Chai Yingluo suddenly beamed at Consort Yin with a soft chuckle, speaking gently, "Madam, you're being overly cautious. If I weren't absolutely certain, how would I dare to privately add medicine for the Supreme Emperor? This 'Snow Ginseng Soul-Soothing Pill' has been personally tasted by His Majesty and the Empress, and reviewed by the imperial physicians. All agree it complements the 'Licorice Ginseng Soup' perfectly, with mutual benefits."
Without waiting for Consort Yin's response, the female Taoist bent over to speak to the bedridden Supreme Emperor Li Yuan, coaxing him like a baby in a low voice:
"Grandfather, your granddaughter has brought a new pill—sweet and fragrant. Would you like to try it?"
The elderly man on the bed groaned faintly with closed eyes, unclear if it was a response. Consort Yin had already regained her composure and smiled awkwardly:
"High Truth Master, as the imperial-appointed divine physician and the Supreme Emperor's most beloved granddaughter, your elixirs are naturally trustworthy. I'm merely cautious due to the weight of my responsibilities."
As she spoke, she allowed Wei Shufen to slide the pill from her palm into the steaming medicinal broth. The small, pale-yellow pellet didn't dissolve easily, bobbing up and down in the dark-brown liquid.
Chai Yingluo took a testing cup from a palace maid nearby, watching as Consort Yin held the medicine bowl with a padded cloth. Softly, she chanted:
"Yellow Green Profound Radiance, Primordial Yin Ascending Qi, Dispersing Luxuriant Cold Gales, Ordered Spirit Restraining Stomach, Spirit Wave Orchid Tip, Erect Ablution Halting Vessel, Moon Essence Night Scene, Profound Palace Supreme Noble, Remote Yin Triple Harmony, Light Profound Myriad Directions, Harmonizing Soul Controlling Spirit, Five Embryos Circulating, Riding Clouds Flying Essence. Yellow Returning Red Revolving, Supreme Essence Life Gate, Transforming Spirit Reversing Life, Six Harmonies Interacting, Form and Appearance Radiant, Jade Maiden Serves the Body..."
Under her murmurs and the watchful eyes of everyone in the room, the small pill gradually dissolved, merging with the broth. Chai Yingluo sighed in relief:
"To be honest, Madam Yin, this 'Snow Ginseng Soul-Soothing Pill' is extremely delicate. Beyond the alchemy and storage, it must not be exposed to the slightest yang energy before consumption—only a pure yin maiden can handle it. Since I don't qualify, I specially brought Miss Wei here..."
Her lips curled into a smile as she spoke, her eyes darting mischievously with self-deprecating understanding, prompting Consort Yin to laugh as well, easing the previously tense atmosphere.
"Ah, the medicine should be ready now," the Taoist nun peered into the bowl. "Shall I test a sip for the Supreme Emperor first?"
It was customary for physicians to taste medicine for noble patients, juniors for elders, and subordinates for their lords. Consort Yin seemed pleased, ladling a few spoonfuls into the testing cup with a silver spoon. As Chai Yingluo raised the cup to drink, she suddenly paused and laughed:
"Almost forgot—A Fen, show me your palm."
Wei Shufen, puzzled, opened her right palm for inspection. Under everyone's gaze, her palm appeared pink and flawless, without any abnormality.
"Good," Chai Yingluo nodded approvingly. "'Form and Appearance Radiant, Jade Maiden Serves the Body'—only an untouched pure yin vessel ensures the pill's purity and potency..."
As she spoke, she raised the testing cup and took a large gulp, grimacing playfully before wiping her mouth with a handkerchief from her sleeve:
"So bitter—but at least it's not scalding anymore. I think it's ready for the Supreme Emperor. What do you say, Madam Yin?"Consort Yin hesitated for a moment, then without using another testing cup, she tasted the remaining half-bowl of medicinal soup that Chai Yingluo had drunk from. Shaking her head, she said, "No, it's still too hot. His Majesty is elderly and cannot handle sudden stimulation. If it's this hot, he'll vomit it back up."
"Naturally, it's up to you to decide... Ah, who else could be as devoted as you, serving tirelessly day and night..."
As the two women spoke, they stirred the medicine with a silver spoon. After a while, they scooped a few spoonfuls of the dark liquid into a testing cup and each took a sip. Finally, Consort Yin deemed the temperature suitable. Chai Yingluo then half-lifted her grandfather, letting him lean against her arm while Consort Yin fed him the medicine spoon by spoon.
