The Female Psychology PhD Who Time Traveled to the Royal Harem

Chapter 308

The Imperial Physician Yan pulled on the hands of several other imperial physicians, saying, "We're being thrown out! Quick, let's go..."

When the imperial physicians arrived, the Qu family had been kneeling, and when they left, the Qu family knelt even more rigidly.

However, the Qu family's old master wasn't present yet - it wasn't time for him to appear.

Jiang Xinyue slept at the Emperor's quarters, but not in the same bed as him - she was sent to stay in the side hall.

Between the parasitic worms and the broken bone, the Emperor had never felt so exhausted, not even when handling state affairs. He couldn't bear it anymore... and fell ill.

When Jiang Xinyue woke up the next morning, she didn't even see the Emperor's face before Wang Dequan escorted her back to the Changchun Pavilion through the back door.

"Your Highness, the Emperor said that you shouldn't come to his quarters during this time. It wouldn't be good if you caught his illness and passed it on to the Sixth Prince."

Jiang Xinyue nodded, "How is your health, Wang Dequan? I heard from Tang Shiliang earlier that you've been feeling fatigued ever since taking medicine with the Emperor."

Wang Dequan smiled warmly, "Thank you for your concern, Your Highness. I'm not seriously ill - perhaps it's just that with age comes more ailments."

Jiang Xinyue waved her hand, and Qian Sheng came forward carrying a red wooden box containing an enormous ginseng root: "Your Highness, here's the hundred-year-old ginseng."

She nodded and turned to Wang Dequan: "I'm young and have no use for such things. Take this to nourish your health, Wang Dequan. You are the Emperor's most capable and caring servant - you need to stay healthy to serve him better."

"This..."

Even though Wang Dequan was accustomed to seeing precious items, he was overwhelmed at the sight of the well-preserved hundred-year-old ginseng. "No, no... Your Highness, this is too valuable. I cannot accept it."

Hundred-year-old ginseng wasn't particularly rare for the Emperor - the palace received numerous premium ginseng roots as tribute each year. The Emperor's treasury even contained two thousand-year-old ginseng roots, which were truly once-in-a-lifetime treasures.

No matter how high Wang Dequan's position was, he was still just a eunuch, a servant. Let alone hundred-year-old ginseng, he didn't even have access to slightly better quality fifty-year-old ginseng.

At his position as a eunuch, people did try to give him gifts, but he was extremely cautious and never accepted bribes, dedicating himself solely to serving the Emperor.

Therefore, he had never possessed hundred-year-old ginseng.

"Take it!"

Jiang Xinyue glanced at Qian Sheng, who promptly pushed the large box into Wang Dequan's arms. "This ginseng sitting in Her Highness's storage is just ginseng, but if it can benefit us, that's when it truly serves its purpose. To be honest, all the servants in Hexi Palace are well-nourished."

Especially those who served closely - they drank tea made from ginseng whiskers daily.

The Imperial Noble Consort had said that her path was still long, and those by her side would face both dangers and opportunities.

She couldn't guarantee they wouldn't get hurt, but she could ensure their bodies were strong enough to withstand harm.

Jiang Xinyue's exact words were that her path would be long and treacherous, and she hoped her people would build themselves up like armored tanks, so that she, with her unremarkable family background and inability to actively harm others, could survive and develop.

Once the Jiang family established itself, she could do as she pleased and pave the way for her son.

Love wasn't the only goal - lying low and staying passive was.

If the Emperor loved her, she would play along with his game of love; if he didn't, or if he became suspicious of her later, she could withdraw all her emotional investment.

It was like fishing!

She held the fishing rod and could reel it in or let it out at will.

Wang Dequan had indeed been suffering from back pain lately, feeling he couldn't keep up. At this rate, someone would soon replace him in his position before the Emperor.

With Tang Shiliang still away, he couldn't let anyone take away his adopted son's achievements.

At the same time, his gaze toward Jiang Xinyue became more cautious.

Because he understood that this hundred-year-old ginseng was the Imperial Noble Consort's way of opening doors - the moment he accepted it, he would have to return the favor when necessary.

Who had spread those rumors initially?

The ones saying Jiang Xinyue was just an empty-headed beauty?

In just two years since entering the palace, she had not only risen from a mere Noble Lady to the highest-ranking Imperial Noble Consort but had also managed to win over Tang Shiliang right under the Emperor's nose.

Now, even he, the Head Eunuch, was indebted to her and would have to repay this kindness in the future.

Could an empty-headed beauty accomplish all this?

After much hesitation, Wang Dequan finally couldn't resist asking carefully, "Your Highness, Shiliang is a good child - loyal to the Emperor and filial to me, capable and virtuous. I raised him myself. I dare to ask, how did you win him over?"

"Young people have their own ambitions. Wang Dequan, you too once fought your way through to earn the chance to serve before the Emperor. Tang Shiliang strives upward because he doesn't want to be bullied anymore. The Emperor is in his prime - how long would Shiliang have to wait for his chance if he didn't want to betray you?"

"I simply gave him another choice."

If the Sixth Prince ascended to the throne, the future Emperor's chief eunuch would bear the surname Tang.

She didn't reveal the whole truth.

Tang Shiliang's complete loyalty to her was because she had discovered that he wasn't an orphan - he had a paralyzed mother, a blind father, and mentally disabled twin brothers.

His family was so poor they couldn't make ends meet, which was why they sent him to become a eunuch in the palace. He sent home every bit of his monthly wages.

She had started winning him over with money and valuables.

But she had no intention of telling Wang Dequan this - given his deep relationship with Tang Shiliang, Wang Dequan might turn him back to his side.

Mixing truth with fiction made things harder to discern.

Jiang Xinyue's gaze was gentle, like a clear lake, appearing completely harmless, but Wang Dequan was captivated by those eyes. A chill ran up from his feet, causing him to step back twice in fear.

The cicadas' chirping outside gradually faded as the sky began to show the first light of dawn.

"They're back! They're back!"

"Minister Jiang of the Ministry of Justice and Eunuch Tang have returned!"

The Emperor could be saved!

After half a month, the team sent to the Miao Borderlands finally returned. Except for Ma Yiyang, who was travel-worn and severely injured, everyone else was largely unharmed.

Jiang Yankun's face showed signs of hardship, and upon seeing Jiang Xinyue, his first words were to ask his daughter to quickly take him to see the Emperor.

Tang Shiliang looked even more disheveled, with his clothes torn.

Jiang Xinyue led them quickly toward the Emperor's quarters: "What happened to you all? Weren't the assassins chasing after Director Ma? Why are you all so..."

Jiang Yankun shook his head: "It's a long story. The main thing is we got the antidote. Let's see the Emperor first and talk details later."

When they arrived, Jiang Xinyue learned that the Emperor had developed a high fever.