The scene erupted in uproar. Some of the younger women really wanted to gag themselves, but then they realized that so much time had passed and the matter had long been digested. They couldn't help but feel uneasy and started to gag because they were too scared.

"How could this be! It's just a crab, we've eaten plenty of them in previous years!" one of the ladies questioned.

As soon as she finished speaking, everyone fell silent.

If it's not a problem with the crabs, then it must be a problem with the people.

They all looked at Song Yaozhu, who had been silent all along. Of everyone present, she was the only one who hadn't eaten crab!

"Your Highness, do you know something but are deliberately hiding it?"

Suddenly, Song Yaozhu became the target of public criticism.

She lowered her gaze when she saw their malicious eyes.

"What could I possibly know? The Empress Dowager's attitude towards me today speaks for itself. What should I possibly know?"

Upon hearing her words, everyone hesitated for a moment.

Indeed, the Empress Dowager's attitude towards her today was far too cold, as if she were deliberately giving her the cold shoulder.

Song Yaozhu sighed and continued, "I don't eat these because my body can't handle them right now, but Madam Gai eats very little too."

Everyone recalled that when the crab was placed on the table, Madam Gai ate very little, and only a tiny bit of the crab roe was touched.

Seeing that she had successfully diverted the fire, Song Yaozhu stopped talking.

Those present wanted to find Madam Gai to ask what had happened, but found that she was not there at all, and Madam Gai was not there either!

They were even more convinced that this Gai Yue was inextricably linked to this matter!

A short while later, the princess's attendant arrived late with the royal physician.

"The doctor is here, please make way," the nanny said.

The ladies subconsciously made way for him, and the physician walked in. He saw that there was already a doctor there, who was the resident doctor of Huichuntang on the street. He thought to himself that the Dowager Princess did not trust him.

The two doctors were locked in a stalemate inside the room, and only then did the ladies realize what was happening. Why did one doctor come, and then another?

"What are you doing here!" the physician asked anxiously.

"Of course, someone invited me to come."

"Hmph, I am the physician of this Prince's manor. We don't need you here. Please leave!"

The doctor who was summoned was immediately angered by the way he was treated. He thought to himself that although he wasn't a famous physician in the palace, he was quite well-regarded in the capital. He never expected that the Prince's residence would have a physician, and that he would be invited here only to be humiliated. It was simply outrageous!

He packed up his medicine box and stepped aside, whereupon the physician had already come forward to take his pulse. He had missed the process of the doctor from Huichuntang taking his pulse earlier, and following the instructions, he said, "This lady is only suffering from severe abdominal cramps because she has been indulging in cold foods. I will prescribe a medicine and she will recover after taking good care of herself."

The ladies inside were taken aback by the two different outcomes and were momentarily bewildered.

"Is it really just stomach pain caused by being exposed to cold? Is there really no other reason?" a lady asked hopefully.

"Of course, it's nothing serious, just take good care of yourself," the physician assured him.

"Hmph!" The doctor from Huichuntang scoffed.

The physician then realized that the man had arrived before him and might have already taken his pulse, and immediately felt a pang of panic. What if the man exposed him? Wouldn't he be unable to work in this field afterward?

"The doctor just diagnosed that Madam Liu has a cold uterus, which is why she is experiencing abdominal cramps!"

"Yes, yes, are you sure you didn't make a wrong diagnosis?"

If what the doctor from Huichuntang said is wrong, doesn't that mean they're all fine?

The physician, under the expectant gazes of the ladies, glared at the doctor from Huichuntang.

"Of course not. I was able to become the Princess Consort of Yan because of my true talent and learning." After saying that, he looked at the doctor of Huichuntang, his eyes seeming to say, "Why aren't you leaving yet?"

The doctor at Huichuntang understood his look. He wasn't stupid; this concerned the private affairs of the inner quarters, and he didn't want to get involved.

He turned to the nanny and said, "Please settle the consultation fee."

The old woman was also stunned. "Our Prince's Mansion did not invite you. Whoever invited you should pay for the consultation."

The doctor at Huichuntang was also furious.

"What? Didn't I take someone's pulse and treat their illness?!"

"We didn't invite you here. Go find who invited you! I'd also like to ask you if you came to our house on purpose to scam money from our medical consultations!"

The doctor at Huichuntang had been practicing medicine for many years, and this was the first time he had ever heard someone call him a fraud. He was so angry that he almost smashed his medical kit.

"You people from the Prince of Yan's mansion are simply going too far!"

One of the ladies present recognized him as a doctor from Huichuntang and couldn't help but speak up for him.

"No way, this doctor makes a living based on his reputation. What good would it do him to ruin his reputation by coming here?"

“Yes, it’s the palace physician who’s in mortal danger, his life and fortune are all tied to the Prince’s mansion…” someone chimed in, their voice trailing off as they spoke, growing increasingly hesitant to continue. A sense of dread crept into her heart, causing her to shrink back.

When the imperial physician heard someone say that about him, he panicked. He had come under orders, and if he failed to do his job, wouldn't he displease the Empress Dowager?

But how can I turn the tide?

"Alright, stop arguing!" An older, more senior lady interrupted the crowd. "May I ask, where are Young Madam Gai and the Dowager Consort?"

"The Dowager Consort was frightened and is resting in her room. Madam Gai is the same; she has been accompanied back by Young Madam Gai." The old woman glanced at everyone's expressions and had a bad feeling.

Unfortunately, the carefree princess was someone who loved to watch the drama unfold. She scoffed and said, "The crabs in your manor are truly amazing. After eating just two, your lineage is effectively wiped out."

The old woman was annoyed. "Your Highness, please watch your words! This doesn't prove it's because of the crabs!"

Song Yaozhu raised her chin. "I must be careful with my words. However, I ate quite a lot at home today. I will go to the palace to fetch the imperial physician. If he finds that I am even slightly unwell, I will settle accounts with your Dowager Consort!"

After saying that, she turned and left.

If we don't leave soon, that old hag will come out to keep things quiet. She might as well add fuel to the fire and make the scene even more lively!

The old woman tried to stop her, but she walked too fast for the old woman to catch up with.

When the doctor from Huichuntang saw that the maid who had invited him had also left, and that his consultation fee was about to disappear, he quickly followed after her.

All the female guests were stunned by Song Yaozhu's words. The older ladies didn't care; at their age, even if they could have children, their husbands wouldn't be able to help them anymore. But the younger ladies were so frightened their legs went weak!

"Mother, let's hurry and go out to fetch a doctor to take a look!"

"Mother, I'm scared!"

Before nightfall, rumors were circulating throughout the capital that the crabs at the Prince of Yan's residence could cause man-made heirs to die out. Any woman who had visited the Prince of Yan's residence was to be avoided at all costs, for she would be childless!

This infuriated the young ladies, and for a time everyone hated the Prince of Yan's mansion.

The Empress Dowager never expected that her attempt to steal a chicken would backfire and cause her to suffer the consequences!