While Chun Jin was taking her pulse, Huang Yarou wasn't idle; she began to ponder some matters.
"Although I don't know if This Palace is overthinking, if there truly is a problem, then the situation is serious!"
"After all, the Vermilion Bird Hall is filled with This Palace's own people. If something could still go wrong, it only means there's a mole."
"It seems I need to move up the investigation. Until I find the problematic person, This Palace won't be able to sleep soundly."
Huang Yarou was cautious by nature; once she had a doubt, she would immediately act to resolve it, never delaying.
In her opinion, even if a thorough investigation yielded nothing, it was better than being suspicious all day, ultimately scaring herself.
It was also out of this caution that Huang Yarou would periodically conduct thorough checks on those around her.
"We must know that the most unpredictable thing in the world is the human heart; there will always be those who cannot resist temptation."
"Or even various threats, ultimately causing their hearts to waver."
"Once someone is successfully bribed, This Palace's safety will not be guaranteed, so hidden dangers must be resolved in advance."
These were similar words Huang Yarou would say every time before having Dong Yao conduct a thorough investigation.
It was also one of the things she had been doing since entering the palace, showing how cautious she was.
Normally, she never made enemies with anyone, nor did she ever harbor thoughts of vying for favor; attending the emperor was purely a matter of luck.
She even rarely left the palace to avoid unnecessary trouble.
"If This Palace has gone to such lengths and is still being schemed against..."
"Then This Palace wouldn't mind contending with other Imperial Concubines to ensure her own safety."
However, one thing she hadn't expected was that even though she wasn't contending or snatching anything...
She could still climb all the way up from the bottom, even solidifying her position as Shu Consort.
Recalling her glorious deeds, Huang Yarou sighed in her heart.
"Alas, This Palace is already so low-key, why are people still rushing to their deaths?"
"Can't they just calm down? That way, you're good, I'm good, everyone's good, and This Palace wouldn't have to be so tired!"
As Huang Yarou thought this, her hand paused in stroking her belly, and she had already made a decision.
Then she looked at Chun Jin, who was seriously taking her pulse, and began to quietly await the diagnosis.
Dong Yao, who was constantly observing the two, saw this and a hint of worry flashed in her eyes.
She then subtly began to direct the other Palace maids and eunuchs.
While ensuring Huang Yarou's safety, she was also preparing for any sudden emergencies.
Chun Jin, who was carefully taking her mistress's pulse, ultimately found no issues.
"Reporting to Noble Consort, This Servant is incompetent and truly cannot find anything wrong."
"However, This Servant's medical skills are not comparable to an Imperial Physician's. If Noble Consort is still uneasy, you may summon an Imperial Physician to take a look."
The bad premonition in her heart lingered stubbornly.
To be safe, Huang Yarou did not refuse and simply nodded, instructing: "Then Xia Lan, you go make a trip!"
"Your pace is faster, so This Palace shouldn't have to wait too long. Remember to go quickly and return quickly!"
"Yes, Noble Consort, This Servant will go now." Xia Lan accepted the order and quickly disappeared from everyone's sight.
Watching her leave, Huang Yarou did not intend to stay outside much longer, to avoid any unexpected complications.
So she instructed: "Chun Jin, there are too many variables outside."
"Even on our own territory, it's not safe. Help This Palace return inside."
"Yes, Noble Consort!" Supported by Chun Jin, Huang Yarou slowly returned to the room, quietly awaiting the Imperial Physician's arrival.
During this time, Du Yun was not idle either, still working hard in his own way, constantly reminding his mother.
This also kept Huang Yarou's heart unsettled... The exceptionally skilled Xia Lan quickly arrived at the Imperial Hospital and swiftly explained the situation.
Concerning the safety of the Imperial Son, the Imperial Hospital dared not be negligent.
They immediately dispatched the most skilled Imperial Physician Sun, preparing to follow Xia Lan to the Vermilion Bird Palace.
"Sun Ji'an? This seems to be His Majesty's person, and his medical skills are also good."
"Dong Yao mentioned to me before that as long as he is willing to diagnose, no matter what illness he encounters, he will treat it with all his heart."
"Afterwards, whether successful or not, His Majesty will know very quickly."
"Bringing him back should not be a problem."
Xia Lan thought about the information regarding Imperial Physician Sun, but her expression remained calm.
This was to prevent the spies from various palaces from detecting anything from her expression.
"So it is Imperial Physician Sun, thank you for your trouble."
"This Servant, Xia Lan, will now lead the way for Your Excellency, lest Shu Consort wait too long."
