Li Dafeng never expected that after living in the suburbs for over a month and resisting the temptation of the nearby Princess’s residence, he would falter in the last dozen or so days before leaving Chang’an. He now found himself rushing to the Princess’s residence daily, staying from morning until night.

Yet despite being busy all day, he rarely caught sight of the mistress of the residence, seeing only her numerous male companions with their dizzying array of faces.

For the first two days, there was only Jiang Jin Yue as a patient. On the third day, Bao Jia said, “I see that Master Li’s medical skills now surpass those of the palace physicians. Since you’re already here, could Master Li help me by checking the pulses of all my companions and improving their health, so they can better serve the Princess’s residence in the future?”

Improving their health so they could better serve the Princess’s residence, making them more capable of satisfying the Princess when attending to her, he understood her implied meaning. After a long silence, he had no reason to refuse this seemingly reasonable request.

The Princess’s residence specially designated a courtyard for him, where he sat treating those companions.

Eight companions, each wearing flowing white robes, lined up neatly before him. This one had a figure like his, that one had eyes like his, another had a nose like his, yet another had lips like his. The shock of seeing it firsthand far exceeded Jiang Zhiyi’s casual remark: “Why do you, Military Physician, look so similar to Elder Sister Bao Jia’s male companions?”

He sat behind the table, watching them take turns coming forward. His fingertips felt numb as he took their pulses, and when writing prescriptions, each stroke of the brush seemed to float.

These companions also felt threatened by his arrival, especially when they discovered he embodied all their distinct features. Like Jiang Jin Yue from the other day, their gazes were complex, as if facing a formidable enemy, fearing he might steal their current favor.

He became the “outsider” they all united against. While waiting for their consultations, they chatted idly, each vying to demonstrate their status, each showing off their unique standing—

“The Princess celebrated my birthday a few days ago. This is my third year in the residence, and every year on my birthday, the Princess has the kitchen make me a bowl of longevity noodles, and she watches me eat it completely.”

“On New Year’s Eve, the Princess returned late and saw that I had fallen asleep waiting for her outside. She escorted me back to my room.”

“The Lantern Festival is coming soon. The Princess said she would take me out to see the lanterns this year, just the two of us.”

From a pavilion not far away, Bao Jia leaned by the window, listening to the noisy chatter below, watching Li Dafeng expressionlessly taking pulses, as if he wished he had no ears. She laughed uncontrollably.

Jiang Jin Yue had fallen ill late on New Year’s Eve. Imperial Physician Xu said he could only temporarily suppress the condition and reduce the frequency of convulsions, but couldn’t guarantee a cure. She truly felt responsible and had been personally caring for Jiang Jin Yue during those days.

After all, Ruyi was the cat she had entrusted to Jiang Jin Yue’s care. Knowing Ruyi was her beloved pet, Jiang Jin Yue had been trying to build a good relationship with the cat, hoping to get closer to her through Ruyi. That’s why he didn’t dare mention being scratched, which led to the wound not being treated promptly.

If Jiang Jin Yue had lost his life because of this, she would have found it truly difficult to forgive herself. In those days, she was indeed anxiously summoning all the palace physicians and naturally had no time to think about Li Dafeng’s matters.

Yet somehow Li Dafeng had received the news and mistakenly thought she was the one who had fallen ill.

Since he had already come, she decided to go with the flow. Seeing that Jiang Jin Yue’s condition had stabilized over the past couple of days, she might as well make the most of Master Li’s remaining energy.

As Bao Jia was watching the lively scene in the courtyard, she suddenly saw Li Dafeng’s expression change. His calm face seemed to crack, as if he had detected an unusual pulse.

Bao Jia leaned out to look at the man sitting across from Li Dafeng and recognized him.

This man was named Liu Linfei, who had entered her residence around the beginning of last year. In terms of appearance, he was admittedly the most handsome among her companions, not inferior even to Li Dafeng.

But shortly after entering the residence, Liu Linfei had begun some dishonest practices, stealing items from the residence to pawn for money.

She had always been generous with expenses and never mistreated those in her residence. Naturally, she was angry when she found out.

