"This won't do," Xiao Si interjected from the side. "Let the guards try the medicine for the Prince."
"I'm quite curious about this kind of medicine," Ye Qingcheng said. "Besides, I was the one who diagnosed the Prince with the chronic poison before, and I handled the recuperation in between. No one knows better than I do."
"But you are the Princess Consort," Xiao Si said. "If the Prince knew, he wouldn't want you to try the medicine."
Ye Qingcheng paid no mind to Xiao Si's objections.
She had the raw ingredients for the chronic poison in her room. Based on the dosage in Xiao Wangye's current body, Ye Qingcheng brewed a bowl for herself and drank it.
"While I'm testing the medicine these days, have a few maids take good care of Bi Xi."
Xiao Si was touched by Ye Qingcheng's actions, thinking the Princess Consort truly loved their Prince with all her heart.
The Prince had said the Princess Consort was different now. Looking at it now, although her personality had changed, her deep affection for the Prince remained.
"I will, Princess Consort. Xiao Si will definitely take good care of Bi Xi."
"That's good." Handing the medicine she had made to Xiao Si, she went to the small courtyard that Chu Xiu had arranged for Chu Xiu in the Prince's manor.
Chu Xiu did not expect Ye Qingcheng to risk her own life for Xiao Wangye. It seemed the rumors outside about Ye Qingcheng's devotion to Xiao Wangye were true.
Ye Qingcheng wasn't purely trying to cure Xiao Wangye's poison. She was simply intrigued by this particular case and had seen her own shortcomings. Seeing Chu Xiu's extensive research into difficult ailments and unconventional remedies, she wanted to have a good exchange with him.
"I didn't expect the Princess Consort to be interested in medicine," Chu Xiu said, as he had already been surprised when he learned Ye Qingcheng had resolved Xiao Wangye's chronic poison.
After communicating with her a few times, Chu Xiu discovered that Ye Qingcheng had a rather high aptitude for medicine. Furthermore, unlike other physicians, she didn't hold prejudices against him as a self-taught physician or against unconventional remedies.
If she were an ordinary civilian instead of the Princess Consort, he would have considered taking her as a disciple.
"Princess Consort, this trial may take two days. If you feel unwell and wish to stop, you must tell me."
Ye Qingcheng wiped the sweat from her forehead. The pain in her abdomen came in waves. While enduring the pain, she described her symptoms to Chu Xiu.
"Princess Consort, this is the last day. There are two more prescriptions left. Please hold on a little longer," Chu Xiu encouraged her.
"Alright," Ye Qingcheng waved her hand, signaling Chu Xiu to continue.
Xiao Wangye opened his eyes in a blur.
"Your Highness," Xiao Si's surprised voice sounded in his ear. He quickly brought over the warm water from the tea table.
"Who administered the poison?" Xiao Wangye asked, without drinking the water.
Xiao Si had to put the warm water back and reported the situation of the past few days to Xiao Wangye. "The three physicians in the manor couldn't identify the poison. Physician Chu introduced his junior brother, but this poison is quite complex, so it requires testing..."
Xiao Si hesitated on whether to continue.
"Go on, what about the testing?"
"It was the Princess Consort. The Princess Consort tested the medicine for you for two days, and then she found the antidote."
Xiao Wangye was momentarily unable to process the information. "You're saying, Ye Qingcheng tested the medicine for me?"
"Yes, I saw it. The Princess Consort has become much weaker these past few days." Xiao Si was full of admiration for the Princess Consort's actions after the Prince had collapsed.
Xiao Wangye fell silent.
"Your Highness, are you still feeling unwell? Shall I have Physician Chu come over to take a look?"
Seeing Xiao Wangye fall silent, Xiao Si asked with some concern.
"Where is the Princess Consort now?"
"The Princess Consort is resting in her courtyard. Shall I go and call her over?" Xiao Si asked cautiously, sensing that the Prince's mood seemed a bit off.
"No need. You may go down now."
Ye Qingcheng actually tested medicine for him. Did she really still love him deeply? Thinking of this possibility, Xiao Wangye's heart couldn't help but feel a warmth.
But the one he truly loved was Yun'er.
Xiao Wangye couldn't help but feel confused about his own true feelings.
Ye Qingcheng returned to her courtyard, only to find no maids present.
Because Xiao Wangye was poisoned, she had kept the news confined to his courtyard these past few days. The others in the manor knew nothing about it.
She hadn't returned for two days, and everyone in the courtyard had run off. Who would take care of Bi Xi then?
Her heart sinking, Ye Qingcheng hurried into the room.
When the two maids saw Ye Qingcheng arrive, they quickly bowed to her.
"Only the three of you? Where are the others?"
"Several young masters came to the manor, and the others went to help."
Help with what, Ye Qingcheng knew the maids' intentions instantly. They clearly wanted to take the opportunity to get close to those noble young masters and soar to high positions.
In the past, she knew that these maids had many opinions about her, the illegitimate Princess Consort, and perhaps the original owner's experiences had also given them these unrealistic ideas.
"Didn't Xiao Si tell you to take good care of Bi Xi?" Ye Qingcheng frowned, not expecting Xiao Si to be so unreliable.
"Attendant Xiao Si did come, so the maids, along with Xiao Yuan and Xiao Xiao brought by Attendant Xiao Si, stayed to take care of Bi Xi."
Ye Qingcheng carefully observed the three maids before her, finding them to be quite dutiful.
"When they return, have them come to see me. Xiao Yuan, go and find the steward later."
These parasitic elements should have been removed long ago; it was enough to keep the three maids. "They are called Xiao Yuan and Xiao Xiao. What is your name?"
Since arriving at this courtyard, she had never remembered the maids' names.
"This servant's name is Huang Li."
Ye Qingcheng carefully examined Bi Xi's wounds. The care provided these past few days had been good, and the wound had healed somewhat. "Has Bi Xi woken up these past few days?"
"Bi Xi has woken up three times in the last two days, but she fell asleep again shortly after," Huang Li replied from the side.
"That's good then."
Ye Qingcheng took a bath and ate something.
Suddenly, a commotion erupted outside the courtyard.
Ye Qingcheng frowned. She had wanted to rest properly.
"Princess Consort, it's Attendant Xiao Si," Xiao Yuan said. "He's also brought the Prince's gifts."
This Xiao Wangye, as soon as he woke up, was already so busy.
The maids were all gathered in the courtyard, looking at the gift boxes Xiao Si had brought.
"When they heard the Prince was giving gifts to the Princess Consort, everyone rushed back," Huang Li said to Ye Qingcheng.
Ye Qingcheng stood on the steps, looking at the maids in the courtyard, and gave a cold laugh. "As soon as I'm not here, you all leave. Now you've returned quite quickly."
Many maids lowered their heads guiltily.
Then, she turned to Xiao Si and started scolding. "I asked you to find someone to take care of Bi Xi, and you let everyone in my courtyard run off like this."
"Princess Consort," Xiao Si rubbed his head. "Didn't I find two more people for you?"
"Let's not talk about that. What are you here for now?" Ye Qingcheng looked at the gift boxes. "Other than money, I'm not interested in anything else."
"Princess Consort, this is a grand gift," Xiao Si said with a smile, opening the gift box. A phoenix coronet, adorned with countless pearls, appeared before everyone.
Many maids gasped in surprise, covering their mouths.
In the sunlight, the phoenix coronet, strung with countless gold and silver threads and pearls, shone with a dazzling radiance, drawing everyone's gaze.