“Detoxification?!”
Before Xue Lanshi could rejoice at the possibility of conceiving again, she was startled.
Xue Qi was aghast: “What poison? How could the Crown Princess, perfectly well, be poisoned?”
Jiang Li switched hands to continue feeling the pulse and asked: “Does Your Highness often suffer from palpitations, insomnia, a bitter taste in the mouth, inexplicable heat and irritability, or numbness and weakness in the fingers and limbs?”
Xue Lanshi frowned. “Indeed, such symptoms occur occasionally. But I have consulted the imperial physicians. They said it was due to excessive worry, weakness of the spleen and kidneys, and depletion of qi and blood. I have been under gentle tonic treatment of late.”
Jiang Li carefully distinguished the pulse, her gaze sliding inch by inch from Xue Lanshi’s coiffure, brows, and cheeks, down her slender neck and wrists, finally to her fingernails. She spoke again: “The physicians were not wrong. Yet I suspect their prescriptions work too slowly, often with relapses. Each time they see you again, they conclude you are overwrought, which only makes you more anxious. Thus, the cycle repeats. Over the years, Your Highness must have taken medicine constantly—such as Aifu Warming Palace Pills, Cizhu Pills, Baiwei Pills, Yanghe Resolving Ointment. Am I correct?”
Xue Lanshi’s expression grew complicated. Her medical records were a guarded secret of the Eastern Palace, yet Jiang Li had deduced most of it merely from the pulse. To admit or deny was equally difficult.
Seeing her look, Jiang Li knew her guess was right. She continued: “Aifu Warming Palace Pills treat menstrual irregularities from blood deficiency and qi stagnation, lower-focus cold. Cizhu Pills treat heart–kidney yin deficiency and hyperactive heart yang, which can cause palpitations, insomnia, dizziness, and tinnitus. Baiwei Pills are for infertility. Yanghe Resolving Ointment warms the channels, disperses cold, removes dampness, relieves pain, reduces swelling and nodules. These are common remedies for women’s ailments—but many contain toxic substances.”
“The aconite and mugwort in Aifu Warming Palace Pills cannot be used long-term. Cizhu Pills contain magnetite and cinnabar. Baiwei Pills include aconite, stalactite, amethyst, and quartz. Yanghe Ointment has raw Sichuan aconite, raw aconite, and musk. Frequent or combined use is poisonous. Though Your Highness has been cautious, years of medication have allowed toxins to accumulate in the organs.”
Xue Lanshi’s brows knit tighter. “Then, according to you, how can the poison be removed?”
Jiang Li withdrew her hand. “Now is not the time for complex prescriptions. Only scallion-and-fermented-soy decoction is needed, combined with dietary control, plus acupuncture once every ten days. Within a month, the accumulated toxins can be eliminated.”
Xue Lanshi called: “Qiu Wen—”
At her word, the stewardess waiting outside entered. Xue Lanshi said: “Follow Ah-Ling’s instructions.”
Qiu Wen assented. Jiang Li explained: “Five qian of scallion, seven qian of fermented soy, three qian of ginseng. Boil into a decoction, drink before meals, three times daily. Diet must be light—avoid heavy meats; eat more fish and shrimp. For breakfast, millet porridge with fresh vegetables. Now in deep winter, if Your Highness’s hands and feet grow stiff and cold, or the heart feels oppressed, then at mealtime add one cup of warm wine with the medicine—but no more than that.”
Qiu Wen carefully noted it all. Xue Lanshi asked: “So in two months the poison will be gone? And when may I conceive again?”
Jiang Li said, “After purging the toxins, I will continue to regulate Her Highness’s body with acupuncture and medicinal decoctions. In as little as half a year, or as long as a year, it should restore the chance of conception. But pregnancy is not solely the responsibility of the woman— the Crown Prince must also remain in good health.”
Xue Qi listened with a sigh, glancing warily toward the door. “Child, His Highness is of course in good health.”
Xue Lanshi, however, smiled. “I understand what you mean. Half a year or a year may still feel slow, but I have endured so many years already. Now at least there is hope. I know you excel in acupuncture, and I have prepared for you.”
