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Chapter 38
Such enthusiasm actually made Physician Xia feel a bit uneasy.
The person who had innocently asked in the Hall of Mental Cultivation, "Will you come to test my lessons often?" was now beaming with joy at the sight of Physician Xia. This was not right. She didn't seem to realize that being promoted meant she was no longer the little palace maid she once was. She needed to be constantly vigilant, remember her status, and maintain a proper solemnity before any man other than the Emperor. She shouldn't be smiling so broadly, and certainly shouldn't be inviting a man into her room so warmly.
However, Yi Xing had no such realization. She simply felt that Physician Xia had treated Han zhen and Yin Zhu, and had helped recommend her for promotion. He was such a good person that she couldn't be grateful enough; there was no reason not to be polite.
Hanzhen and Yin Zhu felt the same. They busied themselves brewing fresh tea and offering Physician Xia the seat of honor. Though they didn't say it, their gratitude was written all over their faces.
Truth be told, all three women in the room had been looked after by Physician Xia; he was essentially everyone’s savior. Once Yi Xing had him seated, she said with a smile, "I didn't expect the one checking the pulses at Chuxiu Gong would be you! I thought since my rank is so low, I’d be skipped over."
Physician Xia lowered his eyelashes and said calmly, "I am not the one assigned to the general pulses at Chuxiu Gong; that is another Head Physician. Your place... indeed was missed during the rounds, so I was sent as a follow-up."
"Well, that’s lucky! If it hadn't been missed, I wouldn't have seen you," Yi Xing said happily. "Physician Xia, look at me, I’ve climbed the branch! Thank you for the promotion. To be honest, I didn't think it would go so smoothly. That day in the Imperial Garden... you didn't see it, but I really lost face..."
Physician Xia thought to himself: How could I not have seen? You certainly lost face. Heaven help him, he had never seen someone so uncoordinated, fluttering after butterflies with zero aesthetic grace, only to end up falling flat on her face. Just thinking about it for her made him feel embarrassed. If he hadn't been prepared and determined to get her promoted, who could have endured her exhausting antics!
But despite these internal grumbles, he had to save her face. He said, "Mistress shouldn't say that. Later, when I checked the Emperor's pulse, His Majesty did not look down on you. He even praised you for being clever and quick-witted."
"That was only because of you," Yi Xing said perceptively. "It’s because you have 'face' before the Emperor that he tolerated me. I’ll tell you the truth—I feel like even if I didn't just trip but slid face-first to the Emperor’s feet, he would still have favored me. After all, you were there. I truly admire you now; you’re so reliable and influential..." She glanced at him as she spoke.
That single glance made Physician Xia’s heart skip a beat.
When a girl looks at you like that, it’s a romantic beginning. Because he was "reliable," would her gratitude turn into affection? There is only a one-character difference between "admiration" and "infatuation" in Chinese, and the distance between them isn't far. Back then, when she asked him to pass a message saying she "admired" the Emperor, he knew those were just pretty words. Now that she was saying it to his face, what did she want? Surely she hadn't developed feelings for Physician Xia? She was already promoted, did she intend to seduce another man!
Physician Xia sat up straight, wanting to say, "Mistress, have some self-respect; you already belong to someone." But the words wouldn't come out. He also harbored a bit of a "wicked" curiosity, wanting to see if the Old Auntie would end up liking Physician Xia first or surrendering to the Emperor first.
Physician Xia cleared his throat. "It was a small effort, not worth mentioning; it’s all thanks to the Emperor’s trust. Now that you have reached the rank of Daying, just focus on serving the Emperor well. I came today to check your pulse..." He took out a small pillow and placed it on the table. "Mistress, if you please."
Yi Xing placed her wrist on the pillow. Han Zhen pulled out a silk handkerchief to cover her wrist.
This was the rule. Just as high-ranking concubines stayed behind curtains when ill, strictly speaking, a concubine and a physician should be separated by a screen even when talking. Unfortunately, a low-ranking Daying didn't even have a dressing table in her room, let alone the luxury of decorative screens.
Physician Xia placed his fingers on her wrist. Her pulse was thumping vigorously under his fingertips. He was stunned; he had never seen such a robust pulse.
"How is it?" Yi Xing touched her forehead. "I have a bit of a headache today."
Physician Xia retracted his hand and bowed his head. "Your blood and qi are abundant, and your pulse is exuberant. Mistress’s constitution is very strong; there is no need to worry about offspring in the future."
