Chapter 282 - 282: Taking the Empress Pulse

Translator: Dragon Boat Translation Editor: Dragon Boat Translation

Jiang Peihuan was unaware of what had transpired in the Cining Palace.

At that moment, Jiang Peihuan was in the Empress’s Kun Ning Palace.

“Now that you have married into the King Cheng’s Mansion, you are family. When you are free, you can come to the Kun Ning Palace and chat with me,” the Empress said with a smile, looking at Jiang Peihuan seated below her. “I spend my days in the palace without much company.”

Upon hearing the Empress, Jiang Peihuan quickly stood up to show respect, “Yes.”

“If Your Royal Majesty does not find my speech dull, I will often come to the palace to accompany you.”

“If you were dull-witted, then there would be no smart people in this world.”

Most of the time when speaking with the Empress, it was the Empress doing the talking and Jiang Peihuan listening. She only replied when the Empress asked her something.

As Jiang Peihuan listened, her gaze involuntarily drifted to the palace entrance.

Even though she knew that the Great Empress Dowager wouldn’t harm Xiao Nanye inside the palace, she still worried about any underhanded tactics. After all, there were numerous ways to harm someone in the palace.

“Imperial Sister-in-law, I’m here to pick up Huan Er.”

Just as Jiang Peihuan was lost in thought, a deep male voice reached her ears. Soon, she saw Xiao Nanye approaching.

“Finally, you’re here. With you gone, her attention wasn’t here either.”

“Alright, now that you’re here, take her home. Live your lives well.”

“I’ll remember your words, Imperial Sister-in-law.”

“But today is Huan Er’s first visit, does Imperial Sister have any gifts prepared? I’ve heard of the treasures you possess.”

“You cheeky boy, isn’t robbing the Emperor’s private treasury enough? Now you covet the items in my possession.”

“Even if you hadn’t mentioned it, I’d have given her something.”

“Bring the gifts prepared for Queen Cheng.”

“Yes.”

The main maid beside the Empress hurriedly went to the inner chamber.

Moments later, several palace maids came out with trays. There were not only jewels but also some rare fabrics.

“These are the gifts I’ve prepared for you. 1 wasn’t sure what you’d like, so I got a variety.”

“Thank you for your generous gifts, Your Royal Majesty.”

Hearing the Empress’s words, Jiang Peihuan quickly bowed in gratitude.

The Empress smiled, helping Jiang Peihuan up. After she stood, the Empress turned to Xiao Nanye, saying with mock annoyance, “Satisfied now?”

“Yes, thank you, Imperial Sister-in-law.”

“Alright, take your wife and go.”

“I also have a gift for Imperial Sister-in-law.”

“Oh? It’s rare to get something from you.”

Xiao Nanye remained silent, pulling out a palm-sized box from his sleeve. Handing it over, he whispered, “This is a trinket I chanced upon outside the palace. I thought Imperial Sister-in-law might like it.” n/ô/vel/b//in dot c//om

Upon hearing Xiao Nanye’s words, the Empress immediately opened the wooden box.

When the box was opened, Jiang Peihuan saw what was inside.

It was a red pomegranate, but the entire pomegranate was inlaid with red gemstones, making it appear like a real fruit.

However, when the Empress saw this jeweled pomegranate, the expression in her eyes became very complex.

After a long moment, she looked at Xiao Nanye and softly chuckled, “You are thoughtful.”

“Imperial Sister-in-law, take good care of yourself. Your wishes will soon be fulfilled.”

Though Xiao Nanye’s demeanor was very casual, Jiang Peihuan could detect the reassurance in his tone.

Looking at the Empress, Jiang Peihuan seemed deep in thought.

In her previous life, she had not interacted much with the Empress, only knowing that the Empress had a single daughter. Until Jiang Peihuan’s death in that life, she had never heard of the Empress being pregnant again.

In her past life, the competitiveness among the princes was largely because the Empress had no son.

If the Empress could birth a legitimate son, everything would change.

After contemplating, Jiang Peihuan suddenly said, “Your Royal Majesty, I’ve read some medical books during my free time. May 1 take your pulse?”

Upon hearing this, the Empress was momentarily stunned.

But she didn’t refuse and instead smiled, saying, “Of course, you can.”

After the Empress sat down on a chair, Jiang Peihuan began to take her pulse.

At first, Jiang Peihuan thought the reason the Empress hadn’t pregnant for so many years was due to some health issues, maybe cold uterus or other complications.

But as she held the Empress’s wrist, Jiang Peihuan’s brow furrowed.

The Empress had only agreed to this pulse reading out of consideration for Xiao Nanye. But seeing Jiang Peihuan’s concern, the Empress became more serious, “Queen Cheng, is there something wrong with my health?”

“Your Royal Majesty, do you know why you haven’t been pregnant for so many years?”

“I don’t. The imeprial doctor have checked me, and they found no problems with my health. Perhaps it’s just my fate to have fewer children.”

“No, it’s not because of fate. You’ve been poisoned.”

“What did you say?”

Upon hearing Jiang Peihuan’s words, the Empress’s smile vanished instantly.

Glancing at her personal maid, and waiting for her to leave, the Empress then said, “Queen Cheng, one should not make such accusations lightly. If I truly were poisoned, why haven’t the imperial doctor detected it?”

“Your Royal Majesty, do you feel fatigued and dizzy during the fall but recover by evening? And when winter comes, you become unusually cold-intolerant?”

“How… how did you know?”

Hearing Jiang Peihuan’s words, the Empress’s complexion changed instantly.

After a pause, the Empress’s eyes widened, “Could it be… I’ve truly been poisoned?”

“Your Royal Majesty, the poison has been in your body for seven years.”

“Seven years?”

“Princess Seventeen is eight years old, and I’ve been poisoned for seven years. All these years, 1 thought it was destiny not granting me another child. But it was actually the work of traitors?”

The Empress’s eyes burned with anger and a cold fury.

After a long time, she turned to Jiang Peihuan, asking softly, “Huan Er, do you know the nature of the poison?”

“The poison in your body is called Pineilia. It’s a chronic poison, primarily making women infertile.”

“Can the poison inside me be cured?”

When she said this, the Empress’s eyes were filled with urgency.

Meeting the Empress’s anxious gaze, Jiang Peihuan nodded seriously, “Rest assured, Your Royal Majesty, this poison can be cured..”