An imperial city dominates the rise and fall of all under heaven. The construction of imperial cities has always concealed Daoist methods. As a ghost or spirit, Xu Hexue couldn’t easily set foot in this place.

Even following Ni Su, the summoner, he could only transform into pale mist in her sleeves and couldn’t condense into bodily form.

This year’s winter was colder than any previous year. The young eunuch leading Ni Su toward the Imperial Medical Bureau bent his body the entire way, wishing he could hide his neck and hands entirely inside his winter clothes. Wind and snow were so heavy they covered people from head to shoulder the entire way.

Upon reaching the Imperial Medical Bureau, the eunuch extended his frozen red hand to lift the door curtain. Inside, the charcoal braziers didn’t burn enough—it wasn’t very warm. Few of the medical officials sat. They all stood walking back and forth, writing case records, pondering prescriptions.

“How can just this much charcoal suffice?” An old medical official with graying beard was complaining inside.

“Old Qin, this year’s snow disaster is severe—it’s bitterly cold. Everywhere in the palace there’s not enough. That we here can be allocated this much is already quite good.”

The Professor of Wind Disorders, who was speaking with apprentice physicians, heard this and turned to respond.

“Honorable lords.”

The young eunuch brought Ni Su through the door. He rubbed his hands together. Seeing everyone in the room look toward him, he raised a smiling face and said: “Honored lords, this servant has received the emperor’s decree to bring this young lady to the Imperial Medical Bureau to learn from you all.”

Various inscrutable gazes fell upon the woman behind him.

They had already learned of the emperor’s oral decree yesterday.

But the hall fell silent for a time—no one spoke. Yet Ni Su didn’t feel flustered. She stepped forward two paces and bowed to the medical officials in official robes throughout the hall. “This humble woman Ni Su greets all the honored lords.”

The eunuch left hastily with a smile. The door curtain dropped, blocking the wind and snow outside. A medical commissioner set down the book scroll in his hands and walked forward. “I heard Miss Ni treated military and civilians in Yongzhou. Now having received Chancellor Huang’s inscription, surely your medical clinic should be impossibly busy. Why would you come to the Imperial Medical Bureau?”

“The way of healing has no limit. This humble woman is young and still has inadequacies. Fortunately receiving the emperor’s grace, he permits me to enter the Imperial Medical Bureau to learn from the honored lords. If I can receive guidance from you all, Ni Su will benefit for life.”

Her words were humble and her propriety complete. That medical commissioner nodded and asked again: “I wonder which lord Miss Ni wishes to follow?”

“I heard Old Medical Official Qin often examines noble persons in the rear palace. Ni Su does not aspire to great achievements in this life—only the single aspiration of gynecology.”

At these words, everyone immediately looked toward the old medical official sitting quietly at the side.

Old Medical Official Qin’s face showed no change in expression. He only stared at Ni Su with a mild gaze. However, that Professor of Wind Disorders left his own apprentice physicians and scrutinized Ni Su. “Young lady, you’ve just arrived and already want to follow Old Qin?”

His tone carried some unconscious contempt.

“Not just obstetrics—Old Qin is proficient in pharmacology and skilled in acupuncture. Do you know how many apprentice physicians here want to follow Old Qin?”

“Gynecology is not only obstetrics.”

Ni Su looked at him. “But since the lord says so, it proves my thinking isn’t wrong. Since I’ve come seeking guidance, why should I be timid and hesitant? For me, this is originally a rare opportunity.”

The Professor of Wind Disorders was stunned. He hadn’t expected this woman would actually have some sharpness.

“I must go to Zhaoyun Palace to examine the consort’s pulse.”

Old Medical Official Qin suddenly spoke. He slowly stood up, then looked again at Ni Su. “Will you accompany me?”

Ni Su was stunned for a moment, then said: “I will.”

Old Medical Official Qin paused. He accepted the walking stick handed by an apprentice physician at his side, then assessed her up and down. His expression was somewhat strange, yet he said nothing. Wrapping himself in a cloak, he went outside.

