BLPSG Chapter 98

Xie Bufeng’s movements were gentle, as if he wanted to pluck the plum blossoms from Wen Qingci’s neck.

 

Wen Qingci frowned and immediately pressed down on that mischievous hand, warning in a low voice: “This is the front courtyard.”

 

“I know.”

 

Xie Bufeng slowly traced the features of the person in the mirror with his gaze.

 

At the same time, he held Wen Qingci’s hand firmly in his palm.

 

Looking at the reflection, he said: “You said you’d only be here for half an hour, but it’s been nearly an hour now.”

 

Xie Bufeng was actually nitpicking with Wen Qingci.

 

He smiled and said in a slightly hoarse voice: “How did I never notice before that this mirror in the Imperial Medical Bureau is quite nice?”

 

Xie Bufeng’s voice was as calm as usual, his emotions hard to discern.

 

As if he were handling official business in Jinyi Palace.

 

But after speaking, he nuzzled Wen Qingci’s hair with his chin like a large dog.

 

“Stop fooling around, Your Majesty.”

 

The cloak, with two buttons undone, hung loosely on his body.

 

Wen Qingci’s tone was very serious, but his words carried no force at all.

 

Xie Bufeng didn’t lock the door after entering.

 

It was daytime, and people were constantly coming and going in the Imperial Medical Bureau. The side hall could receive visitors at any moment.

 

Seeing that the person behind him still had the air of someone searching for plum blossoms in the snow, unmoved by his words, Wen Qingci finally gritted his teeth and said, “Let go of me, Xie Bufeng!”

 

Xie Bufeng’s fingers suddenly paused.

 

When they were younger, Wen Qingci always addressed him as “Your Highness,” and now he had switched to “Your Majesty.”

 

Now that Wen Qingci called him directly by name, Xie Bufeng wasn’t the least bit unhappy-he even wanted to hear him call him that a couple more times.

 

But before Xie Bufeng could get his way, a harsh “screech” suddenly came from outside the side hall.

 

The tightly closed door was forcefully pushed open from the outside.

 

Song Junran, dressed in blue and carrying a medicine box, appeared at the doorway.

 

He said through gritted teeth, “Emperor, my junior brother is injured and ill. He’s not thick-skinned like you, able to withstand such treatment.”

 

“What thick-skinned? More like completely shameless.”

 

“If I hadn’t brought the medicine, what would he have tried to do here?”

 

“Depraved beast in gentleman’s clothing, despicable and shameless!”

 

Song Junran’s thoughts came down like summer hail, dense and noisy.

 

Even Xie Bufeng, who had grown accustomed to malice since birth, couldn’t help but frown.

 

Seeing Xie Bufeng distracted, Wen Qingci immediately took the opportunity to properly put on his cloak, push away his hand, and walk to the side.

 

“Thank you for your trouble, Senior Brother. I’ll take the medicine first and return it to you after I’ve used it,” he said, walking to Song Junran’s side and taking the scar-removing ointment from the medicine box.

 

Song Junran nodded slowly while keeping a vigilant eye on Xie Bufeng. “All right.”

 

Then he suddenly added, “Apply this yourself. If there are places you can’t reach, come find me.”

 

“Yes, I understand, Senior Brother.”

 

…Though it was his own senior brother, Wen Qingci was too embarrassed to look at him, knowing Song Junran had heard what he’d just said.

 

His voice unconsciously grew quieter.

 

From the corner of his eye, he saw the black figure that had been standing at a distance now frowning as he walked to the desk.

 

Then Xie Bufeng suddenly said with pointed meaning, “Does Master Song always talk so much?”

 

So much?

 

Song Junran did talk a lot, but he had barely said anything since entering the room…

 

Wen Qingci paused, suddenly realizing-Senior Brother was most likely cursing Xie Bufeng in his mind!

 

…But just how much had he cursed, to provoke such a comment from Xie Bufeng?

 

*

 

After several days of continuous rain, today finally brought a rare clear sky.

 

Shortly after dawn, a carriage drove out from Taishu Palace, slowly making its way through the long streets before stopping outside General Anping’s mansion in the southern part of Yongdu.

 

Knowing Wen Qingci was coming, the people at General Anping’s mansion had been waiting early.

 

Before the carriage even reached the gate, Wen Qingci could see through the curtain.

 

-The area around General Anping’s mansion was heavily guarded, with not a single person on the street.

 

All the young masters of the household were dressed in court attire.

