Chapter One Hundred and Twenty-Five: A Pinky Promise

Doctor Jun glanced at Liu Ling'er and saw nothing wrong at all.

A court physician could not avoid observing, listening, inquiring, and feeling a pulse when treating patients, and Jun had long been known as the Miracle Doctor. His skill was said to revive the dead and heal the dying with a single touch. At one look, he could tell that Liu Ling'er was not ill in the least.

He stroked his beard and twitched the corner of his mouth. Thinking of what he had overheard on the road, that Baili Xian had ordered the imperial guards to search for Liu Ling'er, he immediately understood.

Turning to Baili Xian, Doctor Jun said, “Have all the idle people in the room leave. Too many people are not good for the patient.”

Since the imperial physician had spoken, Baili Xian naturally sent the maids and eunuchs out at once. Even Tie Wula, who was standing in the corner, was chased out. Tie Wula shot his lord a resentful look, feeling that his master had forgotten his friend upon seeing a woman, but he did not dare to complain. He hurried outside and squatted in the corner to draw circles on the ground.

Once that was done, Baili Xian looked at Doctor Jun, who was helping Liu Ling'er take her pulse, and asked cautiously, “Doctor Jun, how is Ling'er? Why did she suddenly faint just now?”

In his heart, Doctor Jun grumbled, This is your wife’s business. Why ask me? Ask yourself.

He turned a strange, measuring gaze on Baili Xian, staring until the man felt his skin crawl. I invited you here to examine the patient, not me. Why are you staring at me?

Then Doctor Jun said lazily, “Why are you still here? Did I not say that all idle people should leave? Must I personally escort you out?”

“...”

Baili Xian very much wanted to say something, but after glancing at Liu Ling'er lying on the bed, he swallowed everything back down and obediently followed Doctor Jun’s instructions. Looking wilted and downcast, he walked out of the palace.

Seeing his lord come out with a dark face, Tie Wula suddenly felt much better inside. So not only were we driven out, even you were kicked out too. Wonderful.

Of course, thinking that did not mean he dared wander before Baili Xian. That would only be asking for trouble.

Tie Wula was willing to swear on his whole body that if he were foolish enough to keep hovering in front of Baili Xian now, he would absolutely become a huge target for venting anger. Better to stay hidden. So he shrank farther into the corner.

Inside the hall, once Doctor Jun heard that Baili Xian had gone out, he even closed the door behind him. No longer bothering to pretend to take Liu Ling'er's pulse, he stood up, looked around the room, and then went to her bedside. With a flick of his finger, he tapped her on the forehead.

“Ow! That hurts!”

Liu Ling'er quickly opened her eyes. The moment Doctor Jun arrived, she knew the trick of pretending to faint could never fool him for long. What she had not expected was that, though he had clearly seen through her, he would still help cover for her and even send Baili Xian out.

But now that he had flicked her forehead, it was a warning not to keep pretending. If she still refused to wake up, her forehead would probably swell before long.

Doctor Jun looked at Liu Ling'er with amused mischief, the shrewdness in his eyes completely undisguised, and chuckled. “Well? No more fainting?”

Knowing that the imperial physician was helping her, Liu Ling'er behaved sweetly. “Master Jun, who are you? How could my little tricks possibly hide from your sharp eyes? Besides, pretending to faint was only a helpless measure. I should thank you for helping me out of a tight spot. Why not do me one more favor and help me to the end?”

“Heh. I still need to muddle through a few more years, so I won’t meddle in the affairs of you young people. These old bones of mine can’t take the strain.” Doctor Jun was shrewd indeed. At once he guessed that Liu Ling'er was asking for something difficult, and he politely refused without hesitation.

“Don’t say that! For Master Jun, this would only take a flick of the wrist. Ling'er doesn’t want to stay in the palace. You could simply say I should return to the manor to recuperate. For you, it’s only a matter of moving your lips. Please, Master Jun, help me.”

Liu Ling'er shook Doctor Jun’s arm and began to act coquettishly.

She was already very skilled at charming people, and now, just recovered from illness, her face was still pale and delicate, making her look especially pitiable. Doctor Jun immediately found himself unable to refuse.

“You little sprite. Liu Rufeng really did raise a clever daughter.”

“Then Master Jun agrees? Come, let’s hook fingers. A pinky promise for a hundred years, no taking it back!” Liu Ling'er seized the moment and hooked her finger with his at once. Though childish, Doctor Jun seemed quite susceptible to that sort of thing.

He lightly tapped her forehead again, making her lie back properly, then rose and headed out. As soon as he opened the door, he saw Baili Xian standing guard outside like a door god. The moment Baili Xian saw him emerge, he hurried forward and asked, “Master Jun, how is Ling'er?”

Doctor Jun smiled. “Your Highness, no need to be alarmed. Miss Ling'er is not in any serious condition and has already woken up. However, there are too many people in the palace, which is not suitable for recovery. It would be more fitting for the Princess Consort of Xian to recuperate at the Prince Xian Manor.”

Having finished the task he had promised Liu Ling'er, Doctor Jun naturally returned to the Imperial Medical Bureau to tend to his medicines. Baili Xian also immediately arranged for the carriage home.

Entering Phoenix Roost Palace, he saw Liu Ling'er leaning on the bed. He took her hand at once. “Ling'er, come home with me.”

Liu Ling'er was more than willing. The palace was far too stifling, nowhere near as comfortable as Prince Xian Manor. Nodding, she said to Baili Xian, “Your Highness, we have already stayed in the palace for some time. Why don’t you go and take leave of His Majesty, while I go and bid farewell to Her Majesty the Empress Dowager?”

Baili Xian nodded and called for Xiao Tao to accompany Liu Ling'er to see Chu Meier, while he went to bid farewell to his elder brother, Baili Hai.

When Liu Ling'er returned to Prince Xian Manor, she felt indescribably at ease. Especially when she went back to her own room, the contrast with the gloomy, oppressive great hall of Phoenix Roost Palace made everything seem better by far.