Extra: Poppy
The carriage passed through several winding alleys and stopped outside Jingxiang Gate. Facing it was a dense grove of trees with lush branches and leaves that almost covered half of the sky, even blocking out the sunlight. Only layers of high iron-red walls remain, which have become mottled due to the wear and tear of time. If you touch them lightly with your fingertips, pieces of colorful wall paint will fall off.
A white hand grasped the collar of the cloak and lifted the carriage curtain. The sun shone on her forehead. The wind blew through her hair, revealing a touch of her forehead. It was like the evening snow on the top of Lingxiao Peak, so white that it was almost transparent. A coldness emanated from her skin, chilling everything around her. The corners of her eyes were slightly raised, and she was holding an umbrella made of green bamboo, which covered her face, leaving only a thin chin exposed.
Bei'er followed from behind with a medicine box in hand. Seeing the eunuch leading the way negotiating with the gate guard, he lowered his voice and said excitedly, "Master, this is the imperial palace!"
She did not answer, but just lowered her eyes and looked quietly at the bluestone pavement.
It had been raining all day and the sky was still not clear. Raindrops were blown by the wind. The light was thin and dark red, shining on her snow-white dress, with circles of dim crimson.
Seeing that she didn't say anything, Bei'er stuck out his tongue quietly and stood properly like her. At this time, the eunuch who led the way came over and said with a smile: "Master Shuixiang, follow me."
Shui Xiang nodded and said, "Thank you, eunuch."
Her voice suddenly sounded, rough and hoarse, and even the coachman was startled. He didn't expect that such a otherworldly female doctor would have such a voice. It was as if it had been burned by charcoal, making people feel a little cold for no reason. The old eunuch could not help but look at her secretly once again. She was wearing black clothes and had black hair. She had a veil on her face, which covered most of her face, leaving only a pair of eyes. Her eyes were dark and bright, and deep. Although she lowered her eyebrows and bowed her head, there was a sense of nobility that emanated from the slightly raised eyebrows and eyes. When she raised her eyes, there was a bit of sharpness in her look.
"Father-in-law?" She raised her eyebrows slightly and called softly.
The old eunuch recovered and said hurriedly, "This way."
It has rained for the past few days, and even though the palace has good drainage, there is still water everywhere. The old eunuch knew Shui Xiang's identity and did not dare to look down on her. He hunched over as usual and offered to hold an umbrella for her. Shui Xiang did not refuse and walked to one side with his head down. When they reached a corridor, Shui Xiang turned left as usual, and heard the old eunuch beside him say in surprise: "Master Shui Xiang, this is only your third time in the palace, and you already remember the way? When I entered the palace, I couldn't figure out how to get there for two or three years."
Shui Xiang paused slightly when he heard this, then smiled faintly and said, "I have a better memory."
The old eunuch laughed and said, "That's why you are called a female doctor. You are really capable. Concubine Yang took the medicine you prescribed and she got better the next day."
Shui Xiang smiled faintly, "You're too polite, eunuch." After that, he took a half step back unnoticeably, followed the old eunuch, and walked silently with his head down.
When she arrived at the Internal Supervisory Office, she was examined according to the routine. The chief eunuch of the Shanglijian Office gave her a few words of reprimand and then handed her over to the eunuch in charge of the Gan'an Hall. Bei'er could no longer follow, so he handed the medicine box to Shui Xiang and said with a smile, "I'll wait for Master here."
As soon as she finished speaking, Shui Xiang turned around and looked at her silently. Shui Xiang's eyes were very deep, and he just stared at her quietly, like a pitch-black cat stone. Bei'er has been with Shuixiang for three years. Three years ago, hysteria was prevalent in the capital and her father died of hysteria. Fortunately, she was lucky enough to be taken in by Shuixiang. Although this master had a cold personality and rarely spoke, he was still nice to her. But now, she shuddered for no reason under Shui Xiang's gaze, and called out in a low voice with some fear: "Master?"
Shui Xiang retracted his gaze, raised his hand to smooth her hair, and said gently, "Are you hungry?"
Bei'er said hurriedly: "I'm not hungry."
"Didn't you bring some snacks? Eat some first if you're hungry."
Shui Xiang was rarely so friendly, Bei Er was somewhat flattered, but couldn't help feeling happy in his heart, and said with a sweet smile: "Disciple is not hungry, I will wait for Master to come back to eat together in the evening."
Shui Xiang stopped talking, turned around and went with the consul eunuch. When he walked out of the yard, he turned his head and saw Bei'er standing at the door with a smile on her face. Her little face was rosy, as if she had applied the finest rouge.
How old is Bei'er this year? It should be fifteen, right?
As soon as a weak thought came to her mind, her brows furrowed slightly. The rain had stopped by now, but the air was getting colder. The eunuch consul was explaining what she should pay attention to when she met the emperor later. She listened silently and took note of everything. After walking for half an hour, they finally arrived outside the Gan'an Hall. The eunuch went in to report, and she stood outside waiting. She was a little nervous and her heart was pounding. She took a few deep breaths, but couldn't suppress the nervousness. The corners of her mouth hidden behind the veil were tightly pursed and her expression was extremely serious. In fact, ever since she first entered the palace three months ago, or even since she entered this city again five years ago, this emotion has been gripping her, a bit nervous, a bit excited, a bit enthusiastic, and even a bit expectant. Shui Xiang knew that this kind of emotion should not appear in her. At this point, any distraction would lead to the complete failure of her plan, but she still couldn't help it, especially today, especially at this moment!
