Wei Yuan took Mu Baiyu to the Imperial Hospital, administering acupuncture and medicine.
He had to admit, the Consort was truly ruthless. Had he arrived even a few seconds later, Baiyu would have either died or been left a complete imbecile.
However, thinking of Nan Shiying’s expression, Wei Yuan shivered. If that person saw her appearance, she might cause a scene at the palace banquet.
Alas, what a mess this all was!
As he was contemplating, he heard the apprentices’ greetings outside the Imperial Hospital.
“Greetings to the Consort.”
Wei Yuan jolted. No, had she followed him?
He tossed Mu Baiyu aside, pushed aside the curtain, and stepped out, his eyes questioning the Grand Li Princess who had arrived with them.
“Take the Princess’s pulse.” She didn’t say much, instead instructing Wei Yuan to examine the Grand Li Princess.
Seeing this, Wei Yuan asked no further questions and gestured for the Grand Li Princess to proceed. The Princess obligingly sat on the chair by the only table in the room. While Wei Yuan was taking her pulse, Nan Shiying was already independently preparing her own medicine.
Acupuncture could not reduce swelling. The only quick way to do so now was with a topical herbal poultice. Fortunately, such a quick-acting formula was just a common prescription in Medicine King Valley. After Nan Shiying finished preparing the medicine, she placed it in a mortar and pestle. Once ground into a powder, she poured fresh aloe vera juice into it, mixing it into a paste, and then bandaged it around her swollen jaw with gauze.
While she was grinding her medicine, Wei Yuan had finished taking the pulse. He remained silent, saying nothing, until Nan Shiying, having applied the medicine, sat beside him. He then spoke, “Princess…” He glanced at Nan Shiying, who frowned but still nodded at him. Wei Yuan then slowly revealed his diagnosis, “The Princess has been poisoned.”
Upon hearing this, the Grand Li Princess showed no emotion. She knew about the蛊虫 (gu worm) from before, but it wasn't until Wei Yuan uttered the latter half of his sentence that her face suddenly changed color. “It’s not a gu worm, but a chronic poison accumulated over many years.”
“What did you say? A chronic poison?”
Before the Grand Li Princess could ask, Bao Lan, her face filled with anger, slammed her hands on the table and leaned forward, staring intently at Wei Yuan, trying to find any trace of deception on his face.
Wei Yuan simply shrugged nonchalantly. If the Consort hadn’t been there, even if he had diagnosed the chronic poison in the Grand Li Princess, he wouldn’t have said anything. It was the Grand Li Princess, after all. What did her life or death have to do with him?
“Little girl, don’t glare. Even if you stare your eyeballs out, your princess will still have toxins in her body!”
Wei Yuan pondered for a moment, then added, “It seems to be mercury poisoning.”
“Does the Princess have a habit of taking elixirs?”
“Are you implying that the poison in my body is from taking elixirs?” The Grand Li Princess clenched her fists tightly by her legs, gritting her teeth, and asked with difficulty.
Wei Yuan nodded noncommittally, “If the Princess has a habit of taking elixirs.”
“Why!”
Upon receiving Wei Yuan’s confirmation, the Grand Li Princess’s face instantly turned pale. More than anger, her eyes were filled with confusion and grief.
Bao Lan, with fewer words, immediately teared up upon hearing “elixirs,” whether from anger or sadness, she mumbled, “It was the Nineteenth Prince, it was the Nineteenth Prince!”
The Grand Li Emperor had many offspring. Among so many princes, the Princess favored and cherished the Nineteenth Prince the most. The Nineteenth Prince’s birth mother was merely a palace maid, and remained so even at the moment of her death. If it weren’t for the Princess’s pity and allowing Consort Xian to adopt the Nineteenth Prince, the Nineteenth Prince would likely have died in the palace long ago. But, but, the one who poisoned the Princess was the Nineteenth Prince! Had his conscience been eaten by dogs!!
Listening to Bao Lan’s mumbled words, Nan Shiying slightly raised her eyelids.
After the Grand Li Princess entered Lin Yuan, Ji Jinmo had shown her secrets of the Grand Li royal family collected by the Shadow Guards. Her impression of the Nineteenth Prince was merely that he was the most impetuous younger brother of this Princess Hui’an. She had no other knowledge about him.
Truly, a case of East Wave and the snake!
However, perhaps there were hidden matters within this?
As Nan Shiying pondered this, she spoke, “Princess, you need not be sad now. Even if the elixirs were given by the Nineteenth Prince, it doesn’t mean he knew their effects. Perhaps he was manipulated by someone?”
The Grand Li Princess was slightly taken aback and nodded slowly.
At this point, it was no longer important who had poisoned her. The crucial matter was, could this poison be cured?
She suddenly looked at Wei Yuan.
Wei Yuan spread his hands, stating helplessly, “You have been taking it for a long time, and the poison has already spread to your internal organs. I am powerless. However, she…”
Wei Yuan gestured for the Grand Li Princess to seek Nan Shiying’s help, “Her medical skills are far superior to mine. Perhaps she can detoxify you, or at the very least, preserve your life.”
Nan Shiying gave Wei Yuan a ‘well done’ look. Seeing the Grand Li Princess’s gaze upon her, she said nothing more, simply placing her hand on the Princess’s wrist and taking her pulse.
Suddenly, she sighed, “It cannot be cured, only preserved!”
Hearing Nan Shiying’s sigh, the Grand Li Princess’s heart tightened. Upon hearing the latter half of the sentence, her suspended heart settled. However, she harbored doubts about Nan Shiying and Wei Yuan’s claims. The Regent’s Consort possessed medical skills? And exceptional ones at that?
Wei Yuan saw her disbelief and sneered, “If the Princess does not believe me, she is welcome to seek treatment elsewhere. But I can guarantee that in this capital, besides the Consort, there is no one else who can save your life.”
Old Du could, of course, but without the Consort’s approval, Old Du would never treat her.
Seeing Wei Yuan speak with such certainty, the Grand Li Princess had no choice but to temporarily set aside her doubts. If what he said was true, then… the Grand Li Princess couldn’t help but feel a pang of sorrow. Her life was likely in the hands of others.
Nan Shiying raised an eyebrow at Wei Yuan, then said to the Grand Li Princess, “Princess, are you afraid I will seek a reward for this favor?”
This was indeed what the Grand Li Princess was thinking, but she dared not nod.
This Regent’s Consort was also someone who kept her emotions well hidden. She was smiling now, but who knew what thoughts lay hidden in her heart. Shaking her head, she lowered her head slightly, “I dare not!”
This was the first time she had bowed her head to anyone other than her Emperor Father.