bookcurios Chapter 1373 Unable to attend the enthronement ceremony
Chapter 1373 Unable to attend the enthronement ceremony
Concubine Zhuang's words were full of warnings, as if she were truly a virtuous concubine who was devoted to Buddhism and longed for peace.
Little Caizi immediately bowed, a respectful smile on his face, and replied repeatedly: "Yes, yes, yes, I made a mistake, I understand!"
"Your Majesty is kindhearted and considerate of the sisterhood. She only wishes for peace in the harem."
"I will definitely remember your Majesty's teachings in the future, and I will never let you worry about these trivial matters again."
He answered with great respect, but a hint of understanding flashed in his lowered eyes.
The Empress' words were openly a warning, but implicitly... she was probably approving of his earlier cleverness. She was simply reminding him to be more cautious in the future and not leave any traces.
Concubine Zhuang said no more, picked up the pen again, dipped it in ink, and continued to concentrate on copying the scriptures, as if the conversation just now had never happened.
……
In the blink of an eye, it was April 28th.
As soon as the sky was getting light, the six palaces woke up.
Today is the day when Consort Zhuang, Consort Xian, Consort Xuan, Consort Kang, Consort Dun, and Consort Tong will hold their enthronement ceremony.
Because Concubine Zhuang had the highest position, the ceremony was held in Changchun Palace.
The concubines in each palace got up early, and the palace maids skillfully helped their masters to dress up, and the air was filled with excitement.
Chuxiu Palace.
Concubine Kang also woke up earlier than usual.
Today, she will once again step into Changchun Palace, the place where she lost her child and where she carries endless pain and hatred.
Concubine Kang's heart was filled with hatred for Concubine Zhuang, but she clenched her fingers tightly, forcing herself to suppress the anger.
The present is different from the past. She is going to be conferred the title of a concubine and to stand up gloriously from the place where she fell!
"Caiju."
"Yes."
Caiju responded and stepped forward, ready to help Concubine Kang get up.
However, when she saw Concubine Kang's face clearly in the gradually brightening light, her movements suddenly froze, her eyes suddenly widened, and she couldn't help but scream: "Ah——!!!"
The scream was particularly harsh in the quiet hall in the early morning.
Concubine Kang was startled, frowned unhappily, and looked up at Caiju.
She had never seen the usually steady Caiju lose her composure like this, and her heart sank inexplicably: "Caiju, what's wrong?"
Cai Ju's face turned pale, her lips trembling, and she pointed at Concubine Kang's neck and exposed arms with trembling hands: "My, my lady... these rashes on your body... what's going on?!"
Concubine Kang was stunned when she heard this and subconsciously looked down at her arm.
The once smooth skin was now covered in dense, shocking red spots. The rash formed a continuous mass, extending all the way to under the collar.
She suddenly reached out and touched her neck. The bumpy feeling and faint itch from her fingertips made her heart tremble!
"How, how could this happen..."
Concubine Kang cried out involuntarily, staggered to her feet and rushed to the dressing table.
The reflection in the mirror showed that her face, from cheeks to neck, was also covered with a horrible red rash, making her entire face look swollen and terrifying!
"How could this happen... How could this happen..."
Concubine Kang felt cold all over, as if she had fallen into an icy cave.
In this state, let alone attending the enthronement ceremony, even if she walks out of the gate of Chuxiu Palace, she will become the laughing stock of the entire harem!
She had been looking forward to and enduring for so long, finally waiting for this glorious moment, only to have it completely shattered at dawn in such a deplorable way?!
Caiju finally came to her senses and cried out to the outside, "Quick! Go call the imperial physician!"
Immediately, a young eunuch crawled out rolling.
Cai Ju turned back and looked at Concubine Kang's expression, tears streaming down her face. "Your Majesty... I'm afraid all the other ladies in the palace have already left for Changchun Palace. The auspicious time is almost here. What should we do?!"
Concubine Kang stared at her own disgraceful self in the mirror, her chest heaving violently, the breath of despair almost drowning her...
She grabbed Caiju's wrist and said anxiously, "Caiju, put on some makeup for me! Use thick powder to cover these... these rashes for me."
Caiju shook her head, tears falling: "My Lady, I can't!"
"Your face and body are covered in... so many rashes. How much effort would it take to cover them up? There's no time left!"
"And... and look at your hands..."
Only then did Concubine Kang realize that her other hand was scratching the rash out of control, leaving red marks.
The piercing itch was like millions of ants gnawing at her skin, making her feel uneasy and even a thin layer of cold sweat seeped out of her forehead...
In this situation, Concubine Kang couldn't even go to Changchun Palace, let alone complete the entire complicated enthronement ceremony.
"Could it be... Could it be that I am going to miss the enthronement ceremony like this..."
Concubine Kang dejectedly released her hand, her body swaying as if all her strength had been drained away: "Without the canonization ceremony, how can I be considered a legitimate concubine?"
Caiju supported Concubine Kang's shaky body and advised with tears in her eyes, "Your Majesty, we can only... we can only wait for the imperial physician to come..."
Her heart was also cold.
I'm afraid Your Majesty won't be able to attend today's enthronement ceremony.
Was this an accident, or was there someone behind this who used such a sinister trick?
The imperial physician was led in almost jogging, carrying a medicine box.
He didn't dare to look at Concubine Kang's appearance for too long. After the ceremony, he held his breath and carefully examined the horrifying red rash on her face, neck, and arms. He took her pulse for a moment, his brow furrowing deeper and deeper.
The imperial physician withdrew his hand, bowed, and replied cautiously, "Reporting to Her Majesty Kangfei, Her Majesty's illness came on suddenly. The rash is bright red, and the skin is hot and itchy..."
"In my humble opinion, it must have come into contact with some foreign object, triggering the wind evil, damp heat, and causing the urticaria."
"Addiction rash?"
Caiju's heart sank. She looked up at the imperial physician with a look of surprise and doubt: "Imperial physician, the queen has always been careful about her diet and daily life. How could she suddenly..."
The imperial physician lowered his eyelids and spoke in a businesslike manner, "There are many possible triggers for the rash. Perhaps it's pollen, dust mites, certain special fabric dyes, or even foods you've never tasted before... Sometimes it's really hard to prevent it."
"But Concubine Kang's pulse and symptoms are indeed consistent with eczema."
Concubine Kang, lying on the couch, looked increasingly pale.
Even Cai Ju didn't believe it, so how could she believe that this was a coincidence?
The piercing itch came over her again, and Concubine Kang couldn't help scratching herself a few more times, leaving new red marks.
She suppressed the sob in her throat and said, "Imperial Physician, I must go to Changchun Palace today to attend the enthronement ceremony. We can't miss the auspicious time!"
"Do you have any idea how to make the rash go away temporarily? Or... or just stop the itching first!"
The imperial physician's face showed an embarrassment, and he carefully chose his words to reply, "Empress Kang, the rash is not difficult to treat. Just use more wind-clearing, heat-clearing, blood-cooling and detoxifying medicines."