Princess Yong looked weary, her face a pale that even heavy makeup couldn’t conceal.
When Ji Qingwu had last seen her at the Empress Dowager’s birthday banquet, she rembered her complexion hadn’t been this poor.
What on earth had happened these past few days? ’Could it be that Prince Yong is claiming illness and staying ho, and the Princess is worrying herself sick over it?’
Ji Qingwu’s fingers tightened slightly. The key to her plan’s success hinged on the bet that the husband and wife were already estranged.
Tao Wanxin looked at her and said in a gentle tone, "It’s been a while since I’ve seen you, Qingwu. You’ve grown even more lovely and radiant."
This was no re flattery. Among the three of them, Ji Qingwu’s vitality was indeed the best.
Although Ji Qingwu had been confined to her courtyard a few days prior, she had eaten well and slept soundly, fully restoring her energy. Her features had beco even more delicate and charming.
Jiu Jiu rubbed against Ji Qingwu’s side, looking left and right, her big eyes darting all around.
Tao Wanxin gazed at the innocent little girl and said with envy, "Qingwu’s daughter is just so adorable. Even the Emperor took a liking to her at the palace the other day."
Ji Qingrong had been resting at ho for her pregnancy and didn’t attend the Empress Dowager’s birthday banquet. She smiled and asked, "The Holy Emperor has t Jiu Jiu?"
Tao Wanxin lifted a handkerchief to cover her smile. "Not only did he et her, he even held her. The child is bold—she leaned in and gave His Majesty a kiss."
Ji Qingrong looked at Ji Qingwu in astonishnt. "Really?"
In her impression, Emperor Wu Su, though possessing a majestic and heroic appearance, was not soone who enjoyed being close to people.
The Emperor’s cold expression had made many a court official’s child cry. For Jiu Jiu to be unafraid... ’Could it be fate?’
Ji Qingwu didn’t know how to explain, so she simply smiled and nodded.
"Jiu Jiu is as pure and lovely as jade. Who wouldn’t adore her? I imagine His Majesty also hopes for many children and grandchildren," Ji Qingrong said, stroking the little girl’s cheek.
The little girl had ants in her pants, wiggling and squirming, refusing to sit still.
Ji Qingwu knew she wanted to go out and play but was held back by her promise to stay obediently by her side today.
She said, "Jiu Jiu, go play with Sister Chun Xing by the door for a little while."
The little girl scurried off happily and shot out the door like a gust of wind. Chun Xing curtsied and quickly followed after her.
The door to the private room closed. With no child present, the won could finally speak freely.
Ji Qingrong hadn’t seen Tao Wanxin for half a month. Seeing her pale face, she asked with concern, "Wanyin, what’s happened to you? You look awful."
Tao Wanxin said calmly, "It’s nothing. I just haven’t slept well these past few nights."
Princess Yong’s dowry maid, Yin Xiang, stomped her foot indignantly and said with frustration, "My lady, you’re just too kind! If concubine Du hadn’t deliberately stirred up trouble again, you wouldn’t have been so late setting out today."
Tao Wanxin frowned at her and cut her off. "Yin Xiang, mind your manners. Don’t speak out of turn."
She turned back to Ji Qingrong and continued, "Qingrong, it looks like your belly is starting to show. When I saw you from a distance as I arrived, your waist looked a size bigger."
Ji Qingrong touched her belly and said, "I have been able to eat quite a bit lately. Maybe I’m just getting fat."
In truth, Tao Wanxin had been married a year longer than her. Ji Qingrong knew how much she had always longed for a child and didn’t want to hurt her feelings by dwelling on the subject.
Princess Yong stared blankly at her lower abdon, unable to look away. She said with difficulty, "It seems the Prince Mansion will have good news to announce again."
Seeing her haggard expression and recalling what Yin Xiang had said earlier, Ji Qingrong quickly asked, "That concubine Du is pregnant again?"
Princess Yong nodded.
Back when Tao Wanxin married Prince Yong, the number of people who secretly and openly envied her was matched only by the number of people now gossiping about her behind her back.
