Wei Caiwei immediately checked the breathing of the other four individuals—all were still alive. She promptly opened the door and went out to find Granny Song. "One person has already died. Has anyone entered this room?"
Granny Song hadn't expected a death. After a brief moment of shock, she shook her head and said, "The door wasn't locked, but those five went mad last night, even convulsing as if possessed by evil spirits. No one dared to come near this place, so it's unlikely anyone entered."
Just then, Huang Jin, the Directorate of Ceremonial Affairs, Supervising Eunuch, arrived upon hearing the news. He immediately ordered the Valiant Warriors Battalion of the Imperial Stables to carry away the four survivors and the corpse. "To protect the nobles and His Majesty's health, neither the sick nor the dead can remain in the palace. Send the four still breathing to the Hall of Peaceful Joy for treatment—they may return to duty once recovered. The body must be removed from the Forbidden City through the back gate immediately and not remain here."
Wei Caiwei urgently interjected, "The cause of this person's death is unclear. Could the body be kept at the Hall of Peaceful Joy for an autopsy before cremation?"
"No," Huang Jin stated firmly. "The Blue Immortal has said that those killed by evil spirits carry impurities and must be cremated at once. What use is an autopsy for someone who died from possession?"
Hearing this, Wei Caiwei instantly understood it was all part of Lan Daohang's scheme—murder to silence witnesses, then destroy the evidence.
As a mere female physician, Wei Caiwei had no grounds to dispute Huang Jin's orders. Yet, she refused to give up easily; there was still a chance to expose this charlatan's deceit.
Without even taking time to don her gray squirrel fur cloak, Wei Caiwei grabbed an iron shovel used for scooping charcoal and rushed out. In her desperation, she could only rely on luck.
She surmised that when the Embroidered Uniform Guard heard the commotion and rushed to the scene, the palace servants feigning madness wouldn't have had time to go far to bury the dog's corpse. Thus, the most likely burial spot was the nearest pine and cypress potted plant to the incident location.
Exiting the palace into the courtyard, Wei Caiwei was taken aback to find all the pine and cypress pots gone, replaced by pots of wintersweet shrubs budding with flowers.
She asked a sweeping servant, "When were the pots changed? Who ordered it?The servant replied, "The Blue Immortal said the placement of the pine and cypress bonsai affected the feng shui of the Palace of Accumulated Virtue, making it prone to evil spirits." Wintersweet symbolizes the five blessings, and since it's winter, it's seasonally appropriate. So, all the courtyard's pines and cypresses were replaced with wintersweet."
Wei Caiwei's hand trembled as she gripped the shovel, though she forced a smile onto her face. "The Blue Immortal is truly... considerate."
She was too late.
In this life, I stand alone and unsupported. Chen Jingji is not yet influential, while Lan Daohang's power in the palace is deeply entrenched. I cannot contend with him.
Must I wait another four years, as in my previous life, until Chen Jingji has grown his wings and gained the ability to assist me, before we can send Lan Daohang to the underworld?
A northern wind howled past, chilling Wei Caiwei's heart even more than the icy blast.
"Doctor Wei, why have you come out with a shovel?" Lan Daohang, holding a stack of talismans freshly inscribed with cinnabar to present to Noble Lady Shang, spotted Wei Caiwei in the courtyard, lost in thought before a pot of wintersweet.
Now was not the time to reveal her knowledge of Lan Daohang's trickery. Wei Caiwei explained, "It's an old habit from practicing medicine—when I see medicinal herbs, I feel compelled to gather them, or else I fear I've missed something valuable. I came out for a morning stroll and noticed parasitic poria cocos at the roots of the pine and cypress pots. Poria cocos roots are commonly used in medicine, typically parasitic on pine roots. I brought the shovel to dig them up, but I arrived too late; they've been replaced with wintersweet trees."Lan Daohang praised, "A doctor's benevolent heart is always focused on treating illnesses and saving lives. Doctor Wei, despite her young age, possesses such remarkable medical skills. It was through her acupuncture and prescriptions that Noble Lady Shang turned critical to stable last night. I deeply admire her."
Wei Caiwei smiled, "I'm ashamed, truly ashamed. It was the Blue Immortal's profound power, ascending the altar to perform rituals and subdue demons, who captured the Dark Spectre monster at its root that allowed Noble Lady Shang to recover. My medical skills were merely adding flowers to brocade."
The two exchanged compliments, filling the air with a cheerful atmosphere.
After delivering the talisman to Noble Lady Shang, Lan Daohang returned to the Taoist temple in the Western Garden and asked a imperial physician, "Does wild poria grow under pine trees?"
