Chapter 1692: Chapter 1692: Thunderbolt

After Emperor Jingyuan left, Princess Consort Yi was still pondering why Emperor Jingyuan suddenly had her take the Eighth Prince to see the Empress.

If Emperor Jingyuan was trying to please the Empress by giving the Eighth Prince to her to raise, what would she do?

"Lady, there will be birds passing through the courtyard, you should not sit out there. Come inside the hall and rest," Nanny Chu advised with concern.

Princess Consort Yi nodded: "Yes, I was too caught up."

This matter was not something she could stop; she was merely someone living dependent on Emperor Jingyuan.

Princess Consort Yi got up and returned to the hall, instructing, "The Capital has an outbreak of poisonous insect disease. Remember to carefully inspect the clothes once they’re sent from the Clothing Bureau and the Clothes Washing Workshop. Then, roast them with charcoal to ensure there are no live insects on them."

"Yes, the old servant has noted it down." Nanny Chu was also very afraid of this, even more so of someone intentionally placing live insects on the clothes, so she personally took charge of this task.

Princess Consort Yi had to meet the Empress today, and she was worried that her spirit might falter, leading to mistakes. After returning to the hall, she forced herself to take a nap.

At the hour of si, the Imperial Physician arrived with the medical women to explain to Princess Consort Yi what the poisonous insect disease was. He then said, "Lady, this Insect Attractant contains rotten meat as a medicinal guide which might have an unpleasant smell, please bear with it."

He also explained that the Insect Attractant contained poison, and that after using the medicine, it would be necessary to drink herbal soup to detoxify.

The Imperial Physician’s surname was Shao, and he had been responsible for monitoring Princess Consort Yi’s pulse and protecting her fetus since she became pregnant. Being trusted by both Emperor Jingyuan and Princess Consort Yi, she wasn’t worried that he would poison her or the Eighth Prince through the medicine.

"I understand." Princess Consort Yi nodded and instructed Nanny Chu, "Bring out the Eighth Prince so Doctor Shao can check for any small red spots on him."

"Yes." Nanny Chu went to the side hall to bring the Eighth Prince, who was playing.

"Hu Hu Brain!" The Eighth Prince was very lively. Upon seeing the familiar face of Doctor Shao, he called out to him, babbling words that were unclear.

Doctor Shao listened but didn’t understand, smiling as he examined the Eighth Prince.

However, after turning him over repeatedly, the Eighth Prince became annoyed and started throwing a tantrum, waving his hands to hit. After being restrained by someone sent by Princess Consort Yi, he simply burst into tears.

But crying was of no use, as the physical examination was non-negotiable. Princess Consort Yi let him cry as Doctor Shao examined his body three times to confirm there were no small red spots before stopping.

When using the Insect Attractant, the Eighth Prince was already tired from crying and started to feel sleepy but was also nearly overwhelmed by the scent of the Attractant.

Doctor Shao was considering using sleeping pills to make the Eighth Prince sleep, but Princess Consort Yi feared that he was too young and that the pills might harm his health, preferring to let him cry.

After spending about an hour and using the Insect Attractant three times without attracting any insects, Princess Consort Yi finally felt relieved: "It seems Doctor Shao was right; the Eighth Prince is indeed not infected with the poisonous insect disease. I am relieved now."

Doctor Shao breathed a sigh of relief, knowing how determined Princess Consort Yi could be, especially regarding matters concerning the Eighth Prince, and that she would only rest easy after exhausting all possibilities.

"Lady, the old servant will first take the Eighth Prince to feed him, while you let the medical women drive out the insects," Nanny Chu said, concerned about Princess Consort Yi.

Princess Consort Yi nodded, handing the Eighth Prince to Nanny Chu, and then proceeded with the medical women to check her own physique in the sleeping quarters.

After the examination, the medical women used the Insect Attractant to drive out any insects.

By the time everything was done, it was already noon. Meals were served, and after eating, they began their afternoon nap.

Doctor Shao then went to administer the insect repellent to the palace attendants, and by the time he finished with the palace attendants of Princess Consort Yi and the Eighth Prince, they had also awoken from their nap.

"Doctor Shao, His Majesty instructed me to bring the medicine to see the Empress. You should come along with the medical women," Princess Consort Yi instructed, waiting for the palace attendants to tidy up before heading to the Empress’s palace.

