Although Chu Qing kept a poker face, a string of vulgar words she had heard in the streets flashed through her mind.
She actually thought that the other woman had fallen in front of her because she slipped! How stupid!
There was nothing straightforward in the harem!
Chu Qing cast a sidelong glance at the emperor, who was being hugged by Consort Xuan. Fortunately... there were no signs that the emperor was about to fly into a rage over something related to his offspring.
Seeing that the emperor was not angry, a flash of hatred crossed Consort Xuan's eyes. "Your Majesty, I'm sorry. I failed to protect our child. I lost my composure just now, but just now, the Princess of Ning suddenly walked over and pushed me. I... I just can't figure it out."
Was she trying to advance by retreating?
Well, she had made a bit of progress.
Chu Qing glanced at her and then calmly said, "Why would I push you? What good would it do me?"
Consort Xuan didn't expect Chu Qing to refute her so reasonably at this moment. In a flurry, she pointed at her maid and said, "She... She can testify! It was the Princess of Ning who pushed me!"
"The maid... The maid... saw... the Princess of Ning... walk over, and then the mistress fell..." The little maid kept her head down and didn't dare to look at anyone.
Maybe because she wasn't good at lying but was afraid of being blamed by her mistress, she could only answer in such a half - hearted way.
Chu Qing curled her lips with a chilling look. "I would push you in front of your maid after knowing you were pregnant? Do you think I'm a fool, or are you the fool?"
"You!..." Consort Xuan couldn't argue with Chu Qing. Her pale face due to excessive blood loss turned even paler.
The emperor finally frowned and said, "Let the imperial physician take a look first."
Although he didn't have strong feelings for this unexpected child, the sudden loss still made him a bit impatient.
"Your Majesty, could you... send Imperial Physician Chen to examine me? He's been helping me with my recuperation. He should know my condition better." Consort Xuan glanced at the young imperial physician behind the emperor and whispered, "I don't mean to distrust this imperial physician, but Imperial Physician Chen makes me feel more at ease."
Hearing her almost pleading tone, the emperor nodded in agreement without much thought.
But out of a little concern, he still said, "Let him examine you first."
Consort Xuan nodded pitifully. "Thank you for your concern, Your Majesty, but... could you allow me to return to my chambers first and then let this imperial physician examine me? The ground is really cold."
The young imperial physician also nodded in agreement. "Your Highness is right. After disturbing the fetus, you need to rest in bed. I've brought a Shoutai Pill. Your Highness should take it first to stop the bleeding. Then I'll feel your pulse after you've settled down in your chambers."
Chu Qing observed Consort Xuan's every move. She looked thoughtfully at the young imperial physician waiting beside Consort Xuan and then at Consort Xuan herself.
There was already an imperial physician here, but she still specifically requested a certain one?
It was true that protecting the fetus required rest, but just taking a pulse wouldn't take much time. There must be something fishy going on.
"Wait a minute!" Chu Qing said leisurely. "Since Consort Xuan has specifically requested Imperial Physician Chen, we can't stop her. After all, this is the emperor's first heir, and it should be taken seriously. How about... inviting a few more imperial physicians? I've heard that Imperial Physician Wu from the Imperial Hospital is extremely skilled in medicine. How about inviting him too to give Consort Xuan a thorough examination? Maybe... there's still a chance?"
Imperial Physician Wu was an old acquaintance of hers. Although he was now in his sixties, his medical skills were excellent, and his experience was extremely rich. Most importantly, she knew his character. He was so upright that it was almost astonishing.
"Ah? There's no need to trouble... Imperial Physician Wu..." Consort Xuan bit her bloodless lower lip. Even though her lower abdomen was in excruciating pain, she endured it without crying out.
Right now, the most important thing was that only when Imperial Physician Chen came to take her pulse could she feel at ease!
After all...
Hearing that Imperial Physician Wu had now become the director of the Imperial Hospital, Chu Qing felt a pang of emotion.
The people she valued really lived up to her expectations.
But Chu Qing quickly pulled herself together. Seeing the cold sweat on Consort Xuan's forehead, she had a hunch that her suspicion might be right.
So Chu Qing persuaded the emperor earnestly, "Your Majesty, as long as we can save the imperial heir, it's not excessive to invite one more imperial physician. After all, one more means one more chance, right?"
The emperor looked up at Chu Qing. Seeing her solemn expression, he calmly ordered, "Summon both Imperial Physician Wu and Imperial Physician Chen."
Just as Consort Xuan was about to say something else, the pain in her abdomen made her unable to speak.
After Consort Xuan was taken back to her chambers, Imperial Physician Wu and Imperial Physician Chen arrived one after another.
After taking the Shoutai Pill, Consort Xuan's face was not as pale as before, but she still looked listless.
Seeing the emperor and the queen there, Imperial Physician Chen first bowed and then walked over to Consort Xuan to examine her.
Chu Qing narrowed her eyes and stared at this Imperial Physician Chen. Sure enough, there was a hint of panic in his eyes that he couldn't hide.
"Imperial Physician Chen, how is Consort Xuan?" Chu Qing asked after seeing him finish taking the pulse.
Before he could answer, Consort Xuan said weakly to the emperor, "Your Majesty~ Could you ask the Princess of Ning to leave first? I'm still very scared with her here."
Hearing this, Chu Qing let out a low chuckle.
Even at this moment, she still tried to drag her into this mess?
Before Chu Qing could say anything, the emperor said indifferently, "Imperial Physician Chen, how is Consort Xuan?"
He actually repeated her words?
Chu Qing couldn't help but glance at Consort Xuan. Sure enough, after the emperor didn't respond to her, her face turned even paler.
Well... being so favored by a junior made Chu Qing a bit embarrassed. Thinking about it, if she were Consort Xuan, she might be so angry that she'd vomit blood.
The Imperial Physician Chen replied with a trembling voice, "Your Majesty, I'm afraid the imperial heir can't be saved..."
After hearing this, the emperor's face darkened completely.
"Your Majesty!" Consort Xuan burst into tears, but her wet eyes still glanced at Chu Qing from time to time.
"Imperial Physician Wu, come and take a look." The emperor said in a deep voice.
After replying yes, Imperial Physician Wu quickly walked forward.
"Your Majesty, since Imperial Physician Chen said the heir can't be saved... there's... no need to trouble Imperial Physician Wu..." Consort Xuan seemed a bit reluctant to pull back her wrist when she saw Imperial Physician Wu was about to take her pulse.
Seeing this, Chu Qing raised her eyebrows but didn't say anything.
If she said more, the other woman might really fly into a rage.
Sure enough, she didn't need to worry. The emperor's tone was clearly displeased. "Imperial Physician Wu, go and take a look."
If he couldn't sense something was wrong by now, he might as well give up his throne.
Consort Xuan's lower lip was almost bitten through.