038 Special Treatment

As soon as Zhang Bitong entered, Imperial Physician Gu and his apprentice hurried forward to pay their respects. “Your servant greets Your Highness and wishes you good health.”

Zhang Bitong spoke gently, “You may rise. How is Sister Lan’s health?” With that, she walked toward the bedside, her expression full of concern as she gazed at Lin Lanzhi, who lay upon the bed.

It was then that I finally saw the young lady I had heard so much about but never met—the Prime Minister’s daughter, Lin Lanzhi.

“Sister Lan pays her respects to Elder Sister. Forgive me for not rising to greet you,” Lin Lanzhi spoke with a voice as sweet and clear as spring water, soothing to the ear. She appeared to be around sixteen or seventeen, her features gentle and delicate, her entire bearing elegant. She wore mourning white, her face free of any powder, looking somewhat pale and frail, reminiscent of the legendary beauty Xi Shi in her illness. Yet, dimples appeared at the corners of her cheeks, making her extraordinarily lovely.

“Why would you say such a thing, Sister Lan?” Zhang Bitong simply sat down at the bedside, affectionately taking Lin Lanzhi’s hand. “Since you entered the palace, you’ve been unwell, and I, as your elder sister, have not visited you. You mustn’t blame me for that.”

“Elder Sister, you are too kind. It is my own frailty; upon entering the palace, I should have come to your palace to pay my respects.”

“Don’t say such distant words. Between sisters, there’s no need for such formality. I’ve even brought you some precious tonics—these are rare treasures. I hope you’ll recover soon, Sister.”

“Elder Sister’s kindness is more than I deserve,” Lin Lanzhi replied, trying to rise, but Zhang Bitong pressed her gently back. “Since you call me Elder Sister, why make such distinctions?”

At that moment, Imperial Physician Gu spoke, “Your Highnesses, I have given the prescription to Miss Chudie. I ask that she go to the Imperial Medical Institute to fetch the medicine.”

“Thank you, Imperial Physician,” Lin Lanzhi nodded slightly to him.

“If there’s nothing else, your servant will take his leave,” Imperial Physician Gu said.

Lin Lanzhi was about to respond when Zhang Bitong interjected, “Imperial Physician Gu, don’t be so hasty.”

He turned to Zhang Bitong, “Your Highness, is there anything more you require?”

“Please, have a seat. I wish to discuss Sister Lan’s condition further. Miss Chudie, could you serve tea to our esteemed guests?”

Chudie glanced at Lin Lanzhi, as if seeking her approval. Lin Lanzhi said, “Go ahead. Since Elder Sister is concerned about my health, I must trouble the physicians to remain in the Palace of Tranquil Moon a while longer.”

“Your Highness is too gracious.”

“Chudie, remember to serve Elder Sister Tong a cup of tea as well.”

“Yes, I understand,” Chudie replied.

Chudie left to prepare the tea. I saw Imperial Physician Gu and his apprentice take seats on the chairs within the room, both of them looking rather uneasy.

“Since you entered the palace, I hear you’ve been bedridden. What a shame for such a beauty! Sister, you must recover soon,” Zhang Bitong said once more to Lin Lanzhi.

“Perhaps I simply lack good fortune and cannot serve His Majesty,” Lin Lanzhi replied mildly, her tone betraying little regret.

“His Majesty’s boundless grace will surely ensure your recovery. Sister, don’t fear the bitterness of the medicine; you must follow the physicians' advice and care for yourself. Isn’t that so, Imperial Physician Gu?”

Imperial Physician Gu quickly rose at Zhang Bitong’s words. “Your Highness is absolutely right. Your servant will devote every effort to your treatment.”

“You are a veteran physician of the Imperial Medical Institute, renowned for your skill. I trust you completely.”

“Thank you for your praise, Your Highness.”

“Your Highness, your tea,” Chudie announced as she entered, bringing three cups. The first cup, naturally, was presented to Zhang Bitong, the highest in rank.

Zhang Bitong accepted it, and Chudie served the other two cups to Imperial Physician Gu and his apprentice.

Zhang Bitong lifted her lid and asked, “Imperial Physician Gu, what exactly is the nature of Lady Lan’s illness?”

Imperial Physician Gu replied, “The cause is not entirely clear to me. It may be the strain of adjusting to life in the palace. With careful treatment, she should recover in time.”

“That is peculiar,” Zhang Bitong remarked. “If she were a stranger to the city, one might suspect acclimatization. But Sister Lan was raised in the Prime Minister’s residence here in the capital. She should not be unaccustomed to palace life.”

Lin Lanzhi replied, “You are not aware, Elder Sister, but I have been delicate since childhood, always accompanied by medicine. As I grew older, my health improved somewhat. I thought entering the palace would be nothing, but unexpectedly, my old illness returned. I have troubled you, Elder Sister; the fault is mine.”

Lin Lanzhi turned her cup, and I immediately stepped forward to take it. The lid was ajar, but I paid it little heed, simply standing by with the cup.

“Sister, don’t say such things. You will recover.” Then Lin Lanzhi addressed Imperial Physician Gu, “Imperial Physician, my sister and I would like a private word. You may return to your duties at the Medical Institute.”