However, considering it was his first offense, she didn’t report him to the authorities. She had intended to simply dismiss him from the residence, but Liu Linfei begged desperately, saying he would certainly reform and would even be willing to do menial work in the residence.

Seeing his pitiful background, she thought, well, such a large Princess’s residence could afford to feed one more mouth. So she gave him some clerical duties and, to prevent further theft, had him live in a remote courtyard. After that, she no longer summoned Liu Linfei to her banquets and entertainments.

If not for today’s order for all companions to come for a medical consultation, she would not have seen Liu Linfei for a long time.

Seeing Li Dafeng usually take pulses with such ease and calm, his strong reaction now made her wonder if Liu Linfei had contracted some serious illness during his time in that “cold palace.”

Bao Jia observed Li Dafeng’s profile, noticing his chest rise and fall slightly. After finishing the pulse diagnosis, he let his hand drop to his knee, curling his fingers as if trying to dispel something. After a moment, he suddenly stood up and left the courtyard without a word.

His white robes swept past with the wind, leaving without a backward glance.

The companions looked at each other in confusion, not knowing what had happened.

Li Dafeng had always been graceful and refined in public. Even seven years ago, she had never seen him lose composure like this in front of others, let alone now.

Bao Jia was quite stunned as well. She hurriedly descended from the pavilion, intending to ask Li Dafeng what had happened, but was stopped halfway by Liu Linfei, who knelt with a thud.

“What’s this about? Did Master Li diagnose something in you?” Bao Jia asked in surprise, lowering her gaze.

“In response to the Princess, Master Li said this humble one…” Liu Linfei knelt with his head bowed, stuttering without continuing, “Could the Princess spare a moment for a private word?”

“Then wait here. I’ll go check on Master Li first.” Bao Jia stepped around him, about to walk out.

But Liu Linfei became anxious, shuffling on his knees to block Bao Jia again: “Princess, if you go ask Master Li, this humble one fears you might misunderstand. Could the Princess hear this humble one’s explanation first?”

*

Half a quarter hour later, Bao Jia sat at the head of the main hall with a teacup, choking on a sip of tea and covering her mouth as she coughed.

Cui Mei quickly patted her back while confirming with the man below: “You’re saying Master Li diagnosed you with kidney yang deficiency due to excessive sexual activity?”

Liu Linfei nodded, raising three fingers: “Princess, this humble one swears to heaven, I have not had improper relations with any woman inside or outside the residence. It’s just, it’s just…”

Listening to his stammering voice and seeing Liu Linfei’s flushed face, Bao Jia understood.

So it wasn’t sexual activity between two people, but by oneself.

Bao Jia raised her hand in a slight gesture, indicating he need not continue. Recalling Li Dafeng’s cracked expression earlier, she suddenly realized something: “Did you explain this to Master Li?”

“This humble one didn’t have time to explain before Master Li left. This humble one thought, perhaps Master Li knows I barely see you, so he suspected I was having relations with someone else…”

Before Liu Linfei finished speaking, he heard a stifled laugh from above. Looking up, he saw Bao Jia smiling with her chin resting on her palm, appearing in a very good mood.

“How would he know so much…” The person at the head said with curved lips, unclear whether she was answering him or talking to herself. “If he knew, he wouldn’t have left.”

“Then does the Princess believe this humble one?”

Bao Jia returned from her pleasant reverie: “You’re only doing clerical work in my residence now. If you truly have a sweetheart, just let me know. I won’t blame you. If you truly don’t, then follow Master Li’s advice and practice moderation. Don’t damage your health at such a young age.”

Liu Linfei nodded repeatedly, still wanting to say something, but saw Bao Jia stand up and walk out of the main hall with a refreshed expression.

Bao Jia reached the courtyard and dispersed the gathering of companions. Just as she was about to go look for Li Dafeng, she looked up and saw him step into the courtyard. He had calmed down, thought it over, and couldn’t leave matters unfinished, so he had returned.

Bao Jia stopped where she was, sat down in the chair Li Dafeng had occupied earlier, and leaned back, leisurely examining his expression.

She watched as Li Dafeng approached unhurriedly, appearing as normal as ever, with no trace of turmoil on his face.

“Master Li left without a word and took nothing with you. What were you doing?” Bao Jia leaned on the armrest, watching him with her chin propped up.

