Chapter 290: Ying Shan Falls Ill
This day, Wen Mingqian was serving before the Empress. Ying Shan’s maid, Bi’er, requested an audience, saying Ying Shan had been restless in her sleep last night and had vomited after eating just a few bites of porridge this morning. Therefore, she came to report to Her Ladyship the Empress and requested an Imperial Physician be sent to examine her.
The Empress naturally did not want her to be ill. Upon hearing this, she said, “Poor thing, how did she fall ill? Quickly send Imperial Physician Su to examine her thoroughly. Do not delay.”
Bi’er was very happy to hear that Su Qingyun would be coming. Before the Princess Consort Chu left the capital, she had repeatedly instructed them that there were a few people in the palace they could trust, and Imperial Physician Su was one of them.
The Empress thought for a moment and then said to Wen Mingqian, “Most people in the palace have not given birth and do not know how to care for children. You have experience, so frequently go over to check on them on my behalf. If they lack anything, tell them to speak up.”
“Yes, this servant will go with Miss Bi’er to check on them immediately.” Wen Mingqian understood that the Empress wanted everyone to know how concerned she was about Ying Shan at this time, so she went at once.
The Empress liked her gentle and submissive nature, and even more so her intelligence and quick wit.
When they arrived, Mama Wang was holding Ying Shan and rubbing his stomach!
“Are you feeling any better now? Imperial Physician Su will be here shortly,” Wen Mingqian asked softly as she approached.
“Yesterday afternoon, he ate two more bites of Ning Luo. That thing is cold and hard to digest,” Mama Wang couldn’t help but complain. “I wasn’t here at the time, and the person coaxing him was just focused on making him happy, so they let him eat it.”
The two young palace maids beside them lowered their heads, their faces flushed red, clearly indicating they were the ones who fed Ying Shan the Ning Luo.
“Are you Brother Changan’s mother?” Ying Shan had seen Wen Mingqian before, but from a distance.
“Yes, young master, I am Changan’s mother.” Wen Mingqian subtly moved closer to Ying Shan. This child looked more like his mother, but one could tell from his eyes that he had a stubborn disposition.
“You smell so good!” Ying Shan said. “It’s like the scent of my mother’s perfume. Can you hold me for a while?”
Actually, this was not surprising, as the Princess Consort Chu had also used the rouge and powder made by Wen Mingqian.
Seeing that he had already extended his hands towards her, Wen Mingqian smiled at Mama Wang and took Ying Shan.
Ying Shan nestled close in her arms and couldn’t help but rub his face against her chin, a gesture children make towards those they are close to.
Wen Mingqian knew that this child missed his mother terribly.
At this moment, Su Qingyun also arrived. After examining him, he said, “It’s nothing serious. Keep him warm for the next few days, avoid meat and fish, and only give him rice soup.”
“Imperial Physician Su, is that all? Does he need to take medicine?” Mama Wang quickly asked.
“I don’t think medicine is necessary; a few acupoints need to be massaged,” Su Qingyun said, showing Mama Wang the acupoints and explaining the method and duration of the massage.
He then added, “Absolutely do not let him consume anything like milk anymore. I notice the young master has a slight rash, which I suspect is related to this.”
Mama Wang’s attendants quickly agreed.
By this time, Ying Shan had fallen asleep in Wen Mingqian’s arms.
Bi’er glanced over and chuckled softly, “He slept poorly last night and was restless this morning, so now he’s tired.”
Wen Mingqian gently placed him on the bed. Mama Wang covered him with a quilt and asked Bi’er to pat him gently.
Mama Wang saw Su Qingyun and Wen Mingqian out. Su Qingyun left first, while Wen Mingqian stopped to speak with Mama Wang.
“The young master really likes the scent on me. I’ll send some to you later.”
“This… Oh my! Thank you so much, Madam.” Mama Wang hadn’t expected Wen Mingqian to offer this proactively.
To be honest, when she saw how dependent Ying Shan was on Wen Mingqian, she felt a faint sense of worry.
This was because she didn’t know if Wen Mingqian was friend or foe.
After all, she was introduced into the palace by the Princess Consort Zhao and was a capable person serving by the Empress’s side.
As Wen Mingqian walked out from there and turned a corner, she saw Su Qingyun waiting ahead.
With no one around, she quickened her pace to catch up.
“Yesterday you asked Xiao Yue to go to the Imperial Hospital to get hemostatic medicine. Where were you injured?” Su Qingyun asked.
“It’s nothing serious, just a flesh wound that bled a little,” Wen Mingqian replied. “But I shouldn’t have kept this from you.”
So, she briefly recounted how Dong Gang had harassed her. If she couldn’t even trust Su Qingyun with this, how could they discuss important matters?
“What a beast!” Su Qingyun cursed through gritted teeth. “There isn’t a single decent person in the Dong family!”
“Actually, this isn’t entirely a bad thing. If they were flawless and united, how could you and I make our move?” Wen Mingqian smiled faintly. “Don’t you agree?”
“Then what do you plan to do? This shameless man will surely pester you again. Don’t think that just because it’s the palace, he can’t do anything to you.”
“Let me tell you, a few years ago, a palace maid was raped and murdered under the wisteria trellis in the northeast corner of the Imperial Garden. Everyone knew it was Dong Gang, who had been drinking at a banquet in the palace.
But in the end, they just found a guard to be a scapegoat, and he remained unharmed. After all, he has people supporting him both inside and outside the palace.”
“Thank you for the warning, I will be careful,” Wen Mingqian said. “The Empress currently wishes for Ying Shan’s safety, so I imagine the palace will be peaceful for a while.”
As they were speaking, they saw someone approaching from a distance, and the two separated.
Wen Mingqian returned to the Empress to report, “The Imperial Physician has examined him and said it’s nothing serious. He doesn’t even need medicine, just needs to avoid getting cold and eating raw or cold food.”
“It’s good that there’s no major issue,” the Empress nodded upon hearing this. “Yesterday, Consort Hui told me she wanted to go to Bowang Mountain for a religious ceremony, and the Eldest Princess will accompany her. I thought they were doing this wholeheartedly for me, so I let them go.
However, my mother’s favorite scent was Buddha’s Hand Citron. Since there are no ready-made ones available now, perhaps you could make some for them to take along.”
“Your Ladyship, rest assured, this servant will return and make them immediately,” Wen Mingqian replied. “May I ask how many are needed?”
“You can ask Consort Hui about that; you two can discuss it together,” the Empress said. “There is good dried longan meat from Fuzhou’s tribute; take some back and eat it often.”
The Empress had a fondness for sweets and liked all kinds of preserved fruits and candies.
In reality, these things were quite warming and not good for her if eaten in excess, but she paid no mind to that.
Wen Mingqian thanked her for the reward. A young palace maid followed her, carrying the dried longan meat gifted by the Empress.
“I still need to go to Her Ladyship Consort Hui’s place, so please trouble you to deliver the Empress’s reward to my room. Just give it to Xiao Yue,” Wen Mingqian said with a smile to the young palace maid.
The young palace maid agreed and left. Xiao Yue was indeed there and, after receiving the items, said, “Please wait a moment.”
With that, she opened the jar of preserves, took out a large handful, and gave it to the young palace maid. “My lady said that no matter who brings food, we must share some to taste and not let anyone work hard for nothing.”
“Oh my, this is a reward from Her Ladyship the Empress, you can’t do that,” the young palace maid seemed hesitant to accept.
“Why be so polite? If it’s a reward for our lady, then our lady has the final say,” Xiao Yue said, and insisted on giving it to the young palace maid.
The young palace maid was very happy and thanked her profusely.
