Chapter 274

Chapter 274 The Princess Consort lowered her eyes, speaking weakly, "This child is not only mine, but also the Prince's." If the Princess Consort were to casually agree to forgo having children just to protect herself, even if Prince Jing did not hold it against her, the Emperor and Noble Consort Rou above would all come to resent her. They would not care how difficult the Princess Consort's pregnancy had been. They would only blame her for having a weak constitution—unable to conceive before, and now that she had finally conceived, the pregnancy was not even healthy. In this world, reason could not always prevail. Xie Run suddenly realized that the Princess Consort was not actually determined to keep this child at all costs. It was simply that unless truly forced into a corner, she could not casually make the decision to remove it. But when truly forced into a corner—as in her previous life—even if the imperial physicians wanted to save her, it would already be too late. Xie Run's mood grew increasingly complicated. The atmosphere in the room became even more stifling. It felt as though something was pressing down on her heart, so heavy it was hard to breathe. At some point, someone suddenly shouted, "Physician Xie has arrived!" "Physician Xie has arrived!" That shout was like a dagger sharp enough to cut through iron, piercing the silent darkness and bringing a glimmer of hope. The maidservants and matrons along the way quickly stepped aside, escorting the simply but neatly dressed Xie Jiang to the bedchamber. Xie Run said, "Bring water up!" Nanny Li hastily added, "Quick, bring the water up! Physician Xie always washes her hands before treating a patient!" Many of Xie Jiang's medical habits were widely known. Even though Nanny Li was displeased that Xie Run had not summoned the imperial physicians but had instead sent someone to fetch Xie Jiang, things had already come to this point, and Nanny Li dared not show a cold face. The Princess Consort's life now rested entirely in Xie Jiang's hands. Xie Jiang did not exchange pleasantries with Xie Run. After washing her hands, she took the Princess Consort's pulse, her brows furrowing tightly. Then came Observation, Listening, Questioning, and Pulse-taking—a lengthy process that went on for quite some time. After who knew how long, Xie Jiang finally spoke, "This is an ectopic pregnancy. There's no way this child can be carried to term. You should have had it removed long ago." "If you'd removed it earlier, your body wouldn't have been greatly affected." "By waiting until now, both mother and child are in danger. At any moment, you could suffer heavy bleeding resulting in the death of both mother and child." The maidservants of Qingsong Courtyard did not understand what "ectopic pregnancy" meant, but they were all frightened pale. The imperial physicians had said similar things before, but they had always been restrained by taboos, speaking in roundabout, exceedingly gentle terms. Now Xie Jiang opened her mouth and hit the nail on the head without any wasted words—and it was truly terrifying. Even Nanny Li could not help asking, "Physician Xie, is this true?! My mistress's pregnancy... it truly cannot be saved?" Xie Jiang swept her a cold glance. "You still have the mind to worry about the child in her belly?" "The child definitely cannot be saved. The biggest problem now is whether her life can be saved." "The child is nearly four months along and has developed to a certain degree. The risk of heavy bleeding from an abortion is very high, along with other complications..." Even in the modern era, this would be extremely dangerous. Xie Jiang frowned deeply. "You people really don't value your lives!" Only Xie Jiang would dare say such a thing. The Princess Consort was also stunned by her words. "Physician Xie's words mean... this pregnancy of mine cannot be kept?" "Absolutely cannot be kept!" Xie Jiang affirmed. "And even with an abortion, the risk is very high—there's a strong chance of the death of both mother and child." In this era, only medicinal abortion was available, and it was very difficult to completely expel the fetus. Whatever remained in the Princess Consort's body would severely affect her health, leaving lifelong aftereffects. Combined with the ectopic pregnancy, the risk of heavy bleeding was very high. Xie Jiang made an effort to explain the risks of the Princess Consort's abortion to the people of Qingsong Courtyard in non-medical terms. It frightened Nanny Li so much that her legs gave way and she nearly fell. She wept, "I beg Physician Xie to save our Princess Consort! At the very least... at the very least, you must preserve the Princess Consort's life!" Xie Jiang said coldly, "You dragged this out so late that the risk of treatment has greatly increased. Even if an immortal descended from heaven, they wouldn't dare guarantee they could save her." "If this child had been kept for another half month, your Princess Consort's name would probably already be written in the King of Hell's register." Just then, the imperial physician was also summoned. Upon hearing Xie Jiang's words, he quickly chimed in agreement. In truth, the imperial physician had long advised the Princess Consort to abort the child, but he had not dared to speak harshly, nor had he wanted to take responsibility, so he had acted hesitantly. It was precisely because of this that the Princess Consort and the people of Qingsong Courtyard had believed there was still hope and had carried the pregnancy to this day. Now that Xie Jiang had stepped forward to take responsibility, the imperial physician breathed a long sigh of relief. The imperial physician had already explained the risks of abortion to the Princess Consort, and she had known in her heart. Now, upon hearing Xie Jiang's words, she spoke with difficulty, "Since this child cannot be kept, it means we truly have no mother-child fate." "Now I only beg Physician Xie to do her utmost for me. If I am fortunate enough to survive, I will never forget your great kindness." "If not... then it is simply my fate, and I will not harbor the slightest resentment." The Princess Consort's gaze sharpened as it fell upon Nanny Li and Tinghe. "You are my trusted confidantes. Have you heard my words clearly?" At this point, the Princess Consort was not in the least afraid that Xie Jiang and Xie Run would conspire to harm her. She was only afraid that the Xie sisters would not want to invite trouble and would not go all out to save her. Xie Jiang also appreciated people with a straightforward disposition. Hearing the Princess Consort's words, her tone softened somewhat. "It's actually not that terrifying." "If Your Highness has the courage, there is indeed a way." The Princess Consort asked softly, "Please, Divine Physician Xie, elaborate." "Given the current situation, the first step is to brew a bowl of abortifacient medicine." "If the remnants of the evil cannot be fully removed, there is only one method left..." The Princess Consort suddenly recalled Xie Jiang's former renown. "I've heard that Divine Physician Xie once saved a woman in difficult labor, performing a caesarean section, and both mother and child survived?" Xie Jiang nodded slightly. "Yes." "If it truly comes to a point of no other choice, it might save your life." "Of course, such conditions are not available at present. If it can be avoided, I would not recommend it." The Princess Consort deliberated for only three seconds before making her decision. "I will follow Divine Physician Xie's instructions entirely... I only hope Divine Physician Xie will save my life." Xie Jiang rolled up her sleeves. "I will do my utmost." With that, she took out brush and ink from her medicine case and promptly wrote out a prescription. "This is a mild abortifacient formula. Go quickly to fetch the herbs and brew it, then have the Princess Consort drink it." "It will likely take some time." Tinghe took the prescription with trembling hands. "Yes!" Xie Jiang then instructed the servants to prepare hot water, scissors, and other items, while she took out silver needles to begin acupuncture on the Princess Consort.