I See the Noble Consort's Charm - Chapter 45:

Chapter 45:

There were times when His Majesty the Emperor’s words didn’t come true.

As he stepped into the main hall, he saw a curtain blocking his view. Luo Zhongjian, who was following behind him, whispered: Minor Master Su has developed rashes and isn’t properly dressed, so…

So it wasn’t appropriate for her to receive visitors, nor could she receive His Majesty in this state.

Chu Shaoyuan paused his steps and involuntarily furrowed his brows.

He hadn’t noticed it while resting himself, but now that a delicate young lady was lying inside, he immediately found this small, shabby hall crude and dilapidated, quite conspicuous.

Chu Shaoyuan glanced at Luo Zhongjian, who understood the implicit command and stepped forward to ask quietly: Miss Liuqin, is the Junior Mistress feeling better?

Liuqin had heard the commotion outside and guessed that His Majesty had come to visit the Junior Mistress. She was currently helping the palace maid dress Su Qingyao in her inner garments. Fortunately, the palace maid was clever and deft, having quickly dried the clothes just in time for Su Qingyao to wear.

After dressing her and covering her with a thin quilt, Liuqin stood up and left the bedchamber to bow to Chu Shaoyuan: Your Majesty, the Junior Mistress hasn’t awakened yet, but she appears slightly better than before.

When reporting to the Emperor, one naturally had to emphasize the positive aspects. Since Su Qingyao hadn’t regained consciousness at all, how could she be better?

Chu Shaoyuan remained silent, so Luo Zhongjian comforted Liuqin: Don’t worry, Lou Daban has gone to fetch the imperial physician, who will arrive shortly to examine the Junior Mistress.

Only then did Liuqin breathe a sigh of relief, kneeling directly to perform a formal bow to Chu Shaoyuan: The Junior Mistress is immensely grateful for Your Majesty’s benevolence.

Chu Shaoyuan’s expression was extremely grim, much more intimidating than usual. Liuqin kept her head lowered throughout, not daring to look up at him, thus missing his unusually gloomy countenance.

Luo Zhongjian was far more perceptive than Liuqin. Seeing that Chu Shaoyuan seemed genuinely displeased, he said to Liuqin: You should return to attend to the Junior Mistress. If she wakes up with no one around, she might be frightened.

Liuqin kowtowed three times to Chu Shaoyuan before rising and retreating to the inner chamber.

Luo Zhongjian regularly served by Chu Shaoyuan’s side. Though not as close as Lou Duzhou, he still held considerable influence. He had somewhat discerned that Chu Shaoyuan’s attitude toward Minor Master Su was unusual. Now that Minor Master Su had fallen ill, His Majesty was surely deeply concerned, and his stern expression was only natural under the circumstances.

Thinking this, Luo Zhongjian quietly advised: Imperial Physician Mu is highly skilled. Minor Master Su appears to be suffering from heatstroke. A dose of Huoxiang Zhengqi Water will surely revive her.

Chu Shaoyuan felt an inexplicable sense of relief and said: This young lady is too delicate. I’ve been working at the imperial fields for two months without any issues, yet she faints so suddenly without warning. Truly worrisome.

Whenever he usually saw Su Qingyao, she always appeared vibrant and energetic. Even the Empress Dowager had remarked that her rosy complexion indicated good health.

Yet who would have thought that despite her robust appearance, she remained a delicate young lady at heart?

Hearing His Majesty’s muttered complaints, Luo Zhongjian roughly guessed that the Emperor might be feeling somewhat guilty. He had probably only intended to bring Minor Master Su out to personally plant the first season of double-cropping rice, never expecting this mishap that had made the young lady fall ill.

This was quite rare. Since childhood, His Majesty had always been decisive and unwavering. For him to feel even a hint of guilt was unprecedented, something worth discussing with Lou Daban later.

Luo Zhongjian thought this in his heart, but his expression remained extremely respectful: Even Lou Daban didn’t anticipate this matter. Next time we invite Minor Master Su to the imperial manor, we should have her sit and drink tea instead of letting her work in the fields again.

Chu Shaoyuan didn’t refute this.

Luo Zhongjian didn’t know why, but he couldn’t help secretly smiling.

Not long after, Imperial Physician Mu, who had accompanied the procession, hurried over. After paying respects to Chu Shaoyuan, he was immediately sent into the inner chamber to examine Talented Lady Su.

Imperial Physician Mu had never met this Talented Lady Su before. Upon entering the inner chamber, he saw a flushed young woman lying sideways on the bed, with her palace maid supporting her waist while carefully fanning her.

