Chapter 8: The Crown Prince’s Position Should Be Relinquished

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But she saw that the princess consort was also eating it. Could it be that the princess consort needed to invigorate the blood, clear heat and detoxify, relieve depression, and calm the mind? But long-term consumption would cause problems for a woman. Just as Yu Chaoyang was about to put some into her mouth, a maid hurriedly burst in and interrupted her.

“Greetings to the princess consort, the heir’s wife, and the second young madam. The second matriarch requests your presence at the Hundred Years Courtyard,” said the maid Taohong from the second matriarch’s residence.

“Please tell the second matriarch that I have already eaten this bowl of porridge with the mother consort, and I will pay my respects to her shortly,” Yu Chaoyang replied, trying to please both sides.

“Second young madam, you are too polite. The second matriarch insists that you come immediately,” Taohong said urgently.

Yu Chaoyang felt a little troubled.

“You should go,” the princess consort said calmly.

“Mother consort, I’m sorry. I must go see the second matriarch to find out what urgent matter she has,” Yu Chaoyang said and left without taking a single bite of the porridge.

Only Yu Yuanzheng and her mother-in-law remained to finish their meal slowly.

Yu Yuanzheng glanced at the bowl left by Yu Chaoyang. What a coincidence. Could it be that the second matriarch knew there was something wrong with the bowl?

Meanwhile, Yu Chaoyang hurried to the second matriarch’s courtyard, where the second matriarch warmly took her by the hand and sat down to eat breakfast together.

“Zi Shu’s wife, don’t eat casually in other courtyards anymore. Eat in your own courtyard. If you want anything, just tell the kitchen directly,” the second matriarch said kindly.

“Is it not allowed to eat in your courtyard either?” Yu Chaoyang asked in confusion.

“You all should leave,” the second matriarch dismissed the maids attending them.

“You’re still too young. Zi Shu is not the princess consort’s biological son. How much genuine affection can she have for you? Especially with the marriage exchange between you and your sister, she must feel resentful. What if she harbors ill intentions? What will you do then?”

“Yes, second matriarch. Chaoyang will remember and be more careful in the future,” Yu Chaoyang obediently responded.

In her previous life, the second matriarch never cared for or taught her like this. All the care and attention went to the county lady of Nanhua who married into the prince’s mansion later.

Before the heir’s accident, many young ladies admired him. Every time she went to gatherings, she faced all kinds of exclusion. After the heir’s accident, none of those ladies envied her anymore. Instead, they mocked her, saying she would live alone in an empty chamber and remain a widow forever.

Now everything had changed. This marriage exchange was worth it.

Soon, Concubine Luo also arrived. She didn’t need to stand formally before the princess consort; she usually came to the second matriarch’s courtyard to play cards and chat to pass the time.

Women of two generations fussed over Yu Chaoyang with warmth.

Yu Chaoyang felt deeply happy.

Meanwhile, having just finished her meal in the princess consort’s courtyard, Yu Yuanzheng saw nanny Zhao hurriedly come in to report.

Nanny Zhao was the head housemaid of the princess consort’s residence, in her forties, with a round face and a gentle demeanor.

“Your Highness, Imperial Physician Gu has come for the heir’s routine examination.”

“Let’s go. We’ll visit the Qiya Courtyard,” the princess consort said as she stood and led the way.

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Every time the imperial physician came for an examination, she insisted on watching and asking about the condition.

The mother-in-law and daughter-in-law entered the courtyard and went to the inner chamber.

A physician in his fifties had just arrived and was opening his medicine box.

“Your humble servant pays respects to Princess Rong.”

“Imperial Physician Gu, no need for formalities. Please continue,” the princess consort said, only watching without disturbing the examination.

Imperial Physician Gu skillfully began the diagnosis. He first took the pulse, then examined the patient’s tongue, and lifted the eyelids to inspect the eyes.

Finally, he started acupuncture.

Yu Yuanzheng carefully observed every move.

Nothing was amiss at first, but when he began the acupuncture, Yu Yuanzheng felt something strange.

The two points on the head where the needles were inserted would not help the patient; instead, they would make him less conscious.

