Chai Yingluo burst into a smile at Consort Yin, saying gently, “Madam is being overly cautious. If I weren’t completely confident, how would I dare add medicine to the Retired Emperor’s treatment on my own? His Majesty and the Empress have personally tasted this ‘Snow Ginseng Soul-Calming Pill,’ and the imperial physicians have examined it. They all say it complements the ‘Licorice and Ginseng Decoction’ well, with both working together beneficially.”
Without waiting for Consort Yin’s response, the female Daoist leaned over the Retired Emperor Li Yuan’s bed, speaking in a low voice as if coaxing a baby:
“Grandfather, your granddaughter has brought a new medicine pill, it’s sweet. Would Grandfather like to try it?”
The elderly man on the bed made some unclear sounds with his eyes closed, impossible to tell if he was responding. Consort Yin had regained her composure and smiled awkwardly:
“True Master, you’re an imperial-approved female divine physician and the Retired Emperor’s most beloved granddaughter. Your divine pills naturally have authority. I’m just being careful due to my heavy responsibilities.”
As she spoke, she allowed Wei Shubin to slip the pill from her palm into the hot medicine. The small light yellow granule didn’t dissolve easily, floating up and down in the steaming dark brown decoction.
Chai Yingluo took a testing cup from a nearby palace maid, watching Consort Yin holding the medicine bowl with a cloth while chanting softly:
“Yellow-green mystic light, primal yin rising qi, scattered cold winds disperse, spirit calms the stomach, spiritual waves of orchid peaks, cleansed in still vessels, moon essence night scene, mystic palace supreme, distant yin thrice joined, light mysterious all directions, harmonize hun control po, five embryos flow free, ride clouds flying essence. Yellow returns red turns, upper essence life gate, transform spirit return life, six unions follow each other, form and bones shine bright, jade maiden serves the body…”
Under her chanting and everyone’s gaze, the small pill slowly dissolved, merging with the medicine. Chai Yingluo seemed relieved:
“To be honest with Madam Yin, this ‘Snow Ginseng Soul-Calming Pill’ is extremely delicate. Besides the refining and storage requirements, before consumption, it cannot be touched by any yang energy—it can only be handled by a pure yin maiden. I’m not qualified, which is why I specifically brought Miss Wei…”
She spoke with a smile playing at her lips, her eyes darting cleverly, showing a self-deprecating understanding that made Consort Yin smile too, warming the previously tense atmosphere.
“Ah, the medicine should be ready now,” the female Daoist peered at it. “Shall Yingluo test a sip for the Retired Emperor first?”
It was customary and expected for physicians to taste medicine for noble patients, juniors for elders, and subjects for rulers. Consort Yin seemed pleased with this and used a silver spoon to transfer some medicine to the testing cup. As Chai Yingluo raised the cup to drink, she suddenly paused and smiled:
“I almost forgot—Azhen, let me see your palm.”
Wei Shubin, confused, opened her right palm for Chai Yingluo to inspect. Under everyone’s gaze, her palm was soft, pink, and clean, showing no abnormalities.
“That’s good,” Chai Yingluo smiled with satisfaction. “Form and bones shine bright, jade maiden serves the body—when a pure yin body remains untainted and undisturbed, the elixir maintains its purity and efficacy…”
As she spoke, she raised the testing cup and took a large sip, making a grimacing face at the bitterness, then pulled out a handkerchief from her sleeve to wipe her mouth:
“So bitter—but at least it’s not scalding anymore. I think this temperature is suitable for serving the Retired Emperor, what does Madam think?”
Consort Yin hesitated briefly, then without using another testing cup, tasted from the same half cup Chai Yingluo had drunk from, shaking her head: “Not yet. It’s still too hot. His Majesty is elderly and can’t handle stimulation—if it’s this hot, he’ll just vomit it back up.”
“Of course, that’s for Madam to decide… Ah, who else could serve him as devotedly day and night as Madam does…”
The two women continued talking while stirring the medicine bowl, waiting a while before testing again with the cup, each taking another taste. Finally, Consort Yin found the temperature suitable. Chai Yingluo then half-lifted her grandfather, letting him lean against her arm while Consort Yin fed him the medicine spoonful by spoonful.
Before finishing the bowl of medicine, the Retired Emperor’s breathing deepened, and he fell asleep again. Chai Yingluo laid her grandfather back down carefully, tucked in his blanket, and took the opportunity to check his pulse while signaling to Consort Yin that the remaining medicine need not be given.
