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Chapter 13
Yixing twisted her head to look. The man wore a stone-blue lined robe, his arrow-sleeves (Jianxiu) neatly rolled back. Because of the dim light and his tall stature, the fire from the burning paper money barely reached his chest. His face remained hidden in the darkness, impossible to see clearly.
Yi xing’s heart hammered against her ribs. Fortunately, the bundle had almost finished burning, so she hurriedly stomped out the embers, sending sparks flying everywhere. Rubbing her hands nervously, she said, "Anda, I’ve just entered the palace and don't know the rules. You must know what kind of place this is. A little palace maid passed away today, and I thought she was pitiful..."
"Pitying others might cost you your own life. Are you not afraid?" After the man spoke, he seemed to realize how she had addressed him. He repeated it with a strange note in his voice, "What did you call me? Anda?"
Anda means "brother." In the palace, it was generally used as a familiar way to address eunuchs.
Clearly, Yi xing had used the wrong title. This man was likely not a eunuch, which was why he was as sensitive to those two syllables as if he’d been pricked by a needle.
She began to think rapidly about his identity. After the palace gates were locked, there were technically only eight men in the entire Forbidden City, including the Emperor: four guards of the Gate of Celestial Purity (Qianqing Men), two court physicians, and one petition official. Moreover, every move these men made after nightfall was monitored by eunuchs. No matter how lax the supervision, they shouldn't be able to stroll leisurely into the territory of the Anle Tang!
Yixing stole another glance at him. The last spark had died out, leaving only a hazy shadow. Recalling her panicked glimpse from moments ago, she remembered his clothing wasn't particularly special—a plain satin robe without a single pattern. Aside from his tall and upright build, if someone told her he was a eunuch, she would have believed it.
Regardless, when caught red-handed, one must negotiate well. After all, nobody is perfect.
Yi xing squeezed out a smile and tucked her hands into her sleeves. "The palace seems to have regulations stating that guards and officials on night duty cannot wander about aimlessly under the cover of darkness. I’ve never seen you before, so you surely don't serve near here. How about this: it was my fault for violating the rules by burning a funeral bundle, but it’s also your fault for wandering here while not on shift. We’ll call it even. You don't arrest me, and I won't report you. Let’s just call it making a friend, what do you say?"
"Just call it making a friend?" The man opposite her seemed to ponder this seriously. "How can you be so certain that I’ve defied palace regulations?"
Yixing replied, "What else could it be? Forgive my poor eyesight, could it be that you are the Emperor?"
The other man was clearly caught off guard by her question. He hesitated a moment before saying no. "Physicians can make house calls at night. I originally came to check on that little palace maid, but I didn't expect her to be gone already."
Yixing let out an "Oh." "So you’re a court physician! Then you must understand our hardships even better. That poor little girl had no family to see her off. You are handsome and kind-hearted; surely you can be understanding."
With just those few words, she had placed a flattering "high hat" on his head.
Anyone's heart tends to soften when receiving praise. The physician opposite her could no longer pursue the matter and simply said, "I won't hold today’s events against you, but this is the only time; it must not happen again. The palace buildings are made of brick and wood. If a spark lands somewhere, it would be a catastrophic disaster."
Yixing nodded hurriedly. "I’ll remember. It won't happen again. Thank you, Physician."
It was the first day of the lunar month, and a sliver of a crescent moon hung in the sky, while a thin mist settled on the ground. Yixing couldn't see his features clearly, but just by the sound of his voice, she felt he must have handsome features.
A person's appearance really can reflect their nature. She had originally thought the palace was full of traps at every step, but in truth, once she left the Bureau of Ceremonies, the people she met weren't bad—like the few in the Anle Tang, and this physician who was willing to let her off even after catching her in the act.
The physician seemed curious as to why someone so young had come to the Anle Tang. He didn't hurry away but stood his ground and asked, "Miss, did you offend someone to be punished and sent here? Generally, someone your age should be assigned to the Six Palaces for duty."