Before the bowl was finished, the Supreme Emperor's breathing grew heavy, and he fell asleep once more. Chai Yingluo gently laid her grandfather back on the bed, tucked him in, and took his wrist to check his pulse. She shook her head at Consort Yin, signaling that the remaining medicine need not be fed.
Several palace maids stepped forward to clear the bowl away. Consort Yin and Chai Yingluo sat by the bed in silence for a while. The female Taoist released her grandfather's wrist, tucked it back under the covers, and checked the other wrist before smiling at Consort Yin.
"His Majesty's pulse is steadier and stronger, and his complexion is rosier—just as it should be with the vitality of early spring. The careful warmth and nourishment through the winter have clearly borne fruit, all thanks to your hard work, Consort Yin."
Consort Yin smiled faintly in return. "It is merely our duty as concubines—what hardship is there? Beyond loyalty to the sovereign, I was fated in my past life to serve His Majesty for a lifetime. As the High Truth Master knows, since his illness last autumn, the moment His Majesty opens his eyes, he calls for 'Ah Yin.' If I don't answer immediately, he grows anxious. I dare not leave this room for even a moment..."
Beside the large bed stood a small couch with simple bedding but no curtains—likely where Consort Yin slept at night. The lack of privacy was to ensure she could hear the Supreme Emperor's calls and that he could see her the moment he awoke. Thinking this, Wei Shufen suddenly felt a mix of pity and respect for Consort Yin. Her own mother had been frequently ill in recent years, and she knew all too well how exhausting it was to care for the sick.
"Caring for His Majesty is already a heavy responsibility, and as the highest-ranking consort in Great Peace Palace, you must also oversee palace affairs. It cannot be easy," Chai Yingluo sighed. "To be honest, on my way into the palace, I encountered my Fourteenth Uncle, Prince Wu. He had heard from someone that his younger sister, the Seventeenth Miss, had fallen ill and was deeply worried. He asked me to check on her as well. Would you permit it, Consort Yin?"
"The Seventeenth Miss is ill?" Consort Yin was taken aback. "That can't be—I saw her just last night, and the girl was perfectly fine. It must be a misunderstanding or idle gossip that reached Fourteenth Young Master. Ah, these youngsters!"
"If she's not ill, all the better. I'll take a quick look at her and reassure Fourteenth Uncle that she's well. Then he can find out which wretched servant spread the rumor and deal with them accordingly," the female Taoist said, rising to her feet.
"Wait," Consort Yin mused, her smile turning cold. "Ever since the mother of Fourteenth Young Master and the Seventeenth Miss passed away, there have been whispers in the palace. His Majesty dotes on his youngest daughter and asked me to take her in so he could see her often. Even this has given rise to slander... Very well, let's summon the Seventeenth Miss here and have the High Truth Master examine her in person."A palace maid was dispatched to summon the Seventeenth Princess. Chai Yingluo seemed to have no excuse to stop her, rolling her eyes before forcing an apologetic smile toward Consort Yin:
"Your words are absolutely right, my lady. In the depths of the palace, nothing is more detestable than the petty servants who spread rumors. But if I may say, you’ve been tirelessly attending to the Supreme Emperor day and night—it must be exhausting. Raising a twelve-year-old girl isn’t easy either. Perhaps it would be better to entrust Seventeenth Aunt to another consort’s care?"
Wasn’t this like asking a tiger for its skin? Wei Shufen watched Chai Yingluo’s slightly awkward expression and couldn’t help but feel embarrassed for her. Sure enough, Consort Yin smiled and flatly refused:
"This is the Supreme Emperor’s decree—I dare not shirk my duty, no matter how tiring. Besides, Seventeenth Miss is quite obedient and hasn’t troubled me much… Ah…"
She yawned, her expression growing languid, perhaps because, seeing the Supreme Emperor asleep, her own exhaustion had caught up with her. Just then, the palace maid led in a young girl with twin buns coiled atop her head, stepping around the screen. Chai Yingluo called out, "Seventeenth Aunt!" and hurried forward, taking her hand to check her pulse and ask questions.
Li Yuangui’s younger sister by the same mother, the seventeenth daughter of the Supreme Emperor, was also rather slender, her features bearing some resemblance to her brother. Outwardly, she showed no obvious signs of illness, but her expression was anxious and tense, her eyes darting repeatedly toward Consort Yin as if every nod, every word required the foster mother’s approval:
"I’m not sick… My head doesn’t hurt… Nothing hurts… No fever… I’m fine…"
Chai Yingluo crouched slightly, carefully checking the princess’s pulse on both wrists, then felt her forehead and asked her to "stick out your tongue and let me see." Consort Yin remained seated by the Supreme Emperor’s bed, a mocking smile on her lips as she watched, making no move to interfere—utterly confident that no fault could be found.
