BLPSG Chapter 93.1

Wen Qingci paused, slowly set down his brush, and instinctively looked toward the door.

 

Beside him, the young physician was still staring dazedly at the paper filled with writing on the desk, not having processed what was happening, completely unaware that the most important figures of Taishu Palace had all gathered here today.

 

-What Wen Qingci had just said to him was simply too shocking.

 

The physician’s talk of “stealing a master” wasn’t a joke or just idle chatter.

 

He worried that Wen Qingci might not want to stay in Yongdu, and would leave after curing Xie Bufeng.

 

So he took every opportunity while delivering medicine to discuss medical theory with Wen Qingci and ask him questions.

 

Not only did he ask his own questions, he also compiled those of his colleagues and brought them along.

 

A few days ago, a third-rank official outside the palace had suffered severe abdominal pain, nausea, and vomiting, bedridden at home.

 

The palace physicians had visited and prescribed several remedies, but nothing worked.

 

So they asked him to bring the detailed case records to Wen Qingci.

 

Just before the eunuch’s announcement, Wen Qingci had written on the paper: “Gallbladder stagnation and heat, stones entrenched.”

 

He also increased the dosage in a Chaihu-based Zhang Zhongjing formula and prescribed the first dose.

 

Up to this point, everything was normal.

 

After writing the prescription, Wen Qingci added, “This formula can relieve the pain and gradually normalize the temperature, but it cannot cure the disease.”

 

“Then how can it be cured?” the young physician couldn’t help but ask.

 

Wen Qingci paused, then answered, “The gallbladder must be removed.”

 

“Re-remove it?!”

 

Was his colleague joking?

 

One’s body, hair, and skin are received from one’s parents and must not be harmed.

 

This was no laughing matter!

 

After the Lianhe incident, he, like most people, had gradually come to accept autopsy as a means to investigate causes of death.

 

But that didn’t mean he could accept removing organs from a living person…

 

Even setting aside ethics-

 

Could someone really live well after having their abdomen cut open?

 

Was this saving a life, or taking one?

 

To people of this era, Wen Qingci’s words were absurd and unrealistic-almost mad.

 

A chill ran down the young physician’s back. He suddenly remembered that Wen Qingci had once been called the “Immortal faced demon”…

 

Now it seemed this colleague was not only similar in appearance, but also in actions.

 

He instinctively wanted to observe Wen Qingci’s expression, but it was hidden by the veil.

 

But Wen Qingci had already sensed his thoughts from his tone.

 

“I’m not joking,” Wen Qingci said, carefully writing his final diagnosis on the paper.

 

At that, the young physician was left completely dumbfounded, unable to move.

 

It wasn’t until the eunuch’s voice came from outside that Wen Qingci gently patted his arm and lowered his voice: “Come, let’s go greet them.”

 

That was the rule in Taishu Palace.

 

“Huh?” The physician snapped out of it, hurriedly nodding, “Yes, yes…”

 

He immediately put down what he was holding, forced down his discomfort, and followed Wen Qingci out of the side room.

 

There weren’t many people in the front courtyard of the Imperial Medical Bureau, but now everyone had come outside, bowing at the edge of the courtyard.

 

The evening sun cast their shadows long.

 

Standing beside Wen Qingci, the young physician kept sneaking glances at him, hoping to see some sign of abnormality or to hear that what he’d just said was only a joke.

 

Yet Wen Qingci behaved just as he always had.

 

Footsteps drew near, and the Empress Dowager, dressed in a deep red palace gown, finally appeared in Wen Qingci’s line of sight along with Dowager Consort Hui and Prince Heng, Xie Guanzhi.

 

Before anyone could bow, she spoke lightly: “No need for formalities.”

 

With the chorus of “Thank you, Your Majesty, for your grace,” she led her entourage toward the side hall.

 

Though the bow was waived, everyone on duty in the front hall still had to remain there, waiting respectfully.

 

The front courtyard of the Imperial Medical Bureau wasn’t large, and the side hall’s doors were open.

 

Scattered bits of conversation from inside drifted out to those waiting.