Speaking of this, Yi xing couldn't help but feel embarrassed. She lowered her head and stammered, "I wasn't clever enough. I made the Madame (Shangyi) angry, so I was punished and sent here."
The physician seemed to agree with her self-assessment of not being "clever." He then asked, "Someone died on your very first day on duty. Aren't you afraid?"
Yixing thought about it seriously and truly didn't feel fear.
"Since I was a child, my Enie (mother) said I had the 'courage of a thief.' Where in this world does no one die? This place receives those with heavy illnesses, and doctors like you are invited to treat them. Everyone here is sincere; no one harbors selfish motives. I think this place is even better than those flower-filled, ostentatious palaces."
The physician's voice was truly pleasant to the ear. He chuckled softly. "You were born into those flower-filled places; why do you despise them now?"
Yixing was startled. "You know my background?"
He gave a hum of affirmation. "Naturally, I know. The highest-ranking 'Auntie' of the Shang family, your name has long since spread through the palace. I heard a rumor that you were punished and sent to the Anle Tang. There were only two old nannies here, and suddenly there’s another girl. You must be Shang Yi xing, right?"
The sky was dim, and neither could see the other clearly. He only remembered her lustrous forehead and delicate profile when she had been crouching before the firelight.
Yixing let out an "Aye." "It’s me. I didn't expect to be so famous in the palace." She then asked him, "May I ask your honorable surname, Physician? It would be easier to address you in the future."
He said, "My surname is Xia. You can just call me Physician Xia."
Yixing nodded. "I must thank you for your help today. Now that Xiao Juan-zi is dead, there’s still a sick eunuch inside. Why don't you come in with me to take a look?"
But he didn't move a step. He only said, "I came specifically for the palace maids. The illnesses of eunuchs are not under my jurisdiction."
Hearing this, Yixing had a sudden realization. "I see, I see... You are a master of 'Women’s Medicine,' specifically for palace maids."
Physician Xia was choked into silence for a long moment before he finally said, "You could... say that."
Regardless of whether he treated men or women, he was a good person.
Yixing performed a curtsy. "It’s late. Since you aren't entering the Anle Tang, please head back!"
Physician Xia agreed, but though he said the words, he didn't leave.
Yixing was puzzled. She thought to herself, If you won't leave, I will, but she didn't want to be rude. She tilted her head and asked, "Did you come here in the dark? Why don't you wait a moment, and I’ll fetch a lantern for you."
Physician Xia didn't answer her directly. After a moment of deliberation, he said, "I have some connections in the Bureau of Ceremonies. Miss, would you like me to find a way to transfer you back?"
So, a single compliment could yield such great benefits! Yi xing suddenly felt her tongue had been too clumsy in the past; she hadn't discovered this talent early enough. She would have to be smarter from now on.
However, receiving rewards for no merit was not a good thing. Her Enie had warned her that when a girl grows up, she must know boundaries. If an unfamiliar man shows you unsolicited kindness, he is likely after something. At such times, one must stay clear-headed. "Accepting from others makes one's hands soft." Don't be greedy for small advantages, or you'll never be able to hold your head up.
Thinking of this, Yixing took a cautious half-step back. She was someone who intended to become an Imperial Noble Consort; she couldn't be careless and let someone hold a debt over her in the future. She said, "I appreciate your kindness, but I plan to leave this place through my own abilities. Please don't trouble yourself for me." As she spoke, she started walking back, murmuring, "Wait a moment, I’ll get the light for you..."
The Anle Tang was different from other places. Elsewhere, lights were extinguished at a set time, but because there were patients here, lamps were kept lit all night.
Yixing took a "Wind-Defying" lantern¹ from under the eaves, lifted it with a pole, and hurried back. Unfortunately, when she reached the spot, she found Physician Xia was already gone. He likely couldn't wait and had left!
