Many things, the more people who knew about them, the more hidden perils would be sown.
Therefore, unless it was something Ning Wanshuang must know, Zhao Hua always chose to conceal things with good intentions.
Yet in her own heart, she was very clear.
She and Xiao Jingyan came from the same lineage, both afflicted with Peach Blossom Intolerance Syndrome.
If their parents did not have this syndrome, then the chance of their offspring contracting the disease was almost negligible.
Today, Xiao Jingyan had consumed Peach Blossom Wine, which must have triggered his Peach Blossom Intolerance symptoms, causing him to cough up blood and feel unwell.
If Xiao Jingheng knew about this, with his suspicious nature, he would likely immediately doubt Xiao Jingyan's identity.
"His Majesty has regained consciousness!"
The joyful report from the inner chambers interrupted Zhao Hua's contemplation.
She followed Ning Wanshuang into the inner chambers and saw Xiao Jingheng sitting up on the bed, his shoulders drooping, his back bent, his breathing heavy and ragged, his complexion ashen gray. His entire state clearly aged him at least ten years.
Although short of breath and panting heavily even when speaking,
he still unleashed a torrent of scolding towards Judge Zhang,
"Useless thing! I kept you by my side to meticulously nourish my dragon body, yet you still managed to cause such a sudden illness. You... cough cough cough!"
Judge Zhang deeply bowed and said repeatedly, "I am incompetent, please forgive me, Your Majesty."
Any discerning person would know that Xiao Jingheng's current state was caused by either Judge Zhang's incompetence or his own complete disregard for his own body.
Seeing Xiao Jingheng's persistent coughing, Zhao Hua quickly went forward and gently patted his back, advising:
"My lord, you are ill, it's not good to get angry."
As she spoke, she gave Judge Zhang a stern look and said sternly:
"If my lord feels Judge Zhang's medical skills are inadequate, he can find someone to replace him and attend to him closely. Why get angry?"
Judge Zhang had once told Zhao Hua that he was using the 'Three Pronged Approach' to 'nourish' Xiao Jingheng's body.
One day, if he fell ill and his body became too weak to be nourished, like a leaky vessel beyond the help of even Hua Tuo reborn, there would be no way for Xiao Jingheng to recover his former state.
Since there was now no possibility of a cure, keeping Judge Zhang by Xiao Jingheng's side to tend to him would only lead to him eventually punishing Judge Zhang for incompetence.
Therefore, the best approach now was to force Xiao Jingheng to replace the attending physician himself.
Then, if Xiao Jingheng's condition did not improve, even if he got angry, he could only take it out on the new attendant, sparing Judge Zhang from harm.
And Xiao Jingheng was always one to cherish his life. Seeing his body failing, and no longer trusting Judge Zhang's medical skills, he instructed his young attendant:
"Go and summon Xia Ze from the Secret Agency into the palace. From now on, he will tend to me. If he can properly nourish my body, then I will grant him the position of Attending Physician."
Zhao Hua had heard of Xia Ze's name before.
He was from the Miao Territory, a shaman physician of the Secret Agency, reputed to be a capable person with skills.
Since Xiao Jingheng trusted him, let's see if this Miao shaman had any life-restoring abilities.
After Xiao Jingheng's condition stabilized somewhat, he still cared about his siblings, asking:
"What of the Prince of An? Why would he suddenly cough up blood for no reason?"
Fortunately, the physician examining Xiao Jingyan had not returned yet, so Zhao Hua advised Xiao Jingheng,
"The physician examining the Prince of An has not returned yet, so the situation is unknown. My lord, you need to rest and recuperate from this illness, do not overthink it. The Prince of An has your grace and protection, and good fortune shines upon him, surely he will be fine."
Zhao Hua thought that by deflecting Xiao Jingheng like this, she would have time to make plans.
However, unexpectedly,
as soon as she stepped out of the inner chambers and into the courtyard, she came face to face with the physician who had examined Xiao Jingyan.
There were many consorts waiting in the courtyard, so Zhao Hua could not stop the physician and prevent him from reporting to Xiao Jingheng in front of everyone.
Thus, when they met, Zhao Hua only gave a slight nod in acknowledgment, avoiding any inappropriate questions in front of the others.
After the physician entered, Zhao Hua saw off Judge Zhang to the gates of Chaoyang Palace, raising her voice to say:
"This time, His Majesty has fallen ill from overwork, and you, Judge Zhang, bear some responsibility for it. For the next few days, you should reflect deeply at the Imperial Physician's Quarters. The attending matters for His Majesty will be handled by Physician Xia, so you need not trouble yourself."
Judge Zhang said regretfully, "I have done my utmost in caring for His Majesty's dragon body, but... alas, I shall obey Your Majesty the Empress Dowager's wise decree and reflect deeply in seclusion."
These words were merely for show to outsiders.
When there were no consorts paying attention to them, Zhao Hua spoke in a voice that would not carry and said to Judge Zhang:
"Do you have any medications that can induce intolerance symptoms after someone takes them?"
Judge Zhang nodded silently, and Zhao Hua hurriedly said, "Quickly go and prepare a few doses."
Then she gave instructions in a low voice to Xiao Fuzi, "Follow your brother back and bring the medicine, deliver it to Princess Dowager Jinggui, and also inform her of today's events. Tell her to... start making preparations early."
Xiao Fuzi respectfully replied, "Rest assured, Empress Dowager, this servant knows what to do."
After temporarily dealing with the hidden threat, Zhao Hua returned to the inner chambers without showing any sign, just as the physician was reporting Xiao Jingyan's condition to Xiao Jingheng,
"The Prince of An's sudden illness was caused by an intolerance syndrome. This humble one has already administered an emetic to the Prince of An, allowing him to purge his stomach contents completely. His condition has stabilized now and there is no danger to his life."
"Intolerance syndrome?" Xiao Jingheng was puzzled. "I grew up together with him since childhood, and have never heard of him being intolerant to anything. Investigate thoroughly, what was the cause?"
The physician said, "The last thing the Prince of An consumed was Peach Blossom Wine brewed by Well Steward Chang, so this intolerant substance was most likely... peach blossoms."
