Chapter 502 - 503: Knowing
Chapter 502: Chapter 503: Knowing
Cai Hua had no choice but to stand firmly by Gu Antong’s side. She couldn’t let these people look down on them, or their lives in the mansion would only become more difficult. "I advise you to remember your place. Although our concubine is ill right now, she will be cured sooner or later."
"Look at you, getting all worked up with us. We only came over because we cared. We’re all maids, just hoping to rely on a good master. Otherwise, our lives are a dead end. What else is there to look forward to?"
"That’s right, Cai Hua," another young maid said gently. "Even though we’re maids, our lowly lives are still lives. I want to live well. Once I save enough Silver to redeem my freedom, I want to leave and find a good family to marry into. I don’t want to be a maid for the rest of my life. This inner courtyard is truly terrifying. We don’t even have control over our own lives and deaths. We might even lose our lives for no reason just because of our masters. That would be a true injustice."
Cai Hua knew the two standing before her harbored ill intentions, but her heart still couldn’t help but waver. Of course, she understood such a simple truth. However, the older servants who taught them in the past had warned that betraying a master midway was undoubtedly seeking death; it was better to see things through to the bitter end.
Her eyes instantly grew resolute. No matter what, she was willing to gamble. If the concubine’s poison were cured, wouldn’t the maid who had shared her hardships be highly valued?
The current suffering was only temporary. She couldn’t allow herself to be bewitched. She immediately pulled a long face and said, "Thank you for your advice, but I believe that those with ulterior motives will not succeed. Whoever dared to drug someone in the Third Prince Mansion, His Highness will root them out sooner or later and give our concubine an explanation."
Seeing how stubborn she was, the two maids offered a few perfunctory words and left.
"She doesn’t know a good heart when she sees one," a voice drifted over before they had gone far.
"Sigh, we meant well. It seems Cai Hua misunderstood us."
"Let her be. Once she suffers a bit more, she’ll realize we were right. Did you see how she looked just now? She must be the target of her master’s misplaced anger. Why put herself through that..."
Cai Hua was speechless.
***
Rong Ruiyuan flew into a violent rage. The Imperial Physicians had just told him that he had also fallen victim to the plot.
Moreover, it targeted his heirs. How could he tolerate this? "How could I be poisoned? And can you cure it?"
He couldn’t even bother to care which of his brothers had made a move against him right now; panic had already set in. He didn’t have a single son or daughter yet. If his bloodline were truly cut off, the supreme throne would have absolutely nothing to do with him.
The Imperial Physicians trembled in fear. They didn’t know how the Third Prince had been drugged either; it wasn’t as if they had done it.
As for curing the poison, they had all diagnosed it, but none of them was confident in treating it. They could only prostrate themselves on the ground. "Your Highness, please forgive us! Our medical skills are insufficient, but the department heads should have a way."
At a time like this, they couldn’t care less whether they offended their superiors. The medical skills of those department heads were indeed better than theirs, and they exclusively served the Emperor’s inner palace. Naturally, it was time for them to step up.
At the same time, they inwardly cursed the poisoner. That person was really getting them all killed.
If Rong Ruiyuan were truly rendered infertile, it would be a tremendous boon for the other princes, but for these Imperial Physicians, it would be an absolute catastrophe. Furthermore, it was uncertain whether they would be silenced to keep the secret. Their poor old lives...
"Someone, make preparations. I’m going to the palace right now." Rong Ruiyuan took a deep look at the Imperial Physicians before him. "What exactly did you examine in the mansion today?"
"To answer Your Highness, we only conducted routine health checks," an older Imperial Physician hurriedly replied, grabbing the clueless youngster beside him and speaking respectfully.
"Remember your words. It just so happens that I’m returning to the palace. You will all come with me."
There was absolutely no way to conceal this matter, nor did he want to hide it. After all, he still wanted to be cured.
The Imperial Physicians stood up with trembling legs. Whether they lived or died today would depend on what happened after entering the palace. They were all praying in their hearts that the Third Prince’s condition could be treated. Otherwise, even if they managed to keep their lives, they wouldn’t be able to stay in the Imperial Hospital any longer.
The Emperor was furious. What kind of insidious tactic was this?
At the same time, he suspected the other princes. Only they would have such a motive. If his third son had no heirs, then no matter how much the Emperor favored him, Rong Ruiyuan would pose no threat to them.
He had no idea his other sons had actually improved so much as to use such underhanded methods. No matter what, Rong Ruiyuan was still their brother. The culprit had better not let him find out who did it. Otherwise, he would definitely have all of that son’s children adopted by his third son. They were all his grandchildren anyway; there was no harm in changing their father.
The department heads arrived very quickly. They had their own sources of information and naturally knew what they were facing this time.
They cursed those Imperial Physicians in their hearts. If the doctors had figured it out, they should have kept quiet first! At least they could have given the department heads some time to figure out an escape route. Now look what happened—everyone was dragged down into the mud.
The Emperor didn’t even want them to bow. "Examine my third son first, and while you’re at it, find out what kind of poison this is."
The department heads didn’t dare to delay. They took turns checking his pulse. Their expressions shifted from initial apprehension to final certainty, which caused Rong Ruiyuan’s emotions to fluctuate along with them.
"Well?" The Emperor was even more anxious than he was. After all, this was his son. He couldn’t just watch his bloodline be cut off. Moreover, if they could target his third son this time, who’s to say they wouldn’t come after him next time?
Doctor Li exchanged a glance with the other Imperial Physicians before replying, "Reporting to Your Majesty, the Third Prince has been poisoned with a sterility medicine. Fortunately, it was discovered relatively early this time and can still be salvaged."
Rong Ruiyuan’s eyes lit up. Disregarding the Emperor’s presence, he asked, "Doctor Li, are you saying my poison can be cured?"
Doctor Li replied with absolute confidence, "Of course. Fortunately, the Third Prince’s poison was discovered early. Had it been delayed for another month or two, even if the culprit handed over the antidote, it would have been of no use."
"Then cure him immediately," the Emperor said urgently. Who knew if a moment’s delay would cause other complications?
"Your Majesty, please do not worry. We already have a good prescription, but it requires His Highness’s cooperation. Furthermore, even if the poison is cured, the Third Prince should not have any children for the next two years. He must abstain from intimacy for two years."
Rong Ruiyuan asked, "If it can be cured, why will there still be lingering effects?"
He was somewhat unwilling. There were so many beauties in his inner courtyard, and he was a man...
"Well, although the poison can be cured, it has still affected the Third Prince’s body. For the sake of his long-term health, it is best for His Highness to cooperate. Otherwise, we cannot guarantee the outcome."
The Emperor reprimanded, "Third son, stop talking nonsense! Cooperate fully with the Imperial Physicians’ treatment. It doesn’t matter if you have children a little later. In the future, I’ll assign you more duties so you won’t need to visit your inner courtyard."
To still be thinking about such things at a time like this—he simply didn’t know his priorities.
Rong Ruiyuan finally came to his senses and took a deep breath. "Then I will trouble you, Doctor Li. But where did this poison come from? Do you have any clues?"