Malaria is a dangerous illness, and it's appearing on the outskirts of the imperial city; it truly warrants reporting to the Emperor.
Feng Yinwan nodded in understanding.
"Then how does Your Highness intend to inform the Emperor?"
If her memory served correctly, the Emperor harbored considerable apprehension towards Ye Tinglan and had previously probed him about military authority.
"Does the Princess Consort have any suggestions?"
Feng Yinwan felt this man was becoming increasingly adept at discerning her thoughts.
She hesitated before finally speaking, "This malaria first appeared in the Jingzhao Fu prison, and then inexplicably erupted in the military camp. Two locations, inside and outside the city, with such a short interval between them. Doesn't Your Highness find it strange?"
There were more than just Ye Tinglan's military camps around the capital, yet the malaria chose to break out here specifically.
Upon hearing this, Ye Tinglan's dark eyes deepened, "This Princess Consort means, I understand."
Good that he understood.
Feng Yinwan nodded, and before she could even utter the word "go," the grip on her waist tightened once more.
Ye Tinglan lowered his gaze, his handsome face etched with a somber expression.
"While I am away, you must not venture into danger. If anything arises, wait until I return."
Feng Yinwan faltered, "Your Highness worries too much. It is merely to diagnose and treat the patients. How could this humble consort be so delicate…"
As the words fell, she noticed his expression darken. She hesitated before speaking again.
"Your Highness is right… Yu Shi?"
Ye Tinglan's thin lips curved into a cold, sharp arc.
"I have already ordered strict guards to be posted. She will not be able to enter again."
He paused, then added, "Although your medical skills are superb, you must still be exceedingly cautious when treating patients."
Feng Yinwan looked at his serious demeanor and silently pressed her forehead.
How had she not noticed before that this man could be so rather verbose?
"Your Highness, rest assured, this humble consort knows what she is doing."
Ye Tinglan's brow furrowed at her perfunctory response. Before he could say more, his hand on her waist suddenly loosened. Feng Yinwan had already skillfully slipped away.
"It's getting late. In half an hour, His Majesty will likely be napping. Your Highness should go quickly."
With that, she waved her hand and quickly headed inside. Ye Tinglan pursed his lips and turned away, resigned.
Treating critical patients proved far more troublesome than Feng Yinwan had imagined. During her lunch break, a military physician rushed to report.
"Princess Consort, the patients in the west zone tents have persistent high fever and their limbs are convulsing. They show signs of fainting!"
Feng Yinwan's brow furrowed. Before she could speak, another military physician hurried in.
"Princess Consort, the patients in the east zone tents are experiencing violent vomiting. All the herbal decoctions they drank earlier have been thrown up!"
"Princess Consort…"
The following military physician had just entered the room, and before he could speak, Feng Yinwan stood up and interrupted him.
"I understand, I'm coming."
Yu Ping had just returned with hot tea. Seeing her being called away halfway through her meal, she quickly followed suit.
The military physicians' reports were accurate; the critical patients in several tents were exhibiting symptoms to varying degrees. Due to the sheer number of patients, Feng Yinwan was shuttled back and forth relentlessly, almost overwhelmed.
Yu Ping watched her with concern, "Miss, please rest for a moment before going again."
Feng Yinwan waved her hand, not even reaching for the tea Yu Ping offered.
"The patients cannot wait. Yu Ping, take a few guards to the back to decoct the medicine. You don't need to follow."
With that, she strode forward. However, before her hand could lift the tent flap, her vision suddenly darkened, and she uncontrollably stumbled backward.
Yu Ping cried out in alarm.
"Miss!"
The anticipated pain did not come. A pair of arms from behind reached out and caught her securely.
Feng Yinwan blinked dazedly and opened her eyes to see Ye Tinglan's slightly darkened handsome face.
"Didn't I tell you to take care of your own health?"
She was still wearing a mask to isolate germs, and the fine hair at her temples was damp with sweat, clearly indicating she had been busy for a long time.
Before Feng Yinwan could fully regain her senses, her body was gently righted. Looking up, she met his dark eyes, which held a hint of anger, and a baseless sense of guilt washed over her.
"The critical patients' conditions are fluctuating, and this humble consort cannot spare the time, so I had to..."
Ye Tinglan did not scold her further. The large hand on her shoulder loosened as he spoke seriously.
"I have already reported this matter to His Father the Emperor. Upon hearing that you have formulated a treatment prescription, His Majesty has specially bestowed upon you the title of Imperial Envoy, to lead the imperial physicians of the Taiyuan Institute in jointly treating this illness."
As he finished speaking, Feng Yinwan saw a group of imperial physicians following behind him, and Jiang Rumou was among them.
"Imperial Physician Jiang is here too?"
Wasn't he supposed to be looking after Ye Tingyun's heart condition?
As if reading her thoughts, Ye Tinglan explained, "The Empress Dowager is worried about your health and specially ordered Imperial Physician Jiang to accompany you. Imperial Physician Jiang is highly experienced and should be able to assist you."
Feng Yinwan nodded. Before she could respond, the eunuch who was to announce the decree approached, pinching his nose.
"Princess Consort Mo, quickly accept the decree!"
Suddenly being appointed Imperial Envoy, Feng Yinwan was still a bit dazed as she kowtowed. The eunuch, accustomed to such reactions, waved his whisk and smilingly handed the imperial decree to her.
"Princess Consort Mo's medical skills are extraordinary. First, you cured Prince Yun's heart condition, and now you have formulated a prescription for malaria. His Majesty and the Empress Dowager praise you highly!"
"I have announced decrees so many times, but among female dependents, you are the first!"
This title of Imperial Envoy is indeed a rare honor.
Feng Yinwan respectfully inclined her head, "Your servant thanks the esteemed eunuch for his praise."
The eunuch chuckled, offered a few more compliments, and then turned to leave.
Yu Ping immediately excitedly leaned forward, "Miss, His Majesty has appointed you as an Imperial Envoy, does this mean you are an official now?!"
She had never heard of women being able to hold office before. Miss is truly amazing!
The imperial decree in her hand was rather conspicuous. Feng Yinwan's beautiful eyes narrowed slightly, and she handed it directly to Yu Ping.
"Put it away."
This malaria had come on fiercely. Whether she could bear the weight of this Imperial Envoy title remained to be seen.
Yu Ping looked confused but still nodded and complied, "Yes."
Although this imperial decree carried immense authority, it also alleviated an urgent predicament.
The imperial physicians from the Taiyuan Institute were far more experienced than the military doctors. Feng Yinwan and Jiang Rumou conferred briefly, and immediately assigned them their duties.
"There is still one tent of critical patients waiting for diagnosis. Shall we have Imperial Physician Jiang take a look together?"
Jiang Rumou nodded, and the two entered the tent together.
Perhaps due to the delay, the patients in this tent were clearly more severe than those in the preceding ones.
Upon entering, a foul odor, a mixture of herbal decoction and vomit, assailed their senses. Jiang Rumou, having anticipated this, took out a mask from his sleeve and put it on.
While Feng Yinwan took pulses, Jiang Rumou was also busy, examining the conditions of several nearby patients.
A moment later, seeing his expression grave and contemplative, Feng Yinwan nodded and turned to withdraw.
"What does Imperial Physician Jiang think?"
Jiang Rumou's face showed hesitation. "Princess Consort, this condition seems much more severe than ordinary malaria."
Feng Yinwan had not seen malaria of this era before, but after observing so many critical patients, she had already detected something amiss.
Her beautiful eyes narrowed, and she raised her hand to remove her mask.
"This prescription needs to be revised."