Wei Yan had not intended to explain in detail, but unable to withstand Ling Jingshu’s questioning, he could only speak in a few low words.
After Ling Jingshu heard, she relaxed somewhat. She thought for a moment and said: “This scheme does carry some risk as well. For the next few days, I’d better not appear before the Emperor.”
Out of sight, out of mind — there would be a little less longing.
Wei Yan agreed completely.
After the two of them had quietly worked out their plan of response, Wei Yan was reluctant to leave and insisted on lingering a moment longer.
There was no need to say much. Just sitting across from each other like this — occasionally meeting each other’s eyes — their hearts were full of happiness.
This kind of feeling had no solemn vows of eternal devotion, nothing of earth-shaking drama. It was perhaps a little tranquil and understated.
And yet, for a Wei Yan who had fought and struggled just to survive, and for a Ling Jingshu who had endured so much suffering and pain, this gentle warmth was exactly right. Like a cup of warm tea held in cupped hands.
Warm enough to comfort the heart — yet not so hot as to scald.
“You’ve stayed long enough today — you should go.” Ling Jingshu finally spoke softly.
Wei Yan murmured his assent, casting a lingering look at her: “Very well, I’ll go now.”
As for other matters, he offered no further instructions.
He knew that she was a woman of cleverness, resilience, and courage. She would certainly do her best to protect herself.
After the door was opened, the two of them returned to their former formal distance.
“Thank you, Imperial Physician Wei, for coming to examine and treat me. Please take care on your way.” Ling Jingshu smiled and dipped in a curtsy.
Wei Yan said with a mild smile: “Female Official Ling need not stand on ceremony. I can see myself out — no need to see me off.” Having said this, he gave a slight bow, turned, and left.
He was tall, with broad shoulders and long legs — and even his retreating figure was remarkably upright and handsome.
Ling Jingshu could not help but look one moment longer before drawing her gaze back.
……
Five days later, the Emperor’s birthday arrived.
In accordance with the Emperor’s wishes, the palace had not held an elaborate birthday banquet. Yet it was the Emperor’s birthday after all, and the requisite pomp and ceremony could not be absent. Civil and military officials had each prepared gifts; the Emperor, on this rare occasion, attended court and received the congratulations of his assembled officials.
That evening, the palace held a palace banquet.
The consorts vied with one another in their adornments, dressing themselves in dazzling splendor. Some played the zither; some offered dances — each displayed her own particular talent, hoping to catch the Emperor’s eye.
The Emperor was in exceptionally fine spirits that day, drank several cups of wine, and in his pleasant haze of slight intoxication, looked on as the consorts fawned and flattered and vied for his attention. With such beauties so eagerly attentive, his heart was even more at ease and content.
After the banquet ended, Eunuch Huang of the Bureau of Affairs arrived with a face wreathed in smiles.
Ever since the incident with Empress Xu, the Emperor had not been without some lingering suspicion toward Eunuch Huang. However, the Emperor had no desire to investigate that unsavory affair to its roots, and simply let it pass in a vague and ambiguous way.
Over the past few months, Eunuch Huang — knowing he had narrowly escaped a calamity — had been especially careful and low-key, rarely appearing before the Emperor except for the customary daily inquiry about whether the Emperor wished to summon a consort for the night.
In recent days, the Emperor had begun visiting the inner court again, and Eunuch Huang had once more become busy.
“This servant wonders which of the ladies’ tokens the Emperor might wish to turn over tonight?” Eunuch Huang personally presented the green-headed tokens and asked with great solicitousness.
The Emperor’s gaze swept over the green-headed tokens.
The inner court had held no large-scale selection of beauties in recent years, and no fresh new faces had been added. All the names on the tokens were familiar ones: Consort Wei, Beauty Wang, Zhāo Consort Zhang… these were the younger consorts; above them were also the names of consorts past their forties — even the thought of them was tedious.
The Emperor hesitated for a moment, and a beautiful smiling face once again flitted across his mind.
