I insist

Chapter 294: Consort Li's Summoning

Song Miqiu, carrying a medicine box, followed the palace maid to Consort Li's bedchamber.

As soon as I entered, I saw Consort Li angrily smashing a cup, which rolled right to Song Miqiu's feet.

Song Miqiu picked up the cup from the ground and put it on the table, saying with a smile, "Consort Li, this is a cup that the Emperor likes. Who made you angry? Why are you so upset?"

When Consort Li saw Song Miqiu arrive, her anger flared up even more.

"You, Song Miqiu, you've been having quite a good time at the imperial mausoleum these past few days!"

Consort Li's face was full of anger: "Get out and kneel down."

Song Miqiu was confused, but since Consort Li had spoken, Song Miqiu had no choice but to retreat to the doorway and kneel down.

The sun was high in the sky today, and the sunlight was so bright it hurt. Song Miqiu regretted not kneeling inside the house.

Inside the room, Consort Li drank tea and ate snacks, but her anger did not subside as she watched Song Miqiu kneeling.

Song Miqiu remained kneeling, feeling his body grow heavy and swaying as if he were about to fall. He quickly used his hands to support himself, his throat dry and parched.

Seeing that Song Miqiu was about to faint, the palace maid hurriedly asked, "Your Highness, Imperial Physician Song has been kneeling for two hours. Should we call him in? The sun is quite strong outside today."

Consort Li glared at the palace maid: "When have I ever needed a palace maid like you to interfere in my affairs?"

Realizing her mistake, the palace maid quickly said, "Your Highness, please spare me."

"go out……"

The palace maid quickly withdrew.

Consort Li looked at Song Miqiu, who was drenched in sweat from the sun, but she remained unmoved and watched calmly.

Song Miqiu touched her forehead, feeling as if she could collapse at any moment, and struggled to keep herself upright.

"Imperial Physician Song, you've certainly had a leisurely time at the imperial mausoleum."

Consort Li wore a pale yellow long dress embroidered with orchids, her hair styled in a bun, with a strand of hair pulled from her right ear. A simple peony hairpin was inserted on her left side, making her look very noble.

Because of her pregnancy, Consort Li's delicate face was somewhat swollen, and her belly was slightly protruding. She swayed her body as she walked to Song Miqiu's side.

Consort Li's maid held up an oil-paper umbrella and placed it on Consort Li's head. Consort Li looked at Song Miqiu with an arrogant air.

Song Miqiu was so hot she was practically wilting, while Consort Li was still making sarcastic remarks, though Consort Li was of a higher status than her.

Song Miqiu forced a smile, his lips cracked and aching, but he ignored the pain and said, "The imperial mausoleum is far from the capital. I long to return day and night so that I can share the burden for Your Majesty and all the empresses as soon as possible."

Consort Li snorted coldly: "Imperial Physician Song, you're quite the smooth talker. You're probably having such a comfortable time over there that you don't want to come back!"

"Your Majesty, I miss the capital city day and night. How could I not want to return?"

Song Miqiu muttered to herself, "Couldn't you just let her get up and have a drink of water? Her throat is so sore from coughing."

"Is that so?" Consort Li circled around Song Miqiu and put her arm around Song Miqiu's shoulder.

"Yes, Your Majesty, I have no other wish. Everything I possess is thanks to Heaven's blessing, the Emperor's boundless grace, and Your Majesty's care and kindness. I remember Your Majesty's kindness and virtues all."

Song Miqiu could only try to appease the Empress and end this painful kneeling punishment as soon as possible.

Hearing Song Miqiu's flattery, Consort Li was no longer as angry as before.

"You're quite sensible, stand up first!"

Song Miqiu was afraid that she would faint if she stood up suddenly, so she slowly got up. She had been kneeling for too long, and her legs were trembling involuntarily. Her vision was also a little black. Song Miqiu tried her best to control her body.

Seeing Song Miqiu's state, Consort Li gestured to the maid beside her, who quickly ran to the room and brought a cup of water.

Song Miqiu took the water, and the cool water made her throat feel much better immediately, like a raging fire being suddenly extinguished. It was the first time she had ever tasted water so sweet.

"Do you resent me for making you kneel for so long?" Consort Li asked Song Miqiu, but showed no remorse whatsoever.

"If Your Majesty commands me to kneel, I will kneel; I have no complaints."

"Very good, you know when to advance and retreat. No wonder Consort Lin, the Emperor, and Ming Taicheng treat you differently." Consort Li's tone was clearly sarcastic.

Song Miqiu could tell that Consort Li's words had a hidden meaning, but she couldn't afford to offend Consort Li.

"Your Majesty, I am merely fulfilling my duty. But my position is lowly, and I have no power whatsoever. I can only beg for food in the palace!" Song Miqiu said pitifully.

Consort Li was not very receptive to Song Miqiu's explanation.

"Imperial Physician Song, please don't say that. Back then, I asked you to choose between Consort Lin and Consort Li, and you didn't choose either of them. How could you not like me, or how could you not like Consort Lin?"

Song Miqiu was surprised that Consort Li still remembered what happened last time and even brought it up again. She couldn't help but wonder how to respond.

If you don't want to choose either one, you definitely want to protect yourself!

"Your Majesty, I am but a humble servant, with no special skills, only a meager medical knowledge. I will do my best as long as Your Majesty requires it."

Consort Li covered her mouth with a handkerchief and laughed: "Imperial Physician Song, your words are so flawless, it's impossible to find fault with them. You offend no one, you side with no one, and you side with everyone, is that right?"

"Your Majesty, I am your subject, and all the ladies are also my masters."

"Very good, very good, as expected of Physician Song."

She continued, "I am not feeling well right now. You will stay in my bedchamber for the time being. I will speak with the Emperor."

Song Miqiu clearly knew Consort Li's intentions: was she trying to keep her there and prevent her from leaving?

"Your Highness, the Imperial Hospital has many matters awaiting my attention!"

Song Miqiu feigned a troubled expression.

"What? I need a royal physician? What are they doing at the Imperial Hospital? Can't they function without you?" Consort Li raised an eyebrow, showing no fear that Song Miqiu would use the Imperial Hospital to pressure her.

"Your Majesty, what are your orders? Your humble servant will follow your instructions."

Song Miqiu realized that he probably wouldn't be able to leave.

"Someone, make arrangements for Physician Song," she said to the palace maid beside her.

"Yes..." the palace maid replied respectfully.

"Let me take your pulse... I've been feeling that the baby in my belly was a bit unstable recently. Now that you're back, can you take a look at me?"

Consort Li turned and walked towards the reception room. Song Miqiu followed behind, dragging her unresponsive leg and limping. With each step, the pain in her foot made her grimace, but she dared not grimace too much, for fear of being laughed at.

Song Miqiu placed the pulse pillow on Consort Li's wrist and sat down to take her pulse.

"Your Majesty is in good health and should take good care of your health."

"Hmm..." Consort Li had heard this kind of talk countless times and was already used to it.

"You may go and rest now. I will call you when I need to."

"Wei Chen retire."

Song Miqiu was overjoyed. Ignoring the pain in her foot, she dragged her still aching leg toward the door, afraid of delaying Consort Li and causing her trouble again.