Volume One, Chapter 16: Like a Vicious Stepfather

Both of them looked in the same direction.

Sure enough, the royal family did not have a night for family reunion.

The young eunuch scrambled up, barely catching his breath, and continued, “Which imperial physician will come with me? There’s a lord in the front hall who has been vomiting non-stop after eating something. Now, His Majesty suspects the food and wants to execute over a hundred people involved in the preparation!”

“So serious?” Wen Shiyan grabbed her medical kit.

She was subtly stopped by Doctor Song, who said, “I will come with you. Eunuch, please lead the way.”

The young eunuch furrowed his brows and glanced at their ages. “Is there an imperial physician with the surname Wen here?”

At this, Wen Shiyan sensed something was off and exchanged a glance with Doctor Song.

In the entire Imperial Medical Court, she was the only physician surnamed Wen.

“Did His Majesty specifically name her?” Wen Shiyan asked cautiously.

The eunuch’s eyes darted around quickly before answering, “Not exactly. But the Third Prince specifically instructed that if Physician Wen is available, she should be summoned.”

Liang Jiang?

Wen Shiyan wasn’t sure how much truth there was in his words. “Is the Third Prince the one who fell ill?”

The eunuch grew anxious again, urging, “Are you Physician Wen or not? If you are, come with me quickly. If you delay, your head will be the price!”

Wen Shiyan looked at him, then into the vague distance. “Yes, let’s go.”

Doctor Song, an elder in the palace, had seen countless intrigues every year, none alike, especially at palace banquets. He stopped Wen Shiyan because a young physician might say the wrong thing and become a scapegoat.

But now, it seemed there was no avoiding it.

Wen Shiyan knew well that whether the person who summoned her was Liang Jiang or not, those staging this play had cast her as a key player.

The front hall was grand, with palace guards crowding every gate and window, leaving no gaps.

Officials and their families invited to the event sat quietly in their seats, few whispering.

Petals scattered on the central carpet, left by geishas, suggested that before the incident, the place was filled with song and dance, lively and bustling.

Among the crowd were many familiar faces. Wen Shiyan carefully observed as she walked forward.

She knelt and said, “Your servant pays respects to His Majesty and Her Majesty the Empress.”

All eyes turned to her. She caught a particularly malicious gaze.

It came from Yu Mingyue, seated near the front row where she was.

Yu Mingyue had recovered. Dressed in a butterfly-patterned, embroidered phoenix tail skirt, she was dazzling and had become the envy of the women present.

Opposite her sat Zhu Fenghua, still wearing his trademark gentle smile, clearly bored with everything happening at the table. The only thing that caught his attention was Wen Shiyan’s arrival, and a flicker of worry flashed in his eyes.

Next to Zhu Fenghua was Liang Jiang, who seemed to pretend not to see Wen Shiyan, drinking by himself.

He had always been like this in the palace—covered in sensitive spots no one dared touch, even his own father avoided provoking him.

To Liang Jiang’s left sat the Crown Prince, looking much as remembered, inheriting the Emperor’s solemn appearance, rarely smiling. Rumor had it that when the Second Prince humiliated a noble lady, the Crown Prince had kicked him in the groin, rendering him crippled and forcing him into exile. Instead of punishment, the Crown Prince gained a good reputation among commoners.

The Emperor raised his hand. “Rise, go quickly and see the princess.”

Wen Shiyan followed the gesture and saw a frail figure faintly visible behind a screen.

“Your servant obeys.”

Hearing her voice, Liang Nianci turned her face gently and said softly, “Physician Wen, you’re here?”

After this, a brief silence fell, then some exchanged meaningful looks.

Everyone present was exceptionally sharp; it was hard not to notice something was amiss.

Wen Shiyan took heavy steps and slowly approached Liang Nianci.

The young princess clutched a pot, vomiting miserably. She wore a gaudy red and green jacket that did not suit her, with a heavy golden hairpin inserted crookedly—clearly not a style favored by someone her age. Earlier, the Empress’s headpiece had been asymmetrical, likely gifted on the spot.

Her round, rabbit-like eyes looked up pitifully as she shrank her neck and lowered her voice. “Physician Wen, did I say something wrong?”

Feigning ignorance, Wen Shiyan didn’t bother to respond.

She had indeed brought trouble upon herself; she shouldn’t have saved the princess that day.

The princess and her brother were equally cruel-hearted.

Liang Nianci tried to hide the mess she had vomited and obediently extended her wrist. “Aren’t you curious how I knew your name?”

Wen Shiyan remained silent, professionally checking her pulse.

Curious? Besides Liang Jiang, who else could it be?

Liang Nianci seemed to understand her thoughts, leaning in closer. “It wasn’t brother.”

After waiting a long while without even a glance, Liang Nianci’s eyes welled up with tears. “Are you really angry?”

Wen Shiyan put away the handkerchief and the small pillow she had placed under the wrist, feeling utterly speechless.

What? Was she supposed to feel wronged?

She only had a brief moment to think of a strategy; soon, she would inevitably be questioned and blamed.

The disaster was her making, but she had to bear the blame alone. Was she also supposed to comfort the princess?

When the silver needle was taken out, Liang Nianci grabbed a small corner of the deep blue garment in front of her, fearful. “I feel much better now. Can’t you stop the acupuncture?”

Wen Shiyan raised an eyebrow. Afraid now? Hmph, too late!

She had originally planned to pretend and buy some time.

Besides, it was a minor ailment; acupuncture would help her recover faster.

But seeing the princess so frightened, she might as well give in a little!

The sharp silver needle was slowly heated over a candle.

With each prick, Liang Nianci trembled.

Wen Shiyan felt like a cruel stepmother inflicting pain on her foolish stepdaughter.

When she came out carrying her medical kit, the first to inquire was the Empress.

The Empress’s caring and tender expression was like that of an ordinary mother. “Why so long? Physician, is the princess all right?”

“Your servant reports, Your Majesty,” Wen Shiyan’s voice was clear, “The princess has long avoided meat and fish. This vomiting was caused by an unusual intake of greasy food and is nothing serious.”

“That’s good, that’s good.”

Yu Mingyue interjected, “It’s a relief the princess is fine. But, Your Majesty, I’m not sure if I heard wrong just now—the princess actually recognized this physician? Even I only spoke with her for the first time yesterday.”

She deliberately feigned ignorance of Wen Shiyan, acting like a bystander.

Many followed suit, eager to see the drama unfold, whispering guesses about how a mere physician and a confined princess met in the palace.

Their eyes flicked between the screen and Wen Shiyan, openly hostile.

Even the Emperor frowned. Before he could question her, Wen Shiyan spoke first.