Chapter 23: Startling Fever

Chapter 23: Startling Fever

In the Yao Hua Palace, Hong Ying gently wrung out a warm wet towel and laid it on the young prince's forehead. The tiny infant, with closed eyes, had a soft silk cloth in his mouth to prevent biting, and lay in his swaddle, his cheeks flushed red with fever.

Imperial Physician Lin Guida was taking the young prince's pulse, checking his tongue and eyes, his brows deeply furrowed.

After a moment, he carefully withdrew the young prince's hand from the swaddle, gently pressed near the base of his thumb, and then located an acupoint behind his neck, massaging it for a while.

Jiang Hui sat beside, passing a freshly warmed towel to Hong Ying to replace the previous one, her gaze shifting nervously between the imperial physician and her son, dreading to hear any unfavorable diagnosis.

"Imperial Consort, the Crown Prince shows symptoms of startling fever: hot but not severe, a pale face with spontaneous sweating, restless sleep with frequent frights and incoherent babbling, occasional convulsions," the physician informed.

"Startling fever?" Jiang Hui tried to remain calm, anxiously asking, "Is there a way to reduce it?"

Imperial Physician Lin bowed and replied, "Your Highness, the Crown Prince is less than three months old and naturally frail; medication should not be too strong. I have already pressed the Hegu and Fengfu acupoints. Later, we will add Tianzhuhuang in the prescription. Your Highness can instruct the palace maids to use a cloth dipped in warm water to reduce the Crown Prince's fever, as Lady Hongying is doing now.

"If the Crown Prince's high fever persists until before the Hai hour tonight, I will have no choice but to administer stronger medicine, but..."

"But what?"

The Emperor entered from behind the curtains, his voice deep with concern, followed by Empress Wang and Matron Li sent by the Dowager Empress, seemingly having hurried from the Fragrance Pavilion.

"Your servant greets Your Majesty, greets the Empress!"

"This consort pays respects to Your Majesty and the Empress."

Everyone in the room promptly greeted them, while Emperor Xiao hurriedly helped Jiang Hui up, waiting for Imperial Physician Lin's response.

"To report to Your Majesty, the Crown Prince being young and weak, administering strong medicine might harm his heart and kidneys, potentially weakening his constitution further."

The imperial physicians, familiar with the Emperor's straightforward nature, responded candidly, not shying away from the serious implications.

Emperor Xiao's brows furrowed. Although he cherished his daughter, in his position, a son was different, especially one born to Jiang Hui. Seeing the young prince's flushed face and trembling eyelids, he felt deeply troubled.

The Empress then spoke, "Imperial Physician Lin, please write the prescription. We hope the Crown Prince's fever subsides soon."

Soon after, the prescription was prepared, and Autumn brought the medicine bowl.

Jiang Hui's delicate fingers gently brushed the young prince's cheek before taking the bowl, scooping half a spoonful of the medicine, and cautiously feeding it to him.

"Be good, Yearn, listen to Mother and drink the medicine," Jiang Hui said tenderly.

Although the infant in the swaddle was still in a slumber, perhaps hearing his mother's voice or because the prescription included licorice making it less bitter, he instinctively licked the spoon, swallowing half a spoonful of the medicine.

Assured, Jiang Hui fed him the medicine with even greater care.

Emperor Xiao, relieved at the scene, mentioned his fatigue from overseeing the selection at the Fragrance Pavilion all day. Noticing the Empress's exhaustion, he suggested she return to the Phoenix Splendor Palace to rest and offered to send Sheng An to the Dowager Empress with updates.

The Empress, however, remained in the Yao Hua Palace until the Crown Prince's fever subsided, only leaving for the Phoenix Splendor Palace when the palace gates were about to close.

As a childless stepmother, the Empress knew the importance of showing concern for the Crown Prince at this critical moment. Any mishap could lead the Emperor and Dowager Empress to suspect her.

Spring Swallow, concerned for the Empress, helped her remove her hairpins and jewelry, and assisted her in changing into more comfortable attire. She lamented the Empress's exhaustion and the unnecessary stress, especially since the Crown Prince's illness in the Yao Hua Palace couldn't be blamed on her.

The Empress, however, appeared in high spirits, remarking that it was just a bit of tiredness, which was preferable to potential accusations.

Summer Cicada then wondered if the Crown Prince's sudden fever was deliberate.

The Empress, questioning the possibility, noted that after Consort Hu's departure, the palace had fewer conflicts, making it unlikely for anyone to target the Crown Prince, the Emperor's and Dowager Empress's favorite.

Jiang Hui, aware of this, knew that despite the low probability, an investigation was necessary.

She asked the wet nurses, kneeling by her side, to recount the events leading to the Crown Prince's fever, wondering how he could fall ill so suddenly.

Hongying explained that Nurse Ma had taken leave due to a family bereavement and Nurse Huang had fallen ill. In their absence, Nurses Lv and Jin had been feeding the Crown Prince, while she, Autumn, and Pomegranate cared for his daily needs.

Pomegranate added that Autumn had been with the Crown Prince that day. The baby was kept away from drafts and had seemed normal throughout the day, showing no signs of illness.

Hongying mentioned that she had been preparing a nourishing soup prescribed by Imperial Physician Lin when the Crown Prince suddenly developed a fever in the afternoon.

Pomegranate concluded by saying that the Crown Prince had been fine until the fever started unexpectedly.

Jiang Hui then inquired if Nurses Lv and Jin had been consistently taking the medicinal soup prescribed by the Imperial Physician.

The soup was given to the wet nurses to indirectly nourish the young and frail Crown Prince through breastfeeding.

Hongying confirmed they had been taking the medicine regularly, and she personally prepared it without delegating the task.

Jiang Hui further inquired if all items used by the Crown Prince had been sterilized with boiling water.

“Yes, we dare not be negligent,” replied Hongying.

The child had always been carefully looked after by the palace staff, with everything he consumed thoroughly checked. This recent fever seemed to be a result of congenital weakness, not foul play.

Standing behind her, Ping Gugu suddenly looked uneasy and said, “Madam, could it be the child has seen something unclean?”

Jiang Hui turned sharply, fixing her gaze on Ping Gugu, who turned pale under her scrutiny. After a moment, Jiang Hui asked slowly, “What do you mean, Ping Gugu?”

Hesitating briefly, Ping Gugu said, “Madam, it might have something to do with that Miss Qi... perhaps because of the incident in the Purple Bamboo Forest…”

Her implication was clear, and the maids around her looked hesitant to speak.

Jiang Hui nodded slightly, smiling, “If that's the case, it's indeed time to invite the revered Buddha back to dispel the evil spirits. Ping Gugu, let’s keep this quiet. His Majesty is resting in the warm pavilion. Prepare some golden jade soup, and I will find a way to mention this to His Majesty.”

Ping Gugu nodded and left to carry out the order.

After she left, Jiang Hui’s smile faded, and her expression turned cold as she said quietly, “Ping Gugu is the daughter of my wet nurse. My nurse has been ill these days and misses her dearly. Shiliu, go find Qingfeng and have him convey a message to the Princess's residence to bring Ping Gugu back to care for her. From now on, she can enjoy her days with her mother at the Princess's residence.”

Shiliu’s expression turned serious as she respectfully replied, “Yes.”