The Changchun Palace team travels back in time to Ruyi's Royal Love in the Palace

In theory, the Qing Dynasty attached great importance to epidemic prevention, especially smallpox prevention. In the modern world, shortly after the Qing army entered the pass, the position of "Smallpox Inspector" was established to manage epidemic prevention affairs. During the Kangxi era, the practice of variolation was promoted in the palace to prevent the spread of smallpox. Therefore, the palace should have had a complete set of procedures for dealing with smallpox.

However, the trio discovered that in this world, apart from princes and princesses being vaccinated against smallpox and the dead being cremated, there were virtually no other methods of prevention and treatment.

Rongyin had no choice but to follow her memories from her previous life and have the princes and princesses taken back to their birth mothers to avoid the morning and evening greetings. The princes and princesses who had already established their own residences were also not required to return to the palace to pay their respects in the near future. She also sent imperial physicians to guard the residences, especially since Yonghuang's primary consort and secondary consort had each given birth to a son in July and August, respectively. These two children were still in swaddling clothes and needed to be taken even more seriously. In the Forbidden City, all the concubines and palace maids were not allowed to leave their palaces unless necessary. If any palace maid was found to have a fever or sores, they would be immediately moved to the mortuary in the suburbs. At the same time, she ordered people to speed up the production of veils, gloves, and other items boiled in medicinal water and distribute them to the concubines and palace maids. She also ordered the Imperial Hospital to brew and distribute medicinal soup with detoxifying effects every day.

Fu Heng, Yong Lian, Qiu Yuexiu and others proposed a strategy of moving patients from the palace to imperial estates, and requisitioning temples, houses, charitable estates and charitable halls in the suburbs of Beijing to set up smallpox shelters to accommodate patients from the common people.

Princess Roushu suggested that the charity hall be temporarily used as a place for the isolation and treatment of the sick, in order to do her part.

Huang Yuanyu and other imperial physicians also intensified their research on smallpox treatments.

Besides worrying about the smallpox epidemic, the trio was also concerned about Yongcong's safety.

In his previous life, Yongcong died at the end of the twelfth year of the Qianlong Emperor's reign, and at that time the world was also struck by a deadly smallpox epidemic, which was a crisis.

The three also asked Yuan Yi if there was a way to completely eliminate the smallpox epidemic and ensure that Yong Cong would never have the risk of contracting the disease again.

Yuan Yi replied, "In later generations, there is something called a vaccine. Its principle is similar to smallpox vaccination. As long as this substance is injected into the body, it can protect the body from certain diseases. For example, the BCG vaccine can prevent tuberculosis, also known as consumption, and the cowpox vaccine can prevent smallpox. However, the attenuated cowpox vaccine will not be invented until forty-nine years later by Dr. Jenner. We cannot bring this substance out in advance, otherwise, the intervention in the material world will make this world more chaotic."

Yingluo asked, "This cowpox isn't bovine pox, is it? I remember seeing a herdsman get it when I was little, and it wasn't serious. If so, is it like inoculating people with variolation by using cow scab powder?"

Yuan Yidao said, “You have touched upon the essence of vaccines, but do not attempt it. First, although there are numerous cases in the main world proving that the symptoms of cowpox infection in humans are mostly not severe, unreduced cowpox can still have serious consequences for people with weakened immune systems, especially the elderly and children. Second, matter determines consciousness. Before a truly meaningful vaccine is available, you will not be able to convince people who have no knowledge of this. For the other concubines, implanting cowpox scabs into their children's bodies is clearly more like murder than prevention.”

Yingluo pondered, it seems that they can only rely on themselves to be more vigilant.

To prevent Ruyi from taking the opportunity to cause trouble, after discussing it, Rongyin argued that Chonghua Palace was the place where the hidden dragon resided, and now that the epidemic was rampant, it needed to be guarded even more carefully. She requested the emperor to increase the number of guards and also petitioned the emperor that since Ruyi had already reached the position of a concubine, she should not have two eunuchs serving her according to regulations. She suggested that Shuangxi be transferred to Kunning Palace to serve her.

When the emperor wanted to increase the number of guards, he suddenly had a headache, so he only transferred Shuangxi out and the guards remained as usual.

The trio discovered from the video that the emperor was having a headache attack, which further convinced them that Ruyi and the inhuman beings around her would take advantage of this smallpox epidemic to make their move.

Just then, the screen in their minds flickered a few times like a candle in the wind, and then went black.

Yuan Yi solemnly said, "It's probably because we're approaching a critical juncture, and the indescribable thing is showing signs of alertness again."

Yingluo asked, "So, is another calamity about to occur?"

Yuan Yidao said, "Yes. However, the luck of the chosen one has been decreasing rather than increasing in recent years. Now, even non-human beings are being weakened. This calamity may actually be an opportunity."

At this moment, Zhao Yitai rushed in, panicking, "Your Majesty, something terrible has happened! Consort E and the Eighth Prince have contracted smallpox!"

Rongyin was startled, and Yingluo quickly asked, "When did you catch it? How did you catch it? How is your condition now? How is Consort Wan doing? Does the Emperor know?"

