The Prime Minister's Darling novel Chapter 699

Chapter 699: 328 Fight for Favor (Two updates)_3

With a flash of silver light, Gu Jiao deftly used another pair of tweezers to remove a fishbone from her patient.

Empress Dowager Zhuang: "...."

Gu Jiao said, "It’s done. There’s no major issue, but your throat will need some time to heal. Try not to use your voice too often and eat a light diet." She then addressed the door and said, "Eunuch Qin, come in."

Eunuch Qin happily entered the Sleeping Palace.

Empress Dowager Zhuang shot someone a frosty glare!

Eunuch Qin shrank back and hid behind Gu Jiao.

Meanwhile, Eunuch Wei had returned to Huaqing Palace alone.

The emperor, now alone, was furious, "What happened? Where is the young doctor? Didn’t I tell you to bring her here no matter what?"

Eunuch Wei awkwardly replied, "This servant did request her presence, but... the young doctor...."

The Emperor cut him off in a cold voice, "Speak up! Don’t stutter!"

With a hardened heart, Eunuch Wei answered, "The Dowager Empress is ill too, so the young doctor was summoned by Eunuch Qin."

The emperor sneered, slamming his fist on the table. "Didn’t she heal from her cold a long time ago? I had just visited her with a Peace Charm and she seemed full of life. How could she suddenly become so ill that a doctor was called? Don’t we have imperial physicians in the palace?"

Eunuch Wei hesitated, "Um... apparently it was an accident, she had a fish bone stuck."

The emperor’s mockery deepened, "Last time she got seriously ill, she didn’t want to inform the young doctor. Now, over a small fish bone, the young doctor was called into the palace right away. Is she doing it on purpose? Does she know?"

"Your Majesty..." Eunuch Wei was clueless on how to respond.

With a tight fist, the Emperor said, "Fine, if she wants to go first, she can’t blame me for going further!"

"Your Majesty! Lady Gu is here!" reported the young eunuch from outside the door.

The Emperor shot Eunuch Wei a look and he understood, heading out to welcome Gu Jiao into Huaqing Palace.

Gu Jiao was only informed that someone in Huaqing Palace was injured, but had no idea who it was until she entered the side hall of Huaqing Palace and saw that her patient was Concubine Jing.

Gu Jiao didn’t question why Concubine Jing was present in the Emperor’s Sleeping Palace when she was supposed to reside in the Nunnery. She assumed that the Renshou Palace was perhaps not aware of it, otherwise Eunuch Qin wouldn’t have been muttering about it on the journey.

Gu Jiao looked at the unconscious Concubine Jing.

Her husband had only suggested that she avoid making medical rounds at the Nunnery. He never mentioned stopping her from visiting Huaqing Palace.

One way or another, she could make her rounds today.

Gu Jiao placed her first aid kit on the table and began to examine Concubine Jing’s injuries.

"What happened to her?" Gu Jiao asked.

The Emperor watched Concubine Jing, answering with a sorrowful voice, "Mother tripped and fell. She was picking fruit for me and unfortunately tumbled down the stairs."

Behind the Nunnery, there was a small fruit garden growing seasonal fruits. When the fruits ripened each season, Concubine Jing would pluck some to send to the Emperor.

The Emperor then explained why Concubine Jing had entered the palace, "I visited Mother today and just as I returned to the palace, I heard of the unfortunate news. I brought her here to convalesce because I couldn’t put my mind at ease."

"Her injuries are not severe," Gu Jiao noted.

The Emperor remarked somberly, "But I fear there could be other accidents."

His statement held two possible interpretations - indicating either that Concubine Jing was accident-prone due to her old age or that there are people trying to harm Concubine Jing by perpetuating accidents.

Gu Jiao refrained from asking further.

Concubine Jing had bruises with varying degrees of severity on her right elbow, the palm of her left hand along with her right thigh and knee. They appeared slightly feverish, which suggested she might have caught a cold.