Chapter 50

Chapter 50

Both of them were taken aback by the words.

There was a hint of discomfort on Pei Muheng's face, but he quickly composed himself. It was understandable that he disliked seeing her being close to other men. He was an insightful person and was aware of what his words implied. He looked at Xu Yunqi.

Xu Yunqi was in a daze for quite some time.

She wasn't unfamiliar with being pursued by young men. There had been numerous gentlemen who had knelt before her, desperate to win her affection. She had never lingered, except for a few awkward encounters initially. Gradually, she had become desensitized to such advances. However, the man standing before her was Pei Muheng.

The same Pei Muheng who had set rules for their marriage on their wedding night, seemingly wanting to keep his distance from her.

Xu Yunqi lowered her gaze and held the teacup in front of her, a cup of tea that Pei Muheng had prepared for her. The tea was still warm, with the clear liquid gently rippling within.

Pei Muheng felt a twinge of awkwardness upon seeing her reaction. He tightened his grip on the porcelain cup, feeling a dryness in his throat. Instinctively, he leaned forward to take a sip, only to realize the cup was nearly empty. He put it back down.

The atmosphere became subtly tense.

In this moment, Xu Yunqi regained her composure. Was his possessiveness the reason, or did he genuinely have feelings for her? Xu Yunqi didn't delve too deeply into it; there was no need to. Sometimes, emotions didn't require excessive probing. They were already husband and wife, and constant proximity could naturally foster intimacy. For instance, she now found Pei Muheng to be a likable person.

After their arranged and silent marriage, they had stumbled through to this point. Both considered themselves fortunate.

In response to her husband, Xu Yunqi whispered softly, "I understand. I'll be more cautious in the future."

Pei Moling gazed at his gentle wife, wanting to say something but ultimately remaining silent.

Xu Yunqi knew that for someone like him, that was as direct as he could get; there would be no more explicit words.

"Should I return the Twelfth Prince's bow?"

Pei Moling chuckled. "No need. Just give it to me. I'll find you a fine bow later."

It was still early, so Pei Moling planned to visit his study. Before leaving, he said, "In the future, I'll set aside time to teach you archery."

Back in his study, he recalled the scene just now. Lost in thought for a while, he hadn't expected such a day to come. But it was for the best. Now that he had made things clear to her, she couldn't continue living without a care in the world.

Pei Moling was a man of his word. That very night, he arranged for an archery target to be set up in the courtyard of Qinghui Garden. He personally measured the shooting distance and chose a fine bow for Xu Yunqi to practice with. After dinner, Xu Yunqi continued her lessons and gradually began to grasp the basics.

However, after this incident, the couple found their nights less relaxed than before, and they fell into a deeper silence.

A young maidservant was concocting medicine in the apothecary annex, humming an unknown tune with her crisp voice. The occasional notes added to the tranquility of the eastern chamber where Xu Yunqi was flipping through medical records, while Pei Muheng sat opposite her, engrossed in a copy of "Records of Food and Finance."

As Pei Muheng gazed at Xu Yunqi, she was engrossed in writing, and when she looked up, he lowered his eyes back onto his book, creating an awkward yet intimate atmosphere.

Superfluous words seemed unnecessary. Xu Yunqi decided to remain silent, pouring herself a cup of tea when she felt thirsty. She also fetched one for him, placing it before him without a word. Pei Muheng sighed softly, touching his forehead as he noticed her gesture.

"Yunqi, I'll take a bath first," he said, breaking the silence by standing up.

Xu Yunqi lifted her gaze, acknowledging with a simple "oh." To avoid appearing too distant, she added, "I made more of the soap you like – the one with the cassia bark. It's on the high shelf for you to take."

Pei Muheng paused in his step. He knew that Xu Yunqi preferred soap infused with wormwood, whereas he enjoyed those scented with pine resin. After a moment of hesitation, he decided against using the new soap and continued with the wormwood-infused bar that Xu Yunqi had used. When Pei Muheng emerged, Xu Yunqi quickly detected the familiar scent of soap.

Their eyes met.

An unexplained awkwardness filled the air.