 

Even the general’s wife, like them, had changed into formal ministerial robes.

 

Though the season had passed the End of Heat, the lingering power of the autumn tiger was still present.

 

Seeing this scene from a distance, even Wen Qingci felt a bit hot.

 

“-Physician Wen has arrived.”

 

With the servant’s deliberately loud and exaggerated announcement, Wen Qingci slowly stepped down from the carriage.

 

The imperial physician named Huo Yike quickly jumped down from the carriage behind him.

 

Wen Qingci paused, and before the people waiting outside General Anping’s mansion could react, he stepped forward quickly, bowing with clasped hands: “Wen Qingci of the Imperial Medical Bureau greets the General’s wife and Master Zhan.”

 

Before coming, Wen Qingci had already inquired that General Anping’s eldest son had been stationed with him in the north, so the one standing outside now should be his second son, Zhan Mingjiang, who served in the Ministry of War.

 

“I wouldn’t dare, I wouldn’t dare-”

 

“Greetings, Physician Wen, your reputation precedes you!”

 

Zhan Mingjiang trembled at Wen Qingci’s bow.

 

He hurriedly returned the gesture, bowing so low he almost knelt on the ground.

 

…Everyone in the world knew about Wen Qingci’s relationship with Xie Bufeng.

 

They naturally wouldn’t treat Wen Qingci as an ordinary physician.

 

But… even in the previous dynasty where male relationships were common, there had never been a male empress.

 

So how exactly should they address him?

 

Who would have thought that before they could come up with an answer, Wen Qingci would take the initiative to be polite.

 

Beads of sweat as large as soybeans instantly appeared on Zhan Mingjiang’s forehead.

 

His body couldn’t stop trembling.

 

Seeing the other’s nervousness and embarrassment, Wen Qingci immediately said, “Since I’m here today in my capacity as a physician, please just call me Physician Wen.”

 

“Yes,” Huo Yike quickly nodded beside him, “Physician Wen has always been easy-going. At the Imperial Medical Bureau, we all address him this way.”

 

Wen Qingci smiled and nodded, asking gently, “Where is the General now?”

 

“Yes, yes!” Zhan Mingjiang finally came to his senses. He stood up and made a “please” gesture to Wen Qingci, quickly leading him into the courtyard. “Physician Wen, this way. My father’s illness flared up again this morning. He had intended to join us in welcoming you outside the mansion, but today he was in so much pain he couldn’t even get up… It’s truly discourteous.”

 

“The General is still unwell; rest is most important.”

 

Wen Qingci’s voice was soft and gentle, somehow reassuring.

 

Hearing his words, Zhan Mingjiang, who had been so nervous he was sweating cold just moments ago, couldn’t help but gradually relax.

 

The reputation of Wen Qingci as the “Immortal Faced Demon” had spread far and wide, and everyone in Yongdu had heard of it.

 

Before meeting Wen Qingci today, they couldn’t help but feel a bit afraid…

 

 

Only upon meeting him did they realize that Wen Qingci wasn’t as difficult to get along with as they had imagined.

 

Thinking of this, Zhan Mingjiang couldn’t help but turn and exchange a glance with the General’s wife.

 

Both of them let out a long sigh of relief at that moment.

 

Though two days had passed, Wen Qingci’s body was still sore and weak.

 

His steps were slow and his movements gentle.

 

He was afraid that with one careless move, the marks on his neck and arms would be exposed…

 

The ointment from the Valley of Divine Physicians was very effective.

 

It could even remove scars from snake bites.

 

But Wen Qingci’s skin was extremely pale, making the red marks particularly conspicuous.

 

…Even now, the plum blossom marks hadn’t faded.

 

“This way, Physician Wen. My father is in this room-” Zhan Mingjiang pushed open the door.

 

The next moment, a rush of bitter medicinal air and smoke poured out from the room.

 

Hearing the voices outside, General Anping, lying on the couch, struggled to get up and bow.

 

Seeing this, Wen Qingci quickly hurried to his side and said, “General, please rest.”

 

“Th-thank you, Physician Wen…” General Anping said with great difficulty.

 

Wen Qingci quickly shook his head and said softly, “This is my duty.”

 

As a general, though already in his fifties, his physique was still robust.

 

In contrast to his muscular build, his face was now waxy yellow and lusterless, and he was so weak he could barely speak clearly.

 

He clearly looked gravely ill.

 

Seeing him like this, the General’s wife, standing not far away, couldn’t help but secretly wipe the corners of her eyes with a handkerchief.

