Shen Nian thought he was overthinking at first, but when they stepped out of Quanhua Hall and ran into a palace attendant from the Empress's Weiyang Palace, that feeling grew even stronger.
The maid from Weiyang Palace was trembling with fear, her face full of dread, as she reported that the Empress was ill—very seriously ill, burning with fever and delirious.
Upon hearing this, Ruan Jiqing showed not the slightest hint of hesitation and said directly: "The Empress is ill. Quickly go invite Imperial Physician Bai to take her pulse, and also inform the Empress Dowager.