Travels of a Female Physician in the Ming Dynasty

Concubine De actually started to silence people?

Yuanbao's words were like a bucket of cold water, instantly poured over my head.

The methods of Concubine De are even more cruel than I imagined. She just stabilized the Third Prince's condition, and now she starts killing people to silence them.

I secretly groaned in my heart: This woman is simply the top villain in the palace fighting drama, her methods are endless, and I might be the next one to be silenced!

Zhu Yuan's face turned pale as he listened, his voice trembling. "Yang Yuanpan, should we...should we run away? This Concubine De is truly ruthless. She even dares to kill her own people!"

I rolled my eyes at him. "Do you think this is a street corner where you can just run away? This is the palace. We can't even get out of the main gate!"

Yuan Bao looked worried. "Yang Yuanpan, what should we do now? Since the Empress Defei has started to take action, she will definitely not let you go easily."

I frowned, my mind racing with thoughts of a solution.

The current situation is extremely critical. Empress Defei obviously knows that I know too many of her secrets and will take action against me sooner or later.

But the problem is, I can't just sit there and wait for death. I have to find a way to protect myself, otherwise the third prince and I will be doomed.

Thinking of this, an idea suddenly struck me, and I turned to Yuanbao and said, "Yuanbao, can you help me check if there's been any unusual activity in the palace recently, especially from Concubine De's side?"

Yuanbao nodded: "Okay, Judge Yang, don't worry, I will find out everything carefully!"

I patted his shoulder and said, "Be careful, don't let anyone find out."

Yuanbao nodded quickly and ran out quickly.

As soon as Yuanbao left, I fell into deep thought.

Empress Defei has begun to clear the evidence, indicating that her plan has reached a critical moment.

But what does she want to do?

What was the purpose of poisoning the third prince?

I felt like I was trapped in a giant spider web, and the more I struggled, the deeper I sank.

Zhu Yuan frowned at me from the side and couldn't help but whisper, "Yang Yuanpan, what do you think this Concubine De is up to? Why would she want to harm her own son?"

I sighed. "This is also something I don't understand. The Third Prince is her own flesh and blood, so logically she shouldn't do this."

"Is it for power?" Zhu Yuan scratched his head. "Isn't that how it's played out in palace dramas? Concubines in the harem don't even spare their own children in order to win favor."

I glared at him and said, "Don't let your mind wander to palace drama. Reality is much more complicated than that!"

However, Zhu Yuan's words reminded me of something.

Power, these two words are a fatal temptation in the palace.

Perhaps Concubine De poisoned the Third Prince not just to get rid of a troublesome son, there must be a bigger conspiracy behind it.

Just as I was lost in thought, I suddenly heard hurried footsteps outside the door.

Before I could even look up, Yuanbao rushed in with a panic-stricken look on his face.

"President Yang, something big has happened!"

My heart sank; something had happened again.

"What's the matter?" I asked quickly.

Yuan Bao gasped, his face pale. "Someone is spreading rumors outside the palace, saying that the Third Prince has a terminal illness and won't live long!"

"What?!" I stood up suddenly, my heart suddenly in turmoil. Someone must be behind this!

I immediately realized the horror of this rumor.

Once this news spreads, the third prince's situation will become even more dangerous, and he may even be completely abandoned.

After all, who cares about a dying prince?

More importantly, this rumor was most likely spread by Concubine De.

She knew that I had saved the Third Prince, but she obviously didn't intend to let him continue to live.

Instead of waiting for me to cure him completely, it is better to create public opinion in advance and make everyone think that the third prince is hopeless. In this way, even if the third prince dies, no one will suspect her.

This move is too cruel!

"Yuanbao, do you know where the rumor came from?" I asked.

Yuan Bao swallowed and said, "I heard that the news spread from several restaurants outside the palace. I don't know who is behind it yet."

I nodded. There was indeed something complicated behind this matter.

It seems that Empress Defei is not only taking action within the palace, but has also begun to lay out public opinion outside the palace.

Zhu Yuan was stunned as he listened. "Yang Yuanpan, this Concubine De is too cruel! If she spreads rumors that the Third Prince won't live long, won't the Emperor just give up on him?"

My heart tightened. Zhu Yuan was right. Although the emperor loved the Third Prince, if he truly believed that he was terminally ill, he probably wouldn't spend any more time on him.

At that time, the third prince would become a lamb to be slaughtered.

"We can't wait any longer." I made up my mind and stood up. "We must go to the palace immediately and see the emperor!"

