Jirong seemed greatly shocked, saying in a trembling voice: “It really is Ding Yang. He… why would he do such a thing? Has he gone mad? Also, why is he dead? Did you kill him, sister?”

Fearing something might happen to Jirong, Liyu overcame her inner terror and stepped forward to support her: “Your Ladyship, please be careful of your health. Imperial Physician Gao said you must not get too agitated now, or it will affect the baby. Let this servant help you sit down, and we can talk slowly about whatever needs to be said.”

Jirong nodded. After she sat back in her chair, Yunyi slowly said: “According to what we learned from questioning Ding Yang, he did this because someone instructed him. Just as we were asking about the person behind him, assassins suddenly appeared and killed both him and Xiuzhu. The assassins were probably sent by the mastermind to silence them!”

Jirong said angrily: “Chang’an City is the capital, at the feet of the Son of Heaven. Who could be so bold as to first plot against Princess Consort Qin and you, sister, and now kill people in broad daylight? They truly have no regard for the law!”

Yunyi looked at her meaningfully: “I too would very much like to know who this person is. Since Ding Yang was from Your Ladyship’s pavilion, perhaps Your Ladyship might have some clues.”

Jirong’s expression changed as she stared at her intently: “By saying this, sister, do you think I’m involved in this matter? Or even that I’m the one who instructed Ding Yang to do all this?”

Yunyi unhurriedly lowered her head: “Your Ladyship misunderstands. I’ve known Your Ladyship for many years and have always known that you’re not only skilled in medicine but also very kind-hearted. How could I think such thoughts?”

Jirong’s pupils contracted slightly as she said coldly: “If that’s the case, what did you mean by your earlier words?”

“I was just thinking that since Ding Yang served here, someone might know who he had been associating with closely recently. Following the vine to find the melon, we might be able to find the mastermind.” Speaking to this point, Yunyi knelt in courtesy and said respectfully: “I blame myself for not speaking clearly, causing Your Ladyship to misunderstand. I hope Your Ladyship won’t hold it against me.”

Jirong’s expression softened slightly: “So that’s how it is. Since it was a misunderstanding, let’s forget about it.” Speaking thus, she said to Liyu: “How much do you know about this person Ding Yang?”

Liyu had by now recovered from the shock of seeing Ding Yang’s corpse. After pretending to think for a while, she said: “Replying to Your Ladyship, this servant only knows that Ding Yang was responsible for doing some menial work. I don’t know anything else. Why don’t we summon those who served alongside him to ask?”

“That’s fine. Go summon them.” After getting Jirong’s permission, Liyu quickly summoned two young servants. Both were startled upon suddenly seeing Ding Yang’s corpse and hurriedly told everything they knew in detail. However, aside from knowing that Ding Yang liked Yixiang, who worked in the kitchen, the rest was useless. As for Yixiang, she also knew nothing when questioned.

Yunyi sighed: “I never expected this mastermind to be so careful and cautious, leaving not a single clue for us to trace.”

Jirong said gently: “Sister needn’t be discouraged. As long as that person has acted, there will definitely be traces left behind. If we investigate slowly, we’ll eventually find them.”

“Your Ladyship speaks truly.” Speaking thus, Yunyi rose: “Since we temporarily cannot find clues, I won’t disturb Your Ladyship further. As for Ding Yang’s corpse, I’ll have to trouble Your Ladyship to have someone deliver it to his family.”

“Alright.” Jirong responded, then added: “Please give my regards to Princess Consort Qin. When my health improves, I’ll visit her.”

“Yunyi accepts your command.” Yunyi bowed again and withdrew with Duan Zhihong and the others. After they had gone far, Liyu said to the two young servants still standing in the room: “What are you standing there for? Quickly carry the corpse back to Ding Yang’s home.”

After the servants clumsily carried away the corpse, Liyu finally breathed a sigh of relief: “This Yang Fei is truly vicious, deliberately bringing Ding Yang’s corpse to frighten us.”

Jirong gazed at the tightly closed ornate doors and said coldly: “Yang Yunyi has never been an easy person to deal with. Otherwise, how could she remain safe and sound even after the Sui Dynasty fell?”

Liyu nodded while tentatively asking: “Then now…”

Jirong knew what she wanted to say and interrupted: “Before His Highness and the others return, don’t do anything. Use stillness to control movement.” As she spoke, she suddenly frowned deeply, pressing one hand to her lower abdomen. Seeing this, Liyu hurriedly asked: “Are you feeling unwell again?”

Jirong nodded: “Same as before, some bloating and pain.”

Liyu said puzzledly: “This is truly strange. Imperial Physician Gao clearly said the baby was fine, and Your Ladyship has been taking the fetal protection medicine on time. Why do you still occasionally experience bloating and pain?” Speaking thus, she asked: “Should we summon Imperial Physician Gao to take another look?”

“Have you forgotten that I’m a physician myself?” As she spoke, Jirong placed her fingers on her wrist pulse. The pulse was fast and slippery as always, with no other abnormalities. From the pulse, she couldn’t diagnose where this bloating and pain came from.

Speaking of strange things, when she was pregnant with Chengzong, aside from backache and morning sickness, there was nothing else. But with this pregnancy, various discomforts appeared right after conception. Even though Imperial Physician Gao had prescribed fetal protection medicine, it hadn’t been very effective. Could the prescription be wrong?

While she was deep in thought, she heard Liyu’s voice: “Your Ladyship, is the baby alright?”

“It’s fine.” After a pause, Jirong said: “Go fetch the fetal protection medicine prescribed by Imperial Physician Gao.”

Though Liyu didn’t understand why she suddenly made this request, she still followed the instruction and brought out a dose of fetal protection medicine. After Jirong examined each ingredient, she confirmed they were all herbs for stabilizing pregnancy and calming the spirit – nothing was wrong.

The fetal qi was stable, and the fetal protection medicine was correct. Why did bloating and pain still occur from time to time? Was there something wrong with the baby or with herself?

Not hearing Jirong speak for a long time, Liyu said softly: “Your Ladyship, should we still summon Imperial Physician Gao?”

“No need.” Speaking thus, Jirong again placed her fingers on her wrist pulse, taking it for a full incense stick’s worth of time before releasing it. Her complexion looked even worse than before.

Seeing something was wrong, Liyu carefully asked: “Your Ladyship, is something wrong with the baby?”

Jirong didn’t acknowledge her words but instead shouted: “Come out!”

With her shout, the two black shadows who had withdrawn earlier appeared silently in the room. Liyu’s heart jumped with fright – she was right there but hadn’t seen how they appeared, just like ghosts.

One of them cupped his hands: “Please give your orders, Your Ladyship!”

“Imperial Physician Gao Qi – go investigate his background for me. Also, monitor his every move. I want to know who he associates with, what he’s said, what he’s done.”

“Yes.” The two gave brief acknowledgments and, as before, left Changchun Pavilion silently.

“Your Ladyship…” Before Liyu could continue, Jirong coldly said: “Go invite the best physician in Chang’an City who has no connection whatsoever to the imperial palace. Remember, don’t make a scene about it.” Though she knew medicine and had read many medical texts over the years, compared to true master physicians, she was still somewhat lacking.