The Yuqing Palace, once filled with laughter and joy, suddenly fell into a heavy silence, thick with the bitter scent of medicinal herbs.
Faint sobs of a child could be heard, whimpering, "Hot, so hot..."
—The Sixth Prince was not suffering from a mere cold but had been poisoned.
After Imperial Physician Li finished taking the pulse, his hands trembling as he delivered the diagnosis, the Crown Prince was so shocked that he immediately summoned the entire Imperial Hospital for a collective examination.
After a long while, the physicians all reached the same conclusion—there was no discrepancy.
At first, they couldn’t believe it. How could a royal prince, a child of the imperial bloodline, be poisoned?!
Suppressing their fear, they took turns examining Yinzuo’s pulse, carefully observing his eyelids and tongue, whispering among themselves before brewing a fever-reducing medicine.
The medicine was mild, suitable for a child, and the safest prescription they could administer without risk.
As for the poisoning, Yinzuo remained oblivious, only occasionally feeling dizzy... After reluctantly drinking the medicine, his fever spiked even higher.
It was as if the latent poison had been fully activated!
"Hot..." He lay on the bed, lips trembling, tears welling in his eyes. Soon, small patches of red swelling appeared on his fair cheeks.
His forehead burned, yet his hands and feet were icy cold. His small body trembled lightly, and within moments, he cried out again, "Cold... Mother, I’m cold..."
The physicians exchanged grave glances and sprang into action—some brewing more medicine, others discussing urgently, not daring to delay any further.
Dizziness, chills, convulsions, followed by relentless stomach pain and vomiting—these were unmistakable signs of poisoning.
As the most skilled physicians in the palace, they could cure any common poison, save for the rarest or most exotic ones.
Yet before they could relax, their hearts clenched again—
As the saying goes, the cure must match the illness. Without identifying the source of the Sixth Prince’s poisoning, how could they treat him?
Imperial Physician Li bowed deeply and spoke solemnly, "Your Highness, the Crown Prince, the Sixth Prince has been afflicted by a common poison—a stroke of misfortune, yet fortunate in its familiarity. This humble physician suspects the poisoning occurred no more than five days ago. Since it was discovered early, the poison remained dormant... The fever-reducing medicine acted as a catalyst, accelerating its effects..."
"The poison can be neutralized once its source is identified," he paused, hesitating slightly, "However, I cannot guarantee that the Sixth Prince will fully recover."
A child of only four years was far too young! Lingering effects were almost certain—only their severity remained in question.
Having said this, Imperial Physician Li bowed even lower, fearing the wrath of the princes before him.
The Crown Prince stood rigidly by the bed, lips pressed tightly together, his face ashen. The Third Prince gaped in shock, while the Fourth Prince gripped the Fifth Prince’s hand so tightly his knuckles whitened, jaw clenched, eyes reddening.
Luping, the senior maid sent by Consort De to care for Yinzuo, covered her mouth, tears streaming uncontrollably, nearly fainting.
She murmured, "The Sixth Prince has been in Yonghe Palace every day, watched over by us without fail. When could he have come into contact with poison? Impossible, utterly impossible..."
With the entire Imperial Hospital summoned to Yuqing Palace, such a major incident could not be concealed. The Crown Prince had no intention of hiding it either, urgently reporting the matter to the Emperor and the Empress Dowager.
Within moments, news reached Cining Palace, and the shocking event soon came to Kangxi’s ears.
At the time, Kangxi had finally found a moment of leisure and was paying his respects to the Empress Dowager.
He took a sip of milk tea and leisurely recounted recent events in the rear palace: "Your grandson’s decision to elevate Consort Cheng and Consort Ping was long considered and had little to do with Yikun Palace..."
The Empress Dowager glanced at him, seeing through the matter clearly but choosing not to argue. Instead, she smiled warmly. "Consort Cheng gave birth to the Seventh Prince, so her elevation is justified. But as for little Hesheli, she is the Crown Prince’s aunt—she deserves the rank of consort. Your arrangements suggest there must be more to the story."
Kangxi fell silent for a moment, then, unwilling to hide the truth from his revered grandmother, replied coolly, "Mrs. Hesheli is unworthy of the rank of consort. A concubine’s position is already lenient for her!"