 

The atmosphere in General Anping’s mansion was particularly solemn.

 

The General’s illness would be nothing serious in modern times.

 

But in this era, it meant he had one foot in the grave.

 

The people in the General’s household had almost given up hope, but surprisingly, after using the prescription Wen Qingci had written, the pain did ease somewhat.

 

But that prescription was indeed, as he had said, treating the symptoms rather than the cause.

 

Though it could relieve pain after use,

 

the General was still visibly weakening day by day.

 

Today the sky was clear, and the temperature would certainly continue to rise.

 

After instructing the General’s wife and Zhan Mingjiang to change clothes, Wen Qingci began his examination using the four diagnostic methods, not daring to waste a moment.

 

Touching the General’s wrist, Wen Qingci discovered that his body temperature was alarmingly high.

 

He must have been forcing himself to stay alert while talking with Wen Qingci.

 

Without Wen Qingci, the people in General Anping’s household would likely have despaired.

 

So when they first heard Wen Qingci’s idea, though shocked and afraid, they eventually decided to take the risk, treating a dead horse as if it were alive.

 

Limited by the era, Wen Qingci couldn’t perform imaging examinations.

 

But the waxy yellow complexion, rising body temperature, and very obvious abdominal pain already indicated the need for surgery.

 

Looking at General Anping’s condition, they shouldn’t delay any longer.

 

After completing the examination, Wen Qingci said softly to Huo Yike: “The pulse is wiry, slippery, and rapid… we should prepare as soon as possible.”

 

Hearing this, Huo Yike immediately recorded everything Wen Qingci said.

 

Then he asked, “What preparations should be made?”

 

Anyone who could enter the Imperial Medical Bureau had some obsession with medicine.

 

After accepting Wen Qingci’s theories, he was eager to try them out.

 

Seeing Huo Yike’s excitement, Wen Qingci smiled and shook his head gently, then turned back to continue questioning General Anping: “Has the General suffered from any other ailments? Or ever experienced heart or lung pain?”

 

After a pause, General Anping slowly shook his head and said with some difficulty, “N-no…”

 

Hearing this, Wen Qingci couldn’t help but feel relieved.

 

Everything carries risks.

 

Before performing surgery, he had to first confirm whether General Anping had any heart conditions.

 

“Never?” Wen Qingci couldn’t help but confirm once more.

 

General Anping thought for a while, then finally nodded solemnly: “Correct.”

 

“That’s good.”

 

It made sense-General Anping was a battlefield veteran.

 

If he had heart problems, he probably wouldn’t have survived until today.

 

“When does Physician Wen plan to begin?” Huo Yike asked.

 

Wen Qingci thought for a moment, then said softly, “In five days. I need to make preparations first.”

 

Gallbladder removal surgery was very common. In his previous life, though Wen Qingci had studied traditional Chinese medicine and died accidentally in his sophomore year, his adoptive father had undergone this surgery a few years earlier.

 

While caring for him in the hospital, Wen Qingci had learned some knowledge about it.

 

For example, traditional open cholecystectomy had long been obsolete in modern times.

 

Now surgeries were mostly performed with laparoscopy, leaving only three small dot-like scars afterward.

 

…The traditional surgical method not only healed more slowly but also required general anesthesia.

 

Anesthesia might be the biggest challenge for surgery in this era.

 

Thinking of this, Wen Qingci couldn’t help but press his lips together.

 

His expression also grew somewhat serious.

 

——————————

 

After giving a few more instructions to General Anping and his family, Wen Qingci left with Huo Yike.

 

Today there wasn’t a cloud in the sky.

 

The sunlight falling on Wen Qingci made his complexion appear even paler.

 

Just as he was about to board the carriage, Huo Yike, who had been observing Wen Qingci, finally couldn’t help but stop him, asking with some hesitation and uncertainty: “Physician Wen, what are you thinking about? Have you encountered some problem?”

 

After speaking, he realized he shouldn’t have asked this way.

 

…If Wen Qingci really had encountered a problem, he couldn’t help anyway.

 

Besides, would such a famous physician be willing to admit he faced difficulties?

 

How meddlesome, truly meddlesome.

 

Just as the young physician was fretting over this, Wen Qingci suddenly stopped in his tracks.

 

He turned around, slowly nodded and said: “Yes, there is a small problem, but… it’s not particularly troublesome.”

 

Wen Qingci’s tone was completely sincere, sounding no different from usual.

