After the Emperor saw the Empress and Consort Ning off, leaving only Leng Ruo Li and Jun Mohan, he smiled and addressed Leng Ruo Li, "Young Lady Leng, did you come to the palace today to re-examine the Empress Dowager?"
"Yes, Your Majesty," Leng Ruo Li replied respectfully.
"Then朕 and Han'er also need to visit the Empress Dowager at the Palace of Longevity. Let us go together," the Emperor said cheerfully and strode towards the Palace of Longevity.
"Young Lady Leng, can朕 enter the Empress Dowager's palace to see her today?" the Emperor asked, his deep eyes fixed on Leng Ruo Li.
"Your Majesty, please allow this humble subject to examine the Empress Dowager's condition first. Once it's confirmed that her illness is no longer contagious, you may then see her."
"Very well, you are the physician, and朕 will heed your words." The Emperor let out a hearty laugh.
As they arrived at the entrance of the Palace of Longevity, the palace maids and eunuchs guarding the door immediately knelt to greet them. The Emperor told them to rise, and only then did Leng Ruo Li step into the hall.
Hearing the voices outside, Madam Fang from within the hall quickly came out to welcome her. "Miss Leng, you've finally arrived. The Empress Dowager has been talking about you all day, and my ears are practically calloused," Madam Fang said, a smile gracing her lips.
Leng Ruo Li chuckled. "Your Majesty, guess who has come to see you today?" Madam Fang said with feigned mystery as she stepped ahead of Leng Ruo Li to approach the Empress Dowager.
"Is it Young Lady Leng?" The Empress Dowager immediately craned her neck, eagerly peering towards the entrance. After a moment, seeing that the person she wished to see hadn't entered, she expressed disappointment. "Fang Qing, are you teasing me again?" the old Empress Dowager complained with a slight frown, "This Fang Qing is becoming more 'wicked'."
Just then, a clear and melodious voice came from the entrance of the inner hall, "Heh heh, Your Majesty, Ruo Li is here to see you again." The Empress Dowager's eyes shot up towards the source of the voice, her face breaking into a smile. She then pretended to be angry, saying, "Young Lady Leng, you've finally deigned to visit me in the palace." Her adorable demeanor was like that of a mischievous old child.
"Your Majesty, please don't be angry. Haven't I come to see you today? And there's a surprise later on."
"Really? Another surprise?" Leng Ruo Li nodded with a smile.
"What surprise?"
"After Ruo Li has finished examining your condition, I'll tell you." Leng Ruo Li's smile widened.
"Alright, then hurry and examine me," the Empress Dowager urged.
Subsequently, Leng Ruo Li opened her medical kit. She first took out a thermometer to measure the Empress Dowager's temperature, then used a stethoscope to examine her lungs. She also drew some blood and placed it into her system space for testing. After the results came out, she carefully examined the report and found that the Empress Dowager's condition had recovered quite well. Judging by her current symptoms, the Empress Dowager's tuberculosis was no longer contagious, and her condition had been brought under control.
Leng Ruo Li shared this news with the Empress Dowager and Madam Fang, bringing tears of joy to both of them. "My dear child, I am truly grateful to you for treating my consumptive illness!" the Empress Dowager said, her voice catching with emotion.
"Your Majesty, please don't stand on ceremony with Ruo Li. Curing the sick and saving lives is my duty as a physician," Leng Ruo Li said humbly, her delicate, rosy lips curving into a smile. Then, she turned to Madam Fang and winked, "Madam, please invite them in."
"Alright, I'll go invite them in," Madam Fang replied with a smile.
Seeing Leng Ruo Li and Fang Qing exchanging mysterious glances, the Empress Dowager asked curiously, "Child, is my surprise here?"
"Heh heh—" Leng Ruo Li grinned.
Shortly after, the Emperor's booming voice was heard from outside the entrance, "Mother, your son can finally come in to see you!"
"Imperial Grandmother, Han'er is also here to see you!"
When the Emperor and his son entered, the Empress Dowager did not attend to them, still gazing towards the entrance. "Child, where is the surprise you mentioned? I didn't see anyone carrying anything in!"
"Your Majesty, isn't the greatest surprise that the Emperor can now come in to see you?"
"Alas, I thought you were going to give me a gift, making me happy for nothing," the old Empress Dowager said with some disappointment. This made the Emperor feel rather dejected, seeing his aged mother seemingly unhappy to see him. Jun Mohan, however, was accustomed to this; with his Imperial Grandmother, they were never as favored as Leng Ruo Li.
Only Leng Ruo Li couldn't help but lift the corners of her lips and comfort her, "Your Majesty, please don't worry. Ruo Li still has another big surprise for you, one that will surely satisfy you and make you happy." With that, she took out a small massager from her "sleeve."
Upon seeing Leng Ruo Li produce a peculiar object from her sleeve, the Empress Dowager's clouded eyes brightened. "Child, what is this thing in your hand? It looks so strange; I've never seen anything like it," the Empress Dowager asked with great curiosity. Instantly, the gazes of the Emperor and Jun Mohan were also drawn to it.
"Indeed, Young Lady Leng, what is this item?朕 has never seen it before either?"
"Your Majesty, Your Majesty, this is called a massager. My mysterious master gave it to me. My master said this massager can relax the shoulders and neck, relieve muscle fatigue, and is not limited by venue—it can be used on chairs or beds. It's also not restricted by age; both the young and the old can use it. A while ago, I noticed Your Majesty often complained of headaches and a stiff neck, so I brought it to the palace today as a gift for Your Majesty."
"Child, is it really that effective?" the Empress Dowager asked, her face filled with surprise.
"Your Majesty, if you don't believe me, Ruo Li can put it on you to try," Leng Ruo Li said. As she finished speaking, Leng Ruo Li gently placed the massager on the Empress Dowager's neck, explained in detail how to use it, and turned on the switch. The massager slowly began to operate.
Before long, the Empress Dowager let out a comfortable groan, exclaiming, "Heavens! Child, this massager of yours is absolutely wonderful! It's even better than the massage techniques of the palace maids."
"Naturally!" Leng Ruo Li said, beaming with pride. She secretly thought, *This is a high-tech massager from thousands of years later, and I'm letting you use it first. You're lucky to encounter someone with a modern soul like me.*
Sitting beside them, the Emperor heard the Empress Dowager praise the massager from Leng Ruo Li, saying it felt very comfortable. He too became envious and wanted to try it. "Young Lady Leng, you've given the Empress Dowager a gift, so what about my gift?"
Leng Ruo Li: "..."
Mistake! A complete miscalculation. With both the Emperor and the Empress Dowager present, it wouldn't be appropriate not to give the Emperor a gift if she gifted the Empress Dowager one. Thus, she said somewhat awkwardly, "Your Majesty, this humble subject has also prepared a gift for you. I will bring it to the palace next time I visit."
"Haha, wonderful, wonderful!朕 is looking forward to what kind of gift you will give me."
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Thank you, my dears, for the small gifts. If you like my book, please leave more comments, urge for more updates, and offer more support. I love you all, muah!