Chapter 10

How could an order from the Grand Tutor be changed?

Nie Qinglin chewed slowly, carefully swallowing the large, glistening piece of venison, only to feel that she would never love this delicacy again in her life…

Grand Tutor Wei glanced at the young emperor beside him, who was eating the venison with the difficulty of swallowing medicine.

Just as he was about to lecture him, he suddenly noticed the boy’s lips, slick with deer fat, gleaming with an even richer red.

Against his snow-white face and those bright, intelligent eyes…

He narrowed his phoenix eyes and couldn’t help but take another few looks.

A cold sneer rose in his heart: A boy should have a robust and manly demeanor, yet he had grown up looking like this. Even if a man did take a liking to him, he would only be some soft and submissive thing beneath another! What kind of heroic figure was the founding emperor of Great Wei! Yet he produced such a monstrous descendant—truly a sign that the dynasty’s fate was running thin…

With such thoughts in mind, a teasing impulse arose.

When the weak-willed dragon child finally forced the meat down, Grand Tutor Wei leisurely picked up an even fattier piece of pork knuckle skin and slowly placed it into the just-emptied porcelain bowl.

Nie Qinglin already felt the urge to vomit from her overstuffed stomach, yet she could only offer a startled yet honored smile at Minister Wei before respectfully staring at the object in her bowl, thinking: What a ruthless tactic! If he keeps adding more, even the most astute coroners in Great Wei would conclude that this emperor’s death was nothing but natural!

By then, the starving masses across the empire would surely point toward the capital and curse: “Dog Emperor! We starve while you eat yourself to death!”

But a reward from the Grand Tutor, even if it were meat soaked in poisoned wine, had to be swallowed without question!

This piece of pork skin took even longer to eat.

By the time she finally swallowed the last bite, the Grand Tutor had also finished his meal.

Nie Qinglin caught a glimpse of Grand Tutor Wei setting his chopsticks down on the jade chopstick rest and quietly sighed in relief.

Yet when she looked up, he found that the man’s face—so striking it could awe the six palaces—was watching him with an unreadable smile…

After the midday meal was cleared, Grand Tutor Wei took his leave, heading off to attend to the affairs of state.

Seeing off this pillar of the empire, Nie Qinglin clutched her stomach and waved at An Qiao’er.

How could An Qiao’er not know of her young master’s ailment?

Concubine Li was truly cruel, forcing her to eat less and leaving her underfed since childhood.

Now, whenever her stomach acted up, the pain could be so unbearable that she would roll across the bed in agony!

She carefully helped her onto the dragon bed.

Holding her distended stomach, Nie Qinglin weakly said, “This pain is unbearable… Go to the Imperial Medical Bureau and summon Physician Zhang.”

There was a reason Nie Qinglin specifically named Physician Zhang.

No one who eats the five grains can be entirely free from illness.

But if an imperial physician with exceptional skill were to detect the truth from her pulse, it would be disastrous!

Fortunately, when Consort Li entered the palace back then, there was a young man in her hometown who had been deeply in love with her.

He left everything behind to follow her here, eventually passing the exams and entering the Imperial Medical Bureau.

Though he could not accompany his beloved day and night, he could at least see her during morning and evening visits, placing his fingertips upon her delicate hand—enough to soothe his lovesickness.

Over time, Physician Zhang became Consort Li’s personal imperial physician.

When she was in favor, such a small figure hardly stood out.

But when she fell from grace, she realized the value of a “true-hearted man.”

By the time she lamented her ill fate, it was already too late.

She could only hope to spend the rest of her days in the palace peacefully.

Thankfully, the risky move she had once made had Physician Zhang’s support, allowing her to navigate the storm unscathed.

Not long after, someone from the Imperial Medical Bureau arrived, carrying a medicine box in a hurry.

But at first glance, An Qiao’er’s heart sank—why wasn’t it Physician Zhang, but rather a young and unfamiliar doctor?

She had the young physician wait in the main hall before quickly stepping into the inner chamber, lowering her voice to tell the young emperor, “Your Majesty, the one who came this time is not Physician Zhang—it’s a young imperial physician…”

Nie Qinglin was in the throes of her stomach pain, a thin layer of cold sweat forming on her smooth, pale forehead.

Hearing An Qiao’er’s words, she waited for a wave of pain to pass before gathering some strength to say, “Just… tell him that I have already… gone to sleep. Have him leave behind a prescription for pain relief and digestion, then send him… send him away.”

An Qiao’er, heart aching at the sight of her young master suffering, inwardly cursed that wretched Grand Tutor once again.

She quickly turned and repeated the message outside.

Unexpectedly, after the young physician bowed in acknowledgment, he opened his medicine box and took out ink and brush.

As he moved, he also retrieved a jade pendant and casually hung it on his waist.

An Qiao’er’s sharp eyes immediately recognized it—wasn’t that the beloved token Concubine Li had once given Physician Zhang?

Physician Zhang had treasured it as if it were priceless, wearing it every time he came to see her!

At once, she asked, “Why didn’t Physician Zhang come?”

