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In the Lotus Hall of Crane Hall, there was only one table set, where the Princess, the old Marquis, along with Lu Man, He Cheng, and Jiang Jiu sat together, enjoying their meal. They chatted and laughed, creating a lively atmosphere.
Lu Man typically watched her diet, concerned about the baby’s size for childbirth. However, Princess Changting occasionally insisted on serving her nourishing soup, putting her in a difficult spot.
Suddenly, a commotion erupted outside, prompting Princess Changting to frown and exclaim, “How dare they cause a ruckus here. Find out who it is and throw them out.”
Before the palace steward could leave, several maids rushed in.
They knelt before the Princess, with one named Xia wailing, “Your Highness, it’s a disaster. Young Master Deyu took medicine from Young Master He and is now unwell. He’s disoriented, pale-faced, vomited, and struggles to breathe. Oh… even eldest Young Madam fainted. The eldest Madam ordered us to bind Young Master He, flog him twenty times, and lock him in the woodshed. If anything happens to Young Master Deyu, she demands his life.”
The Princess, Lu Man, and He Cheng were shocked by the news.
He Cheng quickly clarified, “I didn’t prescribe any random medicine. I only gave him half a salicylic pill. When I saw he was fine, I came here.”
Lu Man suspected it was a drug allergy. However, a reaction this severe from just half a pill was unlikely, at most, he might experience gastrointestinal discomfort leading to vomiting, not turning pale and struggling to breathe.
She asked He Cheng, “Are you sure you only gave him half a pill?”
He Cheng affirmed, “I wouldn’t lie, it was only half a pill.”
Assuring the visibly distressed Princess Changting, Lu Man reassured her, “Grandmother, don’t worry. Young Master Deyu will be fine. Based on his reaction, it seems he had an allergic reaction due to an overdose — oh, it’s poisoning. I can treat him. He Cheng, do you have Bai Hezi with you?”
He Cheng confirmed, “Yes, I have it in my medical kit.”
Tears welled up in Princess Changting’s eyes as she asked, “Can you really save Deyu?”
“I have a solution, everything will be fine.” Lu Man added, “It must be that someone gave Young Master Deyu another dose of salicylic pills after He Cheng left, causing the poisoning.”
She stood up and said to He Cheng, “Let’s quickly go to Yiluo Pavilion.”
He Cheng assisted Lu Man to stand, and they walked out together.
Seeing that the Princess showed no intention of blaming Lu Man and her brother, the group of maids hesitated to bind anyone and followed along.
The Princess, still concerned, decided to be escorted to Yiluo Pavilion to check on her great-grandson. The old Marquis wanted to accompany her, and Jiang Jiu, worried about his sister-in-law, insisted on going along.
Princess Changting waved them off, saying, “Don’t go and cause trouble.”
He Cheng and Lu Man discussed their plan quietly, arriving at Yiluo Pavilion in about half a quarter. Before entering the room, they heard the eldest Madam, the eldest Young Madam, and several servants sobbing inside.
As they entered the hall, Lu Man, wary of contagion from Deyu’s condition, stood back. She observed the eldest Madam holding Deyu, crying, and the eldest Young Madam sitting beside them in tears.
Madam Hong, furious at Lu Man and her brother’s audacity to come, yelled, “Go, bind that boy and beat him harshly.”
Several maids moved forward to apprehend He Cheng.
To protect his sister from getting entangled, He Cheng took a few steps back. The maids, armed with ropes, swiftly bound him.
Lu Man’s voice turned cold as she stated, “Madam, if you delay any longer, Young Master Deyu will be beyond saving.”
In truth, if it had been the eldest Madam who was allergic, Lu Man would have let He Cheng take the beating, but with a child suffering, she couldn’t stand by.
Madam Hong shouted, “Lu, you wicked woman, how dare you harm my grandson…”
“That’s enough!” Princess Changting entered the room, yelling. She pointed at Madam Hong, scolding, “Despite your noble status, your narrow-mindedness is despicable. You shouldn’t assume others are as vile as you.” Turning to the maids restraining He Cheng, she commanded, “Release him!”
After understanding the situation from Lu Man and her brother’s conversation, the Princess realized that it was likely Hong who thought He Cheng had underdosed the medicine out of spite and overdosed Deyu.
Addressing Young Madam Han, she said, “You understand children. Calm down and think, He Cheng wouldn’t intentionally harm Deyuu. He must have taken too much medicine. Hurry, lay him on the bed and let He Cheng treat him.”
Young Madam Han, upon hearing this, realized what had happened. She cried, “Deyu’s fever wasn’t going down, and in our haste, we thought half a pill wasn’t enough, so we gave him two more.”
As she explained, she took the child from Madam Hong’s arms and placed him on the bed.
Princess Changting exclaimed, “Do you think this is candy that you can feed as much as you want?”
He Cheng responded, “I’ll help Deyu first, and we can discuss the rest later.”
He Cheng followed Lu Man’s instructions and proceeded to insert silver needles into several acupoints. He then prepared a Bai Hezi pill, crushed it, and dissolved it in warm water to feed Deyu spoon by spoon. Additionally, he instructed to have more warm water ready.
Meanwhile, Lu Man sat with the Princess, providing guidance to He Cheng as needed.
A servant arrived to report that a physician skilled in treating colds was waiting at the entrance of Yiluo Pavilion.
The Princess waved the servant off, sending the physician away.
After some time, another imperial physician arrived but was also sent back.
About half an hour later, Deyu’s breathing finally stabilized, and color returned to his face.
He Cheng sighed in relief, saying, “He’s better now, just make sure to give him more warm water.”
Madam Hong and Young Madam Han emerged, relieved.
Young Madam Han thanked Lu Man, expressing gratitude for her and He Cheng’s efforts. She then knelt before the Princess, tearfully admitting her mistake.
Approaching the Princess, Madam Hong apologized, acknowledging her oversight and expressing regret for her actions towards He Cheng in her anxious state.
Princess Changting and Lu Man noticed Young Madam Han’s changing expressions while Madam Hong explained her oversight. Initially shocked, then angered, followed by restraint, and finally, a subtle nod of acceptance.
She was willing to take the blame for her mother-in-law.
As the daughter-in-law, she wouldn’t dare refuse to bear the blame if Madam Hong insisted.
Madam Hong turned to Young Madam Han, saying, “If you had informed me earlier, I wouldn’t have been so anxious. Oh, I’ve wronged He Cheng. How can I face him now?”