The moment Jiang Wan saw the Empress's body, even though she had a premonition, she was still shocked and her heart trembled.
This, this is…
Her gaze sharpened.
No wonder Pei Xuan kept this a secret so tightly, not even daring to reveal it to Pei Tang.
If people knew about the Empress's current condition, even if her illness could be cured, her fate would be tragic.
Not only the Empress, but also Pei Xuan, Pei Tang, and the Empress's maternal family will suffer as a result.
Jiang Wan took a deep breath and quickly calmed herself down.
When he spoke again, he had regained his usual calm.
"The imperial physician won't be away for long. He will come to check on the Empress's condition soon. Tell the Crown Prince that if the imperial physician comes, you should say that you are wiping the Empress's body and ask him to stall for time as much as possible."
"Also, bring some rouge and face powder, quietly, without alerting anyone."
Jade responded with tears in its eyes.
Jiang Wan's calmness was a silent reassurance. When she got up again, she was less flustered, and at least her complexion looked normal.
Jade went out and quickly returned with two boxes of rouge.
Jiang Wan lifted the blanket again, her eyes calm.
The Empress's eyes were gently closed, her expression serene, as if she were simply asleep.
But from her neck down, her skin was dotted with small, golden pimples the size of soybeans.
Smallpox was not only a difficult disease to treat, but was also regarded by the royal family as an omen of bad luck.
It is said that one of our ancestors' concubines gave birth to a baby with smallpox. In the same year, there were unusual celestial phenomena, and a flood broke out in Hedong, killing and injuring thousands.
The Imperial Observatory declared this to be a demon child sent from heaven. Not only was the infant executed, but the concubine's entire family was also wiped out and beheaded.
From then on, smallpox became an ominous sign.
Public opinion is a powerful force, and no one dares to joke about the country and its people.
If anyone were to see the Empress in her current state, even Emperor Jingyuan would be unable to protect her.
The empress will inevitably be deposed, and Pei Xuan's position as crown prince will also be in jeopardy.
When the smallpox patient was executed, he was still a child, but Pei Xuan was a fully grown man, a chosen one of heaven. How could he sit idly by and wait for his death?
Coupled with the resistance from the Empress Dowager, a huge uproar is bound to erupt in the court.
This is the purpose of the person behind it.
That's truly ruthless and heartless.
Jiang Wan's eyes were like deep pools.
"I will administer acupuncture to try to alleviate Your Majesty's symptoms."
She gave instructions as she inserted the needle.
"Jade, use rouge to cover the gold spots on Her Majesty's neck and wrists."
Jade nodded quickly.
After a flurry of activity, it was getting dark.
The two then helped the Empress change into a high-necked palace dress and blew out two candles in the inner room.
Only after everything was completed did she send Jade to fetch the imperial physician.
The imperial physicians had been waiting for a long time. Upon receiving their orders, they immediately followed Pei Xuan and filed in.
Upon entering, Pei Xuan first looked at Jiang Wan.
No communication is needed; a single glance seems to convey a tacit understanding.
Seeing her calm and composed expression, and her slight nod to him, Pei Xuan raised his hand, signaling the imperial physician to step forward.
The person taking the Empress's pulse was the head of the Imperial Medical Academy, who was nearly sixty years old.
After taking her pulse, he frowned and said, "Strange, Her Majesty's pulse was erratic this morning, but now it has returned to normal and is becoming stable."
Then, two more imperial physicians came forward to examine the patient and came to the same conclusion.
Jiang Wan stood to the side, her eyes slightly lowered.
The Empress's breathing was disordered. She used acupuncture to change her pulse, but it couldn't be maintained for long.
"May I ask the imperial physician, what prescription did you give Her Majesty today?" she asked.
The imperial physician replied, "Because Her Majesty showed signs of catching a cold, I prescribed a formula to dispel heat and dispel cold at noon today."
Jiang Wan smiled and said, "After taking this medicine, Her Majesty's pulse returned to normal. It seems that Her Majesty was indeed suffering from a cold. Your medical skills are truly superb."
The imperial physician was taken aback.
Although he found it strange, he couldn't refute the fact that the Empress's pulse had indeed stabilized.
Pei Xuanyi nodded: "Then prescribe a few more doses of medicine for the Empress Dowager. I think she will recover soon."
The chief physician accepted the order and led several imperial physicians to write out the prescriptions.
Only one young imperial physician lagged a few steps behind, secretly glancing towards the bed.
Pei Xuan asked, "Imperial Physician Sun, is there a problem?"
When Physician Sun was called upon, he immediately bowed and respectfully asked, "Your Highness, may I ask which servant was wiping Her Highness's body just now? Was there anything unusual?"
Jade's face turned pale, fearing that someone would discover something amiss.
Jiang Wan patted her hand, and she regained her composure.
Jade replied, word by word, "It was this servant who served Your Highness. Your Highness is in good health and there is nothing unusual about you. What do you mean by that, sir?"
Physician Sun said, "That's good. However, the symptoms I observed in Her Majesty's body are similar to a suspected illness described in a medical book, which is why I asked this question. It seems that I was overthinking it."
Jiang Wan blinked: "I wonder what illness is described in the medical books?"
Physician Sun recalled for a moment, then shook his head: "That medical book was passed down from my ancestors. It recorded many difficult and strange diseases and their treatments. I only glanced at it many years ago, and I can't remember it now."
Pei Xuan waved his hand: "It's alright, you can go now."
After all the bystanders had left, Emerald dared to speak, excitedly addressing Pei Xuan.
"Your Highness, if what Physician Sun said is true, there might be a way to save Her Majesty in his medical book!"
Pei Xuan looked at Jiang Wan: "What do you think?"
Jiang Wan said, "There are only two possibilities when Physician Sun mentions medical books at this time."
First, his medical skills were exceptional; he truly diagnosed the Empress's illness.
Secondly, he knew the inside story of the Empress's illness and guessed that Your Highness was extremely anxious, so he used medical books to lure you into a trap.
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