This man was truly elusive. She couldn't see his face when he arrived, and he was gone by the time she returned with a light. Was he afraid of being seen?
Yixing stood with the lantern for a while, looking down. The burned paper money had turned to ashes... She suddenly shivered. Could it be that my burning of paper attracted something 'unclean'?
She didn't dare linger another second. After hurriedly burying the small pit, she ran back into the Anle Tang without looking back.
Gao Yang was startled to see someone rushing in so frantically. Only after seeing her face did he say, "What are you so busy with, Miss, in the middle of the night?"
Yixing stammered, saying it was nothing. "I just went to look at the eastern wing... Anda, do physicians make house calls at night? For a place like ours, if someone suddenly becomes critically ill, can we ask a physician to come and treat them?"
Gao Yang let out a scoffing laugh. "What are you thinking? Once the palace gates are locked, there are only two physicians on duty, and they both stay in the Imperial Pharmacy inside the Rijin Gate. Their movements are strictly regulated; they aren't allowed to step one foot west down the stairs at night. Even if a mistress feels unwell, they must be accompanied by specific eunuchs when entering or leaving. In our place, everyone who comes is a poor soul. Who has the prestige to invite a physician from the south to see them? Everything has to wait until dawn."
"Oh..." Yixing was a bit confused. "Are there never any exceptions?"
Gao Yang laughed again. "No exceptions. In the three hundred years since the Great Ying was founded, the rules have been strict. If we let outside men wander all over the palace, things would fall into chaos!"
Ah... that made sense! Yixing felt a cold chill down her spine, and despite it being mid-spring, cold sweat broke out on her forehead. But she couldn't be too blunt, so she asked Gao Yang vaguely, "Anda, if a palace servant is in pain, can we also have a physician see us? I wanted to ask—is there a Physician Xia in the Imperial Pharmacy?"
Gao Yang tucked a pinky finger under the brim of his cap to scratch his head. "I can't say for sure. There’s no fixed number of physicians in the palace; counting the masters and apprentices, there must be two or three hundred."
"What about among the physicians on the night watch?"
Gao Yang pondered for a moment. "Those who can handle the night watch are all the 'big shots' of the Imperial Academy of Medicine. After all, they’re responsible for all the masters in the Forbidden City at night. Among the people I know, there is no Physician Xia... Miss, are you an old acquaintance of this Physician Xia? If you’re looking for someone, I’ll have Rong Bao look into it for you tomorrow."
Yixing quickly said there was no need. Let what happened stay in the past. If it turned out there was such a person, it would be fine, but if not—hadn't she seen a ghost while alive?
Forget it. She couldn't figure it out anyway, and she was too lazy to waste the brain cells.
Yi xing said to Gao Yang, "It’s late, Anda, you should get some rest." After saying that, she tilted her head and slowly returned to her Tatan (room).
She pushed open the latticed door with a soft creak and stepped inside, looking around the room: a table, a Kang bed, and a small cabinet. Although her family’s servants used to live better than this, compared to the communal bunks at the Bureau of Ceremonies, having a private place to daydream was a massive blessing.
This Anle Tang was plain in every way, but it truly was a plum assignment—leisurely and offering a private room. If she had known, she should have brought Yin Zhu along.
Yixing sat at the table alone for a while. After the comfort settled in, it did feel a bit lonely. She looked down at her feet; she had used her shoe to kick the ashes earlier, and the uppers were stained. She took off her shoes and clapped them together to knock them clean—clap, clap—kicking up a large cloud of ash.
No matter what, keeping an open mind and not wallowing in misery was the most important thing.
A "gentleman" doesn't necessarily think about revenge all day, but as luck would have it, her nemesis delivered herself to the door the very next day. Wouldn't you say that’s hilarious!
¹ Wind-Defying (Qisi Feng): Literally "Anger-the-Wind." A type of wind lantern named because it has a protective cover that prevents the wind from blowing it out.
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