The physician kowtowed and replied, "Poria indeed clings to trees as it grows."
Hearing this, Lan Daohang set aside his suspicions and no longer doubted Wei Caiwei.
Wei Caiwei stayed in Yu De Palace for nearly a month—until Consort Shang (that's right, Shang Qinglan had been promoted two ranks consecutively; to comfort his frightened favored consort, the Jiajing Emperor skipped the rank of Jieyu and directly appointed her as Zhaoyi).
Only when Consort Shang fully recovered—even gaining two jin in weight and restoring her rosy, radiant complexion—did Wei Caiwei leave the palace. During this month, Consort Shang had shared almost everything with her, and their relationship grew even closer.
Currently isolated and outmatched against Lan Daohang, Wei Caiwei first secured Shang Qinglan's trust, joking and playing with her. As long as Shang Qinglan liked her, there would be plenty of time and opportunities ahead.
Fortunately, Shang Qinglan was broad-minded, the type to forget the pain once the wound healed. After the Dark Spectre incident, she did respect Lan Daohang more than before, carrying his talisman in a pouch on her person at all times, but respect was not affection.
Lan Daohang had to maintain the image of an aloof, desire-free living immortal. Though he intended to win over Shang Qinglan, her lively nature kept her respectfully distant from this "living immortal" who had eliminated the Dark Spectre, leaving him unable to control her.
Shang Qinglan bestowed many more rewards, saying, "This consort doesn't know why she feels such a special connection with Doctor Wei. I only know that speaking with you requires no effort at all—you understand me better than my own father. Before I even open my mouth, you know what I mean. This consort considered keeping you in the palace as a female official to accompany me forever, but..."
"You have your own life. Always being in the palace with fine clothes and food can become tiresome and lacks freedom. Outside, you have friends and might eventually meet someone you like to marry. If you stayed in the palace, you could only form a eunuch and maid pairing. Soon it will be the twelfth lunar month, and the New Year approaches. Go back and prepare some things to celebrate the New Year joyfully. If there are any fun or novel happenings in the outside markets, tell this consort about them next time you enter the palace."
Shang Qinglan wasn't truly foolish or solely self-centered; she actually understood much more. She had even corrected her improper use of "I" and accustomed herself to referring to herself as "this consort."
Wei Caiwei was deeply moved, "Your Highness is a fortunate person. Try to live each day as happily as possible and enjoy a smooth-sailing life."
Shang Qinglan laughed heartily, "I'll take your auspicious words."
Wei Caiwei glanced at the pouch at Shang Qinglan's waist, "Your Highness must always keep the Blue Immortal's talisman with you, especially when outside. Remember this."
The reason was simple: the Dark Spectre was artificially created by Lan Daohang, and the talisman was also drawn by him. As long as Shang Qinglan kept the talisman with her, Lan Daohang would not release another Dark Spectre to frighten her.
Because doing so would prove that Lan Daohang's talismans were ineffective and that he was no immortal.Shang Qinglan patted her purse. "I understand, you can rest assured and return home."
This time, because Wei Caiwei had revived Shang Qinglan, even the Jiajing Emperor had bestowed gifts—enough to fill five carriages. She selected the finest pieces to present to Li Yiren, the head of the Lu residence, and took the opportunity to bid farewell. "Thank you for your hospitality, Lady Li. With the New Year approaching, I must return home."
Now that Wei Caiwei was a favorite of Consort Shang, Li Yiren's attitude toward her was naturally different from before. Moreover, Li Yiren already regarded Wang Daxia as her future son-in-law, so it was hardly appropriate to keep his "former romantic interest" in the house for the New Year. After exchanging a few pleasantries, Li Yiren served tea to signal the end of the visit.
After taking leave of Li Yiren, Wei Caiwei did not head straight home. Instead, she directed her carriage to Prince Yu's residence—she had made an appointment with Li Jiubao the previous month to visit her a few days before each menstrual cycle for acupuncture treatment. This was to address Li Jiubao's uterine deficiency and coldness, which made conception difficult, and to help regulate her body.
Whether it was herself, Chen Jingji, or even Wang Daxia, Lu Ying, and the currently prominent Shang Qinglan, they would all rely on Li Jiubao's protection in the future.
Arriving at the side gate of Prince Yu's residence, she handed her palace female physician name card to the guard at the door. "Please deliver this to Li Xuanshi in the residence."
As a mere low-ranking concubine, Li Jiubao had no authority in the inner quarters. She first needed to obtain Princess Yu's permission before summoning Wei Caiwei for the medical visit.
Since the wait might be lengthy and the carriage was cold, the guard invited Wei Caiwei to step down and wait in the duty room, where a stove had been lit.