More precisely, it was Xu Yunqi who felt awkward. Such a cleanliness-conscious person as he had used the soap she had just used—last time, he had no choice, but this time, it was done openly and unashamedly.

In the hazy light, the man wore a pristine white robe with his sash tied meticulously. Unfazed, he made his way to the bed.

Xu Yunqi's cheeks burned with realization, and she touched them discreetly. She instructed Yinxing to rest before extinguishing the lamp and approaching the bed.

After settling down, the sound of Pei Muheng's deep breathing filled the silence.

Xu Yunqi's arms ached terribly from practicing archery that day, so she went straight to sleep without a word.

In the middle of the night, a heavy rainstorm suddenly broke out, its pounding noise rousing Xu Yunqi. As she shifted, she realized how close the man was to her. His long arm reached over, and soon she was held captive in his embrace. He entered her from behind, unleashing the silent tension from before like a tempestuous storm, just like the raging rain outside, with fierce determination.

For three consecutive days, Pei Muheng returned promptly at dusk to accompany her archery practice. Although he taught her for only half an hour each day, Xu Yunqi trained tirelessly for three full days. Her arms were in agony, and she felt as if her body was falling apart, yet there was no noticeable improvement.

Looking at her disheartened wife, Pei Muheng crouched in front of her and asked, "Do you genuinely enjoy archery, or is there another reason?"

He had discovered that Xu Yunqi didn't seem to have a natural talent for it; her accuracy was lacking.

A person whose hands were incredibly steady when inserting needles found it challenging to grasp the essence of archery.

Xu Yunqi sat on the brocaded stool, cradling her cheeks with a distant look in her eyes. "I just want something for self-defense," she said. She was not accustomed to trusting others with her back.

After a moment of silence, Pei Muheng nodded and said, "Alright, I understand." Without waiting for dinner, he left the palace.

Xu Yunqi waited all night but he didn't return. Worry crept into her heart as she wondered where he had gone. By the following dawn, there was still no news. Xu Yunqi decided to stop worrying about it.

Two days passed, and finally, Pei Muheng returned. This time, he brought something back for Xu Yunqi.

She turned her gaze to see him holding a crossbow mechanism in his hand. It was made of bronze, exuding a lustrous and substantial aura. Curious, Xu Yunqi took it from him, weighing it lightly in her hands. Despite being made of metal, the crossbow was not heavy, easily fitting around her wrist. She tugged on the trigger, finding it smooth to operate. Her eyes lit up as she looked at her husband.

"Is this for me?"

Pei Muheng noticed her excitement and smiled. His two nights spent at the Armament Inspectorate had been worth it, as they had crafted this custom-made crossbow specifically for her. "These are the arrows. Give it a try; it should be quite lightweight."

Xu Yunqi took the arrows in amazement. Under Pei Muheng's guidance, she learned how to load them into the crossbow. He then demonstrated its usage. With the crossbow in hand, Xu Yunqi aimed at the wall and began firing blindly. The sound of "whoosh" filled her ears as the arrows pierced the courtyard walls, branches, and ground like silver needles, giving her an unprecedented sense of satisfaction.

Unlike the limited range of a needle attack, the crossbow could ensure safety within a much wider area.

A smile involuntarily spread across her face. Repeating the process several times, she played with the crossbow like a child with their favorite toy, unable to put it down.

Pei Muheng had never seen such liveliness in her before; he was astonished for quite some time.

They had been married for nearly a year, and she had always been like a treasure trove that he could never fully explore.

When the girl grew tired from playing, beads of sweat formed on her forehead. Carrying the crossbow, she returned to him bashfully but joyfully.

"This crossbow is excellent. Thank you, Third Master. I really like it." Xu Yunqi smiled warmly.

In her mind, she pondered how she should reciprocate such a wonderful gift, but she truly had no idea what Pei Muheng lacked.

Pei Muheng could read her thoughts. In the past, he would have told her that there was no need to distinguish between them as husband and wife. But now, he wanted to see her take the initiative. The refined man stood tall under the setting sun, his hands behind his back as he smiled warmly. "As long as you like it."

The two stood in silence for a moment. Pei Muheng then pointed outside. "I'm on duty tonight and won't be able to return. You should rest early."