Aunt Wu had already heard about the outbreak of poisonous insect disease in the Capital and had been waiting for the Imperial Physician to come. Seeing Princess Consort Yi bring Doctor Shao and the medical women, she was finally reassured.

However, she was stunned upon seeing the Eighth Prince... Why did Princess Consort Yi bring the Eighth Prince along? The Empress had been ill a few days ago and deeply saddened by the memory of Brother Yuan.

"Nanny Wu, the Capital has an outbreak of poisonous insect disease; His Majesty instructed me to bring the Insect Attractant to the Empress to drive out the insects." Princess Consort Yi spoke in an ambiguous manner.

Aunt Wu understood and looked at the Eighth Prince, who was just waking up, still feeling drowsy. It must have been the Emperor’s order for Princess Consort Yi to bring the Eighth Prince; otherwise, someone as thorough as Princess Consort Yi would not dare to do something that would stab at the Empress’s heart.

"Servant, thank His Majesty for his grace. We are a burden to Princess Consort Yi Lady, please come in." Aunt Wu welcomed Princess Consort Yi and her group inside, explaining along the way that the Empress was still resting due to illness.

Princess Consort Yi replied: "We came at an inconvenient time; the insect repellent application is not urgent—we can wait until the Empress wakes up to proceed."

But the Empress was a light sleeper and was awakened. The palace maids hurried to call Aunt Wu.

Aunt Wu went to see the Empress.

Upon hearing that Princess Consort Yi had arrived, the Empress sat up, albeit weakly, and said, "Help me to meet them; the sooner this is over, the less tired everyone will be~"

"Yes." Aunt Wu and the palace maids helped the Empress up, dressed and groomed her, and then escorted her to the guest hall where she met Princess Consort Yi and her group.

"This concubine pays respect to the Empress." Princess Consort Yi promptly greeted the Empress with a curtsy.

Doctor Shao and the others also hurriedly knelt and gave their respects to the Empress.

The Empress shook her head while Aunt Wu said, "Princess Consort Yi Lady, there’s no need for formalities. Everyone may rise."

"Thank you, Empress." Princess Consort Yi led the group to stand.

Doctor Shao said, "Empress, before using the medicine, I need to examine your pulse. Please allow me to proceed."

Doctor Shao, before offering treatment to Princess Consort Yi, first went to administer to Emperor Jingyuan.

Emperor Jingyuan, slightly angry, reprimanded the Imperial Medical Bureau: "After years of medication, why is the Empress’s health not improving? Could someone have poisoned the herbal soup?!"

This frightened Doctor Shao, who had to seize the opportunity to thoroughly examine the Empress and confirm she wasn’t poisoned, lest someone from the Imperial Medical Bureau lose their life.

The Empress heard this and nodded, giving her consent.

Doctor Shao stepped forward and checked the Empress’s pulse through silk cloth, with Aunt Wu assisting with any necessary physical examinations.

Aunt Wu’s medical skills were excellent, beyond what the medical women could manage; this was why she was appointed to care for the Empress.

After roughly three quarters of an hour, Doctor Shao finally felt reassured: the Empress wasn’t poisoned, so the Imperial Medical Bureau needn’t fear fatalities. However: "Empress, your overthinking and the change of seasons have sparked a heat ailment. You require good rest to prevent recurring illness."

According to His Majesty, the Empress must not perish; she must, under any circumstances, continue living.

The Empress had heard such words for many years, paying them no heed, but not wanting to make things difficult for Doctor Shao, she replied, "I understand."

Doctor Shao relaxed, knowing that the Empress’s agreement signified her willingness to live, allowing him to report back to the Emperor.

Aunt Wu inquired, "Doctor Shao, where is the Insect Attractant? How should it be used? Please instruct us, and I will bring the medical women to administer it to the Empress."

Doctor Shao took out the Insect Attractant and explained what poisonous insect disease was, why it was rampant, and how it could be prevented.

Finally, he said, "Now that the Capital is suffering from poisonous insect disease, until the insects are completely eradicated, the Insect Attractant must be used daily. The Imperial Medical Bureau will deliver medicine here every day."

This was a special order from His Majesty, who worried that the Empress might seek death and refuse the medicine.

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