The Empress Dowager was startled, her fingers tightening around her prayer beads. After a long pause, she sighed. "This must be related to Yinqi’s near-drowning."
Having lived in the rear palace for decades, she understood the conflicts between women all too well. Sometimes they acted foolishly, sometimes ruthlessly—their foolishness was unbearable, their ruthlessness terrifying.
Consort Yi had always been straightforward and principled. In the past, she would never have overstepped by requesting a promotion based on favor alone.
The Empress Dowager valued rules above all. Hearing of the elevation, she had initially frowned in disapproval.
Advising the Emperor was the Empress’s duty—Consort Yi had overstepped.
But considering Yunxiu had just given birth to Yintang and the Empress Dowager’s intercession, she had refrained from reprimanding her. Still, a lingering discomfort remained.
A mother’s love made one strong. Connecting the dots, the Empress Dowager understood everything and remarked to Kangxi, "One can hardly blame her..."
Compared to sinister schemes, Consort Yi’s actions were an open, honorable strategy—reminiscent of the Empress Dowager’s own younger days.
Above all, she despised those who harmed children.
What fault lay with the innocent? These were the Emperor’s precious sons and daughters—how dare they be treated so vilely!
Moreover, Yinqi had been raised by the Empress Dowager herself. In her heart, he held the same weight as the Crown Prince.
This had truly struck a nerve.
"Your grandson shares your sentiments. Consort Yi has suffered enough. As for Mrs. Hesheli, I will handle her appropriately."
Not wishing to upset the Empress Dowager further, Kangxi turned the jade ring on his finger and gently changed the subject. "Regarding palace authority—since the Empress Dowager is unwilling to manage it, once the Noble Consort has given birth, she shall oversee affairs, assisted by Consorts Hui, Yi, and Rong. What do you think?"
The Empress Dowager pondered briefly and nodded.
Though the Imperial Noble Consort might return to favor, for the sake of imperial dignity and palace harmony, authority would not be restored to her.
Recovering her health was paramount—she must not follow her aunt’s fate, passing young and leaving the Emperor alone... It simply wasn’t worth it.
The Noble Consort held high rank but lacked experience in sole governance. Having the three consorts assist was wise.
Wait.
The Empress Dowager suddenly realized—the Emperor had said three consorts, not four!
Why exclude Consort De?
"Grandmother, Mrs. Wuya... is likewise unworthy of her rank." Kangxi noticed her surprise and paused before adding quietly, "Your grandson would rather not elaborate, lest it offend your ears."
The Empress Dowager sighed and tapped his hand knowingly. The Emperor was furious!
She did not press further, merely patting his hand with grandmotherly affection. "You are grown, past thirty now. Such matters are yours to decide—there is no need to consult me. Only, those children of yours..."
"I am aware," Kangxi nodded, his tone gentle. "How could I blame them? Yinzhen and Yinqi have been living together, and he’s gradually become livelier. And Yinzuo..."
The emperor hesitated for a moment, intending to ask the Empress Dowager for advice regarding succession matters, when He Zhuer suddenly rushed in, panic written all over his face.
Liang Jiugong’s heart sank—had something happened to the Crown Prince?
"Greetings to Your Majesty, greetings to the Empress Dowager! The Sixth Prince... the Sixth Prince has been poisoned. He is now lying in Yuqing Palace. The Crown Prince, unsure of what to do, sent this servant to report immediately."
The Empress Dowager froze, her prayer beads slipping from her fingers and clattering to the floor. Kangxi stood abruptly, soothing the elderly woman with a few words before his voice turned grave. "Prepare the imperial carriage."
With Kangxi’s arrival, everyone exhaled in relief, as if they had found their pillar of strength, and chorused, "Greetings to Your Majesty."
Kangxi strode to the bedside and immediately saw Yinzuo lying unconscious, his body twitching uncontrollably, his cheeks flushed with red patches, murmuring incoherently.
Though Kangxi cared for all his sons, even if his affection for Yinzuo had waned slightly due to Consort De, the sight of the young prince in such a state darkened the emperor’s expression, fury simmering within him.
Imperial Physician Li bowed his head and quietly explained the Sixth Prince’s condition.