Xu Yunqi watched him leave before calling for Yingxin. The mistress and servant studied the crossbow together, devising various tactics to subdue their enemies, such as coating the arrows with numbing agents. They were thoroughly engrossed in their thoughts.

This joy lasted until the following afternoon. After finishing her lunch, Xu Yunqi was about to take a break when someone suddenly arrived from the palace. From the look on Prince Xi's face, the visitor seemed to hold a high rank. The eunuch in purple robes bowed before Prince Xi and his wife.

"I pay my respects to the Duchess. Doctor Fan requested permission to return to his hometown for ancestral worship yesterday. Unfortunately, His Majesty is suffering from a severe headache. The Empress has ordered you to follow me to the palace to attend to His Majesty's condition."

The imperial edict from the palace could not be avoided, so Xu Yunqi promptly instructed Yinxing to fetch the medical kit. The two of them, mistress and servant, boarded their carriage and left. Prince Xi and Princess Xi stood on the steps watching them for a long while. Seeing her husband's furrowed brow, the princess softly asked, "What's wrong with you? Every time the emperor has his headache, you become tense as if you've committed a great offense."

Prince Xi let out a long sigh.

Wasn't it precisely a "great offense"?

Meanwhile, Xu Yunqi and Yinxing arrived at the Heavenly Mandate Hall. In the past, Yinxing would never have been allowed in the palace, but now as Xu Yunqi's assistant physician, no one dared to stop her. At the hall, Xu Yunqi asked Yinxing to wait outside while she carried her medical box and bag into the imperial study alone.

Following the eunuch's guidance, Xu Yunqi entered the chamber without raising her head to pay her respects.

"I, your granddaughter-in-law, greet the emperor. Long live the emperor, long live, long live."

At that moment, a hand reached out to help her up. Xu Yunqi lifted her gaze and met Pei Muheng's calm eyes.

Pei Muheng took the medical box from her and pointed at the yellow-dyed canopied bed. "Yunqi, come and take a look at your grandfather the emperor."

The emperor was reclining on a pillow, his eyes closed tightly, with veins visible on his forehead, clearly trying to endure some pain. Liu Xiwen was attending to him diligently, and upon seeing Xu Yunqi, he stepped aside, giving her a silent bow.

Xu Yunqi walked slowly to the emperor's side, her face devoid of any fear or awe typically associated with facing an emperor. Instead, she remained exceptionally composed.

"Your Majesty, please lie down and allow your granddaughter-in-law to take your pulse."

Her voice was soothingly gentle, with a calming effect on others. The emperor slowly opened his eyes, glanced at her, then nodded slightly. With Liu Xiwen's assistance, he reclined.

Pei Musheng stepped forward to help expose the emperor's wrist. He also arranged a cushion for Xu Yunqi. Xu Yunqi sat down and began palpating the emperor's wrist.

According to protocol, two court physicians and a cabinet minister must be present when treating the emperor.

Today, the Minister of Rites, Zheng Yucheng, as well as Doctors He and Liu from the Imperial Hospital, were on duty and hurried to the scene.

Silence reigned in the imperial study, as Liu Xiwen and the other three pairs of eyes fixed on Xu Yunqi's face, attempting to discern any signs from her expression. Unfortunately, the Duchess' face was as calm as water, giving away nothing.

After examining the left wrist, she moved to the right one, even checking the emperor's tongue and scrutinizing his complexion. She inquired about his diet and daily routine, applying the four diagnostic methods of Chinese medicine for a full quarter of an hour.

In the past, who would dare to give orders to the reigning monarch? Yet Xu Yunqi treated him like any ordinary patient, examining him without hesitation or negotiation. The emperor was powerless against her.

Upon completing her diagnosis, she determined that the emperor had liver Qi stagnation, kidney deficiency, blocked meridians, and signs of decline. No wonder the struggle for succession was intensifying in the court. Considering the emperor's current condition, he didn't have many years left.

With a clear understanding, Xu Yunqi discussed with Doctor He, "How did Doctor Fan diagnose the emperor before?"

Doctor He replied, "Acupuncture and herbal medicine, both in tandem." He then handed her a prescription. "The recipe is here."

