Chapter 55: Entering the Palace to Meet the Emperor

Shen Qianmo was naturally unaware of these matters; Meng Yunce’s episode had barely touched her, and lying on her long-lost bed, she slept soundly through the night.

Early the next morning, Shen Qianmo planned to visit Prince Xuan’s residence, hoping to discuss with Situ Gong the medical treatise Old Master Duan had left her. Old Master Duan was renowned for his mastery in both medicine and poisons; the book he bequeathed to Shen Qianmo contained the essence of his life’s work, a priceless treasure. Unfortunately, Shen Qianmo’s knowledge of traditional medicine was limited, and she could not fully grasp all its contents.

Situ Gong, however, was different. Devoted to the study of medicine, this book held immense allure for him. She remembered the day Situ Gong first saw it—his eyes sparkled with excitement, and he swallowed hard, barely restraining himself from devouring its contents. Yet, since it belonged to Shen Qianmo, he could only look on with longing.

Shen Qianmo was never one to hoard knowledge. In her modern life, she was accustomed to teaching, having trained batch after batch of forensic interns. To her, the purpose of studying medicine was to heal and save lives. If Old Master Duan’s treatise could be learned and applied by more people, then it could help rescue countless more. She believed that, were Old Master Duan still alive, he would surely support her decision. She simply could not understand why ancient scholars always liked to keep secret manuals; beyond adding a touch of mystique, what practical purpose did they serve?

Of course, she also wanted to check on the progress of Situ Gong’s antidote for the cold poison. Xiaoguai’s blood was the final ingredient, needing to be fresh, so it would have to wait until Situ Gong finished the antidote, then blend in Xiaoguai’s blood to complete it.

There was another matter, though she hardly wished to admit it: she was somewhat worried about Meng Yuanheng. Since he entered the palace yesterday, there had been no news. She had asked Xue Hao, who replied that the prince had not returned to his residence. So, he had been in the palace for a whole day and night? Was there a change in Emperor Mingde’s condition?

Just as she was preparing to leave, someone arrived from the palace.

This time, it was a young eunuch. Bowing before the entire assembly of the Duke’s residence, he loudly proclaimed the emperor’s decree in his sharp voice: “Summon the eldest daughter of the Duke of Shen, Shen Qianmo, to enter the palace at once.”

Shen Qianmo had never been to the palace, except for that one visit to the Forbidden City in modern times. Sitting in the sedan chair prepared especially for her, she felt herself swaying and became a little drowsy.

She did not know how much time had passed; just as her eyelids threatened to close, the sedan stopped steadily at the palace gate. The young eunuch’s sharp voice sounded again: “Miss Shen, please alight.”

Groggy, Shen Qianmo paused for a moment before regaining her composure. She lifted the sedan’s curtain, stepped out, and squinted against the dazzling sunlight.

Before her stood the imperial palace of the Great Sheng Dynasty. Built at the southern edge of Shengjing City, the palace’s grand halls and buildings, with their sweeping eaves and gilded bronze tiles, gleamed magnificently in the sunlight, exuding majesty and splendor.

The sedan had stopped at the East Hua Gate. Following the young eunuch, Shen Qianmo traversed the many halls of the outer palace, eventually entering the inner palace. Unlike the imposing grandeur of the outer halls, the inner palace was refined and elegant, lavishly decorated.

The young eunuch strode briskly ahead; Shen Qianmo struggled to keep up, inwardly complaining. Why build the palace so vast? From the East Hua Gate to here, her legs were nearly worn out, and yet they had not arrived.

After another long walk, the young eunuch finally stopped before a certain hall and bowed to a eunuch standing at the doorway: “Reporting, Miss Shen has been brought.”

Shen Qianmo looked up. The hall’s name was inscribed as “Hall of Blessed Peace.” The eunuch at the door was none other than Li Gonggong, who had delivered the decree to Suzhou.

Li Gonggong, anxiously awaiting at the entrance, breathed a sigh of relief upon seeing Shen Qianmo. He stepped forward and greeted her warmly: “Miss Shen, please come inside.”

Judging by Li Gonggong's urgency, something serious must have happened. Shen Qianmo was full of suspicion. She hurried inside with Li Gonggong. Raising her eyes, she was suddenly stunned: the room was filled with handsome men and beautiful women, all turning to look at her.

What was happening now? Had she entered the wrong place? So many strikingly attractive people staring at her at once—Shen Qianmo, who prided herself on her mental fortitude, felt a chill run down her spine. It was dazzling, to say the least.

Helplessly, she turned to Li Gonggong and asked, “Li Gonggong, could you tell me where exactly I am?”

Li Gonggong was about to reply when a lively, commanding voice rang out: “How bold! In the presence of my mother and elder brother, you do not kneel!”

What was this? Shen Qianmo was momentarily confused. Mother? Elder brother? Wasn’t it the emperor who wanted to see her? How had it become the mother and elder brother?

