Lin Yuqiao was shocked to hear that Liu Feng had developed hydrophobia.
Hydrophobia is another name for rabies.
In this era, there are no vaccines or any preventative measures. If a child is bitten, they are unlikely to recover.
"What happened?" she asked Qingming anxiously.
"I heard that he was bitten by the young master's lion dog. The third young master didn't say anything until it was too late."
This sudden news left Lin Yuqiao feeling flustered and disoriented.
In most households, servants were not allowed to keep cats or dogs. The pets kept by their masters for enjoyment were always screened for health beforehand and were served by dedicated staff, so it was absolutely impossible for them to have any problems.
She herself used to raise cats when she was a child, and the maids who served them always kept them clean and healthy.
Later, her cat, named Naigao, developed some health problems and was no longer allowed to appear in her yard. It was sent away and remained there until it recovered. Li never had anyone bring it back.
That's why she was so terrified when Liu Feng was bitten.
Liu Feng is still the legitimate son of the family. If his safety is so uncertain, what will happen to her future children?
Now that Liu Feng has been diagnosed, the princess has ordered all the courtyards to be sealed off.
Most of the people in Lin Yuqiao's courtyard were her dowry maids, so they were considered her own people, and Jiang Mama had already strictly ordered them to be kept in check.
"Make sure everyone avoids contact with people outside the compound and does what they're supposed to do. Those who break the rules will be severely punished."
She was even more afraid of the disease spreading. Her master had been bitten, and the servant who had been taking care of the Shih Tzu would probably be in the same boat as her. Who knew who he might have come into contact with?
In Liu Feng's courtyard.
Liu Heng sat in the hall with a dark expression. After listening to the imperial physician's words, he couldn't help but slam his hand on the table, his eyes turning red.
Crown Prince Liu Kang stood by, supporting the distraught princess and offering words of comfort, his heart filled with shock and anger. He knew that this incident must have originally been directed at him.
Liu Kang used to love dogs the most, and people outside the mansion knew this, so they would often send him all kinds of purebred dogs. The Shih Tzu that bit Liu Feng was named Dafu, and it was a gift from their uncle.
He was very well-behaved and could stand upright, shake hands, and bow. He liked it very much and wanted to see and touch Dafu almost every day.
Unfortunately, he went out that afternoon, and Liu Feng sneaked into his yard to play with Dafu, where he was bitten.
Liu Kang was supposed to be studying in his study, but seeing that Da Fu had only bitten a small, inconspicuous cut on his finger, he didn't dare to make a fuss, fearing that his father and the queen would find out and he would be scolded.
This dragged on for several days, and he began to develop a fever, loss of appetite, headache, and nausea. His servants all thought it was typhoid fever due to the changing seasons, and after reporting to the princess, they summoned a doctor.
The doctor treated him as if he had typhoid fever, and prescribed medicine for several days. However, Liu Feng's initial joy at being able to rest for a few days without studying turned into fear and anxiety. He became afraid of light and sound.
When the princess told Liu Heng that she had invited the imperial physician to come and see him, Liu Feng was already having difficulty breathing, urinating and defecating, and was extremely afraid of water and wind.
Looking at these symptoms, the imperial physician had no choice but to make a diagnosis: hydrophobia.
According to the established practice of this dynasty, once hydrophobia or leprosy is discovered, individuals must be isolated.
Liu Heng was unwilling to move his son, so he had all the courtyards sealed off. What was somewhat reassuring was that, apart from Liu Feng, only Daotong, the servant boy who raised Dafu, had also contracted the disease.
"Why would a perfectly healthy dog suddenly go crazy?"
Liu Kang felt something was amiss. He had clearly seen Dafu the day before and he was perfectly normal. Even during the two days when Liu Feng was bitten, Dafu was otherwise normal except for being less active.
It wasn't until Liu Feng developed a fever that Da Fu became agitated and irritable. Because he bit Dao Tong, he was taken outside and kept in captivity.
Because he was also bitten, Daotong is now paralyzed, his jaw has drooped, he can't close his mouth, and he can't speak.
However, even before he showed any obvious symptoms, he was detained and questioned, but he didn't reveal any key suspicious points.
Liu Heng then ordered Peng Jian to bring over several people he was familiar with from Daotong, and have them kneel down in the hall to question him.
