Neither the Emperor nor Gao Fu knew who had administered the poison. Yet, Li Ce had already spread the tale that Ye Jiao had been poisoned within the Prince Zhao's residence—rendered unconscious for half a day, plagued by loss of appetite, headaches, palpitations, and overall frailty.
"In Prince Zhao's residence?" The Emperor was incensed. "What sort of elder brother is Li Jing?"
Gao Fu offered a defense, "According to His Highness Prince Chu, the fault does not lie with Prince Zhao. The palace physician examined Marquis Wu and concluded she merely required rest. However, Prince Chu submitted a formal petition through the Department of the Imperial Household today, earnestly requesting the presence of an imperial physician."
The Department of the Imperial Household, which oversaw all matters related to the Emperor's personal needs—including food, medicine, clothing, transportation, lodging, and carriage—was currently managed by none other than Gao Fu himself. The physician Li Ce sought was the head of the Imperial Medical Bureau, a divine healer who usually attended only the Emperor and Empress. Such individuals rarely left the palace, hence the formal plea for imperial permission.
"Send Lin Fengyu," the Emperor instructed with concern.
Lin Fengyu was one of the two most esteemed imperial physicians, his title denoting his official position. Gao Fu bowed in acknowledgment. The Emperor added, "Last time that girl defeated Gesang Meiduo and I gave her no reward. Now that she's ill, inform the Empress to send some nourishing tonics and fine silks, as a gesture of comfort."
"Yes, Your Majesty." Gao Fu responded with a smile and turned to convey the decree. The Emperor changed his mind again.
"Deliver the gifts to Prince Zhao's residence and have Prince Chu personally present them. That will do. That foolish son of mine just recently offended the Duke of Anguo's household—he needs more chances to earn merit."
After instructing Gao Fu, the Emperor heaved a long sigh. This is as far as I can help you, son. If you still fail to make progress, your nephew might just marry before you.
The Empress's gifts soon arrived at Prince Zhao's residence. Li Ce, engaged in a game of chess with Li Jing, accepted the imperial favor and inquired about the physician's arrival.
With a smile, the eunuch replied, "His Majesty has granted Lin Fengyu permission to treat the Marquis. He should arrive within the hour."
"Then let us go as well," said Li Ce.
As soon as the eunuch departed, he invited Li Jing to accompany him. Faced with both rewards and an imperial physician, Li Jing felt uneasy though his face remained rigid.
"I'm not going," he grumbled. "You're reaping all the benefits. Ye Jiao isn't even gravely ill—how did she manage to receive so many rewards? Hurry and send over that silk. It's long and wide—perfect for making a robe for your plump little sweetheart."
Ye Jiao wasn't actually plump; she merely had a sturdier build compared to those willowy young ladies.
"She's not fat at all!" Li Ce retorted. "This silk is enough for three dresses."
"Heh." Li Jing scoffed. "The porcupine's offspring glows, the weasel's daughter smells sweet, and Li Shensi's Ye Jiao isn't too fat."
He darted off after his jab, only to be pulled back by Li Ce.
"Come on," Li Ce coaxed, "bring the Princess Consort too. The eldest daughter of the Duke of Anguo's house is a fine cook—shall we go sample her cuisine?"
At the mention of the young lady, Li Jing recalled Ye Rou's delicate and graceful face.
"Then I won't bring your sister-in-law," he said while straightening his robes.
"Bring her," Li Ce insisted, "let her get some fresh air. If her mood improves, I'll permit you to take a few concubines."
"She's not that easily appeased."
Though he said so, Li Jing still summoned the Princess Consort.
Princess Zhao, Cui Jin'er, hailed from the noble Cui clan of Boling. She was tall, her eyes always seeming to smile even when her lips did not. When she truly smiled, her gaze shimmered like water reflecting a pond of peach blossoms—exceedingly charming. Though not the most beautiful in the capital, her vivacious and fiery temperament made her quite compatible with Ye Jiao.
Upon hearing they were visiting the Duke of Anguo's household, she urged Li Jing over ten times.
