Chapter 22

Chapter 22: The General Falls Ill Early in the morning, Ling Jiayue awoke in bed. She had not dreamed at all the previous night and had, for once, enjoyed a peaceful sleep. Hearing the sound of Ling Jiayue getting up, Lingzhu and Lingxue lifted the curtain and entered to pay their respects. Since her rebirth, Ling Jiayue had received abundant care within the residence. Although her resolve to seek revenge had grown firmer by the day, her heart had gradually opened, and she no longer suffered nightmares every night. Hearing Lingxue and Lingzhu enter, she merely instructed, “Go fetch some water. I want to wash up.” Lingzhu and Lingxue acknowledged her orders in unison before going to prepare the washing water and other necessities. With Lingzhu and Lingxue attending her, Ling Jiayue finished washing up. Just as the three masters and servants were chatting and laughing, Madam Liu sent someone to invite Ling Jiayue to breakfast. “Miss, the weather is lovely today,” Lingzhu said. “Let’s style your hair in a festive-looking bun before we go dine with Madam. She’ll be happy to see you.” Unable to withstand Lingzhu’s persistence, Ling Jiayue agreed. Lingzhu arranged Ling Jiayue’s hair into a high bun, securing it with nothing but a jade hairpin set with white crystal on one side. Though simple, it looked especially fresh and lovely against the winter backdrop, bringing out the young girl’s charming innocence in Ling Jiayue. Lingxue then applied a light touch of rouge to Ling Jiayue’s cheeks, making her look even more lively and playful. At that moment, Lingzhu brought over a cloak made of white fox fur and helped Ling Jiayue put it on. After the two maids had busied themselves for a while, Ling Jiayue turned once before the mirror and said, “Your taste really is excellent.” Lingzhu and Lingxue covered their mouths and laughed. “That’s because Miss is beautiful. We only added a little adornment.” “Such flattery.” Ling Jiayue pretended to be angry. “Miss, let’s hurry. We shouldn’t keep Madam waiting,” Lingxue said. “That’s right. Let’s go.” The three masters and servants walked toward Madam Liu’s courtyard. Unlike other days, it was the first day of the month, and Madam Wan and the others had come to pay their respects to Madam Liu. Madam Liu therefore kept them all for breakfast. Madam Wan carefully examined Ling Jiayue and praised her, “Yue'er looks truly fresh and lovely today.” Ling Jiayue merely smiled. Ling Jiayue offered her greetings one by one to Ling Taian, Madam Liu, Madam Wan, and the others. Only then did everyone take their seats. As soon as breakfast was served, Ling Taian said to Ling Jiayue, “Yue'er, Doctor Lin will be leaving the residence today. I’ve invited another physician to come and help nurse your health.” “Does Doctor Lin have some urgent matter to attend to?” Ling Jiayue asked, puzzled. “Miss Ling, you may not know this, but General Luo has fallen ill. It seems to be stroke-induced paralysis. The General’s Residence has asked Doctor Lin to examine him, so he went there. Master also sent over a great many nourishing supplements,” Madam Wan explained from the side. “Yue'er, since that is the case, stay home today,” Madam Liu said. “You haven’t had a moment’s peace these past several days. It pains Mother to see you like this. Stay in the residence.” As she spoke, she added another piece of meat to Ling Jiayue’s bowl. “Yes, Mother,” Ling Jiayue replied. After breakfast, Ling Jiayue did not hurry back to her own courtyard. Instead, she brought Lingzhu and Lingxue to the garden to admire the plum blossoms. The three walked quietly together, but Ling Jiayue’s thoughts remained fixed on Doctor Lin’s sudden trip to the General’s Residence. Lingzhu and Lingxue noticed that Ling Jiayue was thinking about something, so they silently followed behind her without making a sound. After walking for quite some time, Ling Jiayue found herself even more baffled. Why had General Luo suffered a stroke at this point in time? Her Father and General Luo had supported each other in the imperial court, and their harmonious relationship as minister and general had long been a celebrated tale. Now that General Luo’s position seemed on the verge of collapse, would this pose a threat to her Father? And why, exactly, had General Luo suffered a stroke? He was about the same age as her Father. Still, since it was stroke-induced paralysis, acupuncture was undoubtedly the best treatment. Doctor Lin had only recently learned it and was not yet proficient. If he wanted to cure General Luo, he would certainly return to seek her help, Ling Jiayue thought. However, acupuncture also had to be accompanied by a prescription for a complete recovery. After pondering for a while, Ling Jiayue instructed, “Lingxue, once we return to the room, I’ll write you a prescription. Go have the medicine prepared according to it, then bring it back to me.” Although Lingxue did not understand Ling Jiayue’s order, she had always carried out her mistress’s commands without question. The three returned to the room. Ling Jiayue sat upright before the desk while Lingzhu ground the ink. Ling Jiayue immediately picked up her brush and wrote out a prescription. Before the ink had even dried, she handed it to Lingxue and told her to leave the residence at once to obtain the medicine. Lingxue accepted the order and left. “Lingzhu, go add some more charcoal to the brazier,” Ling Jiayue said, drawing her cloak tighter around herself as though she felt cold. Lingzhu accepted the order and left. Meanwhile, Lingxue carried the prescription out of the residence and headed for the capital’s largest pharmacy—Xinglin Pharmacy. When it came to the most famous pharmacy in the capital, Xinglin Pharmacy was second to none. Xinglin Pharmacy was not only where nobles and officials obtained medicine; impoverished commoners often went there as well because the medicines were effective and the shop assistants were courteous. In addition, Xinglin Pharmacy frequently offered free consultations to the common people. It had earned a sterling reputation throughout the capital. Lingxue arrived at Xinglin Pharmacy with the prescription and handed it to Shopkeeper Hao. “Shopkeeper, please fill this prescription.” Shopkeeper Hao accepted the prescription. “Young lady, please wait a moment. This old man will have someone prepare the medicine for you at once.” As he spoke, a shop assistant respectfully invited Lingxue to wait to one side, while Shopkeeper Hao turned around and went to prepare the medicine. Before long, Shopkeeper Hao had finished gathering the herbs. Lingxue took the medicine and prescription and returned to the Ling Residence without delaying for even a moment. At that time, Shopkeeper Hao entered the rear hall and bowed to someone. “Master.” The person was none other than Mu Yuheng, with Feng Yan standing beside him. Mu Yuheng indicated that Shopkeeper Hao could rise, and only then did he straighten up. “What medicine did she just have prepared?” Mu Yuheng asked. “Master, this humble one saw that they appeared to be medicinal ingredients for treating stroke-induced paralysis. However, they mainly provide gentle nourishment and seem capable only of regulating the body. They still appear insufficient for a complete cure.” “That’s enough. Master understands. You may leave,” Feng Yan said. Shopkeeper Hao bowed once more before withdrawing. “Master, why did Miss Ling have Lingxue come out to obtain this medicine? Could someone in her residence have suffered a stroke? As far as this subordinate knows, among the civil and military officials of the court, General Luo is the only one afflicted with stroke-induced paralysis. Could it be that Miss Ling, a young lady from an inner chamber, has gone out to treat someone?” Feng Yan asked, bewildered. A sharp glint flashed through Mu Yuheng’s eyes as he understood. The corners of his lips curved upward, and he let out a soft laugh. “What a greedy girl. So this is what she has in mind. My reputation as the Seventh Prince isn’t enough for you—you want to find another one as well?” “Master, what are you talking about?” Feng Yan asked in confusion. Mu Yuheng’s smile grew increasingly mysterious, leaving Feng Yan even more bewildered.