Nan Zhiyun was in so much pain she was close to fainting. Almost everyone from the Imperial Medical Bureau had arrived, and the news of Consort Shu being poisoned spread quickly.
"It hurts," Nan Zhiyun was completely exhausted, her clothes soaked with sweat. Yu Jingchen felt a pang of pain. Seeing her like this, he suddenly wished he could hold her tightly.
With that thought, Yu Jingchen acted. He pulled Nan Zhiyun into his arms, adjusting her into a more comfortable position. The imperial physicians' efforts were having some effect; Nan Zhiyun was much better than before.
"Rest if you feel unwell. It will be alright, you'll be fine after a sleep," Yu Jingchen stroked the back of Nan Zhiyun's head. Nan Zhiyun had no strength left.
"It hurts..." Nan Zhiyun whispered, her voice so faint it seemed like a gust of wind could blow it away. Yu Jingchen pressed her head into his chest.
"How is she?" Yu Jingchen asked the imperial physicians.
"Your Majesty... the Consort's body is already frail, and now she is with child. Her body truly cannot bear it. Therefore... we believe it may not be advisable for the Consort to keep this child at this time." the imperial physician said.
"What if she must keep it?" Yu Jingchen asked, his expression dark.
"...It is feared it will endanger the Consort's life. And... even if it were kept, this child might not reach full term, and... there's a high chance of it being stillborn," the imperial physician said, trembling as he spoke. How could such a thing happen so suddenly? Consort Shu's health was poor, and pregnancy was already difficult. Now, this had occurred.
"Her current condition, if the child is terminated, what other effects might there be?" Yu Jingchen continued to ask.
"The Consort is weak, it will certainly have an impact. However, with proper care, she should be able to recover," the imperial physician explained.
Yu Jingchen's mind was in a turmoil. He didn't know how to make this decision. Keeping it would be best, but she was truly not suited for it now. But if she terminated it... Yu Jingchen clenched his fists, unable to let go.
"Your Majesty, the Consort's situation is delicate. We hope Your Majesty can decide soon." The imperial physician didn't want to, but there was no other way.
"...Then let it be terminated," Yu Jingchen finally made the decision. There would be opportunities for children in the future. Perhaps it wasn't a bad thing that she couldn't have a child now.
"Can her body withstand the termination of the child in its current state?" Yu Jingchen began to worry again.
"The Consort's current condition is not optimistic. But if we wait for the next time, it may cause another injury," the imperial physician replied. It was better to resolve everything at once than to go through it twice.
"Prepare the medicine," Yu Jingchen gave up. If it couldn't be kept, then so be it. Compared to Nan Zhiyun, this child could naturally be sacrificed. After so much effort, it still couldn't be kept, which only meant it was not suitable at this time. This child ultimately had no fate with himself or Nan Zhiyun.
"Yes," the imperial physician took his leave and went to prepare the medicine. At the same time, Xing Lai also finished his investigation.
"Your Majesty, we found some items on a palace maid just now, as well as a note. However, before we could read it, the palace maid swallowed it..." Xing Lai bowed his head.
"Interrogate her. Within fifteen minutes, if she doesn't speak, her stomach will be cut open. Find out everything for me!" Yu Jingchen was furious. This matter could not possibly be so simple. Who dared to take action against Zichen Palace?
There were definitely other issues involved. How could a mere palace maid possess such capabilities? If her only motive was to harm Nan Zhiyun, why was she so afraid of a note being discovered? Furthermore, why wasn't that note destroyed beforehand?