Chapter 45: Lead Poisoning, Mercury Poisoning

Zhu Yunxu arrived at the Imperial Medical Institute, where some people recognized him and came forward to pay their respects. The highest-ranking official there, Chief Physician Xu Shu, upon hearing of Zhu Yunxu’s arrival, hurried out to greet him.

“No need for formalities,” Zhu Yunxu said with a slight nod. “My health has been troubling me lately. I can’t engage in much physical activity—only brisk walking. If I walk quickly or make larger movements, I break out in a heavy sweat, my heart races, and I become exhausted. That’s why I came to consult you.”

“Please have a seat, Your Highness,” Xu Shu responded, still not taking the matter seriously.

He assumed Zhu Yunxu was merely weak and unable to exercise, preparing to conduct a routine examination and then prescribe some tonic medicines for a period, after which all would be well.

Zhu Yunxu sat down and extended his hand before Xu Shu.

“I will take Your Highness’s pulse first,” Xu Shu said professionally, placing his fingers on Zhu Yunxu’s left wrist.

After a moment of careful examination, his brow suddenly furrowed.

“Your Highness, do you truly experience rapid heartbeat, excessive sweating, and fatigue easily?” Xu Shu inquired, seeking confirmation.

“Yes,” Zhu Yunxu affirmed.

“I would like to examine His Majesty’s eyes,” Xu Shu requested.

“Certainly.”

“Eyes show no abnormalities. May I also see Your Highness’s tongue?”

“Ah...” Zhu Yunxu cooperated, opening his mouth.

“The pulse is rapid; the mouth is dry, the tongue red with a yellow coating... this...” Xu Shu’s hand, still on the pulse, visibly trembled.

It seemed Zhu Yunxu’s body was on the verge of a serious crisis.

“Yuan Li, come and take a look,” Xu Shu called.

Inside the institute, a physician named Dai Sigong, whose courtesy name was Yuan Li, approached to take Zhu Yunxu’s pulse and repeated the procedure.

“Military Physician, you should also examine him,” Xu Shu added.

Chen Junzuo, another physician, came over curiously, took the pulse, and went through the same steps.

After the joint assessment, both Dai Sigong and Chen Junzuo shuddered, their legs weak as they nearly lost their balance.

Zhu Yunxu frowned. Seeing such a strong reaction from three senior doctors, it was clear his condition was serious—serious enough to overwhelm a chief physician and two senior physicians.

“Three imperial doctors, please tell me honestly, what is wrong with me?” he said.

“I am mentally prepared,” Zhu Yunxu added nonchalantly.

“Well...” Xu Shu was sweating profusely, wiping his brow, unsure how to proceed.

“The rapid pulse, dry mouth, red tongue with yellow coating, indicates heat toxin invading the body—heat toxin internally accumulated, which means...” Chen Junzuo attempted an explanation but stopped short.

“Poisoning?” Zhu Yunxu guessed aloud, feeling that poisoning would be the most reasonable explanation.

Not being poisoned would be the unusual condition.

Upon hearing this, the three doctors immediately knelt. Though the others in the institute hadn’t heard their words, seeing them kneel prompted everyone—including Liu Liu—to kneel as well.

Only a junior attendant quietly slipped away, leaving swiftly.

“What kind of poison have I been exposed to?” Zhu Yunxu asked calmly, as expected, then urged, “Please rise and speak.”

They stood reluctantly, and Dai Sigong spoke: “It is either one of two substances, either lead or mercury, possibly both. The current amount is not large, but there is concern about long-term accumulation. Fortunately, Your Highness has not been exposed for very long.”

Mercury, of course, is quicksilver.

Lead, remembered by Zhu Yunxu, is often referred to as “qingjin” in ancient terms.

This meant he suffered from mercury and lead poisoning.

According to Dai Sigong, the poisoning should have built up over time, yet the incense that caused it had only been used for a few days, and afterward, he never used it again, so it shouldn’t have caused poisoning.

“Not just the incense—there must be other unknown sources leading to mercury and lead poisoning!” Zhu Yunxu thought, a cold sweat breaking out along his spine.

The Eastern Palace was indeed unsafe.

The poisoning was inexplicably mysterious, with no clue as to its origin.

He resolved that he must find a way to move out immediately.

“What should I do?” he asked.

He remained calm, reasoning that since the accumulation period was short, there was still hope for recovery.

The fact that the doctors could identify the poison meant they had the ability to help detoxify him.

“Yuan Li, Junzuo, prepare medicine for His Highness,” Xu Shu instructed.

“I will report to His Majesty immediately; please expedite,” Dai Sigong added.

“Your Highness, please wait here a moment. The Imperial Medical Institute has a method,” Xu Shu said before hurrying out.

Inwardly, Xu Shu was anxious—they were uncertain how to handle the situation. If the “Butcher Zhu” were to suddenly fly into a rage and slaughter all these doctors, it could easily happen.

Having just lost his son, and now his grandson poisoned, Zhu the Butcher would surely be driven mad.

The palace might soon run red with blood.

Terrifying, utterly terrifying!

Yet they could not fail to report this. Thankfully, they did have a cure.

Xu Shu’s mind raced with plans, cold sweat soaking his official robes as he quickened his pace, hurrying toward the Wuying Palace.

“Don’t be anxious,” Zhu Yunxu sat quietly within the medical institute, as if the poisoned one was not himself, composed. “Prescribe the usual medicine; the Emperor Grandfather will reason with us.”

“Yes!” Dai Sigong and Chen Junzuo were still drenched in sweat.

If they could cure him, the Emperor would be reasonable; if not, he wouldn’t be. Fortunately, a cure was possible.

Yet their hands trembled uncontrollably as they prepared the medicine.

Calm, I must remain calm!

—

After finishing the morning court session, Zhu Yuanzhang thought of those scoundrels who had been gone for a long time and decided it was time for them to return.

There were still many matters awaiting their attention on their fief lands, especially the border princes. Their prolonged absence risked instability at the frontier, so he decreed that they must return within three days.

If they delayed, Old Zhu would send them away.

Finally, it was time to return. Zhu Zhu and Zhu Qian understood that once they left, all hopes of contending for the succession would be gone.

There was no turning back; the decree was final.

Before departing, Zhu Zhu and Zhu Qian visited the Wuying Palace to bid farewell to Old Zhu.

“Father, I am returning,” Zhu Zhu said, reluctant to part. Since returning to their fief, it would be a long time before they could see Zhu Yuanzhang again. He added, “If you miss me, Father, you may issue an order for me to return. No matter how far or how many horses must be ridden to death, I will come at once.”

“All right, all right, I know,” Zhu Yuanzhang said, suddenly sentimental, which felt unusual. He waved a hand, “Guard Xi’an well. Also, treat your wife better. Previously, Biao’er protected you. Now, I don’t care as much—if I hear you’re still causing trouble, I’ll skin you alive.”

“I dare not, Father,” Zhu Zhu immediately bowed his head.

“Father!” Zhu Qian hesitated, “There is something I don’t know whether I should say.”

Zhu Yuanzhang shot him a sharp glance, displeased. “We’re father and son. Speak plainly. Don’t be like a woman, wanting to say something but afraid.”

Zhu Qian said, “I must say it. The Lü family is not good to Yunxu and the others. Father, you must not let Yunwen become the heir apparent. Otherwise, before we are killed, Yunxu might be destroyed by them first.”