“Director Li, what exactly is wrong with Ninth Princess?” Empress Dowager Yang asked in a deep voice.

Among the several princesses of the imperial family, the Ninth Princess had the best appearance. It could even be said that no one in the entire capital could be found who was more outstanding than the Ninth Princess. If such good looks were ruined, it would truly be heartbreaking.

“In response to the Empress Dowager, Your Highness, the Princess may have been contaminated by some unknown toxin.” Director Li deliberated for a moment before stating his diagnostic conclusion.

“Toxin?” Empress Dowager Yang’s eyes sharpened.

People of the imperial family were especially sensitive about such matters. How could a perfectly healthy child become contaminated with an unknown toxin? Could someone have poisoned Zhenzhen?

The more Empress Dowager Yang thought about it, the darker her expression became.

“Director Li, tell us where this unknown toxin could have come from?”

Director Li’s expression was serious as he respectfully replied: “This humble official believes this unknown toxin was very likely brought back by Your Highness, the Princess, from outside.”

“Brought from outside?” Empress Dowager Yang was startled upon hearing this.

Zhenzhen had been buried under rocks and stones yesterday, and today she had become like this. Could it be related to that incident?

“No, no—” Princess Zhenzhen suddenly opened her eyes.

“Zhenzhen.” Empress Dowager Yang called out.

Princess Zhenzhen was stunned for a moment, then grabbed Empress Dowager Yang’s hand: “Imperial Grandmother, why did you come? I seemed to have had a nightmare just now, it frightened me.”

She smiled obediently as she spoke: “But seeing you, I’m not afraid anymore. Those were all fake—”

Empress Dowager Yang felt a pang in her heart and patted Princess Zhenzhen’s hand: “Good child, don’t be afraid. Imperial Grandmother will have the imperial physicians examine you carefully.”

“What is Imperial Grandmother saying? Your granddaughter is perfectly fine, why trouble the imperial physicians?”

Consort Li couldn’t help but cry: “Zhenzhen, what’s wrong with you?”

“Mother Consort, why did you come too?” Princess Zhenzhen put away her smile and looked around, her gaze falling on Director Li as her eyes suddenly widened.

Director Li? Why was Director Li, who only treated Imperial Grandmother and Father Emperor, also here?

Princess Zhenzhen felt her head buzz as everything came back to her. She covered her face and said: “My face, my face, bring me a mirror—”

The palace maids all kept their heads down, not daring to make a sound.

Princess Zhenzhen scolded her attendant: “Fanglan, are you made of wood? Quickly bring this palace a mirror!”

Fanglan stood there motionless, unable to help but raise her eyes to look at the Empress Dowager and Consort Li.

Empress Dowager Yang sighed and said, “All of you withdraw.”

The palace maids, as if receiving amnesty, quickly withdrew.

“Imperial Grandmother?”

“Zhenzhen, calm down. When something happens, being anxious is useless.” Though Empress Dowager Yang advised this way, she couldn’t bear to bring a mirror for Princess Zhenzhen to see.

Appearance was more important than life itself for young women. Never mind an entire face festering—even leaving a small pox mark would be a lifelong regret. With Zhenzhen in her current state, seeing her appearance would surely make her despair.

“So I wasn’t dreaming, I wasn’t dreaming—” Princess Zhenzhen wept, grasping Empress Dowager Yang’s sleeve: “Imperial Grandmother, what will Zhenzhen do in the future?”

“Don’t be afraid, don’t be afraid. You are a princess, Imperial Grandmother’s good granddaughter. Imperial Grandmother will have the imperial physicians find a way.”

Princess Zhenzhen lowered her head and said hoarsely: “Thank you, Imperial Grandmother.”

Empress Dowager Yang stood up and instructed Consort Li: “Take good care of Zhenzhen. These days, you don’t need to return to your quarters—stay here to accompany Zhenzhen.”