Could it be that the medical skills of imperial physicians in this era were truly like this?

She couldn’t understand it for the moment.

But if things continued this way, Shangguan Ziqi would never wake up, and as Yu Chaoyang said, he would truly die within half a year.

Was this the incompetence of a quack or was someone orchestrating this?

But as a newcomer, she dared not speak recklessly.

She could only study the matter privately.

“Mother consort, has the heir always been examined by Imperial Physician Gu?” Yu Yuanzheng asked softly, trying not to disturb the acupuncture.

“At first it was Physician Liu, who is skilled in surgery. Later, they invited Imperial Physician Gu, who is better at acupuncture. Everyone says acupuncture might wake the heir. But after three months, there has been no effect,” the princess consort said helplessly, her mood very low.

A quarter of an hour later, Imperial Physician Gu withdrew the needles.

“Imperial Physician Gu, how is my son?” The princess consort always asked the same question.

“Your Highness, I have done my best. The heir remains the same,” Imperial Physician Gu answered.

“Is there any chance the heir will wake?” The princess consort looked at him with hope, desperate for a positive reply.

“Princess, since I began studying medicine, I have treated thousands of patients, over a thousand with conditions like the heir’s. I have encountered three such cases, but none have ever awakened,” Imperial Physician Gu spoke honestly.

Yu Yuanzheng studied his subtle expression but saw no hint of hesitation.

The chances of a comatose patient waking are indeed slim.

Had she been mistaken?

“Alas!”

“Princess, I am incompetent,” Imperial Physician Gu bowed and admitted his shortcomings.

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At that moment, the maid Qiuyue hurried into the princess consort’s courtyard.

“Your Highness, Lord Wang requests you return to the main residence. He also asks Imperial Physician Gu and the heir’s wife to come along.”

“Let’s go,” the princess consort suppressed her disappointment and rose.

They arrived at the grand hall of the Honghao Courtyard. Unexpectedly, all the elders present during the new bride’s tea ceremony yesterday were there.

The princess consort sat directly beside Lord Wang, while Yu Yuanzheng instinctively stood behind her.

Imperial Physician Gu stepped forward and bowed. “Your humble servant pays respects to Lord Rong.”

“Hmm, Imperial Physician Gu, how is the heir’s condition today?” Lord Wang asked expressionlessly.

His authoritative aura was imposing, giving people an unspoken pressure.

Lord Rong’s position was unique. He did not command troops daily, but when enemies invaded, he wielded military power and led the army. The Rong Wang Mansion was the guardian of the Great Wei dynasty.

Imperial Physician Gu repeated the conversation he had just had at the Qiya Courtyard.

“So the heir is hopeless, and continued treatment won’t wake him?” Lord Wang said nothing, but the second matriarch took the initiative to speak.

Yu Yuanzheng detected a slight excitement in her tone, as if she was pleased the heir would never wake.

Or perhaps that was just how she spoke normally.

Yu Yuanzheng could not tell and chose to observe quietly.

“Replying to second matriarch, I am but a humble and inexperienced servant,” Imperial Physician Gu said modestly.

“You are the best acupuncturist in the Imperial Medical Bureau. If even you say the heir won’t wake, then he surely won’t. It’s already been half a year. We have invited countless folk doctors from the palace, yet none dares to say the heir will recover. Clearly, there is no hope,” the second matriarch said sadly.

What she thought inwardly was unknown.

But judging from her subtle expression, she definitely expected this outcome with satisfaction.

In less than two days, Yu Yuanzheng already sensed how deep the waters were in the Rong Wang Mansion.

How deep exactly would only time and deeper involvement reveal.

“Lord Wang, since Imperial Physician Gu has reached a conclusion, shouldn’t the heir relinquish his position? Now that Ziqi and Zishu are both married, and having established their own families, it’s time to build their careers. Let Zishu inherit the heir’s position early so you can cultivate him sooner. We’ve watched Zishu grow up, and his abilities are not inferior to his elder brother’s. If given the heir’s position, he can handle it,” the second matriarch said plainly and directly.

This was something they had discussed many times before.

The princess consort insisted on waiting until the legitimate son was married before addressing this matter.