"Hurry up! Miss Ye's illness is your fault. You should have gone to apologize long ago!"
"Have you prepared everything? Bring that lingzhi my family sent last year."
"What are you doing in the latrine? Hurry! Do that later!"
…
Li Jing, harried and sweating from her pestering, finally managed to get into the carriage. As he lifted the curtain for some air, Cui Jin'er stopped him.
"Looking at women on the street again?"
Li Jing found her noise unbearable. "Keep your voice down," he muttered, longing to plug his ears.
If the food at the Duke's household wasn't exceptional, this torment would hardly be worth it.
Suddenly, Cui Jin'er looked like she was about to cry. She pouted dramatically, her eyes dry but her voice laced with sorrow.
"I'm only anxious. If the mother of our future child falls ill, we might be childless next year. Then they'll all laugh at me. Every time we pay respects at the palace, the Empress hints and probes about our health. Do you think I don't want a child? I've done everything I could."
They had tried everything—herbs, various techniques, even different times of day. All in vain. Others bore children as easily as hens laid eggs, while the two of them—young and strong—were like frail elders. The stares from others were sometimes sympathetic, sometimes mocking. The mockery was worse; it stung deeper.
Li Jing took her hand and sighed. "It's all my fault. I've realized it now. If just you couldn't conceive, maybe it was you. But if all three of you can't—then it's me."
Cui Jin'er was even more crestfallen.
"Better it be me than them. If they had children, I could still raise them."
"Forget it." Li Jing gently patted her back and pulled her into his arms.
"Let's relax and go visit the child's mother."
The "child's mother" looked perfectly healthy—rosy-cheeked and eating roast chicken.
"You're sick?" Li Jing asked.
"I was poisoned!" Ye Jiao nodded innocently and invited Cui Jin'er to join her.
Li Jing glanced at the room full of get-well gifts with disdain.
"You're not ill. You're faking to collect riches. I'll report this to the Emperor and have you punished for deceiving the sovereign."
Cui Jin'er had already sat across from Ye Jiao and picked up a peach blossom pastry. She retorted, "What nonsense are you spouting? Anger is the worst for the ill. Leave at once before you upset our child's mother!"
Child's mother… Ye Jiao paused mid-bite, embarrassed, and looked toward Li Ce, who had just entered.
Li Ce had first paid respects to Madam Ye before arriving at Ye Jiao's courtyard. He had also heard that slip of the tongue but simply smiled and said, "Lin Fengyu has arrived."
Lin Fengyu—the imperial healer, the nation's divine hand.
Ye Jiao quickly wiped her mouth and lay down on the bed, extending a hand through the gauze curtains.
"Convincing," said Li Jing. "Quite the performance."
Maid Shuiwen had already led Lin Fengyu inside.
He was in his forties, with a square face and broad brow, a thick beard adorning his chin. Accustomed to palace protocols, he walked with unwavering focus, always looking straight ahead, observing the floor as if still within the Forbidden City. Even in the Duke of Anguo's residence, his conduct was impeccable.
Seated at Ye Jiao's bedside, he took her pulse for a long moment, then relaxed his brow and said gently, "The Marchioness is not in serious danger. Please be at ease, Your Highness."
"I told you," Li Jing's voice called from behind the screen, "It was just a tonic. Nothing serious."
"Many thanks for making the trip," Li Ce rose and led Lin Fengyu to the front hall, then turned to Li Jing.
"Now please allow him to examine both you and the Princess Consort."
The room fell silent. Lin Fengyu looked to Li Jing. Li Jing looked to Li Ce, frowning.
"I came to visit the sick, not to be examined. Stop trying to gain every benefit. Just because you've secured a top physician, you wish the whole household were ill to make it worthwhile?"
"You've also been poisoned." Li Ce's expression was resolute. "Ye Jiao took only a single sip and slept half the day. You consumed more—you just haven't felt it yet. It's best to be sure. Let Lin Fengyu examine you."
Li Jing still hesitated...