Only after Empress Dowager Yang left did Princess Zhenzhen lose control of her emotions and begin crying loudly.

“Zhenzhen, don’t cry. The Empress Dowager will surely find you the best physicians.”

“But Director Li is already the best imperial physician.” While the Empress Dowager had been present, Princess Zhenzhen had been holding back, but she wasn’t a fool. Seeing Director Li clearly at a loss, what was there not to understand? Now with only Mother Consort beside her, she spoke without restraint.

“Mother Consort, what will I do in the future? If my face can’t be healed, I don’t want to live—”

Consort Li was frightened out of her wits and held Princess Zhenzhen tightly, crying: “It will definitely be healed, it will definitely be healed.”

While the Ninth Princess’s side was filled with gloom, the Li family was no better off.

Because of Princess Zhenzhen’s involvement, news of Third Miss Li also being trapped in the landslide didn’t spread. However, when Lady He heard that a landslide had occurred at Luoxia Mountain, she directly fainted. When she opened her eyes, Second Madam Liu was keeping watch beside her.

“Sister-in-law has awakened.”

“Where is Old Madam? Where is Master?” Lady He suddenly sat up.

“Old Madam went to inquire about news. Elder Brother took Hui’er and rushed to Luoxia Mountain.”

“Luoxia Mountain? Zhaozhao—” Lady He suddenly raised her hand and slapped herself.

Liu was startled: “Sister-in-law, what’s wrong with you?” This sister-in-law of hers had only been a bit foolish before—she hadn’t noticed any signs of madness.

Liu quietly shifted her bottom outward.

Being foolish wasn’t particularly frightening, but mad people couldn’t be provoked. What if she randomly started chopping people?

“It’s all my fault for being useless, only knowing how to faint. I need to go to Luoxia Mountain to find Zhaozhao.”

“Aiyo, sister-in-law, please don’t go cause more trouble. There are many government officials at Luoxia Mountain now. What could you do if you went? You can neither carry loads nor lift weights.”

“I have more strength than Master!”

Liu: “…” Saying this about one’s husband isn’t good, right?

“Sister-in-law, thank you for today. But don’t try to stop me. Zhaozhao is flesh that fell from my body. Even if I can’t do anything and can only wait there helplessly, I still need to go.”

Hearing this, Liu sighed and stopped trying to prevent her: “Alright then. If your sister-in-law wants to go, I can’t stop you. But our household doesn’t have a carriage available.”

“If there’s no carriage, we’ll hire one.” Lady He suddenly thought of something and quickly ordered her head maid to fetch a stack of banknotes.

“Sister-in-law, what is this for?” Liu’s eyes went straight at the sight.

“I thought of it—use this money to buy some roast chicken, sauced beef, and wine to send to those government officials. That way, they’ll be more dedicated to helping.”

Lady He wiped her tears while ordering people to go purchase these items. Liu hurried to relay the message to Old Madam Deng.

Upon learning of this, Old Madam Deng sighed: “Let her go.”

The foot of Luoxia Mountain was crowded with all sorts of people—government clerks from various offices, hired laborers, as well as family members of pilgrims who had gone to Dafu Temple yesterday and gone missing, plus common people watching the excitement.

For a time, the voices were clamorous, even livelier than during temple fairs.

Li Guangwen stared blankly at the mountain path covered by rocks and mud, his eyes gradually reddening as he said hoarsely: “Hui’er, to clear all this away, wouldn’t it take a very long time?”

“Father, don’t worry too much. Third sister has her good fortune—maybe she was still on the mountain at that time.”

“No, she wouldn’t have been. Usually, at that time, your third sister should have already come down the mountain. But she didn’t come home—”

After Li Guangwen finished speaking, he walked over and bent down to pick up a rock. However, the rock was too heavy. Unable to hold it steady, it fell back down with a thud.

A nearby clerk was startled and pushed him away: “Go, go, stand aside and don’t cause trouble!”