Ni Su followed out. The ground palace servants had just cleared was covered again with a thin layer of snow. Ice hung from trees. Some places on the ground were quite wet, frozen into thin ice. Wind and snow were heavy. Seeing Old Medical Official Qin hunched, walking very slowly with his cane, Ni Su quickly stepped forward to support his arm.

Old Medical Official Qin turned his face. Seeing her hood blown back by wind, snow grains stuck to her temples, her dress extremely plain. “I heard you want to observe chastity for Young Master Ni for three years?”

“Yes.”

Ni Su nodded.

“Three years for a young woman is not short.”

Old Medical Official Qin walked forward while saying: “Since this is so, you still dare follow me to Zhaoyun Palace?”

He often examined the Imperial Noble Consort’s pulse—recently more frequently. He also knew something about the consort’s intention to arrange a marriage. This woman dared refuse the consort’s face by observing chastity, yet still dared follow him to Zhaoyun Palace.

“The emperor only permits me to walk in the Imperial Medical Bureau. I have no authority to prescribe or use medicine. I’m only following you—there’s nothing to fear.”

“Go back.”

Old Medical Official Qin told her: “I didn’t truly want you to follow me.”

“If I go back,”

Ni Su stopped. “Will Old Qin still be willing to teach me?”

Old Medical Official Qin also stopped. In this freezing cold, his legs and feet were stiff and cold. He looked at this woman. “With the emperor’s decree present, and you having a studious heart, I can teach—naturally I will teach.”

Ni Su hadn’t expected he would agree so decisively. She still hadn’t quite reacted. Seeing her like this, Old Medical Official Qin couldn’t help but smile. “Whether inside this palace or outside, women practicing medicine is always harder than for men. You’ve now already established yourself in Yunjing through your own abilities, yet remain so humble and studious. This is already very rare.”

“Some people don’t fail to acknowledge your medical skills—rather, acknowledging your medical skills would lower their own face.” Old Medical Official Qin walked while telling her: “So some people, some words—you need not mind them.”

“Yes.”

Ni Su lowered her eyelids. “Thank you, Old Qin.”

“You truly want to go?”

Old Medical Official Qin saw she had no intention of returning.

“Mm.”

Ni Su nodded.

She couldn’t contact the confined Prince Jia and his wife at the Imperial Medical Bureau either. Since there was an opportunity to see the Imperial Noble Consort, she didn’t want to miss it.

Zhaoyun Palace was extremely warm. After Old Medical Official Qin sat in the inner hall for a while, the snow grains on his body melted into moist water marks. Behind the curtain, the Imperial Noble Consort stared at the young woman standing behind Old Medical Official Qin, quite surprised. “Miss Ni, I thought you shouldn’t appear before me again.”

“Consort, she’s now at the Imperial Medical Bureau following this official.” After examining the pulse, Old Medical Official Qin rose with his cane and spoke respectfully.

“You may leave first.”

But the Imperial Noble Consort only glanced at him and spoke mildly.

Old Medical Official Qin couldn’t say more. Passing by Ni Su, he couldn’t help but glance at her with concern.

“Observing chastity for someone?”

The Imperial Noble Consort sat up, supported by palace maids as she emerged from behind the curtain. Her black hair was styled in clouds, wearing a pearl floral crown. Though already thirty years old, her appearance remained gorgeous. “Ni Su, do you know what an excellent marriage you’ve missed?”

She seemed to sigh with regret.

“This commoner woman was betrothed to Young Master Ni in Yongzhou. He died for the nation. I, the living person, should naturally do something for him.” Ni Su bowed her head. “Thank you for the consort’s kind intentions.”

The Imperial Noble Consort looked at her seemingly compliant appearance, her expression uncertain. “I’m afraid you may escape today but may not escape tomorrow.”

Hearing this, Ni Su raised her head. “Consort, this commoner woman does not hide.”

