even if General Gu is missing, your father still respects the Marquis. Any prince other than the Crown Prince would be suspicious if he married her."

“I know that. I spoke to my father yesterday, but his attitude was unclear. I told him first so that things would be easier later. I was also afraid that someone else would beat me to it. No one can marry the Marquis’s granddaughter without my father’s decree.”

"Also, if you want to become Ziwei's son-in-law, she will make you promise that you will only have Gu Xinyue as your wife for the rest of your life and that you will not have any other women. You can't just say it verbally; she may very well make you sign a written agreement."

Chu Yize laughed; his mother-in-law was quite interesting.

“Mother, I will only marry Gu Xinyue in this life. If it weren’t for her, I would never marry and would live a lonely life.”

Consort Ling looked at her son with a mixture of worry and relief. She was worried about the immense difficulties ahead, but relieved that her son longed for a lifelong, monogamous relationship, something she herself had once longed for but now regretted.

"On the surface, this matter does not require the Yang family's consent, but you know that Ziwei is very favored in the Yang family, and Yang Jing and Old Master Yang liked Xinyue very much when she was a child, so you need to maintain a good relationship with the Yang family."

"Mother, I understand."

“I think this is still difficult. Marrying Gu Xinyue means marrying the power of her family. The Gu and Yang families are the first choice for those who want to fight for the throne. I’m afraid they will accuse you of treason.”

"Mother, I will work hard for my happiness. The mourning period for Grandmother Xinyue will not end until March 20th next year, so I'm making preparations now."

"Less than three months left." Consort Ling murmured to herself. She wanted to help her son, so that he could be happy with his partner for life, which would also make up for his regrets.

"Have you visited your imperial grandmother? Let's go and pay our respects to her together."

Seeing Chu Yize's surprised expression, Consort Ling thought helplessly that she hadn't been out for very long, so much so that even her son was surprised. Shouldn't she, as a concubine, go and pay her respects to the Empress Dowager?

Just after the morning court session ended, Eunuch Ji quietly told the emperor that Consort Ling and the Third Prince had gone to Cining Palace and should arrive soon.

"Let's go. Let's go straight to Cining Palace."

Emperor Yongfeng thought that she was finally out. As an emperor, he couldn't possibly bow down to his concubine whom he hadn't seen for ten years. It was good that she was out. He really wanted to see her, but he couldn't let her and her son become a thorn in someone else's side again.

Inside Cining Palace, laughter and cheerful conversation filled the air. Chu Yize was telling the Empress Dowager about the interesting things and people she had encountered outside. Consort Ling sat beside the Empress Dowager, her eyes crinkling with smiles. The Empress Dowager was so happy that she couldn't stop smiling. The palace maids were also very happy. The Empress Dowager was in high spirits all day and didn't sigh or groan.

Emperor Yongfeng didn't have anyone announce his arrival. Hearing the cheerful laughter, he went over and saw his son talking animatedly. His son had never been good at speaking, but this time he had changed quite a bit. The Empress Dowager couldn't help but smile broadly.

Consort Ling raised her head slightly, her smile as warm and friendly as the spring sun, and as gentle as a spring breeze.

Her lips curved slightly upward, forming a perfect arc, and this smile made her radiant.

That smile was etched into Emperor Yongfeng's mind, making it unforgettable and leaving a deep imprint on his heart.

Ten years have passed, and she remains beautiful and charming. The years have left no trace of time on her face. He has worked hard for the country, but time has clearly marked every effort he has made.

A strange bitterness welled up in his heart. With a "cough," the talking in the room stopped abruptly, and everyone's eyes turned to Emperor Yongfeng.

"May Your Majesty enjoy boundless blessings."

"Hail, Your Majesty."

The palace maids bowed, and Emperor Yongfeng waved for them to leave.

"Your Majesty, if you're not busy, please have a seat. Yize has amused me."

Emperor Yongfeng reached for the tea, but there was nothing on the table. Consort Ling smiled and said, "The maid didn't serve the tea; she just dismissed us. Where would we find tea?"

Consort Ling got up to make tea for the Emperor. The Empress Dowager and Chu Yize noticed that the Emperor's gaze was fixed on Consort Ling. Their eyes met, and they understood each other's thoughts—after all, she was their consort.

"Your Majesty, please have some tea."

"Very well, whatever your thoughts are about the Third Prince, just tell me."

"Your Majesty, I thank you for your kindness. I will share my thoughts with you."

"Prince Yi requests that you instruct Princess Jingning in her zither playing. What do you think?"

"OK."

"Then just have someone summon Princess Yi to the palace."

"Mother, it seems you like Consort Ling and her son very much?"

"Of course I like it. Consort Ling is so sincere to me. Consort Ling, you should come and keep me company more often in the future."

"Then let Consort Ling move to Yongchun Palace. We'll move today. Everything is ready in Yongchun Palace. This way, it will be convenient for Consort Ling to visit the Empress Dowager. If the Empress Dowager gets bored, she can also go to Yongchun Palace for a stroll. Aze, when you visit your mother, don't forget to visit your grandmother as well."

"My grandson often comes to visit his grandmother."

"Only if you marry me and keep me company will I be truly happy." This remark made everyone laugh.

"Grandmother, I have already told Father that you will be able to see your granddaughter-in-law soon."

"The royal concubine has arrived."

Consort Zhu, dressed in magnificent attire, was stunningly beautiful. She bowed to the Empress Dowager and the Emperor, while Consort Ling and Chu Yize also bowed.

"Your Majesty, I heard that Consort Ling was visiting the Empress Dowager, so I came to join in the fun. I didn't expect Your Majesty to be here." Her words were affected and coquettish.

Consort Ling remained calm, thinking to herself that Consort Zhu's enduring favor meant the Emperor preferred men who, no matter how intelligent, would lose their intelligence in front of the women they loved.

Emperor Yongfeng hadn't paid much attention before, but seeing the Empress Dowager and Consort Ling again made him feel a little uncomfortable. He couldn't remember why he favored Consort Zhu. It had become a habit, and he even liked this hypocrisy and affectation. Was he still a wise ruler? But he showed no change in expression.

Seeing that Consort Ling was still all smiles, he slowly said, "Consort Ling has been hiding away for too long; it's time for her to come out and move around. Spend more time with the Empress Dowager when you have time."

"The Empress has arrived."

Dressed in a magnificent red brocade gown, the Empress was dignified and poised.

After paying his respects, Emperor Yongfeng noticed that although Consort Ling was not dressed in her finest attire, her demeanor was in no way inferior to that of the Empress and the Imperial Concubine.

He had originally intended to talk to Consort Ling, but this interruption made him lose interest. Suddenly, he didn't want to chat and laugh with other women in front of Consort Ling and cause her to misunderstand.

He left first, citing official business. Chu Yize also left.

Everyone sat quietly, and the room was completely silent.

The Empress Dowager thought to herself, "None of them are content with their lot."