Ah, he can even tell if I can have children? Physician Xia truly is a top-tier generalist!
Yi Xing smiled. "I’ve had a strong body since I was a child. I rarely get colds or coughs. I’m not like those girls who are like medicine jars, taking medicine since they first learned to eat, always seeking 'miracle' prescriptions."
In this era, wouldn't every family want to marry a girl who didn't need medicine? If she hadn't entered the palace, she surely would have had a good marriage.
Physician Xia’s gaze turned meaningful. "Mistress is bound to have a grand future. I still remember what you said about rewarding me with a Silver Pheasant official patch (symbolizing a rise in rank). Only if you rise in glory do I have the chance for promotion. As such, I must help you one more time..." He paused and looked at Yin Zhu and Hanzhen. "Mistress, please dismiss your attendants. I have a few urgent matters to discuss with you."
Dismiss the attendants? Yi Xing agreed immediately.
The room was small, and there was truly nowhere to hide. Han Zhen thought for a moment and said to Yin Zhu, "The Fengguang Room to the east has a very nice washbasin stand. Let's go take a look and ask Concubine Mao for permission to move it here for our use."
The two girls tactfully left. With only Yi Xing and Physician Xia remaining, Yi Xing said, "The doors and windows are open; we aren't breaking any taboos, right?" She smartly went to the door to look out. It was time for the masters to take their afternoon naps; only a couple of small eunuchs passed by in the distance. She turned back. "No one is outside. Whatever you have to say, please speak."
Physician Xia hesitated, his eyes looking sharp behind his mask. "This matter concerns Concubine Mao. Since she became pregnant in December, physicians checked her pulse every ten days for three months to keep records. But starting in February, Concubine Mao used the excuse that the pregnancy was stable to stop calling for physicians. Her records stopped on the first day of February and haven't moved since. It was only because the Emperor spoke up today that the records were restarted... Mistress, can you guess what 'tricks' might be involved?"
Yi Xing’s mind wasn't that complicated. She thought for a moment. "The Imperial Pharmacy checked her pulse today; what was the diagnosis?"
Physician Xia said, "The pulse was stable, nothing unusual."
"Well, then that’s that!" Yi Xing was quite happy. "The palace is adding to its population! Children are so interesting; I hope Concubine Mao gives birth quickly. It would be best if the baby is given to the Noble Consort to raise. The Noble Consort is kind to me on the surface; if I go there to see the baby, she probably won't chase me away."
Physician Xia couldn't help but sigh again. "The palace is adding to its population, what do you have to be happy about? Moreover, the origin of this 'population' is a mystery. Whether a child is born or not, there will eventually be a bloodbath."
Yi Xing was confused. "Physician Xia, what are you trying to say? Having a little Prince is a good thing. Why do you look so... frightening?"
Physician Xia fell silent, looking at her as if she were a stubborn piece of wood.
Why did she possess none of the sensitivity a harem concubine should have? If it were someone more clever, the moment he mentioned the records being broken for three months, they would have known where to start questioning. If they were unsure, they would at least try to fish for confirmation, rather than showing the Old Auntie’s brand of total cluelessness. How could someone like this expect to sweep the six palaces and become an Imperial Noble Consort? What kind of daydream was she having!
But having come this far, he couldn't stop. He had to guide her. "A concubine is pregnant but refuses to call a physician for a pulse check—why do you think that is?"
"Because physicians might carry 'sickly qi' too. Just like you always wear a mask when talking to me because you’re afraid I’ll give you Han Zhen’s consumption, Concubine Mao is the same. Can't you understand that?"
Physician Xia was silenced by her words. He hadn't expected her to find such an empathetic excuse for someone else. Hearing her say it, Concubine Mao’s refusal to see a physician actually sounded... quite reasonable.
No, he couldn't let her lead him astray. Physician Xia composed his expression. "When a concubine is pregnant, even if there is no discomfort, a monthly wellness check is necessary. Concubine Mao’s refusal to call a physician shows she isn't worried at all about the 'Dragon Seed' in her belly. Does it make sense for a concubine not to worry about her pregnancy? The three-month gap in records means she didn't want anyone to know the condition of the fetus. No one can say what happened in those three months. Whether the current Concubine Mao is truly carrying a Dragon Seed is worth investigating deeply."