The Imperial Noble Consort was stunned.

“This commoner woman dares to come to Zhaoyun Palace to see the consort today not to make an enemy of the consort. As this commoner woman said before, whoever is guilty, whoever faces justice—this commoner woman would never dare slight the consort.”

She looked at the Imperial Noble Consort. “This commoner woman is willing to treat the consort’s father’s epilepsy to obtain the consort’s forgiveness.”

The Imperial Noble Consort was truly taken by surprise. She stepped forward several paces in disbelief, staring at the woman before her. “Do you know what you’re saying? You’ll treat my father’s epilepsy?”

She laughed coldly. “Could I be confused? On what basis would I believe you?”

“Ni Su is an orphan girl, now without support.”

Ni Su spoke calmly. “But this commoner woman also wants to live well. The Ni family has a unique skill in gold needle acupoint stimulation. This commoner woman was influenced by father in childhood and has also achieved some success. Today’s words—every sentence is true. This commoner woman begs the consort to give me this opportunity.”

This was showing weakness, also currying favor.

An orphan girl without support seeking from a high noble person an opportunity to live safely and steadily.

The Imperial Noble Consort said nothing. She coldly scrutinized this woman.

She could escape this marriage, but might not be able to escape whatever came next. Her appearance indeed resembled someone at the end of her rope.

And no one at the Imperial Medical Bureau had truly cured Wu Dai’s epilepsy—this had always been a worry in the Imperial Noble Consort’s heart.

“Consort, don’t you want to hear the matter’s details from your father’s own mouth?” Ni Su suddenly spoke again, interrupting the Imperial Noble Consort’s speculations. “This commoner woman has no one to depend on—only hopes for the consort’s forgiveness.”

After Ni Su left Zhaoyun Palace, she walked back to the Imperial Medical Bureau. Before she could lift that heavy door curtain, she heard a voice inside tinged with cold: “Prince Jia refuses to eat, has fasted for two days, and now has caught a cold. Even if I want to use medicine, he must be willing to drink it…”

Ni Su suddenly withdrew her hand.

“Doesn’t the Princess Consort Jia have deep feelings with Prince Jia? Let her persuade him…”

“The Princess Consort Jia is also ill—hardly any lucid moments. How can she persuade? I heard yesterday the emperor just sent someone to question Prince Jia. Today his expression is dazed—he can’t even speak.”

Ni Su listened quietly for a while before lifting the curtain to enter. Many gazes fell upon her. She paid no attention at all, only walking before Old Medical Official Qin and bowing. “Old Qin.”

Seeing she was fine and didn’t seem to have suffered any mistreatment, Old Medical Official Qin smiled and said: “Since you’ve come, you’re equivalent to an apprentice physician of our Imperial Medical Bureau. Being an apprentice physician isn’t easy—do you know?”

“I know.”

Ni Su said.

Old Medical Official Qin nodded. “Good. Come with me. I’ll properly question you—see what you’ve learned.”

Ni Su stayed at the Imperial Medical Bureau until dusk before leaving the palace.

The pale mist that had been attached to her sleeve finally condensed into a person’s faint form—only she could see.

“The consort should let me treat her father’s epilepsy.”

Ni Su gathered her cloak, walking forward on thin snow while telling him: “I really want to take his life with one needle.”

“Your hands are for saving people.”

Xu Hexue walked alongside her.

Pale sunlight wrapped in cold mist. Ni Su raised her head to look at him. “I don’t save just anyone.”

But she couldn’t kill Wu Dai.

Even if the Imperial Noble Consort agreed, she wouldn’t completely trust her. She might not be able to kill Wu Dai, but the Imperial Noble Consort could certainly kill her.

“Did you hear about Prince Jia’s hunger strike?”

She asked.

Xu Hexue was silent for a moment, then made an “mm” sound.

“Why would he hunger strike? Could it be he’s worried and afraid because of this, to the point of…” Ni Su paused. She didn’t say the two words “seeking death.”

