"Master Zhong, how is the Xiao girl's health?" the Empress Dowager asked solicitously, like a loving elder concerned for her descendant.
"She's quite a handful. How did you manage to get yourself down to half a life?" Master Zhong withdrew his hand, looking at Xiao Man with a hint of annoyance. "Your Majesty, please forgive my incompetence. Her condition is as it is. If she is properly cared for, she might live for a few more years."
"Ahem." The Empress Dowager coughed twice, feeling a touch of awkwardness at Master Zhong's bluntness. "Do you have no other recourse?"
"It's not that there's no recourse. Given how she's managed to get herself into this state, it's clear she's not one to listen. If I am to treat her, she must follow my instructions. Otherwise, even with my utmost skill, I cannot prevent her from seeking her own demise."
"It is good that you have a way, sir. This child lost her mother at a young age. Although the Grand General is busy with military affairs, he dotes on this child. Please rest assured, sir, this child is exceptionally obedient. She was harmed by villains and ended up in this state. I implore you to show her kindness and properly tend to her health. The Empress Dowager and the General's mansion will forever be indebted to you."
Master Zhong heard this and smiled warmly. "Since Your Majesty has spoken so highly of me, it would be remiss of me not to do something to honor your trust. I shall therefore reluctantly agree to personally tend to the esteemed lady's health."
"That is excellent. I thank you, sir, on behalf of the Empress Dowager."
"Your Majesty, Master Zhong is your personal physician. If he is to treat Princess Yongning, he would have to go to the General's mansion. If Your Majesty should fall ill, and Master Zhong is not by your side, would that not be very inconvenient?" Eunuch Li immediately spoke up.
"That is indeed a problem." The Empress Dowager considered for a moment, then looked at Old Madam Xiao. "My dear old friend, why don't we have the Xiao girl stay in the palace so Master Zhong can treat her? Little Li Zi, is the palace adjacent to mine vacant?"
"Yongle Palace is occupied by the Ninth Princess, but Changle Palace is still empty."
"Then it is settled. My child, you shall reside in Changle Palace. This will also make it convenient for Master Zhong to tend to your health," the Empress Dowager said kindly. "Rest assured, the Master's medical skills are superb, and he will surely be able to restore your health."
Xiao Man sneered inwardly. Was the Empress Dowager keeping her in the palace to use her as leverage against the General's mansion?
"This is my honor, and I thank Your Majesty for your concern. However, I fear my father might worry."
The Empress Dowager gently patted Xiao Man's hand. "If Master Zhong can cure your illness, your father will be overjoyed, not worried. If you are truly uneasy, I will send someone to speak with the Grand General later to assure him that there is no cause for concern."
"Thank you, Your Majesty."
"Your Majesty, this may not be appropriate," Old Madam Xiao said urgently. "What reason is there for a minister's daughter to lodge in the imperial harem? This goes against propriety."
"My dear old friend, Miss Xiao is not merely a minister's daughter; she is also a Princess of Yongning, personally conferred by His Majesty. Her staying in the palace is solely for the purpose of recuperation. You need not worry, as I will be watching over her, and no one will dare bully her."
Old Madam Xiao looked at Xiao Man, her eyes full of worry. *It's precisely because you're watching over her that I fear something might happen.* But she could not refute the Empress Dowager. "Your Majesty, this girl has rarely left the General's mansion, and her health is poor. I fear she..."
"Very well, it is decided," the Empress Dowager interrupted Old Madam Xiao. "Mammy, escort Princess Yongning to Changle Palace to rest."
"Your Majesty..." Old Madam Xiao broke out in a cold sweat. She shouldn't have brought Xiao Man to the palace. She never imagined the Empress Dowager would detain Xiao Man in the palace!
Xiao Man bowed to Old Madam Xiao and followed the mammy outside. Old Madam Xiao quickly grabbed Xiao Man's arm. "Your Majesty, this child is still young and cannot be separated from her parents..."
"Old Madam Xiao!" The Empress Dowager slammed the teacup in her hand onto the tea table with a force that made Old Madam Xiao immediately release her grip. "I am doing this for the child's health. Your repeated obstruction, do you wish her not to recover, or are you afraid I will harm her?"
"This subject dares not. I beg Your Majesty to allow this subject to take her out of the palace."
"Rest assured, as long as you behave, I will not harm her," the Empress Dowager said slowly. "Furthermore, why would I trouble a young girl? Little Nine dotes on your daughter, and I find myself fond of her as well. Her staying in the palace will not only be convenient for her treatment but also for her safety. You may stop kneeling and leave the palace."
"Your Majesty..."
"What? Do you wish for something to happen to her while she is in this palace?" The Empress Dowager's expression turned cold, and she reprimanded, "Do not forget your station."
Old Madam Xiao gritted her teeth. "Yes, this subject takes her leave."
"Escort Old Madam Xiao out of the palace."
After seeing Old Madam Xiao off, Eunuch Li refilled the Empress Dowager's tea. "Your Majesty, keeping Princess Yongning in the palace, the Grand General may not readily agree."
"He will agree," the Empress Dowager replied, taking a sip of the tea. "General Xiao dotes on this daughter to the core. As long as there is even a sliver of hope, he will cling to it. Now that I can give his daughter a few more years of life, even if he is unwilling, he will have to entrust his daughter to me."
Eunuch Li lowered his gaze and stood aside. "Dealing with the General's mansion will be easy. However, Prince Qi's side might not be so easily placated."
The lid of the Empress Dowager's teacup clinked sharply against the cup, startling Eunuch Li, who immediately lowered his head even further.
"Prince Qi's marriage is of utmost importance. Until he is married, I will not allow that girl to leave the palace," the Empress Dowager said slowly. "If he dares to cause trouble, I have plenty of ways to make him suffer excruciating pain."
Eunuch Li stood silently, no longer speaking. Whether Xiao Man remaining in the palace was a good or bad thing, no one could say for sure. Besides Prince Qi, Prince Qin was also not someone to be trifled with!