The following morning, Wei Yan went to Jiaofang Palace.
In his years at the Imperial Medical Bureau, he had come to Jiaofang Palace more times than he could count. Every single visit had been attended by much the same feeling: loathing and aversion, yet no choice but to endure.
This time, however, there was something he had never felt before — an eager, fluttering anticipation.
Ling Jingshu had been in the palace for more than half a month.
Unfortunately, he had been confined to the Hall of Purple Morning throughout, with neither the time nor the opportunity to come to Jiaofang Palace. Though the two of them were separated by so short a distance, fate had not allowed them to meet. Their last encounter had been before the new year — by that reckoning, it had been over a full month since they had last seen each other…
At this thought, Wei Yan’s pace quickened without him noticing, his heart quietly hoping for an unexpected encounter with her.
It seemed some divine force had heard his wish. The very moment he stepped through the entrance of Jiaofang Palace, a familiar figure he had so often thought of appeared before his eyes.
A slender young woman in pale green palace robes, walking side by side with several other female officials.
The light of early morning fell across her fair, jade-pale face. The slight, natural upward curve of her lips softened her features. With no deliberate effort, her every movement and gesture carried a grace that others could scarcely rival.
Beautiful and composed. A sight to gladden the heart.
It was Ling Jingshu!
Only his exceptional self-command allowed Wei Yan to maintain the composure of his usual demeanor.
At this moment, as though by some unspoken understanding between hearts, Ling Jingshu also raised her eyes and looked over.
When Wei Yan caught that flash of delighted surprise in those bright, clear eyes, his mood lifted all at once. Seeing him — she felt joy in her heart as well.
As their gazes met across the space between them, complex and subtle feelings stirred silently and flowed.
What a pity that this was Jiaofang Palace. There were still far too many watchful and inconvenient onlookers nearby — the two of them could only exchange a swift glance before each looked away again.
……
“It is Imperial Physician Wei!” Qiu Shuang announced in a small voice, sounding somewhat excited.
“Did we not already know that — it is not as though any of us are unacquainted with Imperial Physician Wei.” The one who took up the comment was Luo Yan, her pair of almond-shaped eyes sneaking furtive looks in his direction.
Xue Su, slender and refined and rather more composed than the others, interjected in a quiet reminder, “Would you two please stop chattering — if someone overhears and it reaches Her Majesty the Empress’s ears, there will be another scolding to endure.”
Rui Lian cast a glance toward Wei Yan, then straightened her expression. “Xue Su is right. We are Her Majesty’s attendants — we must be mindful of propriety in everything we say and do, and must never do anything that would bring shame upon Her Majesty.”
Yao Huang was somewhat older, and her temperament considerably more steady. She made no comment, though she too could not help but let her gaze drift twice in Wei Yan’s direction.
Life in the palace meant days surrounded by nothing but women, along with a retinue of inner attendants who had long since lost any air of masculinity and spoke in thin, reedy voices. The imperial guards were not permitted to enter the inner palace unless summoned. The imperial physicians at the Medical Bureau could move in and out of the inner palace — but the majority were elderly, or else quite plain-looking.
In such circumstances, Wei Yan — young, strikingly handsome, dignified in bearing, superbly skilled in his art, and scrupulously upright in his conduct toward women — had become without question the most singular presence in the eyes of all the palace maids. Qiu Shuang and the others were no exception.
Even knowing that Wei Yan held himself aloof from women, even knowing that there was no possibility of ever catching his notice — upon seeing Wei Yan, their hearts could not help but flutter.
Listening to the light laughter and whispered exchanges among Qiu Shuang and the others, a faint, inexplicable irritation rose within Ling Jingshu. She suppressed it at once, pushing it back down.
She and Wei Yan knew each other well and were privy to one another’s secrets. But that was all there was to it. What standing did she have to be displeased that other women admired Wei Yan?
Very soon, Wei Yan had walked to a stop before the assembled female officials.
“We pay our respects to Imperial Physician Wei.” The female officials bowed together, Ling Jingshu among them.
The female officials in Empress Xu’s service — each more distinguished than the last, each carrying a certain proud air about her. Within the palace compound, it was others who fawned upon and deferred to them. Only in the presence of Wei Yan did everyone become so courteous and proper.