She rose and entered the inner chamber, Jiang Li following. Before long, Qiu Wen brought out a case of needles. Jiang Li opened it and said, “Please lie on your back, Your Highness, and expose your chest and abdomen—”
Qiu Wen assisted Xue Lanshi in changing clothes. As Jiang Li inserted the needles, she explained, “The Yingchuang point treats breast abscesses, fever and chills, shortness of breath, and restlessness. The Shenque and Guilai points address cold in the womb; Guanyuan invigorates the uterus; the Qi point, where the Chong meridian meets the Kidney channel, treats uterine cold and blocked menstruation. Your Highness’s illness has lingered for years—I will do my utmost to ease it gradually.”
Earlier, Jiang Li had not spoken in detail of the crown princess’s condition. Now, as she worked, her treatment proved precisely targeted.
Xue Lanshi closed her eyes slightly. “You are a meticulous child.”
Jiang Li said no more. After a quarter of an hour, the acupuncture was complete. Xue Lanshi rose and dressed, feeling warmth and ease in her lower abdomen—quite different from moments before. Her eyes shone brighter as she clasped Jiang Li’s hand and led her outside. With heartfelt earnestness, she said, “Ah-Ling, if you truly help me conceive again, you will be the great benefactor of the Xue clan.”
As she spoke, her fingers brushed against the thin calluses on Jiang Li’s palm. “You have roamed the jianghu—do you practice martial arts?”
Jiang Li shook her head. “My constitution is poor. As a child, I even suffered from heart disease, so I never studied martial skills.”
When they emerged, Xue Qi and Li Yan came forward, both watching expectantly, as if awaiting her judgment.
Xue Lanshi’s eyes curved with a smile. She patted Jiang Li’s hand. “Over the years, I have seen many physicians and taken countless medicines. Yet in more than a decade, not only has no one been able to help me, but even those I could truly trust were few indeed. Now that Ah-Ling has returned—one’s own child is different from outsiders. Just a single session of acupuncture has already shown me that her famed reputation is no exaggeration. Heaven has shown mercy: our Xue family has produced such a medical prodigy.”
Xue Qi exhaled in relief, while Li Yan was struck with admiration.
Jiang Li replied modestly, “The finest physicians of Great Zhou serve in the Imperial Pharmacy, Zuochun Hall, and the Imperial Medical Bureau. I am still young and unworthy of such praise. If Your Highness has doubts about my methods, I am willing to consult jointly with the imperial doctors.”
Xue Lanshi laughed softly. “You need not be so humble. Though you are young, I have seen enough doctors to know the difference. A few years ago, I did have one trustworthy physician skilled in women’s ailments. But alas, he was a man, which caused inconveniences. And in recent years, though his rank has risen, his spirit has waned—he keeps requesting assignments to distant provinces, laboring without reward.”
Xue Qi interjected, “Your Highness, say no more. Bai Jingzhi should be returning in the next few days.”
Xue Lanshi shook her head, keeping Jiang Li close. “That man is timid and of no use. Ah-Ling is far better.” She looked at Jiang Li. “Your aunt trusts you. Do not let her down.”
By calling herself “aunt,” she revealed her deep regard. Jiang Li bowed her head. “Yes. I will do all I can to ease Aunt’s worries.”
Xue Qi smiled with emotion. “If Ling’er can truly help Her Highness, and next year Zhan’er succeeds brilliantly in the examinations, then Her Highness may finally rest easy.”
Xue Lanshi said, “Brother, you are blessed with fine children. Now that Ah-Ling is in Chang’an, I can see her whenever I wish. As for Zhan’er in the academy, you must take good care of him. Last time His Majesty asked after him, wondering whether Zhan’er had been writing well of late. I told His Majesty that Zhan’er was preparing for next year’s examinations and had no leisure for composing fu. His Majesty was very hopeful that Zhan’er would take first place.”
Xue Qi’s eyes crinkled with a smile. “I understand; I won’t neglect Zhan’er. You may rest assured.”
