BLPSG Chapter 26: I have no interest in romance

The young man’s gaze instinctively filled Wen Qingci with fear.

 

Why would Xie Bufeng suddenly ask such a question?

 

Thinking about this, Wen Qingci subconsciously clenched the medicinal jade on his wrist.

 

The slight chill at his fingertips finally calmed him down gradually.

 

…Could it be that his act of helping Su Yuzheng pick up her handkerchief seemed out of character in Xie Bufeng’s eyes?

 

After much thought, it seemed the only answer.

 

Wen Qingci gradually loosened his grip on the object in his hand and looked up to give Xie Bufeng a gentle smile.

 

He feigned ignorance and asked, “Why would Your Highness say such a thing?”

 

Without waiting for Xie Bufeng to reply, Wen Qingci shifted his gaze: “I have no interest in so-called ‘romantic entanglements.’ My life is dedicated to medicine. I have no such thoughts now, nor will I in the future.”

 

His tone was calm, but each word carried a decisive force.

 

Wen Qingci’s pupils were still ink-black.

 

Yet under the shallow sunlight, they appeared clear and clean, almost unbelievably so.

 

The overwhelming power of the Taishu Palace and the favor of the noble ladies of Yongdu seemed less significant to him than a single medical book.

 

“You don’t want to get married?”

 

Unlike the modern era, in the Wei Dynasty, probably only monks could avoid these “mundane matters.”

 

Wen Qingci’s words would seem incredible to any person from the Wei Dynasty.

 

“Of course,” Wen Qingci said with a light smile, his tone both gentle and firm.

 

Joking aside, not to mention he truly had no such thoughts.

 

Just the fact that he would need to flee in the future… Wen Qingci could not possibly encumber himself with a family or entangle himself in extraordinary emotional complications with anyone.

 

Hearing Wen Qingci’s response, Xie Bufeng couldn’t help but breathe a sigh of relief.

 

But at the same time, a vague sense of loss and reluctance arose in his heart.

 

…

 

After that day’s palace banquet, the emperor granted Wen Qingci a full three months of sick leave.

 

In theory, since the “chief physician” for Consort Lan had temporarily changed, the sick Wen Qingci didn’t need to concern himself with Consort Lan’s affairs.

 

But in the following days, he continued as usual, personally preparing the medicine and sending it to Huixin Palace.

 

Now that the symptoms have been determined, the routine pulse checks were still performed by the former imperial physician.

 

However, Wen Qingci still instructed the little eunuch who delivered the medicine to tell Ming Liu that if Consort Lan had any issues, she could call for him at any time.

 

The emperor specially permitted Madam Su and Su Yuzheng to stay in the palace for a few days to accompany Consort Lan.

 

No sooner had the little eunuch left than Su Yuzheng gently tugged at Ming Liu, hesitantly asking in a low voice, “Miss Ming Liu, will Physician Wen not come again these days?”

 

As soon as she spoke, she felt it was somewhat inappropriate… Her words sounded as if she was hoping for something to happen to Consort Lan.

 

For a lady of her standing, this was truly improper.

 

Ming Liu just smiled, glanced in the direction where the little eunuch had disappeared, and said to Su Yuzheng, “Physician Wen’s previous injury has not yet healed, and His Majesty has granted him a long vacation. If there’s nothing serious, he doesn’t even need to go to the Imperial Medical Bureau and should just rest well.”

 

“So that’s how it is…” Su Yuzheng’s tone carried a hint of disappointment.

 

She subconsciously clenched the silk handkerchief in her hand.

 

It seemed she would not see Wen Qingci for the next few days.

 

But the next second, Ming Liu added, “Physician Wen has recently been highly esteemed by His Majesty, not only being appointed as a Hanlin scholar but also being granted a mansion outside the palace. I heard that he left the palace early this morning, though I’m not sure if he went to rest or to take care of the mansion’s affairs.”

 

“Physician Wen left the palace?” Su Yuzheng asked subconsciously.

 

“Yes,” Ming Liu nodded, “that’s what the little eunuch from the Imperial Medical Bureau said.”

 

Su Yuzheng pursed her lips subconsciously, her mind already made up.

 

Seeing this, Ming Liu smiled and said no more.

 

The Su family was originally a noble family from the previous dynasty, not much different from the group that was dealt with recently.

 

But over a decade ago, after the death of the old Master Su, who was the Minister of Works, and the eldest son, the family had completely fallen from grace.

 

Not to mention the presence of Xie Bufeng, a ticking time bomb…

 

The renowned and noble families and talented newcomers of the Wei Dynasty were mostly unwilling to form marital ties with such a family.