Li Dafeng stood before her, separated by a table, and said: “In response to the Princess, this humble one went to rest for a while.”

“Oh, has treating patients tired you?”

“The Princess has given this humble one generous compensation. This humble one does not feel tired.”

Bao Jia lightly tapped her temple with her fingertip: “No matter. I’ve heard that Young General Shen’s auspicious date has not yet arrived. Master Li can diagnose at a leisurely pace. Today I’ve already sent them all back.”

Li Dafeng nodded: “Then this humble one will go check on Master Jiang, administer one more acupuncture treatment, and then leave as well.”

“He hasn’t awakened yet,” Bao Jia leaned forward, smiling as she looked up at him. “Why not examine me first?”

Li Dafeng lowered his eyes, his gaze falling momentarily on her crimson lips and pearly teeth before shifting away.

“What’s wrong? Am I not as attractive as my companions?” Bao Jia looked at him with a smile. “Master Li has seen my companions today and should have observed how favored they are in my residence. Won’t you reconsider my proposal from the other day?”

“The Princess already has nine companions to favor. This humble one won’t add to the Princess’s burden.”

“Is that what you’re worried about? Master Li need not concern himself with this. Those nine were gradually brought into the residence over four years, just about two new people each year. I can manage quite well. As for distributing favors equally, practice makes perfect.”

“Excess in anything is harmful. The Princess should not damage her vital energy through such equal distribution.”

Bao Jia laughed: “Master Li’s euphemisms are amusing. What is there for a physician to be so reserved about in speech? Just say directly not to engage in excessive sexual activity.”

Li Dafeng turned his eyes away without speaking.

“Then have I damaged my vital energy? Why doesn’t Master Li check my pulse?” Bao Jia pulled up her sleeve.

After a moment of silence, Li Dafeng turned to fetch the silk thread.

“What formality is this? Master Li has even massaged my foot acupoints before. Why are you becoming more reserved with age?” Bao Jia interrupted his movement.

Li Dafeng looked at her for a moment, put away the silk thread, sat down across from her, and placed his fingertips on her wrist pulse.

Bao Jia waited quietly, seeing his brow gradually furrow, and asked curiously: “What is it? Do I have the same symptoms as Master Liu?”

Li Dafeng exhaled deeply: “The Princess’s cold womb condition has worsened since before.”

“Oh, isn’t that an old ailment? Why make such a fuss?”

“Before I left, I had already treated the Princess’s cold womb successfully.”

“But you left.”

With those words, even the passing wind seemed to pause for a moment. After that brief pause, the trees in the courtyard rustled in the wind. Though it was early spring, it felt like being taken back to that bitter winter night.

Li Dafeng met her smiling eyes, with no way to refute. After a long while, his fingertips pressed down on her pulse again.

“The Princess must not drink alcohol again until this cold womb condition improves.”

“If I can’t even drink, wouldn’t life be missing a great pleasure? Let the cold womb be. It doesn’t need treatment. Isn’t it just that I won’t be able to conceive after a long time? I don’t want children anyway.”

“It’s not just about bearing children. If this cold womb isn’t cured, it will lead to more stubborn ailments over time.”

“Then how about this: you enter my residence to add some pleasure to my life, and I’ll give up alcohol. How about that?” Bao Jia looked at him with interest.

“The body belongs to the Princess herself.”

Bao Jia put away her smile: “Since it’s not yours, why do you care?”

Li Dafeng turned his head away, closing his eyes calmly, then asked: “Has the Princess used any harmful medicinal soups over these years?”

“Harmful medicinal soups?”

“—Contraceptive medicines.”

Bao Jia laughed: “Can’t you diagnose that?”

“This humble one is not an all-knowing deity. Years of events cannot all be known through pulse diagnosis.”

“Do you think I would drink something so damaging to a person?”

“You cannot drink such things in the future either, even more so than alcohol.”

“The future? How far into the future?” Bao Jia looked at his fingers pressing on her wrist pulse. “Is it another seven years later, when Master Li comes to check my pulse again, saying—you are not an all-knowing deity, years of events cannot all be known through pulse diagnosis?”

