Due to her previous kidnapping experience, Wei Caiwei was overly cautious. Even when someone from Prince Yu's residence came with Princess Yu's invitation, she insisted that the Lu family steward dispatch a team of guards to escort the carriage.
Having grown accustomed to the resplendent grandeur of the Forbidden City, the dilapidation of Prince Yu's residence seemed utterly unbefitting of an imperial prince's mansion.
The Jiajing Emperor's disdain for Prince Yu had begun in the prince's childhood. Though all princes spent their early years in the Five Compounds east and west of the Palace of Heavenly Purity with equal treatment, making life tolerable, their circumstances changed after marriage when they had to leave the Forbidden City and establish independent households. This was when Prince Yu's troubles truly began.
The Ministry of Revenue managed the stipends for imperial clan members including princes and princesses, with Vice Minister Yan Shifan specifically overseeing these disbursements.
As Vice Minister Yan supported Prince Jing, he never delayed stipends for Prince Jing and other imperial relatives, processing them promptly. But when it came to Prince Yu, Vice Minister Yan would always find excuses to withhold payments, frequently leaving Prince Yu's household struggling to make ends meet.
Being favored, Prince Jing not only received his regular stipend but also occasional grants from the Jiajing Emperor including salt certificates, imperial estates, and imperial shops. Consort Lu Jingfei also provided various subsidies, enabling Prince Jing to bribe Yan Shifan with a thousand taels of gold at once - such was his wealth.
In contrast, Prince Yu had nothing beyond his stipend, which was often delayed or reduced by Yan Shifan, leaving him in such straitened circumstances that he could be considered the poorest prince in Ming dynasty history.
While Prince Jing's mansion was newly constructed, Prince Yu's residence was a vacated old mansion previously occupied by feudal princes who had left for their domains. Nearly a century old, many buildings were damaged beyond repair, but lacking funds for restoration, Prince Yu simply sealed off the uninhabitable structures.
These sealed ruins became domains for stray cats, even housing fox dens and wild rabbit warrens, transforming Prince Yu's residence into something resembling a small zoo.
The stark contrast between the two princely residences revealed how blatantly the Jiajing Emperor favored one son over the other.
Wei Caiwei's carriage entered the mansion through the western side gate. The guards at the gate pushed open the doors and removed the threshold to allow direct carriage access. The vermilion paint on the main gate had faded, with patches blistering and peeling off like psoriatic scales. As the guards pushed the doors, dried paint flakes shook loose in the vibration and were swept into the air by the northwest wind.
The mansion's pathways were riddled with potholes, causing severe jolting as the carriage passed over them. The deepest holes had been filled with crushed burnt coal, whose black dust scattered everywhere in strong winds, impossible to sweep clean.
Along the route, sections of the perimeter wall were propped up with wooden supports. The aging wall swayed precariously in the western wind, making Wei Caiwei fear it might collapse onto her carriage during her passage.
Conditions improved slightly upon reaching the rear courtyard and Princess Yu's main residence.
This building had been renovated two years earlier using funds from the Imperial Clan Court, in preparation for the new Princess Yu.
Prince Yu had shared deep affection with his first wife Li Shi, with whom he had a son and daughter. Tragically, their eldest daughter had passed away two years prior.
By protocol, a prince's daughter should be granted the title of commandery princess, especially as she was the Jiajing Emperor's first granddaughter. Prince Yu requested the Ministry of Rites and Imperial Clan Court to bury his beloved daughter with full commandery princess honors, but the Jiajing Emperor refused, stating: "No title had been conferred, there's no precedent, and should a young child receive full rites? Improper." Ultimately, she was buried with only half the honors due a commandery princess.Having lost her daughter at a young age and witnessed such a shabby funeral, Princess Yu was overwhelmed with grief and soon passed away as well. Not long after, their eldest son also died young.
Devastated by the successive losses of his children and wife, Prince Yu was heartbroken. He requested that Princess Yu be given a grand burial befitting a royal consort. However, the Jiajing Emperor refused, not even permitting the use of the character "demise" reserved for royal consorts, replacing it with the ordinary "deceased." The funeral was hastily arranged. Merely five months later, Consort Lu Jingfei, using the pretext of continuing the royal lineage, forced Chen Shi upon Prince Yu as his new wife.
With the new Princess Yu about to enter the household, renovations were needed to prepare the residence for the newcomer. Yet Prince Yu, still engulfed in the pain of losing his wife and children, moved through life like a walking corpse. He had neither the funds nor the inclination to refurbish the bridal chamber.
Fearing a royal scandal, with Prince Yu indifferent and disheartened by the pitiful funerals of his beloved wife and daughter, he no longer cared about appearances. He believed any disgrace would not fall on him alone—the entire royal family would share the shame, adopting a defeatist attitude of "since the pot is already cracked, why not break it further." The Imperial Clan Court eventually funded the renovation of the main hall, barely managing to hold the wedding ceremony.
