With Commandery Princess Fumin chasing after him like this, Wei Yan had no choice but to stop.

This was the imperial palace, with palace maids and eunuchs everywhere. The slightest disturbance would not escape Empress Xu’s notice. With this thought, Wei Yan felt even less inclined to humor Commandery Princess Fumin, his tone unusually cold. “What instruction does Commandery Princess Fumin have for me?”

“Her Majesty the Empress is going to arrange my marriage!” Commandery Princess Fumin blurted out. “The man is the eldest son of the Great General who Garrisons the West.”

“Oh? Such happy news—this humble official ought to offer the princess congratulations.” Wei Yan’s face showed little surprise, his reply remarkably calm.

Seeing him so indifferent, Commandery Princess Fumin felt both wronged and humiliated, tears welling up once more. “Wei Yan, besides those words, do you have nothing else to say to me? You know full well that the one I’ve always loved is you…”

“Commandery Princess Fumin, please mind your words,” Wei Yan frowned and quickly cut her off. “If you have nothing further to say, I will take my leave.”

Commandery Princess Fumin had always had a willful and unreasonable temper—otherwise, she would never have had the nerve to force her way into the palace. Today she had suffered one setback after another, her mood sinking to its lowest point. Now, being spoken to like this by Wei Yan only stirred her temper further.

“You are not allowed to leave!” Commandery Princess Fumin furiously wiped her tears with her sleeve. “Wei Yan, today I demand a clear and honest answer. What exactly is wrong with me, Fumin? Why do you never even look at me properly? Why don’t you like me at all? Why?”

In her agitated state, her voice rose uncontrollably.

Wei Yan, too, grew angry.

Why?

How could there be so many “whys” in this world!

His elder sister was beautiful, gentle, and kind—she had been noticed by a powerful figure and abducted right off the street, only to later be rescued by Empress Xu and brought into the palace. He had once thought she had escaped a living death, never expecting it to be merely the beginning of another nightmare. Forced to attend the Emperor in his bedchamber, she endured humiliation simply to survive, struggling bitterly within the palace.

He had loved the study of medicine since childhood, and after entering the Imperial Medical Academy, he had worked diligently and cautiously, never daring to slacken in the slightest. Yet he never imagined that Empress Xu would come to harbor improper intentions toward him. For the safety of his elder sister and Princess Anya, and to preserve his own dignity, he had spent all these years exhausting himself in silent endurance. Even though he had a woman he loved, he dared not reveal even the slightest hint of it.

And now, here he was, stopped in his tracks by the one-sidedly infatuated Commandery Princess Fumin, who kept demanding again and again why he did not like her.

To hell with “why”!

“There is no why,” Wei Yan said, his handsome face darkening, his voice icy. “Not liking someone is simply not liking them—there is no reason needed. Commandery Princess Fumin is soon to be betrothed and married, and it is not proper for her to have any entanglement with another man. I ask that the princess conduct herself with self-respect.”

With these words thrown out, he turned and strode away with a flick of his sleeve.

Commandery Princess Fumin stood rooted to the spot, devastated, staring blankly as Wei Yan’s figure receded into the distance. The same words echoed over and over in her mind.

Not liking someone is simply not liking them—there is no reason needed.

Yes, Wei Yan had never liked her at all—it had always been her own one-sided infatuation…

Before she knew it, tears welled up in her eyes once more.

Commandery Princess Fumin began with quiet sobs, then quickly crouched down and burst into loud weeping.

The matrons who had been waiting nearby exchanged a helpless glance and could only step forward, taking turns offering words of comfort.

…

Inside Zichen Hall.

A eunuch attendant tiptoed quietly into the hall and reported in a low voice, “Eunuch Ding, Imperial Physician Wei has arrived.”

Eunuch Ding was about forty years of age, pale-faced and beardless, his small eyes gleaming with sharp cunning.

