The emperor fainted from anger, casting an even darker shadow over the sky above the palace.
When the empress dowager arrived, the emperor had already woken up and struggled to get up to see his son.
"Your Majesty, you cannot go." The Queen Mother stopped him. "You have been weak since childhood and have never been vaccinated. You are the ruler of a country and cannot take risks easily."
Those who have not been vaccinated are most likely to be infected, and she feels sorry for her son.
The eldest prince is the only prince. If he cannot survive, it will be a devastating blow.
But if the emperor were to be infected with smallpox, the sky would fall on the Great Qi Dynasty.
This smallpox is extremely scary and has a high mortality rate, so every outbreak is terrified.
The emperor's face turned terribly pale. "He is my only son. It won't do without someone in charge."
"That's not as important as you." The Queen Mother loved her grandson the most. She was shocked and angry at the moment, but she still had to consider the overall situation.
A figure flashed through her mind, "Let Concubine Xi take care of her son personally."
The emperor frowned slightly. Concubine Xi? "How can she take care of people?"
"She is the biological mother. Even if she is just watching from the side, it can bring a little comfort to the child." The Queen Mother is old and often unable to do anything. "It is more reassuring to have her watching. She will never harm her own biological son."
The emperor thought about it and thought that it was true. She didn't need to do it herself, just move her mouth and it would be fine. "Forget it, let Concubine Xi go."
He drank a cup of tea to calm himself down, "Pass on my order to seal off the East Palace. No one is allowed to enter or leave."
"Let all the doctors rush to the East Palace to treat the eldest prince. If anything happens to the eldest prince, he will die."
Even the mildest man would get angry when it came to his only son.
"Let the Wuyi Guard investigate this matter thoroughly. I have never heard of any cases of smallpox in the capital. How could the eldest prince be infected with smallpox?"
As orders were passed down, all parties quickly took action.
Mu Wanqing stayed quietly aside, and only gave him a reminder when she saw that he stopped talking.
"Your Majesty, please ask the doctor to check the pulses of the three princesses and find out where they live."
The emperor was shocked. He suspected that the eldest prince had been ambushed. What about his other daughters?
The Queen Mother's expression changed drastically, and her voice became shrill, "Princess Qingping is indeed very thoughtful. Go now."
She quickly changed her mind, "No, no, let the doctor come over and check the emperor's pulse first."
The emperor and his son meet every day, I wonder if they have been infected? Oh, her heart is broken.
The doctor came running over with sweat all over his forehead. He not only took the pulse of the emperor and the empress dowager, but also checked Mu Wanqing.
Fortunately, all three are healthy.
Mu Wanqing frowned. Smallpox has become extinct in modern times, so she didn't know much about it.
I only know that cowpox can prevent smallpox, but can it be used if I have already been infected?
Moreover, she only knew about cowpox but didn't know the specific operation process, so she had to let someone who understood medical skills to conduct repeated experiments.
She glanced at the trembling doctor. This was the most suitable candidate. "Master Doctor, is there any medicine that can cure smallpox now?"
The doctor couldn't help but smile bitterly and shook his head slightly.
Smallpox is contagious and has a high mortality rate, but once cured, one is immune for life.
Mu Wanqing pretended to be ignorant and asked, "Many people had smallpox vaccinations when they were young, so why isn't it more common?"
She didn't know how to vaccinate, but the imperial physician did. There is only one letter difference between human smallpox and cowpox, but the principle is the same.
The chief physician was in a state of confusion. If anything happened to the eldest prince, many people would be doomed, and their Imperial Hospital would not be able to escape the disaster either.
“Vaccination is a life-threatening disease.”
Mu Wanqing pursed her lips, a little puzzled. "I once saw a doctor in the mountains vaccinating poor people with cowpox. It is said that nine out of ten were successful, but it is obvious that nine survived and one died."
"Boom boom!" The doctor looked at her in surprise as if struck by thunder. "What did you say? Cowpox? The success rate is so high? Are you sure?"
"No, I heard it clearly." Mu Wanqing said seriously, which was very contagious.
The doctor believed it, so there was no need for her to lie.
His face flushed with excitement and he kept asking for details, but Mu Wanqing had no idea and only said that it was an inoculation with juice from the smallpox infected in cows.
Although the emperor did not understand, he had a high political acumen and immediately realized the importance of cowpox.