The only son in the Prince Mansion born of a concubine was hers. Now, with a son to her na, concubine Du was already on equal footing with her, the Princess Consort.
With this new pregnancy, she had been making a fuss for days, demanding to eat red bird’s nest. However, only white bird’s nest was left in the storehouse. Red bird’s nest was a tribute item, and in the palace, only the most favored consorts received a single serving. The previous supply had all been a gift from the Empress Dowager. Seeing how difficult her first pregnancy was, Tao Wanxin had given it all to her.
This ti there was none left, so concubine Du grew resentful. She goaded Prince Yong into coming to reprimand Tao Wanxin, accusing her of mistreating her and restricting her diet.
She had caused a disturbance in the Prince Mansion early in the morning. If she were to have another son, she might truly eclipse Tao Wanxin, the official princess consort.
Princess Yong lowered her head and picked up the cup of clear tea beside her, but she only raised it to her lips without drinking, using the motion to hide the shimr of tears in her eyes.
Seeing her listless expression, Ji Qingrong knew she was heartbroken and decided to change the subject.
"Wanyin, as I told you before, my fifth sister’s dical skills are exquisite when it cos to matters of won’s health and childbirth. It’s thanks to her that I was able to conceive successfully."
She took Tao Wanxin’s hand and said, "Let Qingwu take a look at you, alright?"
Princess Yong had co specifically for this reason. She nodded and said, "Then I’ll have to trouble Qingwu."
Yin Xiang placed a soft cushion on the low table. After washing her hands, Ji Qingwu reached out to feel her pulse.
The pulse was deep and slow, with intermittent pauses. It was a sign of a malnourished spirit and emotional distress, which perfectly matched the symptoms Princess Yong was exhibiting.
She withdrew her hand and said slowly, "Your Highness’s body has been invaded by an external pathogen, causing so deficiency and dryness, but it can be greatly improved with careful treatnt."
Tao Wanxin pressed, "Is it because my constitution is too weak that I haven’t been able to conceive?"
’Princess Yong’s constitution was originally one well-suited for childbearing; it had simply been hindered by illness.’
Ji Qingwu shook her head. "It’s not that your constitution is too weak. It’s that you have Cold-Damp Bi-Syndro."
’Cold-Damp Bi-Syndro could be either a major or a minor ailnt.’
Tao Wanxin didn’t understand. "Qingwu, can you explain in more detail?"
Ji Qingwu said with so hesitation, "Your Highness, there are so... private matters I’d like to discuss with you alone."
Her elder sister, Ji Qingrong, imdiately understood. She smiled and said, "I’m feeling a bit tired from sitting anyway. Yin Xiang and I will go outside and see what Jiu Jiu is playing at."
After the two left and the door was closed, Tao Wanxin’s gaze fell upon the young woman before her.
"Qingwu, it’s just the two of us now. Please, speak plainly. I can handle it. Is my condition very serious?"
Seeing Princess Yong’s drained appearance, Ji Qingwu knew she had been troubled by this illness for a long ti.
She said gently, "Please rest assured, Your Highness. It is not a very serious condition and it can be cured. It’s just that the cause of the illness is not sothing a third person should overhear."
Tao Wanxin was puzzled. The Imperial Physicians ca to the Prince Mansion every month for a routine wellness check. What kind of illness could possibly require such secrecy?
Ji Qingwu asked, "Your Highness, do you often experience lower abdominal pain that cos and goes, shifts in location, and is accompanied by weakness and soreness in your lower back and knees?"
Princess Yong nodded, her expression serious. "Yes, I do. I thought it was because I was consuming too many cold foods, but it cos and goes even when I avoid them. I’ve had doctors look at , but they only said it was caused by excessive worry."
’Those doctors... I wonder if they could only see the superficial symptoms, or if they were deliberately hiding the truth from the Princess.’
Ji Qingwu thought about the pulse she had just felt, her brow furrowing slightly as she continued to ask.
"Your Highness, have you ever experienced any abnormal bleeding from your lower body before?"
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