"Miss Xia Lan, you are too kind. Shu Consort has summoned me, so this humble subject will naturally go."
"And do my utmost to resolve Noble Consort's worries!" Sun Ji'an paused here and pointed to the herbs and instruments nearby.
"However, before that, may I be allowed to pack up?"
"To bring some necessary items, and then accompany Miss!"
Xia Lan did not refuse and simply nodded in agreement.
"Your Excellency, please take your time, but I hope you can be quick, don't let Noble Consort wait too long."
"Otherwise, if anything happens, none of us can bear the responsibility."
Sun Ji'an also understood this, so he nodded solemnly and began to quickly pack the necessary items.
Then, he followed behind Xia Lan, heading straight towards the direction of the Vermilion Bird Palace.
The spies planted by various palaces in the Imperial Hospital, seeing this, quickly secretly relayed the news back to their respective palaces, so that their masters would be mentally prepared.
Some of these spies moved between various places, clearly serving more than one master, helping whoever offered benefits... "Was I discovered? You're lucky!"
"But there's always a next time, there will be opportunities!"
In a courtyard somewhere in the harem, an Imperial Concubine received the news, and a trace of unwillingness flashed across her face.
However, she quickly regained her composure, clearly not too worried about being exposed.
She had done this sort of thing too many times; whether successful or not, she was never implicated, so she was quite confident.
The other Imperial Concubines who received the news were now guessing what exactly had happened in the Vermilion Bird Palace to warrant calling an Imperial Physician.
Among them were those who gloated, those who were indifferent, and even those who enjoyed watching the drama unfold.
Any Imperial Concubine with some influence would have people watching the Vermilion Bird Palace to see if there was an opportunity to kick someone when they were down.
Or to receive firsthand information, to prevent similar things from happening to themselves... Led by Xia Lan, Sun Ji'an quickly arrived at the Vermilion Bird Hall, then respectfully bowed.
"This humble subject, Sun Ji'an, greets Shu Consort!"
"Hearing that Noble Consort's health is unwell, and fearing for the Imperial Son, I have specially come to diagnose Noble Consort. I hope Noble Consort can rest easy."
Seeing that it was Sun Ji'an who had come, Huang Yarou felt a little relieved: "So it's Imperial Physician Sun, rise!"
"Thank you, Noble Consort. May I ask where Noble Consort feels unwell? So that this humble subject can see what is happening!" Sun Ji'an rose and inquired.
Huang Yarou, hearing this, didn't know how to explain: "This Palace isn't sure either."
"It's just that I always feel that Huang'er (Imperial Son) is a bit off, constantly moving around, as if he's very uncomfortable."
"This Palace was worried that something might be wrong, so I had someone call you over to take a look."
"Is that so? Then it certainly needs a thorough examination, lest something happen to the Imperial Son, in which case no one could bear the responsibility."
"May I ask if Noble Consort would allow this humble subject to take your pulse? To determine what is happening."
"Only then can we prescribe the right medicine and resolve the issue as quickly as possible!" Sun Ji'an carefully inquired.
"You may, help This Palace take a look!" Huang Yarou's expression was calm, and she readily agreed.
"Yes, Noble Consort, then this humble subject will take the liberty." Sun Ji'an dared not delay and quickly stepped forward to take her pulse.
After a careful diagnosis, he finally understood what was happening.
His originally calm face began to show surprise and uncertainty, clearly having made an unpleasant discovery.
Huang Yarou, who had been constantly watching him, saw this, and her expression could not help but sink, her worry deepening.
"How is it, Imperial Physician Sun? Is This Palace's body unwell? Will it have an adverse effect on Huang'er (Imperial Son)?"
Sun Ji'an dared not delay at this moment and immediately stated his findings.
"Reporting to Noble Consort, after this humble subject's diagnosis, Noble Consort is suspected to have been poisoned with the Breathless Powder."
"This poison is a chronic one, which can, through long-term accumulation, cause the fetus to die unknowingly in the womb."
"Afterwards, the poison will dissipate on its own, leaving no trace in the mother's body."
"Therefore, it will not harm the mother's body, and afterwards it is difficult for anyone to suspect whether the fetus in the womb was secretly harmed."
"Fortunately, this humble subject recognizes this poison and once studied methods to detoxify it for a period, gaining some insight, and can detoxify Noble Consort."
"It's also fortunate that it was discovered early, otherwise, if the fetus absorbed too many toxins, it would be difficult to clear them completely."
As Sun Ji'an continued his description, Huang Yarou's heart fluctuated.
She hadn't expected that despite all her precautions, she had still fallen victim.
