Chapter 133: One After Another

Early the next morning, An Yi dismissed the others, keeping only Xiangqin. She wrote out a prescription, handed it to her, and asked, "Do you know what I am asking you to do?"

Xiangqin took the prescription with both hands. "The young mistress wants this servant to buy medicine."

"Is it just to buy medicine?" An Yi asked with a faint smile.

Xiangqin lowered her head. "This servant is dull-witted."

An Yi curled her lips, her gaze sharpening, though her tone remained calm. "I like clever people, and I detest those who pretend to be foolish."

Xiangqin was startled and knelt down. "Young mistress..."

"My family has only been in the capital for three or four years; we have no generations of loyal servants. Aside from Fangrong, whom I brought with me, and the four girls like Xingren whom I purchased, most of the household staff were sent by the Imperial Slave Office. Regardless of how you arrived in my home, you now bear the An family’s mark. You are my servants. If the An family falls, you will not remain unscathed. To put it nicely, I am a person who distinguishes clearly between kindness and enmity; to put it bluntly, I am vindictive." An Yi had no spare time to investigate everyone’s background, but she had a general understanding of where the household staff came from.

"This servant does not understand grand principles, but I remember the matron who taught us the rules saying that a servant of three masters will not meet a good end. This servant would rather die than betray her master," Xiangqin said, bowing her head to the floor.

"Xiangqin, I will keep your words in my heart." An Yi leaned back in her chair. "Go change your clothes and head to Jihuai Hall to buy medicine from the Fourth Young Master Han."

"This servant understands, I will go at once." Xiangqin knew that buying medicine was merely a pretext; her true purpose was to scout for news regarding the injured young gentleman. She returned to her room, combed her hair into two buns tied with simple ribbons, wore no jewelry, changed into coarse cotton clothing, and slipped out through the back gate.

After An Yi had breakfast with Madam Luo at Jingli Garden, she took Xingren and Taoren to Shunyi Hall to attend to household matters. As she was returning to Mingzhu Pavilion, the matron guarding the second gate ran in. "Young mistress, Lady Zheng is here."

Zheng Yun had come!

An Yi frowned slightly. If this were about the affair concerning Young Master Gong, it should have been Li Guyu who came. Why had Zheng Yun arrived so suddenly?

The visitor was already at the door, leaving no time for An Yi to ponder. She rose to welcome Zheng Yun, exchanged greetings, and they sat as host and guest while a maid brought hot tea.

"What brings Lady Zheng here today?" An Yi asked, getting straight to the point.

Zheng Yun did not answer. Her gaze swept calmly over those in the room. She set down the box she was carrying, picked up her teacup, and took a sip.

An Yi’s eyes flickered. She raised a hand, and the matron in charge led the servants out, closing the doors to the parlor behind them.

Zheng Yun placed her cup back on the table. "Has Miss An not been to Liushun Alley to check in for a long time?"

"There are many matters at home, and I have been occupied. I will go and take a look in a few days," An Yi replied, keeping her eyes lowered.

Zheng Yun gave a light huff. "You are a busy woman of status, so busy that you have forgotten your agreement with the Princess."

An Yi had indeed forgotten the ten-day promise made to Princess Lanyi. She looked up at Zheng Yun, her voice turning cold. "Is Lady Zheng here to hold me accountable today?"

"If Miss An were merely a physician, then yes, I would be here to hold you accountable," Zheng Yun replied bluntly.

An Yi understood the implication. She smiled slightly and asked, "Then what is your true purpose today? Please, speak plainly."

"The Old Madam of the Duke of Qu's household is critically ill. The Princess wants you to treat her. You must find a way to cure her." Zheng Yun handed the box to An Yi. "This is your medical certificate."

An Yi’s gaze shifted. She took the box, removed the certificate—which bore the name 'An Yi'—rolled it back up, and placed it inside. She looked at Zheng Yun and asked, "May I ask how old the Old Madam of the Duke of Qu is this year?"

"Seventy-three."

"Lady Zheng, as the saying goes, at seventy-three and eighty-four, one goes to the King of Hell without being called. The Old Madam is of advanced age. A physician is not a god; we can treat illnesses, but we cannot extend a lifespan." An Yi stated directly.

"Do your best. Even if you cannot extend her life, try to keep her going for a few more months—preferably until the spring flowers bloom next year."

"I will do my utmost, but I have not yet seen the patient. I cannot guarantee that she will live for several more months," An Yi said with reservations.

Zheng Yun took a calling card from the Princess’s estate out of her sleeve. "Take this to the Duke of Qu’s mansion tomorrow. You are a clever person; I believe I do not need to teach you what to say or how to conduct yourself."

An Yi took the card.

"I am leaving." Zheng Yun stood up and stared at An Yi. "I hope you do not forget the date of our next meeting. The Princess will not be tolerant indefinitely."

"On the twenty-second of the tenth month, I will go to see the Princess."

