Chapter 85 Good News Arrives at the Prince's Mansion, But the Illness is Strange

Princess Yong looked tired, and her face was pale, a color that even heavy makeup couldn't hide.

When Ji Qingwu last saw her at the Empress Dowager's birthday banquet, she remembered that her complexion wasn't this bad.

What has happened these past few days? Could it be that Prince Yong is claiming illness and staying at home, causing the Princess Consort to become anxious and upset?

Ji Qingwu clenched her fingers slightly. The key to the success of her plan was to gamble that the couple had already drifted apart.

Tao Wanyin looked at her and said gently, "I haven't seen Qingwu for a while either. She has grown into a beautiful and charming young woman."

This wasn't just flattery; of the three, she had the best energy and spirit.

A few days ago, although Ji Qingwu was confined to the courtyard, she ate well and slept soundly, replenishing her energy and making her eyes and brows even more tender and charming.

Chirp chirped around Ji Qingwu, looking left and right, its big eyes darting back and forth.

Looking at the innocent and carefree little girl, Tao Wanyin said enviously, "Qingwu's daughter is also very cute. Even the Emperor liked her when he saw her in the palace that day."

Ji Qingrong, who was at home resting and recuperating during her pregnancy, did not attend the Empress Dowager's birthday banquet. She asked with a smile, "Has His Majesty also met Qiuqiu?"

Tao Wanyin covered her mouth with a handkerchief and laughed, "Not only have I met her, but I've also held her. This child is bold; she even leaned in and kissed the Emperor."

Ji Qingrong looked at Ji Qingwu in surprise: "Really?"

In her memory, Emperor Wusu, though handsome and extraordinary, was not the kind of person who liked to be close to others.

The emperor's cold face had frightened many of the court officials' children to tears, but Chiu Chiu was not afraid at all. Could it be that they were destined to be together?

Ji Qingwu didn't know how to explain, so he just smiled and nodded.

"Chirp chirp, so lovely and adorable, who wouldn't love her? I imagine His Majesty also hopes for many offspring." Ji Qingrong touched the little girl's cheek.

The little girl's bottom seemed to have nails stuck to it; she kept wobbling and wouldn't sit still.

Ji Qingwu knew that she wanted to go out and play, but she had promised to stay by her side today.

She said, "Chirp chirp, go play with Sister Chunxing at the door."

The little girl skipped away like a gust of wind, rushing out the door. Chunxing curtsied and quickly chased after her.

With the attic door closed and no children present, the women could finally speak freely.

Ji Qingrong hadn't seen Tao Wanyin for half a month. Seeing that she looked unwell, she said worriedly, "Wanyin, what happened to you? You look terrible."

Tao Wanyin said calmly, "It's nothing, I just haven't slept well these past few nights."

Yinxiang, a maidservant who accompanied Princess Yong, stomped her foot indignantly and said with a sob, "Your Highness, you are too kind-hearted. If Consort Du hadn't deliberately caused trouble again, you wouldn't have been so late in setting off today."

Tao Wanyin frowned and glanced at her, stopping her, "Yinxiang, you have no manners, don't talk so much."

She turned to Ji Qingrong and continued, "Rong'er, your belly seems to be showing. When I came from afar, your waist looked noticeably thicker."

Ji Qingrong patted her stomach and said, "I've been eating quite a lot lately, maybe I've gained weight from it all."

In fact, Tao Wanyin got married a year earlier than her. She knew that her husband had always hoped to have a child, and she did not want to hurt her feelings about this.

Princess Yong stared intently at her lower abdomen, unable to look away, and said with difficulty, "The Prince's mansion is about to announce more good news."

Seeing her haggard appearance and recalling what Yinxiang had just said, Ji Qingrong hurriedly asked, "Is Consort Du pregnant again?"

Princess Yong nodded.

Back when Tao Wanyin was able to marry Prince Yong, how many people were openly or secretly jealous of her? Now, just as many people are gossiping about her behind her back.

The only son born out of wedlock in the Prince's mansion was born to Consort Du. Now that he has an heir, he can sit on equal footing with her, the Princess.

This time, she was pregnant again, and for several days she kept asking to eat bird's nest. However, the storeroom only had white bird's nest left. Bird's nest was a tribute item, and only the favored concubines in the palace could get a cup. The previous bird's nests were all given by the Empress Dowager. Tao Wanyin saw that she was having a hard time during her first pregnancy, so she gave them all to her.

This time, however, there was none left, and Consort Du felt resentful. She instigated Prince Yong to come and confront her, accusing him of mistreating her.

She caused such a commotion in the Prince's mansion early in the morning. If she were to have another son, he might really overshadow her as the principal wife.

Princess Yong lowered her head, picked up the cup of tea beside her, but did not drink it, just to hide the tears in her eyes.

Seeing her listless expression, Ji Qingrong knew she was upset and immediately changed the subject.

"Wanyin, as I told you before, my fifth sister is extremely skilled in medicine when it comes to women getting pregnant and giving birth. I was able to get pregnant successfully thanks to her."

She took Tao Wanyin's hand and said, "Shall I have Qingwu examine you?"

Princess Yong came here specifically for this reason, and she nodded, saying, "Thank you for your trouble, Qingwu."

Yinxiang took out a soft cushion and placed it on the low table. After washing his hands, Ji Qingwu went to check her pulse.

The pulse was slow and deep, with intermittent pauses, indicating a lack of nourishment for the mind and spirit and emotional distress, which was exactly the same as what Princess Yong was showing.

She withdrew her hand and said slowly, "The princess's body is somewhat weakened by external pathogens, but she can recover well with proper care."

Tao Wanyin pressed further, "Is it because my constitution is too poor that I haven't been able to conceive?"

Princess Yong was originally in good health and could bear children, but illness delayed her from doing so.

Ji Qingwu shook his head and said, "It's not that my constitution is too poor, but that I have cold-dampness arthralgia."

Cold-dampness arthralgia can range from minor to severe.

Tao Wanyin, unaware of the situation, asked, "Qingwu, could you explain in more detail?"

Ji Qingwu said somewhat awkwardly, "Your Highness, I have some things I'd like to say to you privately."

The eldest sister, Ji Qingrong, immediately understood and said with a smile, "I'm also tired of sitting. Yinxiang and I will go outside and see what Qiuqiu is playing with."

After the two left and the door was closed, Tao Wanyin's gaze turned to the woman in front of her.

"Qingwu, now that it's just the two of us, just tell me the truth. I can handle it, but my illness isn't very good."

Seeing Princess Yong's listless appearance, Ji Qingwu knew that she had been suffering from this illness for a long time.

She said softly, "Your Highness, please rest assured, it is not a very serious illness and can be cured. It's just that the cause of the illness is not suitable for a third person to hear."

Tao Wanyin was somewhat confused. The royal physicians from the Prince's mansion would come to check on her pulse every month. What kind of illness required her to keep quiet?

Ji Qingwu asked, "Your Highness, do you often experience lower abdominal pain that comes and goes unpredictably, with no fixed location, and is accompanied by symptoms of soreness and weakness in your lower back and knees?"

Princess Yong nodded and said seriously, "Yes, I thought it was because I was craving cold food, but even if I don't eat cold food, I'm still sometimes better and sometimes worse. I asked a doctor to come and see me, and he only said that it was caused by my excessive worry."

This doctor, it's unclear whether he can only diagnose a superficial illness or is deliberately concealing the truth from the princess.

Ji Qingwu thought about the pulse he had just felt, frowned slightly, and continued to ask.

"Your Highness, have you ever experienced abnormal bleeding from your lower body before?"