Finally, Yi Xing was stunned. "You mean... Concubine Mao isn't pregnant? Her belly is fake?"
At last, she wasn't completely hopeless. Physician Xia frowned. "The records from December can't be faked; no physician in the Imperial Pharmacy has the courage to conspire with her to lie about a pregnancy. The only explanation is that she miscarried after the first of February but kept it a secret, which is why the records stopped."
"But wasn't her pulse checked today..." Yi Xing’s mind whirred, and she had a flash of inspiration. "Could it be that the person who is pregnant is someone else? And the hand stretched out for the pulse check today wasn't Concubine Mao's?"
Physician Xia finally let out a long breath. So tired. Talking to a "dullard" was too mentally draining. He didn't know what he was thinking, believing the Old Auntie would be the "Gu King" who sweeps the field. He used to think she was quite smart, but she was just "fake smart", she had courage but no calculation. However, training a "clumsy goose" into a "Saker Falcon" was a point of pride. Currently, only this fantasy of creating a miracle supported him.
Yi Xing was truly shocked. Her face was pale as she whispered, "Physician Xia, are you sure? This is a crime punishable by death; does Concubine Mao have the courage?"
"Wealth and honor are found in danger. If she can get a Prince, her lifelong glory is secured. At the very least, a Princess—the Emperor has no daughters yet, and the first-born daughter would surely receive no less favor than a Prince. Calculated this way, taking one risk for an eternal reward, if it were you, would you do it?"
He actually knew her character; she was a bit simple, but not a bad person, nor did she have crooked ambitions.
But just as Physician Xia was certain she would refuse, she thought about it and said: "I’d do it."
Physician Xia was shocked. "Why? If you did that, would you be worthy of the Emperor?"
Yi Xing indicated that while the Emperor was important, her future was also important. "I’m just imagining it; who doesn't have some selfishness? But my current thought is because the Emperor is like a stranger to me. Even if we crossed paths as kids, ten years have passed; we aren't 'acquaintances' anymore."
"So you could harm the Emperor like that? That is polluting the imperial bloodline! I didn't expect you to be even bolder than your brother. Aren't you afraid of your whole family being executed?" Physician Xia felt a bit of anger and a sudden loneliness; it seemed no one in the world was willing to treat him sincerely.
Seeing his grief and indignation, Yi Xing assumed he had a great friendship with the Emperor and was defending him. She quickly comforted him: "I was just talking big. Think about it, to pretend to be pregnant, one must have actually slept with the Emperor. I am a person of great loyalty; I couldn't do such a treacherous thing. Rest assured, I won't do it. I still want to earn merit to save my brother and niece."
That was better. Merit and promotion were her ultimate goals.
Physician Xia calmed down and got back to business. "I took a great risk today by revealing my suspicions to you because this is a grave matter. I haven't even breathed a word of it to the Emperor. You decide what to do; if you can catch Concubine Mao’s 'fox tail,' that would be a massive achievement. Forget the rank of Daying, even Guiren or Pin would be within reach."
Yi Xing was fired up by his encouragement, as if her promotion were right before her eyes. Calculated this way, she wouldn't have to wait until she was twenty-eight; she might rise three ranks this year.
It was a good deal, but as she thought about it, something didn't make sense. "The palace is so heavily guarded; where would Concubine Mao find someone to replace her? Could it be that the Emperor favored some maid and forgot about it, and Concubine Mao caught her?"
Physician Xia’s face went dark. "The Emperor is not that kind of person. What are you thinking?"
Yi Xing rolled her eyes and looked at him. "No matter how good your personal relationship with the Emperor is, if he did something like that, he wouldn't necessarily tell you."
Physician Xia denied it without hesitation. "There are so many Masters in the palace; even you could be promoted, so one more wouldn't matter. Even if the Emperor forgot, would the one who is pregnant let such a golden opportunity go? Especially carrying a Dragon Seed, that’s a chance to reach the heavens in one step. Why would she be willing to let Concubine Mao profit while she remains a maid, making a wedding dress for someone else!"
Having explained it so clearly, this donkey-brain should understand now, right?
Physician Xia looked at her expectantly. Yi Xing muttered after a long pause: "So... the pregnant maid was brought in from outside the palace, perhaps slipping in during the last selection." She suddenly gasped. "Could Yingtao’s death be related to this?"