After seeing Zheng Yun off, An Yi returned to Mingzhu Pavilion. Looking at the gold-embossed, phoenix-patterned calling card in her hand, her expression darkened. This was the first task Princess Lanyi had demanded of her. If the imperial physicians at the Imperial Academy could not cure the Old Madam of the Duke of Qu, why did the Princess believe she could? And why did the Princess want to extend the woman's life?

An Yi’s knowledge of the relationships between the various noble houses in the capital was limited. She did not dwell on these questions for too long, intending to ask An Kang for information when he returned. Regardless of the circumstances, she had no choice but to go to the Duke of Qu’s mansion.

She picked up a poetry collection to read, but before she had turned many pages, Taoren entered. "Young mistress, Miss Hu has sent someone over with gifts."

An Yi set aside the book and went downstairs to receive the guests.

It was Nanfang, the head maid from Hu Qingyue’s side, accompanied by two matrons. Nanfang held a small box, while the two matrons carried a large chest.

The small box was divided into two layers. The first contained a collection of thumb-sized pearls—roughly twenty or thirty—radiating a lustrous glow. An Yi was no stranger to luxury and knew the immense value of these pearls.

"My young mistress says that if these pearls are ground into powder and applied to the face, the skin will become white and tender," Nanfang said with a smile.

Applied to the face?

An Yi smiled faintly. Her eighteenth senior sister was truly wasteful. Using such precious pearls for face powder—she might as well have set them into jewelry.

The second layer held various gemstones: agate, jade, rubies, sapphires, and tortoiseshell.

"My young mistress says these gems are for you to use in your jewelry."

The large chest contained over a dozen animal pelts: five fox, three sable, and ten grey squirrel.

An Yi did not decline and accepted the gifts. After Nanfang left, she had them sent to Jingli Garden. Madam Luo saw them and sighed, "Miss Hu is truly too generous to send so many valuable things."

"I will go and thank her properly," An Yi said with a smile. She picked out a black fox pelt. "Mother, shall we give this to Father?"

"Yes," Madam Luo said, stroking the fur. "It is very thick; it will be very warm to wear in winter."

The mother and daughter discussed it and selected five pelts to be sent to the sewing room for clothing, while the rest were stored away.

At noon, after having lunch with Madam Luo, An Yi returned to her room to rest. Xiangqin returned. "Young mistress, the Fourth Young Master Han said that someone has been tailing him, making it inconvenient for him to visit Young Master Gong. He left Dongqing there to look after him. Dongqing sent word yesterday that Young Master Gong is doing well and all is calm. The Fourth Young Master asks you not to worry."

An Yi smiled. "You have worked hard. Go get something to eat."

Xiangqin bowed and retreated.

By evening, An Kang had not returned due to business. An Qinghe arrived home early, bringing with him news that left Madam Luo in a panic: on the thirtieth of the tenth month, the mother of the Minister of War, Old Madam Li, would celebrate her seventieth birthday, and An Qinghe was expected to attend with his family.

"I won't go, I won't go," Madam Luo waved her hands in distress.

An Qinghe laughed, "Qiumei, you don't need to be so nervous. It's just a meal."

"I won't be able to keep up with their conversation; I’ll only embarrass you." Having been mocked and belittled before, Madam Luo had developed a phobia of social engagements.

"You don't need to keep up with what they say; just smile. You are the wife of An Qinghe; your status is set. No one will dare look down on you. Just take Xi'er and socialize with them naturally."

"Take Younger Sister Huang instead. She knows how to socialize and speaks with propriety," Madam Luo said, feeling inferior.

An Qinghe’s gaze flickered. He sighed but said nothing more. Behind Madam Luo’s back, he told An Yi about the situation.

"Don't worry, Father. I will persuade Mother," An Yi said.

"With you by your mother’s side, I am at ease," An Qinghe said, entrusting the task to her.

"Father, do you know what relationship exists between the Duke of Qu’s mansion and Princess Lanyi’s estate?" An Yi asked, seeing it was late and An Kang had still not returned.

"The noble houses in the capital all have some connections. The Old Madam of the Duke of Qu’s house and the Empress Dowager Huisheng are sisters. The Empress Dowager Huisheng was the primary wife of the late Emperor. The Duke of Qu’s third younger brother, the current Minister of Works Gan Shanyu, is a study companion to the current Emperor." After answering, An Qinghe asked, "Why the sudden interest in their relationship?"

"The Old Madam of the Duke of Qu is critically ill, and the Princess wants me to treat her."

An Qinghe’s brows furrowed. "Old Madam Gan is of an advanced age. Even a minor illness could become serious. She has been bedridden for days, and both the Duke of Qu and Minister Gan have requested leave to attend to her. For the Princess to send you to treat her—it is ill-intentioned. Do not go tomorrow. I will go speak with Lord Qing."

