Matron Chen paused. She immediately understood the meaning behind Empress Dowager’s words.
It was true that Madam Zheng knew too much. Everything would be resolved once she was dead. This would save the trouble of her mentioning anything that should not be said.
All those years ago, Madam Ling…
Empress Dowager Xiaojing suddenly stood up and walked toward the window. She looked out of it and said, “It would not be long…”
There was excitement hidden vaguely in her words.
Matron Chen’s heart missed a beat.
That was right, it would not be long now. Frostbite could not be cured by anyone but Madam Ling. Moreover, Madam Ling had been dead for so many years. The poison in the Emperor’s body would only allow him to stay alive till the end of the year at most…
Matron Chen gave it a thought and asked in a low voice, “Regarding Madam Zheng, should we inform the Crown Princess about it?”
Xiaojing turned. Her eyes bored into Matron Chen. “There is no need. I’ve already said that her death will resolve everything!”
Matron Chen was startled and lowered her head.
Empress Dowager Xiaojing paused and instructed. “Since Madam Zheng won’t make it, we should see her off.”
Matron Chen’s heart chilled. “I’ll arrange for it immediately.”
“Uh-huh.” Empress Dowager Xiaojing waved her off.
After Matron Chen retreated, Empress Dowager Xiaojing continued pinching the Buddhist prayer beads in her hands, looking serene.
…
Time passed quickly and it was now the eighth Lunar month. It would be another half a month before the grand marriage between the Emperor and Empress.
The Palace was not the only place bustling, even the Grand Duke Mansion was extremely busy.
Lu Liangwei was locked at home by the Dowager Duchess all this time and was not allowed to go anywhere.
Once she was married into the Palace, she would be the Empress. Unlike normal aristocrats’ daughters from influential families, she was not required to personally sew embroidery when she got married. Even so, Lu Liangwei was not having a relaxing time.
Empress Dowager Xiaojing, who stayed at Jiuhua Temple throughout the year, had sent a very experienced Matron from the Palace to coach Lu Liangwei palace rules and etiquettes.
Lu Liangwei could only tolerate it no matter how unhappy she was.
This was a phase that all girls entering the Palace must go through.
Even though she did not have the patience to learn such things, she was still able to pick up what the Matron taught her in one go.
The Matron could not even nitpick even if she wanted to do so to Lu Liangwei.
The Dowager said nothing more when she saw this.
Lu Liangwei was done with her etiquette lessons today and had just stepped into her room when Zhu Yu ran in.
“Miss, someone has taken down our hiring notice for a physician.”
Lu Liangwei was slightly taken aback.
She had opened the medicinal shop in a slightly remote area. In addition to that, they had yet to build up a reputation. As such, nobody inquired about it despite the notice being put up for a while. Somebody had finally taken down the notice today.
“Did the person who took down the notice go to the medicinal shop?”
Zhu Yu replied with slight excitement. “Yes. The person who came is a woman. She looks pretty young too.”
“How are her medical skills?” Lu Liangwei was not sure why Zhu Yu was excited.
Zhu Yu was taken aback. Her head hung low. “Miss, what would I know about medical skills? Senior and the others have no idea as well, but I noticed that the Madam was able to identify and name all the medicinal materials in the shop. I guess she must have some medical skills.”
Lu Liangwei pondered for a while and asked, “Where is she now?”
“In the medicinal shop,” Zhu Yu replied happily at the thought of the woman.
Lu Liangwei decided to meet that person personally.
It was challenging to hire a physician for the medicinal shop, what’s more one with medical skills and knowledge. Otherwise, the shop would not be able to operate properly with only Senior and the others.
Even though her shop was not meant for profit, Senior and the others should not get flustered when a customer happened to come asking for a physician.
When Lu Liangwei arrived at the medicinal shop, the old beggar was chatting with an unknown woman with a veil on her face.
When Lu Liangwei walked in, both of them stopped chatting and turned to look at her at the same time.