The main hall had only been renovated two years prior, so it was still passable, though signs of decay were visible in the details. The golden threads on the Kesi silk curtain embroidered with blooming peonies had lost their luster, appearing dull and faded, neither old nor new.
On a day shrouded in sandstorms and haze, with doors and windows tightly shut, Princess Yu Chen Shi sat on the Arhat bed. The room was warmed by Red Gauze Charcoal, and pots of narcissus were arranged for the season, though the flowers had yet to bud, resembling clusters of garlic sprouts.
Princess Yu wore a casual jacket and skirt, her hair loosely tied in a round bun adorned with a single gold hairpin. She had a gentle and amiable appearance, clearly soft-natured and easy to manipulate—otherwise, Consort Lu Jingfei would not have "carefully selected" her back then.
Li Jiubao, in contrast, was adorned with glittering jewels, her captivating beauty enhanced by gold and silver accessories. She sat in full regalia on an embroidered stool beside the Arhat bed.
What a picture of virtuous wife and beautiful concubine.
Wei Caiwei bowed, "This commoner pays respects to Her Highness the Princess and Li Xuanshi." Xuanshi was the lowest rank among the prince's consorts; all nine beauties sent to Prince Yu's residence held this title, and only bearing children could elevate their status.
However, even the lowest-ranking Xuanshi stood far above a commoner like Wei Caiwei, hence she had to bow to Li Jiubao.
Princess Yu pointed to a small stool beside her, "Please take a seat, Doctor Wei. I have long heard of your exceptional medical skills, even Lady Shang in the palace specifically requested your entry. Today, I invited you to the residence to prescribe a tonic formula to regulate my health."
Having been married into the residence for two years without any signs of pregnancy, her request to "regulate health" was essentially a plea for fertility.
Wei Caiwei took Princess Yu's pulse, examined her eyes and tongue, and said, "Your Highness is in good health and still young, there is no need for tonics. However, you are overly burdened with worries and suffer from restless nights. This commoner will prescribe a formula to nourish your energy and calm your mind, aiding your sleep."
Princess Yu raised her willow-leaf eyebrows, "Doctor Wei is truly a miracle physician, able to diagnose my sleeplessness."
Wei Caiwei thought to herself: If I were in your position—with no money, a husband who shirks all responsibility, obsessed only with quarreling with his father, leaving me to manage this decaying household alone—even the most capable woman would struggle to make bricks without straw. I, too, would be too worried to sleep.Wei Caiwei wrote out the prescription. Princess Yu pointed to Li Jiubao, who had been silently maintaining an apologetic smile, and said, "Select Attendant Li is an old acquaintance of Doctor Wei. I heard you were even neighbors. Since old friends are reunited, you must have many private matters to discuss. Select Attendant Li, why don't you take Doctor Wei to your courtyard for a stroll and conversation? It's getting late, nearly dinnertime—please keep Doctor Wei for a meal in the residence."
Wei Caiwei hadn't expected Princess Yu to be so understanding. She quickly expressed her gratitude, as she indeed had matters to discuss with Li Jiubao.
Princess Yu politely demurred, "No need for formalities. The prince's residence offers only humble fare—we apologize for the poor hospitality."
Li Jiubao and Wei Caiwei took sedan chairs to the western annex of the main residence, arriving at an exquisite quadrangle courtyard. Though compact, it was exceptionally tranquil.
Wei Caiwei was secretly astonished. In her previous life, Li Jiubao had only moved here after giving birth to her first son. Before that, she had lived crammed in a single courtyard with over a dozen other selection attendants from the prince's residence, each with just a small room and one maidservant—their living conditions were worse than those of a landowner's daughter.
Why had Li Jiubao moved here earlier in this lifetime?
Once they entered the room, Li Jiubao dismissed the attendants and began their private conversation. "To be frank, when Princess Yu summoned Doctor Wei to prescribe tonic medicine, her true intentions lay elsewhere. She actually needs your help."
Wei Caiwei was taken aback. "She doesn't want to borrow money, does she?" Prince Yu's residence was notoriously impoverished.
This single remark made Li Jiubao laugh. "How could that be? It's not about borrowing money, though it is related to finances. The prince's household has substantial expenses but hasn't had any income for years. When we nine selected women were sent to the residence, Princess Yu had to prepare nine rooms and host a banquet. She barely managed this celebration by secretly pawning a set of gold-inlaid ruby headpieces."
Wei Caiwei grew even more surprised. "Why would Princess Yu disclose such face-losing matters to you?"
Li Jiubao explained, "The new year approaches, and celebrations require significant funds. Princess Yu has reached her limit. Since she needs our help, she had to set aside pride and confide in me. She said that as a member of the prince's household, I should share concerns about expenses and help devise solutions to overcome these difficult times."
Wei Caiwei spread her hands helplessly. "It's the Ministry of Revenue withholding Prince Yu's stipend that has reduced the household to such straits. But how could a mere female physician like me influence the Ministry?"