"Father, do not go to Lord Qing; that will offend the Princess’s estate. The Princess only asked me to go and take a look; she did not demand that I cure her. As a physician, saving the sick is my duty. I wish to go," An Yi said.

An Qinghe looked at her for a long time. "Very well. I will take you there tomorrow."

"There is no need, Father. I have the Princess’s calling card. With it, the Duke of Qu’s mansion will not turn me away."

"Then I will come to pick you up tomorrow."

"Very well." An Yi nodded with a smile.

The next day, An Yi sent a message to Hu Qingyue to inform her that she would visit the day after. At the hour of the dragon (7:00-9:00 AM), she took Xiangqin and Taoren, holding the Princess’s card, and headed to the Duke of Qu’s mansion.

When she presented the card, the Duchess of Qu, Lady Li, did not put on airs and came to welcome her personally. Seeing how young An Yi was, a flash of surprise crossed her eyes, but her smile remained. "Please, come in."

They sat in the parlor, and after tea was served, Lady Li asked, "What is your surname, young lady?"

"I am surnamed An."

"What brings you here today, Miss An?"

"I am a physician. A while ago, I treated the County Princess for her gastric issues. The Princess learned that the Old Madam of your household was ill and sent me to offer what little help I can."

"You were the one who cured the County Princess?" Lady Li asked, sounding skeptical.

"If I had no skill, I would not dare to display my meager talents before the Princess," An Yi replied with a light smile.

Lady Li’s eyes flickered. "Please, follow me."

An Yi followed Lady Li to the bedroom. By the bedside were the Old Madam’s third daughter-in-law, Lady Liang; her youngest daughter, Lady Lin Gan; and two granddaughters-in-law. Seeing Lady Li enter, they rose to greet her.

Because An Yi was a female physician, there was no need for strict avoidance. Lady Li signaled for a maid to lift the bed curtains, allowing An Yi to examine the Old Madam’s complexion.

After checking the pulse, An Yi asked, "Has the Old Madam always suffered from sharp pains in her chest and abdomen?"

"Yes," Lady Li replied.

"When it flares up, does she experience chest tightness, vomiting, cold hands and feet, a flushed face with numb lips, and a dry throat and tongue?"

"Miss An, the imperial physicians have already diagnosed all of these," Lady Li said.

An Yi raised an eyebrow. "The imperial physicians have been treating her for 'phlegm-fire rising,' but the symptoms persist and keep recurring, and after taking their medicine, her condition worsened. Is that not correct?"

"Are you suggesting that the imperial physicians misdiagnosed her and prescribed the wrong medicine?" Lady Lin Gan said sharply.

"That is exactly the case," An Yi replied.

"You are young, Miss An; do not be so presumptuous," Lady Li said.

"I am not being presumptuous; my judgment is based on the Old Madam’s condition. Her pulse is surging and string-like with an abnormal quality; this indicates a deficiency of stomach qi. She should be treated with warming and tonifying medicine for the stomach. If the Old Madam were a dozen years younger, a single dose would calm that surging pulse and dispel the abnormality, relieving all symptoms."

"Everything you say is nonsense. How could the Old Madam be a dozen years younger?" Lady Liang scoffed.

"Therefore, she must take three doses for the condition to ease, and with careful regulation, she will recover," An Yi said.

"Are you truly certain you can cure my mother?" A man’s voice came from outside.

An Yi had long since heard the footsteps and was not startled. She turned to see four middle-aged men entering. "Treating the sick is no child's play; I would not joke with a patient's life."

The man in the lead stared at her, his gaze sharp. Though he was old enough to be her father, his intense staring was highly impolite. Lady Li coughed lightly and stepped in front of An Yi. "Duke, this is Miss An, recommended by Princess Lanyi. She cured the County Princess’s illness."

The man was the Duke of Qu, Gan Shanxing. Hearing this, he withdrew his gaze. "Write the prescription."

An Yi walked to the table and picked up the brush. She wrote down: Ginseng and Astragalus, four qian each; Atractylodes and Angelica, three qian each; Tangerine Peel and Licorice, two qian each; Bupleurum and Cimicifuga, one and a half qian each; adding five large jujubes, two qian of Pinellia, and one qian each of Poria, Evodia, and Aucklandia.

Gan Shanxing took the prescription, examined it, and said, "There is nothing extraordinary about this."

"The fact that a prescription can cure a disease is what makes it extraordinary," An Yi replied calmly.

Gan Shanxing handed it to Lady Li. "Have the medicine prepared and bring it for mother to drink."

"Duke, Madam, when I treat patients, I prefer to prepare and decoct the medicine myself," An Yi said.

Gan Shanxing narrowed his eyes. "You are very cautious."

"Caution is necessary when treating patients," An Yi replied.

"Caution is a virtue. Madam, take her to the pharmacy."

An Yi prepared the medicine, brewed it, and attended to the Old Madam as she took the draught.