Chapter 025: He Yu Wavers
He Yu lifted her wrist, took off the handkerchief, and removed the acupuncture needles.
The maid at the bedside looked on with slight surprise and confusion, asking, “May I ask why the healer has stopped feeling the pulse and put away these tools? Is my lady’s illness...”
He Yu smiled calmly, “Rest assured, both body and mind are in fine health. You’ve made much ado about nothing!”
“But... how can you say that?” The maid’s tone was tense and dissatisfied. “You are, after all, a healer from beyond the palace, but you must not sully Her Highness’s reputation. If not ailing, why would Her Highness be sleepless and bedridden day after day?”
“Well, that’s a question for your lady to answer!” He Yu replied with a soft laugh, glancing at the woman lying behind the golden gauze drapes. “I was summoned only to assist His Majesty. Now that I’ve reached my conclusion, I must return to report.”
The maid was just about to say more, when the woman in bed suddenly spoke, “Ying Tao, you and the others leave us.”
“Yes, my lady!” The maid stole a look at He Yu, then led the other attendants out.
Once they had all departed and He Yu had gathered her belongings, she was about to rise and leave when the Virtuous Consort suddenly sat up.
“Please wait, miss!”
He Yu paused, glancing back at her. “Your Highness, what is it?”
“You are skilled in medicine; I cannot deceive you. I beg you, do not tell the Emperor the truth. If he discovers I am only feigning illness, it will bring disaster upon me. I implore you, show some compassion and help me!”
“Feigning illness is your choice, Your Highness. As an outsider, I know nothing of your reasons. I accepted the commission to treat you, and that is all. Moreover, the House of Xihai has a strict code, and I, He Yu, have never been one to conceal the truth. To help you hide this would be against the physician’s honor.”
At these words, the Virtuous Consort’s expression changed dramatically. She hurried from the bed to stand before He Yu. “Miss He Yu, your integrity is admirable, and I respect you for it. But this is the deep palace, not the carefree world beyond; we all have our helplessness. When I was still in my father’s estate, my days were free, but here, sorrows multiply. If not for dire necessity, I would never choose such desperate means. I beg you to make an exception—your kindness will not go unrewarded.”
He Yu considered for a moment, then asked gently, “You are the highest-ranking consort in the harem. What troubles could possibly weigh upon you? Is this pretense of illness to gain the Emperor’s favor? Must women here truly resort to such means to compete for his affection?”
Seeing He Yu soften, the Virtuous Consort quickly replied, “Though I hold the title of Virtuous Consort, I have never been in the Emperor’s favor. In this palace, the higher one’s rank or the stronger one’s presence, the less he cares for you. His Majesty prefers the unremarkable, the gentle and fragile. And so...”
“I see!” He Yu couldn’t help but laugh. “So if a common girl entered the palace, she would be cherished more than the daughters of noble houses? The Emperor’s tastes are truly unique! Then, do you have any true rivals here?”
The Virtuous Consort frowned, puzzled. “What do you mean by that?”
“It was just a casual question,” He Yu replied with a smile, her voice low. “A rival, meaning someone the Emperor truly loves—the greatest threat to you.”
“There is no such person. The consorts have known His Majesty for only two years, and his heart is not set on women. Since you ask, does this mean you are willing to help me?”
He Yu hesitated, then smiled, “Indeed I am—but not by keeping your secret.”
The Virtuous Consort stared at her in astonishment, wholly confused. “Then how will you help?”
“In a way that neither harms your favor nor stains my reputation: I shall help you become ill in truth! A lingering malady, persistent yet harmless, convincing to all who witness it. This will serve your purpose. You may choose when it recurs and when it abates, and should you have more questions, you can write to me.”
Hearing this, the Virtuous Consort’s eyes lit up. She grasped He Yu’s hands tightly. “If this is so, you are my benefactor! Whatever you need in the future, come to me without hesitation.”
He Yu smiled with satisfaction, “Very well!”
After leaving the palace, He Yu found herself still thinking back to her meeting with Liu Li. Though brief, it was deeply etched in her memory. She hadn’t seen him when she left, but she had gained something else.
The Virtuous Consort—the highest-ranked woman in the harem, legitimate daughter of the Minister of Justice. Though proud and calculating, her heart was set on the Emperor alone. To He Yu, she was no rival, and easily handled. With the Virtuous Consort’s gratitude secured, He Yu left the palace at ease, confident that she would see Liu Li again—the man who haunted her thoughts.
