The Challenge of a Farmhouse Son-in-Law
Chapter 623 - 634: The Empress Dowager is Not the Emperor’s Biological Mother

Chapter 623: Chapter 634: The Empress Dowager is Not the Emperor’s Biological Mother

She was rebellious, but she could not rebel against the era.

Marriages of sons and daughters were decided by parents’ orders and matchmakers’ words. Those who dared to defy these were few, and not one of them met a good end. With Lin Qianqing’s status, she had the inclination but lacked the courage.

Therefore, she had no choice but to accept her fate.

"By the way, do you know why my aunt suddenly said she wanted to take me with her?"

This was something Gu Youyou was curious about.

Showing your face in the Imperial Palace was a great honor for women of the era, but Madam Lin knew that Gu Youyou didn’t like it, and, not trusting her niece for fear the uneducated country girl might cause trouble and embarrass her, she wouldn’t have normally taken her to be seen.

Lin Qianqing said, "Probably because the Empress wants to please the Empress Dowager." Because of what Gu Youyou had said earlier, she thought of a future without hope, and her mood was still somewhat depressed.

Gu Youyou patted her on the shoulder and said, "Don’t think about it too much, there are still a few months left. At least for now, within the Lin Residence, you’re still free."

Alas, she also didn’t know whether the way her grandmother had spoiled her was a blessing or a curse.

It seemed that it was more of a curse at the moment.

No wonder her aunt, who knew how to survive in a large household, was so worried about her.

"Alright, I’ll help you water the plants," Lin Qianqing said, managing a weak smile.

Gu Youyou breathed a sigh of relief and asked, "Then tell me, if the Empress wants to please the Empress Dowager, why does your mother want to drag me into the palace?"

"Because you are famous, you are the doctor from Lingnan who cured the typhus epidemic and now you’ve opened a medical practice in Beijing. You won’t make house calls unless absolutely necessary, that’s your rule. To consult you for a medical treatment, an appointment is needed in advance, right?"

Gu Youyou chuckled awkwardly.

"With your rules, the Empress Dowager is put in a bind. She can keep to them, but it would be demeaning for her to ask you to come to the palace for a consultation. Now, the Empress, understanding as she is, thought of taking advantage of this situation to have my mother bring you into the palace, casually to attend to the Empress Dowager’s illness."

Gu Youyou was shocked, "What ailment does the Empress Dowager have?"

Lin Qianqing replied, "The Empress Dowager is generally in good health, but she has troubles with her legs. It’s said that she’s been unable to stand in recent years and suffers severe pain when it rains. The Imperial Physician is at a loss."

After hearing this, Gu Youyou nodded; it sounded like a rheumatic issue.

Modern medicine had yet to cure rheumatism, so naturally, she could not cure it either.

However, she could alleviate the condition.

"How could the Empress Dowager have contracted such a condition?" she murmured softly.

It seemed a long shot for such a pampered woman to develop this issue.

"Cousin, you don’t know," Lin Qianqing sighed, "The Empress Dowager in the harem is not the emperor’s biological mother but was a maid by his mother’s side. The previous emperor later favored her, granting her the title of ’Talented Lady.’ After the Emperor’s mother, Empress Ning, passed away, the Empress Dowager raised the emperor, and the previous emperor promoted her status from ’Talented Lady’ to ’Virtuous Consort.’

Those years, after the emperor lost his mother’s protection, he had a tough time, leaning on the Virtuous Consort for survival. She too was frequently harassed by the previous emperor’s favored consorts, and it was then that her legs became disabled."

She lowered her voice, "It’s said she was forced to kneel in the bitter cold all night long, and the next day she couldn’t stand up anymore. The emperor later called in many reputable doctors to treat her leg, but none succeeded. She had to rest after walking a bit, and over the past two years, she’s become completely unable to stand."

Gu Youyou spoke indifferently, "So it seems that the Empress Dowager gained her position due to protecting the young emperor back in the day, and when he ascended the throne, he established her as the Empress Dowager."