Chapter 82 How can one sleep soundly?
Ji Yun barely managed to stand still. Upon hearing Jin An's words, he almost instinctively refused, saying, "Doctor Meng has only been practicing medicine for half a year and is still relatively inexperienced. Your Highness's health does not need to trouble others. I am fine. Please move to the side hall, Your Highness, and I will examine you now."
Although his tone was slightly low due to weakness, it sounded very decisive.
His eagerness to protect her surprised Jin'an.
Jin'an's lips curled up almost imperceptibly, revealing a faint, indifferent smile. A glint of something elusive flashed in her eyes, and she nodded knowingly, "In that case, there's no need to trouble Doctor Meng."
Seeing this, Meng Yutong nodded slightly, watching the two figures, one in purple and one in green, disappear one after the other into the depths of the corridor leading to the side hall. Only then did she suppress the strange feeling that arose in her heart and turn to leave.
Unexpectedly, a palace maid quietly stepped forward and blocked her way. The maid lowered her head and said humbly, "Miss Meng, Her Highness the Princess requests your presence for a chat."
Jingfu invited her here today, which could not have been a simple invitation to a banquet.
Meng Yutong seemed unsurprised. She nodded and calmly followed the palace maid to Princess Jingfu's bedroom.
Upon entering the hall, Meng Yutong glanced around indifferently, quite surprised.
The interior furnishings were surprisingly simple and elegant, quite different from the luxurious and flamboyant style that Princess Gyeongbokgung had imagined. There was not much gold and jade piling up in the hall, and the layout was elegant and spacious.
Near the south window stood a rosewood chaise lounge, with two soft pillows casually placed on it. The hall was partially divided by a folding screen painted with ink wash landscapes, and the outline of the sleeping quarters could be vaguely seen behind the screen.
The dressing table is placed against a hinged window, facing south. One can imagine how the rosewood tabletop would be bathed in golden sunlight on a fine day.
On the dressing table sat only a simple white porcelain vase, with a few newly picked magnolia blossoms inserted diagonally inside, their delicate fragrance wafting through the air. A faint scent of pear blossoms filled the air, a sweet and calming aroma.
At this moment, Princess Jingfu was sitting upright in front of the mirror, and two palace maids were carefully removing the intricate hairpins and ornaments from her hair. Seeing Meng Yutong enter, she waved her hand, and the palace maids silently curtsied and withdrew, leaving only the two of them in the hall in an instant.
Meng Yutong stepped forward and bowed respectfully according to etiquette.
Princess Gyeongbok did not turn around. The warm yellow light of the palace lanterns enveloped the bronze mirror, and the woman's face reflected in the mirror lost some of its usual sharpness and flamboyance, gaining a touch of hazy softness.
Gyeongbok looked at the figure standing behind him with his head bowed through the mirror. At first glance, the figure did appear gentle and respectful.
But she knew in her heart that this woman was not as simple as she appeared.
"Come closer and speak," the princess said calmly.
Meng Yutong stepped forward as instructed and stood beside her, maintaining her composed demeanor. "Your Highness summoned me here. What are your orders?"
Princess Jingfu chuckled softly, her beautiful eyes in the mirror sparkling with even greater pride: "You're a clever person. Why don't you guess why I specially invited you here today?"
Meng Yutong raised her eyes, but her gaze did not look directly at the princess. Instead, it fell on the mirror. Through the smooth surface, her clear gaze met the princess's probing gaze.
She did not answer the princess's question directly, but instead said slowly, "Judging from Your Highness's gait today, although you can still see the subtle caution, the weight on your knees is much more even than it was a month ago, and your breathing is also more steady and long when you get up and sit down."
"In my humble opinion, Your Highness's leg ailment caused by cold and dampness has shown signs of improvement. If at this time, you can use silver needles to acupuncture points such as Zusanli, Yanglingquan, and Xuanzhong, and perform deep needling to obtain Qi, and then use massage techniques to activate the muscles and tendons, warm and unblock the blood vessels, it will surely help the medicine to work even better, so that Qi and blood can flow smoothly, and your steps will be lighter and more agile."
Princess Jingfu's eyes flashed with surprise. Her legs had indeed felt a bit lighter recently, but she hadn't expected this woman to be able to describe it so accurately based on mere observation.
Putting aside her unpredictable medical skills, her keen insight and calm demeanor are certainly beyond the reach of ordinary young women.
Thinking this through, she lost interest in beating around the bush and simply turned around, looking directly at Meng Yutong: "You do have some real skills. Tell me, what do you want? Gold and silver jewelry, or something else?"
Meng Yutong met her gaze with a calm expression: "As a physician, my only wish is that the patients I treat can be free from illness and regain their health. This is a physician's duty, and I dare not presume to ask for Your Highness's favor."
Princess Jingfu pursed her lips upon hearing this, clearly disapproving of these high-sounding words, but she did not utter any sarcastic remarks.
She paused for a moment, then suddenly lifted her skirt slightly, revealing her slender ankles and a section of her calf. Her tone carried her usual commanding manner, yet also contained a hint of expectation: "Since you say acupuncture and massage are effective, then let's try it now."
