“Change the dressing every three days, keep the wound dry for seven days, and maintain a light diet.”
After bandaging Shen Lingshu’s wound, Imperial Physician Xu packed up his medical kit and gave some instructions.
“Thank you, Physician.”
Shen Lingshu signaled Zhuxin to give him silver.
Side Consort Fang said, “Sister Shen, rest well and recover from your injury. Don’t make the Prince worry.”
“When we return to the mansion, I still have some ginseng. I’ll have someone bring it to you for nourishment.” Side Consort Fang smiled gently, appearing generous and well-mannered, just like a proper concubine.
“Thank you for your kindness, Concubine. It’s just a minor injury, no need to trouble you with such precious items.” Shen Lingshu declined with a smile. She dared not use anything from Side Consort Fang.
“Imperial Physician Xu, how is Concubine Shen’s injury?” Qingwu rushed over to ask before the physician left.
After Imperial Physician Xu finished answering, Shen Lingshu eagerly asked, “Qingwu, why hasn’t the Prince returned? His wound hasn’t been bandaged yet.”
In the script, Prince Lin pleaded for the deposed Crown Prince and knelt until dawn. She needed to go and offer comfort.
Qingwu hesitated, and only after Shen Lingshu pressed further did she learn that the Prince had been punished to kneel outside the Emperor’s tent. Shen Lingshu said, “Imperial Physician Xu, please make another trip to bandage the Prince’s wound and examine him.”
“Wait.”
Side Consort Fang immediately spoke up to stop her, saying, “Sister Shen, if you don’t understand, don’t cause trouble. The Emperor has punished him to kneel. How can we send a physician over?”
Most importantly, at this critical moment, they absolutely must not anger the Emperor and jeopardize the Prince’s bright future!
“The Emperor said to kneel as punishment, but he didn’t say physicians aren’t allowed. The Prince has lost so much blood. What if he can’t endure it?”
Without further discussion, Shen Lingshu lifted her skirt and headed toward the Emperor’s tent.
Qingwu pulled Imperial Physician Xu along as well. Concubine Shen was right—the Prince had lost so much blood. If he wasn’t treated, how could his wound possibly endure?
“Your Highness.”
Shen Lingshu hurried over. When she saw the wound on Prince Lin’s abdomen, her eyes immediately reddened. She said, “Imperial Physician Xu, the Prince’s wound is bleeding heavily. Please examine him quickly.”
With reddened eyes and a face full of anxiety, Prince Lin’s heart softened. It was difficult for her to be injured and still worry about him.
He said, “I am fine. You should go back.”
“I will return only after the Prince’s wound is bandaged.”
Shen Lingshu insisted, staying by his side as Imperial Physician Xu bandaged Prince Lin’s wound. Only then did she feel relieved and stood up. Rising too quickly, she suddenly fainted.
“Lingshu.”
Prince Lin, still kneeling on the ground, quickly supported Shen Lingshu. Would his father, still in a fit of rage, allow him to attend to Lingshu first?
Speaking up might only anger his father further.
The image of Shen Lingshu riding her horse to collide with the wild boar, her fearless figure rushing into his mind. He looked down at the unconscious Shen Lingshu and gradually made up his mind.
He straightened his kneeling posture and called out loudly toward the imperial tent, “Father, Lady Shen saved my life. Now that she is injured and unconscious, I beg Your Majesty to allow me to have her treated first. Afterward, I am willing to kneel for a full day and night.”
Inside the imperial tent, the Emperor, whose anger had not yet subsided, heard this voice. Recalling how Lady Shen, like a heroine, had coordinated seamlessly with his second son in the forest, he said, “Granted.”
With the Emperor’s permission, Prince Lin half-carried Shen Lingshu and immediately had the physician examine her.
A long time passed.
“Congratulations, Your Highness. Concubine Shen’s pulse is like pearls rolling on a jade plate—she is with child.”
Imperial Physician Xu’s congratulatory voice rang out.
“Pregnant?”
