Da Ming: Father, step aside, I'll be the prime minister!

Chapter 262 The Century-Old Calamity of the Tranquilizing Pill?

"Let me see!"

Zhu Yaoying's eyes lit up as she took the "Prescriptions for Obstetrics" handed to her by Liu Wan'er.

She placed the bound book steadily on the table, as if she were reading some secret manual.

As you turn the pages, a fragrant aroma of ink wafts out.

The neat, square characters on the paper have a unique style, clearly written by someone like Zhang Yunxiu.

Upon seeing the handwriting, Zhu Yaoying was certain that the work was written by Zhang Yunxiu.

Whether intentionally designed to be easy to understand or not, the content was written in a very simple way.

For example, the delivery room should be sunny and clean, mainly disinfected with alcohol, supplemented by fumigation with mugwort and atractylodes. Everything that the mother comes into contact with should be boiled to prevent infectious diseases.
These are the most basic daily precautions, as well as specific details about daily diet and medication, all written in exceptional detail.

Such as what.

"Prescriptions containing safflower, peach kernel, musk, etc."

"Abortifacient medications containing aconite or monkshood should not be used."

"Use less ginseng, deer antler, and bird's nest."

Much of the content here is mentioned in traditional medicine.

In comparison, past medical works were often loosely organized, and many were based on experience and hearsay remedies.

Zhang Yunxiu's book, however, is completely different. It even includes some medical records of treatments at clinics for reference and testimony.

This opened up a new world for Zhu Yaoying.

But as she looked at it, her expression became serious.

Zhu Yaoying read through medical books and could easily sense that there was something very different about this book, "Prescriptions Worth a Thousand Pieces of Gold for Obstetrics".

That is, the medicinal materials that were commonly used in traditional medicine were explicitly prohibited in Zhang Yunxiu's book.

Upon seeing this, Zhu Yaoying's face became much more serious. She looked up at the little palace maid beside her and suddenly asked.

"Wan'er, let me test you. What role do aconite and monkshood play in a prescription for preventing miscarriage?"

Liu Wan'er paused for a moment, then replied, "Your Highness, aconite and monkshood are inherently cold in nature, so they are rarely used for preventing miscarriage. However, there are exceptions. They are still used for symptoms such as spleen and kidney yang deficiency and yin-cold forcing the uterus."

Zhu Yaoying frowned slightly as she carefully considered the usage of the relevant medicinal materials.

He immediately understood that this place was a hidden danger.

The relevant medicinal materials are often used in traditional medicine, but it is hard to guarantee that someone will not take advantage of the special symptoms.

So Zhu Yaoying quickly summoned her personal maid, copied down all the medicinal herbs, and handed them to the maid, giving her instructions.

"Quickly check the prescriptions in the pharmacy and find all the herbs that contain these ingredients."

After thinking for a moment, she added.

"Don't make a big fuss about this. Find a few people you can trust."

"And the source of the relevant prescription was found."

After making arrangements and giving instructions, Zhu Yaoying finally breathed a sigh of relief.

The chaos in the harem of the Chenghua Emperor is still vivid in our minds.

The capital is already in complete chaos. If something else happens in the inner palace, it will be far too troublesome.

Seeing that the princess was so nervous, Liu Wan'er couldn't help but comfort her, saying, "Your Highness, there's no need to worry too much. Things are different now than during the Chenghua era. At least His Majesty is not as good as the late Emperor Chenghua."

Zhu Yaoying frowned and said, "The situation in the court is turbulent and unpredictable, and the outside world is fighting to the death. It's hard to guarantee that no one will have designs on us."

"Your Highness has too many worries," Liu Wan'er said softly.

As she said, it was extremely rare for Zhu Yaoying, as a princess, to discuss matters of the court.

But Zhu Yaoying raised her head, puffed out her bulging chest, and said very firmly.

"I am no longer the naive young woman I once was. I am now a disciple of 'Zhang Xue,' advocating the way of science. Naturally, I must understand all things in order to extract their laws and principles."

Hearing the princess say those words again, Liu Wan'er sighed and subconsciously looked outside the door to see if anyone was there.

Zhu Yaoying, however, was full of enthusiasm. She grabbed Liu Wan'er and continued, "For the next few days, you shouldn't go to the clinic."