"Well, can it cure smallpox?"
Everyone looked at the chief physician with great anticipation, but the physician had a hard time explaining that even if the cowpox test was feasible, it would have to go through countless tests. Who would dare to use the noble crown prince as a test subject?
"I don't know, Princess Qingping, do you know?"
He really wants to pass the blame to someone else.
"I'm not a medical student." Mu Wanqing had good reasons. She hoped more than anyone else that the eldest prince could be successfully cured.
The eldest prince has great political significance and is related to the succession of the Great Qi Dynasty.
He has not yet been crowned the crown prince, but has already moved into the Eastern Palace, making it clear that he is the invisible crown prince.
Furthermore, the eldest prince was a good kid and had a close relationship with her. They were not master and disciple in name, but they were master and disciple in reality.
Only if the eldest prince survives and successfully inherits the throne can her political philosophy continue.
Everyone was very disappointed. The emperor took a deep breath and said, "Chief Physician, you have three days to find the cowpox. Just ask for anything you need."
Three days? The chief physician was overwhelmed. How could this amount of time be enough? However, the eldest prince's illness could not be delayed. There was no time left.
"I want to go to the imperial farm to study cowpox, so I'd like to get a few more cows."
The emperor has agreed.
As the doctor left, a guard came in and reported, "Your Majesty, Concubine Xi fainted on the way to the East Palace."
The emperor frowned, "Where is the person?" He failed at the critical moment.
"Outside."
The emperor waved his hand and Concubine Xi was carried in, her eyes closed and motionless.
The emperor stared at her for a few seconds. The unconscious Concubine Xi's eyelids moved slightly. A cold light flashed in the emperor's eyes. "Take a needle, the bigger the better. Puncture her solar plexus. She is a useless waste anyway."
Acupuncture in the solar plexus can kill people. The palace servant took the needle and was about to pierce it. The unconscious Concubine Xi woke up immediately, showing a confused expression, "Where is this? What's wrong with me?"
Mu Wanqing: ...MMP, it’s hard to put it into words.
The Queen Mother was so angry that she was shaking all over. "Xi Fei, you actually pretended to be unconscious! That's your own child!"
Concubine Xi's face turned pale and blue, and she refused to admit it. "I didn't. I'm just weak and sickly. I get sick when something happens. I was worried about the eldest prince, and I fainted because of anger."
She just wanted to rely on her son to become the most honorable queen mother, but she didn't want to risk her life.
Besides, that bastard helped outsiders last time, which made her completely disappointed.
Mu Wanqing was stunned. No way? Didn't she claim to love the eldest prince the most? Why did she pretend to faint when she was asked to take care of the eldest prince?
Is the royal family's affection so fragile?
The emperor closed his eyes, feeling exhausted. Nothing could help at the critical moment.
The eldest prince was brought up by the emperor and raised personally since he was young. His relationship with Concubine Xi was dull, but, after all, he was his biological son.
This time, Concubine Xi was completely caught in the crossfire and the emperor was furious. "Concubine Xi is not virtuous, so she is demoted to a concubine and moved to Changmen Palace."
Not sentencing her to death was the final act of kindness.
Concubine Xi widened her eyes in disbelief. Changmen Palace was a cold palace. She had fallen from the position of concubine to that of imperial concubine, which was a huge fall.
"Your Majesty, please, for the sake of the eldest prince, don't bother with me."
In the past, no matter how big a mistake she made, the emperor would always let her off lightly because he was concerned about the eldest prince.
But this time, you are hiding from your sick child. Why should you let the child be your umbrella of protection?
"Pass the order down, change the imperial certificate of the clan, and change the name of the eldest prince's birth mother to Consort Shu."
Shufei has passed away, but her family background is good and her mother's family is a scholarly family.
Concubine Xi had used up her only trump card and there was no chance of recovery. She felt dizzy and black before her eyes. This time she completely fainted.
Mu Wanqing watched the farce and was speechless.
She listened to the emperor and his son discussing the candidate for the Eastern Palace, but none of them was suitable.
She thought for a while and said, "Your Majesty, I will go."
The Queen Mother's eyes were red with gratitude. She held Mu Wanqing's arm tightly and said, "I know you are a good person."
