Due to the overcast and rainy weather, the indoor lighting was even dimmer.
The young man, after yawning, seemed to find the visibility poor and reached out to strike a flint. A flame sparked to life, illuminating his delicate features, with eyes that shone brightly against his fair complexion.
The Duke of Jin’an was truly handsome, a worthy descendant of the seventh generation from the founding emperor, his appearance distinct from that of the current emperor’s lineage, who were descendants of Emperor Taizong.
It was said that the founding emperor’s lineage inherited more of the dignified and gentle beauty of Empress Xiaoci Gaoyang, whose graceful appearance softened the martial robustness of the Fang family.
One wonders what kind of princess consort the Duke of Jin’an will marry.
The sharp crack of flint inside the room snapped the palace maid out of her reverie. The young man inside seemed to have grown tired of playing with the flint and had stopped striking it, instead lying flat on his back on the floor.
The maid straightened herself and nodded with a smile to the other attendant in the room.
“It seems His Highness is about to fall asleep again…” the attendant murmured, a slight frown creasing her brow. “Should we remind him? The Emperor and the Empress Dowager have tasked him with memorizing texts. What if he fails to recite them?”
No sooner had she spoken than the rustle of clothing and footsteps came from the inner chamber. Both women quickly bowed their heads.
The door slid open with a swift motion.
The young man stepped out, stretching his arms and taking a deep breath.
“Such a beautiful spring scene…” he remarked.
The two palace maids quickly rose to their feet.
“Your Highness, you must not go out. The Emperor and Her Majesty have confined you to your quarters as punishment,” they whispered.
The Duke of Jin’an let out a soft “oh,” seeming somewhat disheartened.
“How many days are left?” he asked, turning his head.
“Two more days,” the maid replied with a gentle smile.
The Duke of Jin’an gave another “oh,” then swung his long sleeves behind his back.
“Then summon someone to accompany me in my studies,” he said.
Studying hardly required companionship—it was clear he simply wanted someone to play with. The maid, understanding his intent, smiled and acknowledged his request. Before long, she called for an attendant. Upon entering the room, it was evident that no reading was taking place; instead, the sound of a chessboard being set up filled the air.
“I saw that it wasn’t the same person,” said the Duke of Jin’an, his slender fingers placing a piece on the board.
The attendant kneeling carefully across from him hurriedly followed with his own move.
“Your Highness, there is only one Chen Su, also known as Chen Shi’ba-niang,” he replied in a low voice.
The Duke of Jin’an rested his hand on the chessboard, pondering for a moment.
“The one who entered the palace that day was indeed the Chen Shi’ba-niang,” the attendant added.
The Duke of Jin’an placed another piece.
“Then I must have been mistaken,” he declared decisively. “But I wasn’t wrong about what I saw in the city that day. It was her, and she must be connected to the Chen family. If she’s not a member of the Chen family, then she’s certainly related to them in some way.”
“Your Highness, even if you were allowed to leave, it would still be inappropriate for you to visit the inner quarters of the Chen family,” the attendant sighed.
The Duke of Jin’an held a chess piece, deep in thought, and remained silent.
“Or perhaps, she isn’t a member of the Chen family at all?” he suddenly said. “Just because she was with the Chen family doesn’t necessarily mean she is one of them.”
The more he thought about it, the more plausible it seemed. As this possibility took hold, his expression grew restless.
If she wasn’t part of the Chen family, then she could come and go as she pleased.
It was possible that after that one encounter, she might leave.
The Duke of Jin’an straightened his posture, the image of the lady turning her head at the gate that day flashing before his eyes.
“About that…” he began to speak.
Outside the door, a palace maid bowed respectfully.
“Your Highness, Doctor Li has arrived.”
The anxious expression on the Duke of Jin’an’s face instantly vanished, replaced by a smile as he looked up from behind the chessboard at Doctor Li entering the room.
“Doctor Li,” he greeted warmly.
Doctor Li was dressed in his official robes, followed by a young attendant carrying a medicine chest, as if he had just finished his duties.
“How have you found time to visit me?” the Duke of Jin’an asked with a smile.
“Consort Xian is suffering from severe morning sickness, and the Empress Dowager has ordered me to attend to her carefully. I’ve been staying in the palace these days,” Doctor Li explained. After paying his respects, he knelt and sat down.