The palace door slowly opened, and the person who came out was not the consul eunuch, but a gorgeous woman in blue-purple palace clothes. She had an enchanting figure, a beautiful face, and luxurious clothes. Her eyes were tilted upwards. When she saw Shui Xiang, she frowned slightly and asked, "Who are you?"
"This is Master Shui Xiang, who was recommended by Concubine Yang to come to the palace to treat the emperor."
The eunuch consul came out at the same time. After answering, he quickly said to Shui Xiang: "Master Shui Xiang, why don't you pay your respects to Concubine Cheng?"
Shui Xiang paused for a moment, then circled Concubine Cheng's face quietly. Then he bowed to her and said, "Greetings to Her Majesty."
Her voice was calm, and she performed the court etiquette very carefully. She didn't seem like someone who had just entered the palace. Concubine Cheng couldn't find any fault with her. Her eyes became more gloomy, and she said in a deep voice: "She looks like a considerate person, but why is she still wearing a veil? Who allowed her to wear this thing in the palace?"
The eunuch in charge hurriedly said, "In reply to your Majesty, Master Shuixiang is a practitioner with his hair untied, and it is not appropriate for him to meet outsiders, so he always covers his face with a veil when he enters the palace."
Concubine Cheng snorted coldly, "Are all the people in the Imperial Hospital dead? Concubine Yang is too foolish. How dare she randomly recommend people from outside to enter the palace? If something goes wrong, who will be able to take responsibility?"
It has long been no secret that Concubine Cheng and Concubine Yang are not on good terms. Although Concubine Cheng's brother Cheng Yuan is an important military official and has followed the emperor in his campaigns, Concubine Yang was from the Huai Song clan. Not only did she have a strong family background, but she also had the support of Huai Song's old ministers. Especially after Empress Nalan's death, the Emperor never appointed a new Empress. As a result, the two of them became even more hostile to each other.
The eunuch consul knew something bad was going to happen when he saw her, but he still had to bite the bullet and said, "Your Majesty, Master Shuixiang is the direct disciple of Master Jingyue of Taiji Temple. He has excellent medical skills, and today's consultation was also approved by the emperor himself."
Concubine Cheng turned around, gave the eunuch consul a cold look, then sneered and said, "In that case, you should take this master in quickly." After that, she went there in a threatening manner with her men.
The consul eunuch wiped his sweat and said to Shui Xiang, "Master Shui Xiang, come with us."
The palace door creaked open slowly, and tiny pieces of flying ash danced enthusiastically in the sunlight. Shui Xiang stood outside the door, feeling dazed for a moment, thinking that she was dreaming. She thought that as long as she walked in, everything would be the same as it was on a certain day in her memory, her father and brother were still there, and she was still young and innocent.
However, it was just a dream after all. A strange smell hit me in the face. Although the furnishings here were so familiar, the taste had changed. There are no more luxurious palace fragrances, no more colorful sleeves, and no more shadowy people holding cups, lowering their heads, and singing praises of the emperor's achievements. The entire hall was empty, with palace lanterns hanging high and a few palace maids in plain clothes standing below. The ink-black curtains hung low, embroidered with golden koi and large roses, which were vaguely dazzling against the light. Deep in the heavy curtains, a figure was sitting there with his head down, seemingly flipping through something. He did not look up when he heard the voice. The hall was so deep that Shui Xiang could not see his features clearly.
Shui Xiang followed behind the eunuch consul and kowtowed to the man. The eunuch consul said respectfully: "Your Majesty, Master Shui Xiang is here."
The person above did not answer, so Shui Xiang and the other man had to continue kneeling with their heads bowed. The hall was eerily quiet, and one could even hear the sound of the palace maids' chest skin rubbing against the embroidery on their lapels when they breathed. Shui Xiang's heart was beating violently in his chest, thump-thump-thump! It was like the sound of a military drum on a battlefield, each and every beat made her throat itchy. She placed her hands flat on her knees and knelt there in standard court etiquette. The light and shadow of time passed through the ends of her hair and solidified on her thin shoulders and slender neck, which was as pale as snow and bloodless.
"Get up."
A low voice sounded from the depths of the hall. It was neither gentle nor overly cold. It was just so quiet, like a drop of water falling into a calm lake, creating circles of transparent ripples. However, just these few simple words made Shui Xiang's back tense instantly and a slight numbness appeared on the surface of his skin. She stood behind the eunuch consul with her head down, her hands hanging seemingly naturally at her sides, her fingers slightly bent, but the nail of her thumb was pressed tightly against her index finger, poking it hard. The pain was like a sharp, tiny silver needle, piercing her violently churning mind.
"Your Majesty, this is Master Shuixiang of Taiji Temple."
Yan Xun raised his head slightly. He was a little tired after a day of hard work. He put down his pen, pressed his left thumb on his temple, rubbed his eyes slowly with half his eyes half closed, glanced at Shui Xiang's figure, nodded, and said, "Come here."