Chapter 69: The Group Poisoning Incident at Chengqian Palace

The gates of Chengqian Palace were slightly ajar. Zhu Yunwen pushed open the doors and looked towards the palace.

The doors to the main hall were tightly shut, the windows closed, and the lights were on inside, but there was no sound of weaving.

The cold wind howled, causing Zhu Yunwen to wrap his robe tightly around him.

He hurriedly ran towards the entrance, pushed open the doors, and was greeted by the smell of coal smoke. Looking inside, he saw rows of neatly arranged looms, with palace maids either lying on the light gauze or collapsed on the ground.

“Your Majesty, What… what has happened?”

Shuangxi and the others rushed over and were astonished by the scene before them.

“Luo Yan’er!”

Zhu Yunwen walked through the looms and approached the table. Luo Yan’er was seated in a chair, her delicate body leaning unnaturally to one side. If it weren’t for the support of the chair, she might have already collapsed to the ground.

“Hold your breath and open all the doors and windows, quickly!” Zhu Yunwen ordered sternly. He then lifted Luo Yan’er in his arms and walked towards the exit.

Shuangxi and the others opened all the doors and windows as instructed.

The howling wind from the north swept into the palace, causing the dozens of braziers on the ground to flicker with fire as the wind blew through the pale gray coals.

“Carry everyone out and place them near the air vents! Shuangxi, immediately inform the Empress, consort Ning, and Consort Xian, to bring people to the Chengqian Palace. Summon the physicians from the Imperial Academy of Medicine, it must be quick,” Zhu Yunwen commanded.

He gently placed Luo Yan’er on the ground and then took off his own outer garment, covering her with it. He reached out to sense her breathing, relieved that she had not lost her ability to breathe.

As the palace maids and eunuchs busily carried the affected individuals out and dispersed them in the courtyard.

Ma Enhui, who had been asleep, was awakened by the news of the incident. She quickly got up and led her attendants to the scene, followed by Consort Ning and Consort Xian.

“What has happened, Your Majesty?” Ma Enhui asked with concern as she looked at the palace maids in the Chengqian Palace. Some of them had regained consciousness but were weak, struggling to breathe. Others were experiencing discomfort and vomiting uncontrollably.

What’s even more serious is that some of the palace maids have yet to regain consciousness. Even when gently called upon, they can only respond with a vague barely, unable to open their eyes.

Zhu Yunwen ordered for Luo Yan’er to be carried to the Jingren Palace for recuperation. Then, he explained to Ma Enhui and the others, “It’s carbon monoxide poisoning. Tonight, the temperature dropped, and with the strong wind, many braziers were added in the Chengqian Palace. The smoke became too heavy, combined with the tightly sealed rooms and the large number of people present, preventing the smoke from dissipating and resulting in poisoning.”

As for the issue of carbon monoxide, Zhu Yunwen couldn’t explain much further. Many people believe that people in ancient times were unaware of carbon monoxide poisoning, but that is not the case. Yes, ancient people didn’t write the chemical formula CO, but they were aware of the concept of carbon monoxide poisoning.

In “Record of washed grievances” by Song Ci of the Southern Song Dynasty, carbon monoxide poisoning is clearly documented:

“When exposed to coal poisoning, if the air in the earthen pit is leaking and foul, and people are exposed to the fumes, they will unconsciously perish. Their bodies are limp and without injuries, similar to those who experience nightmares during sleep and cannot wake up.”

Ma Enhui looked at the palace maids lying all around, filled with distress, and urged, “Where are the imperial physicians? Why haven’t they arrived?”

Zhu Yunwen shook his head, letting out a sigh of lament.

Imperial physicians?

Even if the imperial physicians were to come, they probably wouldn’t have any effective solutions. In this world, there is no pure oxygen available for inhalation, which means there is no way to improve blood oxygen levels. He himself also lacked the means to administer intravenous glucose solution. What could he use to save them?

But wait, although there is no glucose solution, there should still be some sweetened water available!

Although sweetened water may not have a significant effect on carbon monoxide poisoning, at the very least, it can moisten the throat and lungs. It is said to improve the oxygen-deprived environment in the brain, but he is not sure if that’s true.

Regardless, drinking sweetened water won’t kill anyone.

“Shuangxi, immediately instruct the Imperial Kitchen to prepare a pot of sweetened water using my refined sugar. It must be done quickly. Bring it all over here,” Zhu Yunwen commanded hastily.

Ma Enhui leaned down and looked at a pale-faced palace maid who had vomited several times, her eyes filled with tears.

Zhu Yunwen approached and softly said, “Don’t worry, you’ll be fine. You’ll recover in a few days.”

