Chapter 714

You mean… Eldest Princess furrowed her brows slightly, fell silent for a moment, "That actually makes some sense."

No way? Xiao Ran was stunned, "Does Consort Rong really have the nerve?"

An epidemic in the palace—what a huge matter! Even if the palace folk are unsettled, that could be overlooked, but if it spreads, rumors will surely run rampant.

This is a catastrophe of heavenly proportions! Moreover, with the great battle imminent, if it's discovered, her natal family will surely incur guilt.

The Eldest Princess raised her hand and stroked Tuan Tuan's head: "I can actually understand her painstaking effort. Given the situation, her wanting to save the Eleventh Prince is indeed the best way."

If it were Tuan Tuan who had to sit on the city wall, I would do the same. I wouldn't care whether it was a disaster or not.

Imperial Aunt is really wonderful! Tuan Tuan rubbed against her embrace, turned her head to look at Xiao Ran, "Ninth Brother, what are you afraid of?"

Imperial Uncle hasn't come either; any disaster would be the fault of those two scoundrels, as long as the Eleventh and his mother are safe.

Xiao Ran grinned: "That's also true."

The Eldest Princess picked up another pastry and handed it to Tuan Tuan: "Yes, Tuan Tuan said that well."

Tuan Tuan's cheeks puffed up as she ate: "Consort Rong is so clever! This way, Little Eleventh won't have to sit on the city wall anymore!"

Xiao Ningyuan nodded: "Indeed, with an epidemic in the palace, not only does the Eleventh Prince not need to go, but all the princes and princesses cannot go either."

They definitely won't let the three armies risk infection; otherwise, how could we fight this war? Consort Rong is truly wise.

Lu Qi recalled the scene at the Water Cloud Pavilion: "She is truly a kind mother."

Xiao Er, however, was a bit worried: "If that's really the case, it would naturally be best, but what if Chen Wang and Jing Wang see through it?"

"I don't think so," the Eldest Princess mused, "If even the imperial physicians can't tell, how could they see through it?"

"Great!" Tuan Tuan shook her little hands, "Little Eleventh doesn't have to go to the city wall; just wait in the palace for Imperial Uncle to return."

The Eldest Princess also relaxed: "You haven't gone to the Imperial Kitchen yet? Go take a look, and take whatever you need."

If you want meat and strong flavors, come to me; I'll have the small kitchen prepare them daily, and you can pick them up at night.

Several people hastily bowed and said, "Thank you, Eldest Princess."

Tuan Tuan put her arms around the Eldest Princess's neck, lightly kissed her cheek, and said, "Thank you, Imperial Aunt!"

The Eldest Princess hugged her tightly, then let go: "Hurry up and go."

Everyone bade farewell to the Eldest Princess, went to the Imperial Kitchen and strolled around; as the Eldest Princess had said, everything was clear soup and watery dishes.

Several people grabbed some things at random, left the palace, and returned to the secret chamber.

Tuan Tuan enthusiastically recounted the story of Consort Rong and her son feigning illness.

Eunuch Cheng let out a long sigh: "Consort Rong is doing this, sacrificing everything for the Eleventh Prince."

May the Three Pure Ones protect them, so that mother and son may pass through this calamity safely.

Chen Hao nodded silently; each time he heard of an evil deed committed by Chen Wang, his guilt grew a little more.

When the great battle comes, I must do something to lessen my father king's sins.

The next morning, Liu Guiyan followed Chen Wang into the Water Cloud Pavilion.

Chen Wang performed a hurried salute, stepped aside to let the person behind him step forward: "This is the renowned physician I specially invited to treat His Majesty and the Empress Dowager."

Consort Rong lifted her gaze to the elderly woman before her, whose hair was white and wispy, attire simple and elegant, countenance calm, yet her eyes were deep as an ancient well, making one feel uneasy just looking at them.

"A renowned physician?" She pulled Xiao Lin into her embrace, "Even the imperial physicians are helpless; how could a country village doctor possibly see?"

Chen Wang's face darkened: "Precisely because the imperial physicians in the palace are useless, I went to great lengths to invite this renowned physician into the palace."

"How so, does the Empress Dowager not want His Majesty to recover soon?"

Consort Rong's face turned pale.

She gritted her teeth and had no choice but to pull Xiao Lin's hand out from under the covers.

Liu Guiyan stepped forward, sat at the edge of the bed, and lightly placed three fingers on Xiao Lin's slender wrist.

The hall was so quiet that the fall of a needle could be heard.

Consort Rong stared intently at her face, her heart leaping to her throat.

After a moment, Liu Guiyan released her hand, glanced at Xiao Lin's complexion and tongue coating, and gave a slight nod.

She turned to Consort Rong: "Empress Dowager, please extend your hand."

Consort Rong hesitated for a moment, then extended her hand.

Liu Guiyan examined her a bit more, then withdrew her hand, rose, and looked toward Chen Wang: "Your Highness, let's talk elsewhere."

Chen Wang nodded, turned, and walked out.

Liu Guiyan followed behind him, the two of them leaving without looking back.

Consort Rong held Xiao Lin tightly, her heart sinking bit by bit.

She lowered her gaze to her son; Xiao Lin was also looking up at her with his little face, his eyes full of bewilderment and unease.

"It's all right," Consort Rong soothed softly, "It's all right, Mother Consort is here."

After a while, in Zichen Hall, the Masked Man sat upright behind the Dragon Desk.

"Exalted One, your Divine Doctor truly lives up to the name," Chen Wang said with a smile, "Consort Rong and her son are not ill at all."

The rash on their bodies is caused by applying the juice of Chinese yam to the skin; it looks extremely similar to the epidemic rash, but in fact it is neither painful nor itchy.

As for the vomiting and diarrhea, that is due to consuming too many white hyacinth beans.

These are ordinary foodstuffs, which is why they went unnoticed.

I have already checked the Imperial Kitchen and confirmed it; the Empress Dowager indeed ordered a lot of these items when she had meals served a few days ago.

The Masked Man snorted coldly: "Their information is quick. They must have learned that the Emperor would mount the city wall, and thus came up with this idea."

Chen Wang frowned slightly: "But no outsiders know about this; how did they find out?"

The Masked Man shook his head: "The platform on the city wall is almost finished; it's not surprising that someone would guess it."

Consort Rong has been in the palace for many years and has a few trusted confidants; that's nothing unusual.

Chen Wang's face darkened: "Exalted One, they dare to deceive us like this; how should we deal with this?"

Masked Man whispered a few instructions.

Prince Chen nodded repeatedly: 'Yes.' He turned and strode out.

The hall fell silent again.

Masked Man raised his hand and gave a light wave.

There was no movement at all.

He frowned, looked up at the beam, and waved his hand again.

The beam was empty, and all around remained silent.

Where is Yingren?

He suddenly stood up and strode out of the hall.

Soon, a plain sedan stopped at the gate of Lu Wu's residence.

Masked Man lifted the curtain, hurried into the courtyard, and pushed open Lu Wu's door.

Several servants hurried up and stood quietly at the gate waiting.

Masked Man glanced inside; the bedding was neat, and the tea in the cup still steamed.

On the table lay a paper‑torn figurine.

He turned to the servants and asked, 'Where are the people?'