“They said it might be some kind of poisonous insect bite. She requested an ointment safe for pregnant women from the Imperial Physicians and even went so far as asking her to leave the residence while someone thoroughly fumigated the living quarters. I paid to get more details and learned that this isn’t the first time—Li Liangyi’s had rashes twice already. Strangely enough, they only appear on delicate areas of the body and vanish within a few hours. But the itching is unbearable. No one knows what it is. Maybe it’s a poisonous insect, but... this servant suspects it isn’t that simple.”

  Wumian looked up and gave a quiet “Oh.”

  “Then... let’s not get involved for now.”

  Jinbo gave a soft sigh of acknowledgment. “Then this servant will keep watching.”

  “Don’t probe too much—we don’t know anything about this,” Wumian reminded her.

  “This servant understands.”

  “That’s more like it. Things have been far too quiet tely.”

  Linshui and the others didn’t know what Her Majesty meant, so they remained silent.

  This time, the rashes on Li Liangyi’s body faded much slower than before. She applied the ointment, but the lingering discomfort left her deeply uneasy.

  So she had her residence fumigated and stayed outside for quite some time before returning.

  By now, she had begun to suspect someone might be targeting her, and thus, she reported it to Guifei.

  Guifei’s favor toward her was no secret. Before long, she sent people to investigate.

  And sure enough, a few insects were found. Whether they were the culprits was unclear, but nothing else unusual was discovered in Biyue Pavilion.

  It was mid-May, the weather growing hotter and the rains more frequent.

  That night, thunder rolled through the skies. Wumian opened her eyes and listened for a moment before closing them again and falling back asleep.

  By morning, the storm had turned into a gentle drizzle but showed no sign of stopping.

  At this hour, the consorts of the harem were already en route for morning greetings. Since she had risen te, Wumian didn’t bother sending anyone to call them back.

  She simply waited for the greetings to finish before sitting down for her own meal.

  Once everyone had gathered, it was clear that Xian Fei was absent again, and Fu Meiren was still unable to attend.

  “What happened to Xian Fei?” Wumian asked. “I haven’t heard anything from her this morning.”

  “I’m not sure either,” Guifei replied. “With this weather, perhaps the Second Prince is unwell again?”

  And she was right. Xian Fei had no time to attend court today—early that morning, the Second Prince began vomiting and having diarrhea. Only just now that a physician has been summoned.

  Wumian sent Dukang to take a look, and she soon returned with a report. “Your Majesty, the Second Prince has fallen ill. The Imperial Physician just arrived—it seems rather serious.”

  “Oh dear, what now?” Rong Fei frowned.

  “In that case,” Wumian said as she stood, “all consorts of third rank and above will come with me to visit. The rest may return—be careful, the roads are slippery in the rain.”

  “Your Majesty hasn’t eaten yet,” Linshui reminded her intentionally.

  “It’s fine. I’ll eat when I return.”

  She added another robe and walked ahead while Dukang held the umbrel.

  When they arrived at Xuanwei Hall, they hadn’t even entered before spotting the imperial carriage parked outside.

  Wumian quickened her pace. “His Majesty is here too.”

  Lou Yingqiong gave a nod. “Why did you come? You’ve only just recovered from illness, and the weather today is dreadful.”

  Wumian shook her head. “Let’s see the child first.”

  With that, she entered Xuanwei Hall just steps behind the Emperor.

  Behind them, the gathered consorts exchanged subtle gnces. Guifei and Li Fei in particur stared at the backs of the Emperor and Empress, emotions churning in their hearts.

  Xian Fei looked haggard. Her clothes were neat, but her hair was still uncombed—long, soft locks hung loose over her shoulders.

  Upon seeing the Emperor and Empress, she quickly knelt in greeting. “This concubine is disheveled and has failed in decorum before His Majesty and Her Majesty.”

  “It’s fine. How is the Second Prince?” Lou Yingqiong asked, helping her up.

  “He vomited for quite some time before settling down,” Xian Fei replied, her eyes rimmed red. “It’s all my fault.”

  Wumian passed her by and entered the inner chamber. There, the Second Prince y curled up on the bed, eyes closed—clearly asleep.

  But his small face was pale, devoid of the rosy color a child his age ought to have. He looked even thinner than he had in April.

  Wumian’s brow furrowed. The physician opened his mouth to speak, but she raised her hand to silence him and gestured toward the door.

  She stepped outside first. “Your Majesty should take a look. The child is asleep, but he doesn’t seem to be resting peacefully. If you go in, tread lightly.”

  Lou Yingqiong nodded and entered alongside Xian Fei.

  Guifei and the others had intended to follow, but since the Empress had spoken, they stayed back, unwilling to risk waking the Second Prince and earning reproach.

  The physician tried to report the boy’s condition, but Wumian said, “Wait for His Majesty to come out. We’ll hear it together.”

  No need to make the physician repeat himself.

  It wasn’t long before Lou Yingqiong came out.

  His brows were deeply furrowed, his mood clearly dark.

  “Your Majesty,” the physician began, “the Second Prince caught a chill. His digestive system has always been weak, and any slight discomfort makes him vomit. The vomiting has severely exhausted him, causing stomach pain. He’s stabilized now, but he must avoid solid food for a while—only light broths, and he must not get cold again. His constitution is truly weak—too cold to endure dryness, yet too fragile for heat. If the room is too dry, he suffers as well.”

  In short, he was hard to raise.

  The more Lou Yingqiong listened, the more irritated he became. Taking a deep breath, he kept his temper in check. “Then consider how best to care for him. Can we use medicine?”

  “Normally, yes,” the physician replied. “But the prince’s digestive system is so delicate that any medicine makes him vomit. It would do more harm than good. I recommend we avoid medicine this time and allow him to recover slowly.”

  Lou Yingqiong nodded. “I trust you. Do your best.”

  The physician gave thanks and withdrew.

  Lou Yingqiong then said coldly, “All personal attendants of the Second Prince—those serving close to him—are to receive twenty strokes. Those not serving him directly, ten strokes. Xian Fei’s own attendants—twenty strokes.”

  Xian Fei’s face went pale, but she didn’t dare say a word.

  “After they’re punished, who’s left to serve him?” Wumian asked. “The child’s already seriously ill. Without familiar attendants, won’t he feel even worse?”

  Lou Yingqiong gnced at her and reluctantly relented. “Then reduce it to ten strokes each. Let them continue serving him. But if he’s poorly attended again... hmph.”

  In truth, he likely knew this wasn’t something human effort could change. But even if an emperor understood that—what could he do but vent his frustration?

  “This concubine thanks His Majesty and Her Majesty,” Xian Fei quickly said, bowing low.

  “For the next few days, there’s no need for you to attend morning greetings,” Wumian said. “Focus on caring for the child. Nothing is more important than his well-being.”

  “Yes. Thank you, Your Majesty the Empress,” Xian Fei replied with gratitude once more.

  The Emperor’s expression remained grim, and though everyone noticed, no one dared to comment.

  After all, Lou Yingqiong treated his consorts with fairness, but he himself was a man of gravity. No one wished to provoke him.

  Once all instructions were given, the consorts rose and prepared to take their leave.

  As they stepped outside, Wumian slipped slightly on the damp bluestone path. The Emperor was nearby, of course, but closer still was the pace maid, Dukang.

  With swift reflexes, Dukang caught hold of Wumian, steadying her. The Emperor extended a hand as well, but he was a beat too te. “Be careful,” he said.

  Wumian gave him a small smile but said nothing.

  Behind them, Rong Fei caught sight of Li Fei biting her lip.

  She raised her hand to cover a smile, one that brimmed with meaning.