Last time at Qinglan Temple, she was very resistant to being treated by Meng Yutong, but this time, she naturally offered herself up.
Jingfu cared about her legs even more than Meng Yutong had imagined.
"Yes," Meng Yutong replied, taking out the needle pouch she carried with her.
She pulled open Jingfu's clothes, her fingertips steady and her movements skillful, the silver needle precisely inserted into the acupoint, the depth just right.
Jingfu frowned slightly at first, then felt a tingling, numb, and distending sensation spreading from the acupuncture point, traveling up the meridian, and his knee joint, which often felt stiff and cold, gradually began to feel warm.
After the acupuncture was completed, Meng Yutong washed her hands and then used a special technique to massage her. The pressure was just right, relieving the tension in her muscles and tendons.
After the treatment, Jingfu felt that his legs and feet were more relaxed than during the day, and he felt lighter and more comfortable than ever before.
She tried to stand up and slowly paced around the hall, feeling the long-lost comfort. A genuine smile finally appeared on her beautiful face, and her gaze towards Meng Yutong became less scrutinizing and more approving: "It seems that she really does live up to her reputation."
Seeing the princess's brows furrowed with undisguised joy, yet her expression remained calm and composed, Meng Yutong saw no trace of pride in the effectiveness of her treatment.
She spoke softly and carefully to Jingfu, instructing him on the importance of continued care. Her voice was clear: "Your Highness's leg ailment is the result of years of accumulated suffering, and such a serious illness cannot be cured in a day. The acupuncture treatment just now was intended to stimulate the flow of qi and blood and temporarily clear the blockages, which is why you feel lighter when you walk. However, this effect is unlikely to last. The damage to your muscles, bones, and meridians will require time to heal. I earnestly hope that Your Highness will be patient and consider long-term care."
She paused slightly, her tone becoming more serious: "It is especially important to remember that during this period, you must not mistakenly use certain medicines that easily cause stagnation of qi and blood, or consume too many cold foods. For example, if Your Highness's daily prescription for warming the meridians and promoting circulation contains aconite, cinnamon, or other pungent and hot ingredients, you must be extra careful not to mix it with certain external cosmetics, such as those decorated with cinnabar or containing special mineral ointments. The two may react with each other, potentially generating heat toxins, causing swelling of the meridians, and rendering all previous efforts futile."
Her words seemed too general, but every word she uttered was very serious.
“When you are sleeping at night,” she added, “you can cover your legs with the medicated blanket. Its medicinal properties are mild and long-lasting, which can help nourish your blood and qi and greatly benefit your recovery.”
Under normal circumstances, who would dare to be so talkative and restrictive in front of Princess Gyeongbok?
But today, listening to Meng Yutong's clear and earnest advice, she was not annoyed at all, but rather felt pleased. She patiently listened to the whole thing without uttering a single word of rebuttal.
After the treatment was completed, Jingfu was in a good mood and ordered the palace maids to bring out a generous amount of gold and silver as a reward.
Looking at the generous reward carried by the palace maid beside her, Meng Yutong did not immediately express her gratitude. Instead, she cupped her hands again and said in a clear and respectful voice, "Your Highness is very kind to you. I am deeply grateful. However, I have a favor to ask."
Princess Jingfu was pacing slowly in the palace. Perhaps the relief from acupuncture was still lingering, for her brows and eyes, unusually, lacked their usual sharpness, instead showing a hint of calm. Upon hearing this, she paused slightly, raising an eyebrow at Meng Yutong.
Meng Yutong continued, “Your Highness’s leg ailment is not something that can be cured in a day. I will still need to come to the palace regularly for acupuncture. Could Your Highness please grant me a token as proof? This will save me from the hassle of going through layers of formalities when visiting the princess’s residence, thus avoiding delays in treatment and preventing unnecessary spying. This will make it safer for Your Highness to recuperate.”
A knowing glint flashed in Princess Jingfu's eyes; she understood what "unnecessary eyes and ears" meant.
Without saying much, she casually untied a square-shaped red jade pendant from her waist. The jade was rich in color, with the words "Jingfu" engraved on the front and a unique phoenix emblem representing the princess's status on the back.
She handed over the jade pendant: "You've thought this through very thoroughly. Take it; seeing this jade is like seeing me, and no one will dare to stop you."
"Thank you, Your Highness." Meng Yutong accepted the jade pendant with both hands, carefully put it into her bosom, bowed respectfully again, and then left the hall.
The palace maid, Lü Rong, was ordered to escort Meng Yutong out of the mansion. This woman was the same one Meng Yutong had met briefly at Qinglan Temple.
After exchanging a few pleasantries, Green Velvet introduced herself and stated that she was in charge of all matters in the princess's bedroom.
They emerged from the brightly lit main hall and strolled slowly along the covered walkway, the moonlight casting its gentle glow on the stone path.
As they passed a side hall, they saw that it was brightly lit with candles, and two maids stood quietly outside the door. Judging from their attire, they were the maids who served Princess Jin'an.
Seeing that Meng Yutong's gaze was fixed in that direction, Green Velvet explained in a low voice, "Physician Ji is still examining Princess Jin'an in the side hall, and it seems that it is not yet finished."