Xue Lanshi, pleased, summoned another maid named Ming Xia. “Go fetch the set of ornaments prepared for Ah-Ling. This child has suffered much outside all these years. As her aunt, meeting her for the first time, I must show my regard.”
Ming Xia obeyed. Li Yan stepped forward, taking Jiang Li’s hand. “Cousin, your medical skills are so remarkable. Do you plan to take disciples? Life in the palace is dreadfully dull—why don’t I come study medicine with you?”
Jiang Li laughed softly. “Medicine is arduous. I cannot bear to see the Princess suffer.”
Xue Lanshi added, “Don’t be foolish. If your father knew, he would scold you again.”
Li Yan pouted. “Father only cares for Li Jin. I haven’t seen him for three days.”
Xue Qi’s heart tightened. “What has the Crown Prince been busy with these days?”
Xue Lanshi sighed. “He is occupied with the aftermath of the floods in Xuzhou. Though the disaster struck in summer, the victims are countless. How to settle them from winter through spring is a grave concern. The court fears another uprising like Xiangzhou, so they are drafting plans. Moreover, the floods destroyed many embankments. If repairs are not made during winter, next spring and summer will bring new calamities. Yet the court cannot find a water-control expert like Shen Dong. The Ministry of Works and the Water Bureau are at their wits’ end.”
Xiangzhou’s unrest had indeed stemmed from too many displaced people. The court could not risk repeating that mistake. Xue Qi nodded. “I understand. Then Her Highness must nourish her health well, and only guard against that one in Jinghua Palace.”
Xue Lanshi gave a cool smile. “Li Jin grows ever more favored by His Majesty. Guarding against him hardly matters. He may not match his elder brother in talent, but his fate is worth a hundred times more. Truly lamentable.”
Xue Qi was alarmed. “Your Highness, be cautious. You know such words must not be spoken.”
Xue Lanshi drew a shallow breath, regaining her dignified composure. “Enough. I know my limits.”
Seeing her weary after the acupuncture, Xue Qi said, “Your Highness, please rest well. It grows late—I shall take Ling’er and withdraw. Should you feel unwell, simply summon her.”
Xue Lanshi replied, “Very well. In ten days, I will send for Ah-Ling.”
Jiang Li rose, bowed, and took her leave, following the young eunuch who led her out of the palace. Just past the Chongren Hall, she saw a young gentleman entering the Crown Prince’s council hall, the Chongjiao Hall.
Xue Qi frowned slightly. “Is that the young master of the Ning family?”
The eunuch confirmed softly, “Since the start of winter, the Crown Prince has often summoned the Ning family’s young master to speak with him.”
Xue Qi gave a cold snort. Once they had passed through Zhuque Gate and boarded the carriage, his expression darkened completely. Jiang Li sat opposite him and could not pretend not to notice. She asked, “Father, that young master is…?”
Xue Qi replied, “He is Ning Jue, younger brother of Consort Ning. The Ning family once had only Ning Yao, their sole daughter. But Ning Xuyuan, already in his thirties, later had this son, Ning Jue. The boy is arrogant by nature and often roams the jianghu. I never paid him much mind. Yet this year, for some reason, he changed—no longer wandering about, but growing ever closer to the Crown Prince. His Highness seems intent on grooming him as one of his own.”
Jiang Li soothed him. “Father, be at ease. Once younger brother succeeds in next year’s examinations, the Crown Prince will not slight him.”
Her words indeed eased Xue Qi’s mood. He chuckled grimly. “True. Just half a year more. After that, let them wait and see.”
Jiang Li fell silent. As the carriage rattled along, a faint rustling struck the roof. She lifted the curtain and saw flakes of snow drifting down. The towering Zhuque Gate loomed solemnly beneath the heavy sky. As she gazed, memories rose before her eyes—of the thirty-fourth year of Jingde, on the Lantern Festival.