 

And the rest were not up to Su Yuzheng’s standards.

 

That was why Madam Su had the idea of letting her enter the palace.

 

When they met a few days ago, Su Yuzheng almost wore her thoughts on her face.

 

And everyone present at the time was happy to see her wishes fulfilled.

 

Although Wen Qingci was known as the “Celestial-faced Demon,” his usual gentleness was rare in this world.

 

Moreover, to those familiar with the treacherous court and deep palace, this was not a significant issue…

 

Of course, what was most important was that Wen Qingci was no longer an ordinary imperial physician; he was now the most esteemed subject of the emperor.

 

A young official of the third rank, unprecedented in this dynasty.

 

After much deliberation in her room, Su Yuzheng finally took a deep breath and headed towards Consort Lan’s residence.

 

—She planned to tell her aunt that she would leave Taishu Palace ahead of schedule.

 

But unexpectedly, as soon as Su Yuzheng stepped out, she encountered an unexpected person in Huixin Palace.

 

“Your Highness?” She was startled and hurriedly paid her respects to Xie Bufeng.

 

Wasn’t it said that he was not very familiar with Consort Lan? Why had he come to Huixin Palace today?

 

“Yes.” Xie Bufeng glanced at his cousin indifferently and was about to leave when he suddenly paused and said to her, “Consort Lan is unwell and resting.” After saying that, he left without looking back.

 

Xie Bufeng’s tone was still so cold, like a bucket of ice water poured over one’s head.

 

Su Yuzheng paused for a moment, finally coming back to her senses.

 

Now was indeed not a good time to disturb Consort Lan.

 

She couldn’t be rash about such matters…

 

After hesitating for a moment, she eventually retreated slowly.

 

Su Yuzheng didn’t know that after leaving Huixin Palace, Xie Bufeng smiled indifferently, his eyes filled with disdain.

 

—In fact, Xie Bufeng didn’t know the current state of Consort Lan, and he hadn’t even visited her palace.

 

From beginning to end, he was just blocking Su Yuzheng here to prevent her from leaving the palace.

 

*

 

Ming Liu’s news was indeed accurate; the mansion mentioned by the emperor had officially been granted to Wen Qingci.

 

Its name was also changed to “Wang Tan Yuan.”

 

That morning, before dawn, Wen Qingci left the Imperial Medical Bureau by carriage, heading for Wang Tan Yuan.

 

Although Wang Tan Yuan had not been inhabited for decades, it was, after all, an imperial grant, and when handed over to Wen Qingci, it had already been renovated and staffed with servants.

 

Simply put, Wen Qingci could move in with just his luggage.

 

After leaving the palace, he briefly rested in Wang Tan Yuan, then headed to a medical hall south of Yongdu.

 

It was one of the few properties owned by Valley of Divine Physicians.

 

Valley of Divine Physicians was essentially a jianghu organization that required substantial funds to operate smoothly.

 

According to the notes of the original owner, each master of Valley of Divine Physicians would take on only two or three disciples at most, and most of the time, it was a single lineage.

 

Below the master were about twenty servants who would auction off one or two medicinal pills every three to five years to exchange for money to take back.

 

The appearance of Valley of Divine Physicians’s elixirs would always cause a stir in the jianghu, even involving the royal family on multiple occasions.

 

Besides, the servants were also responsible for purchasing rare medicinal materials in various places.

 

The medical halls located in several major towns of Yongdu served as their resting places during travels and as hubs for the circulation of elixirs and materials.

 

This information was known only to those within the Valley of Divine Physicians.

 

Ordinary people only knew that in these medical halls hidden in the corners of the city, one could always encounter priceless and extremely rare medicinal materials.

 

The old locust tree, over twenty meters tall, shielded the midday sun entirely behind it, leaving only specks of light scattered on the ground.

 

The medical hall under the tree’s shade could easily be overlooked if one was not careful.

 

The clip-clop of horse hooves stopped at a corner of the long street.

 

Wen Qingci, dressed in moon-white, slowly stepped down from the carriage.

 

“I’ll go ask the owner if he has been able to procure the few precious medicinal ingredients that the Imperial Medical Bureau is lacking,” Wen Qingci said softly to the servant who had brought him, “Please wait here for me for a moment.” With that, he headed towards the medical hall.

 

“Yes, yes!” The servant hurriedly bowed and tied up the horse.

 

Before Wen Qingci arrived, he had already sent someone to notify the owner of the medical hall. He had only taken a few steps when the owner hurriedly came out to greet him.

