In the midst of the chaos, Xiao Yun rushed over.
He had originally been discussing state affairs with Wang Da and Wang Zi Jing in the study when a hurried maidservant ran in, unable to speak clearly, only saying that the Princess Consort seemed to be ill.
Xiao Yun didn't bother to ask for details and hurried over. As he entered the side hall, he saw Wang Qing Yao sitting on the ground, leaning against Zhen Zhu, clutching her stomach with a pained expression and tear-streaked face.
Of course, the various wet nurses had repeatedly tried to help Wang Qing Yao up, but Zhen Zhu had calmly blocked them.
Xiao Yun felt immense heartache. He quickly picked up Wang Qing Yao and then said to Zhen Zhu, "Why is the Princess Consort sitting on the cold ground when she feels unwell!"
As he spoke, he placed Wang Qing Yao on a chair, propped a cushion behind her, and asked with concern, "What's wrong? Where do you feel unwell? You were fine when we went out this afternoon."
Xiao Yun's heart was entirely focused on Wang Qing Yao, and he didn't notice the strange expressions on the faces of Old Madam Wang and the others.
Wang Qing Yao appeared too pained to speak. She tightened her grip on Zhen Zhu's hand, and Zhen Zhu began to state the case clearly.
"Your Highness, it was the elder madam from the in-laws' side who forced the Princess Consort to take that Miss Sui Qin as your concubine. The Princess Consort refused, and the elder madam then cursed the Princess Consort... calling her unfilial, a jinx, a worthless slut. She threatened to spread rumors that the Princess Consort was unfilial if she didn't comply, to have the Censorate impeach her, and to bring chaos to the Ding An Prince's manor!"
What eloquence, mixing truth and falsehood!
Wang Qing Yao secretly gave Zhen Zhu a look of admiration.
While acting and leaning against Zhen Zhu, Wang Qing Yao had quietly told Zhen Zhu that she was fine, which was why Zhen Zhu could remain so composed. However, she was unsure if Wang Qing Yao was truly pregnant or faking it, so she subconsciously avoided the topic.
Although Xiao Yun was somewhat puzzled that Zhen Zhu hadn't gotten to the point, as he had asked about Wang Qing Yao's physical condition, Old Madam Wang's words were too excessive, and Xiao Yun's anger instantly ignited.
He turned to look at Old Madam Wang, his icy gaze like a three-foot-thick layer of ice in the dead of winter, piercing Old Madam Wang.
"The old madam has quite the audacity to insult my Princess Consort! Who gave you the courage?"
Xiao Yun's aura was so powerful, it was as if he were playing Honor of Kings and the opponent suddenly slayed the dragon, his damage output skyrocketing!
Old Madam Wang's legs went weak, and she knelt down. The wet nurses and Han Sui Qin also followed suit.
"Your Highness, you misunderstand. I was... I was..."
Old Madam Wang stammered an explanation, but she had indeed said those words and couldn't think of a suitable defense, only inwardly resenting the quick-tongued Zhen Zhu.
Old Madam Wang had originally thought that by accusing Wang Qing Yao of "unfilial conduct," she could firmly control her and thus spoke without restraint. Who knew that Wang Qing Yao was actually pregnant! She had asked her before, and she had said no! Her scheming was becoming increasingly profound!
Xiao Yun, having heard the news of Wang Qing Yao's illness, had run faster than anyone. Wang Da and Wang Zi Jing, unable to keep up, arrived panting belatedly. Upon entering, they saw Old Madam Wang kneeling on the ground!
The shock was immense!
Old Madam Wang, an elderly woman and the Princess Consort's own grandmother, was actually kneeling?
Wang Zi Jing was somewhat angry, but before he could speak, Wang Da cautiously bowed to Xiao Yun and asked weakly, "May I ask Your Highness, what wrong has our old madam committed that Your Highness is punishing her by making her kneel?"
Xiao Yun coldly uttered eight words: "Insubordination and insulting the Princess Consort!"
Wang Zi Jing and Wang Da were stunned, and then they both looked at Wang Qing Yao. She was slumped in the chair, appearing to be in great discomfort.
So Wang Da cautiously asked again, "Yao Yao... what's wrong with the Princess Consort?"
Before Zhen Zhu could answer, they heard a young maidservant outside calling out, "The doctor is here, the doctor is here!"
Immediately after, Doctor Luo entered carrying his medicine chest.
This Doctor Luo was the physician usually employed by the Wang family. It was he who had been summoned when Bai Shi had tried to scheme to have Wang Qing Yao's flesh cut out. Thus, Doctor Luo was considered an acquaintance.
"Your humble servant greets Your Highness..."
Doctor Luo was about to kneel, but Xiao Yun grabbed his arm, "No need. Hurry and examine the Princess Consort."
Doctor Luo walked up to Wang Qing Yao and humbly bowed to take her pulse.
His brows furrowed slightly, finding it somewhat incomprehensible.
Earlier that morning, someone had approached him and given him a generous sum of money. The person had told him that in the afternoon, someone from the Wang family would ask him to examine the Ding An Princess Consort, and at that time, he only needed to say that the Princess Consort had been stimulated and her fetal qi was disturbed, but there were no serious issues...
However, judging by the pulse, the Ding An Princess Consort indeed seemed to have been stimulated and her fetal qi disturbed. Why would the person go to such lengths?
A moment later, Doctor Luo straightened up and reported to Xiao Yun, "Reporting to Your Highness, Your Highness need not worry. The Princess Consort has merely been stimulated and her fetal qi is disturbed. There are no serious issues. I will prescribe a few doses of fetal-preserving medicine..."
Xiao Yun's eyes suddenly widened, and his voice rose, "What did you say?"
Doctor Luo flinched, not knowing what he had said wrong, and stammered, "The Princess Consort... the Princess Consort has merely had her fetal qi disturbed... there are no... no serious issues!"