One glance at her complexion told him exactly what was wrong.

As Imperial Physician Mu approached to take Su Qingyao’s pulse, Chu Shaoyuan grew restless and followed into the inner chamber.

This was his first time seeing Su Qingyao in such a state. Her face was flushed crimson, her lips pale, and even the slightly exposed back of her hands showed redness, as if her entire body was burning with fever.

Chu Shaoyuan paused mid-step, standing there watching for a long while before finally taking a seat nearby.

In his heart, he felt genuinely displeased.

Lou Duzhou had arrived with the physician, followed by a medicine attendant. More perceptive than Luo Zhongjian at reading Chu Shaoyuan’s expressions, he immediately recognized the emperor’s displeasure.

This displeasure was directed at himself rather than blaming Su Qingyao for her delicate constitution.

Lou Duzhou served him chilled tea and quietly advised: Imperial Physician Mu brought Huoxiang Zhengqi Water. Minor Master Su will wake after taking it. This afternoon, we can have her rest in the pavilion. When we return to the palace, we can reward her with some rare medicinal ingredients. It’s nothing serious.

When Luo Zhongjian had spoken earlier, Chu Shaoyuan hadn’t paid much attention. But now with Lou Duzhou’s words, Chu Shaoyuan nodded: That would be best.

His anger dissipated instantly, making him appear less intimidating than before.

Lou Duzhou breathed a sigh of relief and glanced at Luo Zhongjian.

Luo Zhongjian lowered his head, mentally repeating Lou Duzhou’s words and analyzing what made them effective.

Meanwhile, Imperial Physician Mu finished taking the pulse and came to report to Chu Shaoyuan: Your Majesty, Minor Master Su indeed suffers from summerheat fever, which caused her deep sleep. She will awaken after taking medicine.

He paused here, observing Chu Shaoyuan’s calm expression before hesitantly continuing: The summerheat fever is easy to resolve. After returning to the palace, two meals of heat-clearing and detoxifying medicinal cuisine will suffice. However, the skin rash might prove more troublesome.

Lou Duzhou watched as Chu Shaoyuan slowly set down his teacup.

While others might not notice, he could immediately tell that Chu Shaoyuan’s temper was flaring up again.

What treatment does Master Mu recommend? Lou Duzhou quickly asked.

Imperial Physician Mu served as the head of the imperial medical institute and was renowned for his superb medical skills. For minor ailments like summerheat rashes, he could easily handle them—there was no question of being unable to treat it.

The complication was that this consort was rumored to be His Majesty’s favored concubine. The unsightly rash would take about ten days to heal properly, during which she couldn’t perform Imperial bedchamber service—a significant setback for any palace consort. If he prescribed such treatment, Talented Lady Su might hold it against him.

Chu Shaoyuan grew impatient with his hesitation and said: Speak plainly.

Only then did Imperial Physician Mu explain: Upon preliminary examination, I observed rashes on both backs of the Junior Mistress’s hands and her wrists, suggesting widespread coverage. These are sweat rashes, not difficult to treat. Applying Qingyu Ointment for ten to fifteen days will ensure complete recovery without scarring.

Hearing that it could be cured, Chu Shaoyuan’s furrowed brow relaxed slightly. Prescribe the medicine, he said.

Physician Mu, unsure of his thoughts, stole a glance at Lou Daban but received no instructions. He had no choice but to fetch Huoxiang Zhengqi Shui and teach Liuqin how to administer it to Su Qingyao.

Lou Duzhou, standing beside Chu Shaoyuan, suddenly remarked, This servant recalls that Minor Master Su has only three maids in her palace. The senior maid doesn’t seem skilled in basic medical care. What if the ointment is applied improperly and further injures the Junior Mistress?

Chu Shaoyuan lowered his head to take a sip of tea. Aren’t there medical maids in the Imperial Hospital? Select one proficient in medicine to serve exclusively at Azure Cloud Palace until she recovers, then return to the Imperial Hospital.

Lou Duzhou sighed again. The side hall at Azure Cloud Palace is rather cramped.

With the physician’s reassurance about Su Qingyao’s condition, Chu Shaoyuan’s mood shifted from gloomy to clear. Sensing the underlying meaning in Lou Duzhou’s words, he cast a faint glance at him. Since her palace is short-handed, sending you over would be just right.

Lou Duzhou couldn’t hold back a laugh, his expression exceedingly cheerful. Chu Shaoyuan also allowed a slight smile to touch his lips.

