She mistakenly got into the bridal sedan chair and married a sickly but powerful minister, becoming

Chapter 435 Bribery

Upon hearing that the imperial physician had arrived, Shen Qingtan's expression changed slightly. Before she could speak, a pair of hands grabbed her shoulders, pressed her down, and pulled the blanket over her.

Zhao Yi instructed, "Go and invite the imperial physician in to examine the princess's pulse." Then, he instructed Liu Yue, "Invite the imperial tutor's men to the study."

Liuyue and Tingxue obeyed the order and hurriedly went to the front yard to fetch someone.

A short while later, Tingxue arrived with the imperial physician.

Eunuch Liu followed closely behind and entered.

The moment Shen Qingtan saw Eunuch Liu, her heart leaped into her throat, and she couldn't help but look at the elderly imperial physician.

The imperial physician did not examine Shen Qingtan, but instead bowed respectfully to them along with Eunuch Liu.

After bowing, Eunuch Liu said with a smile, "His Majesty is concerned about the Princess's health and has specially instructed me to invite a skilled imperial physician to take your pulse."

Shen Qingtan's heart was pounding, but she forced herself to remain calm and said, "Your Majesty is busy with many affairs of state and is unwell, yet you still remember my discomfort. I am deeply grateful."

After expressing her gratitude, she smiled gently and said, "Then I will trouble the imperial physician."

Shen Qingtan stretched her hand out from under the covers.

The imperial physician put down his medicine box, took out a pulse pillow, and gestured for Shen Qingtan to place her hand on it.

Zhao Yi placed a handkerchief over Shen Qingtan's wrist.

The imperial physician paused, glancing sideways at Zhao Yi.

The two exchanged a glance, then subtly looked away.

The imperial physician held his breath and calmly took Shen Qingtan's pulse.

Shen Qingtan curled her other finger slightly, her eyes fixed on the top of the tent, and she could almost hear her heart pounding.

Time seemed to drag on endlessly.

Just as she couldn't help but turn her gaze over, the imperial physician withdrew his hand.

Shen Qingtan noticed the imperial physician's graying eyebrows were tightly furrowed, as if he had made some discovery, and unconsciously held her breath.

Eunuch Liu glanced at Shen Qingtan and, noticing her pale face, asked the imperial physician, "How is the Princess Consort's health?"

The imperial physician put the pulse pillow back into his medicine box and turned to look at Shen Qingtan.

Shen Qingtan was on edge, unable to fathom the imperial physician's thoughts, and nervously watched him.

"The princess's health is not good." The imperial physician sighed and shook his head slightly. "However, my medical skills are not good enough, and I cannot find out what is wrong."

Eunuch Liu trusted the imperial physician immensely because this physician was one of the emperor's personal physicians in the Northern Qi dynasty.

He said, "What do you mean?"

The imperial physician said, "We need to continue observing the princess's condition. If she continues to be like she is today, and we can't find anything, we'll have to seek out another expert."

Eunuch Liu composed himself and looked at Shen Qingtan: "Your Highness..."

“Eunuch Liu, you don’t need to worry.” Shen Qingtan breathed a slight sigh of relief and smiled. “That’s what Physician Fang said when he examined my pulse today.” After a pause, she added, “Perhaps I’m actually fine. I’ve just been feeling a bit weak lately, which is why my pulse is weak. If I rest for a few days, I might recover.”

Having said all that, Eunuch Liu couldn't say more. He simply said, "Please take good care of yourself." Then, he said to Zhao Yi, "Your Highness, this servant will return to the palace to report to His Majesty."

Zhao Yi personally escorted Eunuch Liu out of the mansion, and Eunuch Liu was the first to board the carriage.

Before boarding the carriage, the imperial physician turned slightly to look at Zhao Yi, nodded slightly, and then followed him onto the carriage.

Zhao Yi watched the carriage drive away before returning to his study in the front courtyard, where he saw Yan Er staring intently at a painting hanging on the wall.