In the verdant courtyard of Cuiwei Garden, separated by sheer gauze bed curtains, Imperial Physician Zhou attended to Yun Wan, carefully taking her pulse and administering acupuncture. The slender wrist exposed outside the covers was pale as snow, with delicate blue veins visible beneath the thin skin. Her rounded fingertips bore a faint pink hue, fragile yet utterly endearing.
Once the treatment was complete, Imperial Physician Zhou exhaled deeply in relief, and his young apprentice stepped forward to wipe the sweat from his brow.
As he stepped out of the inner chamber, Yue Ya anxiously asked, "Physician, how is my mistress?"
Two hours earlier, Yun Wan had suddenly developed a high fever, terrifying everyone in the household. Fortunately, the physician had arrived promptly.
Meeting the anxious gazes of those gathered, Imperial Physician Zhou raised a calming hand. "Please, do not distress yourselves. I have administered acupuncture to dissipate some of the internal heat. For now, her condition is stable."
The group frowned at his words. Before Lu Yuanduo could speak, Yue Ya interjected, "Only for now? What if her fever returns tonight or tomorrow?"
Her face was etched with worry. Ever since Yun Wan had fallen ill, her condition had fluctuated unpredictably, leaving the servants on constant alert. Now, hearing that the treatment was merely temporary, they feared it was only a superficial remedy and nearly panicked.
Under their intense scrutiny, Imperial Physician Zhou wiped his brow again. "I will prescribe a medicinal decoction. Once your mistress wakes, ensure she drinks it. That should suffice for tonight. As for tomorrow, I will return to administer another round of acupuncture. We shall observe her condition over the next three days."
Given Yun Wan’s weakened state, he had decided on a conservative approach—first lowering the fever, then addressing the rest.
After explaining his reasoning, Lu Yuanduo’s tension eased slightly. He nodded respectfully. "Imperial Physician Zhou, we appreciate your efforts."
The physician returned the courtesy. "You honor me too much, Duke Lu. I am merely fulfilling my duty."
When he had first been urgently summoned by Jiang Fusheng, his heart had nearly stopped—he feared something had happened to Emperor Jingxuan. But upon being hastily escorted out of the palace, he realized his mistake.
Though the emperor had not explicitly stated it, Imperial Physician Zhou understood: if he failed to cure this lady, his position as head of the Imperial Medical Bureau might be forfeited.
He sighed inwardly. The Lu family truly enjoyed the emperor’s favor—even a long-widowed woman in their household could command imperial concern.
Best to maintain good relations with the Lu estate in the future.
Shaking off his thoughts, Imperial Physician Zhou stroked his beard and began writing the prescription.
Outside the Lu residence, Jiang Fusheng stood beside the carriage and gestured. "Imperial Physician Zhou, this way, please."
Once inside, the eunuch suddenly added, "Should His Majesty summon you, kindly provide a thorough and detailed report on Lady Yun Wan’s condition."
Imperial Physician Zhou nodded, though puzzled.
Would the emperor truly take a personal interest in this lady’s illness?
The answer—
Yes.
......
"A heart ailment?"
As Jiang Fusheng had predicted, Imperial Physician Zhou was summoned to the palace immediately upon his return. Emperor Jingxuan inquired about Yun Wan’s condition, and upon hearing the diagnosis, his brow furrowed.
The physician confirmed truthfully.
Yun Wan’s illness had originated from exposure to cold, but its persistence and volatility stemmed from deep-seated fear and excessive melancholy, leading to blocked heart meridians and stagnant liver qi. The internal heat could not disperse—what common folk called a "heart ailment."
Emperor Jingxuan’s fingers absently traced the coiled dragon pattern on his jade thumb ring, his expression unreadable, his gaze shadowed.
A heart ailment.
What had frightened her so? What had burdened her heart?
The emperor knew—and the realization darkened his face.
Standing below the jade steps, Imperial Physician Zhou suddenly felt the air grow heavy. Despite the warm May sun, an icy chill seeped into the hall, leaving him uneasy.
Had he misspoken? Offended the emperor?
But he had only spoken the truth.
Even after leaving the palace, he remained bewildered.
"Eunuch Jiang, His Majesty’s reaction…?" he ventured cautiously.
Jiang Fusheng smiled cryptically. "Best to keep your thoughts to yourself, my lord. Not a word to anyone."
Imperial Physician Zhou: ?
Returning to the palace, Jiang Fusheng found Emperor Jingxuan’s lips pressed thin, his expression stern, an aura of cold intensity around him.
Softly, the eunuch offered comfort. "Your Majesty, Lady Yun Wan’s illness has many causes. Even if her heart ailment is related to you, please do not blame yourself."
"Outrageous!"
The emperor’s gaze turned sharp as winter wind. "When did I say her illness was caused by me?"
Jiang Fusheng dropped to his knees. "Forgive me, Your Majesty! This servant spoke out of turn—punish me as you see fit!"
Prostrate on the cold marble floor, he cursed his recklessness. He knew better than to mention the connection between Yun Wan’s suffering and the emperor.
Though angered, Emperor Jingxuan was not enraged.
With a cold glance, he ordered, "Go and discipline yourself."
As Jiang Fusheng prepared to leave, the emperor called him back.
Bowing deeply, the eunuch asked, "What further instructions does Your Majesty have?"
The emperor’s expression remained neutral, his arms resting on the dragon throne’s armrests, fingers interlaced. His deep-set eyes narrowed slightly.
In an unreadable tone, he said, "Last time I suffered a headache, Lady Yun Wan aided me. Now that she is ill, should I not visit her in return?"
Jiang Fusheng froze. "This…"
Meeting the emperor’s unwavering, authoritative gaze, he forced a smile. "Your Majesty is most considerate."
Privately, however, he thought this was less about gratitude and more about torment.
If Yun Wan saw the emperor now, her condition might worsen.
......
By evening, Yun Wan awoke from her deep slumber.
Testing her limbs, she found them weak but free of the usual stiffness. She felt lighter, as though her illness had vanished overnight.
Yue'e, who had been keeping vigil by her bedside, brightened. "Mistress, you’re awake! Do you feel better?"
"A little. The discomfort has eased."
Yun Wan extended a hand, and Yue'e quickly helped her sit up, tucking a soft pillow behind her back.
After sipping warm water to soothe her throat, Yun Wan asked weakly, "What happened? I thought I heard many voices while I slept."
Yue'e nodded. "While you were resting, Eunuch Jiang and the imperial physician came. Imperial Physician Zhou truly lives up to his reputation—just a few needles, and your fever broke! Far better than those quacks we’ve seen before."
The "quacks" referred to the local doctors who had treated Yun Wan recently.
Yun Wan’s pale face flickered with surprise. "Eunuch Jiang and the imperial physician?"
Yue'e confirmed, "Yes! Apparently, Young Prince Pei and our little master Sui spoke to the emperor about your illness. When Duke Lu requested an imperial physician, His Majesty sent Imperial Physician Zhou directly."
Yun Wan was momentarily stunned, her sluggish mind struggling to process this.
Just then, Yue Jian’s cheerful voice rang from outside:
"Mistress, the young master has returned!"
Followed by Sui’s bright call:
"Mother!"
