Me and Empress Dowager Cixi

Chapter 51 Imperial Physician (3)
This is the symbol of autocratic imperial power. For their own safety, they do not hesitate to damage the health of others.I think this kind of thing is very dangerous. Just imagine, if a healthy person is forced to drink these things, no one can predict what kind of changes will occur in the body.Later, the queen mother told me some allusions, and I realized that although this practice is inhumane, it was not created by the queen mother. It existed thousands of years ago, and the purpose was to prevent some people with ulterior motives from harming members of the royal family.If a certain imperial doctor wants to harm the emperor due to some special reasons, he can effectively avoid it by using this trick. "We don't have to worry about those imperial doctors," the queen mother said to me. "After these people quit, they can take other medicines to relieve their discomfort." In all fairness, although this method is inhumane, it is still practical to a certain extent. Meaning, poisonous drugs were easy to buy back then than now, and it was indeed a very simple way to use drugs to harm people.

The Queen Mother has long been used to these things, but seeing the four imperial doctors drinking the medicine so readily at this moment, she couldn't help laughing: "Look at you, is this medicine not bitter enough? But I don't believe it, as long as you drink it a little You can tell it's very bitter just by smelling it." The queen mother pretended to be very relaxed and joked with them.Seeing that the Queen Mother was in a better mood, the four imperial doctors could only laugh a few times to express their agreement.After the four drank it, the queen mother reluctantly held up the jade bowl. It was obvious that she didn't want to drink that bowl of medicine, but she also knew that she shouldn't be too unreasonable. The imperial doctor was summoned by herself, and the prescription was prescribed by herself. , she has no reason not to drink.When the Queen Mother drank the medicine, the four imperial doctors kept their heads down, as if it was their fault that the medicine was so bitter.After the Queen Mother finished drinking, they were ordered to retreat. I saw them very happy when they went out, as if a heavy burden had been lifted.This is indeed the case, none of them are willing to stay with the Queen Mother, and it would be best if they could withdraw as soon as possible.

After taking the medicine, the Empress Dowager's palace became quiet, and everyone didn't want anything to happen again. After all, Lafayette had a bad temper when he was ill.In such a quiet atmosphere, I don't think there is anything that can cause the Queen Mother to be unhappy, and even if there is, it is definitely not caused by me.It was this very thought that got me, and made me do a very stupid thing without knowing it.The fundamental reason why I acted like this was that I didn't understand the importance of etiquette in the palace.In fact, this kind of thing is not a first offence, it has happened once before, but only me and the queen mother were present at the time, so the queen mother did not criticize me harshly.

I still remember that incident.I happened to be on duty that day, and when I entered the Empress Dowager's bedroom, I ran into flower-giver outside, and they begged me to deliver flowers to Lafayette on their behalf.The flowers were clusters of pink flowers, which were placed in a very delicate porcelain vase. I held them to the Queen Mother and explained the reason.The queen mother seemed not very satisfied with these flowers, so she just pointed to a place for me to put them there.The queen mother pointed to a small table leaning against the corner, and I followed her instructions immediately.Since the queen mother didn't pay attention to this matter at all, I discovered the problem when I approached the table.Behind the table is a yellow drawing board. If a bouquet of red flowers is placed in front of the drawing board, it will definitely blur the color of the flowers, and even the color of the drawing board will become confused.Therefore, I suggested to her: "Queen Mother, it's not appropriate to put this flower in this place. Would you like to change it?"

After listening to what I said, the queen mother asked me why. When she said this, the expression on her face was very strange, but I didn't notice it at the time.Normally I would never be so bold, but that day there were only two of us in the entire palace, so I explained to her: "The color of this drawing board is too close to the color of this bouquet of flowers, not only will it not be able to bring out the beauty of the flowers, but it will damage the beauty of the flowers. The drawing board is wonderful." At that time, I didn't know what stupidity I did, but I gave the Queen Mother a lecture.After listening to my words, the queen mother didn't express anything superfluous, but lazily told me to find a suitable place for the flowers.I am very happy and feel that I have found an excellent opportunity to show my aesthetic level.After placing them, the color in the whole room softened a lot. Although the queen mother didn't praise me, she didn't say anything dissatisfied. I think the matter should pass like this.Not long after, I completely forgot about this matter, and I think the Queen Mother must be the same as me.It wasn't until today that I realized that I had already been charged with a very serious crime. The reason why I only woke up today was because I made a similar mistake for the second time.

