Chapter 2650 - 2583: News

Manbao washed her face and hands thoroughly before feeling less sticky.

Immediately, a palace maid came forward holding a bronze mirror, ready to help her with her makeup.

Manbao stopped her, allowing them to only tidy her hair a bit. She casually scooped some moisturizing cream and applied it on her face, smiling, "No need to be too elaborate."

Once ready, Manbao went to check the Crown Princess’s pulse. It was her second pregnancy, and her previous health had been good. Now, Manbao found no issues, considering it a routine peace check.

The Crown Prince finally found a moment to come over, and upon seeing him, the Crown Princess supported herself up, slightly bowed, and smiled, "I had some desserts prepared. Let’s see how they are now."

Leaving the space for the two to talk.

Everyone else retreated, except for Eunuch Wu who stood aside with his head down. The Crown Prince directly asked Zhou Man, "How is His Majesty’s health?"

Thinking it a routine inquiry, Manbao replied, "Quite good."

She added, "The Empress is also doing well, as are Princess Mingda and Princess Changyu."

To avoid him asking one by one.

The Crown Prince: ...

He carefully observed Zhou Man’s face and, seeing her looking back at him in bewilderment, knew she spoke truthfully, thus slightly furrowed his brow, "Then why did the palace summon Imperial Doctor Tan?"

"That’s for..." Manbao paused here, remembering that Lord Wei’s illness is confidential; her pulse records are sealed with the Emperor’s, accessible only to Director Xiao and her.

The Crown Prince stared at her face, commanding, "Speak!"

Manbao pursed her lips, hesitating before saying, "Imperial Doctor Tan was called to attend to Lord Wei’s illness."

The Crown Prince was stunned, taking a moment to respond, "What’s wrong with Lord Wei?"

Manbao replied vaguely, "He’s not well."

The Crown Prince glared at her.

Manbao then said, "Your Highness, Lord Wei’s pulse records are sealed with His Majesty’s."

The Crown Prince lowered his gaze in thought, though Zhou Man hadn’t said much, that sentence alone conveyed a lot.

It seems Lord Wei’s condition is serious; otherwise, Father wouldn’t summon Imperial Doctor Tan or keep his records sealed with his own.

The Crown Prince glimpsed at the nervous Zhou Man, decided not to trouble her further, and waved his hand, "Alright, you may leave."

Manbao breathed a sigh of relief, bowed and exited, skipping the desserts prepared by the Crown Princess, heading directly to Chongwen Pavilion.

Once she found the book she sought, she left.

The palace is still too dangerous.

Watching her rush away, the Crown Prince turned back to the Crown Princess, chuckling, "Did you frighten her today?"

The Crown Princess playfully reprimanded, "Clearly it was Your Highness who scared her."

The Crown Princess placed a plate of snacks on the table, sat down with support, and pondered, "So Father is fine, only Lord Wei is critically ill? Why keep it secret?"

The Crown Prince contemplated, "Short term, there should be no issues."

Otherwise, Father wouldn’t conceal it. Given his character, if Wei Zhi were gravely ill unable to handle official duties, he’d let him rest, recover fully, visit him regularly for comfort, and inquire about state affairs, ensuring to exhaust his knowledge.

The need for secrecy indicates serious yet potentially curable illness, presently manageable.

The Crown Prince mused, contemplating who might replace Wei Zhi if he stepped down.

The position at the Imperial Secretariat is crucial; all imperial decrees must pass through its review before dissemination.

Those well-informed were also pondering, pondering who might suitably succeed Wei Zhi’s position?

Apart from the Emperor and Wei Zhi, few believe Wei Zhi can hold onto his position much longer.

Even Minister Han and others sharing a courtyard with Wei Zhi are quietly considering if they might have a chance to advance.

Meanwhile, Manbao was rummaging through the Imperial Hospital, looking for sleeping aids, especially those related to fragrances.

Crouching on the ground, she scanned the formulas swiftly by eye, her brows furrowing more tightly.

Liu Sanniang walked in briskly holding several books, "Master, these are what I found from the bookshelf, please have a look."

Manbao packed up the formulas and stood, taking one glance at the books, then looked at Liu Sanniang’s petite yet round belly, reaching out to touch it, "Walk slower, don’t go too fast."

She smiled, "You’re nurturing this pregnancy well."

Liu Sanniang shyly lowered her head, smiling.

Manbao browsed the books and nodded, "Not bad, these books are quite useful."

Liu Sanniang couldn’t help but be curious, "Master, who is the sleeping medicine for? Why focus on fragrances? Isn’t a calming medicine more effective?"

"He needs to take other medications, and adding calming medicine would interfere with their effects." Manbao didn’t elevate to whom it is intended. After securing the books, she asked, "Do you know anyone in the Imperial Hospital with expertise in fragrances?"

Liu Sanniang thought for a while and said, "Considering depth in this area, it should be the former Imperial Doctor Ji."

She recalled, "When I was an apprentice, Imperial Doctor Ji preferred using incense to treat patients. He often treated external injuries, and some young nobles couldn’t stomach painkillers and anesthetics but cried at the sight of knives. He’d use incense for them; after smelling it for two to three quarters, the patient would become sleepy, making wound cleaning easier."

Manbao’s eyes lit up, "That’s great; some patients are too young to drink decoctions, unfavorable even, incense isn’t dangerous, is it?"

Liu Sanniang pondered before replying, "I heard my grandfather mention, incense does bear risks; excessive inhalation might not awaken, hence Imperial Doctor Ji never used much."

Manbao contemplated further; seems she must visit Imperial Doctor Ji when opportunity arises.

Manbao then softly asking, "How’s Imperial Doctor Liu’s relationship with Imperial Doctor Ji?"

"Quite alright," Liu Sanniang said, "Though Imperial Doctor Ji and Imperial Doctor Tan are closest, otherwise consulting Imperial Doctor Zheng might suffice; he was under Imperial Doctor Ji previously."

After Imperial Doctor Ji’s retirement, Imperial Doctor Zheng was able to autonomously prescribe and conduct consultations as a chief doctor.

Manbao mentally noted, "Understood, I’ll seek an opportunity to visit."

With books in hand, she was about to leave, stepping into the courtyard, seeing Imperial Doctor Lu and others talking around a table.

Curiously, she approached, "What’s this?"

Suddenly seeing her, Imperial Doctor Lu and the others who had just returned from the Imperial Doctor Office started, "When did Imperial Doctor Zhou return?"

Manbao raised her hand holding books and papers, "Returned to find medical books, heading to the palace tomorrow, what’s this?"

"Oh," Imperial Doctor Lu relaxes, explaining, "It’s the start of summer, weather growing hotter, our hospital packed some medicinal sachets to distribute, starting with apprentices and assistants; everyone gets a share."