“Yes, Your Highness. Your servant takes his leave.”

Imperial Physician Gu gave his apprentice a look, and the apprentice rose to follow him out. The two left the room.

Chudie began clearing the teacups. I wanted to inquire about the apprentice, so I stepped forward. “Sister Chudie, let me help you.”

Had Zhang Bitong not been present, Chudie would have ignored me. But with Zhang Bitong there, she said nothing, though her expression remained cold.

I took the cup that Imperial Physician Gu had used, comparing it to the one Zhang Bitong had drunk from; they appeared identical. But as I looked up, I saw Chudie staring at the cup before her, momentarily transfixed.

“What is it, Sister Chudie?” I asked quietly. She started, her hand trembling, and the cup fell, spilling tea and leaves all over the floor.

“This servant is at fault, this servant is at fault.”

“It’s of no consequence, just clean it up quickly.”

“Yes.”

Chudie crouched to tidy up. At that moment, I noticed something: the tea leaves scattered on the floor were different from those in my hand and in Zhang Bitong’s cup. I recognized this tea—it was bitterleaf tea, notorious for its bitterness. Most people couldn’t tolerate it. I knew it only because the steward at my former residence drank it for his health; after drinking it often, the bitterness no longer bothered him. Such tea was rare in the inner palace, yet here it was in the Palace of Tranquil Moon, and only in one of the cups, not all.

Once Chudie finished cleaning, she left. I excused myself to “help Chudie” and stepped outside as well. Spotting a eunuch waiting outside, I asked, “It’s impressive—your mistress not only endures bitter medicine but also drinks bitterleaf tea.”

The young eunuch replied, “Our mistress hates bitter things. Each time she takes medicine, it’s as if she’s being tortured by it; she’d never drink bitter tea.”

Feigning confusion, I said, “But I’m sure I just saw bitterleaf tea.”

The eunuch thought for a moment. “You mean the bitterleaf tea? That was brought in from outside the palace by our mistress and kept in the cabinet. I’ve never seen anyone drink it. Oh, but now that you mention it, it’s only brewed when that physician comes—when Miss Chudie prepares it for him.”

“That physician, is he Imperial Physician Gu’s apprentice? I’m new here and don’t recognize him—what’s his name?”

“I’m not sure,” the eunuch said. “But I once heard Miss Chudie call him Master Liu. So perhaps his surname is Liu.”

“So, Master Liu. To be a student of Imperial Physician Gu, he must be highly skilled.”

“I’ve never seen him treat our mistress directly. When Imperial Physician Gu is present, he doesn’t do anything. But when the elder physician isn’t around, it’s usually Master Liu who attends her.”

“Imperial Physician Gu is elderly and must be quite busy. He probably can’t come often.”

“That’s right. He’s only been here two or three times. It’s mostly Master Liu.”

“Xiaodezi, what are you talking about?” Chudie had returned and, seeing me conversing with the eunuch, immediately put on a stern face.

“I dare not say more,” Xiaodezi replied.

I smiled, “I meant to help Sister Chudie, but happened to meet an old acquaintance from the Department of Service, so we chatted. Xiaodezi, come visit the Department more often—Steward Qiu enjoys company.”

“Of course, of course,” Xiaodezi agreed, eager to avoid reproach.

“Xiao Xiaozi!” came Zhang Bitong’s voice from inside.

“At your service!” I hurried in. “Your Highness, what are your orders?”

“Noble Lady Lan must be tired. I should not disturb her further. I will return to Cuiwei Palace. Sister Lan, I will visit another day.”

“I am unwell and cannot see you off. Let Chudie accompany you on my behalf.”

“No need, it’s cold outside. Take care and keep warm. Chudie can stay with you indoors. I hope you’ll consider what I said earlier—it’s all for your own good.”

“Thank you, Sister Tong. I will think it over.”

“That’s best. Xiao Xiaozi, escort me back.”

“Yes, Your Highness!”

While I had been talking to Xiaodezi, I missed what Zhang Bitong and Lin Lanzhi discussed, but I was certain Zhang Bitong had not achieved her aim. Judging from my first impression of Lin Lanzhi, she was not at all the sort of woman to vie for favor in the harem.

Zhang Bitong maintained her composure until we left the Palace of Tranquil Moon and walked some distance. Then, dissatisfied, she muttered, “What a waste of precious tonics—all for nothing. Lin Lanzhi is useless.”

I followed behind and asked, “Noble Lady Lan did not appreciate Your Highness’s kindness?”

Zhang Bitong replied, “I hinted repeatedly that she should seek the emperor’s favor, even offering to help her. But she kept insisting she was too ill to go out and must recuperate here. I can’t understand how Prime Minister Lin could have such a meek and indifferent daughter. If I can’t get through to Lin Lanzhi, what am I supposed to do? Xiao Xiaozi, why haven’t you thought of a solution for me?”

“I cannot think of anything at the moment, Your Highness.”

“Useless, the lot of you!” Zhang Bitong shot me an angry glance, but before she could finish, she cried out in surprise—someone had bumped into her, nearly twisting her ankle.