Prince Lin was stunned. He looked down at the unconscious Shen Lingshu and hurriedly asked, “She was just injured in a horse accident. Could it harm the child?”
“Fortune favors Concubine Shen. The fetal foundation is stable. She has only fainted from excessive blood loss. This humble official will prescribe a formula. With some rest and recuperation, she will recover.”
Imperial Physician Xu’s words reassured Prince Lin.
The Emperor’s voice then came from the tent: “Reward!” A hint of joy could faintly be detected.
Inside the imperial tent, the deposed Crown Prince’s eyes flashed with shock upon hearing the news of Shen Lingshu’s pregnancy. How could Second Brother’s concubine be pregnant?
“Your Highness, the Emperor says you need not continue kneeling in punishment.”
Eunuch Feng walked out with a beaming smile. “This old servant congratulates Your Highness.”
“Thank you for the reward and for your mercy, Father Emperor.”
Prince Lin directly carried the unconscious Shen Lingshu back to his tent. Qingwu, meanwhile, took out a pouch and pressed it into Eunuch Feng’s hand. “Eunuch, please share in the joy.”
Prince Heng had just been dreaming of becoming Crown Prince, donning the dragon robe, and ascending to the throne.
But in the blink of an eye, Second Brother’s concubine was pregnant?
How was this possible? How could Prince Lin allow a concubine to conceive?
His mother had clearly said that the medicine was colorless, odorless, had no antidote, and wouldn’t harm the body—it would only ensure Second Brother remained childless. So how did Concubine Shen conceive?
Prince Heng’s face twisted like crumpled cloth: How could he surpass Second Brother and get Father Emperor to name him Crown Prince?
“Eunuch Feng.”
Prince Heng, sharp-eyed, saw Eunuch Feng about to leave and quickly asked, “Did Father Emperor say whether I also need not kneel?”
“No, Your Highness. If he had, this old servant would certainly have informed you.”
Eunuch Feng replied, then turned to report back to the Emperor. The Emperor praised, “Second Son’s concubine is good, her womb is auspicious. After returning to the palace, We must reward her heavily!”
The Emperor glanced sideways at the deposed Crown Prince. Could it be that even Heaven was helping Second Son?
Was Second Son truly the chosen successor of the Mu Ning Kingdom?
Otherwise, how could it be that just as the Crown Prince was deposed, Prince Lin—who had been childless all along—now had a concubine pregnant?
…
Side Consort Fang was in her room, dreaming of the Prince being named Crown Prince. Once the Prince became Crown Prince, her status would grow increasingly noble!
Then, using the folk remedy her mother had found, she would conceive first, bear the Prince’s eldest son, and rise in status through her child. Perhaps she would even become Empress!
“Side Consort, it’s terrible.”
Matron Gui rushed in anxiously.
“Matron, what is it? Has that wretched Shen woman displeased the Prince? Or been reprimanded by the Emperor?”
Side Consort Fang gnashed her teeth. “That Shen woman, not even considering the timing, only thinks of showing off!”
“No.” Matron Gui hesitated.
Side Consort Fang frowned, looking at Matron Gui. “Then what is it?”
With the Crown Prince deposed, what bad news could there possibly be?
“Lady Shen is pregnant.”
As soon as Matron Gui’s words fell, Side Consort Fang staggered, the wine cup in her hand dropping to the ground and shattering with a crash.
“That wretched Shen woman is pregnant?”
Side Consort Fang’s voice rose two octaves. Matron Gui hurriedly cautioned, “Side Consort, lower your voice. The Prince is very pleased, and the Emperor has bestowed many rewards.”
“But she bathed in the medicinal water infused with Cold Stone Powder! How could that wretched woman still conceive?” Side Consort Fang seethed with rage.
Matron Gui hesitated, “Perhaps her body is prone to pregnancy.”
“No, Lady Shen cannot be kept any longer!”
Side Consort Fang lowered her gaze, a flicker of murderous intent flashing in her eyes. If that wretched woman Lady Shen were to give birth to a son, wouldn’t that make him the eldest son of Lin Prince’s Mansion, born from her womb?