newbobooks Chapter 172 You're just going to protect her!
Chapter 172 You're just going to protect her!
Upon entering the inner room, the warm underfloor heating was burning brightly, and the flickering candlelight illuminated the entire room.
The Imperial Physician Sun, the top physician in the Imperial Medical Academy, was already waiting inside. Upon seeing the Empress Dowager and Gu Junze enter, he immediately bowed respectfully.
The Empress Dowager looked concerned and stared intently at Gu Junze. She said earnestly, "I already know about your illness, but an adopted child is not the same as a biological child."
"Doctor Sun is an expert in this field. Let him examine you more carefully."
A hint of embarrassment flashed across Gu Junze's face; the Empress Dowager had heard the rumors circulating in the streets.
“Grandmother, I really don’t have this disease. You must have heard some untrue rumors.”
The Empress Dowager, however, shook her head gently with a serious expression. "My child, why are you still avoiding medical treatment? This concerns the continuation of the family line, and there is no room for carelessness."
Over here, Physician Sun was already kneeling respectfully at Gu Junze's feet.
"Your Highness, why don't you let me take your pulse first? It won't take much time."
Seeing that he couldn't refuse any longer, Gu Junze had no choice but to extend his hand.
Physician Sun carefully placed his hand on the man's wrist, held his breath, and focused intently on sensing the subtle changes in his pulse.
For a moment, the inner room was so quiet that only the crackling sound of the candlelight could be heard.
After a while, Physician Sun withdrew his hand, stood up, and respectfully bowed to the Empress Dowager, saying, "Your Majesty, judging from the pulse, His Highness the Crown Prince has abundant qi and blood, and his pulse is steady. He has no impotence and there is no concern about having children."
The Empress Dowager frowned slightly, her eyes full of doubt. "Are you sure? But I've heard..."
Physician Sun quickly bowed again, his tone confident: "Your Majesty is wise. I have practiced medicine for many years and I am confident in my abilities."
"His Highness's previously blocked meridians have been completely cleared, and given time, he may be able to stand up."
Physician Sun had reviewed Gu Junze's previous medical records, and it seemed he had received assistance from a highly skilled person.
Upon hearing this, the Empress Dowager's eyes instantly filled with surprise and excitement, and her eyes reddened slightly. She quickly walked to Gu Junze's side and held his hands tightly.
"Junze, did you hear that? Physician Sun said you still have a chance to stand up!"
This has always been a source of worry for the Empress Dowager.
The Empress Dowager's voice choked with emotion: "This is wonderful, truly wonderful! Over the years, I have suffered so much watching you confined to a wheelchair. Now, finally, there is hope."
Gu Junze's eyes also welled up with tears. Since childhood, only the Empress Dowager had truly cared for him.
He patted the Empress Dowager's hand to comfort her, "I never thought this day would come. You have worried so much about me all these years."
After calming down for a while, the Empress Dowager thought of her original purpose and asked, "Since you are in good health, why did you adopt two children?"
Gu Junze could only tell her the whole story from beginning to end, but he concealed the mystery of Gu Yun's identity.
The shadow guards sent word that they already knew about Gu Yun's background, and that the slightest mistake could cause turmoil in the court.
Not wanting to bring unnecessary disaster to the Marquis's mansion, and even less wanting the little guy to reveal his identity.
Since he's accepted him as his father, he'll protect him a bit...
"So that's how it is. She's kind-hearted." The Empress Dowager nodded slightly, her eyes full of approval, and she highly approved of Chu Ruohan's good deed.
Then, changing the subject, she continued, "Let's just leave Yun-ge'er as he is. It's just a matter of having an extra pair of chopsticks."
“But Xuan’er is adopted. Although he is still young, he can be raised well. But with his arrival, he has taken over your status as the eldest son.”
"He is already his grandson's son."
Gu Junze knew that if he was not firm, Xuan-ge'er would be criticized in the future and would be in an awkward situation.
"You," the Empress Dowager said, giving him a reproachful look as she saw him protecting her, "this matter of succession to a title cannot be taken lightly. You are now the heir apparent, so don't make any mistakes."
Gu Junze bowed slightly, "Grandson understands and will consider it carefully."
"If there's a chance, bring her into the palace so I can see her..."
Chu Ruohan waited outside, her eyes glancing at the tightly closed door to the inner room from time to time. The Empress Dowager suddenly called Gu Junze and said something to him.
Given the Empress Dowager's affection for Gu Junze, she shouldn't make things difficult for him.
After an unknown amount of time, the door to the inner room finally opened slowly, and Gu Junze and the Empress Dowager emerged. Only then did Chu Ruohan's heart, which had been hanging in suspense, slowly settle down.
"Ruohan, you and Junze have been married for some time now, but there's still no sign of pregnancy in your belly. I'm so worried."
Chu Ruohan felt a little embarrassed and subconsciously glanced at Gu Junze.
Gu Junze nodded slightly, giving her a reassuring look, indicating that she shouldn't be nervous.
"Your Majesty, I understand, but the matter of having offspring depends on fate."
"That's what I say, but I still hope to hold my great-grandson soon."
As she spoke, the Empress Dowager turned to the nanny beside her and instructed, "Call over the nanny I prepared to help with fertility."
A moment later, a kind-faced old woman stepped forward and bowed to the Empress Dowager and Gu Junze and his wife.
The Empress Dowager pointed to the nanny and said to Chu Ruohan, "Nanny Zhou is very experienced in women's health care and knows many recipes that can help with pregnancy."
"I'll have her go back with you and give you some pointers. Listen carefully. Taking care of your health is a delicate matter and can't be taken lightly."
This wasn't the first time the Empress Dowager had urged them to have a child. Chu Ruohan glanced at Gu Junze again.
Seeing that he looked calm and showed no sign of anything amiss, she obediently agreed.
"Thank you for your concern, Your Majesty. I will certainly follow your instructions."
Gu Junze added from the side, "Thank you for your concern, Your Majesty. Your grandson and Ruohan will definitely do our best."
The Empress Dowager smiled with satisfaction, "That's good. I hope you two will live happily ever after and have many children soon. That will put my mind at ease."
Just then, a young eunuch hurried in and whispered a few words in the ear of the senior eunuch beside the Empress Dowager.
The chief eunuch stepped forward respectfully and reported loudly, "Your Majesty, the banquet is about to begin. The Emperor and Empress are already on their way to the Hall of Supreme Harmony, and all the princes, ministers, concubines, and nobles are waiting in the hall."
The Empress Dowager nodded slightly and said, "In that case, let's go over there."
Then he turned to look at Gu Junze and Chu Ruohan, "This year's palace banquet was very lively. I heard that the new king of Zheng also came. His sudden visit is really hard to understand."
"When we go to a banquet, we should be outwardly friendly, but inwardly we must be discerning and not let outsiders take advantage of the situation."
Chu Ruohan pushed Gu Junze, following behind the Empress Dowager.
A shadow fell over Gu Junze's heart. The civil war in Zheng was over, but who was the new ruler?
Yun-ge'er...