 

“Wen Xiansheng, please come inside—” The owner quickly came forward with a deep bow, eagerly leading Wen Qingci to the small courtyard in the back.

 

Once they were far enough away, the owner leaned in and whispered, “May I ask what medicinal ingredients Wen Xiansheng needs? Today, by chance, a servant from the valley is resting here. If the medical hall doesn’t have them, he could perhaps find them elsewhere.”

 

Hearing this, Wen Qingci felt a surge of joy.

 

His visit to the medical hall was merely a pretext; his real purpose was to contact someone from Valley of Divine Physicians to plan his escape!

 

Although Wen Qingci was excited by the owner’s words, he maintained his usual calm and gentle demeanor: “Who has come to Yongdu?”

 

“It’s Bai Zhiyuan, Bai Xiansheng.”

 

As soon as the owner finished speaking, a figure in green appeared before Wen Qingci.

 

Before he could get a clear look at the person, the servant from Valley of Divine Physicians suddenly bowed deeply, his voice trembling slightly with excitement, “Bai Zhiyuan pays respects to the Second Valley Master.”

 

“No need for such formalities.” Wen Qingci quickly stepped forward to help him up.

 

…The original master was the Second Valley Master of the Valley of Divine Physicians.

 

Traditionally, the person currently in charge of the entire Valley of Divine Physicians should be his senior brother.

 

After some time apart, Bai Zhiyuan bombarded him with questions upon seeing him: “May I ask what medicine Wen Xiansheng is looking for? Something not found in the Imperial Medical Bureau… perhaps something that grows in the highlands of snowy mountains?”

 

Wen Qingci had already considered this question on the way here.

 

“It’s the Pure Snow Ganoderma.” He followed along with the other’s words.

 

The so-called “Pure Snow Ganoderma” he mentioned was one of the key ingredients for the “Fast-Acting Heart-Saving Pill,” unique to Shen Yi Valley in this world.

 

The Pure Snow Ganoderma mainly affects the heart and grows on the cliffs of snowy mountains. Apart from Valley of Divine Physicians, ordinary people, let alone some imperial physicians, probably have never even heard of it.

 

“Oh… that,” Bai Zhiyuan didn’t suspect a thing and paused before saying, “It’s indeed hard to find Pure Snow Ganoderma. The medical hall in Yongdu doesn’t have it at the moment. But rest assured, Wen Xiansheng, I will certainly keep an eye out for you this time!”

 

“Thank you for your trouble.”

 

As they spoke, the two sat down at the table, and the owner of the medical hall brought tea, then silently closed the door and left.

 

The Valley of Divine Physicians was not large, with only about forty people in total.

 

Although there were ranks and classes within the valley, everything was oriented towards medicine, without the the twists and turns of the outside world.

 

Once they were alone, Bai Zhiyuan struggled for a while but couldn’t help asking: “I remember Wen Xiansheng was mainly focused on water epidemics before. Why did you suddenly enter the palace and change your research direction?”

 

Wen Qingci: “…”

 

That question should be directed at the original master.

 

Not to mention Bai Zhiyuan, Wen Qingci himself was more curious about what the original owner wanted to achieve by entering the palace.

 

Not knowing how to answer Bai Zhiyuan, he simply sipped his tea, pretending to smile without speaking.

 

However, the person sitting beside him didn’t seem to mind whether Wen Qingci gave an answer or not.

 

“…The Valley Master said you entered the palace to handle your own affairs and would return once they were concluded,” Bai Zhiyuan put down his teacup and smiled at Wen Qingci, “Whenever you’re done, just contact us at the medical hall!”

 

“Alright, I’ll trouble you then.” Wen Qingci nodded with a smile.

 

Bai Zhiyuan’s words made him realize that the original master’s senior brother must be aware of his true intentions for entering the palace.

 

If he chose to fake his death to leave the palace, the senior brother would be the person most able to help him.

 

Wen Qingci couldn’t stay in the medical hall for too long.

 

After exchanging a few pleasantries with Bai Zhiyuan, he got up and left.

 

The carriage moved through the long street and onto the main road.

 

“Physician Wen, are we going back to Wang Tan Yuan to rest today?” the carriage driver asked him.

 

“No…” Wen Qingci paused before answering, “Let’s go back to the Imperial Medical Bureau.”

 

Compared to the Imperial Medical Bureau, Wang Tan Yuan was certainly much more luxurious.

 

But as a modern person, Wen Qingci was somewhat afraid of the century-old mansion that hadn’t been inhabited for many years.

 

A brief rest was fine, but spending the night there was quite a test for anyone.