Wei Yan smiled warmly. “Please, none of you need be so formal — rise at once.”
His voice was warm and pleasant, with a slight low resonance to it — like a mild spring breeze drifting gently past one’s ears.
Ling Jingshu straightened and stole a quick glance at Wei Yan.
Wei Yan seemed to sense her small motion, and a trace of pleased amusement rose in his eyes. He and Ling Jingshu were acquainted with one another — at this juncture, acknowledging that seemed only the natural thing to do. If he said nothing, would that not look as though he had something to hide?
Wei Yan quickly persuaded himself, then spoke with a composed smile. “Miss Ling has been in the palace for some days now — might I ask what duties she has taken up? And has she settled into palace life without difficulty?”
Ling Jingshu smiled and replied, “Many thanks for Imperial Physician Wei’s kind concern. I am currently assigned to tend to the plants and flowers. Her Majesty the Empress is quite magnanimous, and Sister Rui Lian, Sister Qiu Shuang, and the others have shown me considerable care and consideration. There is nothing about life in the palace that I find difficult to adjust to.”
This reply was naturally addressed to the female officials listening nearby.
In truth, Empress Xu was sinister and calculating, her schemes deep-running — the very words “magnanimous” and “Empress Xu” could not be placed in the same sentence. As for the female officials of Jiaofang Palace, not one was a guileless soul — the fact that they refrained from open ostracism and deliberate difficulty was already quite enough; “care and consideration” was out of the question.
Ling Jingshu had been a pampered daughter within her family home, waited upon in every aspect of her life. Entering the palace, she had to lower her gaze and meekly wait upon others. How could she possibly have adjusted?
When all was said and done, it was he who had dragged her into this predicament!
A deep and heavy guilt rose within Wei Yan, along with a welling tenderness. In the presence of all these female officials, there was nothing he could say — he could only smile with his habitual warmth and calm. “I am glad to hear it.”
He had already drawn more than enough attention by exchanging these few extra words. It would not do to say more.
Wei Yan forced himself to look away and turned to Rui Lian. “Miss Rui Lian, I would trouble you to inform Her Majesty the Empress that I have come to take Her Majesty’s pulse and check on her well-being.”
In the slightly envious gazes of Qiu Shuang and the others, Rui Lian answered in a cheerful and pleasant manner.
……
“Your Majesty the Empress, Imperial Physician Wei has come to take Your Majesty’s pulse, and is presently awaiting Your Majesty’s summons outside the hall.” After the female officials entered the main hall, Rui Lian stepped forward at once to make the announcement.
A flicker crossed Empress Xu’s eyes, and the corner of her mouth curved upward. “Summon Imperial Physician Wei to enter.”
Her gaze passed with deliberate casualness over Ling Jingshu’s face.
Ling Jingshu stood at attention with her head lowered, shoulder to shoulder with Qiu Shuang and the others, showing not the slightest sign of anything unusual.
Did she think that this sort of hollow pretense could deceive her?
Empress Xu gave a cold inward laugh. Setting other matters aside, simply on the basis of Wei Yan’s several past consultations and treatments on Ling Jingshu’s behalf, one could see that the two of them shared a connection beyond the ordinary. Now that she had entered Jiaofang Palace and was right under her own watchful eye — she intended to see just how the two of them would manage to send any lingering glances back and forth!
In short order, Wei Yan’s figure appeared before Empress Xu.
The moment Wei Yan appeared, Empress Xu’s full attention shifted to him. She smiled and said, “Imperial Physician Wei has come to Jiaofang Palace so early to attend to this Empress’s well-being — this Empress is greatly gratified.”
Wei Yan cupped his hands in a respectful salute, neither deferential nor arrogant. “It is this subject’s duty. With Your Majesty the Empress’s health and well-being assured, the inner palace remains as steady and secure as a mountain.”
Wei Yan was customarily quiet and sparing with words. That he would offer these few words of flattery today was somewhat unusual.
A glimmer of pleasure passed through Empress Xu’s eyes, and she gestured for Wei Yan to step forward.