The young man quickly answered, “Replying to your ladyship, my surname is Zhang, given name Shiyu. Physician Zhang Cheng was my adoptive father. He fell gravely ill and… passed away at home half a month ago…”

An Qiao’er was startled, her eyes instantly reddening.

The imperial concubine had been ill and bedridden for the past month.

Yet Physician Zhang had always been in good health—how could he just be gone like that?

In the end, it was that one word—“infatuation”—that had sealed his fate.

He must have been so devoted to Consort Li that, fearing she would be lonely in the afterlife, he chose to follow her even in death…

The young man’s face also showed sorrow as he continued, “My father passed suddenly, but he remained concerned about His Majesty until the very end. He entrusted me with all of His Majesty’s past medical records and urged me to be doubly cautious in caring for him.”

Hearing this, An Qiao’er was shocked once more.

Did this mean that Physician Zhang had also passed down ‘that’ secret to this young man?

The old physician had always been prudent—if he had placed his trust in someone, then this person must also be reliable.

So, she entered the inner chamber again to deliver the message to her young master.

After a while, An Qiao’er emerged and invited Imperial Physician Zhang Shiyu inside.

Upon entering the chamber, he saw a delicate jade-like figure reclining on the dragon bed.

He quickly lowered his head and turned slightly to the side, softly requesting An Qiao’er to let down the bed curtains.

At first, the master and servant were still unsure, but seeing this reaction from Young Physician Zhang, they immediately understood that he was indeed aware of the secret.

Otherwise, why would he, when treating the emperor, act as if tending to an imperial concubine by requesting the curtains to be drawn?

“This is the imperial physician’s first visit, so there’s no need for excessive formalities. I am a man—why observe the taboos of the imperial harem? Come and take my pulse,” Nie Qinglin ordered indifferently.

Imperial Physician Zhang quickly bowed, lowered his head, and took small steps forward.

Yet, as he listened to the emperor’s slightly husky yet soft and delicate voice, his heart wavered ever so slightly.

When that fair, jade-like hand was extended before him, Zhang Shiyu’s nose-tip grew slightly damp with sweat.

As his fingertips lightly rested upon the skin, smooth as mutton-fat jade, he almost felt it slip away from his grasp.

A numbing softness spread from his fingertips, making its way up his arm.

He bit his tongue to steady himself, furrowed his brows, and carefully examined the pulse.

Meanwhile, Nie Qinglin was also studying this Zhang Physician—his appearance was proper and honest.

His name, “Shiyu,” seemed to echo her mother consort’s maiden name, “Pan Yuer,” sharing the character for “jade.”

(T/N: Jade=Yu)

And “Shi” was akin to “Si”—to think that the old physician Zhang Cheng had devoted his life to serving a woman beyond his reach, never marrying, dedicating his entire life to her… At least her mother consort’s life had not been in vain.

(T/N:(Shi) means to serve, to attend to, but it sounds similar to (Si), which means to long for, to think of… so Zhang Shiyu name can be interpreted as “longing for Yu” or “serving Yu”. Zhang Cheng had named his adopted son as a tribute to his lifelong devotion to Pan Yuer/Consort Li.)

Though young, this man had truly inherited his adoptive father’s medical expertise.

After finishing the pulse examination and administering acupuncture, the stomach pain was significantly relieved.

Feeling much better, Nie Qinglin remarked, “Imperial Physician Zhang, your medical skills are indeed exceptional. But you seem quite young—having only just taken up your father’s profession and joined the Imperial Medical Bureau, how did they allow you to come here?”

Imperial Physician Zhang replied in a low voice, “The newly arrived vassal prince, Prince Pingchuan, suffers from a rare chronic illness. By order of the Grand Tutor, all the senior imperial physicians have gone to his residence for consultation. This humble one took the initiative to volunteer in service of His Majesty, and so, there was no competition for the task.”

Nie Qinglin smiled faintly, immediately grasping the situation—

The Imperial Medical Bureau was full of wily old foxes!

They were well-versed in the hidden affairs of the palace.

If the emperor had fallen ill, there was a good chance it was by the Grand Tutor’s design.

If an unwitting physician happened to treat the emperor and discovered some dangerous secret, the Grand Tutor would not hesitate to silence them.

With someone volunteering to be the scapegoat, why would anyone else fight for the role?

Thinking this, she calmly asked, “To treat the imperial family and prescribe medicine is to take on great risk. Does Imperial Physician Zhang not fear for his life?”

Zhang Shiyu immediately knelt and said, “This humble one was but an abandoned orphan left on the roadside. I was fortunate that my adoptive father took pity on me, saving me from freezing to death. I should have repaid his kindness with utmost filial piety, but now that he has passed, I am once again alone in this world. The only thing I can do is honor his dying wish—to protect His Majesty. Even if it costs me my life, it is only my duty.”

Nie Qinglin felt a warmth in her heart—this Zhang father and son were truly a pair of steadfastly loyal and honest men.

Looking at Zhang Shiyu again, he seemed even more pleasing to the eye.

