However, Yu Jingchen's expression grew increasingly grim, as this meant the imperial physician who had been taking Nan Zhiyun's pulse was lying. Not only that, but he had even intended to personally order the termination of the child in Nan Zhiyun's womb.
Nan Zhiyun had been worried at first, her heart filled with anxiety. But after hearing the words of these imperial physicians, her heart gradually settled.
She then leaned into Yu Jingchen's arms, finally relaxing. This continued until the last one, the imperial physician who had been taking Nan Zhiyun's pulse.
After his examination, Yu Jingchen's eyes grew cold, and he asked in a frigid tone, "How is it? Can the child be saved?" The imperial physician immediately prostrated himself, knowing that Yu Jingchen had found out.
"Your Majesty, spare my life! Your Majesty, spare my life!" the imperial physician begged, kowtowing.
"You are incredibly audacious!" Yu Jingchen struck out with a palm, causing the imperial physician to spit out a mouthful of blood.
"Who instigated you? Consort Yuan?" Yu Jingchen asked.
"Your Majesty, spare my life! Your Majesty, spare my life!" The imperial physician repeated the same plea.
Yu Jingchen had lost all patience for interrogation. It didn't matter who it was; anyone who dared to harm Nan Zhiyun would die!
"Sentenced to Lingchi!" Yu Jingchen immediately ordered.
"Bring Consort Yuan here!" Yu Jingchen commanded further. As Consort Yuan arrived, her heart began to pound uncontrollably.
"Your Majesty, Empress, I greet you," Consort Yuan performed a curtsy.
"You should know why you are here. Will you explain yourself or confess?" Yu Jingchen offered her a chance.
"Your Majesty has been misled. I absolutely did not instigate the imperial physician to harm the Empress!" Consort Yuan cried out, protesting her innocence.
"He has something you gave him. How do you explain that?" Yu Jingchen pressed.
"Your Majesty..." Consort Yuan seemed at a loss for an explanation.
"Will you speak or not?" Yu Jingchen had no time to waste with her.
"...Your Majesty, please forgive me. It was... it was the First Prince." Consort Yuan finally revealed the truth.
Yu Jingchen looked at her without a word. Consort Yuan hesitated for a moment before ultimately compromising. Compared to her life, there was nothing she could conceal any longer.
"Your Majesty, please forgive me. I did not intend to hide this from Your Majesty, but a few days ago, Ke'er suddenly fell ill... The imperial physician said that Ke'er... Ke'er would be unable to father children in the future. That's why I asked the imperial physician to keep it a secret. I..." Consort Yuan found it increasingly difficult to speak.
Yu Jingchen had not expected such an answer. He casually gestured to one of the imperial physicians present, "Go and examine the First Prince."
As soon as he spoke, the imperial physician rushed off. Consort Yuan remained kneeling, not out of fear, but out of heartbreak. She had never imagined that this would be the reason.
The room became incredibly quiet. Yu Jingchen held Nan Zhiyun in his arms, patting her gently. Nan Zhiyun remained silent. At first, upon hearing that it was Consort Yuan, she had wanted to kill her. But she never expected the subsequent turn of events. When the imperial physician returned, everyone turned to look at him.
"Your Majesty," the imperial physician said, cupping his hands.
"The First Prince... indeed, as Consort Yuan stated, in the future..." The imperial physician's words trailed off, but everyone understood.
"Can it still be treated?" Yu Jingchen's brows furrowed deeply.
"...Your Majesty, please forgive me. I cannot say for certain. The First Prince is young, and perhaps a miracle will occur." The imperial physician's words suggested that it would be difficult in the future...
"Do you know the cause?" Yu Jingchen found it hard to believe.
"...Your Majesty, please forgive me. Based on the pulse, it is due to the First Prince's weak constitution. However, other causes cannot be ruled out." The imperial physician was not certain.