“No.”

Xu Hexue’s voice was calm. “On the contrary, he wants to live.”

“…What do you mean?”

“Not long after Yonggeng was adopted by the emperor as foster son, a gelsemium case occurred in the palace. A eunuch, dissatisfied that Yonggeng was selected as imperial prince, secretly put gelsemium in his food.”

“Those who mistakenly consume gelsemium die immediately upon drinking cold water. Fortunately it was winter then. Yonggeng feared cold and had been admonished by the late empress. He only used a few mouthfuls of food and hadn’t drunk water. The Imperial Medical Bureau rescued him in time—only then did he barely keep his life.”

Ni Su didn’t know about this gelsemium case. Hearing it, she found it inconceivable. “What eunuch would harbor such malicious intent?”

Xu Hexue suddenly stopped.

He raised his eyes to look at her. “After the incident, the emperor immediately charged that eunuch with the crime and had him executed that same day. No confession was kept, no trial conducted. The Court of Judicial Review closed the case based on this.”

“You mean…”

Ni Su’s hands and feet were almost stiff with cold. She found it hard not to follow the deep implications revealed in Xu Hexue’s words.

Why would the emperor act uncharacteristically, personally questioning that eunuch for a foster son he disliked? Why would the Court of Judicial Review hastily close the case?

If the emperor had truly once entertained thoughts of poisoning Prince Jia, then today’s hunger strike by Prince Jia was, just as Xu Hexue said, not seeking death but Prince Jia seeking life.

“Yonggeng was forced upon the emperor by court officials. From youth he was caught between court officials and the emperor. If slightly careless, if he offended either side, he wouldn’t have it easy.”

Xu Hexue took her hand and continued walking forward. “Any game between ruler and ministers in court can burn onto him, this ruler-father’s foster son. Court officials hope he’ll be a qualified crown prince candidate, while the emperor detests him, suppresses him. He can never truly satisfy either ruler or ministers, yet the heavy pressure from both sides doesn’t diminish at all.”

The gelsemium case made Zhao Yonggeng remember constantly his ruler-father’s aversion to him.

He lived in fear because of this, also feared the struggles between court and rear palace arising because of him. In the palace he dared not eat much, dared not drink much water. Court officials’ pressure made him dare not be undiligent, while the ruler-father’s suspicion made him dare not stand out too much.

That such a person hadn’t become a deranged madman torn apart by these two sides was already extremely fortunate.

“If he continues his hunger strike, I fear…”

Ni Su’s heart was complicated.

She wasn’t deaf to court matters at the Imperial Medical Bureau. Now court officials were discussing—the Imperial Noble Consort’s unborn child’s gender was unknown, while Prince Jia was an imperial prince established early on.

The struggle over the heir apparent had already begun. Prince Jia’s fears weren’t groundless.

“Previously I couldn’t protect my teacher.”

Goose-feather snowflakes brushed past Xu Hexue’s garment hem. He tightened his grip on Ni Su’s hand. “Now, I must protect Yonggeng well.”

The two braved wind and snow returning to South Locust Street. The medical clinic hadn’t opened today. Once Ni Su entered, she closed the door. In the rear corridor, Qingqiong propped his chin on both hands, staring at a book.

“What are you reading?”

Ni Su asked curiously.

“Miss Ni, General Xu.”

Qingqiong sat up straight, somewhat embarrassed. “Reading your medical book, but I don’t recognize all the characters—can’t understand.”

“Why did you suddenly want to read medical books?”

Xu Hexue sat down, accepting the reed flower dew water he passed, thanking him.

“My body always feels uncomfortable. I just wanted to see if I could find a method myself. Can’t always trouble Miss Ni…” Qingqiong said.

“What do you mean trouble?”

Ni Su drank a mouthful of hot tea. “I promised your father I’d always take care of you. Did you think you’d go somewhere alone?”

“No…”

Qingqiong said quietly.

