“Leave it there.”
“The weather is getting cold. Please be careful as not to catch a cold.”
Jing Xian took the bowl of medicine and drank it.
Bi Lu bowed and spoke again, “The imperial physician has made changes to your prescription. He said that the medicinal ingredients were foraged on the Heavenly Mountain, which should make the medicine more effective, it should help you get well quickly.”
Jing Xian stared out of the window. He had heard Bi Lu say those words countless times over the years. He laughed bitterly. “Good or not, it’s pointless to me.”
Bi Lu sighed inwardly. The eunuch witnessed his highness grow up. He felt distressed for Jing Xian who was born under an ill star.
“Your Highness’s health will certainly improve. This old servant believes that her Ladyship is watching over you from Heaven and is blessing you.”
“It’s been 14 years already. Why do you still mention mother?” Sadness could be felt in his tone.
“It is my mistake.”
“You may withdraw. I wish to have a rest.”
“Yes, your Highness!”
Bi Lu saw that Jing Xian had closed his eyes, so he took the empty bowl and silently retreated. Right after he had closed the door, he met Mo Ruo, who was rushing toward Jing Xian’s room, holding a long box in his arm. The latter expression was placid.
“Doctor Mo, what are you…” His words were interrupted by Mo Ruo’s hand wave.
Mo Ruo stretched his neck to peer into the room. He then put his index against his lips. “Shhh!”
Bi Lu shrank back and lowered his voice. “Doctor Mo, what is this?”
“Lower your voice and return to your task. No need to pay attention to me.”
“Yes!”
Mo Ruo quietly went into the room and went to a table. Behind him, Jing Xian was leaning in the rocking chair beside the windows. He glanced behind him, then, he carefully placed the long box on a table.
“Why did you come here?” Suddenly, Jing Xian spoke.
“I was being careful, so how did you know I came in?”
“This Tongren Hall has been unfrequented for many years, even the sound of dead leaves being swept by Bi Lu is audible.”
What a miserable place.
Mo Ruo laughed. He picked up the box again, approached Jing Xian and sat next to him. “How is your health these days?”
“Same old, same old!”
“Let me examine you.”
Jing Xian lifted his sleeve and stretched out his hand. Mo Ruo took his pulse, but his smooth eyebrows knitted together after a moment. His fingers parted from Jing Xian’s wrist. “Did the imperial physician from the Great Hospital change your prescription?”
Jing Xian grunted in affirmation.
“When I left, didn’t I tell you that only I can touch your prescription?”
“Ah? You did? I don’t really remember.” He spoke with an indifferent tone.
Mo Ruo got annoyed. “You and Jing Rong are really two extremes! He is obstinate, pig-headed and competitive. Whereas, you are desolate, indifferent to everything and incapable of cherishing things. You don’t even care about your life!”
Jing Xian’s pale lips hooked up at Mo Ruo’s outburst. He showed a melancholic smile before replying. “My illness is incurable. Hence, I stopped fighting. I am but an empty shell. Don’t tell me that there is still hope that one day I can be back to normal?”
“There is me, so you will be alright.”
“It has already been 14 years. Your father was also helpless against this illness.”
Mo Ruo interjected and gave him the box. “The Old Man’s skills are beneath mine. What he can’t treat, I can. This thing is something I’ve obtained and it can help treat your illness. Keep it with you. You must smell it every day. In addition, stop drinking that new decoction. You have to take what I prescribed you before and you can’t skip a dose.”
Jing Xian opened the box. Inside of it, there was a vine-like azure medicinal ingredient that had luxuriant bamboo-like leaves.
“What is it?”
“This is the Heartless herb. You are prone to congestion of blood circulation. The smell of this herb will help with the circulation. This thing is something that money can’t buy.”
“I am a dead man. Why waste such a thing on me?”