The Administrator from the Imperial Academy of Medicine, Dai Yuanli, rushed over, gasping for breath. Zhu Yunwen quickly stepped forward and glared at Shuangxi, rebuking, “Dai Yuanli is already in his twilight years. How could you not have someone carry him into the palace? If you exhaust his body, how will you handle the consequences?”

Shuangxi and the others quickly knelt down, begging for forgiveness.

Dai Yuanli scratched his beard, composed himself, and said to Zhu Yunwen, “Thank you, Your Majesty, for your concern. I am not inconvenienced. Allow me to start the treatment first.”

Dai Yuanli can be considered a divine physician of the Ming Dynasty, known for his ability to cure ailments.

Prior to Emperor Zhu Yuanzhang’s passing, he intended to hold all the medical officials in the Imperial Medical Bureau accountable for their ineffective treatments, but he exempted Dai Yuanli and even expressed his “appreciation.”

Zhu Yunwen was curious whether traditional Chinese medicine could treat carbon monoxide poisoning.

Dai Yuanli examined several palace maids without saying much. He then proceeded to check the unconscious maids. He retrieved silver needles from his medicine box, heated them over a candle flame, and inserted one into the temple of a maid, and another into the philtrum.

With a few needle insertions, the maid gradually regained consciousness, her gaze unfocused, and she began experiencing symptoms of nausea.

“It is carbon monoxide poisoning. Please arrange for the Imperial Kitchen to extract juice from white radishes and distribute it to everyone. It can alleviate the symptoms. They should rest for a few days, and there should be no major issues,” Dai Yuanli said with ease.

“White radishes?” Zhu Yunwen furrowed his brow. It was certainly a novel remedy.

Each profession has its own specialization, and as a medical ignoramus, it would be best for him not to meddle in affairs he knew little about.

“Your Majesty, lady Luo has awakened,” Consort Xian hurriedly reported as she approached. Upon seeing Dai Yuanli, she quickly added, “Administrator Dai, please come to Jingren Palace to check on Lady Luo.”

Dai Yuanli, seeing that the individuals in Chengqian Palace were not seriously affected, readily agreed.

Luo yan’er’s face was pale, occasionally clutching her chest, experiencing waves of headaches and feeling nauseous. She desperately wanted to vomit but couldn’t. As she was suffering, she saw Zhu Yunwen and Ma Enhui approaching. She wanted to get up and greet them but was quickly stopped by Ma Enhui.

“Stay seated for now, Administrator Dai…”

Ma Enhui reassured Luoyan’er while looking at Dai Yuanli.

Dai Yuanli reached out his hand, sensing Luo yan’er’s pulse, then withdrew his hand and stood up to address Zhu Yunwen, saying, “Lady Luo pulse indicates weakness in the three pulse positions, suggesting a deficiency in both Qi and Blood. Combined with the coal poisoning, her body has become even weaker. She should rest and focus on self-care, avoiding further exhaustion. I will prescribe a medication to be taken for about a month, which should lead to improvement.”

“Thank you for your assistance Administrator Dai. Shuangxi, provide a sedan chair to escort the doctor. Make sure not to delay!” Zhu Yunwen instructed.

Shuangxi quickly agreed, Dai Yuanli tried to decline but couldn’t, so he reluctantly agreed and left the palace.

Luo yan’er weakly looked at Zhu Yunwen and Ma Enhui, apologizing, “Your Majesty, I have failed to manage the affairs of Chengqian Palace properly, and everyone has been poisoned by the coal. It has also delayed the production of medical gauze…”

Ma Enhui frowned, expressing some anger as she said, “A few days’ delay in production is nothing compared to your well-being and the well-being of others. In fact, you should thank His Majesty. If it weren’t for His Majesty going to Chengqian Palace during the night and staying until dawn, we cannot imagine the consequences.”

“Luo Yan’er on behalf of entire Chengqian Palace, express gratitude to His Majesty for saving our lives,” Luoyan’er struggled to perform a bow.

“Don’t blame yourself. It’s not your fault. Take good care of yourself, as we still need you to manage Chengqian Palace,” Zhu Yunwen comforted her.

He left Consort Xian to attend to Luo yan’er and went with Ma Enhui to Chengqian Palace. By this time, the palace maids had been evacuated. Looking at the still-burning braziers in Chengqian Palace, Zhu Yunwen fell into deep thought.

Braziers, hearths, coal stoves…

Zhu Yunwen sat down, warming his hands with the remaining fire in the brazier, and gently spoke to Ma Enhui beside him, “Empress, do you know? This incident of poisoning will change the fate of the Ming Dynasty.”

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