Everyone said there was nothing unusual, no one else had seen Daotong come into contact with him, and the food he had been feeding Dafu before hadn't been changed; it was all specially requested from the kitchen.
After spending half a day trying to get nothing useful out of him, Liu Heng sighed wearily, rubbing his forehead, but his heart was still full of doubts.
Liu Kang, who was also listening nearby, had someone he suspected. Even without evidence, he could already guess who it was.
It's probably either Consort Jiang or Consort Lin.
Consort Jiang was Liu Yan's birth mother. Although he was always low-key and respectful to his mother, Liu Yan was intelligent and studious. Even he had to admit that he was definitely not as good as Liu Yan at the same age.
It's hard to say whether Consort Jiang is harboring treachery, or whether Liu Yan's ambition has swelled because of his father's favor. If she were gone, Liu Yan, being clever and resourceful, far surpasses Liu Feng in both intelligence and academics; who knows, the royal palace might fall into Liu Yan's hands in the future.
Liu Kang felt that Consort Jiang had the strongest motive, but Consort Lin also had unspeakable suspicions.
Consort Lin comes from a noble family with a generous dowry. Her elder brother is favored by their father, who now also dotes on her. It's only a matter of time before she has a child. Moreover, relying on her good birth, she doesn't show the same respect for her mother as the other concubines. Can someone like that be content to be a concubine without vying for power or influence?
Although Consort Lin does not have children yet, Lin Yucheng himself is a very ambitious person who relies on scheming against his eldest brother to rise to power. Consort Lin is his sister, so how could he not have the same idea?
Just as Liu Kang was hesitating, wondering who to talk to, the princess also thought of this.
The hatred in her heart burned fiercely. Liu Feng was her most beloved youngest son, and now that he had become like that, she was both in pain and heartbroken, and couldn't help but make wild guesses.
What keeps her going now is the belief that she must avenge Liu Feng.
"Take him away for further interrogation."
Liu Heng waved for his men to take those people away, then embraced the princess, both looking at Liu Feng lying on the bed with a high fever, their hearts aching.
Liu Feng is now paralyzed, suffering from a persistent high fever and incontinence. Despite groaning in pain, his face remains expressionless. The imperial physician says that his nerves are now completely numb, and he will experience increasing pain in the future.
No one had any appetite for dinner that evening. Liu Ling also sobbed in Liu Kang's arms. Liu Kang comforted her and then had the nanny take her away.
"Your Highness, Dodge has given a new statement."
He suddenly entered the room with a sword in his hand, reporting on the latest developments in the interrogation of those people.
They ordered him to be brought back in. Liu Heng and the Princess Consort were seated at the head of the table, listening to Daoqi crying and shouting below, "Daotong had an affair with Duo'er from Consort Lin's courtyard."
Upon hearing the words "Consort Lin," both the Princess and Liu Kang stared wide-eyed, their anger flaring up instantly, as if they had known it all along.
Dodge and his men couldn't withstand the relentless questioning. They racked their brains, trying to implicate everyone they had contact with. After everyone they had contacted in the kitchen and outside had finished speaking, Dodge suddenly remembered "Duya".
Duo Ya Tou was the daughter of the Lu family, who was a servant girl that Lin Yu Qiao brought from the Marquis's mansion. She was considered a servant born into the Marquis's household.
Originally, Madam Li only allowed the Lu family to go to the Huaiyang Prince's Mansion with Lin Yuqiao because the Lu couple were honest people and Old Mrs. Lu was a master at making braised dishes. Who would have thought that while the Lu couple had been honest for half their lives, their daughter was no pushover.
Their daughters, mostly seventeen or eighteen years old, were picky and unmarried. Relying on their good looks, they acted frivolously and loved to flirt with the servants in the outer courtyard.
Rumors circulated that Duoya was no longer a virgin, and that she was even eager to sleep with handsome young servants. As a result, the servants in each courtyard made bets among themselves, hoping that whoever could get a taste of her would have something to talk about in the future.
Some who have already taken the plunge say that these girls are so fertile and passionate on the bed that they want the man to die on her.
Daotong and Daoqi were also among those who wanted to seduce Duoyatou. However, Daoqi was a servant at the Second Gate, while Daotong helped the young master raise dogs, which meant he had caught the master's eye. Therefore, Duoyatou preferred to flirt with Daotong.