Liu Wan'er couldn't help but feel a little happy: "Your Highness, you've finally come to your senses. Can you let Wan'er return to the palace?"

"No, no, no~"

Zhu Yaoying stretched out her slender fingers and waved them in front of the little palace maid, a smile appearing on her face.

"For now, I'll have you assist at Jingyang Palace for a while. By referring to the regulations in the medical clinic, I'll make Jingyang Palace as organized and professional as Renmin Medical Clinic."

The way she shook her head.

"Such as dietary guidelines, daily ward records, patient temperature curves, and records of fetal movement, abdominal pain, and so on."

Wan'er, now that you have completed your studies and returned, you should naturally lend your full support to Jingyang Palace.

"Once all matters at Jingyang Palace are settled, you can go to the medical clinic and focus on your studies for me."

"Your Highness," Liu Wan'er said, sounding somewhat aggrieved. She had the personality of a young girl and had always been timid. "This servant truly..."

But Zhu Yaoying patted her little bottom and chuckled as she spoke.

"Wan'er, work hard, and in two years, I'll find you a suitable husband, how about that?"

"Ah~"

Liu Wan'er was so frightened that her face turned red, and she stomped her foot and said.

"Your Highness, please stop making fun of me!"

Despite saying that, Liu Wan'er was quite efficient in her work.

Over the next few days, she used the knowledge she had learned at Renmin Medical Center, along with the medical system within the center, to make a complete set of adjustments to Jingyang Palace.

These adjustments are not only reflected in daily record keeping, but also in the combination of various diets.

Based on the content of Zhang Yunxiu's "Prescriptions Worth a Thousand Pieces of Gold for Obstetrics", the intake of Wang Gongfei's daily tonics such as ginseng and deer antler was reduced.

In particular, many pregnancy-preserving prescriptions that had been used occasionally in the palace for the past hundred years were also cancelled.

Examples include using "An Shen Ding Zhi Wan" (安神定志丸) containing cinnabar to treat "pregnancy palpitations and anxiety," using safflower to "invigorate blood and nourish the fetus," and using sparganium rhizome to "break up blood stasis and calm the fetus," etc.

Many of these medications have been proven to be detrimental to pregnancy during treatment at Renmin Medical Clinic.

Yet, it was still brazenly used, whether intentionally or unintentionally, in the pregnancy-preserving medicines of concubines in imperial harems throughout history.

When Liu Wan'er saw the "An Shen Ding Zhi Wan" made of cinnabar, ginseng, and poria in the pharmacy, she was so frightened that she covered her mouth.

Only after they had gone to a secluded place did he dare to whisper a reminder.

"Your Highness, the clinic has treated many women who have taken this medicine. Those who can afford this 'Calming and Tranquilizing Pill' are all either rich or noble."

Taking medication not only fails to stabilize the pregnancy, but also increases the risk of miscarriage, and may even...

Zhu Yaoying frowned deeply and said, "Even what?"

Liu Wan'er looked around again before continuing, "There is even a risk that the child born may be mentally disabled."

Zhu Yaoying's eyes widened immediately, her expression turning serious as she asked solemnly, "Is this true?"

Liu Wan'er was startled, but still spoke tremblingly.

"It's absolutely true. At first, the doctors in the clinic were a little skeptical, but after several months of statistical data collection and extensive interviews and investigations, they came to a conclusive conclusion."

After the other party finished speaking, Zhu Yaoying's expression became increasingly complicated.

She could easily recall that the book "Prescriptions Worth a Thousand Pieces of Gold for Obstetrics" mentioned the dangers of cinnabar, not to mention its use on pregnant women.

This medicine is harmful, yet for the past hundred years, not a single person has mentioned it?
Thinking of the doctors at the clinic, Zhu Yaoying asked with great doubt, "Doctors often come to the clinic to examine the Empress Dowager, but none of them have noticed anything suspicious about this medicine?"

Liu Wan'er recalled, "This calming and tranquilizing pill is a common medicine in the palace, and it has been used since the reign of Emperor Chengzu. The doctors only look at Consort Gong's pulse and daily records, so they probably didn't know about it."

She became increasingly less confident as she spoke, and couldn't help but offer a reminder.

"Your Highness, are you unaware that this medicine is not only used by the ladies-in-waiting? In the past, when the princes and princesses in the palace were unwell and cried, they would also take this medicine."

(End of this chapter)