Outside the Palace of Morning Glow, the sky was a wash of gold and orange—it was nearly dusk, yet the musicians were still practicing their pieces.
He Yu settled comfortably in a small pavilion within the flower garden, awaiting the arrival of Qiu Di.
She glanced at the gifts on the table and smiled warmly to herself. This time, it seemed she would turn an enemy into a friend. Well, perhaps Qiu Di could even teach her a melody or two—skills that might prove useful one day.
“Elder sister, you’re smiling so happily—have you resolved everything?”
Hearing the voice, He Yu knew Qiu Di had arrived and looked up with a smile.
“You jest, sister. Come, sit with me!”
Qiu Di took her seat, watching as He Yu poured tea for her with heartfelt warmth, and felt a touch of awkwardness.
After a moment’s hesitation, Qiu Di accepted the cup, sipping as she thought, Surely she must be living peacefully in the palace—perhaps she is about to change her attitude toward me, and toward palace life as well?
“Elder sister, how was your journey? Is there anything you wish to share with me?”
“You truly are exceptionally clever—no wonder the Mistress favors you so. The moment you saw me, you sensed I had something to share! Clearly, I have much to learn from you, and hope you’ll be generous with your guidance in the future.”
Qiu Di smiled gently, “You flatter me, sister—it is I who should seek your advice.”
“Good—then let us support each other! I was too stubborn before and made you suffer coldness, but you, with your magnanimity, did not hold it against me. Today, I have come to make peace formally and to share some news from outside.”
Qiu Di’s gaze was serene and profound as she replied, “Let us be as we were. Please, speak your mind.”
“Very well, but first, please accept this gift as an apology.” He Yu handed her the present, then continued, “In the capital, I learned much and gained a great deal. It seems the palace is not so cold and somber after all. I even met someone from my past, all thanks to your timely advice. Without it, things would not have gone so smoothly, nor would I have encountered such good fortune.”
“There’s no need for such courtesy, sister—but I am curious! Whom did you meet, and what good fortune did you gain? You returned with a radiant smile, which hasn’t faded yet, and you came to see me first—surely, I am involved somehow?”
“You truly are astute—nothing escapes you!”
Pleased, He Yu recounted briefly what she had seen and experienced, even asking Qiu Di for advice about the capital and the palace.
“First, let me congratulate you on your happy encounter. Heaven must favor you, to grant such fortune on a single journey. As for the palace, I don’t know it well myself, never having been inside. All I know are rumors and tales. If you wish to learn more, you might ask the other sisters of Xihai House.”
He Yu shook her head, “I’ve grown up here, as have most of the others—only you seem to know more.”
“It’s all just hearsay and what I’ve read. Are you truly so curious, sister?”
He Yu nodded, “I am—very much so!”
“And I as well. Why not share what we know?”
Both He Yu and Qiu Di were startled by a new voice. They turned to see the Mistress standing just outside the pavilion, watching them. The two exchanged nervous glances, then rose and greeted her respectfully.
The Mistress approached, her face stern. “What are you doing here together? Since when are you so interested in the palace?”
He Yu quickly responded, “Madam, we were only speaking in passing about it, since my recent trip to the capital has stirred my curiosity...”
“Is that so? Then tell me—how did things go in the palace? Was everything handled properly?”
“All went smoothly. Neither the Empress nor the Emperor suspected a thing; the matter has been resolved.”
The Mistress let out a quiet laugh, her gaze fixed on He Yu. “Is that so? Then why do you still dwell on that place—did something there tempt you?”
“No, not at all. In handling the matter, I managed to raise Xihai House’s standing at court, for which they were most grateful. Not only did I resolve their doubts, but also enhanced our reputation. By curing an illness that baffled others, I brought honor to our house; as a physician, I am pleased with my work. That is all—I only wished to discuss it further with Qiu Di.”
“Hmph! Have you forgotten my instructions? You were to calm their doubts, nothing more—no need for ostentation, and certainly no entanglements with the royal family. Now you wish to learn more—what are your intentions?”
“I only—”
He Yu was about to protest when Qiu Di tugged at her sleeve, signaling her to yield. He Yu thought a moment, then said softly, “I was wrong; I will not do so again. In the future, I will be prudent in word and deed.”
The Mistress sighed in dissatisfaction. “Turn your thoughts back to your duties. You still have your Jade Flower Palace to manage.”