Xu Yunqi glanced at the prescription indifferently before setting it aside. "Doctor Fan's prescription is ingeniously precise; we cannot match his expertise. However, in my opinion, after His Majesty has been taking medicine for so long, it might be best to pause for a while."

Doctor He agreed with this perspective. It wasn't that the prescription was ineffective, but rather that the body could develop a tolerance to the medicine over time, reducing its effectiveness. In the past, when the emperor fell ill, they could only rely on medication and dared not suggest alternatives. Today, with the Duchess coming forward to take responsibility, they were relieved.

"Then we'll follow the Duchess's advice."

Liu Xiwen asked from the side, "How does the Duchess plan on treating the emperor?"

Xu Yunqi took out a bottle of medicinal oil from her medical kit. "Acupuncture once every seven days, and massage every other day."

The emperor clearly spent most of his time hunched over documents, causing severe blockages in his neck. It was no wonder he was experiencing headaches.

Liu Xiwen couldn't make the decision alone. He looked to Prime Minister Zheng and then at the emperor. The emperor, without lifting his head, waved his hand. "Follow what Yunqi's wife suggests."

Rumors outside had exaggerated this granddaughter-in-law's abilities, so he decided to give her treatment a try.

Thus, Xu Yunqi called for Xingye to come in, and the others stepped back. The two began to treat the emperor with acupuncture. Throughout the process, Prime Minister Zheng and the others sat below the imperial bed, occasionally whispering to each other. More than her medical skills, they were astonished by her composure. Her calmness and composed demeanor were unparalleled in the entire court.

Even her father, Xun Yunhe, did not exhibit such composure in the presence of the emperor.

Recalling how he had composed the imperial edict bestowing marriage upon Pei Muheng, Zheng Gao felt a twinge of regret. Now... He gently slapped his own face, an action that did not escape the emperor's peripheral vision. The ruler sneered softly.

After completing the first round of acupuncture, the emperor sat on his imperial couch, catching his breath. He then instructed Zheng Gao, "Go, go, quickly summon Xun Yunhe."

Xu Yunqi gave the emperor a faint glance.

Zheng Gao hurriedly responded with a grin.

With the needles inserted into her face and the front of her neck, the emperor's headache eased. After sipping some ginseng soup, she eagerly lay down for acupuncture on her back. This time, Xu Yunqi pulled the clothing down her back, exposing almost the entire nape and the back of her head, including the Fengchi acupoints along her shoulders.

The fiery medicinal oil was applied, followed by the acupuncture. The emperor subtly sensed a scorching flow of energy circulating around her head – a sensation she hadn't experienced in a long time.

Doctor Fan's acupuncture approach seemed more conservative compared to Xu Yunqi's, who was bold and skilled.

This young woman was truly remarkable, the emperor thought to himself.

The entire process of acupuncture lasted nearly an hour. By the time Xun Yunhe arrived, the emperor was drenched in sweat and was being helped by Liu Xiwen to get dressed.

Xun Yunhe's expression froze when he first laid eyes on his daughter. He then composed himself and approached to bow, "Your Majesty, this minister pays his respects…" As he finished speaking, he broke into a violent cough.

Everyone looked at him with mixed expressions. Xun Yunhe covered his mouth, trying to hide his embarrassment, and moved away from the emperor.

Xu Yunqi, on the other hand, didn't spare Xun Yunhe a glance. She instructed the emperor to lie on his side and handed the medicinal oil to Xingyin. Xingyin unscrewed the bottle cap and applied a layer of the oil on the emperor's neck. Xu Yunqi then explained to Liu Xiwen,

"For the next days, you will follow this meridian and scrape the tendons for His Majesty every other day."

She didn't have the time to attend to the emperor herself. Such tasks were naturally left to those close to him.

Liu Xiwen dared not neglect his duty. He summoned a nimble eunuch who had previously assisted the emperor with massages. After Xu Yunqi demonstrated for a while, she passed the task to him.

