Before De Fu could finish expressing his sentiments, Zhao Jin Rui kicked him, saying, "You worthless dog, did you hear what I said?"
De Fu immediately knelt down to apologize, "Your Majesty, forgive me. It was my fault for being startled." No one's life is worth less than his own. He dared not pity others any longer.
"Quickly arrange for the imperial physicians and bring enough medicine," Zhao Jin Rui commanded. Over the years, the Imperial Medical Bureau had certainly researched formulas for smallpox. While they couldn't cure it completely, having the right prescriptions would significantly increase the chances of survival.
His three sons, and her—Zhao Jin Rui could no longer worry about anything else. He just wanted them all to pull through. Previously, he hadn't realized how important the four of them were to him, but upon hearing the bad news, he felt his heart ache.
"De Fu." Zhao Jin Rui's voice had unexpectedly become hoarse. "Send more supplies to the Lang Yue Pavilion—consider their clothing, food, shelter, and daily needs."
This was all he could do for her now.
De Fu's eyes turned red. Although the Emperor didn't seem to care much for the three princes on ordinary days, De Fu, as his close attendant, knew that the Emperor had always looked forward to their growth. He was eagerly waiting for their first birthdays to bestow names upon them, having invested considerable thought into each name.
"Understood, I will go immediately."
In the harem, upon receiving the news, everyone was more delighted than worried. The only person who genuinely worried for the mother and children was Liang Fei, who seemed to have been plotting against Bai Jing Xian.
"Truly, Heaven does not favor the unfortunate. I thought she had finally emerged victorious, but who would have expected such a life-and-death situation?" Liang Fei sighed as she watched the palace servants bustling outside.
The Momo beside her looked worried, "Your Highness, let's be cautious. From now on, no one is allowed in or out of the palace. We must be careful to prevent any malicious intentions."
She didn't want her mistress to worry about others but to focus more on the people within the palace.
"Alas, fate! I still vividly remember that tragic incident from years ago." Due to her background, she knew more than the average person.
Listening to her mistress's words, the Momo said no more.
In the Lan Yue Pavilion, Bai Jing Xian had developed a low fever, and the imperial physicians had arrived. The supplies sent by the Emperor were also in place, but Bai Jing Xian had kept everyone else outside the palace door, tending to her three children herself.
The three children had also developed fevers. The physicians said this was a good sign; as long as the fever persisted, it meant they were fighting against smallpox. If they could endure, everything would be fine.
In these times, surviving smallpox was a mark of honor. The physicians had not mentioned that if all three princes survived, they would have a claim to the throne in the future. Of course, they did not dare to voice such thoughts.
The physicians, being survivors of smallpox themselves, could not be re-infected. After a simple protective measure, they remained in the Lan Yue Pavilion to examine the four royals.
"Don't be afraid, dear. Mommy is here. Xu-er, be good, don't cry. Mommy will give you some water." Seeing her eldest son's pained expression, Bai Jing Xian's heart ached.
Even though she was also running a fever, seeing her three sons so uncomfortable made her forget her own discomfort.
"Mom." Little Xu-er opened his blurry eyes and, seeing the person holding him, called out clearly, "Mom."
YOU ARE READING
The Daily Life of a Concubine
Historical FictionNote: This is a translated novel and not my original work! On the first day of her transmigration to the Dayue Dynasty, her older sister threatened her to avoid the Emperor's favor. Avoid favor? Not a chance. She aimed to become the most beloved con...