Zhao Yitai said, "It was the nanny who served the Eighth Prince who contracted smallpox and passed it on to the Eighth Prince, who then passed it on to Consort E. That nanny is Moxin's mother. Now, Consort E and the Eighth Prince have both developed rashes and have persistent high fevers. The imperial physician said that the Eighth Prince is only a little over a year old, and Consort E was already somewhat weak after giving birth to him. Moreover, she has never been vaccinated against smallpox, so it may be quite dangerous. Fortunately, Consort Wan did not contract it and has already sent a palace maid who had smallpox as a child to report to the Emperor."

Rongyin calmed down and ordered, "Since the illness is so severe, it cannot be moved. Issue my imperial decree: Yikun Palace is to be sealed off immediately. Consort Wan is to keep the main hall gate tightly closed. For the next few days, Consort Wan will have to endure this hardship and not leave her room. Her meals will be delivered by special personnel. All the palace servants of Yikun Palace are to be moved to the Imperial Estate and housed separately. The imperial physicians will thoroughly investigate each of them, and anyone found to be infected will be moved to a special place immediately. Send imperial physicians to Yikun Palace to treat them. Have the Imperial Household Department select palace servants who have previously had smallpox to serve them. Burn all the clothes worn by Consort E and the Eighth Prince and all the things they handled."

She thought for a moment and added, "Then the old woman and the people she had been in contact with, especially Moxin, should also be moved out."

In the side room, Moxin watched helplessly as her mother gasped for breath like a drowning person, then her breathing slowed down and soon stopped.

She closed her mother's eyes and mouth blankly. Unlike the other patients, her mother did not have a rash on her face, but her chest, abdomen and back were covered with patches of red and purple marks.

The imperial physician said this was the most dangerous symptom of smallpox. The appearance of these marks indicated that the patient's internal organs were bleeding uncontrollably, and even a celestial being could not save them.

She forced herself to cover her mother with a blanket, then returned to her room, changed into a white dress, and tied her hair up with a plain silver hairpin, adorning it with a white silk flower. Suddenly, she felt dizzy and collapsed by the bed. Her hand instinctively gripped the edge of the bed, and as her sleeve fell down, a patch of red rash was clearly visible on her arm.

At this moment, the gate opened, and Ruyi walked in, supported by Hailan and Rongpei. None of the three wore the veils distributed by the palace.

Seeing Moxin's attire, she asked in a casual tone, "Has there been a funeral in your family?"

Although Mo Xin was surprised by the arrival of the three, she was already exhausted by the grief of losing her mother and did not care much. She replied blankly, "My mother has passed away."

Ruyi then turned her head slightly back and instructed Rongpei, "Go and fetch fifty taels of silver to pay for the funeral of Moxin's mother."

Rong Pei replied, "This servant will go back to the palace to fetch it right away."

If she weren't heartbroken, Mo Xin would have laughed out loud: The palace had already issued an order that, in order to prevent the spread of the disease, all those who died from smallpox should be sent to the crematorium for cremation. At most, their families could collect their bones for temporary burial. Xian, however, seemed completely oblivious, as if she thought she could use this huge sum of fifty taels to treat her relatives and friends to tofu rice and hire a band of musicians to play the suona for her mother.

She just got the news to see how this former favorite maid of Consort Huixian could make a fool of herself, and then put on a brave face to show that Consort Ruyi was kind and forgiving and didn't hold grudges.

She couldn't help but wonder if Ruyi would have slapped her a few more times back then, and if so, would Ruyi have slapped her even more today?

Ruyi's arrival, however, served as a wake-up call for Moxin.

Suddenly, Gao Xiyue's withered face before her death appeared in her numb and confused mind. A thought suddenly arose in her mind: her only relative had passed away, and she herself had contracted smallpox. She was probably not long for this world. At this critical moment, Ruyi dared to disobey the Empress's orders and walk around in front of her again, just like when she falsely conveyed an imperial edict to the Imperial Noble Consort in Xianfu Palace. If something happened, she could only blame herself.

So she knelt down, crawled forward a few steps to approach Ruyi, and kowtowed, saying, "It's rare that Consort Xian is willing to give some rewards and doesn't hold it against me, even though I once helped Consort Huixian deal with you." (Dialogue quoted from the original drama)

Ruyi said, "You are merely a maidservant of Consort Huixian, at most acting on orders. Why should I bother with you?" (Quoted from the original drama)

Mo Xin gave a bitter laugh and said, "But since Consort Xian has already bestowed a reward, fifty taels of silver is not enough. After I finish handling my mother's funeral, I will soon be handling another person's funeral. If I were to give her any, it would be one hundred taels."

Ruyi's lips curled slightly as she asked, "What do you mean by that?"

Mo Xin thought to herself, "I've given you a chance, and you still won't leave now. It's clear that fate has decided to destroy you." "Then, Xian agrees," she thought, "please, stay with me a little longer."

