Secrets of Yuqing Palace

Yinreng turned around in a panic, and his little hands under the quilt tightly grasped his pajamas.

After a moment, he replied in a somewhat hoarse voice, "Father, I feel much better now."

"I'm sorry to have caused Your Majesty to worry. I'm unfilial on your part."

Looking at his haggard eldest son, who was looking at him with admiration, Kangxi's heart softened.

"Alas, it's all my fault. I didn't take good care of Baocheng, and he was tricked by a villain and infected with smallpox."

"If Baocheng dies like this, how can I live up to Hesheli's last wishes?"

Kangxi tucked the corner of the quilt for Yinreng gently.

"Silly child, if you can recover soon, it will be the greatest filial piety to the Emperor."

"You haven't eaten much these past few days. Are you hungry now? Do you want to eat something?"

After saying this, without waiting for Yinreng to answer, he turned his head and looked at the imperial physicians below, especially Zheng Yuanshi who was in the lead.

Hiding the concern and urgency in his eyes, he asked in a dignified tone.

"Envoy Zheng, the Crown Prince has barely eaten since he fell ill."

"I'm worried that he's hungry and his body can't bear it."

"I wonder if I can eat now? And what kind of food is most suitable?"

Upon hearing this, Envoy Zheng bowed respectfully.

Then he replied, "Your Majesty, although His Royal Highness the Crown Prince has regained consciousness, his body is weak, his spleen is frail, and his stomach energy has not yet recovered."

“Therefore, it is not advisable to immediately consume foods that are too greasy or difficult to digest.”

"I suggest that you first give the Crown Prince some light, easily digestible liquid food, such as porridge or clear soup, to nourish his stomach and intestines, and gradually restore his strength."

"Wait until your body recovers and your spleen and stomach are in good condition, then you can gradually resume your normal diet."

After hearing this, Kangxi nodded with satisfaction, then winked at Liang Jiugong who was standing beside him.

Liang Jiugong immediately understood and bowed, then quietly left the bedroom and went out to instruct the palace servants to prepare appropriate food according to Zheng Yuanshi's medical instructions.

After seeing Liang Jiugong return, Kangxi instructed the imperial physician, "Envoy Zheng must personally supervise and ensure that the food has both a warming and nourishing effect and is suitable for the prince's current physical condition."

"I leave the care of the Crown Prince's upbringing to you. In two months, you must return a healthy Crown Prince to me. I will then reward you handsomely."

"The minister obeys the order."

Zheng Yuanshi felt bitter, but still bowed and accepted the order.

Soon, a bowl of warm porridge was carefully brought into the hall by a little palace maid.

After Zheng Yuanshi checked, there was nothing wrong with the porridge. After the young eunuch who was in charge of testing poison tasted it a little, the young palace maid prepared to go forward and feed the porridge to Yinreng.

But when the little palace maid approached Yinreng, Yinreng couldn't help but lie down on the bed and vomit.

Kangxi was so frightened that he kicked the little palace maid who was holding a bowl beside Feilong's bed, and then gave a stern order.

"Liang Jiugong, hurry up and arrest this bitch!"

"I want to see who dares to murder my prince in my palace, right under my nose!"

The little palace maid was kicked three meters away and fell heavily to the ground.

Even though he was vomiting blood and in unbearable pain, he still knelt on the ground trembling, begging for mercy in panic with tears streaming down his face.

"Your Majesty, please spare me, Your Majesty, please spare me. I did not attempt to murder you."

"I am innocent. Your Majesty and the Crown Prince, please investigate."

"I dare not, I really don't dare."

Yinreng frowned and looked at the little palace maid, feeling very puzzled.

Hearing the little palace maid screaming, Liang Jiugong signaled the eunuch to catch her.

"Stupid thing! Hurry up and shut her mouth, or she won't pollute the ears of His Majesty and the Crown Prince!"

Soon the bedroom became quiet, and everyone knelt on the ground, not daring to speak.

Kangxi ordered Zheng Yuanshi, "Zheng Yuanshi, come and examine the crown prince immediately."

"Whoo!"

After Zheng Yuanshi knelt on the ground and took Yinreng's pulse, he lowered his head and replied respectfully.

"Your Majesty, there is no change in the Crown Prince's pulse."

Kangxi nodded, then said expressionlessly, "Go and see if there's anything wrong with that little palace maid."

"Liang Jiugong, go get someone to bring another bowl of porridge, and I'll feed the prince myself."

Soon, Envoy Zheng checked the little palace maid and found nothing wrong with her. Liang Jiugong also brought in another bowl of porridge.

After Zheng Yuanshi checked it again and the eunuch who tested the poison also tried it, Kangxi personally tested the temperature. After confirming that it was correct, he fed it to Yinreng one spoonful at a time.

Although Yinreng didn't eat much, every bite seemed particularly precious.

Kangxi watched him finish the whole bowl of porridge, and a smile appeared on his face.

After Yinreng finished eating the porridge, he wiped the corners of Yinreng's mouth and tucked the corners of his quilt.

"Baocheng, you must take good care of yourself in the future. Don't let your father, your mother Wuku, and your mother Huangma worry."

Yinreng nodded obediently, "Son, I understand. It's my fault this time. I made Father, Mother Wuku, and Mama worry."

"When my son recovers, I will go and apologize to Mother Wuku and Mama Huang."

Kangxi was relieved and said, "Just take good care of yourself and we'll talk about everything after you're well again."

Hiding the doubt and fear in his eyes, Yinreng responded obediently: "Yes, my son will listen to my father."

After everyone left, Yinreng lay on the dragon bed, thinking quietly about what had just happened and the little palace maid who served him porridge.

Despite his young age, he looked very mature, with his brows furrowed to the point of being knotted.