Climbing to the Top: A Reborn Queen's Journey-Chapter 783: Aftermath (Part 3)

The commotion in the palace naturally reached the Imperial Manor as well.

Cui Du returned from the Imperial Manor to the palace and immediately noticed the changes in the palace: "Many people are missing from the palace, and the atmosphere has become much colder and somber."

Jiang Shaohua responded with a hum: "There was turmoil in the palace, which resulted in some killings, and recently another group of staff was cleared out. Some are still being held for questioning. Roughly speaking, the number of people in the palace has been reduced by nearly half."

Originally, there were seven to eight thousand eunuchs and palace maids in the palace. Now, only about four thousand remain. Over a dozen eunuchs in Zhaohai Palace were dismissed, three were killed on the spot that night, and the rest were cleared out. Currently, there are no traces of eunuchs and palace servants in Zhaohai Palace. All that can be seen are the trusted aides brought from Nanyang County.

Cui Du couldn’t help but sigh: "Being an Emperor is truly not easy."

Jiang Shaohua also sighed: "Yes, it’s ten times more laborious and exhausting than I imagined before. Fortunately, this time things have been relatively smooth, and the hidden dangers in the palace have mostly been eliminated. We, as a family of three, can now live in the palace in some peace."

At least, there is no longer a need to deal with the Grand Empress Dowager Zheng.

Cui Du, concerned about his precious daughter, said to Jiang Shaohua: "I’ll go to the Prince Mansion early tomorrow to check on our daughter."

Jiang Shaohua also hadn’t seen their daughter for some days and was equally concerned: "You go ahead, and I’ll go to the Prince Mansion after the morning court session disperses."

"By the way, I heard Qin Hu was hit by a poisoned arrow. How is he doing now?" Cui Du asked about the injured Qin Hu.

Jiang Shaohua replied: "The external injury is manageable, but the poison is very strong. It’s unknown how long it will take to be completely cleared."

Cui Du had known Qin Hu for several years, and they were quite familiar with each other, so he decided to get up and visit him.

Qin Hu was recovering in a side room behind Zhaohai Palace.

The once vibrant and robust young man now looked pale and bloodless. His shoulder was thickly bandaged, making it hard to see how severe the injury was. But just by looking at his face, it was clear it wasn’t good.

Off duty, Meng Sanbao was staying by Qin Hu’s side.

As soon as Cui Du arrived, Meng Sanbao cupped his hands in salute. Qin Hu also wanted to get off the bed to welcome him. Cui Du hurriedly said: "You have an injury, don’t move around carelessly, just continue to lie down."

Qin Hu was too weak to insist on getting out of bed, so he lay there feeling ill.

Seeing him like this, Cui Du felt quite uncomfortable and softly said: "Focus on recuperating, once you recover, return to serve the Emperor again."

Qin Hu, lacking his usual flair, listlessly replied: "Doctor Sun said, my right arm won’t be able to exert strength in the future. Even if I heal, I won’t qualify to be part of the Emperor’s personal guard."

The injury on his right shoulder had cut away too much flesh and blood, barely saving his life. His right arm would no longer be able to exert force. This means Qin Hu couldn’t wield a sword, draw a bow, or even pull the reins on horseback using his right hand anymore.

For a trusted aide, this was incredibly cruel.

Qin Hu had been shrouded in gloom and was deeply despondent these days.

Meng Sanbao had tried comforting him repeatedly, his mouth was practically worn out, yet it had no effect. At this moment, seeing Qin Hu’s half-dead state only fueled his anger: "Doctor Sun shouldn’t have saved you, should’ve just let you die from the poison."

Qin Hu muttered lowly: "Living like this doesn’t mean much either."

Meng Sanbao was infuriated: "Qin Hu! Look at you now! Are you going to be defeated by this small thing? Every injured member among us is more seriously hurt than you. Your arm isn’t broken; you just can’t use heavy force in the future. Can’t you train with the left-handed sword instead?"

"If you can’t stay as a trusted aide, ask the Emperor for a role as a civil servant, at least as a seventh-rank county magistrate. You can be assigned elsewhere for duty. Isn’t that feasible?"

"If you keep whining like this, even I, let alone Doctor Sun, won’t look up to you."

Their brotherhood was so close that they could wear the same pair of pants; only Meng Sanbao dared to speak such harsh words.

Cui Du listened with his heart pounding, worried that the two might argue and fall out.

Contrary to his expectations, Qin Hu was slightly invigorated by Meng Sanbao’s scolding: "I practiced left-handed sword when I was young; once recovered, I’ll pick it up again."

"Truly being a civil servant is out of the question for me."

Cui Du offered a suggestion: "If you really can’t become a civil servant, then find another position within the palace. There is a position in the Imperial Guard responsible for managing logistics and supplies, in charge of warhorses, weapons, armor, and siege equipment. You are familiar with these and with some training, you can take up this role."

Qin Hu’s eyes finally showed a glimmer of light.

Meng Sanbao secretly breathed a sigh of relief, exchanged a glance with Cui Du, and then encouraged with a smile: "Elder Changning has already said so. What are you worried about? At that time, just ask Elder Changning to speak on your behalf, and the Emperor will surely agree."

Cui Du puffed out his chest, assuming full responsibility: "Leave it to me."

Meng Sanbao happily gave a thumbs up.

Qin Hu finally smiled as well.

At that moment, a graceful woman dressed in a Medical Officer robe walked in. Meng Sanbao winked at Cui Du, who chuckled inwardly as they both quickly left.

Qin Hu was severely injured and needed to change medicine twice a day, drink herbal decoctions three times a day, and also undergo acupuncture.

Sun Zelan, accustomed to dealing with patients, didn’t hesitate at all and reached out to unbutton Qin Hu’s collar.

Qin Hu felt somewhat embarrassed and blushed: "Thank you for your trouble, Doctor Sun."

Sun Zelan carefully examined the wound, completely unfazed by the man’s exposed chest before her: "Your external injuries are no longer a concern. The flesh will take time to regenerate, and you’ll need at least half a year to recuperate without exerting force in the meantime."

The delicate face close by glistened under the bright palace lamps. He could smell the faint fragrance of medicine from her.

This was the closest he had been to her in years.

Qin Hu’s heartbeat quickened a few beats, and he quietly responded.

Sun Zelan busied herself changing his medicine. Inevitably, touching the wound caused some pain. Qin Hu gritted his teeth and stayed silent.

Sun Zelan glanced at Qin Hu: "If it hurts, just shout out; I won’t laugh at you."

Qin Hu grimaced: "Please, save me some dignity!"

Sun Zelan was amused.

Having known each other for years, and seeing Qin Hu in such pitiful condition, Sun Zelan’s tone was much softer than usual: "You were injured in the fight against rebels. Even though your right arm may be unusable, you still have your legs and left arm."

"There’s no need to be gloomy every day. Compared to the severely injured and disabled soldiers in the Wounded Soldier Camp, you are much more fortunate."

"The Emperor values loyalty; no matter what, you’ll always receive your salary."

Qin Hu was comforted to the point of tears.

Sun Zelan chuckled: "Look at you, a grown man, why are you crying while talking?"

Qin Hu, feeling somewhat hopeless and despairing, cried as he spoke: "Before, I foolishly held onto the hope, silently waiting by your side, thinking that maybe when you wanted to marry, you might consider me."

"Now that my right arm is ruined, I’m even more unworthy of you..."

A man in his twenties crying like a child.