After taking his leave of the emperor, Imperial Physician Zhang left the imperial bedchamber, still feeling somewhat dazed.

Though the emperor was still young, the charm in those delicate features was like a budding flower—not yet fully bloomed, but already exuding a faint, intoxicating fragrance.

Once those breathtaking looks reached their full splendor, how could one possibly pass as a man?

He couldn’t help but worry for the emperor.

Rubbing his fingertips, still tingling with the lingering softness and fragrance, Zhang Shiyu walked on, carefully savoring the young emperor’s every frown and smile from earlier.

Alas, the world now had yet another lovestruck fool…

By the time the Grand Tutor had finished handling the burdensome affairs of state, it was already nightfall.

Since he had already decided to make an example of someone by raiding Prince Pingxi’s residence to shake up the various feudal lords, it was only natural to arrange his forces and deploy personnel.

Thus, he hosted a banquet at his own residence for his most trusted subordinates.

These were the brothers who had once fought alongside him on the battlefield, so the Grand Tutor shed his usual sage-like demeanor and drank heartily, downing several large cups of wine.

A group of warriors drinking together, passing cups back and forth, made for a lively atmosphere.

As the revelry grew, an old subordinate, Lu Yuda, suddenly mentioned that he had acquired a dozen Ferghana horses from the Western Regions.

He suggested setting up a race under the cover of night to test the horses’ speed—whoever won would take a fine steed home for free, while the losers would have to return and down several extra jars of aged wine as punishment.

The moment this idea was proposed, the drunken men all cheered in agreement.

Even Wei Lenghou, who had been feeling stifled in the capital, weary of scheming daily with old ministers, found the idea appealing.

After all, the city was under a night curfew, meaning the wide streets and alleys were perfect for galloping.

Laughing, he agreed.

The group headed to the horse stables, picked their preferred steeds, and mounted them.

Each man took a few guards with him, and like a whirlwind, they charged out of the Grand Tutor’s residence.

Wei Lenghou rode a deep red steed and quickly took the lead.

The famed Western horses truly lived up to their reputation—when they ran, it felt as if they were lifted by the wind, racing forward with unparalleled swiftness.

The rhythmic pounding of hooves, the intermingling of voices, and the neighing of horses echoed ceaselessly through the quiet night.

Across the various government offices and noble residences, officials and aristocrats alike were startled awake, shutting their doors tightly and pressing their ears to the walls, anxiously listening to the commotion in the streets.

Many feared that the imperial capital was about to change hands once again.

As the riders neared the palace gates, they saw Eunuch Ruan standing there, craning his neck in anticipation.

Wei Lenghou was the first to arrive, pulling on his reins to halt the horse.

Squinting, he asked, “Eunuch Ruan, who are you waiting for at the palace gates?”

Eunuch Ruan, catching a whiff of the Grand Tutor’s drunken breath, quickly lowered his head and wrung his hands as he replied, “To answer the Grand Tutor—earlier today, you mentioned that from now on, you would have lunch and dinner with His Majesty. So both the emperor and this servant have been waiting for you.”

At these words, Wei Lenghou vaguely recalled saying such a thing.

With a wave of his hand, he ordered the palace gates to be opened.

Yet instead of dismounting, he and his band of warriors, under the stunned and helpless gaze of Eunuch Ruan, cracked their whips and galloped straight into the imperial palace.

Along the way, the patrolling palace guards were startled.

At first, they drew their blades, preparing for battle, but upon recognizing the Grand Tutor in the lead, they hastily sheathed their weapons and stood aside.

Eventually, the commander of the imperial guards, Lu Wenba, simply shouted, “The Grand Tutor is riding through! All imperial guards ahead, clear the way!”

This wild, chaotic ride stirred the entire deep palace into an uproar.

The warriors following Wei Lenghou were men hardened by countless battles, accustomed to bloodshed.

Yet while they had charged onto battlefields countless times, galloping through the imperial palace was something they had never even dared to imagine.

Only by following a master as bold and decisive as Wei Lenghou could they partake in such reckless defiance of imperial protocol!

Their drunken fervor surged, and their blood boiled with excitement, making them whip their horses even harder.

By the time they reached the emperor’s bedchamber, the place was brightly lit, and the entire courtyard was filled with kneeling eunuchs and palace maids, trembling in terror.

They feared that the Grand Tutor was about to repeat his infamous deeds, re-enacting the nightmare of a palace bloodbath.

Nie Qinglin had also received word of their arrival.

Originally, she had been waiting to dine with the Grand Tutor—who would have thought that she’d end up waiting for an army instead?

Well, so be it.

If calamity was destined to come, there was no avoiding it.

Her expression remained composed and calm as she walked outside.

Behind her, An Qiao’er was already sobbing uncontrollably, clinging to Nie Qinglin’s leg and wailing, “Your Majesty!”

Nie Qinglin gently patted her shoulder before slowly stepping into the courtyard.

There, she saw the Grand Tutor atop a tall, imposing warhorse, clad in black, exuding an air of unrestrained dominance, bathed in the moonlight.