"Lychees are an excellent medicinal food for stubborn hiccups and those with chronic diarrhea. They also strengthen the brain, boost fitness, stimulate the appetite, and improve digestion. Plums have a similar effect. For pregnant women suffering from severe morning sickness, they can indeed help stimulate the appetite. However, because Zou Yun'er's reaction is triggered by the combined scent of these three, consuming such a digestive and appetite-stimulating drink would cause internal 'virtual fire' to rise, leading to dryness and heat."
"So, the other party didn't use poison, but their methods were far more sophisticated than administering poison."
"Ordinary physicians would find it difficult to detect anything. Even imperial physicians who diagnosed Zou Yun'er with internal dryness and unbalanced heat would only prescribe dietary therapy. With dietary therapy, her condition would quickly recur, and in this cycle of exacerbation, Zou Yun'er's body would slowly weaken. Twin pregnancies are inherently perilous. If the mother cannot supply adequate nutrition to the infants, it will result in either the mother perishing while the children survive, the children perishing while the mother survives, or a tragic loss of three lives."
Upon hearing this, Ji Hong could no longer contain his rage. He slammed his palm onto the table, producing a deafening "dong." The eunuchs stationed outside the imperial study flinched violently, increasingly finding their Emperor to be excessively moody these days.
What could have possibly ignited such a fit of anger!
"Very well. If there are no unexpected complications, we should be able to identify the culprit within two days. I am also eager to see just how many demons and monsters are still lurking within the imperial palace."
Nan Shiying had her arm resting on the table. Ji Hong's sudden slam caused her arm to tremble, and the water in her teacup splashed out. She shook her hand and placed the teacup back on the table. Ji Jinmo, seeing that the tea water was not hot, relaxed his furrowed brows. He took out a handkerchief from his怀中 and wiped the water traces from the back of her hand, casting a subtle glance at Ji Hong with his cool, clear eyes.
He could understand Ji Hong's current mood. If he were in the same position, he feared he would immediately seal off the palace gates, dead or alive, and even those buried in the earth would be dug up and dismembered.
Hearing Nan Shiying's words, Ji Hong's anger gradually subsided. He felt a sense of lingering fear, but also a measure of relief and gratitude.
"Imperial Aunt, thank goodness for you!"
The mastermind behind this plot had calculated everything, but they could never have imagined that the renowned divine physician Feng Luan was none other than Princess Nan Shiying, who was rumored to be ill-fated. If the Princess hadn't noticed Yun'er's unusual complexion today, this matter might have been overlooked. The consequences, Ji Hong shuddered to think about what would have happened if this had gone undiscovered.
Nan Shiying waved her hand and pointed at Ji Jinmo, saying to Ji Hong, "Love me, love my dog."
Ji Hong: "..."
Although I am that dog, I don't feel any joy!
Have you people reached the point of openly flaunting your affection? Imperial Aunt, where is a woman's composure and subtlety? You weren't like this before!!!
Ji Jinmo pursed his lips, his expression unchanged, but the tips of his ears subtly flushed, the blush creeping up his neck. He cleared his throat as if his throat were dry, then picked up his teacup and took a sip of tea, masking the joy and shyness of being openly declared affection by the one he cherished.
Ji Hong: "..."
Why don't you two just leave? Hurry up and leave!!!
Seeing Ji Jinmo's outwardly calm demeanor, Nan Shiying let out a giggle. She couldn't help but reach out to pat Ji Jinmo's head, then realizing Ji Hong's presence, her hand paused in mid-air before she clasped Ji Jinmo's hand.
Ji Hong watched the trajectory of Nan Shiying's hand and mentally visualized her true intentions, his expression immediately becoming peculiar.
There's something he's not sure if he should say, but he truly couldn't imagine his Imperial Uncle being patted on the head. It was simply too bizarre!
Nan Shiying cast a disdainful glance at Ji Hong and pulled Ji Jinmo up to leave, departing as quickly as they had arrived, like a gust of wind that leaves no trace.
Ji Hong looked down at the teacup in his hand, his expression slowly turning cold.
The vermin in the palace could never be completely eradicated!
...
"Ah~"
In the early morning, after Shen Yue had helped Zou Yun'er with her morning ablutions, she accidentally broke a vase in the room while preparing the medicinal diet. The vase fell to the ground, shards flying, accompanied by Shen Yue's frightened cry, startling the birds perched on the branches.
Zou Yun'er was startled, and the spoon in her hand clattered into the bowl, splashing soup and water onto her clothes.
Holding her abdomen, her heart seemed to be connected to her uterus, beating rapidly. The infants residing in her uterus also trembled violently.
"Your Highness, Your Highness, are you well? Are you feeling unwell?"
"What are you standing there for? Hurry up and come check the Princess's pulse!"
Before Shen Yue arrived, Zou Yun'er's most capable head maid rushed into the room, anxiously inquiring about the Princess's current physical condition, while glaring fiercely at Shen Yue and ordering her to hurry over and check her pulse.
Shen Yue quickly went to Zou Yun'er's side, knelt beside her, and felt her pulse. Seeing her rapid pulse, she quickly held onto her arm and began massaging it, which finally stabilized Zou Yun'er's heart rate.
Seeing that Zou Yun'er was no longer in any serious danger, Shen Yue retreated and prostrated herself on the ground: "This servant deserves death."
Zou Yun'er waved her hand, signaling her to rise: "It's nothing serious, just be more careful next time." With that, she turned to her head maid: "Yinxing, have someone come in to clear away the broken pieces!"
"Yes!"
Yinxing glanced at Shen Yue, then stood up to call for people to clean up the debris. She stood by, supervising their work, ensuring that not a single shard remained on the ground. Not only was the Princess carrying the royal heir, but even ordinarily, these porcelain shards should not be allowed to prick the Princess's delicate feet.
After Yinxing had inspected the entire floor of the room, she turned to report and asked, "Your Highness, are we still displaying Mòyáo flowers today?"
Constantly seeing Mòyáo flowers had become monotonous, so Zou Yun'er asked, "Plum blossoms!"
Yinxing hesitated slightly. She opened her mouth as if to say something, but ultimately did not voice it. She simply accepted the order and went to the imperial garden to pick plum blossoms.
Shen Yue watched Yinxing's retreating back, her brows furrowed slightly.
Could it be... her?
Yinxing left Lilan Yuan and headed to the rear garden.
The plum blossoms this year were not blooming very well, perhaps due to the Mòyáo flowers stealing their nutrients. After much deliberation, Yinxing only picked a few branches. In any case, fresh flowers had to be changed daily. She could always switch back to Mòyáo flowers tomorrow; there was truly limited selection at the moment.
However, it would not be long before spring arrived, and spring would bring forth a hundred blossoms. Since the Princess was now carrying the royal heir, she would definitely pick some peonies to place in the Princess's room then.