Initially, when the symptoms of the cold were mild, the patient might not seek treatment, thus missing the optimal opportunity for detoxification.
Later, when the cold became severe, the patient would consult a doctor.
However, even the imperial physicians in the Tai Hospital could not detect the signs of poisoning, mistaking it for a mere common cold. Consequently, they would only prescribe medicines for cold symptoms.
Little did they know that when the "Imperial Cold Poison" encountered these medicinal ingredients, its toxicity would intensify.
Even at this stage, the doctors still failed to realize what was happening.
They might continue to prescribe medication, which would further exacerbate the poison's potency.
The more concentrated toxicity would manifest as the patient developing a rash all over their body.
At this point, the poison had already reached a very deep stage, and treatment had become extremely difficult.
Following this, the rash would begin to crack, fester, and suppurate—
The Consort and Jing Ran had reached this stage. The rash was not only on their faces but also on their bodies, though Song Chaoyu had not been able to see it when she entered the palace that day.
As she spoke, Qiu Qing's brows furrowed deeply, "The Consort's condition has become this severe. Therefore, it cannot be delayed any longer. Once all the rashes break and fester, the poison will slowly infiltrate the internal organs and blood. If the internal organs and blood also begin to fester and suppurate, the person will die slowly and agonizingly amidst extreme pain."
"Hiss—"
Qiu Qing's words made Song Chaoyu gasp in disbelief, "This poison is too potent! No wonder the Tan clan was so unpopular with the common people in the Kingdom of Xiao Qin back then. To use such a poison to control people's minds is truly wicked."
However, she looked at Mu Changxi with increasing confusion, "But the Consort has always been in the palace and is known for her kindness. Why would she be poisoned like this? And who would administer such a poison to her?"
Moreover, it seemed the Consort knew who the poisoner was.
Mu Changxi shook his head and murmured, "I haven't been by my mother's side for so many years, so I don't know what exactly happened. But I believe that since only the Tan clan could have accomplished this, it must be related to them."
He looked at Qiu Qing, "Did you find out where the members of the Tan clan are now?"
Qiu Qing naturally had not overlooked this matter.
But the results were clearly not good. She sighed and shook her head, "I heard that they were all silenced in the capital twenty years ago!"
What?!
Song Chaoyu's heart grew even more astonished.
Qiu Qing also revealed the information she had gathered.
The last surviving branch of the Tan clan had come to the capital, intending to make a name for themselves.
But for some reason, less than two years after arriving in the capital, the entire family was wiped out!
According to Qiu Qing's investigation, they were massacred by a group of bandits who were roaming around the capital at the time.
The deeper reason seemed to be that someone had placed a bounty on their heads in the martial world.
It was said that those persecuted by the Tan clan in the Kingdom of Xiao Qin back then had placed a bounty on their heads. Qiu Qing only knew that those who remembered the events of that year still felt lingering fear.
They said that after arriving in the capital, all eight members of the family met a tragic end.
Even the two young children, who were only three or four years old, had their heads severed. The mansion the Tan family had acquired in the capital was also burned to the ground. The ruins of that mansion still stood on the east side of the capital, untouched and uninhabited for years, becoming a haven for beggars.
This fact alone was verifiable in the capital, suggesting it was not mere hearsay.
This was why Qiu Qing sighed with even greater bewilderment, "Logically speaking, the Tan family should have been wiped out more than twenty years ago. But now that the Consort has been poisoned with that Imperial Cold Poison, it must be related to the Tan family. In fact, the fastest way to detoxify the Consort is to find the poisoner. After all, only they have the antidote. It is too difficult for us to detoxify the Consort on our own."
After Qiu Qing finished explaining everything, Song Chaoyu realized that the situation seemed to have returned to square one.
She said to Mu Changxi with deep concern, "The Consort should know what's going on, but she refuses to tell me. What should we do?"
Seeing that the sky outside was gradually brightening, Mu Changxi made a decisive move, "After dawn, we will enter the palace! I must make my mother speak, no matter the cost!"
He looked at Song Chaoyu and gave a wry smile, "A'yu, you know. For years, my mother and I have been separated. I have only just returned to my mother's side, how can I give up like this?"
Yes, Song Chaoyu knew that it was not easy for them to reunite.
She stepped forward and gently placed her hand on Mu Changxi's shoulder as he sat in his wheelchair, "Whatever you do, I will support you. We will enter the palace together and find a solution together!"
—
For some reason, entering the palace again at this moment, Song Chaoyu's mood was completely different from her previous visits.
The palace seemed unchanged, still the same as before, but their hearts had undergone immense transformation.
Even though he was anxious to see the Consort, Mu Changxi still adhered to the rules. He first paid his respects to the Emperor and Empress before taking Song Chaoyu to the Dengque Palace.
The Dengque Palace was as lifeless as ever. The doors to the sleeping quarters remained tightly shut, and the Consort still refused to see anyone.
Yaran stood guard at the entrance, unwilling to let Song Chaoyu and Mu Changxi enter, "The Consort has ordered that no one is allowed to enter the Dengque Palace. The Consort is aware of the Prince and Princess's intentions. Please return."
Mu Changxi's brows furrowed. He suddenly stared intently at Yaran, "Yaran, you actually know what happened to Mother, don't you?"
Yaran was startled and turned her head away, avoiding Mu Changxi's gaze, "Since the Consort does not wish for the Prince and Princess to know, then the Prince should not ask further!"
"Then let this Prince in. I will speak a few words to Mother at the door of the sleeping quarters."
Mu Changxi looked at Yaran and promised, "If after speaking, Mother still holds the same stance, then this Prince guarantees he will not come again!"
"This..."
Yaran still hesitated.
Mu Changxi then added, "Otherwise, this Prince will drag the Princess here and wait indefinitely! We will not concern ourselves with matters at the Prince's manor, nor with the young heir, until you are willing to let us in."
Song Chaoyu knew that Mu Changxi could not possibly abandon Little Monkey.
However, his words clearly startled Yaran. She quickly waved her hands, "Why is the Prince doing this? This servant will allow the Prince and Princess to enter, but please remember your words!"