For the next half hour, Empress Dowager Zhang and Ding Yun exchanged many discussions regarding cultivation, illness, and genetics. Although Ding Yun did not reveal everything, she did impart significant true knowledge to the Empress Dowager, particularly in scientific matters unrelated to cultivation.
As they chatted, they reached their destination. Without delay, Empress Dowager Zhang, still holding Ding Yun’s hand tightly, rushed towards the Palace of Heavenly Purity, moving with a sprightliness unusual for her age. The eunuchs and palace maids at the entrance dared not stop them. Though Ding Yun appeared unfamiliar and exceptionally young, the imperial sedan chair and attire confirmed her identity as the Empress Dowager. Moreover, the accompanying palace staff from Ci’an Palace, who knew the Empress Dowager well, ensured no one dared to intervene. Consequently, Ding Yun and the Empress Dowager entered smoothly, heading directly for the sleeping quarters in the rear of the Palace of Heavenly Purity.
Upon entering, they found Empress Sun already present, standing and issuing commands by writing. Her speed was somewhat slow. The Empress Dowager’s sudden arrival immediately startled everyone in the room. The Empress, a mixture of anger, fear, and anxiety, was left to suppress her emotions as she could not speak. The others quickly paid their respects, shouting "Long live the Empress Dowager," and then, as if finding their anchor, turned to look at her. The Director of the Directorate of Ceremonial, in particular, hurried forward, requesting the Empress Dowager to take charge. With only the Empress present, she held the highest authority. Now that the Empress Dowager had arrived, she naturally took precedence.
As for the Empress Dowager’s youthful appearance, word had long since spread among those who witnessed her rejuvenation at Ci’an Palace. Furthermore, there were still elders in the palace who had seen the Empress Dowager in her youth; a brief comparison would confirm her identity. Especially with her personal female attendant present, if others were unsure, how could her closest attendant be mistaken?
“I arrived in haste and am not fully aware of the situation. Quickly, tell me about my son’s condition, his illness, and the imperial physicians’ diagnosis?” Empress Dowager Zhang, disregarding all etiquette, pulled the Director of the Directorate of Ceremonial towards her, urgently inquiring.
The Director, not daring to conceal anything, replied, “Reporting to the Empress Dowager, His Majesty’s health has not been good since his return from inspecting the borders in October. He has been taking medicine, and His Majesty consistently instructed us to conceal his condition from you, fearing you would worry. His health improved somewhat recently, but it seems to have relapsed. The Director of the Imperial Academy states that His Majesty’s essence, vitality, and spirit are all depleted. His congenital condition is severe and beyond the scope of post-natal medicine. I fear… I fear it may be a matter of days. Even with medication, he can only hold on for a few more days.”
As he spoke, the Director knelt and kowtowed, fearful of incurring the Empress Dowager’s wrath. Although the Emperor had ordered the concealment of his illness, he was the one who had executed the order. The others present also knelt, heads bowed, refraining from making any sound. Since the Yuan Dynasty reinstated the practice of human sacrifice, the Ming Dynasty had inherited it, with even childless imperial consorts being sacrificed. How could mere palace staff and eunuchs dare to draw attention to themselves?
However, Empress Dowager Zhang had no time to concern herself with them. Her mind was solely focused on one thought: Ding Yun’s prophecy of the heavens had been accurate. According to the Director’s account, her son could indeed only last until the beginning of the first lunar month. This aligned with Ding Yun’s prediction that destiny would hold until the third day of the first lunar month. Even if not absolutely confirmed, it was close enough. This fact had been unknown to her until now, and the deposed Empress certainly knew nothing of it.
The moment she realized this, Empress Dowager Zhang, ignoring the astonishment of those around her, immediately turned and grasped Ding Yun’s hand again, speaking with utmost earnestness and emotion: “Shànxiáng, Shànxiáng, I beg you. Please, I implore you, save my son! He is still young. And he hasn’t yet seen Shùndé married. If he dies, Shùndé would have to observe mourning for three years, delaying her wedding. You must save him! Whatever your demand, I will agree to it on his behalf. Please!”
“Or else, may I kneel before you?”
Having reached this point, Ding Yun could no longer remain unresponsive. She sighed and, bracing Empress Dowager Zhang, prevented her from kneeling. “Empress Dowager, there is no need for this! How about this: I will awaken His Majesty first. We can discuss matters privately afterwards. Is that acceptable?”
“Yes, yes, anything is acceptable!”
As Empress Dowager Zhang nodded, Ding Yun raised her hand and flicked a stream of faint green vital energy into Emperor Xuande’s body. Most of it was used to suppress his illness and awaken him, while a smaller portion sent the silver needles inserted into him flying. In reality, even without Ding Yun’s intervention, a skilled imperial physician might have awakened Emperor Xuande through acupuncture. Ding Yun merely expedited the process. However, with her intervention, the credit would naturally fall entirely upon her.
In less than half a minute, Emperor Xuande, who had been unconscious, coughed twice and opened his eyes, looking around in confusion. He then seemed to realize, and stammered, “Cough, cough… I beseech Mother…”
“Uh… Mother, you are Mother. Did I already perish, and Mother has also passed away from excessive grief? Do the dead transform into their youthful appearances? No, that’s not right. You, you are Jìngcí? You were not supposed to be sacrificed, were you? Could you be so devoted to me…”
“Your Majesty, you are not dead for the moment, and the Empress Dowager is alive and well. Naturally, I would not be sacrificed, so please do not overthink it. The Empress Dowager’s rejuvenation is merely due to my successful cultivation and learning a minor spell of returning youth and rejuvenation!” Ding Yun could no longer bear to listen to Emperor Xuande’s wild imaginings. If he continued down this path, she would soon be portrayed as a woman so lovesick that she would immolate herself to follow him to the grave. Thus, she unceremoniously interrupted him and offered a brief explanation.
The Empress Dowager, whose grief over her son was just beginning to surface, felt it dissipate significantly due to his words. Had he not been ill, she might have even wanted to slap him a few times to wake him up properly.
“I am well, not yet departed. Never mind. All of you, leave now. Imperial physicians, you too. Empress, you should also leave and not linger here. I have matters to discuss with my son. Shànxiáng, you stay! The rest of you, out, quickly!” Empress Dowager Zhang had intended to scold her son, but after a moment's thought, she decided against it. Instead, she ordered the attendants to withdraw, preparing to follow Ding Yun’s suggestion of discussing matters privately. They would see what Ding Yun truly desired and the price for altering Emperor Xuande’s fate. They would then determine if they could afford it.