However, Daotong wasn't the only person she associated with. Everyone just hung out on their own and didn't treat each other as serious friends. Others were used to it, so no one had brought it up before.
“On the morning of the day the Third Young Master was bitten, someone saw Duoya go to Daotong.”
Having uncovered the clue about Duo Yatou, Liu Heng ordered his men to continue questioning her, and sure enough, they obtained further information.
"I knew it. That Lin woman is never satisfied. She can just throw whatever she wants at me, poor Feng'er."
Upon hearing this, the princess was convinced that Lin Yuqiao was responsible. Her heart was pounding with rage, and she wanted nothing more than for Lin Yuqiao to pay for her son's death. She cried and clung to Liu Heng's clothes, refusing to let go.
"Go and call Lin over."
After a moment's hesitation, Liu Heng put his arm around the princess's shoulder and used some force to calm her down, then sent someone to fetch Lin Yuqiao.
At the same time, he also ordered Pengjian to arrest Duoyatou's family and continue to interrogate other people who had been in contact with Duoyatou.
Hearing that Liu Heng was calling her over, Lin Yuqiao's heart suddenly skipped a beat, and she felt extremely uneasy.
Are the people in our compound all honest?
Before leaving, Lin Yuqiao confirmed with Granny Jiang again and again, and only felt relieved after hearing an affirmative answer.
When they arrived at the Princess's main courtyard, Lin Yuqiao saw so many people for the first time.
A group of people knelt tremblingly below. Liu Kang sat on a stool at the lower end, while Liu Heng and the Princess Consort sat on opposite sides of the couch.
"Mrs. Lin, is your involvement in the fact that the Third Young Master was bitten by a dog?"
Hearing Liu Heng call her "Mrs. Lin" in a cold tone, Lin Yuqiao was slightly taken aback, then immediately denied it.
She had a bad feeling. Could it be that Liu Feng had contracted rabies and that it had affected her?
Who exactly wanted to harm her? Lin Yuqiao couldn't help but glance at the princess, whose eyes were red and swollen from crying.
“Say it again.”
Liu Heng instructed Daoqi and the others who had seen Duoya in the morning to repeat their testimonies.
"Although Duo Yatou is someone I brought with me, she usually just hangs around the outer gate. I didn't know she had contact with people from other courtyards!"
After hearing what those people said, Lin Yuqiao immediately defended herself. At the same time, she secretly regretted that she had entrusted all personnel matters in the courtyard to Granny Fang and Granny Jiang, and had not inquired about anyone else except for those who served her closely.
"Lin, you're still trying to deny it!"
The princess was furious, and her finger trembled as she pointed at Lin Yuqiao.
Seeing that Peng Jian had brought Duo Yatou's family over, Liu Heng gestured for them to kneel down to the side.
Old Lu and his wife were both terrified. They knelt down with a thud, looking at Lin Yuqiao standing below the hall with trepidation.
Duo Ya Tou was the calmest of the three, quietly kneeling down with her head down.
Have you had any prior contact with Daotong?
When Liu Heng asked her a question, Duo Yatou nodded obediently.
"Tell me what happened that day."
“After sweeping the yard early in the morning, I went to find Daotong and brought him some of my mother’s homemade braised dishes. We talked for a while and then I left.”
"They're all so stubborn; it seems they won't confess unless they get a beating."
The princess was furious at Duo Ya's words and didn't want to listen anymore. Seeing that Liu Heng remained silent and did not object, she turned around and ordered her men to drag Duo Ya out.
"Your Highness, please have mercy! My daughter really didn't do anything!"
Old Mrs. Lu shielded Duoya with her body, and together with Old Lu, they held onto her tightly, preventing the other women from dragging her away.
The chaos before her eyes also angered Lin Yuqiao. What did they mean? Did they suspect that she had someone harm Liu Feng?
"The Third Young Master was bitten by the Heir Apparent's dog, not by order of me. Your Highness, please tell me what you want to know. Do these people only tell the truth if they implicate me?"
Lin Yuqiao wished she could say it aloud: why did she want to harm Liu Feng? Even if she wanted to harm Liu Kang, she could only take down one at a time. Besides, there was the Second Young Master Liu Yan standing there; would she even get any benefits?