Acupuncture was an exhausting endeavor, so Xu Yunqi stepped back, making way for Xingyin and the eunuch. Under Xingyin's guidance, the eunuch began scraping the tendons with a cold buffalo horn. The stiff and severely obstructed meridians caused the emperor to wince in pain, frightening the eunuch into stillness. Xingyin had no choice but to take over and said to the emperor,

"Please bear with it for a little while longer, Your Highness. This servant promises that the pain will subside in half an hour."

Feeling humiliated by a maid's words, the emperor remained silent for the rest of the session.

Within just half an hour, the emperor clearly felt that the headache on the side where he had been massaged with the Gua Sha tool had vanished – it was nothing short of miraculous.

The emperor, being of advanced age, couldn't bear to have only one side massaged. Soon, he switched to the other, and after another half an hour, the pain on that side also disappeared. The emperor sat up refreshed and looked around at his officials with renewed vitality, as if he had been resurrected.

Xu Yunqi stood beside Pei Muheng, sipping tea gently and looking over with a warm smile.

"How does Your Majesty feel?" she asked.

It was absolutely wonderful, but the emperor was still the emperor, so he maintained his composure.

"Nephew Heng's wife, you truly live up to your reputation as a divine physician," he said.

The long-serving courtiers, well aware of the weight of those words, watched as Xu Yunqi simply smiled and set down her teacup. "Your Majesty is too kind," she replied modestly.

Her composed demeanor exuded an air of strength born from having no desires.

Vice Premier Zheng looked at Xun Yunhe with blatant envy. "Lord Xun is truly blessed."

Unfortunately, this blessing was not for him to have.

Xun Yunhe suffered another bout of intense coughing.

The emperor promptly waved him over. "Minister Xun, come here and sit down," he gestured towards the table beside Pei Muheng.

Xun Yunhe's expression froze, now realizing the reason behind the emperor summoning him today. He walked over slowly but refrained from taking a seat.

The emperor then turned slightly towards Xu Yunqi, his tone both solemn and gentle. "Yunqi, your father has been coughing for quite some time and hasn't shown any improvement. State affairs cannot be delayed. Please help me attend to his ailment."

The imperial study fell silent for a moment. Xun Yunhe could feel beads of sweat forming in his palms.

Xu Yunqi's eyes were cast down, maintaining that same unhurried and composed tone.

"Granddaughter-in-law obeys the imperial edict."

Xun Yunhe's eyelashes quivered noticeably. He suppressed his emotions and silently bowed to the emperor before eventually settling down slowly on one side of the table.

Pei Muheng cast a tender glance at his composed wife, a pang of affection stirring in his heart. He gently moved aside, allowing Xu Yunqi to sit opposite Xun Yunhe. Taking the initiative, Xun Yunhe lifted the edge of his official robe, exposing his wrist. Xu Yunqi laid her hand upon it, closing her eyes to begin listening to his pulse with a serene expression.

Xun Yunhe gazed at her in silence, and for the first time in fifteen years, he felt this close to his daughter. The little girl who used to innocently call him 'Father' had grown into a remarkable young woman, one who filled him with both a sense of inadequacy and immense pride.

It was precisely because she had her eyes closed that he could study her more intently. Her cheeks were exceptionally fair, and the curve of her eyebrows was identical to how she looked when she slept peacefully in the crook of his elbow as a child. Back then, Nannan was overly energetic; it was only when she was asleep that one could glimpse the gentle stillness of a young lady.

More than one person had told him that Yunqi resembled him, that it was immediately apparent. Yet, he had been blinded by his own ignorance, fixated on her childhood image, failing to recognize her at first sight on that day at Qi Taifu's residence. The scene of her slowly picking up the seashell and handing it back to him replayed in his mind like a foolish man who valued the box more than its treasure, thus missing the chance to acknowledge her.

He couldn't fathom what Yunqi must have felt that day.

She recognized him so calmly and passed by him just as composedly.

A tempest of emotions engulfed Xun Yunhe, leaving his chest feeling encased in molten lava, causing him to gasp for air. His coughing fit wouldn't cease, drawing pitying gazes from everyone in the hall.

Xun Yunhe leaned on the table, forcing himself to regain composure. Xu Yunqi opened her eyes indifferently and instructed with a tranquil tone, "Switch to your left hand."