The Huoxiang Zhengqi Shui had an intensely pungent odor. At first, Liuqin struggled to get it down Su Qingyao’s throat, but a quick-handed maid pinched Su Qingyao’s jaw. The moment her mouth opened, the entire bottle was poured in, not a drop left.

Su Qingyao gagged twice, struggling as her eyelids fluttered.

What? she mumbled incoherently.

Liuqin leaned in and squeezed her hand firmly. Junior Mistress, you’re awake?

Su Qingyao felt utterly weak, her mind a muddled mess. The pungent, spicy taste of the medicine filled her mouth, so revolting she nearly vomited.

The potency of the medicine was enough to rouse the dead, let alone someone like Su Qingyao, who had only been in a light stupor.

She fluttered her eyelids and forced her eyes open.

The room was dim, lit by only two lamps that failed to illuminate the deep interior. Liuqin sat beside her, blocking most of the light, making it difficult to see clearly.

Su Qingyao’s voice was soft and feeble, yet her first words were: Has Your Majesty sent for me?

Liuqin was taken aback. She glanced toward Chu Shaoyuan but could see nothing clearly.

Junior Mistress, you fainted earlier. The physician has examined you and said it was heatstroke, Liuqin reassured her.

Su Qingyao paused briefly, then brightened. Does that mean I don’t have to work in the fields this afternoon?

Chu Shaoyuan, who had initially smiled at her first question, found his smile wiped away by her second remark.

Liuqin, too preoccupied to dwell on it, coaxed Su Qingyao: You don’t have to go. You may rest this afternoon, Junior Mistress.

Su Qingyao’s voice remained weak.

If I don’t have to go, that’s good. We should also speak to Lou Daban and ask His Majesty not to overexert himself. What if he falls ill again?

Despite her sluggish speech, she managed to ramble on at length. Lou Duzhou, standing beside Chu Shaoyuan, could sense his mood shifting between clear and stormy, like sudden squalls.

Just as Liuqin was about to mention that His Majesty had come specifically to visit Su Qingyao, Lou Duzhou stepped to the bedside and addressed Su Qingyao with exceptional courtesy.

Rest a while longer, Junior Mistress. We will return to the palace earlier today so you may retire sooner.

Su Qingyao smiled weakly at Lou Duzhou but, unable to hold on any longer, drifted back to sleep.

She slept deeply, unaware that it was her first time riding in His Majesty’s imperial carriage, nor did she know that Chu Shaoyuan had been watching her red and swollen face the entire journey. It wasn’t until the cool evening breeze stirred her that she gradually awoke before dinner.

Su Qingyao was roused by hunger, about to ask when they would return to the palace, when she realized she was already in her own bedchamber.

Taohong sat by the bedside, carefully fanning her.

Su Qingyao felt her face sticky and reached to touch it, but Taohong stopped her hand: Junior Mistress, your face is coated with ointment. It’s the White Jade Ointment specially presented by Doctor Lin, said to be even more effective than the Green Jade Ointment. Please don’t rub it off.

How did I get back? Su Qingyao shifted slightly, only then noticing that her body had already been treated with ointment.

The ointment felt cool and soothing, completely suppressing the numbness and itchiness from the rash—truly the right remedy.

Seeing her dazed state, Taohong couldn’t help but laugh: Junior Mistress, try guessing. You’d never imagine how you returned.

Su Qingyao chuckled: Did I fly back?

Teased by her, Taohong pouted playfully: Junior Mistress is mocking me again! It was His Majesty’s imperial carriage that brought you directly to the palace gates. Quite a commotion it caused.

Su Qingyao murmured: Such a rare chance to ride in the imperial carriage, and I slept through it all. What a loss.

An absolute waste!

As Su Qingyao moved her ointment-covered arms, she grumbled inwardly.

Given His Majesty’s temperament, he must find her troublesome and wouldn’t take her out again. She’d probably never get another ride. To have slept through such a golden opportunity—these rashes were truly suffered in vain.

Yet when His Majesty was good, he was indeed wonderfully good. How could he possibly disappoint Talented Lady Su?

The next morning, rewards flowed like water into the eastern hall of Azure Cloud Palace, delivered personally by Lou Daban.

Standing at the hall entrance, he beamed at Su Qingyao: Junior Mistress, His Majesty is most considerate.

Indeed, extremely considerate.

So considerate it left one flustered, so considerate it warmed the heart yet stirred anxiety—how could such kindness ever be repaid?

Su Qingyao smiled on the surface but sighed inwardly.

Author’s note:

Talented Lady Su: My husband is good to me in every way except… What should I do? Waiting online for advice.

Melon-eating bystander: Buy some toys?

Your Majesty: ……..Absolutely not!