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Jiang Zhanyu smiled and said, “Alright, I won’t go to the Imperial Academy. However, for now, I have no intention of taking an official position. I just want to focus on studying quietly.” Seeing the Princess looking concerned, he added, “Grandmother, rest assured, I won’t overwork myself. I’ll treat reading and writing as enjoyable activities, nurturing my mind and body.”
Lu Man also smiled, saying, “Grandmother, if the Fifth Young Master does nothing all day and remains idle, it will only make him anxious. As long as he balances work and rest, remains calm, and engages in activities he enjoys, it will be beneficial for his health.”
The Second Madam, witnessing her son’s change in attitude and newfound confidence in the future, was so moved and excited that her hands, placed on her knees, trembled slightly.
Young Madam Han, seeing the Princess delighted, chimed in, “The Fifth Young Master’s illness has improved. Will our family soon have more joyful occasions?” Since the incident with the mother-in-law, even grandmother-in-law felt a bit diminished and refrained from laughing loudly or flattery for several days.
Seeing some confusion among the group, Lu Man explained with a smile, “What the Sister-in-law means is that the Fifth Young Master should consider marriage. Then, there will be the birth of children, one happy event after another, like a chain of joyous occasions. Oh, Grandmother, just quietly enjoy these thoughts.”
Laughter filled the room, with even the Second Madam’s chuckles being particularly distinct.
Jiang Zhanyu blushed deeply and whispered, “Grandmother, my two sisters-in-law are teasing me.”
Princess Changting, pleased to see her grandson acting playfully, pretended to scold Han and Man, “You two little granddaughters-in-law, becoming more and more proud, even joking around with your younger brother. You deserve a scolding!”
When the Princess was happy, she enjoyed being generous. She rewarded Jiang Zhanyu for his compliance with a jade pen holder. Impressed by Lu Man’s medical skills, she gifted her a jade cabbage figurine. She also recognized the contributions of the three children, Deyu, Zhanyan, and Little Jiu, by rewarding each of them with a gemstone pendant. As Zhanyan was absent, she instructed the Third Madam to give it to him later.
The conversation then turned to the Foxglove flower known as Angel’s Trumpet, unexpectedly regarded as a miraculous remedy for heart conditions.
Lu Man quickly emphasized, “Angel’s Trumpet is both a medicine and a poison. When using it for treatment, it must be in moderation – too little is ineffective, while too much can lead to poisoning, even death. Moreover, not every heart condition can be treated with this herb. Sometimes, improper use can be fatal…” She added, “It’s best not to spread this information for now. If some people ignore medical advice and misuse it, or if incompetent physician prescribe it carelessly, resulting in fatalities, we would have a difficult time explaining…”
While they were talking, a servant hurried in to report that the Chief Historian from the County Prince He’s Mansion had arrived at the mansion. He mentioned that the Prince Consort’s Princess had a heart condition and was given the Angel’s Trumpet flower by the imperial physician based on the Third Young Madam’s advice. Now, the Princess was critically ill and on the brink of death.
This news startled everyone. Not only had the Prince He recently faced off publicly for Lu Man and help her, but the Princess He herself had a close relationship with Princess Changting. The late Prince He had been an eldest son of the former Emperor, eight years younger than the current Emperor, and had a close bond with the present Emperor and Princess Changting. Unfortunately, he passed away early due to poor health.
Princess Changting angrily exclaimed, “Which incompetent physician made such a reckless decision to use Angel’s Trumpet without my granddaughter-in-law’s consent!” Turning to Lu Man, she urged, “Quickly, go to the Prince’s Mansion and do everything in your power to save my sister-in-law.”
Lu Man nodded and quickly instructed Xing to fetch Lu Ying from Orchid Pavilion, bringing the emergency kit and some Angel’s Trumpet and Bai Hezi with her to the front courtyard. She then donned her cloak and took a sedan chair directly to the front courtyard.
At that moment, Lu Man deeply regretted sharing the information about the Foxglove’s ability to treat heart conditions with the imperial physicians. Her intention was to benefit the people, believing that the imperial physicians were cautious and wouldn’t misuse the herb. Little did she expect that it would lead to harm, especially to the old Princess.
If anything happened to the old Princess He, the imperial physicians would face consequences, and she might be implicated as well. Even if they didn’t harm her, her hard-earned reputation would be tarnished in an instant.
The Prince He’s Mansion was not far from the Princess Changting’s residence, and they arrived after half an hour by carriage. Upon reaching the Prince He’s Mansion, Lu Man immediately switched to a sedan chair and headed to the Princess He’s courtyard.
Upon entering the main hall, she noticed a familiar face kneeling on the ground. Lu Man had an excellent memory and recognized him as one of the imperial physicians who had treated Jiang Zhanyu before.
The imperial physician, Zhou, seeing Lu Man, hastened to explain, “Lady Lu, I witnessed how you saved the Fifth Young Master with Angel’s Trumpet. The Princess’s condition was critical, and in my desperation to save her, I used the same method to treat her, but… but…”
Lu Man didn’t have time to explain further and simply said, “I’ve already mentioned that this flower should not be used casually and is not suitable for all heart conditions…”
She entered the bedroom and saw Prince He, along with several imperial physicians, anxiously standing by the bed.
Prince He appeared with swollen, tired eyes, a haggard expression, disheveled hair, lacking his former charisma. He approached and said, “Jiang’s Third Daughter-in-law, my mother is no longer conscious…” his voice choked up.
As he was from an older generation than Second Master Jiang, he referred to Jiang Zhanwei as “Third Son” and Lu Man as “Third Daughter-in-law”.
Approaching the bed, Lu Man saw Princess He’s bluish complexion, having already fainted.
While examining the pulse, she listened to the imperial physicians describing the Princess’s usual symptoms, medication history, and how physician Zhou had initially used a certain amount of Angel’s Trumpet, which didn’t work, then escalated the dosage, leading to the current state. They had also tried a soup made from mung beans and licorice, but it had no effect.
Lu Man diagnosed the Princess with heart failure due to coronary heart disease, the use of Angel’s Trumpet was correct. However, the Princess had an allergic reaction to it, and the dosage wasn’t precise, leading to poisoning, resulting in bradycardia and unconsciousness. Without prompt treatment, she wouldn’t wake up.
Due to the severity of the poisoning, the mung bean and licorice concoction couldn’t detoxify her system. Unfortunately, the medications and treatments that could have detoxified her in her past life were not available here.
In this critical situation, there was a slim hope by using Bai Hezi, perhaps providing a chance for recovery.
She informed Prince He, “Your Highness, the Princess has been poisoned by excessive Angel’s Trumpet. There is a method that might counteract the poisoning, but I am hesitant to proceed.”
Prince He, Song Ming urged anxiously, “What do you mean?”
Lu Man replied, “By using this method, there is a possibility that the Princess may awaken, but there’s also a risk involved. However, without using this method, the Princess will…” She hesitated to say the next words and simply shook her head.
Prince Song Ming glanced at the other imperial physicians and asked again, “Tell me, do you have any other solutions?”
The physicians, wiping their sweat, shook their heads. They had exhausted all options.
Prince Song Ming understood the situation. He lowered his head, gazed at the Princess’s closed eyes, pondered silently for a moment, then decisively said, “Go ahead. If Mother can wake up, that’s best. If not, we have done all we can.”