Empress Xu’s face was alluringly beautiful, her manner languid. The lapels of her garment were slightly loose, revealing the long, fair curve of her neck — a becoming allure all its own. Combined with the waves of fragrance that permeated the air, it was enough to bewitch any man and unhinge his senses.

Wei Yan, his expression entirely unchanged, replied: “Your Majesty the Empress’s constitution is precious and revered; I dare not touch it carelessly. Please have someone fetch a silk thread and fasten it to your wrist — I shall take the pulse through the silk thread.”

Empress Xu gave a soft laugh, her beautiful eyes falling upon Wei Yan’s composed and handsome face. “Imperial Physician Wei’s medical skill is exquisite — I trust it fully. However, taking the pulse in that manner is liable to produce inaccuracies. Let us simply proceed as usual.”

She paused, then smiled again: “Imperial Physician Wei is a man of principle and integrity. Surely he will not allow himself to entertain improper thoughts over something like this.”

The last four words were spoken slowly and gently, carrying a trace of deliberate provocation.

A pity that Wei Yan was entirely unmoved by such things. He replied with proper solemnity: “Since Your Majesty the Empress places such trust in me, I am deeply grateful. In that case, I shall take the liberty of attending to your pulse.”

With that, he sat down on the chair beside the bed and laid his fingers lightly against Empress Xu’s wrist.

The two were quite close — close enough to clearly catch the faint scent of medicinal herbs emanating from him.

Empress Xu’s eyes did not move from that young, handsome, and unsmiling face, and the longing in her heart stirred all the more turbulently.

She could not say precisely when it had begun — this fixation she had developed on Wei Yan. What infuriated her was that Wei Yan had remained utterly unmoved, no matter how she tried to ingratiate herself. He was always that cold and indifferent toward her. The more he resisted and rejected her, the more she found herself unable to relinquish her hold. She had replaced the handsome attendants at her side one after another, but none of them could substitute for Wei Yan.

She was the mistress of the innermost palace, wielding supreme power within the imperial harem — whatever she wished for, she could have. Wei Yan alone dared to disregard her and keep his distance. Hmph! If he wished to drag this out, let him drag it out. The one she had set her sights on — no one else was permitted to lay a finger on him, except herself.

Empress Xu’s gaze grew hotter and hotter, barely concealed.

The two palace maids standing at the bedside quietly lowered their heads.

Beneath that gaze, Wei Yan remained composed and unruffled. After finishing the pulse examination, he withdrew his hand and spoke deferentially: “Your Majesty the Empress’s pulse is indeed somewhat frail. Your servant will prescribe a restorative remedy at once.”

He rose and stepped to one side, lifted his brush, and wrote out the prescription.

Empress Xu’s gaze followed the movement of Wei Yan’s figure. “Imperial Physician Wei, how many days of rest do I require, roughly speaking?”

Just lie there permanently — never rise again for the rest of your life.

Wei Yan gave a cold snort within his heart. But his mouth said: “Approximately five or six days of rest should suffice.”

Empress Xu smiled. “In that case, I shall rest for a few days. Do not forget to come every day to take my daily wellness pulse.”

Wei Yan acknowledged this. Just as he was about to take his leave, Empress Xu suddenly asked: “By the way — you went to the Crown Prince’s residence this morning, did you not? How has the Crown Prince been in his health of late?”

Wei Yan’s answer was guarded: “His Imperial Highness the Crown Prince injured his fundamental constitution some years ago, but he has fortunately been quietly recuperating ever since. His restorative tonics have never been interrupted. He has shown considerable improvement by now.”

“Oh?” Empress Xu raised an eyebrow, and a smile of unreadable meaning crossed her face. “That is a joyful thing indeed. His Majesty will certainly feel greatly heartened when he hears of it.”

Then, in a tone of apparent casualness, she asked: “Each time you visit the Crown Prince’s residence, you also attend to the young master of the Ling Family with acupuncture treatments. That must truly be taxing.”

To bring up Ling Xiao out of nowhere — what could she be implying?

