Tang-Mama returned hastily to the side of the bed, trying to check the Empress' health.
Xiao Qu and Xiao Yan also went closer, completely anxious.
Xuanji only gulped and moved a little, observing from the sidelines. He wasn't expecting this kind of situation, as he had already speculated earlier that the Empress wouldn't have the energy to speak, but that tone just now suggests that she was perfectly fine, so he was at a loss! He was now filled with doubts about himself.
"Tang-Mama, Bengong is thirsty."
Tang-Mama blinks a few times before getting the bowl of clean water on the table. She lifted a section of the screen and offered the bowl to Ning Lou.
"This servant has brought a bowl of water."
Ning Lou took it with a big, cunning grin on her face. Noticing that Tang-Mama had retrieved her hand and the curtains had obscured her from them, she dipped her hands occasionally, spraying sprinkles of water on her back, neck, forehead, and armpits. After a little while, she assured me that the mattress was also wet from her sweat' before returning the empty bowl to the gaps in the curtain.
Thank goodness for the extreme conservatism these ancient people gave importance to. Otherwise, it might be difficult to prepare the act!
Tang-Mama took the bowl and finally spoke, "This servant is very anxious. Does the Empress feel uncomfortable in any place? Does the Empress feel weak or restless? Forgive this servant for being disrespectful, but this servant just wanted to know out of concern?" Tang-Mama couldn't keep herself from inquiring because of the Imperial Physician's words.
Unstabilized pulse...
She was exhausted and agitated from being put through so much exercise, and the last thing she didn't want was to report to the Dowager about her granddaughter being ill.
"What does Tang-Mama mean? Does Bengong have caught a terrible illness? Did the Imperial Physician really say it? What did he say? Tell Bengong the truth!" Ning Lou only let out a few gasps and a teary voice to compliment her surprise and sad act. She continued to make fake sobs until she absentmindedly bit her cheek.
Argh! My cheeks still sting from the fresh wound because of that little girl.
There seemed to be needles pricking Tang-Mama's heart as she listened to the Empress' soft cries. Although the Empress was such a troublemaker, she wasn't evil-hearted; this girl only tried to seek attention. She remembered the day when Empress Dowager emphatically told her about the Empress's personal matters and how Prime Minister Ning Zheng mistreated the Empress due to a new madam that had been married into the manor.
Ning Zheng (Nl's father) believed the concubine all the time, while casting the poor little girl on the corner, and ever since the Empress Dowager pampered Ning Lou endlessly after she (ED) was reported of it, causing Ning Zheng to stop his mistreatment for fear of offending the Dowager.
Tang-Mama couldn't stop the trail of thoughts pouring through her mind as she listened to heartbreaking cries.
"This servant only inquired about the Empress' well-being. The Imperial Physician hasn't concluded anything yet."
She rebuked in hopes of lightening the Empress' mood. Tang-Mama doesn't have a family outside the palace or a husband to attend to; that's why she has grown fond of this spoiled child, treating her (NL) as her own.
"Really? What has the Imperial Physician told Tang-Mama?" Ning Lou brightened her tone as if a child had received candy after getting her injection.
"This... This servant will personally let the Imperial Physician inform Your Highness." Tang-Mama chose her words wisely, taking into account that any slightest mention of illness might trigger the Empress to throw a tantrum.
Just as his name was uttered by Tang-Mama, Xuanji threw her (TM) a hateful glare. This woman was throwing him towards the tiger's mouth. If Empress had the mentality of a child, then if he started stating the diagnosis, she would buzz with pleas and cries.
Every time he was to examine the Empress, he would go home mentally exhausted, and now, after the assessment, Xuanji could visualize himself fainting on the spot. Amitabha, did I cause a dynasty's downfall in my past reincarnation that let me cross paths with this Empress?
Ning Lou continued to play along. "Then, quickly summon the Imperial Physician over." Her voice was laced with unease.
"The Imperial Physician is already inside the room. Shall this servant let him start again examining Your Highness' pulse?" Tang-Mama's eyes shone with harsh light as it landed on the physician's wary face.
"Have him examine Bengong's pulse this instance!" Ning Lou exclaimed, wanting to get it done immediately. She was partly tired from all that had happened.
Xuanji braced himself, looking drained and uptight. He kneeled again beside the screen, looking at the hand that was covered by gauze. His brows began to crease as the previous tension clouded his focus.
"Nucai is here and shall do what the Empress asked." His hand quivered as it inched towards the silky gauze.
When his fingers touched the beating pulse, his heart momentarily skipped a beat, preparing for another scare. However, he didn't expect it to turn out like this. The pulse had reverted back to hong mai, floating, like a wave coming onto the shore with force and retreating without force. Xuanji maintained his position to confirm that he was indeed right.
After a few seconds, the Empress' was still Hong Mai, calming the sea of uncertainty in the physician. He let out a breath and knelt again. "Nucai would like to ask Your Highness some questions first."
Tang-Mama observed Xuanji's every movement, too skeptical and dithery. She was looking at him, trying to punch a hole in his head. The second you mumble a medicine plant, this old lady will not hesitate to strangle you!