Li Dafeng frowned at her, seemingly wanting to say something. He opened and closed his mouth several times, back and forth, but in the end, couldn’t utter a single word.

*

After that day, Li Dafeng came to the Princess’s residence daily, treating Jiang Jin Yue’s illness, prescribing for the other eight companions, and most importantly, treating Bao Jia’s condition.

If he had known that she never listened to the palace physicians all these years, that having her pulse checked was always as good as not having it checked, he would have come to diagnose her on his first day in the capital. At least there would have been two months. Now, even a divine being couldn’t eliminate such a chronic, persistent illness in ten days. He could only prepare prescriptions in advance and entrust the palace physicians to follow up on her condition.

Li Dafeng was in a state of anxiety, but Bao Jia was unconcerned, saying that life is about seizing the moment and enjoying pleasures. She would rather die in a world of wine and sensuality than live on medicinal soups.

Of course, her cold womb condition wasn’t life-threatening yet, but when Li Dafeng heard these words, the veins at his temple still throbbed visibly.

He didn’t know if she was deliberately angering him, intentionally making his departure uncomfortable, or if she truly believed what she said.

“Die in a world of wine and sensuality, and everything is gone,” Li Dafeng told her.

“But besides wine and sensuality, I have nothing anyway,” Bao Jia replied matter-of-factly.

Despite her words, seeing Li Dafeng tense like a drawn bowstring before her every day, as if the string might snap at any moment, Bao Jia felt satisfied. She still gave him face by abstaining from alcohol for ten days and drinking the medicinal soups for ten days.

The ten-day period felt as brief as the blink of an eye, yet also as long as that entire year seven years ago, which had been filled to the brim with memories.

At times, it felt like they had returned to the past, but more often, moments arose that shattered this illusion.

For instance, whenever Ruyi appeared, the person who once would have taken Ruyi into his arms now avoided the cat from afar, never once meeting Ruyi face to face.

Without Li Dafeng needing to explain, Bao Jia understood why.

After he left all those years ago, the three kittens had been depressed for a long time, especially Ruyi, who had fallen seriously ill.

He knew he was someone who would leave again, so now that Ruyi had forgotten him and had others for companionship, there was no need to awaken his memories of the past.

Before the day he had hurriedly come to the Princess’s residence thinking she was ill, Li Dafeng had treated her just as he did Ruyi.

Bao Jia had long learned from Jiang Zhiyi that they would depart for Hexi after the Lantern Festival, but Li Dafeng had never mentioned it. She wanted to see when and how he would bring it up, so she never asked about it herself.

On the eve of the Lantern Festival, Li Dafeng was busy at the Princess’s residence until nightfall. He left prescriptions for each of her companions, and then finally came to her courtyard.

Bao Jia sat in the garden pavilion with Ruyi in her arms, having waited for him for a long time. When she saw him arrive, she handed the cat to a servant girl in the courtyard.

After the servant had taken the cat away, Li Dafeng approached with his medical box.

“Master Li has finished his work. As usual, you could just have Cui Mei inform me. Why did you come personally?” Bao Jia raised her eyes, asking a question she already knew the answer to.

Li Dafeng’s hand holding the medical box tightened slightly. He stood before her, gazing at her quietly for a moment: “I’ve come to bid farewell to the Princess.”

“Master Li is truly resolute. No boudoir, however tender, can hold you.” Bao Jia showed no surprise on her face. She poured two cups of tea in place of wine, pushing one toward him, inviting him to sit.

Li Dafeng lowered his eyes and remained silent for a moment before sitting on the stone bench across from her: “I have given the Princess’s subsequent prescriptions to Imperial Physician Xu and the dietary therapy instructions to Cui Mei. Cui Mei will supervise the Princess in taking the medicine and following the dietary therapy.”

“If I’m unwilling, can Cui Mei control me?” Bao Jia smiled, turning the teacup in her hand. “People cannot have everything. You cannot both leave and leave with peace of mind. How can the world offer such convenience? Since you’re leaving, there’s no need to make these arrangements. Do you think you, Li Dafeng, are so memorable that people will remember your instructions unchanged for ten years?”

“One year.”

Bao Jia raised an eyebrow, then realized he was specifying when he would return.