Eunuch Ding was the chief eunuch of Zichen Hall, ordinarily in charge of overseeing the Emperor’s daily food, clothing, and routine, and he was quite familiar with Wei Yan. Upon hearing the news, he said at once, “Quickly, show Imperial Physician Wei in.”

A moment later, Wei Yan strode inside.

“Imperial Physician Wei, you’ve finally arrived.” Eunuch Ding let out a breath of relief, hurrying forward with a smiling face. “His Majesty is lying on the dragon bed, waiting for you to come in.”

Wei Yan gave a soft acknowledgment, then asked in a low voice, “How is His Majesty’s condition right now?”

Eunuch Ding sighed and gave a bitter smile. “You know His Majesty’s condition better than I do. Before the new year, those Daoist priests refined a new batch of pills, claiming that taking them would not only strengthen the body but also fortify one’s foundation and replenish vital energy, making His Majesty all the more vigorous. Hearing this, His Majesty was greatly pleased and took them for several days.”

“The pills truly did have some effect—His Majesty summoned consorts to his bed three nights in a row. But by New Year’s Eve, His Majesty’s body had grown weak and feeble. Today he barely managed to endure until the court assembly ended. After I helped His Majesty back to his bedchamber, he has been lying on the dragon bed ever since…”

Wei Yan understood at once.

In his younger years, the Emperor had indulged heavily in women, depleting his body, and this had become all the more apparent after he passed fifty. Even with daily tonics, his vigor was difficult to restore—at most he could summon consorts two or three times a month.

Those Daoist priests catered to his desires, refining either pills for “eternal youth and immortality” or those for “strengthening the body.” The former showed no visible effect for some time, while the latter’s effects were truly evident—after taking them, he would be “full of vigor and life” for several days.

However, the aftereffects of such pills were also alarmingly severe.

A few days of pleasure often resulted in roughly half a month of utter weakness in exchange.

Yet, with the Emperor so trusting of these Daoist priests and so willing to take their pills, who would dare risk their life to offer counsel against it?

…

Inside the bedchamber, charcoal braziers burned, mixed with a heavy, pungent fragrance that struck one full in the face. The air felt stifling and far from comfortable.

Wei Yan, who frequently came and went from the Emperor’s bedchamber, had long grown used to the smell. He stepped forward and knelt. “This humble official greets Your Majesty.”

From the dragon bed came the Emperor’s weak voice. “Rise.”

Wei Yan rose to his feet and respectfully took the Emperor’s pulse.

Sitting beside the dragon bed, the Emperor’s face was unusually clear to see. The handsome features of his youth were now lined with wrinkles, his complexion haggard, showing an alarming degree of age.

“Wei Yan, am I truly growing old?”

The Emperor suddenly spoke, less a question than a murmur to himself. “In the past, when I led troops into battle, I could go two days and two nights without closing my eyes and still remain full of vigor. Now, merely attending a single grand court assembly leaves my whole body weak and drenched in cold sweat. Ever since returning, I have done nothing but lie here. I have truly grown old!”

Knowing he had grown old, he ought to have calmed his desires and rested in peace. Taking pills meant to bolster his vigor was, without doubt, only making matters worse.

This was what Wei Yan thought to himself, but aloud he said, “Your Majesty is full of vigor and strength, still in your prime—how could you speak so easily of growing old? Today Your Majesty has simply overexerted yourself and feels somewhat fatigued. A couple of days’ rest will set things right.”

These words were especially pleasing to hear.

The Emperor’s brow relaxed, his expression easing.

After taking his pulse, Wei Yan administered acupuncture to the Emperor, then carefully composed a prescription.

Eunuch Ding came in to report, “Reporting to Your Majesty, the Crown Prince has arrived, bringing with him the Crown Grandson and Prince Yan.”

After the acupuncture, the Emperor’s spirits had improved somewhat, and he gestured for Eunuch Ding to help him sit upright. “Let them come in.”