Chapter 10

She was clearly prompting Doctor Sun.

I gave her a cold glance. “That isn’t quite right, Cousin. Marriage follows our parents’ wishes and our sovereign’s will. His Majesty personally approved mine. Are you questioning his decision?”

Faced with that accusation, Qin Wanrou went pale. Doctor Sun’s fingers paused on my wrist.

I looked at him and continued slowly. “An eminent physician such as yourself surely understands how much the imperial family values its dignity—and its descendants. The health and mind of the Seventh Prince’s future consort are no small matter. The imperial family’s reputation is involved.”

Each deliberate word struck like a small hammer. I saw sweat gathering on his forehead.

He was about to speak when Yunzhou entered with the tea and wooden box. As she approached him, she suddenly stumbled.

“Oh!”

The sandalwood box fell. Its lid flew open, scattering jewels and ornaments across the floor.

Gold glittered and jade shone, filling the room with luxurious light. Everyone stared at the unexpected commotion.

A pure-gold phoenix-tail hairpin, decorated with kingfisher feathers, rolled precisely to Doctor Sun’s feet. A brilliant ruby set in its tail flashed a dazzling, seductive red.

At that moment, I spoke with just the right touch of regret.

“Yunzhou, how could you be so careless? The empress dowager gave me that hairpin herself years ago. She told me to save it for my wedding. Doctor Sun, with your experience, could you tell me whether that stone is a top-grade pigeon’s-blood ruby?”

I smiled at his rigid face and the greedy eyes fixed on the hairpin.

08

Doctor Sun’s breathing grew heavy. He knew fine objects. He also knew this was an imperial gift with a superb ruby, worth enough to keep him comfortably for the rest of his life.

He swallowed and struggled to look away.

Mother and Qin Wanrou still didn’t understand. Mother only mourned the jewels scattered on the floor, while my cousin frowned as though my behavior baffled her.

But Doctor Sun understood.

He had a choice.

Take Qin Wanrou’s promised reward and offend the Seventh Prince’s future consort—perhaps even the empress dowager and imperial family.

Or change sides and find a more promising patron.

I didn’t hurry him. I leisurely told Yunzhou to collect the jewels, lifted my tea, and blew across it.

“Doctor Sun,” I asked softly, “what exactly is wrong with me?”

Every eye returned to him. Sweat thickened on his forehead. He rose and wiped it with his sleeve.

Turning to Mother, he bowed deeply.

“My lady, I have finished examining your eldest daughter.”

Anticipation and triumph flashed in Qin Wanrou’s eyes. His next words struck her like thunder.

“She is physically healthy, her pulse steady, her mind clear. There is not the slightest sign of an illness of melancholy.”

“What?”

Qin Wanrou blurted it out. Mother stared too.

He seemed to ignore them and continued.

“Her earlier unusual actions merely arose from coming of age, awakening affections, and an unsettled marriage. Her feelings were disturbed. That is natural. How could one call it madness? A few days’ quiet rest will put her right.”

He bowed to me again, remarkably respectful.

“Congratulations, Your Highness. Congratulations. You and the Seventh Prince truly are a match made in heaven.”

The title came so easily that Qin Wanrou went white. She stared at him, incredulous.

“Doctor Sun, you… look carefully. She clearly…”