 

…

 

Today, Dowager Consort Hui was especially attentive.

 

“…I heard His Majesty was unwell recently, so I specially prayed for a Buddha statue at the temple, to bless His Majesty with good fortune.”

 

“Consort, you are thoughtful,” Xie Bufeng’s tone was much the same as usual. “You’ve gone to a lot of trouble.”

 

As she spoke, Dowager Consort Hui also looked up, glancing silently at the beaded curtain.

 

Seeing Xie Bufeng’s complexion was still good, she finally relaxed a little.

 

Seeing Xie Bufeng being so polite, Dowager Consort Hui hurried to add, “Your Majesty is the ruler of a nation-your health is a matter of state, how could it be any trouble?”

 

With the former emperor dead, Dowager Consort Hui no longer needed to keep up appearances as before.

 

Though her tone was still a bit exaggerated, her expression was much more composed than usual.

 

Clearly, this was her true self.

 

After the pleasantries, she didn’t forget to press a little closer: “How are you now, Your Majesty? Do you still feel unwell?”

 

Xie Bufeng slowly turned the teacup in his hand, his gaze passing through the beaded curtain to the window.

 

After a moment’s pause, he shook his head. “While in Lianhe, I met a wandering physician. Thanks to his care, I’ve mostly recovered.”

 

Once assured that Xie Bufeng was in no real danger and would surely last until the investiture, Dowager Consort Hui finally breathed a sigh of relief.

 

At this point, Xie Guanzhi, who had been silent by her side, suddenly spoke up: “I never thought a wandering physician could be so skilled…”

 

As he spoke, he couldn’t help clenching his fists.

 

After all, he’d nearly died at Xie Bufeng’s hands, and he was still a little afraid of him.

 

The sword Xie Bufeng had driven into the ground beside him while digging up the coffin had left a deep psychological scar.

 

After returning to Yongdu, he’d had nightmares for months.

 

That fear, now etched into his soul, made him swallow the rest of his words-he’d wanted to ask whether this physician’s skills surpassed Wen Qingci’s.

 

He held his tongue, but the next moment, Dowager Consort Hui nervously glanced at the beaded curtain, trying to gauge Xie Bufeng’s mood.

 

…Why did her son always seem to provoke Xie Bufeng!

 

No wonder he’d agreed so readily when she suggested visiting Xie Bufeng.

 

So this was his real agenda.

 

The rumors about Xie Bufeng and the wandering physician had already spread throughout Yongdu.

 

Dowager Consort Hui had certainly heard them.

 

But whether he was just a “substitute” or Xie Bufeng truly had feelings, that was Xie Bufeng’s private affair, and no one else’s business.

 

Unexpectedly, before Xie Guanzhi could ask about Wen Qingci, Xie Bufeng nodded and brought him up himself: “Qingci is also a man of the martial world.”

 

His tone was very natural, nothing like the crazed man he’d been a year ago.

 

He no longer treated “Wen Qingci” as a taboo, as if he had truly… let go.

 

At those words, Xie Guanzhi looked up at Xie Bufeng in disbelief.

 

He also thought it was good that Xie Bufeng seemed “normal” now, no longer obsessed with a dead man.

 

But remembering what had happened before, Xie Guanzhi’s thoughts suddenly became complicated.

 

‘It was so intense back then, but now he’s comparing someone he’s only known for a few months to him? In a few days, will he replace Wen Qingci altogether?’

 

‘So he can be this indifferent to Wen Qingci after all. I really misjudged him.’

 

Just then, Xie Bufeng happened to lift his teacup.

 

As he raised his hand, the creamy white wool bracelet slipped from his wrist, catching Xie Guanzhi’s eye.

 

‘So even the bracelet is new now.’

 

Seeing this, Xie Guanzhi couldn’t help but feel a chill inside.

 

…Don’t be impulsive, don’t be impulsive.

 

The nightmare of nearly being killed by Xie Bufeng’s sword hadn’t faded yet.

