Chapter 121 The Fake Princess
Although Tao Hong did not quite understand Lord Shen's actions, she could sense that this eunuch was about to suffer.
It was said that during the morning greetings to the Empress Dowager today, Eunuch Dezhong's attitude towards Lord Shen was not good.
If it were before, Tao Hong would have thought that everyone around the Emperor was not to be trifled with, but now Tao Hong only felt that Lord Shen was the most formidable.
Offending Lord Shen would definitely not end well!
Not long after, Consort Su arrived at the Empress Dowager's bedchamber to carry out her orders.
Upon seeing Consort Su, Shen Yulou showed a hint of surprise.
Although her clothes were still the lowest standard for ladies in the palace, Shen Yulou always felt that her demeanor was different from before.
Previously, Consort Su's eyes were full of gloom, but now they seemed to hold a glimmer of light.
"Lord Shen."
"Your humble servant greets Your Ladyship!"
Consort Su gave a sweet smile, "Thank you, Lord Shen, for arranging such a good task for me."
Consort Su lived a rather hard life in the palace, and if she could come to care for the Empress Dowager, her food, clothing, and daily necessities would be the same as the Empress Dowager's, so this was certainly a good thing for Consort Su.
Moreover, as long as she served the Empress Dowager well, rewards would surely follow. Although Consort Su was already using Consort Wan's food, clothing, and daily necessities, she certainly had to remember Shen Yulou's kindness.
"Your Ladyship need not be so polite. The Empress Dowager's illness is sometimes good, sometimes bad. When she is well, you need to chat with her and help her relax. If she has an episode, you can just coax her like a child."
"Understood."
Shen Yulou prescribed some medicine and had the Imperial Household Department slowly decoct it, then administer it to the Empress Dowager on time.
Although the Empress Dowager's Alzheimer's could not be cured, it would not worsen.
This was very different from ordinary commoners; after all, the Empress Dowager had a special status, and any request she made could be fulfilled.
"Tao Hong, have the Imperial Household Department carve one hundred and eight square jade pieces for me. I will draw the specific patterns and bring them over later. Tell them that these are toys prepared for the Empress Dowager, and they must be diligent."
"Yes!"
...After Li Huai returned to the Imperial Medical Academy, his subordinates immediately arranged a room for him.
"Lord Li, the person you requested has been found!"
Li Huai nodded, lay down on the bed, and then said.
"Let them come in so I can see them!"
A moment later, a woman holding a small child walked in timidly.
Li Huai scrutinized her, then nodded with satisfaction.
"Although her appearance is a bit lacking, her figure is almost identical. From now on, you are Princess of Yan State. I'll give you a veil to wear; you must never take it off, or you will surely die. Do you understand?"
The woman quickly knelt on the ground and said, "I'll do anything, I only ask that the Lords cure my child!"
"Don't worry about that. This is the Imperial Medical Academy. If we here cannot cure your child, then you don't need to think of other methods.
During this period, you will impersonate Princess of Yan State, and our Imperial Medical Academy will be responsible for curing your child."
"Thank you, Lord! Thank you, Lord!"
After arranging for this Fake Princess of Yan State, Li Huai rested to recover from his injuries.
The reason he was so bold was mainly to buy time.
According to Hun Kingdom law, officials retired at seventy.
However, there were some special circumstances that allowed for earlier retirement.
Li Huai's scalding injury this time could serve as a condition.
Emperor Ren had personally seen his injury, and Shen Yulou had also personally stated that his injury was very serious, even suggesting amputation.
Therefore, Li Huai's proposal for early retirement was logical. At that time, he would retire to his hometown, directly leaving the capital. By then, even if it was discovered that Princess of Yan State was missing, they would not be able to find trouble with him.
Li Huai could only consider the escape of Princess of Yan State as his misfortune. He had originally wanted to earn a few more years of money in his position as Director of the Imperial Medical Academy.
But now it seemed he had to withdraw as soon as possible, otherwise, once the Emperor found out, he would be guilty of a capital offense!
It truly was bad luck!
He had originally thought Princess of Yan State was a treasure, and he had gone to great lengths to get her from Shen Yulou, but he never expected that such a thing would happen less than two days after Princess of Yan State arrived!
"Damn it!"
Li Huai couldn't help but curse.
Could this Shen Yulou have done it on purpose?
That day in court, when he requested to hand Princess of Yan State over to the Imperial Medical Academy, Shen Yulou agreed with extreme readiness.
His quick agreement was highly unusual. Li Huai now suspected that Shen Yulou knew about Princess of Yan State's escape!
He might even have been deliberately setting him up!
After the Fake Princess handed her child over to the Imperial Medical Academy, she returned to her room to change clothes.
However, after putting on the clothes, she found them to be very ill-fitting. The clothes left by Princess of Yan State were all worn during her pregnancy, appearing rather loose and baggy.
The Fake Princess lingered at the entrance of the Imperial Household Department, thinking of asking the eunuch she had just seen for a suitable outfit to avoid exposure.
And just then, two women suddenly appeared before her.
It was Consort Shu and her personal maid, Biting.
The Fake Princess did not recognize them and quickly lowered her head.
Consort Shu frowned upon seeing her demeanor.
"Who are you?"
Recalling Li Huai's instructions, the Fake Princess said nervously.
"This Princess is the Princess of Yan State."
Consort Shu snorted coldly, "You have quite some nerve, daring to enter the palace to impersonate Princess of Yan State? Do you know this is a capital offense?"
The Fake Princess was startled.
She quickly knelt on the ground. The person before her was clearly a high-ranking official, rich and noble; she was just a commoner and had no idea who this person was.
"I'm sorry, Lord, I'm also doing this to save my son!"
Consort Shu frowned, "What exactly happened? Tell me in detail!"
The Fake Princess recounted the events, and Consort Shu recalled the fire yesterday and the group of experts outside the palace.
She suddenly understood that Princess of Yan State had already escaped!
No wonder Shen Yulou asked Li Huai about the Princess in the main hall today, and Li Huai seemed so guilty.
She suddenly felt that Shen Yulou's behavior was a bit off. Shen Yulou's performance in the main hall today was a bit too deliberate, as if he was testing something.
And thinking back to how easily he had let go of Princess of Yan State last time, she suddenly felt that Princess of Yan State's escape seemed to be related to Shen Yulou.
Thinking of this, Consort Shu told the Fake Princess to put on her veil and quickly followed her to the Imperial Medical Academy.
Entering Li Huai's room in the Imperial Medical Academy, Consort Shu's personal Palace Maid, Biting, pushed the door open.
Li Huai had just taken off his pants to apply medicine, and startled by Consort Shu and Biting, he almost fell off the bed.
"Your Ladyship? Why are you here?"
Consort Shu pulled the Fake Princess into the room, pushed her inside, and then closed the door.
Consort Shu's unauthorized visit to the Imperial Medical Academy was naturally against the rules, but fortunately, no one outside saw her.
"Director Li, you have great audacity, daring to switch out the Princess. If I report you to the Emperor, do you know what crime you would be guilty of?"
Li Huai's legs instantly went soft, and he fell directly from the bed, kneeling on the ground.
"Your Ladyship, spare my life!"
"This official had no choice!"
"This official was also harmed by that Shen Yulou!"