Chapter 0179: Laughable

Chapter 0179: Laughable

Yunli’s composure truly baffles the Queen.

She can only think that Consort Qiong is overly confident.

She's not in a hurry; the Imperial Physician can’t just appear instantly, let’s wait for tomorrow.

Sure enough, after the morning greetings the next day, the Imperial Physician arrived at Yuqu Palace.

The Imperial Medical Bureau has also faced several difficulties. After the incident with Physician Zhang, several others with close ties to him were implicated. They weren't punished, but they were no longer allowed to treat the masters.

Not being able to treat the masters meant they could only attend to the eunuchs and palace maids...

Even unable to treat the nobility outside the palace.

Which physician, after decades of study, would want to serve mere servants?

But there's no choice, bad luck is just that.

Today's visit was from Physician Liu. At over forty, he's also a very experienced physician.

In the Imperial Medical Bureau, two imperial physicians only attend to the Emperor and occasionally, as assigned by the Emperor, attend to the Empress Dowager and the Queen.

The rest of the physicians are available for general consultation, though each has their preferences.

This Physician Liu, however, was not known to frequently visit any specific person; he treated everyone.

Yunli didn't engage in small talk, simply extending her hand for Physician Liu to examine.

After examining both hands, Physician Liu pondered and then spoke at length about medical theories. Essentially, he indicated her constitution was cold, leading to a cold uterus.

He mentioned something about poor blood circulation and the like.

Yunli understood it as probably referring to menstrual irregularities and a cold uterus.

She deliberately showed a nervous expression as desired.

Physician Liu said: "My lady, your condition requires treatment. I will prescribe a three-month course of medicine for you to follow. Do not worry, with proper care, you should be able to conceive soon."

Yunli acted distressed and remained silent, leaving it to Zhifu and others to see the physician out and reward him.

When Zhifu and Yinchai came in, where was the distress?

Yunli smiled: "I thought, what could it be? Eight out of ten women have a cold uterus, seven have irregular periods." It's indeed a condition, but to say it causes infertility is absurd.

But if you believe that, drink the medicine, worry, and depress yourself, and then someone tampers with your medicine, that's when you really can't conceive.

"Then, my lady... what about the medicine? They will send it later, shall we take the herbs and brew it ourselves?" Zhifu said.

"No need to bother. Let them send it. Do they really expect to watch me drink it? Once it arrives, just find a secluded corner and pour it away," Yunli said.

"Yes, but... do you want to consult another physician, or go out and get a prescription? It might not be a major hindrance, but it could still be treated," Zhifu suggested.

Yunli shook her head: "No need. In the palace, taking medicine is not a good thing; you never know what might go wrong. Besides, such conditions can't be cured with short-term medication. Better to buy some astragalus and angelica to make medicinal meals."

"That works too, we can just pay the kitchen to make it," Yinchai said.

Yunli nodded and asked them to arrange it.

Since the Queen had summoned Physician Liu, he needed to report back to Fengyi Palace.

Thus, he entered Fengyi Palace openly.

Afterward, he sat down to report.

"How is it? Does Consort Qiong have any issues?" the Queen asked.

"Your Majesty, Consort Qiong... there's no significant issue with her health. However... I sensed something unusual," Physician Liu hesitated.

"You may leave," all the servants in the room complied and quickly left, leaving only a single truffle.

"Please speak, Master Liu."

"I dare not. It's like this, when I was taking Consort Qiong's pulse, I noticed something strange. She has a slight cold uterus, which is common among women. But what's peculiar about Consort Qiong is that her meridians are blocked, yet it's not due to any illness, rather it seems like she has been medicated."

Physician Liu paused before continuing: "Having served in the palace for over twenty years... I am aware of certain practices. In previous dynasties, some favored consorts, due to their low status or the Emperor's disfavor, were not allowed to bear offspring and would take certain medicines. The pulse condition during medication should be as observed. Although Consort Qiong's pulse is much lighter than recorded cases, it is fundamentally the same."

"You mean, she has been using contraceptive medicines?" the Queen frowned.

"I cannot be 100% certain, but I am 70% sure. However, judging by the pulse, it appears she has already stopped taking the medicine," Physician Liu said.

"Who administered the medicine to her? Does she know about it?" the Queen frowned.

"I... do not know. However, I haven't informed Consort Qiong," Physician Liu hurriedly said. He dared not speak out, for what if the Queen herself was involved?

The Queen took a deep breath: "Well, it's tough on you, Master Liu. Since you haven't spoken to her, let's leave it at that."

"Yes," Physician Liu stood up.

"Then, there's no issue. Speak as you were going to. Master Liu, you may leave now. Truffle, reward Master Liu," the Queen instructed.

"I am grateful to Your Majesty," Physician Liu bowed.

After sending Physician Liu off, the Queen frowned deeply: "Who drugged her?"

"Could it be... Qi Jieyu?" Truffle speculated, thinking since the medicine has been stopped, it must be Qi Jieyu. Without the rank of Imperial Consort, she wouldn’t have the means to do much.

"Impossible, she would want Consort Qiong to bear children," the Queen dismissed the idea.

"Could it be... the Emperor?" the Queen suddenly grasped Truffle's hand. "It was done by the Emperor, wasn't it?"

Truffle's eyes widened: "How could that be..."

"It must have been the Emperor," the Queen released her hand. "Previously, the Qi family was prominent. Qi Qingluan was an Imperial Consort, and if Yunli had a child, even if not raised by her, she would have been cared for, right?"

"So the Emperor didn't want her to have children," the Queen concluded firmly.

"But Physician Liu said... she has already stopped taking the medicine?" Truffle said.

"Yes, now that the Qi family has fallen from grace. Qi Qingluan has been deposed. Yunli is not the legitimate daughter of the Qi family's main branch. Her father holds a minor official position. So the Emperor allowed her to stop taking the medicine," the Queen sneered. "I thought, entering the palace for nearly three years, aside from those who do not serve, why was she the only one without any news?"

"Your Majesty is right, so what shall we do about this matter?" Truffle asked.

"Since it's the Emperor's wish, I can only pretend to be unaware," the Queen said indifferently.

"Yes, I understand what to do now," Truffle said.

"After the New Year, new consorts will enter the palace. Newcomers bring the greatest uncertainty. I won't do anything, but if the newcomers start fighting, would they want to pull her down? Just like she did to Li Baolin," the Queen said with a faint smile.

"Your Majesty is wise," Truffle offered a flattering smile.

Yunli was completely unaware of this development.

She had stopped taking the medicine months ago, yet there were still remnants.

She had considered the possibility, but she didn't know it would last this long, nor was she aware that the Queen had deduced such a scenario because of it.

If Yunli heard this, wouldn't she die laughing?