At the words "cause of poisoning unknown," Kangxi’s rage flared, but a glance at the Crown Prince’s worried expression forced him to rein it in.
"I pardon you all. You must ensure the Sixth Prince recovers unharmed. Investigate this matter thoroughly..." Kangxi sat by the bed, tucking the quilt around Yinzuo, his phoenix eyes darkening, when he suddenly caught a few delirious murmurs.
"Protective charm... Mother, prayers..." Yinzuo, feverish and disoriented, instinctively clutched his chest in a protective gesture.
As if a ray of light had pierced the darkness, Kangxi listened intently before abruptly standing. "Physician, search his person!"
"Your Grace, Your Grace!" Consort De collapsed into unconsciousness, throwing Yonghe Palace into chaos.
The palace maids scrambled—some pinched her philtrum, others rushed to administer medicine. Perhaps due to her overwhelming worry for Yinzuo, Consort De soon stirred awake.
Her eyes were bloodshot, her hands trembling as if her heart had been carved out with a knife.
How could Yinzuo have been poisoned?
How had Yonghe Palace been infiltrated?
These thoughts spilled from her lips as she tearfully called out for the emperor, her voice thick with despair and helplessness.
"The sachet he treasured and wore close to his skin—inside was a protective charm laced with datura flowers, oleander leaves, aconite roots, and daffodils..." Kangxi closed his eyes briefly, his voice uncharacteristically shaky. "All freshly picked, all deadly poisons."
Mixed together, they would have been ineffective. But pressed against his skin, the toxins seeped into the charm and his clothing, releasing their lethal juices—the true cause of his suffering.
Had the sachet not been discovered, the toxins, which would have evaporated within two days, would have left no trace of the poisoning.
"Fortunately, the Crown Prince invited him to choose horses, and the Fifth Prince noticed early. Yinzuo can still be treated! He will recover." Kangxi paused, his tone softening, but Consort De could no longer comprehend his words.
With a heart-wrenching cry of "Yinzuo!" she scrambled from her bed, teeth clenched, throwing on a cloak before rushing out.
Nanny Wu was aghast—Her Grace had given birth less than three days ago!
"Your Majesty!" Nanny Wu, unable to stop her, dropped to her knees in distress. "Your Majesty, forgive this offense! This... this..."
"Let her go. Prepare a shielded palanquin," Kangxi said sternly, showing no reproach. "Yinzuo would want his mother by his side. Liang Jiugong, to Yuqing Palace."
Nanny Wu looked up in shock, but Kangxi was already striding away, leaving her heart sinking like a stone.
No one had expected Consort De to drag her weakened body all the way to Yuqing Palace!
At the sight of her disheveled state, the Crown Prince’s eyes flickered with surprise before he hesitantly greeted her.
Consort De ignored him, rushing to Yinzuo’s side and pressing a trembling hand to his forehead, tears streaming uncontrollably.
Yinzhen stood nearby, head bowed, refusing to look at Consort De, his expression somber. Yinqi, witnessing this, scratched his head and blurted out in rapid Mongolian, "The physicians said once the cause is found, he can be cured! Sixth Brother is out of danger now—he’ll wake soon..."
Before he could finish, Consort De whirled toward him, her gaze so venomous it seemed she wanted to devour him alive.
"How did the Fifth Prince know Yinzuo was poisoned?" she rasped, each word dripping with menace.
Meanwhile, in Yikun Palace.
Nanny Dong, face ashen, pointed at an ornate wooden box in the center of the hall. "Take it away at once! If Her Grace is disturbed, none of you will bear the consequences!"
Inside the box lay a dazzling set of gold hair ornaments and strings of precious pearls—but in the far corner, a black bird lay sprawled.
A lifeless raven, pierced through the heart, its death gruesome.
Yunxiu raised a hand, silencing Nanny Dong, and stared intently at the box, her brow furrowed.
"What does the Imperial Noble Consort mean by this?" Ruizhu whispered, too frightened to look at the box.
"She wants to ally with me against Consort De," Yunxiu murmured, then paused. "No. She has already acted."
The raven, hidden among the "belated congratulatory gifts," was both an olive branch and a boast.
To say the Imperial Noble Consort had lost her mind was no exaggeration!
