novelraw Chapter 170 Tao Banxia
Chapter 170 Tao Banxia
Two days later, the Marquis of Zhenbei entered the palace by imperial decree.
Beside him followed a woman dressed in a plain cloth dress. She had a calm expression and a faint medicinal fragrance emanated from her.
During the discussion in the Hall of Diligent Governance, Song Shuangning dismissed all irrelevant people.
Seeing that Song Shuangning looked well, the Marquis of Zhenbei slowly relaxed his tense brows.
The Marquis of Zhenbei said, "Your grandmother and I have heard that Consort Rong used nutmeg to harm the Empress. Your grandmother and I are worried day and night and have lost our appetite. Since the Empress is pregnant, please remember to be careful in everything you do."
Song Shuangning quickly said, "I'm sorry to have worried Father and Grandmother."
The Marquis of Zhenbei gestured to the woman beside him and introduced her, "This is the orphan of one of my brothers from the battlefield years ago. Her name is Tao Banxia. Banxia has studied medicine since childhood and her medical skills are quite remarkable. What's even more rare is that Banxia has inherited her father's integrity; she is insightful and can distinguish right from wrong. I brought Banxia here so that she could stay by the Empress's side. This way, she can take care of the Empress's pregnancy on a daily basis and also help the Empress keep an eye on those subtle schemes in the palace."
Tao Banxia gave a slight bow, displaying impeccable manners: "This humble woman greets Your Highness, the Virtuous Consort."
Song Shuangning nodded slightly, signaling her to get up.
Marquis Zhenbei dismissed his attendants and added, "Banxia's father fought alongside me on the battlefield, but unfortunately, he did not return alive. The court, out of compassion for the orphans, provided a generous pension, but this child did not touch a single penny. Instead, she gave it all to the widows and orphans of the fallen soldiers. In recent years, she has been running a small clinic in the south of the city, providing medical treatment and medicine, and helping many poor people. She is honest and kind. Only by keeping her by your side can your grandmother and I truly feel at ease."
Song Shuangning smiled and nodded, saying softly, "Yes, Father, thank you for your trouble."
The Marquis of Zhenbei gazed at his daughter before him, noticing the six-tenths resemblance in her features to his deceased wife, which made his voice deepen:
"What does Your Majesty mean by 'troubling yourself'? On the contrary, I feel I owe you a great deal. I am so insignificant in my ability to share Your Majesty's burdens and worries."
Sigrún has taught at the Iceland University of the Arts as a part-time lecturer since and was Dean of the Department of Fine Art from -. In – she held a research position at Reykjavík Art Museum focusing on the role of women in Icelandic art. She studied fine art at the Icelandic College of Arts and Crafts and at Pratt Institute, New York, and holds BA and MA degrees in art history and philosophy from the University of Iceland. Sigrún lives and works in Iceland.
The residence that Song Shuangning arranged for Tao Banxia was a side room closest to her bedroom. Although the courtyard was small, it was convenient. It was easy to summon her during the day, and if there was an emergency at night, she could arrive in an instant.
After everything is tidied up, dinner is served.
"I heard from my father that you were running a clinic in the south of the city and living a relatively stable life. Why would you agree to take on a job in the palace? Someone as insightful as you should know how deep the waters are in the palace," Song Shuangning asked.
Tao Banxia smiled slightly: "The Marquis of Zhenbei once saved me from dire straits. I will never forget this kindness. It is my blessing to be able to serve Your Majesty in the palace."
Then Tao Banxia told her that after her father passed away, she met a scholar who was a handsome and talented man with a far-reaching reputation. He was highly regarded by everyone and was considered the only candidate to become the top scholar.
Unfortunately, he made a mistake during the imperial examination and missed the list of successful candidates. After returning home, he fell ill and never recovered, passing away with regret.
From then on, she donated all her pension money and went alone to a small clinic in the south of the city to help the poor and needy.
After hearing this, Song Shuangning remained silent for a long time.
The greatest regret in the world is that lovers are separated by death and cannot be together.
Looking at Tao Banxia's reddened eyes, she sighed softly, "Once I give birth to the imperial heir, I will discuss with my father about sending you out of the palace. The intrigues in this palace are too complicated; it's not suitable for someone as pure as you."
Tao Banxia bowed respectfully: "Your Majesty is too kind. If Your Majesty needs me, I am willing to stay by your side forever."
*
In the early afternoon of May, the sun was at its zenith, but the old locust tree cast a cool shade over the entire ground, blocking out the sun.
Song Shuangning, Consort Shao, Consort Shu, and Consort Xu were enjoying the cool air in the Huaiyin Pavilion.
In the newly cultivated flowerbed beside the pavilion, hollyhocks are in full bloom, their crimson, pink, and purple hues layered upon each other, densely packed and dazzlingly beautiful.
Song Shuangning also brought out Xue Tuan.
Snowball's fur is now glossy and smooth, and it lazily yawns in Song Shuangning's arms.
The Third Prince squatted down next to Song Shuangning, staring intently at Xue Tuan.
Song Shuangning: "You like snowballs?"
The Third Prince nodded: "Mother Consort, may I hold Xue Tuan?"
"Of course you can." Song Shuangning smiled and placed the snowball in his hand.
The Third Prince cradled Xue Tuan's body in his hands, gently scratching Xue Tuan's chin with his fingertips.
"Meow~" Snowball squinted comfortably and made purring sounds.
"Cheng'er really likes snowballs." Consort Shao smiled gently.
Consort Shu sat to one side, with the five-month-old second princess lying on her lap.
The little baby, wearing a light purple bib, wiggled and babbled.
The group of people waved their round fans and chatted about interesting summer anecdotes, gradually turning their conversation to the second princess.
It has been more than half a year since Consort Rong left.
After Consort Rong passed away, the Second Princess lost her support.
The second princess clung to her wet nurse every day, making it difficult even for the emperor to get close to her.
The concubines were either unqualified or had impure intentions, and the vast harem could not find a suitable person to educate them, so the matter was dragged on.
Consort Shu lowered her eyes and teased An'er, sighing, "Although Consort Rong opposes me at every turn, she just can't bring herself to be cruel to the child. She's so delicate and beautiful, but she's always timid and pitiful when she sees anyone."
The child is innocent.
Just then, a commotion suddenly broke out outside the pavilion.
Turning around, I saw the Second Prince covering his ears and running away, followed by a group of nannies and eunuchs who kept chattering all the way.
Everyone exchanged glances. Had the sun risen in the west? The Empress had allowed the Second Prince to go out?
After the incident caused by Jiang, the Empress has kept the Second Prince "locked up" and even when he is allowed to go out, he cannot go far.
The eldest princess said somewhat angrily, "Tai'er, your mother said you're not allowed to go too far."
"Since Mother allows me to play, it doesn't matter if I go a little further away," the Second Prince shouted loudly, sticking out his neck.
He turned his head and saw the Third Prince, immediately forgetting his previous complaints, and ran over excitedly: "Third brother! What are you doing here?"
Consort Shao and Consort Xu exchanged a quick glance, their smiles fading slightly as they pretended not to see anything. With this little darling here, there wasn't a moment of peace and quiet left.
Song Shuangning, however, propped her head up and smiled.
The second prince's gaze was fixed on Snowball, and he exclaimed excitedly, "What an adorable cat! Can I hold it?"
The words sounded like a question, but the hand had already reached out aggressively, snatching the snowball away before the Third Prince could react.
Startled by the rough action, Snowball let out a shrill cry and flailed its claws wildly in the air.
The second prince was caught off guard and was also frightened.
She slammed the snowball to the ground, muttering angrily, "This cat is really fierce and annoying."