Li Jiubao continued, "The princess heard that Doctor Wei is acquainted with Noble Consort Shang, the imperial favorite, and learned that Noble Consort Shang and I shared a room during the Imperial Concubine Selection. She also discovered you're currently residing at Lord Lu's residence and have... favorable relations with Commander Lu and Hundred-Household Commander Wang. She hopes to entrust Doctor Wei to approach Lord Lu and Noble Consort Shang, seeking their assistance in compelling the Ministry of Revenue to release the overdue silver and grain allowances."
Li Jiubao gestured around the small courtyard. "I just moved here the day before yesterday. Before that, I was crowded in a single courtyard with the eight other selection attendants, each in our own room. Sometimes when... nocturnal activities... grew too lively, neighboring attendants could hear everything. Actually, the residence has plenty of buildings, but they're all too dilapidated from years of neglect to be habitable."
"Princess Yu shows me special favor precisely because she hopes to leverage Doctor Wei's connections to secure the overdue stipends from the Ministry of Revenue."Li Jiubao pointed to the headdress and Kesi silk robe, "These are Princess Yu's jewelry and clothes, lent to me for receiving guests. They have to be returned by evening. And the Red Gauze Charcoal in this room—Princess Yu is frugal, usually using only ordinary charcoal. She only switches to expensive Red Gauze Charcoal when receiving guests to maintain appearances."
"Us nine selected attendants don't even get charcoal braziers on ordinary days. We just burn the cheapest coal in the heated kang, sitting on it day and night to keep warm while doing needlework. The princely estate can't afford professional embroiderers, so all sewing is done by Princess Yu leading the household members. It's been over a month now with no monthly allowance issued, but none of us dare ask Princess Yu about it."
Wei Caiwei listened in astonishment: I knew Prince Yu's household was poor, but I never realized it had reached such extremes!
Wei Caiwei asked quietly, "Princess Yu wants to use you to solve their urgent financial needs. How does Prince Yu treat you?"
Li Jiubao lowered her head shyly, "It's been two years since the previous Princess Yu passed away, but His Highness still constantly remembers his first wife. He moved all her belongings to his front study, often looking at them to cherish her memory. Even the current Princess Yu isn't allowed to enter. As a mere concubine, I have even less standing there. I just happen to be slightly more attractive than others, so I receive some favor."
Li Jiubao was being rather modest. Prince Yu, still immersed in grief over losing his wife, daughter, and son, rarely favored any consorts. Among Prince Yu's concubines, she could be considered "highly favored."
Li Jiubao wasn't optimistic about her situation, "How long can one rely on looks to please others? After the novelty fades in a few days, if I still haven't produced an heir, I'll probably be cast aside."
Wei Caiwei quickly comforted her, "You're only sixteen, there's no hurry. Giving birth at this age would be hard on you, and the child would be prone to health issues. First focus on recuperating your health. In a couple of years, there will surely be good news."
Rather than having a child with poor health who might die young, it was better not to have one at all.
Wei Caiwei took Li Jiubao's pulse and found her vitality depleted and lower energy deficient. She asked, "Don't you often suffer from cold abdominal pain during menstruation, sometimes so severe you can't bear it?"
Li Jiubao nodded repeatedly, "Exactly, especially in cold weather when I have to wash vegetables, dishes, and clothes in cold water, the pain becomes intense. But most girls from Machang Hutong experience this—we're not that delicate. When it hurts badly, we just endure it until it passes. No one would see a doctor for this."
Li Jiubao came from humble origins, with her mother having passed away early, leaving her to handle all household chores alone.
Wei Caiwei said, "Your womb is deficient and cold, making it difficult to conceive and nurture an embryo now."
Hearing this, Li Jiubao turned pale.
Wei Caiwei asked about her menstrual cycle and, learning it was due soon this month, hurriedly had Li Jiubao lie down. She applied moxibustion with mugwort sticks to four acupoints: Qihai, Guanyuan, Zhongji, and Qichong.
After the moxibustion, Wei Caiwei prescribed Fleeceflower Root Pills for her to take dissolved in warm wine during each period, saying, "From now on, five to ten days before your period each month, I'll come to perform moxibustion once or twice. Your periods won't be so uncomfortable then. Physical depletion didn't happen overnight, and recovery takes time too. Try to relax."
Regarding treating Li Jiubao's condition, Wei Caiwei said, "About getting the Ministry of Revenue to repay the debt, I'll discuss it with friends after I return and think of ways. But my words carry little weight, so I can't make any promises. If this can really be accomplished, your life in Prince Yu's household should improve somewhat."Wei Caiwei comforted the disheartened Li Jiubao, though she herself felt rather pessimistic about the situation: Yan Shifan was a greedy miser—giving him money was easy, but trying to get money out of him was harder than climbing up to the sky!
Author's Note: Note 1, from Tan Yunxian's "Miscellaneous Records of a Female Doctor," section on infertility, and the mention of fleeceflower root (He Shou Wu) as well.
Yan Shifan glared with his single eye: I heard someone’s asking me for money?
Wei Caiwei: Me, the female lead, pay up!
This chapter gives away 100 red envelopes. Wishing everyone a happy weekend—stay cheerful!
OpenNovel