Xun Yunhe switched hands, and Xu Yunqi continued her diagnosis, this time glancing to the other side with a hint of sharpness in her gaze.

In that moment, the emperor suddenly noticed a stifled sob in his ear. He lifted his head to find Yingxin weeping uncontrollably, clutching her medical kit.

"What are you crying for?!"

Pei Muhang also turned to look at Yingxin.

Ginkgo hastily wiped away her tears and lied with open eyes, "Did I cry? It was just the wind in the imperial study blowing sand around."

The emperor: "..."

Everyone sighed in pity for this father-daughter duo, but Xu Yunqi remained calm and composed. She beckoned Ginkgo over and took out a few silver needles from her medical pouch, inserting them into several acupoints on Xun Yunhe's hands. Then she began to write a prescription.

Compared to her careful treatment of the emperor earlier, her approach with Xun Yunhe seemed perfunctory.

Vice Premier Zheng couldn't bear to watch and cleared his throat, asking, "Princess Consort, Lord Xun's illness is rooted in his lungs. If you're going to use acupuncture, shouldn't you target the Tanzhong point?"

Pei Mucheng, however, knew that Xu Yunqi was never impulsive. He spoke up in her defense, "Vice Premier Zheng, you worry too much. Yunqi's use of medicine and acupuncture has always been precise. There's no need for baseless speculation."

Without lifting her head, Xu Yunqi replied, "Lord Xun's heart is troubled, causing a blockage in his lung energy. The lungs and heart intersect at the palms. By targeting this area, I can help alleviate the congestion. Moreover, he originally fell ill due to the cold. The court physicians likely prescribed remedies to expel the cold and soothe the lungs. Unfortunately, his internal heat is excessive, turning the cold into fire. Continuing with cold-relieving treatments wouldn't be effective anymore, which is why his condition persists."

With Xu Yunqi's explanation, everyone understood.

"Ah, so that's how it is. I've judged a gentleman with a petty mind," Vice Premier Zheng said, stroking his beard, while Doctor He and the others chuckled.

Xu Yunqi finished writing the prescription and was about to hand it to Doctor He when Xun Yunhe spoke up,

"An An, give the prescription to Father. I'll fetch the medicine myself," Xu Yunqi said gently.

Pei Mucheng sensed the right moment and turned to salute the emperor. "Your Majesty, regarding what Your Grandson mentioned earlier, what are your thoughts?"

The emperor's brows lifted, and he finally recalled the matter, looking at Xu Yunqi. "Heng-ge's wife, do you truly wish to serve in the Imperial Medical Institute?"

Xu Yunqi immediately knelt in the hall, raising her hands to her forehead in response. "Your Majesty, this granddaughter-in-law genuinely has such intentions. May I know if Your Majesty approves?"

The emperor was, of course, willing to keep Xu Yunqi in service, but not as a granddaughter-in-law. After a moment of hesitation, he glanced at Xun Yunhe. "Minister Xun, what are your thoughts?"

At this point, Xun Yunhe would likely be the one delivering the knife if Xu Yunqi were to plot murder. Thus, he hurriedly replied, "I humbly request Your Majesty to grant her permission."

The emperor was in a good mood and chuckled. "As husbands, you indulge her, and as a father, you dote on her. What else can I say?" He then instructed Liu Xiwen, "Go to the Imperial Medical Institute and add a plaque for Doctor Xun, allowing her entry into the palace to treat noble ladies and concubines."

Upon hearing the words "Doctor Xun," the corners of Xu Yunqi's mouth twitched slightly.

The emperor had two intentions behind his actions. On the one hand, he genuinely wished to mend his relationship with his daughter. On the other hand, he also wanted to provide Xu Yunqi with an escape route. After all, she was a royal consort and, under the title of "Doctor Xun," no one in the court or the public would dare to criticize her. Xun Yunhe was evidently more than willing to shield his daughter from any storms.

Xu Yunqi nodded expressionlessly, "This granddaughter-in-law complies with the imperial edict."

Once I gain entry into the Imperial Medical Institute and come into contact with Doctor Fan, I shall be able to uncover the whereabouts of my maternal grandfather. All else is of secondary concern.