"Ah?!" Zhu Yuan almost lost his balance. "Meet the Emperor? Yang Yuanpan, are you crazy? How can a nobody like us meet the Emperor so easily?"

I said calmly, "Now only the Emperor can save the Third Prince. We must tell him the truth, otherwise the Third Prince will surely die."

Zhu Yuan's hands trembled, "But...but the emperor is so busy with affairs of state that we can't even get into the palace!"

I frowned. Indeed, the palace has strict rules. How could I meet the emperor casually?

But there's someone who might be able to help me.

"Let's go find the Queen Mother!" I suddenly said.

"Empress Dowager?" Zhu Yuan was stunned. "You mean... the Empress Dowager?"

I nodded. "The Empress Dowager has always loved the Third Prince. If she is willing to come forward, we will have a chance to meet the Emperor."

Upon hearing this, Zhu Yuan finally showed a glimmer of hope on his face: "Yes, yes, yes! The Empress Dowager! She will definitely be willing to help!"

So I took Zhu Yuan and hurried to the Queen Mother's bedroom.

Along the way, I was extremely nervous.

This operation will determine the life or death of the Third Prince. If we are not careful, all our efforts will be wasted.

Outside the Queen Mother's bedroom, the maids bowed their heads and saluted, and the atmosphere was particularly solemn.

I took a deep breath, straightened my clothes, and was about to go forward to report, but I saw an older palace maid coming towards me.

"President Yang, the Empress Dowager invites you." The palace maid smiled slightly and spoke in a gentle tone.

I was stunned for a moment and felt surprised: The Queen Mother actually knew that I was coming?

In the Queen Mother's bedroom.

The Empress Dowager sat upright on a plain rosewood chair, her expression kind, but her eyes revealed majesty.

Although she is old, her temperament still shows her glory in the harem.

"Your servant Yang Qing pays homage to the Empress Dowager." I bowed respectfully.

The Queen Mother nodded slightly and said slowly, "Yang Yuanpan, I have heard about the Third Prince's illness. I also know that you have worked hard to treat him and your contribution is invaluable."

I quickly said, "I don't deserve this. The Third Prince's condition is complicated, and I'm just trying my best to help."

The Queen Mother narrowed her eyes, her tone carrying a hint of meaning: "Yang Yuanpan, I know you are a capable person, but do you know that the Third Prince's illness is not an ordinary illness?"

Her words made my heart tighten.

Did the Empress Dowager also know that Concubine De had poisoned her?

I carefully considered my words and said, "Your Majesty, I have indeed noticed something strange about the Third Prince's condition. It doesn't seem to be a simple illness."

The Queen Mother nodded, her eyes sharp. "Whatever you discovered, tell me. I want to hear the truth."

I steeled myself, knowing it was useless to hide the truth at this point, so I whispered, "Empress Dowager, the Third Prince's illness isn't a natural ailment, but... poisoning."

The Queen Mother was slightly startled, then her face darkened and her voice suddenly turned cold: "Poisoned? Who poisoned me?"

I gritted my teeth and whispered, "After investigation, I suspect... that Concubine De secretly poisoned her."

The Queen Mother frowned, and the expression on her face instantly became cold and stern, and the air around them seemed to freeze.

She was silent for a moment before she slowly said, "As expected. I've long suspected... that Concubine De is so ambitious that she even dares to take action against her own son."

I was shocked: The Queen Mother had indeed noticed it a long time ago!

The Queen Mother sighed softly, a hint of fatigue in her tone. "Yang Yuanpan, I know you are a loyal man. The fact that you dared to tell me the truth today is enough to prove your courage and loyalty."

I quickly bowed and said, "I dare not take credit for it, but the Third Prince's life is in danger, so I have no choice but to risk telling the truth."

The Queen Mother was silent for a moment, then a flicker of determination flashed in her eyes. Her voice was deep and commanding: "President Yang, I will personally go to see the Emperor and inform him of this matter."

My heart suddenly relaxed, and I quickly said, "Thank you, Queen Mother!"

The Queen Mother nodded, her eyes suddenly softening. "You saved the Third Prince's life. I will never forget your contribution. You did a great job."

I quickly bowed to express my gratitude, feeling extremely fortunate in my heart.

With the Queen Mother's intervention, things finally took a turn for the better.

Walking out of the Queen Mother's bedroom, I breathed a sigh of relief.

Zhu Yuan was beside him, his face brimming with excitement. "Yang Yuanpan, you're truly amazing! The Empress Dowager actually came forward to help us personally. We're finally saved!"

I curled my lips: "Don't be too happy too soon, it's not over yet."