Wei Caiwei thanked him and, clutching her gold-inlaid gemstone hand warmer—a luxury item, of course, gifted by Consort Shang—followed the guard through the western side gate.
As soon as she stepped inside, she sensed something amiss: the gate was different. Last time she visited, the side gate's paint had long been neglected, with patches of red lacquer dried and peeling in the wind and dust, scattering like dandruff everywhere.
Now, however, the western side gate had been sanded down to remove the old paint and coated with a deep crimson lacquer as red as blood, looking as good as new and lending some grandeur befitting a prince's residence.
What was going on? Wasn't Prince Yu's residence so impoverished that Princess Yu had to pawn her jewelry to make ends meet, even desperately seeking help from someone like me? How could they afford the leisure to repaint the gate?
Perhaps, with the New Year approaching, they had gritted their teeth and pawned more jewelry to repaint the gate for the sake of appearances?
While waiting to be summoned, Wei Caiwei pondered how to apologize to Princess Yu. She truly had no ability to help her press Yan Shifan, the Vice Minister of Revenue, to release the two years' worth of stipends owed to Prince Yu's residence.
Even Lu Ying had said it was impossible unless Prince Yu himself bribed Yan Shifan with money. Yet, Wei Caiwei couldn't even get an audience with Prince Yu, let alone persuade the disheartened prince to lower himself and offer bribes to Yan Shifan.
At least for now, Wei Caiwei lacked the capability. She was powerless in this matter, just as she was still unable to expose Lan Daohang's true nature. She was too weak.
Before long, a stewardess came to escort Wei Caiwei. Wearing a smile, she warmly invited Wei Caiwei to board the residence's carriage.
Wei Caiwei thought to herself: Once I apologize to your princess, you probably won't be smiling anymore.
Inside the carriage, a brazier was lit, and it was even burning expensive Red Gauze Charcoal!
Wei Caiwei mused: This reception is far too lavish! Why would you use Red Gauze Charcoal, which even your princess hesitates to use, for a mere female physician like me?Does the Princess Consort think I came to bring her good news?
Oh no, the higher the hopes, the greater the disappointment.
As she pondered this, the carriage began moving. Soon, Wei Caiwei heard clinking sounds. She lifted the cotton curtain of the carriage compartment and saw groups of craftsmen repairing crooked or collapsed courtyard walls.
Not only that, but some craftsmen were holding long bamboo poles, applying lime to the newly repaired walls. Row upon row of whitewashed walls looked brand new, giving off some of the grandeur befitting an imperial prince's residence.
If painting the main gate was for saving face, then repairing the inner passageway walls was for practical substance.
Given Prince Yu's current impoverished state of living by pawning belongings, was there any need to worry about practical substance?
Wei Caiwei arrived at the inner quarters of the residence full of questions, where Li Jiubao unexpectedly greeted her at the courtyard gate wearing a brand new fox fur robe!
This was far too grand a reception! Having failed to bring any money, Wei Caiwei felt quite guilty. After alighting from the carriage, she leaned close to Li Jiubao to exchange private words: "What's going on? Why would the Princess Consort have you lower yourself to greet me? And how did your residence's pothole-ridden roads get repaired so smoothly? In less than a month, Prince Yu's residence has undergone such dramatic changes."
Wei Caiwei was bewildered, but Li Jiubao was even more confused. "Because Doctor Wei is the savior of Prince Yu's residence! After you spoke with Vice Minister Yan, the Ministry of Revenue immediately delivered all the withheld salaries from the past two years. With money in hand, the Princess Consort naturally wants to properly celebrate the New Year."
Wei Caiwei exclaimed in surprise: "It wasn't me, I didn't do it, impossible. Never mind that my words carry little weight and I couldn't possibly have influence. I've been in the palace all month and haven't even seen Vice Minister Yan's face. How could I possibly have persuaded him to repay the money?"
Li Jiubao laughed: "Doctor Wei, please don't be modest. Other than you, the Princess Consort hasn't asked anyone else for help."
Author's note: Everyone can guess why Vice Minister Yan acted out of character. Some readers didn't understand last chapter's note - why three people make a six-way romance? Let me count them out for you on my fingers: Wang Daxia and Wei Caiwei, male-attired Lu Ying and Wei Caiwei, female-attired Lu Ying and Wang Daxia, male-attired Lu Ying and Wang Daxia, male-attired Lu Ying with both Wang Daxia and Wei Caiwei (covering both bullying men and dominating women), and female-attired Lu Ying and Wei Caiwei. So three people can form six pairings, including BL, BG, GL, and even NP. Of course, only one pairing is real - the others are all rumors. Now you finally... are you completely confused?
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