Therefore, she did not answer, but simply raised her face, her expression full of sorrow, and slowly said, "Before Consort Huixian passed away, because I was getting old, she arranged a leisurely job for me in the palace and gave me two hundred taels of silver. She intended for me to have someone to rely on for the rest of my life, and for me to take care of my mother in the palace. Unexpectedly, only a few years after Consort Huixian's death, a smallpox epidemic separated me from my mother forever. It was truly a twist of fate. I am now all alone and have nothing to say, but I feel guilty for failing Consort Huixian's expectations. In this palace now, everyone is so powerful and influential, how many people still remember Consort Huixian? Perhaps only I remember how much Consort Huixian hated those who harmed her before she passed away." After saying this, she prostrated herself again, but secretly pressed hard on the red rash under her sleeve.

Ruyi secretly admired Moxin's loyalty to her mistress, but also felt that Xiyue had died with resentment, while the Empress, who claimed to have been on good terms with her during her lifetime, had been living a life of ease and prominence in recent years. Her adult children had been in the limelight, and her youngest son had also grown up and was favored by the Emperor because of his status as the legitimate son. Ruyi believed that Moxin must deeply resent the Empress.

There's also Consort Ling. Xi Yue looked down on Consort Ling for her short-sightedness when she was alive, but now Consort Ling is deeply favored. If Xi Yue were alive, she would definitely see her as a thorn in her side.

Hailan made a whimpering sound in her throat and gestured with her hands.

Ruyi frowned. Hailan had no choice but to lean closer to Moxin and said in a strained voice, "You want to take action against the Sixth Prince and Princess Hejing and seek revenge against the Empress and Consort Ling? After all, they are not yet old enough to be vaccinated against smallpox, and they are both young and weak and cannot withstand the attack of the smallpox epidemic."

Mo Xin was startled. She only wanted to stall for time and say a few sarcastic remarks, but she never expected Hai Lan to have such sinister intentions, and for no reason at all! She had seen how much care the Empress had taken for the disgraced and reclusive Consort Hui Xian all those years. Although Consort Ling and Consort Hui Xian's cooperation was secretive, they had never lost their respect and courtesy because Consort Hui Xian had fallen out of favor. Their attitudes were completely different from Ru Yi's. It was probably only Ru Yi who thought that Consort Hui Xian would hate the Empress and Consort Ling.

But then Ruyi said, "Moxin, I cannot do this."

Upon hearing this, Hailan became extremely anxious. She jumped up and whispered in Ruyi's ear in a hoarse voice, "Your Highness, don't forget how the Empress harmed you back then! Your Highness is someone who was spared death in the Cold Palace. You must not be so soft-hearted again! If Your Highness is afraid, I will do it!" (Dialogue quoted from the original drama)

Perhaps because Hailan was too close, Ruyi turned her face away in disgust and walked out, saying as she went, "What difference does it make whether you do it or I do it? Although I didn't raise the Fifth Prince, you said you wanted him to recognize me as his mother. We are both mothers now, so we can't do this."

Hailan limped and staggered as she followed them out. Just as she was about to say something, a row of eunuchs and guards, all wearing veils, came in and surrounded them.

They seemed very frightened, and each of them kept a distance of nearly ten feet from Ruyi and Hailan.

The head eunuch bowed and said, "This servant greets Consort Xian. Consort Xian, did you just go to the residence of the palace maid Moxin and her mother?"

Ruyi remained silent, while Hailan gestured frantically, but no one paid him any attention.

Two eunuchs entered the side room and quickly came out, making a move to whisper in his ear.

The head eunuch took a step back and shouted, "What time is it for you to get so close to me? Just keep talking right there!"

The young eunuch said in fear, "Sir, Miss Moxin's mother has passed away, and Miss Moxin herself has contracted smallpox; the rashes on her body have all burst open!"

The head eunuch's expression immediately turned serious, and he ordered, "Everyone, move out quickly! Immediately carry Granny to the fire and cremate her! And Consort Xian, since you're here, there's a risk of her getting infected. This place must be sealed off. I'm sorry to offend you, but please stay here. I'll have someone prepare a room for you to stay in temporarily, and I'll have someone send you clothes and charcoal later."

At this moment, Rong Pei returned and, upon hearing what the eunuch said, immediately rushed forward, raised her hand, and shouted, "You are full of curses and are disrespectful to your superiors. This servant will teach you a lesson on behalf of Xian!"

Ruyi's fall from favor was an open secret within the Imperial Household Department. Everyone knew that she was troublesome but made a lot of noise but accomplished little. Moreover, the situation was urgent, so the eunuch was not afraid at all. He said to the leading guard, "Thank you, sir." The leading guard raised his hand, and someone immediately drew a knife and took Rong Pei aside.

The eunuch said in a deep voice, “I cannot accept such words from Aunt Rongpei. We all know what smallpox is. Anyone who shares a room with someone is at risk of contracting it. My words are hardly a curse. It was Consort Xian who disobeyed Her Majesty the Empress's orders, and the gatekeepers were incompetent and unable to control her, which is why she ended up here. If Consort Xian thinks I have offended you, then wait until the smallpox subsides and then complain to Her Majesty the Empress. I will accept whatever punishment you deem appropriate! But for now, this place must be sealed off, and no one is allowed to leave!”