Chapter 39: Partiality

Huo Yuchen’s hand, poised with a chess piece, paused. A flash of joy instantly ignited in his eyes, and the corners of his mouth curled into an inscrutable, faint smile—a sight so enchanting it could dazzle any onlooker.

Baili Qingyun watched the man opposite him with playful amusement and chuckled teasingly, "Your Highness, since the person you have been so desperately searching for has arrived, I, a redundant idler, shall not disturb the two of you any longer. I will take my leave!"

With that, Baili Qingyun gently pushed open the door to the side chamber and stepped out.

"Quickly, invite the Sixth Miss Lin in!"

Huo Yuchen’s voice, steady and resonant, rang out from within the chamber; it sounded nothing like the voice of a man suffering from a grave illness.

As Lin Pianran followed him into the courtyard, the door to the chamber stood open. The captain of the guards gestured invitingly, "Sixth Miss, please enter. His Highness is inside."

When Lin Pianran stepped into the room, she saw the Crown Prince, Huo Yuchen, sitting before a low table, sipping tea alone. He was dressed in moon-white robes, looking so refined and ethereal that he appeared like an immortal who had descended from the heavens, standing aloof and untainted by the mundane world. One could not help but be drawn to his appearance. Looking at his complexion, it did not seem particularly poor, nor did he look like a man plagued by a serious illness.

Lin Pianran’s heart eased slightly, yet her suspicions grew heavier. Could it be that the miracle doctor had temporarily suppressed the toxins? Or was he simply putting on a brave front? Lin Pianran felt a pang of sympathy. She stepped forward, bowed, and offered a salute, "This subject greets Your Highness the Crown Prince."

"No need for formalities," he replied. "What brings you to see me at this hour?"

"I heard that Your Highness was feeling unwell and came specifically to visit. May I ask if you are feeling better?"

"I am quite well now."

*Only now?* Does that mean he had indeed suffered an attack earlier? Having stayed in this small courtyard for nearly three hours, was he forced to remain here because his condition was so precarious that he could not return to his own palace? Lin Pianran’s mind raced with wild thoughts.

Noticing that Lin Pianran’s expression grew even more troubled upon hearing he was well, Huo Yuchen couldn't help but offer comfort, "My body is no longer in any pain. I am grateful for your concern, Sixth Miss."

***

Though Lin Pianran felt she might be acting too abruptly, she couldn't resist asking, "Your Highness, may I meet with the miracle doctor, Baili Qingyun?"

Upon hearing this, Huo Yuchen stood up abruptly, his brow furrowing imperceptibly. He asked with a hint of nervousness, "Are you injured? Where are you hurt? I will have him come and examine you immediately..." He turned to the guards outside, "Someone, fetch the miracle doctor at once!" He then looked at Lin Pianran with deep concern, scanning her from head to toe, anxious to find where she might be wounded.

Seeing that Huo Yuchen had misunderstood her, Lin Pianran quickly clarified, "I am not injured. There is simply something I would like to ask the miracle doctor for help with."

Huo Yuchen let out a soft sigh of relief. "He will be here soon. What do you need his help with?"

Lin Pianran retrieved a small porcelain bottle from her sleeve and handed it to Huo Yuchen, concocting a story, "I stumbled upon this medicine some time ago. I am unsure of its efficacy and would like to ask the doctor to help me identify it. I shall reward him handsomely!"

Huo Yuchen took the bottle, giving it only a cursory glance without much thought. At that moment, Baili Qingyun returned. He walked over with great familiarity, "Your Highness, what do you need of me?"

Huo Yuchen handed him the small bottle. "Help me take a look at this pill and tell me what it does."

Baili Qingyun pulled the stopper and took a light sniff. Initially appearing nonchalant, his face soon lit up with excitement. He then asked with fervor, "This... where did this come from? A treasure! A true treasure... Your Highness, this is useful to you... With this, you will never have to suffer those torments again..." He was so overwhelmed that his words became jumbled.

Hearing this, Lin Pianran’s eyes and brows curved into a smile. She was thrilled and excited. Perhaps this "All-Toxin Antidote" from the modern world really could help Huo Yuchen. Otherwise, Baili Qingyun would not have been so visibly overcome with ecstasy.

Huo Yuchen was also moved, but upon realizing there was only one pill, he felt a twinge of regret. This medicine must be incredibly precious to her!

Just then, Lin Pianran asked, "Can this medicine cure all poisons?"

Baili Qingyun turned to her and explained, "It can indeed cure a hundred poisons; calling it a miracle drug is no exaggeration. Sixth Miss, is this the only one you have? Are... are there any more? I would like to purchase one."

***

"I have more."

No sooner had the words left her lips than Lin Pianran pulled two identical small bottles from her sleeve. She pressed one into Huo Yuchen’s hand, saying, "Shared blessings are double blessings; I shall gift one to each of you."

Baili Qingyun, beaming with joy, couldn't help but ask, "Truly? This medicine is not easily obtained. In all my years of practice, this is the first time I have seen such a thing!"

"Just take it if I give it to you; why all the fuss?" Lin Pianran said with great generosity.

Fearing that Lin Pianran did not understand the value of the medicine, Baili Qingyun explained, "Sixth Miss, do you realize that even for one hundred thousand taels of silver, there would be a crowd of people fighting tooth and nail to buy this single pill..."

Baili Qingyun rattled on, but Lin Pianran didn't hear a word after "one hundred thousand taels." Her eyes sparkled with dazzling light. Looking every bit the money-lover, she blurted out, "Then give me one hundred thousand taels, and that pill is yours!"

The medicine that was supposed to be a gift now cost one hundred thousand taels of silver. Baili Qingyun gently tapped his own lips. *What a big mouth I have!* Something that could have been free was now going to cost him dearly, all because he couldn't keep quiet.

He turned to Huo Yuchen and asked, "What about him? Does he have to pay one hundred thousand taels too?"

Lin Pianran blinked her beautiful eyes and let out a soft sentence, "His Highness does not! It’s a gift."

"Why is his free? Why do I have to pay one hundred thousand taels? This is unfair! I even helped you verify the medicine!"

"His Highness is better looking, so it’s a gift for him."

Upon hearing this, Baili Qingyun nearly spat out three liters of blood. He was not only a doctor of exceptional skill but also a rare beauty among the four kingdoms, with countless women admiring him. Furthermore, he was known for his gentle and refined nature, which usually drew women to him—why couldn't this Sixth Miss Lin see it?

Baili Qingyun, feeling highly indignant, shamelessly boasted, "I am very good-looking too!"

"You are indeed quite handsome, but in my heart, His Highness is even more so—none can compare to him!"

The corners of Huo Yuchen’s mouth lifted uncontrollably, looking exceptionally pleasing.