Wei Yan’s heart gave a sharp jolt. He replied without leaving any opening: “Healing the sick and saving lives is my proper duty as a physician. There is nothing taxing about it, truly.”

Empress Xu cast a glance at Wei Yan, the corners of her lips curving in a half-smile. “The last time Miss Ling came to the palace, I received her myself. She is indeed beautiful and clever — a most agreeable young lady. Small wonder she has captured the hearts of men. I wonder whether Imperial Physician Wei has also found himself drawn to her?”

“If you admire Miss Ling, you need not hesitate to tell me directly. I could issue an imperial decree arranging the marriage — that would be doing a good deed for a worthy pair.”

Wei Yan’s heart plummeted.

So Empress Xu had indeed developed wariness and suspicion toward Ling Jingshu.

“Your Majesty jests,” Wei Yan replied unhurriedly. “Your servant made up his mind long ago to devote all his energy in this life to the art of medicine. I have no intention of taking a wife. Moreover, I have met Miss Ling only a handful of times and am not well acquainted with her — talk of being ‘drawn’ to her is entirely without foundation.”

At these words, Empress Xu’s expression softened slightly. “The vows of the young cannot be taken at face value. The Wei Family has only you as their sole male heir. Even if you have no taste for female company, you must take a wife and have children to carry on the family line. Otherwise, once your years are spent, what face would you have to meet the ancestors of the Wei Family?”

“As for Wei Jieyu — though she says nothing, her heart must be anxious indeed. Even I find myself often thinking of your lifelong happiness. If there is a young woman you favour, simply tell me. With me here, I shall see to it that you get your wish.”

Wei Yan replied with an indifferent air: “Your servant is grateful for Your Majesty’s kind regard. However, your servant truly has no plans to start a family. If Your Majesty has no further matter, your servant will now take his leave.”

And with that, he made his formal bow and departed.

Empress Xu watched Wei Yan’s retreating figure, the light in her eyes flickering ceaselessly.

Tian Dong had waited a long while and had finally seen Wei Yan emerge.

“Imperial Physician Wei,” Tian Dong breathed a quiet sigh of relief and went forward to meet him with a broad smile. “You have at last come out.”

His mouth had no sense of propriety.

This palace was riddled with Empress Xu’s eyes and ears. A single careless word could find its way back to the Empress.

Imperial Physician Wei shot Tian Dong a warning glare.

Tian Dong immediately went silent and fell obediently into step behind Wei Yan.

By now it was almost midday. Half a day of running about had left Tian Dong’s stomach hollow with hunger. Seeing Wei Yan still walking at his unhurried pace, Tian Dong could not help but say in a low voice: “If we return to the Imperial Medical Academy at this hour, I fear the food will already have gone cold.”

Wei Yan gave a sound of acknowledgment and quickened his step slightly.

Just then, a familiar face appeared before them: “Imperial Physician Wei, the Jieyu knows you are in the palace and has specially sent me to invite you to Lingbo Palace to take the midday meal.”

Wei Yan had been about to decline, but upon reflection, he changed his mind. “Very well — I shall follow you to Lingbo Palace.”

Arriving at Lingbo Palace, Wei Jieyu came forward with a face full of smiles to receive him: “A’Yan, I heard you were in the palace to attend to Her Majesty the Empress. I had the midday meal specially prepared — you have come at just the right time. The food is still warm.”

Though Wei Yan came to the palace often, he was extremely circumspect in his conduct and rarely stayed in Lingbo Palace to eat. The fact that he had come so readily today moved Wei Jieyu with genuine joy and happiness. She smiled again: “I shall have someone go and call An Ya at once — when she sees you, I cannot imagine how pleased she will be.”

After taking their seats in the dining hall, Princess An Ya arrived presently. Seeing Wei Yan there as well, she was indeed delighted, and called out warmly: “Uncle!”

Wei Yan had a head full of worries and a heart in turmoil, but upon seeing his elder sister’s and niece’s smiling faces, his spirits rallied somewhat.