 

Hearing this, Huo Yike couldn’t help but sigh with relief.

 

Then he asked: “What difficulty has my lord encountered?”

 

“When removing the gallbladder, general anesthesia should be used. That’s what I was thinking about just now.”

 

“Anesthesia… haven’t you tried it before?” Huo Yike recalled that when Consort Lan gave birth to the little princess, Wen Qingci seemed to have encountered the same problem.

 

Wen Qingci slowly smiled; he naturally remembered that incident as well.

 

In fact, he had been researching anesthetics for a long time-years ago, Wen Qingci had found a poison that could paralyze nerves, modified it and used it as an anesthetic.

 

He had even conducted animal experiments several times.

 

It wasn’t until Consort Lan faced danger that he finally used it on a human.

 

At that time, he had no memories and wasn’t sure if he could control the dosage properly, so he thought… if there was really no other way, he would use his own blood to detoxify Consort Lan.

 

But now, Wen Qingci would no longer do this.

 

Such behavior was very irresponsible to both himself and the patient.

 

Besides… if something really happened to him, what would Xie Bufeng do?

 

“Yes, although I’ve tried once, I still need a few days to determine the proper dosage.”

 

“I understand!” Huo Yike couldn’t help but sigh with relief.

 

By the time the two left General Anping’s mansion in the morning, it was already noon. The red sun hung high in the sky, and heat shimmered in the streets.

 

Wen Qingci’s face appeared increasingly pale in the sunlight.

 

Huo Yike was startled by Wen Qingci’s complexion and hurriedly said: “Alright, Physician Wen, please get in the carriage quickly! It’s too sunny outside today; you shouldn’t stand in the sun any longer.”

 

“Very well, let’s return to the palace first.” Wen Qingci nodded slowly.

 

Just as Huo Yike said, Wen Qingci was indeed feeling unwell from the strong sun.

 

His head felt heavy, and the surroundings became blurry.

 

Only after sitting in the carriage and returning to the shade did Wen Qingci start to feel a little better.

 

With a light sound, the carriage departed from the heavily guarded mansion of General Anping and headed toward another bustling street.

 

Though this carriage had no special decorations, seeing it leave from this place, the surrounding commoners still cast curious glances at it.

 

Through the not-so-thick carriage walls, Wen Qingci heard-commoners in the street discussing General Anping’s condition.

 

“…Who is that? Someone visiting the General’s mansion?”

 

“Probably.”

 

“Perhaps they’re coming to see the General one last time!”

 

“His Majesty is really… he loses his head whenever it involves that physician. How could he allow that person to play with the General’s life?”

 

With so many people at the General’s mansion, news of the surgery had already spread.

 

Now, half of Yongdu’s citizens were watching this matter.

 

Besides those curious and anticipating the results of the surgery, some people were skeptical.

 

They didn’t believe Wen Qingci’s surgery could succeed.

 

They even connected this matter with previous rumors.

 

Then they concluded that Xie Bufeng had been blinded by beauty.

 

Wen Qingci slowly lowered the bamboo curtain, clenched his palm, and gradually closed his eyes.

 

This surgery was of great significance to him.

 

If the surgery succeeded, the people of Wei would finally let go of their doubts about him, and his theories could spread smoothly.

 

And the significance of the surgery didn’t end there.

 

General Anping was willing to trust Wen Qingci not only because of his medical skills but also because of Xie Bufeng.

 

-The current emperor was endorsing Wen Qingci with the trust of an emperor, even an entire empire.

 

Wen Qingci, misunderstood for over ten years, didn’t mind adding another “charge” to his name.

 

But he didn’t want to betray Xie Bufeng’s trust in him at all.

 

Even more, he didn’t want people to think Xie Bufeng was nepotistic or incompetent because of this.

 

*

 

The carriage slowly returned to Taishu Palace.

 

Whether from heatstroke or some other reason, when Wen Qingci returned to the Imperial Medical Bureau, not only was his face pale, but his steps had also become unsteady.

 

His condition frightened Huo Yike.

 

The young physician hurriedly put aside everything else and helped Wen Qingci back to his quarters.

 

Just as they reached the courtyard gate, the door creaked open.

 

“My beloved-”

 

Before Xie Bufeng could finish, he saw that young physician named Huo supporting Wen Qingci’s arm, looking at him anxiously.

 

Wen Qingci’s hair was loose, his thin lips tightly pressed together.

 

Even his raven-black eyelashes trembled weakly.

 

On his entire face, only that cinnabar mole retained any color.

