Lifting the silk blankets on the floor, Ning Lou laid on the bed, ready to be checked. A smile crept on her face, recalling the maid's blabbering mouth.
Xiao Qu and Xiao Yan hurried over to lower the curtains and placed a screen. "Niang Niang, this servant will welcome the Imperial Physician."
"Go ahead." Ning Lou said, while glancing at the other maid, who was staring at the departing girl's back. I've still got my eyes on you, little bunny. Aunt will surely squeeze you dry.
As if Xiao Qu felt a cold gaze on her scalp, she turned around only to see Her Highness' sleeping face. Shaking the uncomfortable feeling a while ago, Xiao scurried to clean the shards on the floor. While at it, she brightened her smile and immersed herself from sorting the other gossips she picked up from the kitchen. In between of her work, her scalp would be tingling with unease, causing her to turn her head around. But every time, Xiao Qu would only see Her Highness peacefully sleeping.
On the other hand, Xiao Yan took a deep breath before opening the door. Inclining her head, she received the people outside. "Niang Niang is resting. Nubi will lead the way."
Tang-Mama made a way for the Imperial Physician first before glancing at the Mamas she brought along.
Xuanji only 'humph' and strode forward to follow the maid. A total of five people entered Ning Lou's sleeping quarters; Xuanji, Tang-Mama, and three other mamas. Xiao Qu finished her task and stood beside Xiao Yan.
Tang-Mama got closer to the bed and lifted a corner of the curtains. Placing Ning Lou's hand gently at the edge of the bed, she covered it with a thin gauze for the physician to start his diagnosis.
Ning Lou blew the tendrils veiling her face. Peeking with one eye, she tried to observe the doctor's procedure. However, Ning Lou's eyesight couldn't get pass the thick curtains, and thus she only sharpened her hearing.
Tang-Mama retreated to the side to give the physician some space. She then let the other mamas prepare the necessary things.
Xuanji reluctantly knelt and placed his two fingers on the thin gauze. His face showed intense focus, contrary to his inner thoughts. As expected, he was summoned for nothing again! He really wanted to stab the Empress hand with a needle right at the moment, but thinking of the consequences, the physician was left to sulk inside his heart. Offending the Empress is asking for a death wish. Chanting 'Amitabha' for a couple of times, he gestured Tang-Mama to get closer.
Ning Lou was fascinated by the Physician's actions. With an anticipated smile, she leaned nearer to the curtain, waiting for the diagnosis.
"The Empress only needs to rest for a few days due to the imbalance of energies in the body. Tang-Mama needs to place in fire stoves inside to hasten the recovery. Meanwhile, the kitchen can prepare nourishing meals."
Ning Lou was amazed. The physician only took her pulse and he can already conclude her condition. She really wanted to clap. Those Chinese period dramas didn't lie at all. Experiencing it first hand was worth it. Then, If the doctor can determine the patient's condition through pulse, Ning Lou will have to know what pulses signifies what kind of condition. She wants to be 'terminally ill' in the eyes of these individuals to execute her plan.
The Imperial Physician was about to let go his two fingers of thin gauze when the Empress' pulse quickened. This time he was genuinely focused. He closed his eyes and tried to find a cause. Gesturing to Tang-Mama again, he gave another diagnosis.
"On the second thought, the Empress has a problem in the circulation of the energies. The imbalance of energies is causing the Empress' body to heat up. The kitchen needs to prepare some food rich in yin."
Ning Lou only understood the word 'heat up' in the Physician's statement. Nodding her head behind the curtains, she made sure to remember it. Quick pulse rates equals to fever.
Xuanji was about to write a prescription when the Empress' pulse begun to weaken. His eyes bulged and the fingers that were on the thin gauze trembled. What kind of illness induced a patient's pulse to be abnormally inconsistent? Closing his eyes again, Xuanji put all his focus on examining.
Peng… Peng… Peng
The Empress' pulsation was beating in intervals of 3 seconds. Within his year of examining patients, only people belonging to the two conditions possessed this kind of pulse. If he was not mistaken, one should be either poisoned or on the verge of dying. He swallowed the lump in his throat and began to sweat in a profuse manner. If something happened to the Empress on this day, he couldn't imagine what will become of him and his family. Even the past accomplishments couldn't save him. Who doesn't know that the Esteemed Empress Dowager dotes on this Empress so much.
Tang-Mama observed the Physician's serious expression, and she began to be curious inside. She couldn't be help but question the Physician. "Imperial Physician Xuanji, is there anything more?" Seeing the startled response from the Physician, Tang-Mama was taken aback. Tang-Mama had seen Imperial Physician Xuanji examining someone's pulse, he was always calm, contrary to his unusual actions a moment ago, Tang-Mama had gotten some hints of the cause.
"Imperial Physician Xuanji, forgive this Old servant for intruding, but what is really the Empress' condition?"
Ning Lou leaned in forward, noticing the tone of the woman outside. Is slowing the pulse mean something grave?