12. Miscarriage Controversy (Revised)
Liu Hanruo took Chunxiang back to Plum Blossom Garden, dismissed the other maids, leaving only Chunxiang. Seeing the red handprint on Chunxiang's face, her eyes deepened. She realized Chunxiang must have suffered greatly these past few days, and the pain couldn't be limited to just the swelling on her face. She had Chunxiang lie on the bed, then took out some medicine she had prepared herself from a drawer, and said to Chunxiang with a hint of pity:
"Chunxiang, you've worked hard these past few days. Take off your clothes, I'll apply the medicine for you."
"Your Highness, I'm fine, it's just a minor injury. How could I let Your Highness apply the medicine for me personally? It's not proper!"
While Chunxiang was moved, she still kept in mind the difference in their social status and dared not disobey, struggling to get up.
"Chunxiang, lie still and don't move! Take off your clothes, that's an order!"
As soon as the medicine was applied, she felt an intense stinging pain. The several scars on her back that had not yet fully healed were itchy and painful, and Chunxiang couldn't help but let out a groan.
"Chunxiang, bear with it. It hurts, but it's very effective and won't leave a scar on your back. Chunxiang, have you noticed anything unusual with Liu Hanxue these past few days?" Liu Hanruo asked, trying to distract Chunxiang.
“Your Highness, I have been serving Consort Liu these past few days and haven’t had much time to move around. However, on the few occasions I’ve passed by the kitchen, I’ve seen Dongmei personally watching over the medicine stove and not leaving for a moment. I suppose she’s afraid something might happen.”
"Yes, when one person attains enlightenment, even their chickens and dogs ascend to heaven. As long as Liu Hanxue gives birth to a boy, he will be considered the eldest son of the legitimate wife, and the status of the young prince will be settled. At this time, Dongmei should also be careful to deal with it."
"Your Highness, aren't you worried that if Consort Liu really gives birth to a boy, Your Highness's position will be in jeopardy!"
“Chunxiang, why use a sledgehammer to crack a nut? Besides, do you really think she can have a child?” Liu Hanruo said with a smile.
"Ah? Consort Liu is very careful now. She only dares to eat anything if Dongmei tries it first. If a stranger appears within a zhang of her, he will definitely be beaten. It seems that she has taken strict precautions."
"Hehe, Chunxiang, things probably won't end so easily. After all, the birth of this child is related to the future of those women in the backyard. None of them are easy to deal with. Just because they're not making a move now doesn't mean they won't. Just wait and see, the backyard will gradually become lively."
Unlike the tranquility of Plum Blossom Garden, the masters in the other gardens of the Prince's Mansion were far from calm. Behind closed doors, they were discussing something, except for the Prince's concubine, of course.
Sunset Garden
"Your Highness, Consort Liu is currently the most favored concubine. If she were to give birth to a son, the Prince would likely favor her even more, making it even more difficult for Your Highness to gain his favor again."
"Chunhe, you've been with me for so long, and you still don't understand? Do you think we're the only ones who're anxious? The women in the backyard aren't pushovers. Who doesn't want Liu Hanxue to die? Instead of scheming about how to set a trap, you should think about how to use other people's traps to eliminate your rivals."
"Your Majesty's thinking is indeed insightful."
"Liu Hanxue's arrogance has become the fuse for this struggle. If I'm not mistaken, someone will definitely take action in the next few days. When that happens, you should... do this, but be careful about the timing." Consort Wang whispered in Xia He's ear.
"Go back. Staying too long will arouse suspicion."
Xia He bowed and returned to Yunluo Garden. At this time, the other maids also returned one after another and went about their work.
The next few days passed peacefully, with little change in the situation. Everyone continued with their own affairs until one day at noon, when a sudden commotion erupted from Yunluo Garden, attracting waves of onlookers. This alarmed Liu Hanruo and the other concubines, who also rushed over. The scene was chaotic, with glaring red everywhere. Liu Hanruo went to the bedside, seemingly to comfort Liu Hanxue, but secretly taking her pulse.
When she felt the pulse of the new life under her hand slowly weakening and knowing it wouldn't last more than fifteen minutes, Liu Hanruo wasn't particularly surprised, nor did she have any intention of helping. She had clearly already guessed this outcome. You can say whatever you want about her, but she didn't consider herself kind enough to save a relative who wasn't even family. She just stood quietly by the bed, saying some innocuous words.
"Sister, don't be too sad. Take it easy for now and don't think too much. We'll talk about everything when the imperial physician arrives."
"Yes, Sister Liu, you can have another child, but if your health collapses, your life is over," said Concubine Hua with a hint of schadenfreude.
"Yes, Sister Liu, judging from your condition, the baby is probably lost. I've heard that miscarriage is very harmful to the body and can also affect the chances of getting pregnant again. So, sister, please don't be too sad and take good care of your health." Consort Dong offered words of comfort while secretly mocking.
Liu Hanxue's mind was in complete chaos; she was still in a state of extreme frenzy. Hearing these words, she was enraged. She struggled to her feet, baring her teeth and claws, and charged at the person she was attacking, shouting furiously as she did so:
"Bullshit! My child is still here, how could he not be! You're all just jealous of me! Yes, all of you are jealous of the prince's favor, jealous that I'm pregnant with the little prince, and you can't bear to see him born! Humph, don't dream, the little prince will definitely be born safely!"
Just as the scene was becoming increasingly chaotic and out of control, the "Carefree Prince" and Imperial Physician Wang stepped through the door. What greeted them was this absurd scene: Consort Liu, who should have been lying weakly on the bed, was now kicking people wildly. If one ignored the bright red blood constantly flowing from her inner thighs and her excessively pale face, she didn't look like a patient at all. Looking at the pools of blood on the ground, Imperial Physician Wang immediately understood that the child was probably gone, and Consort Liu's appearance suggested that she was overwhelmed with grief and her mind was somewhat unstable. Without hesitation, Imperial Physician Wang took out a needle and inserted it directly into her Tanzhong acupoint. Slowly, Consort Liu regained her senses, her body went limp, and she collapsed to the ground. Her maid, Dongmei, immediately helped her to the bed.
After taking the pulse, the imperial physician wrote down one prescription to stop the bleeding and another to regulate the body. He then instructed the maid, Dongmei, on how to take the medicine before kneeling down before the "Carefree Prince" to beg for forgiveness.
“Your Highness, judging from the pulse, Consort Liu was likely given an abortifacient. I was incompetent and could not save the child. Fortunately, Consort Liu is in good health. As long as she takes the medicine prescribed by me for about ten days, she should be able to recover completely.”
"Physician Wang, there's no need to blame yourself too much. I was prepared for this situation. Thank you for your hard work, Physician Wang. Guards, escort Physician Wang out."
As soon as the imperial physician left, the 'Carefree Prince' swept his gaze around with an icy expression. The temperature around him plummeted to zero. Under his cold and stern gaze, everyone wished they could become invisible, fearing that trouble would befall them.
"If I hadn't encountered Imperial Physician Wang by chance in the palace, I wouldn't have known this had happened in the manor. Your Highness, how have you managed the household? Things have changed so much in just half a day. What happened? Why did Xue'er suddenly miscarry?"
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