 

The pale amber eyes instantly turned ice-cold.

 

Huo Yike felt a chill down his spine and instinctively wanted to kneel in greeting.

 

Xie Bufeng slowly took Wen Qingci into his arms while saying coldly: “No need, you may go.”

 

“Yes, Your Majesty!” Huo Yike sighed with relief, not caring about anything else, and immediately turned to run toward the front courtyard.

 

After he left, the weak and powerless Wen Qingci finally slowly raised his eyes to look at Xie Bufeng.

 

Dressed in black, Xie Bufeng frowned deeply: “I said I would go with you, but you sent me back. Look at your condition-what if something had happened to you outside?”

 

Xie Bufeng’s tone sounded cold at first, but only he knew how anxious he had felt just moments ago.

 

“Today, just stay inside and-”

 

Before he could finish, Wen Qingci suddenly interrupted him.

 

Standing supported at the doorway, Wen Qingci suddenly looked up at Xie Bufeng: “…Your Majesty, I’m quite exhausted. Could you carry me back?”

 

He said with a gentle smile.

 

The midday sun pierced through the leaves of the magnolia tree, transforming into countless circular mirrors scattered on the ground.

 

His beautiful eyes narrowed slightly against the dazzling sunlight.

 

Wen Qingci’s voice, weakened by his condition, became exceptionally soft.

 

So soft that Xie Bufeng almost thought those words were just his imagination.

 

…What did Qingci just say?

 

This was the first time Wen Qingci had actively asked Xie Bufeng to carry him.

 

His Imperial Majesty completely forgot everything he had been about to say.

 

His heart began to pound.

 

For a moment, he even forgot how to embrace someone.

 

“Cough, cough… Your Majesty?”

 

Only when Wen Qingci couldn’t help but cough lightly did Xie Bufeng finally come to his senses.

 

He bent down and carefully took Wen Qingci into his arms.

 

Turning, he carried him into the small courtyard and sat beneath the magnolia tree.

 

In early autumn, the magnolia tree was still lush green.

 

The grass beneath it had not yet yellowed.

 

Wen Qingci noticed… two small jade cups on the nearby table.

 

The cups were filled with wine.

 

“Your Majesty, is that plum wine?”

 

Wen Qingci thought he detected a familiar fragrance.

 

“Yes,” Xie Bufeng said, arranging the stray hairs on Wen Qingci’s forehead. “Your Senior Brother mentioned that you had made plum wine in the valley but hadn’t had much chance to drink it.”

 

Wen Qingci guessed this must be something else Xie Bufeng had heard from Song Junran’s thoughts.

 

The original sentiment was probably Song Junran’s frustration that his junior brother hadn’t even had the chance to enjoy much plum wine before being lured away by Xie Bufeng.

 

Song Junran had traveled extensively through the martial world and had learned every dialect’s curse words.

 

It must have been challenging for Xie Bufeng to find useful information among all those vulgarities…

 

Thinking of this, Wen Qingci couldn’t help but smile.

 

“What are you smiling at, beloved?”

 

“Nothing,” Wen Qingci cleared his throat and returned his gaze to the plum wine. “I’d like to try it.”

 

“It was prepared for you,” Xie Bufeng frowned. “But you should wait until you’ve recovered a bit more.”

 

Suddenly, everything grew quiet around them.

 

A breeze blew by, carrying a hint of wine to Wen Qingci’s nose.

 

After a moment of silence, Wen Qingci suddenly looked up at Xie Bufeng.

 

He couldn’t help but ask, “Your Majesty, in supporting me so strongly, have you considered what might happen if I fail?”

 

After speaking, Wen Qingci held his breath.

 

As emperor, and able to hear the evil thoughts in people’s minds, Xie Bufeng couldn’t possibly be unaware of what all this meant.

 

Xie Bufeng suddenly smiled slowly.

 

He lowered his head to kiss Wen Qingci’s hair, and whispered by his ear in a voice only the two of them could hear: “If you succeed, then I will go down in history alongside you.”

 

A steady, powerful heartbeat transmitted through the thin fabric.

 

The bitter fragrance, like a ribbon, entwined them both.

 

Wen Qingci’s heart suddenly grew tense.

 

“If you fail…” Xie Bufeng twirled Wen Qingci’s long hair around his finger, then turned slightly to gaze into those pitch-black eyes and murmured, “Then I will become a degenerate ruler for your sake.”

 

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(advanced chapters available on kofi)