“Medicine…” Jirong slowly recited these two words, and the events of recent months flashed through her mind like flowing water.

She was naturally cautious and clearly understood the many disputes in wealthy households, so whether in Taiyuan or after arriving in Chang’an, she was extremely careful with everything she used and ate. Apart from that incident with Chengzong, she had never been schemed against by others again. Yet this time, she had been calculated against for so long without any awareness. Even she couldn’t help but feel a chill of fear when recalling such methods.

Who could it be? Who would secretly harm her?

In the suffocating silence, Jirong’s gaze swept over Liyu, who feared she might suspect her and hurriedly said, “It wasn’t this servant! This servant swears, I have never done anything to wrong Your Highness!”

Jirong said calmly, “Did I say it was you?” Although Liyu was the most convenient person to administer drugs, she had been following her since the eleventh year of Daye and had been quite loyal these past years. She shouldn’t do such a thing. Who could it be then?

Though Jirong thought hard, she couldn’t find any clues for the moment and had to temporarily set it aside, turning to Liyu instead: “The ground is cold. Quickly go help Physician Zhou up and offer him a seat.”

Physician Zhou was flattered beyond measure as he stood up with Liyu’s support. Just as Jirong was about to speak, he hurriedly said, “Your Highness, rest assured, this humble one will say nothing – not even to my own mother or son!”

Though Jirong was heavy with thoughts, she couldn’t help but smile at these words, raising her eyebrows: “Physician Zhou truly understands my intentions.”

Physician Zhou laughed dryly and said, “In any case, this humble one will keep today’s matter buried in my stomach and won’t say a word to anyone. Your Highness can rest assured!”

The corners of Jirong’s lips curved slightly, forming a beautiful arc: “Physician Zhou mentioned learning medicine from childhood – it seems you must come from a medical family?”

“Yes, three generations of my family have been physicians.” Facing Physician Zhou’s words, Jirong nodded: “I won’t hide it from Physician Zhou – my grandfather was also a physician. When my grandfather was still alive, he had quite a medical reputation in Honghua Prefecture. Unfortunately, my father lacked talent, and with grandfather’s sudden death, many things were left behind, causing our family’s decline. By my generation, I can only diagnose minor ailments, far from comparing to renowned physicians like Physician Zhou.”

Physician Zhou was surprised and quickly said modestly, “Your Highness is too kind.”

Jirong smiled slightly and said, “Forgive me for asking – has Physician Zhou ever thought about taking it to the next level?”

Her words puzzled Physician Zhou, who bowed and said, “I don’t understand what Your Highness means.”

“Though Physician Zhou has a great reputation in the capital, you are ultimately just a commoner. If you entered the Imperial Medical Academy to work, that would be different – not only would you become a court official, but you could also bring honor to your ancestors and benefit future generations.”

Physician Zhou rubbed his hands together: “This humble one naturally desires this, but I have no power or influence, only some medical knowledge – how could I qualify to enter the Imperial Medical Academy?”

“The Imperial Medical Academy tests medical skills, does it not? I observe Physician Zhou’s medical skills – entering the Imperial Medical Academy is not impossible. What’s lacking is merely someone to recommend you.” After a pause, Jirong said, “If Physician Zhou is willing, I can serve as that recommender. How about it?”

Physician Zhou never expected Jirong would suddenly discuss such matters with him and was stunned for a moment. Jirong smiled: “What’s wrong? Is Physician Zhou unwilling?”

Physician Zhou came to his senses and nodded repeatedly: “This humble one is certainly willing, but…”

He didn’t finish saying “but what” and instead knelt down again, respectfully saying: “This humble one thanks Your Highness for your great kindness and virtue. If this humble one can enter the Imperial Medical Bureau as an official, I will certainly follow only Your Highness’s commands without daring to disobey.”

Halfway through his earlier words, he had already understood Jirong’s intentions in offering him these benefits. Though there were risks, as the saying goes: wealth and honor are sought through danger, fame and profit come through peril. Rather than living a mediocre life, it was better to take this gamble. If he won, all the Zhou family ancestors would be proud of him!

“Very good!” Jirong nodded with satisfaction. “After talking for so long, I still don’t know your name.”

Physician Zhou quickly said, “This humble one is Zhou Quan.”

“Zhou Quan.” After Jirong slowly repeated it once, “I’ll remember it. You may withdraw now. In a few days, I’ll have Liyu come find you. As for today’s matter…”

Zhou Quan’s mind worked quickly and immediately picked up the conversation: “Today Your Highness vomited incessantly and didn’t wish to trouble the imperial physicians further, so you summoned this humble one to diagnose and treat.”

His answer greatly satisfied Jirong, who said meaningfully, “Physician Zhou truly lives up to his name – very thorough indeed.”

After Zhou Quan left, Liyu said puzzledly, “Who exactly is secretly administering drugs to harm Your Highness, and what is their purpose? This fake pregnancy matter could be concealed for the first month or two, but once the months increase, if the abdomen doesn’t swell and there’s no fetal movement, it will surely be discovered. It simply cannot be hidden for long.”

Jirong’s face was coldly fierce as she said, “Why would it need to be long? It’s sufficient to make the Crown Prince think I’m faking pregnancy to gain favor.”

Liyu cried out in alarm and said in horror, “Your Highness means their purpose is to harm you?”

“What else – do you expect them to be helping me?” Saying this, Jirong said with lingering fear, “Fortunately it was discovered in time, otherwise the consequences would be unimaginable.”

Before today, she could never have imagined that while she was scheming to harm Zhangsun Shi and Yunyi, someone else was also calculating against her. Fortunately, those episodes of abdominal pain had aroused her suspicions, and she discovered the pulse abnormalities during extended pulse-taking. Otherwise, she would still be in the dark about it all.

After a moment of silence, Liyu said, “Earlier Physician Zhou said that Your Highness’s pulse changes were most likely due to medicine. Why don’t this servant go investigate right now?”

Jirong stroked her cheek and said coldly, “Investigation is naturally necessary, but… I don’t want a fourth person to know about this matter for now. Do you understand?”

Liyu understood and said, “This servant understands. This servant will investigate secretly.” Then she tentatively asked, “Your Highness had people investigate Gao Qi – do you feel this matter was his doing?”

Jirong said indifferently, “I dare not be certain, but… even if it’s truly related, he’s merely a chess piece.” Just like Ding Yang and Xiuzhu – though Zhangsun Shi’s child truly died at their hands, they were only chess pieces, not the chess player.

Meanwhile, Yunyi returned all the way to the Prince of Qin’s mansion. Just as she entered the gate, she saw Wenlan and asked puzzledly, “Why are you here?”

Wenlan bowed respectfully and said, “In response to Your Highness, the Princess Consort had this servant wait here for Your Highness to return, and instructed that you should immediately go to Laiyi Hall.”

“Understood.” Yunyi responded and immediately went to Laiyi Hall. After paying respects to Zhangsun Shi who was leaning against the couch, she said, “I don’t know why the Princess Consort urgently summoned this concubine – what are your instructions?”