Chapter 11
Edward Quan ·
“Wanrou!”
Mother cut her off and let out a long breath, shaken by what had almost happened and deeply relieved.
She came to take my hand, her voice catching.
“Yue’er, I was wrong. I was foolish. I nearly listened to malicious slander.”
She gave Qin Wanrou a meaningful glance.
I leaned into her arms. My eyes reddened, and tears fell at precisely the right moment.
“Mother, you finally believe me. I truly am not ill. I just don’t understand who could be so cruel—insisting I’m mad, determined to destroy my whole life.”
My voice was quiet and choked with sobs, but each word pierced the listener.
Mother’s arms tightened around me. The familiar warmth in her gaze toward Qin Wanrou became scrutiny and suspicion.
My cousin panicked and waved her hands repeatedly.
“Aunt, don’t listen to her nonsense. I… I was only worried about her!”
“Were you?”
I looked up from Mother’s embrace, my tearful eyes on her.
“Your concern means finding the doctor most famous for diagnosing people with madness? Or hoping to have me locked away so you can properly become the crown princess?”
“I…”
Cornered, she couldn’t answer. Her face changed color, the words stuck in her throat.
Just then, a steward from Father’s study hurried in, alarmed.
“My lady, something’s happened! The master has returned… and brought a eunuch from the palace!”
Mother’s and Qin Wanrou’s expressions changed together. My heart sank a little too.
Father was back with someone from the palace. Good fortune—or disaster?
09
As thoughts spun through my head, Father’s steady steps sounded outside. He entered decisively, his face more serious than I had ever seen.
Behind him came an older eunuch in the blue robes of a chief attendant. Pale-faced and sharp-eyed, he was Eunuch Li, one of the emperor’s closest servants.
Qin Wanrou paled further at the sight. Mother hurried to greet them.
“My lord. Eunuch Li.”
Father didn’t look at her. His searching, complicated gaze went straight to me.
Eunuch Li approached with a broad, bright smile, carrying an exquisite huanghuali wooden box.
“My respects to the Seventh Prince’s future consort.”
His high voice rang through the courtyard.
“His Highness sent me to present a calming decoction. Hearing that Your Highness has been unsettled and troubled by excessive worry, he personally sought the finest prescription at the Imperial Medical Bureau.”
“He also instructed us that your health is most precious and must never be neglected. Should the physicians here prove inadequate, imperial physicians may be invited for a consultation at any time.”
Every word was impeccably chosen. He showed Zhao Heng’s concern while quietly raising my standing beyond casual insult.
An imperial medical consultation. What extraordinary favor and regard.
Doctor Sun’s legs weakened. He nearly knelt. He must have been profoundly grateful for choosing correctly earlier. If imperial physicians actually came, there would be no escape for this supposed miracle doctor.
Qin Wanrou’s face no longer merely looked bad. It held despair.
A few easy words from Zhao Heng had made a joke of all her plans. She wanted to ruin me; he had lifted me to the clouds.
Mother looked both delighted and frightened. She hurried to accept the box.
“We’ve troubled you, Eunuch Li, and His Highness.”
He smiled and added as though casually, “You are too kind. His Highness also says his consort is gentle and sincere, unskilled in conflict. He hopes Minister Qin and his lady will protect her carefully, and keep unrelated people from disturbing her peace.”
An unmistakable warning. Its target needed no name.
Qin Wanrou trembled despite herself. Father’s face darkened ominously.