Physician Xia let out a long breath. Amitabha, Heaven has eyes; she finally understands. He nodded deeply. "I suspect so as well. Now that the logic is straight, don't you feel the truth is about to emerge? As long as you expose Concubine Mao’s deception, you will have performed a great service for the Emperor, and he will have a legitimate reason to promote you. When you rise step by step, I will have hope; once you hold real power, do I still need to worry about my fifth-rank position?"
Indeed, in the face of profit, everyone is willing to risk their lives.
A slow smile of realization spread across Yi Xing’s face. "Physician Xia, leave everything to me. Don't worry. I will find a way to figure out if Concubine Mao’s pregnancy is real or fake."
Physician Xia nodded. "Be sure to be discreet. Don't let Concubine Mao catch you; otherwise, you’ll be the one under her thumb."
Yi Xing promised, looking confident. "I’m very clever; just you wait and see."
If anyone else had said that, it would be trustworthy. But coming from her, it felt a bit precarious. He had to remind her: "Think thrice before you act. She is a Pin and you are a Daying; there are several ranks between you, understand?"
Yi Xing said she understood. "I will be careful. First, I’ll find that pregnant maid, then we’ll see what kind of 'treasure' we can pull out of Concubine Mao’s belly."
Physician Xia said "Good." "I came for a wellness check, I can't stay too long. I must go." He stood up and scrutinized her from head to toe. "Dress yourself well and look pretty; that is the only way to attract the Emperor’s favor."
Yi Xing agreed, but lamented in her heart: I’m just a Daying; my daily allowance is limited, and I have no fine fabrics or jewelry. Whether I’m pretty or not depends entirely on my own face.
Physician Xia was about to leave, and Yi Xing politely saw him to the door. "Thank you for the hard work in the hot sun. I don't know when I’ll see you again," she said with a hint of reluctance.
Physician Xia felt an indescribable emotion. He stepped over the threshold and cupped his hands. "Please stay, Mistress. This subject takes his leave." He took one last look at her before heading toward the palace gate.
As soon as he left, Han Zhen and Yin Zhu hurried back from the Fengguang Room.
"Strictly speaking, we shouldn't have left you two alone, but we were afraid Physician Xia had something urgent to tell you." Han Zhen looked outside. "Fortunately, everyone is napping now; I doubt anyone saw... What did Physician Xia say to you that he had to hide it from us?"
Yi Xing weighed it in her mind. Such a complex and arduous task was not something she could complete alone; she had to consult them to know what to do next.
So she told them everything Physician Xia had said. Yin Zhu slapped her thigh. "No wonder Yingtao died so suspiciously! she worked so hard to get to Chuxiu Gong, and before she could even get a taste of the life, she lost her little life."
Yi Xing sat in her chair, pondering. She remembered meeting Yingtao at the Sizhi Ku (Storage Office); back then, Yingtao had looked hesitant, and Yi Xing had thought she was just guilty and ashamed to face her. Now she realized Yingtao had words she couldn't say.
Without Physician Xia there, Yi Xing seemed a bit smarter. She said, "Lanzhao entered Chuxiu Gong with Yingtao. Yingtao is dead and Lanzhao has disappeared, that’s too much of a coincidence. I think she’s either been hidden by Concubine Mao or she knew the truth and was 'disposed of' by Concubine Mao. Either way, it must involve her. We must find a way to find Lanzhao; once she appears, the truth will come out."
Everyone agreed this was a viable plan. Han Zhen said, "The Training Office is under the jurisdiction of the Shangyi Ju; I can ask someone to check her background."
Yi Xing hesitated. "If she entered the palace already pregnant, the nannies from the third selection won't escape blame."
Han Zhen told her not to worry. "I know Shangyi Wu; she values her life more than anything and would never dare take such a job. It must have been subordinates acting behind her back. The third selection isn't complicated; passing or not depends entirely on the word of the inspecting nanny."
Yi Xing nodded. "That’s good. If this works, we won't have to live on one pound eight ounces of meat; we’ll at least get three pounds!"
Yin Zhu clapped her hands. "Perhaps the Emperor will value you because of this and favor you exclusively, flipping your tag every night!"
At this mention, Yi Xing looked a bit wistful. "I was only thinking of promotion, not sacred favor..." Her gaze drifted outside as she murmured, "If the Emperor never flips my tag in his whole life... that would actually be quite nice."
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