"Seal Yingcui Hall, and do not allow anyone attending to the Fourth Prince to leave. Immediately summon Physician Zeng to check the Fourth Prince first, then the Second Princess. Hurry!"
Though anxious, Fang Yun remained composed.
Living in the main hall of Yuzhang Palace, Fang Yun also had two smaller courtyards—Ningzhi Pavilion for the Second Princess and Yingcui Hall for the Fourth Prince.
Sealing Yingcui Hall first prevented the spread of infection.
Physician Zeng would prioritize the Fourth Prince before attending to the Second Princess.
Royal offspring took precedence over consorts.
When news of Song Liangyuan's smallpox emerged, the Empress ordered medical care and isolation without visiting.
But with the Second Princess's fever, even at midnight, the Empress quickly came.
Other consorts, regardless of feelings, also had to rise and check.
Soon, the Empress and Pei Yao arrived at Yuzhang Palace together.
Seeing them, Fang Yun hurriedly greeted them.
"How is she?" Pei Yao asked, frowning.
Fang Yun shook her head. "Physician Zeng is inside. No news yet."
Seeing her anxiety, Pei Yao comforted her softly.
"Don't worry. The physician is here, and I'm here. She'll be fine."
Fang Yun nodded. "Why don't you and the Empress wait in the main hall? We don't know the Princess's condition yet."
Pei Yao refused. "No need. I'll stand here."
"At least have chairs brought for the corridor," the Empress suggested gently.
Fang Yun instructed Yanwei to bring seats.
Soon, other consorts arrived, filling the courtyard.
After a while, Physician Zeng, wearing a mask, emerged with a troubled expression.
"How is the Princess?" Fang Yun rushed to ask.
Though not her biological child, the Second Princess had been under her care since birth and was like her own.
How could she not be anxious?
Physician Zeng sighed and shook his head. "I'm afraid the Princess has contracted smallpox. Children show symptoms quickly, and she already has a rash."
Fang Yun's heart clenched, her body swaying.
"Careful, Your Highness!" Qingrong quickly supported her.
Ignoring her own distress, Fang Yun urgently asked, "How is she now? What medicine should we use? Can she be cured? You must think of something!"
"I will do my utmost to treat the Princess. But, Your Highness, you should avoid the disease," Physician Zeng advised solemnly.
Pei Yao approached, gently comforting Fang Yun. "With the physician here, the Princess will be fine. You're weak, and the Fourth Prince even more so. Now that the Second Princess has smallpox, you both need to leave Yuzhang Palace to avoid it."
Having one child ill was bad enough. Pei Yao couldn't risk another.
The Empress added, "I know you're worried, but this is not an ordinary illness. It's contagious. You must consider your health and the Fourth Prince's."
"But Your Majesty, I care for the Fourth Prince, but I also worry for the Second Princess. They're both my children. How can I leave her alone now?" Fang Yun's eyes reddened with tears.
Pei Yao's face darkened, but he firmly held her hand. "I understand your concern, but you must take care of yourself. If something happens to you, what about the Fourth Prince? Listen to me. Move tonight, and leave the Second Princess to the physician."
The Empress suggested, "Zijin Hall next to Yuzhang Palace is small but clean. Zhao Fei, you can move there to avoid the disease."
Given their arrangements, Fang Yun knew she couldn't be stubborn and temporarily moved with the Fourth Prince.
The night was restless, and Fang Yun didn't sleep.
The next morning, the Empress sent word that there would be no morning greeting, as everyone was exhausted.
Fang Yun welcomed the reprieve.
She checked on the Second Princess and sent someone to visit Song Liangyuan.
Song Liangyuan, often with her, deserved care in these times.
Smallpox required meticulous care for better chances of recovery. As an unfavored consort, Song Liangyuan might not get proper attention without Fang Yun's intervention.
This care revealed an oddity.
After a thorough disinfection, Yanwei reported, "I delivered items to Song Liangyuan, and Nianshuang spoke through the door, sounding tired. She said the illness seemed strange. With few attendants, they followed our example, washing clothes themselves after the laundry outbreak. They don't know the source."
"If there was no contact with the laundry bureau, how did she get smallpox? And Nianshuang, her close maid, is fine. Song Liangyuan must have had close contact with an infected person," Qingrong remarked.
"Maybe Song Liangyuan is weaker?" Yanwei speculated. "No one else around her is sick."
As they discussed, Fang Yun suddenly looked up.
"At morning greetings, Song Liangyuan rarely spoke, and Jiaofang Hall is spacious and well-ventilated. She hasn't infected the other consorts. Besides me, who else has she seen privately recently?"
Yanwei said, "I don't know. I'll find out."
Soon, Yanwei returned. "Two days ago, Song Liangyuan met Xie Meiren on her way to Yuzhang Palace and was invited to have a snack."
"No one else?" Qingrong frowned.
Yanwei nodded. "After the snack, Xie Meiren reported illness."
Their eyes widened as realization dawned.
"Xie Meiren is suspicious!"
"Don't jump to conclusions," Fang Yun said. "Check the medical records from the Imperial Medical Bureau for Yichun Palace, including Wan Liangyuan."
If someone had maliciously acted, Xie Meiren likely had help.
Indeed, the investigation revealed issues.
Xie Meiren only complained of dizziness and nausea, with no other symptoms, and received only routine supplements, while Wan Liangyuan had a genuine cold with appropriate medication.
Hearing this, Fang Yun dismissed Wan Liangyuan for now and ordered an immediate investigation into Xie Meiren's actions.
YOU ARE READING
The Beloved Concubine of the Eastern Palace (book 2)
RomanceAuthor: Huatang Xiuge Translator: Me (Xiaobai) 东宫掌娇 Upon entering the Eastern Palace, Fang Yun lived cautiously, burdened by the label of a substitute bride and daughter of a traitor. She knew well that, as a daughter of low birth, she had been cas...