Meng Yutong nodded slightly and asked casually, "I heard that Physician Ji has been treating Princess Jin'an's heart ailment. I wonder if she is feeling better lately?"
Having served Princess Jingfu for many years, Green Velvet knew a great deal about palace affairs. In addition, after these two encounters, she had noticed the subtle change in the princess's attitude towards Meng Yutong, and remembering the kindness of Qinglan Temple, she trusted Meng Yutong more.
After a moment's consideration, she said softly, "Princess Jin'an married into the Marquis of Zhongyong's household at the age of eighteen. When the old Marquis and his eldest son were still alive, the Marquis's household was quite prominent. But after the Marquis of Zhongyong and his eldest son passed away one after another, the household gradually declined."
"The princess suffered from a heart ailment since childhood and was not particularly noticeable in the palace. Perhaps it was because of this that she chose the second son of the Earl's family, who was in a similarly awkward situation, as her husband."
She lowered her voice even further: "After Her Highness married into the Earl's household, she gave birth to a daughter. However, the princess was physically weak, and the little girl died before she was even a year old. Since then, the princess's health has deteriorated further."
"When she returned to the palace to live as a widow, everyone in the Imperial Medical Bureau regarded her as having a difficult illness and many of them shirked their responsibilities. At that time, it was Physician Ji who volunteered to take on the responsibility of treating her. From then on, he made sure to see her every month without fail. Whenever the princess felt slightly unwell, she only needed to send a message to the Ji residence, and Physician Ji would come to the palace immediately, rain or shine, to do his best."
As Green Velvet spoke, she discreetly observed Meng Yutong's expression. Being in the well-informed Princess's residence, she naturally knew about the engagement and subsequent annulment between Meng Yutong and Ji Yun.
Her words carried a hint of caution, hoping that this seemingly clear-headed Miss Meng would understand the complexities of the palace and its intricate human relationships, and refrain from getting too deeply involved.
Meng Yutong listened quietly with her eyes lowered, her face expressionless.
Jin'an and Ji Yun had a close relationship, a fact she knew from her past life. She was well aware of how much Ji Yun cared for Jin'an's health, even working late into the night after returning from his busy work at the Imperial Medical Academy to refine her prescriptions... She had long been aware of the effort he had put into Jin'an.
However, this was the first time she had heard that Jin'an had a child.
However, in the end, these past events have nothing to do with her.
Seeing that she looked calm and showed no anger or sorrow, Green Velvet felt relieved and respectfully escorted her to the gate of the princess's residence.
Just as Meng Yutong was about to turn and leave, Green Velvet called out to her, "Dr. Meng, there's something on your head."
Green Velvet plucked a small pomegranate flower from her hair.
Meng Yutong took the flower and smiled, "It must have fallen down because the pigeons were causing trouble and shaking the branches."
She put the flowers in her hand, said goodbye to Green Velvet, and turned to leave.
*
Inside the side hall of the princess's residence, candlelight flickered, casting a dim, yellowish glow.
Princess Jin'an sat upright in a rosewood armchair with soft cushions. Perhaps she had been sitting in the garden for a long time and caught a chill, because her face was paler than usual, her lips were pale, and she looked even weaker.
A plain white silk handkerchief was gently placed on her wrist, which rested on the pulse pillow. Ji Yun sat quietly beside her, placing three fingers on it, intently examining the subtle rises and falls between the cun and chi points.
He lowered his eyes, focusing intently on the pulse beneath his fingers, his brows furrowed in quiet concentration.
Jin'an turned her head slightly and, using the dim light in the hall, carefully examined him.
The light and shadow cast a faint shadow on his handsome profile, outlining his straight nose and tightly pursed lips.
Upon closer inspection, one could vaguely discern a hint of the refined elegance of an old friend in his features. However, compared to that person's innate warmth and gentleness, Ji Yun was surrounded by a more distant, cold, and serene aura.
The candlelight in the hall was dim and warm. For a moment, those downcast eyes almost overlapped with the gentle, smiling gaze deep in her memory, causing a slight tightness in her chest.
Ji Yun slowly withdrew his hand, his voice steady: "Princess, your pulse is weak, indicating a deficiency in both your heart and blood. Your foundation is weak and cannot be improved in a day. You should try to include more warming and nourishing foods in your daily diet, and you should also calm your mind and sleep soundly at night to aid your recovery. You can continue to take the prescription I prescribed earlier, and I will adjust it again when I take your pulse next time. Remember, avoid mental strain and worry, and maintaining a broad mind is of utmost importance."
After listening, Jin'an gave a noncommittal twitch of the corners of her mouth, but the smile did not reach her eyes; instead, it revealed a hint of coldness.
Her voice was low and husky, carrying a hint of chill, like the biting wind seeping through the cracks in a winter night window: "How can I sleep well, Ji Yun?"
She suddenly raised her hand, her icy fingertips gently touching his chin, forcing him to look up and gaze intently into his eyes. She repeated herself, her voice low and hoarse, "Tell me, how can I sleep peacefully?"
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
