The Beloved Concubine of the Eastern Palace (book 2)

Chapter 270 - Poisoned

Yanwei was on night duty and immediately got up, lighting a candle as she ran to Fang Yun's bedside.

Fang Yun, drenched in sweat, was in excruciating pain, gripping the bed curtains tightly, breathing heavily.

"Fang Cefei, what's wrong?" Yanwei cried, shouting for help. "Someone, call the imperial physician! Fang Cefei is in trouble!"

The guards outside quickly ran to fetch the physician.

"You were fine during the day! What happened? Don't scare me!" Yanwei hurried to the bedside, panicked.

Fang Yun, in pain, grabbed her hand. "I think I'm bleeding. My stomach hurts. Quickly, lift the blanket and check."

Yanwei, terrified, lifted the blanket, turning pale at the sight.

Fang Yun's white nightgown was stained red, shockingly vivid.

Qingrong, awakened by the commotion, rushed into the room, half-dressed, and saw the scene.

"Fang Cefei!" Qingrong cried, "What happened? How are you bleeding? You were fine an hour ago!"

Yanwei shook her head. "I don't know. I've already sent for the physician. What do we do?"

Inexperienced in medicine and pregnancy, the maids were understandably frantic.

"Go fetch the Crown Prince. I'll stay here. Hurry!" Qingrong, more composed, instructed.

Yanwei nodded and ran out.

Meanwhile, Pei Yao was resting at Wutong Courtyard.

A maid had spilled tea at Marquis Jinrong's banquet, so they had to wait for Yang Cefei to change clothes, delaying their return.

He and the Crown Princess had gone straight to Wutong Courtyard.

After drinking some wine at the banquet, Pei Yao was groggy when Hong Zheng woke him, telling him something had happened at Biluo Pavilion. Fang Cefei was bleeding. Instantly alert, he jumped up.

The Crown Princess also rushed without delay.

They quickly dressed and hurried over.

By the time they arrived, the palace physician was already there, checking Fang Yun's pulse.

Pei Yao, tense and dark-faced, strode into the inner chamber.

"What's the situation? Have you found the cause?"

He glanced at Fang Yun, her pale face framed by sweat-soaked hair, features contorted in pain. Her lips, the only part with color, were nearly bitten through.

"Yun'er, don't be afraid. I'm here." Pei Yao, heart pounding, rushed to the bedside, pushing Qingrong aside and gripping Fang Yun's hand.

But Fang Yun, in too much pain to respond, instinctively squeezed his hand.

Feeling her agony, Pei Yao's anger grew.

"I asked about Fang Cefei's condition. Speak!"

"Your Highness, I've diagnosed Fang Cefei's pulse and symptoms. It seems she ingested aloe vera."

The physician quickly explained.

"Aloe is beneficial for women's beauty, but some varieties are toxic. In medicinal doses, no more than two qian should be taken daily. Three to five qian can cause poisoning, leading to diarrhea, abdominal pain, nausea, and severe cases, bloody stools. In pregnant women, it induces uterine contractions and miscarriage!"

The Crown Princess's face turned frosty.

"How could such a dangerous substance get into Fang Cefei's food? What did she eat for dinner? Check Biluo Pavilion's kitchen!"

As she spoke, other ladies arrived, peeking in but not daring to enter.

The physician added,

"Your Highness, this poisoning typically occurs four to six hours after ingestion, depending on the amount. We need to expand the investigation timeframe."

Hearing this, Pei Yao's eyes flashed with murderous intent.

The longer the timeframe, the more evidence could be erased. Fang Yun had eaten many things that day, checking each would waste time.

Shuren Song quickly spoke up,

"Your Highness, I dined with Fang Cefei at lunch and feel fine. Lunch is likely safe. Check elsewhere first."

Her words temporarily eliminated one possibility.

Pei Yao wasted no time, instructing Hong Zheng to investigate everything Fang Yun had consumed that day, even including the previous night's dinner.

Meanwhile, Fang Yun was in unbearable pain, with stomach cramps and lower abdominal discomfort so intense it felt like her insides were being ripped apart.

In that moment, fear gripped her.

Clutching Pei Yao's hand, she pleaded, "The child, Your Highness, save the child!"

Fang Yun thought she was selfish, but her instinct to protect her unborn child was overwhelming.

Tears streamed down her face from the pain and fear, and Pei Yao, seeing her distress, felt both heartache and urgency.

"Quick, go to the palace and summon the imperial physicians specializing in gynecology and pediatrics. Bring the chief physician and others from various residences!"

Pei Yao, rarely this panicked, ordered hastily.

"But Your Highness, summoning the physicians at night is against protocol. I'm concerned..." The Crown Princess, frowning, reminded him softly.

As the Crown Princess, she had to voice her concerns, especially when Pei Yao's order to summon physicians at night broke protocol.

But Pei Yao raised a hand to stop her.

"Life and death are at stake. I will handle any consequences."

Then he had the physician begin immediate emergency treatment for Fang Yun.

The atmosphere at Biluo Pavilion turned oppressive.

Earlier in the day, they had happily shared rice cakes, preparing for the upcoming New Year's Eve banquet.

Fang Yun, newly elevated to cefei, had been looking forward to attending the banquet with Pei Yao, seeing the Third Princess and her new husband.

Now, everything had changed. At five and a half months, a miscarriage could have severe repercussions on Fang Yun's health.

Suddenly, the situation became dire.

No one dared to speak, as Pei Yao's expression was extremely grim.

Besides the poisoned Fang Yun, the young Second Lady was also at Biluo Pavilion, frightened by the commotion.

The Crown Princess suggested taking the Second Lady to Wutong Courtyard to avoid scaring her.

Pei Yao agreed, his focus entirely on Fang Yun.

Knowing his frustration and anger, the Crown Princess said nothing more and personally went to the Second Lady's room.

At the door, she noticed Xu Xin'er standing at the back, shivering without a thick cloak.

Frowning, the Crown Princess had Min Si give her cloak to Xu Xin'er, as she could stay warm inside with the brazier.

Surprised by the gesture, Xu Xin'er's eyes flickered. She gently grabbed the Crown Princess's hand as she was about to leave.

"Cousin, will Fang Cefei... will she die?"

"We don't know yet. Don't speak carelessly," the Crown Princess scolded, but then noticed Xu Xin'er's strange expression. Her heart tightened, and she pulled Xu Xin'er outside. "Do you know something?"