At critical moments, Princess Qingping is still the most reliable. She now finally understands the emperor's favoritism towards Mu Wanqing.
Who doesn’t like capable and loyal subjects?
In comparison, Concubine Xi is too heartless.
"No." The emperor refused without hesitation, "You are an important official in the court, shouldering important responsibilities for the court. You are tied to the future development of the Great Qi Empire, and you must not suffer any harm."
The eldest prince is very important, but Mu Wanqing is also very important, and he cannot afford to lose her.
Mu Wanqing was a little touched. This boss Zhou Baopi was still someone she could get along with.
"First, the eldest prince trusts me. Second, the eldest prince loves the food I cook. Third, I have vaccinated against smallpox before."
The emperor was stunned for a moment, "Really?"
Mu Wanqing knew that at this time someone was needed to stabilize the military morale, someone with weight, say, and prestige. The three giants in the palace should have held this position, but the problem was that one was old, one was weak, and the queen was deposed.
"Really, the eldest prince is very important to me. I hope he gets better more than anyone else."
The emperor pursed his lips and suppressed his surging emotions, "I know that you are the most loyal."
There is nothing absolute in the world. Getting vaccinated does not mean there is no risk at all. It was particularly touching that Mu Wanqing stepped forward at that time.
She may not be loyal, but Mu Wanqing dares to fight. She values herself the most and would never sacrifice herself to help others.
"By the way, I've heard that Achnatherum splendens can cure smallpox. I don't know if it's true or not. Can you help me get some?"
She had seen a TV drama before, in which Kangxi used this medicine to cure smallpox. No one knew whether it was true or not.
But as long as there is a glimmer of hope, she wants to give it a try.
This is also what the emperor thought, "Don't worry."
Mu Wanqing did not rush in, but made sufficient preparations, including masks, protective clothing, disinfectant, soap, and various food ingredients.
She entered the East Palace fully armed and brought a few of her men in.
"Take care of yourself." The emperor's worried voice came from behind.
Mu Wanqing waved back, "Don't worry, I've always had good luck."
As soon as she stepped into the East Palace, she was almost vomited by the smell, a mixture of sweat, medicine, and vomit, which could be called a biological weapon.
The thin young master lay on the bed with his eyes closed, covered with a thick quilt, sweating profusely and his little face flushed red.
The place was filled with imperial doctors and servants, and the atmosphere was oppressive and tense.
Mu Wanqing frowned slightly, "Open the window for ventilation."
The imperial physician quickly stopped him, "Absolutely not. Sick people cannot be exposed to the wind, as it can easily cause external evil to invade the body."
The eunuch who came in with her said loudly, "The emperor has ordered that all matters in the Eastern Palace be arranged by Princess Qingping, and everyone must obey her orders."
The imperial physician felt a bit complicated, but it had to be said that with someone in charge, everyone could feel more relaxed. The final treatment plan had been decided by someone, and there was no need to argue back and forth and end up with no result.
The pressure is shared, and there is someone to stand in front if something goes wrong.
After opening the window, the air circulated and the strange smell in the house was dispelled a lot.
Mu Wanqing walked forward and touched the eldest prince's forehead with her gloved hand. It was still very hot.
"Why hasn't the fever gone away yet? If it continues for too long it will damage your brain."
The imperial physician was under great pressure. “We have given the medicine, but it is not working that fast.”
"I brought some alcohol." Mu Wanqing casually ordered a few palace maids, "You, you, come and wipe the eldest prince's body."
She also took out an ice pack and placed it on the eldest prince's forehead. Perhaps the ice woke the eldest prince up. He opened his eyes with difficulty and stared blankly at the man in front of him who was fully armed with only a pair of eyes exposed.
"Sister Qingping, is that you?"
Mu Wanqing was extremely shocked. "That's amazing. You can recognize me even when I'm wrapped like this."
"I have smallpox. Get out now. It's dangerous."
He had heard too many words from his father, saying that Mu Wanqing was a capable minister rarely seen in a century, and having her was like having thousands of troops, and Da Qi could not do without her.
Even though he was unconscious, even though he was just a child, he still subconsciously wanted to protect her.
Mu Wanqing was stunned. Her purpose for coming in was not pure.
But the boy's sincere words stirred her heart. He is a good boy.
The author has something to say:
If I write about the death of the eldest prince, will you send me razor blades?
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