“Mainly because there are too many people outside looking for my master. It’s been quite bothersome,” the young attendant added from behind.
“This is because Doctor Li’s medical skills are exceptional,” the Duke of Jin’an said with a smile.
That Doctor Li’s skills were extraordinary was no mere flattery or empty praise.
“What are you talking about? Those people are all waiting for my master to tell them they’re incurable. They’re not really here for treatment,” the young attendant said, pursing his lips.
The Duke of Jin’an was taken aback.
“Incurable?” he asked.
Doctor Li had already let out an exasperated sigh.
“Impertinent! Do you think you have the right to speak in front of His Highness?” he turned and scolded the young attendant with a stern face.
The young attendant lowered his head and dared not speak further.
“No, no, he does, he does. Go on,” the Duke of Jin’an said with a smile, pointing at the young attendant. “I’ve been feeling bored, and now something interesting has finally come up. Tell me, why are people suddenly begging to be diagnosed as incurable?”
The young attendant shrank back and glanced hesitantly at his master. Although a master is like a father for life, loyalty and filial piety cannot always be balanced, and one cannot ignore the Duke’s questions.
“Because… they want Lady Cheng to treat them,” he stammered.
The more he spoke, the more confused the Duke became.
“Lady Cheng? Who is Lady Cheng?” the Duke of Jin’an asked.
“Lady Cheng is the one who cured Old Master Chen and Tong Neihan,” the young attendant said with a hint of enthusiasm, his eyes lighting up. He couldn’t help but gesture as he spoke. “She can bring the dead back to life, but she only treats those who are beyond hope. It’s said she’s a disciple of True Master Li.”
“Enough!” Doctor Li barked.
The young attendant was so frightened that he immediately fell silent.
The Duke of Jin’an had already figured it out and burst into laughter.
“So that’s how it is!” He pointed at Physician Li. “Only those deemed incurable by you are treated by her. Old Master Chen and Tong Neihan were both diagnosed as incurable by you, and then she cured them. Now everyone is hoping to be declared incurable by you. This is… this is just too funny!”
The more he thought about it, the funnier it became, and he couldn’t help but double over in laughter.
Doctor Li’s face hardened, and he stood up to leave.
The Duke of Jin’an hurriedly went to stop him.
“My apologies, my apologies,” he said, though he couldn’t suppress his intermittent laughter.
After much coaxing and sweet talk, the Duke finally managed to persuade Doctor Li to sit back down. The troublemaking, chatterbox attendant was sent away, and the room was reset with the chessboard. This time, Doctor Li took the place of the attendant as the Duke’s opponent.
After two rounds of chess, the bored and listless Doctor Li found the game equally uninteresting and stood up to take his leave.
“I knew Your Highness was under house arrest these days, so I came specifically to keep you company,” he said, stroking his beard and giving the Duke a teasing smile.
The Duke of Jin’an also smiled.
“Indeed, indeed. We can comfort each other,” he replied.
Doctor Li naturally understood what he meant and let out a huff before leaving.
Watching Doctor Li leave, the Duke of Jin’an burst into laughter again.
“Who would have thought that Doctor Li, who usually avoids the palace, would be forced to take refuge here?” he said with a chuckle. “This Lady Cheng must be quite the remarkable figure.”
“I’ve also heard some rumors. She was invited by the Chen family from Jiang-zhou and is said to be an incredibly skilled divine doctor. It’s said she encountered the True Master Li and obtained a celestial method to bring the dead back to life,” the attendant said with a smile. “But her rules for treatment are quite peculiar.”
The Duke of Jin’an laughed dismissively.
“If it weren’t peculiar, how could she stand out among so many others?” he said.
“Indeed, this lady…” the attendant nodded and was about to continue.
The Duke raised his hand to stop him.
“I’ve thought of something,” he said. “That house.”
The attendant was puzzled.
“Which house?” he asked, confused.
“The house I saw that day,” the Duke said, turning around. “Go and inquire about it. Perhaps we can find out where she is.”
The attendant acknowledged the order.
“However, ask only what should be asked, and don’t pry into matters you shouldn’t,” the Duke added, glancing back slightly. “I cannot afford to invite any misunderstandings.”
The attendant quickly and solemnly acknowledged the order again.
Such persistence and caution in searching—what kind of lady could make the Duke so unforgettable after just one encounter?