“However, we two can both teach you to read characters.” Ni Su saw him wrapped up thickly, very honest and adorable. “If you still want to study medicine, I can also teach you.”

“Great!”

Qingqiong showed a smile.

“I cooked wontons—try them!” Though his features were slow to react, his happiness was still visible. He rose and went to the kitchen. Before long he brought back two bowls of wontons.

“Aren’t you eating?”

Ni Su didn’t see him bring a bowl for himself.

“Mine just went in the pot. I’ll watch it.” Saying so, Qingqiong moved slowly toward the kitchen.

“Qingqiong’s first time making wontons. You try it too.”

Ni Su held her spoon and smiled at Xu Hexue.

“Mm.”

Xu Hexue lowered his eyes. Hot mist brushed his face. He smelled some mild fragrance and extended his hand to pick up the spoon.

The Imperial Medical Bureau also had food, but on Ni Su’s first day today, the palace hadn’t prepared for her. Old Medical Official Qin shared a bowl of porridge and several pastries with her. She hadn’t eaten much. Now seeing this bowl of wontons, she felt hungry.

Ni Su blew on the steam and bit down. She found the filling terribly salty.

She immediately raised her head, about to speak, when she saw Xu Hexue’s expressionless face bite down, his movements without the slightest pause.

“Miss Ni, don’t eat! I think I put in too much salt!”

Qingqiong came from the kitchen.

In that moment, Xu Hexue’s hand holding the spoon stiffened.

He raised his eyes and met Ni Su’s gaze.

Outside the covered corridor, goose-feather snow continuously fell. The crunching sound of Qingqiong treading on snow approached. Ni Su looked at him, suddenly took his bowl, scooped up a wonton, and bit down.

So salty her eyes stung.

“Qingqiong.”

She set down the bowl.

“Ah?”

Not knowing what was wrong, Qingqiong wiped snow grains from his headcloth.

“Has your father told you whether your mother ate things when she was alive?”

“Though Mother didn’t need to, she sometimes ate.”

Qingqiong answered honestly.

“Then, could your mother taste flavors?”

Ni Su’s throat tightened.

“If she couldn’t taste flavors, why would Mother eat? She’s a ghost or spirit—she won’t go hungry. Eating these things—isn’t it just to taste flavors?”

Qingqiong was utterly confused.

Ni Su’s hand pressed against the bowl trembled.

She remembered after being questioned and leaving the Office of Night Vigilance, asking the Grand Marshal’s residence coachman to buy sugar cakes. At the Grand Marshal’s residence, she and the person before her shared sugar cubes.

She remembered every meal he accompanied her eating. She remembered after diagnosing Miss Zhang’s mother, the sugar she fed him.

She remembered every time he said the word “sweet.”

Tears filled her eyes, almost instantly falling in clusters.

Xu Hexue stood up with one hand supporting the table corner. He hadn’t been prepared. Seeing her suddenly cry, without thinking he walked to her side and crouched down.

His pale blue hem lightly brushed the ground.

“I’m sorry.”

He said, curling his fingers to wipe the tears on her cheeks.

But Ni Su suddenly grasped his wrist. She held back again and again, yet couldn’t ask why he deceived her, because she could roughly understand why a person like him would hide this from her.

He was someone skilled at forbearance. Ni Su didn’t know whether it was his family tradition or his teacher who gave him such character—not fearing suffering, nor resenting suffering.

“Why?”

Ni Su’s tear-blurred vision could barely see his face clearly. “Why don’t you have taste? Qingqiong has it. Qingqiong’s mother also had it. Why… only you don’t?”

Not all his five senses had declined.

He possessed smell, could hear sounds, could feel her touch.

Only his eyes.

Ni Su remembered—he had said his eyes were injured in life. After death his spirit and soul were damaged, not yet repaired. That’s why in the mortal realm’s nights, he needed her to light lamps.

Then, his sense of taste?

“Xu Ziling, tell me—why don’t you have it?”