“Physician Shen, is there a cure?” Uncle Li asked urgently.
Shen Qingzhu explained: “Phantom Dream was originally a pill concocted by alchemists for emperors of old, who sought immortality. It keeps the mind unnaturally sharp and heightens energy and mood.
“But in the later stages, it brings terrible side effects: severe insomnia, and once sleep does come, it is filled with nightmares. Over time, even while awake, the victim begins to suffer hallucinations, loses their appetite, and gradually loses control of their emotions.
“In the end, they can no longer tell friend from foe, seeing everyone around them as threats, and eventually turn violent and kill those closest to them.”
He looked directly at Ji Yan’an. “And this condition only develops after the poison has been taken continuously for a long period.”
Ji Yan’an gave a bitter smile. Yes it required prolonged use.
That meant the betrayal had come from someone very close to him.
Though still young, Ji Yan’an had already endured so much hardship. He was not afraid of death itself, but he feared that one day he would lose his grip on reality and lash out at the people he cared about.
To wake later and find them lying dead at his feet, and his own hands stained with their blood that was the true horror that would break him.
Uncle Li could not hold back his tears. “What can we do? Physician Shen, please, you must save our Young Master!”
Ji Yan’an’s expression was grave, his voice hoarse. “Since you have identified it, is there a cure?
“If not, at least tell me how to suppress its effects.”
He needed enough time to arrange matters and ensure those who served him were not dragged further into the dangerous intrigues of the court.
“It can be cured,” Shen Qingzhu said.
Before Uncle Li could rejoice, he added, “But not right now.”
Uncle Li grew anxious. “What do you mean?”
Ji Yan’an also fixed his gaze on him.
“I do not have the three rare ingredients required,” Shen Qingzhu replied.
“Tell us what they are! We will search for them at once!” Uncle Li pleaded.
Shen Qingzhu listed them: “Deep in the Miaoling Mountains of the ancient Yelang Kingdom lives a sacred bird known as the Phoenix Imitator. It resembles the legendary phoenix, with bright red feathers and a long flowing tail. Its blood is a precious medicinal substance but it has been hunted almost to extinction, and hardly anyone has seen one in centuries.
“In the Ailao Mountains of Nanzhao dwells a giant blue-violet spirit serpent. Its venom is deadly, yet its gallbladder is the finest antidote known.
“And the last ingredient is Snow Spirit Grass, which grows only in the harshest frozen regions of the highest mountains. It is pure white, with veins of gold running through its leaves.
“All three are on the verge of vanishing entirely. In all my years, I have never encountered any of them myself; they are only mentioned in old texts. To find them will be extremely difficult and dangerous.
“The terrain of Yelang is treacherous, ringed by mountains and filled with venomous creatures, making it easy to get lost. Nanzhao is shrouded in poisonous mists, and the blue spirit serpent is both massive and deadly. And searching for a single blade of grass across endless snowfields… I need not explain how unlikely that is.”
Hearing this, Uncle Li felt the world spin before his eyes. “So the Young Master’s poison is this impossible to treat?”
Shen Qingzhu began packing his medical tools. “Phantom Dream was created from rare materials gathered at great cost by emperors long ago. It was later banned, and very little of it remains in existence. It has not been seen in the world for many years.”
Thinking of the people who had poisoned his master, Uncle Li felt a burning rage.
Ji Yan’an gave a self-mocking laugh. “They certainly spared no expense.”
To use such a rare and lethal poison on him showed just how much they wanted him gone.
“Can you at least hold it back?” he asked.
Shen Qingzhu nodded. “I can suppress its effects for three years.”
Ji Yan’an took a deep breath. “That will be enough.”
Uncle Li’s eyes were red with determination. “Rest assured, Young Master even if I have to risk my own life, I will find those ingredients!”
Ji Yan’an raised a hand to calm him. “Let us not rush. I have few men I can trust right now, and I cannot afford to send them all away on such a perilous search.
“Rather than risking lives on a quest that may well fail, I would prefer to use these three years to settle everything that needs to be settled.”
“Uncle Li, have a room prepared so Physician Shen may stay here.”
Uncle Li nodded. “This way, Physician Shen.”
Shen Qingzhu bowed respectfully to Ji Yan’an, then turned and followed him out.
Once they were gone, Ji Yan’an remained alone in the room for quite some time without making a sound, leaving Granny Zhou growing increasingly worried outside.
Just as she was about to knock, his voice finally called out.
“Granny Zhou.”
She pushed the door open and stepped inside. Seeing this, Jiang Yun Sui stood up, brushed the dust from her dress, and followed closely behind her.
“Bring the meal,” Ji Yan’an ordered.
He had composed himself. No matter how little appetite he had, he knew he must force himself to eat otherwise, his body would fail long before the three years were up.
Granny Zhou glanced at him with concern before hurrying off to prepare the food.
Jiang Yun Sui stood still, looking back and forth between the matron and Ji Yan’an.
What about me? Who should I follow?
After thinking it over carefully, she decided to follow Cook Chen’s advice and stay close to the Young Master.
She shuffled slowly over to his side.
“What should I do?”
Ji Yan’an, who had completely forgotten she was there, blinked in surprise: ……………
“When did you get here?”
Jiang Yun Sui puffed out her small chest and answered clearly. “A while ago. I was waiting outside, then came in with Granny Zhou just now.”
Ji Yan’an noticed her hair and gestured for her to come closer.
She obeyed at once only to have him reach out, pinch the top of her bun, and give it a gentle tug.
Jiang Yun Sui pouted, her soft voice full of protest. “Don’t mess up my hair! If it gets ruined, I won’t look pretty anymore.”
Her cheeks rounded out plumply as she huffed in annoyance.
Ji Yan’an was just in a foul mood and taking it out on something harmless. Teasing the little girl had lightened his spirits slightly.
He let go, and Jiang Yun Sui immediately took two quick steps backward, patting her hair into place.
Phew it was still neat. She really liked the way Auntie Chen had styled it that morning.
“Go fetch a book for me,” Ji Yan’an said, pointing to the table nearby.
“All right.”
She trotted over, but being so short, she could not see the titles clearly. Standing on tiptoe and stretching her arms as far as they would go, she grabbed one at random.
“Here you go.”
“Can you read?”
Ji Yan’an glanced at the book, then pointed to the large characters on the cover.
Jiang Yun Sui shook her head without hesitation.
“Clumsy child you’re already this big and still can’t recognize a single word.”
Jiang Yun Sui felt dejected. She vaguely remembered that the girl whose body she inhabited had begun learning to read, but even searching those memories, the characters still looked completely strange to her.
Ji Yan’an pointed to the title and taught her slowly. “These characters read The Art of War by Sun Tzu. Got it?”
Jiang Yun Sui leaned in close, then nodded confidently. “Yes, I remember!”
Ji Yan’an set the book aside and motioned for her to follow. He sat down at his desk, picked up a brush, and wrote a single character in swift, flowing strokes. When he finished, he blew gently to dry the ink and called her over.
“Come here. Tell me what this character says.”
Jiang Yun Sui really did not want to go. I’m just an illiterate little mushroom why do I have to learn this?
But she had been told to obey.
She dragged her feet, pouting all the way, until she stood beside him.
She stared at the character, but her mind went completely blank.
It looked vaguely familiar… but she could not be sure, no matter how hard she squinted.
A faint smile tugged at the corner of Ji Yan’an’s mouth. He rested his chin in his hand and watched with amusement as the little girl’s face crumpled into a look of deep, helpless confusion.
His mood felt even better now.