Her expression remained unchanged as she calmly surveyed the room. She saw a charming, regal young lady in luxurious attire glaring at her angrily—surely the one who had just rebuked her.

Very well, let’s start with you.

Shen Qianmo approached the young lady and respectfully asked, “Forgive my ignorance. May I ask which princess you are, and how I should address you?”

Since she referred to “mother” and “elder brother,” she must be a princess.

“Hmph.” The young lady snorted, raising her chin arrogantly. “Li Gonggong, you tell her.”

Prompted, Li Gonggong hurriedly introduced everyone present to Shen Qianmo, inwardly lamenting. On the journey back to the capital, Prince Xuan had shown great care and concern for Miss Shen, as if he had already chosen her as his princess. He silently hoped the willful Princess Yaohua would not go too far; upsetting Prince Xuan would be no trivial matter.

Guided by Li Gonggong, Shen Qianmo finally understood the identities of the room’s distinguished guests.

The dignified woman in splendid palace attire was the current Empress Duanjing, noble and imposing, embodying the grace of a mother of the nation.

Beside her stood a breathtakingly beautiful young woman with a cold expression, the emperor’s favorite, Consort Li. Her white jasmine gauze and blue pleated skirt accentuated her ethereal beauty, reminiscent of a verse: “Clear river snow, secluded valley’s gentle soul.” Truly, there was reason for the emperor’s favoritism.

The arrogant young lady was Princess Yaohua; another, quieter and more composed of similar age, was Princess Qionghua—both lovely and spirited maidens.

Then there were the princes, as Yaohua had mentioned: the eldest, Prince Luo (Meng Tianluo); the third, Prince Xu (Meng Tianxu); the seventh, Prince Yan (Meng Tianyan), who had yet to receive a title. Shen Qianmo glanced at them briefly—each was handsome and tall, royal blood evident in their striking features.

Emperor Mingde had four sons, yet for some reason, a crown prince had never been appointed. The absent fourth prince, Meng Tianlin, was likely imprisoned in the Heavenly Prison.

Here, in one room, were the elite of the Great Sheng Dynasty—how had she come to meet them all at once?

Shen Qianmo did not bother with individual bows; she knelt in the center, lowering her gaze respectfully.

“Your subject, Shen Qianmo, greets Her Majesty the Empress, Consort Li, Prince Luo, Prince Xu, Seventh Prince, Princess Yaohua, and Princess Qionghua.”

Whew! Shen Qianmo finished in one breath, quietly adjusting herself. Thankfully, her lung capacity was considerable.

A soft chuckle escaped from one of the princes. Shen Qianmo pretended not to hear, maintaining her posture and waiting for the empress to speak and instruct her to rise.

The empress was the highest authority in the room; only she could grant permission to stand.

After a moment, a commanding female voice sounded above her. “Rise and speak.”

“Thank you, Your Majesty.” Shen Qianmo expressed her gratitude, slowly standing, her knees still aching.

All this bowing and kneeling—truly inhumane.

“I have heard the eldest daughter of the Duke of Shen is beautiful and wise, brave and clever. Today, I see the reputation is well deserved,” the Empress Duanjing praised, evidently appreciating Shen Qianmo’s composure.

“Thank you for your kind words, Your Majesty. I am humbled,” Shen Qianmo replied, lowering her head. She could recognize courtesy and respond in kind.

“Pfft…” Princess Yaohua snorted disdainfully, tilted her chin, and said, “Mother, why be so polite? Simply send her in to treat Father’s illness. If she fails, the rumors about Miss Shen in the capital are exaggerated, and she is merely seeking fame.”

Now, Shen Qianmo finally understood the true purpose of her summons—it was to treat Emperor Mingde.

She could have cried. Could she confess that she was skilled only in autopsies, not in healing?

If she admitted this, would she leave the palace alive, or be carried out?

As she hesitated, Prince Luo (Meng Tianluo) spoke, thoroughly quashing her doubts.

“Mother, I have heard Prince Xuan is deeply enamored with Miss Shen and values her highly. It is likely not long before she becomes his princess. The Xuan royal family has always been loyal to Great Sheng; surely the future Princess Xuan will do her utmost to cure Father’s illness.”

Shen Qianmo covertly studied Meng Tianluo. He was striking, with sharp features and a handsome profile, bearing some resemblance to Meng Yuanheng. Yet, unlike Meng Yuanheng’s cold and isolated demeanor and piercing gaze, Meng Tianluo’s eyes held a hint of sinister intensity; his voice was low and brooding.

Shen Qianmo wondered if she had been poisoned by Meng Yuanheng’s presence—why did she compare every young man she met to him? She felt a little disappointed in herself.

Still, Meng Tianluo’s words seemed directed at Meng Yuanheng.

As she pondered how best to respond, Li Gonggong entered to announce, “Your Majesty, Prince Xuan requests an audience outside.”