The Empress Dowager suddenly fell ill, which shocked the entire palace. After all, since Emperor Chu ascended the throne, this most esteemed woman has been well-nourished and taken care of, only occasionally catching a cold or having digestive issues, but rarely suffering from any major illnesses.
There was no choice; the physicians of the Imperial Hospital inquired several times a day about the Empress Dowager's well-being—how much she ate, how much soup and water she drank, and even how many times she turned in her sleep. All of this was naturally the duties of the palace maids and eunuchs who served closely at Cining Palace. They meticulously remembered every detail.