Not only was the princess so angry at Lin Yuqiao's words that she almost vomited blood, but Liu Kang, who was standing to the side, also glared at her fiercely, secretly annoyed by the disrespect in her words.
"I see you won't shed a tear until you see the coffin! Go search Duo Yatou's room and see if these heartless people have left anything behind!"
The princess did not have clear evidence to point out what Lin Yuqiao did to the dog, nor could she conclude in court that Lin Yuqiao was the one who instructed Duoyatou to do it simply because Duoyatou had contact with Daotong.
The feeling of knowing she was the culprit but being unable to make her confess was so unbearable that the princess felt a surge of blood rising in her throat.
The people who went to search for evidence returned quite some time later. One of them, an old woman, came in from outside carrying a small jar.
"Your Highness, the taste of this jar of braised duck feet is very strange."
As soon as Duo Yatou looked up and saw the small jar, she immediately collapsed. Liu Heng saw this and frowned.
Where did you find this forum?
Lin Yuqiao's face paled at Duo Yatou's reaction, but she still insisted on asking clearly. She couldn't let anyone seize the opportunity to slander her; she had to explain everything that could be explained.
"It was found under Duo Yatou's bed."
Old Mrs. Lu, standing to the side, sensed something was wrong. She didn't know what had happened. She had taught Duoya how to make this jar of braised food, and if anything went wrong, she couldn't let her daughter be implicated. So she quickly wiped away her tears and tried to clarify.
"This jar of braised food was made by me, an old woman. It's not the daughters' business. If anyone gets sick from eating it, then I, an old woman, will have to pay with my life."
Liu Heng summoned the physician from his household to carefully examine the contents of the jar.
The doctor looked at it for a while, smelled the odor, and his expression turned bad. Just as he was about to put his finger in, he suddenly remembered something and quickly stopped.
"Your Highness, if I'm not mistaken, this jar of braised food is laced with the blood of a rabid dog. The dogs in the manor contracted the disease after eating it, which is why the Third Young Master fell ill. Your Highness might as well have someone take some of the braised food and feed it to the other dogs to see if it confirms my guess."
Old Mrs. Lu, who had no idea what was wrong with the braised food, was so shocked by the doctor's words that she sat down on the ground. She glanced at Duo Yatou; after all, she was her daughter, and she couldn't bear to see her suffer. She thought of taking Duo Yatou's place herself.
Noticing her mother's gaze, Duoya suddenly spoke through gritted teeth, "Since everything has been found, I have no intention of living after committing such a terrible deed. I only hope that the Consort will consider my hard work and not implicate my parents!"
She was about to stand up and bang her head against the wall when the old woman next to her held her tightly.
Old Lu, dragging his wife along, stared longingly at Duo Ya Tou, tears streaming down his face. Why did Duo Ya Tou do these things? Was it really the concubine who ordered her to do it?
"Everyone below has confessed, Lin, you vicious woman, what face do you have to continue to deny it! The child is innocent! You have hurt my son this time, and I will make you pay for it with your life!"
Qingming and Guyu, who were standing next to Lin Yuqiao, were also shocked by Duoyatou. Their legs were trembling, and they glared at her anxiously.
"Since you say I ordered you to do this, when and where did I give you the task? What token do you have to prove it? Why would you help me do such a heinous thing? Why would I trust you alone and not entrust it to a more trusted maid? Didn't I ask anyone else to help you besides you? Where did you find this mad dog?!"
In fact, Lin Yuqiao's legs were trembling. With witnesses and physical evidence, it was practically proof of her guilt. She kept telling herself to calm down, forcing back her tears and looking directly at Liu Heng.
Will he believe her or not?
"That's right, so you think you can just say whatever you want? Our concubine has no idea who you are, so how could she make you do such a thing? Who ordered you to do this? Tell us now!"
Hearing Lin Yuqiao's words, Qingming, who was standing to the side, also spoke up for her with a pale face.
The girl, who had been held down by several old women, had initially mustered the courage to bang her head against the wall, but had become timid after failing to kill herself. Lin Yuqiao's questions completely overwhelmed her, and her mind went blank. She thought her previous words were irrefutable evidence, but she hadn't expected this turn of events.
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