 

But seeing Xie Bufeng bring up Wen Qingci on his own, Xie Guanzhi hesitated, then couldn’t help but say, “Comparing him to Physician Wen… it seems Your Majesty truly values this physician.”

 

On the surface, Xie Guanzhi was talking about medical skill.

 

But everyone in the side hall could hear the real meaning.

 

Dowager Consort Hui shot him a fierce glare.

 

Xie Guanzhi just pressed his lips together and looked down, pretending not to notice.

 

“Of course,” Xie Bufeng’s voice held not a trace of displeasure-in fact, there was a hint of fondness and longing. “In my eyes, there is no one in this world who can compare to him.”

 

No one compares…

 

Xie Bufeng’s words rang out clearly in the silent courtyard.

 

It was like a confession-in fact, it was a confession.

 

Those waiting outside all turned to look at Wen Qingci.

 

Everyone knew about the emperor and Physician Wen, so was he confirming the rumors about him and the wandering physician?

 

For a moment, everyone forgot to hide their shock.

 

Standing in the courtyard, Wen Qingci couldn’t help but lower his head.

 

He wasn’t used to being looked at this way.

 

This wasn’t the first time he’d heard Xie Bufeng express his affection.

 

But this time, the distance between them suddenly felt vast.

 

 

Therefore, unlike before, Wen Qingci did not feel at a loss; instead, he instinctively held his breath and became acutely aware that his heart was beating faster because of those words from the other person.

 

Even though just moments ago, everyone had still been caught up on Wen Qingci’s talk of opening the abdomen and removing the gallbladder.

 

But as Wen Qingci was being scrutinized by the crowd, the imperial physician beside him loyally stepped half a pace forward, squarely shielding the moon-robed Wen Qingci behind his own back.

 

“Thank you.” After speaking, Wen Qingci, who had been standing for a while, couldn’t help but cough softly twice.

 

“It’s nothing, it’s nothing,” the physician quickly shook his head, and after a brief pause, suddenly raised his voice, “Careful!”

 

Wen Qingci instinctively looked toward the other side of the open space.

 

-A rabbit had somehow emerged from the grass and hopped to his feet.

 

“Hey! Don’t run!” The next second, Xie Fuyin’s voice floated over, chasing after the rabbit.

 

Everyone in the clearing turned to look in that direction.

 

Dressed in a light pink palace gown, Xie Fuyin ran into the small courtyard, lifting her skirt as she hurried in.

 

Behind her, the nanny and Mingliu followed, whispering, “Princess, slow down, don’t rush!”

 

“It’s fine, it’s fine!” Xie Fuyin waved her hand, showing no intention of slowing down.

 

This scene had played out countless times before Wen Qingci’s eyes.

 

In that instant, Wen Qingci felt as if he’d been transported back to over a year ago, back to when he was still “Physician Wen”…

 

——————————

 

After more than a year, Xie Fuyin had grown a lot.

 

Her features were delicate, her cheeks rosy, as adorable as a little fairy.

 

Wen Qingci saw that Xie Fuyin was carrying a bamboo basket on her arm, filled with hay and dried fruit, presumably to feed the rabbit.

 

The rabbit had been raised in the Imperial Medical Bureau for so long that it was no longer afraid of people.

 

Seeing Xie Fuyin running after it, it thought she was playing a game, and instead of being scared, it darted straight into the crowd.

 

Then, as luck would have it, it bumped right into Wen Qingci.

 

“Help me catch it!” Xie Fuyin’s clear voice rang out by Wen Qingci’s ear.

 

He was momentarily stunned, then turned to look toward Xie Fuyin.

 

After making eye contact, he finally realized she really was speaking to him.

 

Wen Qingci’s heart gave a sharp tug.

 

It’s all right…

 

He took a deep breath, reminding himself over and over that Xie Fuyin was still a child.

 

She probably wouldn’t recognize him.

 

After a few seconds’ pause, Wen Qingci finally turned around.

 

“Yes, Your Highness.”

 

Unlike the other imperial physicians, who were only casual acquaintances, Wen Qingci was very familiar with Xie Fuyin.

 

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