So very young. So very fresh and tender. So very pleasing.
Eunuch Huang waited for quite some time without hearing the Emperor speak. He stole a glance upward, saw the Emperor with a look of pensive contemplation, and immediately guessed roughly what was on his mind. He ventured with a cautious smile: “If Your Majesty has someone else in mind, this servant will set aside these green-headed tokens first.”
The Emperor said offhandedly: “Set them aside for now.”
Eunuch Huang answered his assent and placed the neatly arranged green-headed tokens to one side.
Then Eunuch Huang slipped quietly to the Emperor’s side and said with an ingratiating smile: “Today is Your Majesty’s birthday, and this servant has nothing worthy to present as a gift. I have prepared this one vial of Dragon Tiger Pills. These were made by this servant, who engaged a renowned physician from among the people to use mountain tiger bone and the fresh blood of a stag — they are of exceptional tonic value and will cause no harm to the body. A small token of devotion — this servant only hopes Your Majesty will not find it too humble.”
As he spoke, he drew from his bosom a small and elegant lacquered box.
……
When the lacquered box was opened, inside sat a small green jade medicine vial. The vial was exquisite and delicate, semi-translucent, with a faint red visible within.
The Emperor had frequently used various tonic and fortifying medicines in the past, and it was not uncommon for the attendants and eunuchs around him to hunt out such things and present them as offerings — so he found it nothing extraordinary. He only asked with a smile: “Has anyone tested these Dragon Tiger Pills? What are the effects?”
Eunuch Huang said with a soft laugh: “This servant has already secretly arranged for someone to test them — they are somewhat superior to the elixirs Your Majesty has used previously.”
“Oh?” The Emperor immediately grew interested: “Bring them over.”
Eunuch Huang answered his assent and came forward cheerfully, cradling the lacquered box.
The Emperor picked up the green jade vial, turned it over in his hands for a moment, then opened it. Inside were approximately thirty deep crimson pill-shaped pellets, each about the size of a soybean, giving off a wave upon wave of unusual fragrance.
He brought it close to the opening and took a breath — an exotic, intoxicating scent assailed the nostrils, and his spirit was immediately invigorated, his whole body suddenly filled with energy.
A truly rare and fine medicine!
The Emperor’s eyes brightened.
Eunuch Huang’s voice sounded again: “These pill-shaped pellets can both strengthen the body and replenish and consolidate the foundation. One pellet per day is sufficient. This vial contains over thirty pellets — set aside a few for the Imperial Physicians to research and archive, and the remainder will be just enough for Your Majesty to take over one month.”
Even for medicines presented privately, they could not simply enter the Emperor’s mouth at will. At minimum, three or more Imperial Physicians would have to confirm the medicine was harmless before the Emperor would consume it. A portion also had to be retained for storage, so it could be examined and verified at any time in the future.
Eunuch Huang, displaying such tactful awareness of the rules, pleased the Emperor all the more: “It is rare of you to have put in this effort. We will accept it. If this medicine is truly as good as you say, we will certainly reward you handsomely.”
Eunuch Huang’s face nearly blossomed into a flower with delight: “This servant thanks Your Majesty in advance. By the way — which of the ladies does Your Majesty wish to summon for the night tonight? Or shall this servant go and bring over some other tokens for Your Majesty to choose from?”
The Emperor had by now lost most of his inclination, and waved his hand carelessly: “Never mind — we will retire alone tonight.”
Once the Imperial Physicians had verified the medicine, he could consume it and enjoy himself to the fullest at his leisure.
Eunuch Huang smiled his compliance and respectfully withdrew, carrying the tray of green-headed tokens.
Once outside Zichen Palace, the night wind hit him, and Eunuch Huang suddenly realized that his back was already drenched in cold sweat.
He had already followed Imperial Physician Wei’s instructions and delivered this special “gift” into the Emperor’s hands. With Imperial Physician Wei’s skill and ability, these Dragon Tiger Pills would absolutely have no problems whatsoever.
What remained to be done now was to wait in calm patience.