Finally, the female Taoist sighed, seemingly conceding that the girl was indeed not ill. Taking her hand, she led her to the bedside and bowed slightly to Consort Yin. "Lady Yin has taken such devoted care of Seventeenth Aunt—Yingluo is reassured. After leaving the palace, I’ll speak to Fourteenth Uncle and tell him not to believe the rumors…"
Her tone was meek, an admission of defeat and an attempt at appeasement. Consort Yin yawned again, barely keeping her eyes open as she replied, "Good. I’m tired…"
"Oh, since Seventeenth Aunt is here, let me explain the 'Snow Ginseng Soul-Soothing Pill' to her," Chai Yingluo said, pointing to the small celadon vial already placed on the bedside table. "From now on, when serving the Supreme Emperor this medicine, Seventeenth Aunt is the perfect choice—a pure yin maiden, and she shares blood ties with the patient. The yin energy will be more easily absorbed into the medicine…"
"Mmm, go ahead and tell her…" Consort Yin’s eyelids drooped heavily, her body swaying slightly.
Wei Shufen had just begun to sense something amiss when Chai Yingluo swiftly stepped forward to support Consort Yin, lifting her and settling her onto the small couch by the bed, sighing:
"Ah, Lady Yin, you’re truly exhausted. Day and night, enduring such strain—how can a delicate woman bear it? Rest for a while. Seventeenth Aunt and I will watch over the Supreme Emperor in your stead—it’s only right that we, as his daughter and granddaughter, do our part…"
Two palace maids—naturally, Consort Yin’s trusted confidantes—also stepped forward to help settle her. Seeing her peaceful expression, warm body, and steady breathing—clearly asleep—they exchanged a glance but said nothing.After settling Consort Yin properly, Chai Yingluo pulled the seventeenth princess to the dining table and pointed at the small celadon vial on the wooden tray, whispering, "Listen carefully. There are many taboos when taking this 'Snow Ginseng Soul-Soothing Pill,' such as—"
She suddenly looked up, glanced at the two palace maids, and frowned. "You two, step outside. Taking elixirs is most sensitive to disturbances and crowds. If any secrets are accidentally revealed, you can't bear the consequences."
Wei Shufen thought the female Taoist was spinning increasingly outrageous lies... Suppressing a laugh, she noticed the two maids glancing helplessly at the unconscious Consort Yin. Chai Yingluo then adopted her abbess demeanor and commanded sharply, "Out!" The two maids bowed their heads and hurriedly retreated beyond the large screen.
Chai Yingluo sighed, wrapping an arm around the slender shoulders of the seventeenth princess and whispering something into her ear. Though Wei Shufen stood close, she couldn't make out the words. She only saw tears welling up in the little girl's eyes, her gaze repeatedly darting toward Consort Yin on the small couch, shaking her head in refusal.
The female Taoist persisted in her persuasion and finally knelt on one knee, placing a hand on the child's cheek and locking eyes with her. In a deep, authoritative voice, she said, "Your fourteenth brother is waiting for you right outside the door!"
Consort Yin stirred slightly on the couch, letting out a faint moan as if she might wake. Startled, the seventeenth princess threw herself into Chai Yingluo's arms, sobbing out a reply. The Taoist exhaled in relief, standing up while holding the princess and adopting a lighter, cheerful tone:
"Yes, Lady Yin, go back to sleep. The Supreme Emperor is resting peacefully too. The seventeenth princess and I will take a short walk to teach her how to absorb the Primordial Yin Ascending Qi. We'll return soon."
This was clearly meant for the maids outside the screen. As she spoke, Chai Yingluo subtly gestured toward Consort Yin on the couch, signaling Wei Shufen. Suddenly enlightened, Wei Shufen tiptoed over and crouched by the couch, mimicking a drowsy, half-asleep voice:
"Mm... go ahead..."
The three women quietly slipped past the large screen, where the two maids indeed stood waiting. Chai Yingluo shook her head at them preemptively and lowered her voice. "Lady Yin has finally managed to rest. No one is to disturb her. Stay here and attend—do not enter unless summoned by the Supreme Emperor or Lady Yin!"
The order sounded reasonable, leaving the maids no choice but to murmur assent. Still muttering about "pure yin... elixir bait..." the female Taoist calmly led the princess toward the palace doors with measured steps.
Wei Shufen trailed behind them, head bowed, her heart pounding like a street drum.
This was broad daylight—they were abducting a princess right from the Supreme Emperor's bedchamber.
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