Before the Zhuque Gate, the execution platform had been raised high. Forty-three members of the Guang’an household knelt upon it, hair disheveled, each bearing the token of death. That day, the snow fell even more heavily than it did today. From afar, she could not even make out Wei Yang and Yu Qingling’s faces. Then the executioner’s blade rose and fell, and hot blood streamed down, seeping into the blue bricks before the gate.
Five years had passed. Wind and rain had washed away every trace of blood. In the ten li of Chang’an, among three thousand palaces, none remembered the forty-three lives of the Guang’an household. Yet some still lived in fear. Jiang Li could never forget that on the execution platform, the one who read aloud the testimony—laden with complex medical reasoning—was Wei Jie’s close friend at the Imperial Medical Bureau, later promoted to Deputy Director, Bai Jingzhi. At that time, he had been only one of eight senior physicians. After the incident, he and the imperial doctors who had treated the Imperial Grandson used her testimony to condemn Wei Jie to death. Afterward, Bai Jingzhi rose to become second-in-command of the bureau. But from that year on, he requested assignments away from the capital every year—whether to combat epidemics in the provinces or to lecture among the people. He spent little time in Chang’an. If his conscience were clear, why would he act so?
The carriage rolled down Zhuque Street toward Pingkang Ward. When it stopped before the Xue residence, Jiang Li, alighting first, immediately noticed a carriage with ornate canopy and fine steeds. Suspicion stirred in her heart.
Entering with Xue Qi, they found Xue Tai waiting at the gate. He reported, “Master, Miss—Lord Pei has arrived. He is waiting in the front hall.”
Jiang Li had meant to retire early to Yingyue Pavilion, but she froze in surprise. Xue Qi was taken aback. “Pei Hechen? Why has he come today?”
Xue Tai glanced at Jiang Li. “He said he came to thank the young lady.”
Jiang Li’s eyelids twitched. The other day, Pei Yan had spoken of visiting, and she had thought it mere courtesy. Yet today he had truly come?
She hesitated, but Xue Qi strode toward the front hall. “Ling’er, quickly—do not keep our guest waiting.”
Jiang Li pressed her lips together and followed. As they entered the courtyard, she saw Pei Yan in silver robes standing beneath the eaves, Jiu Si behind him. At their arrival, joy lit his face as he spoke a few words.
Xue Qi greeted him warmly. “Hechen, today you are indeed an honored guest—”
Pei Yan responded with polite reserve, his smile faint, his words smooth and courteous. Jiang Li watched him, every phrase delivered with practiced grace. Yet an uncanny sense welled up within her. Before long, Pei Yan’s gaze turned toward her.
Jiang Li tugged at her lips. “Lord Pei.”
Xue Qi said warmly, “Hechen, you are far too courteous. Ling’er has already said it was but a small favor, hardly worth troubling yourself to come in person. Now that the case is solved, His Majesty is pleased, and all the young ladies of Chang’an can rest easy. That too is her merit. Since you have come, you must stay for supper tonight—”
Pei Yan replied, “I am grateful for your kindness, my lord. Yet besides offering thanks, I have another request, and I hope Miss Xue will agree…”
Jiang Li’s heart tightened. Xue Qi asked in surprise, “Is it about that case?”
Pei Yan said, “My lord must know that my grandmother has been ailing for many years, and winter is especially hard for her. These past days, her illness has flared again. We have summoned every renowned physician in Chang’an, but none have helped. Therefore, I wish to invite Miss Xue to attend her and see to her illness.”
Xue Qi’s expression cleared. “Ah, to treat the old madam—that is no trouble. Since you trust Ling’er’s skill, she should not refuse. The hour is still early, Ling’er, you may as well go at once.”
Jiang Li’s face remained calm, while Pei Yan’s was earnest. She fixed her gaze on him for a moment, then nodded. “Of course I can examine her. But my consultation fee is very high. Is Lord Pei willing?”
Xue Qi gaped. “Ling’er, how can you—”
Before he could stop her, Pei Yan nodded firmly. “Your skill is extraordinary. No matter how costly the fee, I am willing. Time is pressing—please come with me at once.”
Jiang Li’s lips curved in a half-smile. “Very well.”