In mid-November, military physician He Bailing finally returned to the capital in secret under the protection of the Crown Prince's personal guards.
Compared to Old Imperial Physician Zheng, He Bailing was not only well-versed in medical theory and highly experienced but had also spent years in rural areas, encountering various rare and complex ailments. His deep familiarity with medicinal herbs and poisons, combined with years of service in the military, had honed his extraordinary ability to bring the dying back to life.
The arrow poison that had stumped the entire Imperial Medical Bureau was no mystery to He Bailing—after examining the wound, he already had a plan in mind.
However, the treatment was rather grueling. First, the infected flesh had to be excised, followed by the application of his secret detoxifying powder. Then, acupuncture would be used to gradually drain the poisoned blood before the wound was stitched closed.
Before making the first incision, He Bailing hesitated for a rare moment.
Qin Ge immediately asked, "Does the physician have any concerns?"
He Bailing replied, "The pain of cutting flesh and draining blood is unbearable for most. While datura can numb the nerves, it carries both medicinal and toxic properties. Though it may temporarily relieve pain, it also causes headaches, dizziness, and mental confusion. The Crown Prince's chronic head ailment might worsen as a result."
For any other condition, He Bailing was confident in his methods—but the head ailment was the one affliction for which he had yet to find a permanent cure. At best, he could only alleviate the symptoms with acupuncture.
Without a second thought, the Crown Prince said, "Then skip the datura. Proceed directly."
He Bailing met the Crown Prince's gaze, and in that moment, the unspoken understanding between a battlefield commander and his military physician passed between them.
The surgical blade passed over flame before slicing into flesh. The moment it pierced skin, the Crown Prince closed his eyes, beads of cold sweat breaking out across his forehead.
The treatment was a monumental task. The arrow wound had festered for too long, allowing the poison to spread throughout the body. Even with He Bailing's skilled hands, the bloodletting and detoxification lasted until dusk the following day.
Lying on the bed, the Crown Prince was deathly pale, his pallor cast in a bleak, lifeless hue by the candlelight. Only the faint pulse in his neck betrayed any sign of lingering vitality.
Bloodied gauze piled like a small mountain on the floor, and basins of tainted water were carried out one after another. Only after removing the final silver needle did He Bailing wipe the sweat from his brow.
Cao Yuanlu brought in ginseng soup, preparing a bowl for He Bailing as well.
After drinking the tonic, the Crown Prince's expression finally eased slightly. "You've worked hard, Physician."
He Bailing sighed. "It was Your Highness's unyielding will that made this possible. Few could endure such agony. Had the wound been left untreated any longer, not even divine intervention could have saved you."
Cao Yuanlu asked anxiously, "Might I ask, Physician, how long until His Highness fully recovers?"
He Bailing replied, "The arrow wound should heal within half a month. However, this severe injury has aggravated his head ailment. I was particularly concerned about this, yet His Highness's condition is far better than I anticipated."
The Crown Prince pressed his lips together and remained silent. Just then, Deshun announced from outside the hall, "Imperial Physician Liang requests an audience with Your Highness."
He Bailing's presence in the palace had been kept secret to avoid interruptions. Naturally, Liang Jin was unaware.
As Cao Yuanlu was about to instruct Deshun to send him away, the Crown Prince's low, hoarse voice sounded from behind. "Let him in."
Liang Jin had come to examine the Crown Prince's wounds as usual and to present a newly refined incense based on the previous formula.
But the moment he stepped into Chengguang Hall, the overwhelming stench of blood startled him. Fearing the worst, he hurried inside, only to find bloodstained cloths still scattered across the floor. His face paled as he stepped forward. "Has the arrow poison flared up again, Your Highness?"
His gaze flickered to the unfamiliar man in the room—a lean figure with a long beard, exuding an air of immortal grace.
He dared not stare, averting his eyes after a brief glance.
The Crown Prince offered no explanation, simply stating, "It's nothing," before inquiring about the incense.
Liang Jin promptly placed the incense in the burner and lit it.
Tendrils of smoke unfurled, carrying a faint grassy fragrance that slowly permeated the intricately carved golden latticework.
After returning last time, Liang Jin had refined the formula further, adding gardenia and honey to make the scent fresher and sweeter—closer to the natural aroma of the palace maid who had shared the Crown Prince's bed. Nervously, he awaited the Crown Prince's verdict.
The Crown Prince's expression remained impassive, but he gave a slight nod of approval. "You've put in great effort, Physician Liang."
For Liang Jin, this simple acknowledgment was enough.
Bowing, he stepped forward to check the Crown Prince's pulse. Discovering that the residual poison had been purged, his face brightened with relief. Glancing again at He Bailing, he ventured cautiously, "Might this be the renowned Military Physician He?"
Though he had never met He Bailing in person, he knew of the man's unorthodox yet miraculous methods. Combined with the widely circulated description—a tall, gaunt man with a long beard—recognition was inevitable.
He Bailing stepped forward and clasped his hands in polite humility.
Delighted, Liang Jin said, "With Physician He here, my master can rest at ease."
After Liang Jin departed, only He Bailing and Cao Yuanlu remained in the hall.
He Bailing had been studying the incense and now examined it carefully. "This fragrance is soothing and subtly sweet, warm but not overpowering. It may indeed benefit Your Highness's head ailment. There is no harm in it."
Cao Yuanlu found the scent vaguely familiar, as if he had encountered it somewhere before—but he couldn't quite place it.
The Crown Prince cut to the chase. "This is the scent of a palace maid who shares my bed."
Both men were taken aback.
Cao Yuanlu asked, "Yun Kui?"
The Crown Prince nodded. "After sharing my bed with her for many nights, my head ailment did improve. I tasked Liang Jin with recreating a scent similar to her natural fragrance. Yet no matter how close the imitation, it lacks the effect of her presence—the ease it brings to my mind, the restful sleep I find with her."
Cao Yuanlu suddenly understood. No wonder his usually indifferent master had kept Yun Kui as his sole bedmate, sparing her life despite the incriminating evidence in her quarters. It wasn't mere curiosity—her unique scent truly alleviated his suffering.
His heart swelled with both joy and worry. Joy, for the Crown Prince's long-standing torment might finally have a remedy. Worry, because the girl was the Empress's pawn, sharing the Crown Prince's bed night after night. If she were to exploit this intimacy, whether through seduction or coercion, the danger would be impossible to guard against.
He Bailing picked up the remaining incense cake and inhaled deeply. "Incense is lifeless, but a person is alive. No matter how well-crafted, it cannot compare to the warmth and vitality of a living breath."
Stroking his beard, he added, "Moreover, what soothes Your Highness may not be her scent alone. Skin against skin, lips meeting lips, the harmony of shared intimacy—all could contribute to—"
The Crown Prince's brow furrowed deeper, and he finally interrupted, "...Mind your words, Physician."
