The two of them held each other’s gaze for only a brief instant before each looked away.

Empress Xu sat upon the bed. She could not clearly make out Ling Jingshu’s expression, but she could see Wei Yan’s face with perfect clarity.

Wei Yan pressed his thin lips together. His handsome face was utterly devoid of expression, and his voice was flat and even, betraying neither pleasure nor irritation: “Very well. Since Your Majesty insists and Miss Ling is willing, this official will take Miss Ling’s pulse. Please, Miss Ling, come and take a seat here.”

Ling Jingshu gave a soft word of assent, lowered her head slightly, stepped forward, and sat down in the chair.

Wei Yan also sat down, and said without inflection: “Please extend your right hand, Miss Ling.”

Ling Jingshu did as instructed, extending her right hand. From the wide sleeve emerged a section of her wrist, pale as snow.

Wei Yan did not hesitate. He extended his fingers and rested them gently on Ling Jingshu’s wrist.

Empress Xu’s gaze was fixed intently on Ling Jingshu’s face, her body unconsciously leaning forward slightly, afraid to miss even the smallest detail.

The moment Wei Yan’s fingers settled on Ling Jingshu’s wrist, her body shuddered involuntarily, however slightly. The color drained instantly from her pretty face. Her lips moved — and then she turned her head away and retched.

No matter how beautiful a person may be, they look nothing of the sort in the act of vomiting.

Wei Yan was very close to her — close enough to see clearly the beads of sweat rolling down her pallid cheeks, and the tears brimming in her eyes from the violent heaving.

He could not allow himself to show excessive concern. He could not draw closer and wipe the cold sweat from her brow. All he could do was maintain a stiff expression and watch helplessly as she suffered through this agony.

This was the most wretched he had ever seen Ling Jingshu.

And this was also the moment he found her most beautiful.

He heard his own heart beat violently — beating for her.

So this was what it felt like to care for someone. To be torn apart by her pain, to be tormented by his own helplessness, to wish he could take her place.

Twenty-four years of living, and he had finally been moved by a woman.

…

Ling Jingshu’s expression was one of evident suffering, her forehead drenched in cold sweat.

Such an expression and reaction could never have been feigned.

Empress Xu was finally at ease. Then she knitted her brows: “Someone come — quickly help Miss Ling to the adjoining room, find her a fresh set of garments to change into, and have her wash up properly before returning. And clean up the floor.”

At Empress Xu’s command, several palace maids stepped forward at once. Two of them supported Ling Jingshu and took her to the next room. Two others busied themselves cleaning and tidying, then opened the windows to air the room out.

Once everything was set in order, Empress Xu sighed: “Truly, I never imagined her strange ailment was so pronounced — she cannot even endure having her pulse taken. What is to become of her from now on? I suppose there is simply no way to treat it.”

At this point, Empress Xu at last let out a genuine sigh of relief.

No matter how beautiful, how intelligent, how endearing Ling Jingshu might be — it was all for nothing. With such a strange ailment, she could not come into contact with any man whatsoever.

Wei Yan was no fool. How could he possibly fall for someone like that?

Wei Yan lowered his eyes, concealing the revulsion and hatred in their depths, allowing a trace of regret and resignation to seep into his voice: “Indeed. Without being able to take her pulse, one can only prescribe mild tonics to maintain her health. I’m afraid a cure is most unlikely.”

Empress Xu sighed again lightly: “She is a pitiful girl at that — in the very bloom of her youth, to have been afflicted with such a condition. In the future, even marriage and children will be difficult for her.”

Whatever the case, she would never allow such a woman to set foot through the doors of Prince Yan’s residence.

It was as though a great stone were pressing down on Wei Yan’s chest, heavy and suffocating. He had no patience whatsoever to continue this performance with the sickening Empress Xu. He pulled the corners of his mouth in a perfunctory gesture and fell silent.

Empress Xu, however, was not about to let him off so easily. She looked at him with an arched brow and a smiling expression: “You have not yet taken this palace’s pulse today!”

At her age, no matter how much powder she applied, it could not conceal the wrinkles at her brow and the corners of her eyes — yet she still fancied herself beautiful and enchanting, brazenly playing the coquette. It was truly nauseating.

Wei Yan was filled with contempt, but replied with composure: “Your Majesty’s complexion is rosy and your color excellent — Your Majesty’s health has largely recovered, and there is no real need to take your pulse.”

Empress Xu cast Wei Yan a sidelong glance, lips curving in a smile that was not quite one: “This palace took special care to apply some powder just now, so as not to frighten Imperial Physician Wei with a sickly face. In truth, this palace still feels drained of all energy and quite unwell.”

Whatever argument he might make, she would insist on having her pulse taken.

Wei Yan said nothing more. He walked to the bedside and took Empress Xu’s pulse.

Today’s pulse-taking was somewhat shorter than usual.

Wei Yan withdrew his hand, rose, stepped back several paces, and bowed his head to report: “Your Majesty’s pulse grows more balanced with each passing day. Continue the current prescription for another two or three days and all will be well.”

Empress Xu gave a sound of acknowledgment and was about to speak when a palace maid entered to report: “Your Majesty, Miss Ling has finished washing up and changing her garments, and wishes to come pay her respects to Your Majesty.”

Empress Xu replied offhandedly: “Let her enter.”

…

Wei Yan instinctively held his breath and looked toward the entrance.

Ling Jingshu had changed into a pink palace gown. Against the pallor of her cheeks, it lent her a touch of color, and she appeared tolerably composed.

Wei Yan could not quite say what he felt in that moment. He forced himself to look away.

Ling Jingshu stepped forward, her face wearing an expression of deep shame, and performed a bow: “This commoner girl lost all propriety in Your Majesty’s presence just now. I beg Your Majesty to forgive me.”

Empress Xu was in rather good spirits at this point and naturally would not take issue over such things. She replied with considerable magnanimity: “This was brought on by your illness — it was no intentional breach of decorum. This palace would not hold it against you.”

“This commoner girl thanks Your Majesty for your gracious forgiveness.”

Ling Jingshu then looked toward Wei Yan: “Imperial Physician Wei — I am truly sorry for what happened just now.”

Vomiting at a man was not only an affront to his dignity as a man, but also to his pride as an imperial physician.

Wei Yan fixed his gaze on Ling Jingshu. His eyes seemed to hold a thousand words, yet his tone was perfectly composed: “It is a small matter. Miss Ling need not trouble herself over it.”

Ling Jingshu spoke again to request her leave: “If Your Majesty has no further instructions, this commoner girl will take her leave.”

The question she had most wanted answered now had its answer. Empress Xu felt no particular desire to detain Ling Jingshu further. She gave a nod and permitted Ling Jingshu to withdraw.

After Ling Jingshu departed, Wei Yan had no desire to linger either, and very shortly took his own leave.

Although Empress Xu was reluctant to see him go, she had no grounds to keep him. She could only watch helplessly as Wei Yan left.

Once out of Jiaofang Hall, Wei Yan hesitated for a moment.

To go to Lingbo Hall now would certainly not escape Empress Xu’s notice. Ling Jingshu had gone to such lengths to dispel Empress Xu’s suspicions. This was not the moment for him to demonstrate any concern for her.

Let it go.

There would be time. There would always be another opportunity.

He would make Empress Xu pay for everything she had done today.

Wei Yan made a most important resolve in his heart, then strode away with long steps.