Several palace maids came forward to clear away the medicine bowl. Consort Yin and Chai Yingluo sat by the bed, remaining quiet for a moment. The female Daoist released her grandfather’s wrist, tucked it back under the covers, and then checked his other hand before smiling at Consort Yin:
“The Retired Emperor’s pulse is much steadier now, and his complexion is rosier, perfectly matching the spring’s life-generating season. The careful nurturing and warming supplements through winter have clearly shown effect, naturally all thanks to Madam Yin’s hard work.”
Consort Yin smiled faintly in response: “That’s simply our duty as consorts, what hardship is there to speak of? Even setting aside loyalty to the ruler, I was destined in my previous life to serve the Retired Emperor for life. True Master knows, since he fell ill last autumn, whenever the elderly man opens his eyes, he calls for ‘Ah Yin,’ and if I don’t respond immediately, he becomes anxious. I dare not leave this room even for a moment…”
A small couch was set up beside the large bed, with simple bedding but no curtains—presumably where Consort Yin slept at night. The lack of covering made it easier for her to hear the Retired Emperor’s calls and for him to see her as soon as he opened his eyes. Thinking of this, Wei Shubin suddenly felt some pity and respect for Consort Yin. With her mother being frequently ill these past few years, she understood all too well how exhausting it was to care for a sick person.
“Taking care of the Retired Emperor is already a heavy responsibility, and as the highest-ranking lady in Da’an Palace, Madam Yin must also manage palace affairs—it’s not easy at all,” Chai Yingluo sighed. “To be honest, on my way to the palace, I met Fourteenth Uncle, the Prince of Wu. He heard from someone that his birth sister, the Seventeenth Princess, is also ill. He’s very worried and asked me to check on Seventeenth Sister as well—would Madam permit this?”
“Seventeenth Princess is ill?” Consort Yin started. “That can’t be right, how could I not know? I just saw her last night. The young lady was perfectly fine—the Fourteenth Prince must have misheard some idle gossip. Ah, these children!”
“It’s best if she’s not ill. I’ll take a look at Seventeenth Sister and tell Fourteenth Uncle she’s well, then have him find out which worthless slave started these rumors and have them beaten to death.” The female Daoist stood up as she spoke.
“Wait,” Consort Yin smiled thoughtfully, her smile cold:
“Since the Fourteenth Prince and Seventeenth Princess’s birth mother passed away, there have been some rumors in the palace. The Retired Emperor loves his youngest daughter and asked me to take the Seventeenth Princess into my care so he could see her often—even this can invite petty people to spread rumors… Let’s do this: we’ll call Seventeenth Princess here so True Master can examine her in person.”
A palace maid acknowledged the order and left to summon the Seventeenth Princess. Chai Yingluo seemed to have no excuse to prevent this, and rolling her eyes, she smiled apologetically at Consort Yin:
“Madam is right—in the deep recesses of the palace, rumor-spreading servants are the most hateful. But in my opinion, Madam is already exhausted from serving the Retired Emperor day and night, and caring for a twelve-year-old girl is no small task. Perhaps it would be better to entrust Seventeenth Sister to the care of ladies in another courtyard.”
Wasn’t this like negotiating with a tiger? Wei Shubin watched Chai Yingluo’s somewhat awkward expression and felt embarrassed for her. Sure enough, Consort Yin smiled and immediately refused:
“This was the Retired Emperor’s verbal command—I dare not complain of fatigue and disobey. Besides, Seventeenth Princess is quite well-behaved and doesn’t disturb me much… *yawn*…”
She yawned, looking somewhat languid—perhaps seeing the Retired Emperor sleep soundly had made her drowsiness surface. At this moment, a palace maid led in a young girl with double buns in her hair. Chai Yingluo called out “Seventeenth Sister” and went to meet her, taking her hand to check her pulse and ask questions.
Li Yuangui’s birth sister, the Retired Emperor’s Seventeenth Daughter, was also rather thin, with features similar to her birth brother. Though she showed no obvious physical abnormalities, her expression was anxious and tense, her eyes constantly darting toward Consort Yin, as if every nod and every word needed this foster mother’s approval:
“I’m not sick… My head doesn’t hurt… Nothing hurts… No fever… I’m fine…”
Chai Yingluo half-crouched, carefully checking both of the Seventeenth Princess’s wrists, feeling her forehead, and asking her to “stick out your tongue.” Consort Yin sat by the Retired Emperor’s bed, watching with a mocking smile, not interfering—displaying complete confidence that no faults could be found.
