Yun Jinnian respectfully saw the Empress off.
Watching the Empress straighten her back as she left, he felt somewhat dazed.
Once upon a time, he, too, had strived to stand tall like the Empress, only to become weak and pitiful at the last moment.
Chu Liange always looked at him with eyes filled with disappointment and disdain.
It made his heart race and his self-esteem suffer.
Actually, in his past life, he had always been inferior, feeling even more so after marrying Chu Liange.
He would never know how hard she had worked to be worthy of the status of the Fifth Prince’s consort, how hard she had strived to be a good Empress.
And the hardships she had endured to be a mother.
He would never know; he would only press his heavy body onto her in the dark of night, panting, rhythmic.
Chu Liange always thought she didn’t understand, that she couldn’t see through his unwillingness, that she couldn’t decipher the disdain and disgust in his eyes.
Yet he never considered that she, who had suffered all sorts of grievances and experienced the full spectrum of emotions since childhood in the Yun Residence, could possibly fail to understand.
She wasn’t a good wife, but Chu Liange was not a good husband either.
They were just the same.
Just like the current Emperor and Empress, they appeared harmonious on the surface, but were both extremely ruthless characters deep down, neither resting until the other was destroyed.
Yun Jinnian suddenly understood why Chu Yu had warned him to be cautious of the Empress.
"Fourth Miss, what are you thinking about?" Eunuch Hai asked softly.
Even as a eunuch, he could feel the intense sorrow, grievance, and heartache emanating from Yun Jinnian.
Had she remembered something?
Yun Jinnian came back to her senses, looked at Eunuch Hai, and shook her head slightly, "It’s nothing. Eunuch Hai, how is the Emperor doing?"
"The Emperor woke up a moment ago, only the Empress was..." Eunuch Hai said, then raised his hand to slap his own mouth, "Look at this loose tongue of mine, babbling nonsense. Fourth Miss, the Emperor said that after you take his pulse, you can rest at Weiyang Palace!"
Yun Jinnian offered a gentle, faint smile.
She understood Eunuch Hai’s kind reminder.
The Emperor had already woken up but did not wish to see the Empress, so he pretended to be in a coma.
To reach such a state between husband and wife was indeed rare.
She entered the sleeping chamber and curtseyed to pay her respects.
"Dispense with the formalities!"
The Emperor said weakly.
Despite the weakness of his body, he could feel the relief within him, as well as a deep-seated comfort.
Something he had not experienced in a year.
"Thank you, Your Majesty!"
The remaining tasks, such as rolling up the sleeves, arranging the pulse pillow, and having a clean wet towel for Yun Jinnian to clean her hands, Eunuch Hai handled deftly.
Yun Jinnian took the Emperor’s pulse while sitting on the brocaded stool.
"Your Majesty, some of the Poisonous Insects have been cleared out. After another session tomorrow, and four or five more times thereafter, the Poisonous Insects within your body should be essentially eradicated. With careful recuperation after that, you will gradually recover."
The Emperor nodded, "Will it hurt as much as today?"
"No, it will be much less painful!"
"That’s good. You have worked hard today. Go rest at Weiyang Palace. Come back early tomorrow, and there’s no need for the Empress to come over!"
Yun Jinnian stood up, "Thank you, Your Majesty. Your servant will take her leave!"
The Emperor weakly waved his hand.
Yun Jinnian, carrying her medical kit, left Yangxin Hall, the sky was completely dark. Lanterns had been lit in the corridor, illuminating all of Yangxin Hall, where Hemei and Henuan were already waiting; Hemei quickly reached out to take the medical kit.
Yun Jinnian spoke softly, "Let’s return to Weiyang Palace."
Yet Dengzi came over with a lantern, "Fourth Miss, it is dark, let this servant escort you back to Weiyang Palace!"
"Oh no, no, it’s this servant’s duty," Dengzi said, his face turning slightly red.