After taking the medicine, the Queen Mother lay on the bed and rested for about two hours before getting up.It can be seen that the queen mother's cold and fever have receded a lot, and her expression is a little better than in the morning.At that time, the rain outside had not stopped, so the queen mother could only sit in her own hall. It was okay at first, but then she felt extremely bored, and her temper became visibly violent.After walking back and forth in the palace for a few times, the Queen Mother suddenly said to me: "De Ling, I can't bear it, I have to go out for a walk. Let's go to the corridor now, you go with me first, and then go to inform Others." After hearing what the queen mother said, I felt very embarrassed, and didn't know whether I should follow through.Since I had tested the temperature for the Queen Mother in the morning, at this moment, I offered to give the Queen Mother a try again, and the Queen Mother readily agreed.With Her Majesty's permission, I put my hand on her forehead.Although the Empress Dowager's cold and fever have receded a lot, she is not completely healed, and her forehead is still hot, so it is not suitable to go out under such conditions.Out of concern for the queen mother's body, I expressed my thoughts to the queen mother: "Lafayette, please be patient, your cold and fever have not subsided. If we go out to blow the air now, I'm afraid your condition will worsen. It is pleasant to go for a walk in the promenade, but it is not for you now."

After the queen mother listened to my words, the expression on her face changed drastically, as if she had been greatly shocked.I am very surprised how the queen mother has such a strong reaction.The Queen Mother didn't say much, but just looked at me a few times with vicious eyes.I don't know where I got the courage at that time, but I didn't know fear at all.After a few minutes of silence, the Queen Mother's expression softened a little, and she said to me slowly: "In this case, forget it, let's play cards for a while." wrong.I bid farewell to the queen mother at night, and when I went outside, I realized that everyone knew about it, and it must have been spread by a few young eunuchs who were present at the time.Back where I live, an older female officer is already waiting for me.Seeing me coming back, she immediately asked me sternly: "De Ling, do you know how much crime you have committed!" The expression on my face must have been very surprised at that time, the female officer saw my blank look, and then Said: "Don't pretend to be confused. You deliberately disobeyed the Queen Mother's order and spoiled the Queen Mother's interest in going out. This is a great crime! When you are punished, you will know how big a mistake you have made!" After she reminded , I can't help but think of the fierce eyes of the Queen Mother.I know the nature of the Queen Mother. If she really cares about this matter, I can't escape it no matter what. When there is a suitable opportunity in the future, she will definitely return the capital to me.

What the female officer said really scared me, and I said with a half-pleading look: "I didn't mean it either. At that time, the queen mother's cold and fever had not subsided. If I went out, it would definitely aggravate her condition. I was thinking about the queen mother's health." That’s why I said that.” I hurriedly explained the situation to her, hoping to gain her understanding and sympathy.Finally, I asked her what kind of punishment I would get if the Queen Mother became angry. "Decapitate!" she replied without hesitation.I was just about to ask her if there is any way to resolve it, and she continued: "The queen mother is very kind to you now, so you will have nothing to do this time. But the world is impermanent, and someday the queen mother will get tired of you and hate you Now, your time of death is coming. Don’t you always think that you are very smart? Now think about what to do when the time comes!” After she finished speaking, she laughed loudly.Originally, I wanted to ask her to help me find a solution, but at this moment my fear completely turned into anger, and I decided to go to the Queen Mother to find out, even if I would die tomorrow.I put aside that female officer, and didn't think about whether it was appropriate to disturb the queen mother at this time. I am not a patient person. If this matter is not clear, I will definitely not be able to sleep tonight.My cheeks turned red from being so angry.Her Majesty was also very surprised to see me back.According to the rules in the palace, ordinary people cannot casually meet without the empress dowager's recruitment.When the queen mother saw me rushing in, she was naturally very surprised.After entering, I didn't say anything, and knelt down in front of the queen mother with a plop, and lowered my head deeply.

Seeing that I did this suddenly, the queen mother quickly asked me what was wrong. "Queen Mother, I'm here to apologize to you." I mustered up the courage to say this to the Queen Mother, but my courage was really limited, and I burst into tears after saying the first sentence, "Lafayette, Sorry, I should not have discouraged you from going to the promenade this afternoon. After I went back, I heard that I had made a big mistake and would be beheaded, so I hurried over, please let me go this time." After listening to me Then the Empress Dowager's originally calm face became angry, and she asked loudly who said to me: "Tell me who told you, is it Li Lianying?" told her.After hearing what I said, the queen mother was furious, and immediately sent someone to call the female officials over, and asked them sternly: "Who told you to talk to De Ling? Am I so unreasonable? De Ling afternoon It’s for my own good not to let me go out, don’t I understand this truth? No one in the palace will be able to do this again in the future. If you let me know that there is such a thing again, I will not spare you! Well, remember it all Stop, don’t commit another crime in the future! Let’s all go out.”

After listening to the queen mother's reprimand, those female officials retreated tremblingly.But I still felt uneasy, and asked the Queen Mother again: "Queen Mother, I really don't need to beheaded?" Seeing me asking this, the Queen Mother burst into laughter: "What are you talking about? No, you don't have to worry at all now After a pause, the queen mother said to me seriously: "The royal family has royal rules. Strictly speaking, what you did this afternoon is nothing, but what you did just now is a serious crime. Be careful in the future, otherwise, maybe one day your head will die." It's really going to fall."

(End of this chapter)