"Your Majesty, the Second Prince has suddenly developed a cough, and it's said to be quite serious. The imperial physicians have all gone there now," Jiangxiang said as she approached.
Yan Nangui nodded and said, "We'll see. If His Majesty and the Empress both go, we'll go and see. If they don't, then forget it."
“Yes. But the Second Prince has never had a cough before, so why is he suddenly coughing now that it’s summer?” Jiang Xiang frowned.
"It's not surprising that a child is sick; we'll find out soon enough."
After a while, someone went to Jingtai Hall to report that the Second Prince's cough was still very serious and he was now short of breath.
Shu Chengfeng was still worried about the child, so he rode in his carriage to the Lotus Fragrance Pavilion.
He went, so the Empress had no choice but to go as well, and everyone else followed suit and headed to the Lotus Fragrance Pavilion.
Because of the distance, separated by the entire lake, Yan Nangui was destined to be the last to go.
Here, however, there is already a vague result.
"The Second Prince's cough is due to excessive pollen inhalation. I have examined it; it's caused by a handkerchief. The Second Prince has been wiping his face with this handkerchief all morning. It contains pollen from some kind of plant. Although the Second Prince has never experienced coughing before without inhaling pollen, he is still a young child, and inhaling such a large amount may have triggered it."
At this moment, another imperial physician stepped forward: "Your Majesty, please excuse me. I can confirm that this pollen is likely from Artemisia argyi. This substance is most likely to trigger asthma and coughs. There is a large amount of pollen on this handkerchief, so densely packed that even an adult would feel very uncomfortable inhaling it."
"And how is the Second Prince now?" the Empress asked, frowning.
"His Highness the Second Prince has developed a rash. I have already ordered people to steam him with hot water and have him inhale more moisture to alleviate the symptoms. Fortunately, it was discovered in time, and he will only be uncomfortable for a few days; there is no danger," said Physician Huang.
Shu Chengfeng's face darkened: "Jin Lingyi, is this how you raise children?"
Jin Lingyi knelt and kowtowed: "Your Majesty, Your Majesty, Your Majesty, but... but this handkerchief, it was... it was kept by the servants, Your Majesty, I don't know how it came to be like this."
"Logically speaking, one can never be too careful with the things used by princes and princesses. Children are young, and it's inevitable that they'll drool. How could a handkerchief be used for an entire morning? Is there something fishy going on?" Consort Mu asked.
"Although I do not personally serve the prince, I have seen that it is not uncommon for wet nurses to change handkerchiefs and the like ten times a day."
"Yes, that's how it should be." The Queen nodded.
"What? Is it because my salary for the Second Prince is not enough? He can't even afford a handkerchief?" Shu Chengfeng's face darkened further.
"Your Majesty... Your Majesty knows you were wrong... But even if this handkerchief wasn't changed, there wouldn't be so much pollen on it. Your Majesty keeps an eye on it, and the wet nurses don't dare to be negligent." Jin Lingyi was also at a loss.
"Since you put it that way, then summon the wet nurses and all those who serve the Second Prince." The Empress frowned. "You're not taking good care of the prince; let's see what they have to say!"
Shu Chengfeng didn't speak, which meant he agreed.
Before long, the four wet nurses and six maids were kneeling outside.
The Empress only asked a few questions before a wet nurse surnamed Li stammered, "This servant deserves to die, this servant deserves to die! It was this servant... this servant took the Second Prince's handkerchief to wash, but... but ruined it. In a panic, I went to the sewing room to get a new one. This is a new one from the sewing room, but because... because... because this servant was lazy, I... I used it all morning, but this servant didn't know, this servant didn't know it contained pollen!"
The Empress angrily said, "What a wicked servant! It's clear that this is how you usually serve the Second Prince! Jin Lingyi, as the birth mother of a prince, what have you been doing all day? Allowing such a servant to serve you for so long!"
Jin Lingyi's heart skipped a beat. Li, the wet nurse, was the person she trusted most.
I never expected him to be this kind of person.
"Your Majesty, I know I was wrong, I failed to notice. But Your Majesty, there must be something wrong with the handkerchief in the sewing room."
Shu Chengfeng sneered: "Summon all the people here for me. If the matter cannot be investigated, they need not live."
Yan Nangui heard this sentence as soon as he entered.
"Is the Second Prince alright?" She was a little surprised. Could it be that the child was not well?
Shu Chengfeng nodded: "It's alright, why did it take you so long?"
Yan Nangui was baffled: "Your Majesty Xichun has to take a long detour here, and it's not convenient to come by boat."
"In my opinion, it's because you're not in a hurry," Consort Jing snorted.
"Your Highness's words are truly laughable. Why should I be in such a hurry? Am I a royal physician? Do I know how to treat illnesses or what?" Yan Nangui couldn't help but retort.
"Well! The Second Prince is ill, and you say such things? Aren't you worried? You really are cold and heartless!" Consort Jing said excitedly, as if she had found something to say.
"Nonsense! I only came because he is His Majesty's son. Otherwise, why would I be in such a hurry for a son born to the Jin family? Do you expect me to treat him as my own son?" Yan Nangui said coldly.
"Enough! What time is it and you're still arguing?" the Empress snapped.
"Your Majesty is right," Yan Nangui said, bowing his head.
Shu Chengfeng's gaze as he watched the geese fly south was not very good.
It's probably because of what she just said.
They don't care if the wild geese fly south.
Before long, the people from the sewing room arrived; it was a nanny, obviously not from the palace.
They weren't responsible for the concubines' clothing, just small items like handkerchiefs and socks.
The old woman looked to be in her fifties, and Yun Ji easily intimidated her into confessing.
"This servant...this servant is greedy, I only said...I only said...it was..."
"Speak properly!" Yun Ji roared.
"Yes, yes, yes, this servant accepted twenty taels of silver from Eunuch Gu of Xichun and Xieli, who told me to find an opportunity to give this handkerchief to someone on the Second Prince's side, so that the Second Prince could use it... I know nothing else. This servant thought it was just a handkerchief, it wouldn't matter, so... so I agreed. This servant is greedy, this servant is greedy... Please, Your Majesty, spare my life..."
"Xichun Xie? Isn't that Consort Chen? Well, no wonder you said such cold words, Consort Chen. So it was you who did all this?" Consort Jing said angrily.
"Shut up!" Shu Chengfeng said coldly.
Consort Jing was so frightened that she immediately knelt down.
"Go, bring Eunuch Gu here to me," Shu Chengfeng said.
"There must be some misunderstanding. I am the first to vouch for Consort Chen." The Empress curtsied.
"Your Majesty, I also vouch for Consort Chen," said Consort Wen.
"Alright, sit down. I certainly won't wrong Consort Chen." Shu Chengfeng didn't believe it at all.
Why would that woman do all that thankless work? What's in it for her?
Yan Nangui smiled and said, "Your Majesty, the innocent are innocent. However, whoever did this, please don't let me catch them. Otherwise..."
Yan Nangui's face showed no sign of fierceness, yet he inexplicably instilled fear in people.
Jin Lingyi gritted her teeth, but who had plotted against her? Using her child as a pawn!
The Empress? Consort Mu? Noble Consort Jing? Or was it Consort Chen herself who orchestrated this whole thing?
No, it wasn't Consort Chen; she didn't need to. Then who was it?
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