Finally, the female Daoist sighed, seeming to acknowledge that the young girl was indeed not ill. Taking her hand, she walked to the large bed and bowed slightly to Consort Yin: “Madam Yin takes such thorough care of Seventeenth Sister, Yingluo is reassured. After leaving the palace, I’ll tell Fourteenth Uncle not to believe rumors…”
These words were spoken submissively, acknowledging defeat and offering appeasement. Consort Yin yawned again, responding while struggling to keep her eyes open: “That’s good then. I’m tired too…”
“Oh, while Seventeenth Sister is here, let me explain about the ‘Snow Ginseng Soul-Calming Pill’ to her,” Chai Yingluo pointed to the celadon bottle now placed on the bedside table. “For future doses serving the Retired Emperor this medicine, Seventeenth Sister as a pure yin maiden is perfect—being blood-related to the patient, her yin energy will make the medicine more readily absorbed…”
“Mm, go ahead and tell her…” Consort Yin’s eyelids kept drooping, and her body started to sway.
Just as Wei Shubin realized something was wrong, Chai Yingluo had already moved to support Consort Yin, helping her to lie down on the small couch while sighing:
“Ah, Madam Yin, you’re truly exhausted, suffering day and night like this—how can a delicate woman endure such strain? You should rest for a while, Seventeenth Sister and I will watch over the Retired Emperor—we should fulfill our duties as daughter and granddaughter…”
There were still two palace maids in the warm chamber, naturally, Consort Yin’s confidantes, who came forward to help Chai Yingluo settle Consort Yin. Seeing her peaceful expression, warm body, and deep breathing—asleep—they exchanged glances but said nothing.
After settling Consort Yin, Chai Yingluo pulled the Seventeenth Princess to the side table, pointing at the celadon bottle on the wooden tray, speaking softly: “Listen carefully, this ‘Snow Ginseng Soul-Calming Pill’ has many restrictions for use, for example—”
She suddenly looked up, glancing at the two palace maids with furrowed brows: “You two, go outside first. Too many people around disturb the medicine’s efficacy—if heavenly secrets are leaked, you couldn’t bear the responsibility.”
Wei Shubin thought the female Daoist’s improvisation was getting more and more far-fetched… but holding back her smile, she saw the two maids look uncertainly at the sleeping Consort Yin, appearing at a loss. Chai Yingluo assumed her abbess authority again, commanding “Out!” once more, and the two maids hurriedly bowed and rushed out beyond the large screen.
Chai Yingluo sighed, holding the Seventeenth Princess’s thin shoulders, and whispered something in her ear. Though Wei Shubin stood very close, she couldn’t make out what was said, but she saw tears welling up in the young girl’s eyes, yet she still kept glancing at Consort Yin on the couch, shaking her head, afraid to respond.
The female Daoist tried persuading several more times, finally kneeling on one knee, placing a hand on the young girl’s cheek, looking deep into her eyes, and speaking in an authoritative, low, powerful voice: “Your Fourteenth Brother is waiting for you outside!”
Consort Yin stirred on the couch, making a soft sound as if about to wake. The Seventeenth Princess, startled, threw herself into Chai Yingluo’s arms, sobbing out a response. The female Daoist exhaled deeply, embracing the Seventeenth Princess as she stood, switching to a light, cheerful voice:
“Yes, Madam Yin, continue sleeping. The Retired Emperor is resting peacefully—I’ll take Seventeenth Sister for a walk to absorb and gather primal yin energy, we’ll be back soon.”
These words were meant for the palace maids beyond the screen. While acting, Chai Yingluo gestured toward the sleeping Consort Yin, signaling to Wei Shubin. Wei Shubin suddenly understood her meaning and tiptoed to the couch, imitating a drowsy, sleepy voice:
“Fine… go ahead…”
The three women quietly moved past the large screen, where the two palace maids were indeed standing guard. Chai Yingluo quickly shook her head at them, lowering her voice: “Madam Yin rarely gets to rest—no one is to disturb her. Stay here on duty, and unless the Retired Emperor or Madam Yin calls for someone, do not enter to disturb them!”
This instruction seemed perfectly reasonable, and the maids could only respond “Yes,” unable to object. The female Daoist held the Seventeenth Princess’s hand, still muttering about “pure yin… taking medicine…” and such, walking steadily but carefully toward the hall’s exit.
Wei Shubin followed behind them with a lowered head, her heart pounding like temple drums.
They were abducting a princess from the Retired Emperor’s sleeping quarters in broad daylight.
Vol 1 – Chapter 19 Note:
In modern television and film productions, regardless of which dynasty is being portrayed, scenes involving medicine consumption or feeding invariably show porcelain bowls and spoons decorated with blue-and-white patterns, multicolored designs, or “longevity” motifs. However, these styles only became widespread after the Song and Yuan dynasties. During the early Tang period, porcelain was still in its early developmental stages—even having monochrome celadon or white porcelain with smooth glazed surfaces was considered quite good.
The Tang imperial household and nobility preferred to use gold and silver vessels, especially when refining elixirs or brewing medicines, as they superstitiously believed in the enhancing properties of these precious metals (though this was, of course, not scientifically valid).