For the past three years, he hadn’t come to the capital because war had broken out in Hexi. As a military physician, he naturally followed the general to the frontlines during wartime. Now, with no war, border commanders were required to come to the capital during the New Year period as per custom. He could come back with Yuan Ce, so it would be a one-year term.

Bao Jia looked him up and down: “Master Li now has such grand significance. You come to the capital for the New Year and leave again in the first month, expecting people to endure bitter medicine for a year based on just one month’s visit. Aren’t you overestimating yourself?”

“There are some unfinished matters I must complete. If I still have my life after completing them—” Li Dafeng looked at her steadily, “I promise the Princess I will enter your residence.”

Bao Jia seemed amused: “Master Li, everyone in my residence puts me first. But with you, what you need to do comes first, your life comes second, and my Princess’s residence only ranks third?”

Li Dafeng remained silent, unable to refute.

Yuan Ce had told him these days that if he wanted to stay in Chang’an, he could stay and didn’t need to return to Hexi with him. But he knew what Yuan Ce was going to do next.

Eliminating the Zhong family was a relatively minor matter, but behind the Zhong family stood the Fan clan from Hedong and the Second Prince.

If Yuan Ce lost his life at any point because of his absence—

Bao Jia saw the struggle in Li Dafeng’s expression and dropped her smile: “The war with the Northern Jie is over. What else requires risking your life?”

Li Dafeng raised his eyes to look at the person opposite him.

Even if he trusted Bao Jia, he couldn’t reveal the Shen family’s secret. This was something only Yuan Ce himself could choose to reveal to whom.

“I apologize,” Li Dafeng said after a long while, offering only these three words.

Bao Jia set down her teacup and turned her head away.

“Fine, I won’t ask.” Bao Jia murmured, looking up at the lanterns overhead. She stared unblinkingly for a while, then stood up and turned her back to him, nodding to herself. “I won’t ask. You may go.”

Li Dafeng stared intently at her back, his hand clenched into a fist inside his wide sleeve. After a long time, he slowly relaxed it.

“There is one more thing I want to give to the Princess.”

Bao Jia didn’t turn around: “What is it? Just leave it there.”

Li Dafeng took a porcelain bottle from his medical box and gently placed it on the stone table: “It’s not medicine for the Princess, but for the Princess’s companions.”

Bao Jia turned around, asking questioningly: “Haven’t you already prescribed individually for each of them?”

“This is a medicine they can all use.”

Bao Jia blinked: “What medicine?”

Li Dafeng lowered his eyelashes, looking at the porcelain bottle, and said word by word: “I know that the nobles in Chang’an usually use fish or sheep intestines as contraceptive sheaths, but if the size doesn’t fit or the intestine is damaged, this method is not foolproof. With the Princess’s current physical condition, pregnancy is absolutely out of the question. Having a double safeguard would provide more reassurance. But drinking contraceptive medicine afterward is too damaging to the body, so I’ve developed a contraceptive medicine for men to take beforehand. After taking it continuously for seven days, the kidney essence becomes inactive, making it difficult to cause pregnancy. The Princess can have them take it long-term.”

Bao Jia stared at him in astonishment, seeing his calm expression, as if he were truly speaking only as a physician.

“I thought… Master Li would advise me to abstain from sensual pleasures after abstaining from alcohol.”

“As long as sexual activity is not excessive, it won’t affect the Princess’s health. This is the Princess’s freedom.” Li Dafeng pressed down the turbulent air in his chest and continued calmly, “Of course, taking the medicine doesn’t mean abandoning the sheaths. Both must be used. Rest assured, Princess, these medicines won’t harm the men. After stopping the medicine for a while, the kidney essence will gradually recover.”

“Oh,” Bao Jia responded dryly, “I naturally trust Master Li about this. But this medicine is newly developed by you. How do you know it takes effect after seven days?”

Li Dafeng raised his eyes to meet Bao Jia’s questioning gaze.

In the long moment of eye contact, Bao Jia heard him slowly say: “I’ve tested it.”

“What?”

Li Dafeng closed his eyes briefly: “I’ve tested the medicine these days. It takes effect on the seventh day.”

Bao Jia looked at his expression of enduring hardship and burst into laughter: “Then—thank you for your trouble, Master Li.”