 

“Yes.” The servant thought Wen Qingci was worried about his work and didn’t think much of it, driving the carriage straight to the Imperial Medical Bureau.

 

Unlike the desolation and quietness of his last departure from the palace.

 

Today’s Yongdu had regained its usual liveliness.

 

In the afternoon, the long streets were crowded with carriages and pedestrians.

 

The carriage was stuck in the middle of the long street, and its progress was consequently much slower.

 

“Wen Xiansheng, would you like me to clear the way?” the servant couldn’t help asking.

 

Wen Qingci, now a high-ranking official of the third rank, naturally had this privilege.

 

However, Wen Qingci himself was not in a hurry. He leaned against the carriage wall, peering through the gap in the curtains at the streets on both sides: “No need to bother.” His voice passed through the curtain to the servant’s ears.

 

The servant assigned to Wen Qingci was naturally very observant.

 

“Yes, Wen Xiansheng.” Hearing that Wen Qingci was not in a hurry, he slowed down and even began to introduce to the person inside the carriage: “At the end of this street is the western market of Yongdu, where many merchants from the Western Regions trade. The goods may not be very valuable, but you can find all sorts of rare and strange things there…”

 

Remembering the legends about Wen Qingci, the servant added: “Right! There are also foreign physicians there, and I have never seen those Western Region foreign medicines. I wonder if Wen Xiansheng knows about them?”

 

Hearing this, Wen Qingci’s gaze passed over the crowd and looked towards the end of the road.

 

The market outside was indeed bustling with activity.

 

As they spoke, the carriage just happened to pass through the long street and arrived outside the western market.

 

A drizzle began to fall in Yongdu at some point, and the long street paved with bluestone slabs became wet.

 

“Wait a moment,” Wen Qingci suddenly spoke up, as if he had thought of something, “Stop here, I want to take a look.”

 

“Whoa—”

 

The servant quickly pulled the reins, stopping the carriage.

 

Wen Qingci took an umbrella and stepped down from the carriage, heading straight into the western market.

 

This trip was not because he was interested in the “foreign physicians” mentioned offhandedly by the servant, but because of another matter…

 

In a few days, it will be Xie Bufeng’s birthday.

 

By all accounts, he should prepare a gift for him.

 

…

 

Whether princes or princesses, their birthdays were always grandly celebrated in Taishu Palace each year.

 

Yet, as an invisible person in Taishu Palace, no one mentioned Xie Bufeng’s upcoming birthday.

 

It was as if the day didn’t exist at all.

 

The only one who definitely remembered the date was Consort Lan, who had an accident just before Xie Bufeng’s birthday.

 

At the hour of YinTranslator's Note:3 to 5 a.m, while it was still dark, a flurry of hurried footsteps awoke the entire Imperial Medical Bureau from its slumber.

 

“Imperial Physician, come quickly—,” gasped a little eunuch as he ran over, his shrill voice piercing through the hall before he even entered, stabbing into the ears of those inside.

 

The physician on night duty rubbed his eyes, groggily emerging from his room: “What’s the matter? May I ask which palace this eunuch is from?”

 

Bent over and clutching a pillar, the eunuch struggled to catch his breath as he trembled, “It’s from Huixin Palace! Consort Lan… Her Highness, she might be going into premature labor!”

 

The physician was startled, grabbing his medicine chest and hurrying out.

 

A cold breeze from outside the hall seemed to jog his memory as he clenched his fist and said, “…Physician Wen, that’s right! Physician Wen is also in the palace tonight!”

 

After several months of interaction, although the people in the Imperial Medical Bureau still feared him, in their eyes, Wen Qingci had already become an almost omnipotent being.

 

Whether it was to share the overwhelming responsibility or simply to seek help, Wen Qingci was the best choice.

 

The physician’s words reminded the little eunuch.

 

“Good, good! You go to Huixin Palace first, I’ll go find Physician Wen now!”

 

“Alright!”

 

It had rained all night in Yongdu.

 

Just running from Huixin Palace to the Imperial Medical Bureau, the eunuch’s boots and the hem of his robe were already soaked.

 

He had just reached the gate of Wen Qingci’s courtyard and before he could knock, the wooden door creaked open from the inside.

 

The physician in a moon-white cloak leaned at the doorway, smiling as he gently steadied the eunuch who nearly fell.

 

A faint bitter fragrance was carried over by the morning breeze.

 

Wen Qingci’s body had not yet recovered, and the rain from last night had made his chest feel stuffy, so he had woken up early in the latter half of the night.

 

Although he hadn’t heard what the eunuch said in the front hall, the commotion nearby led him to guess that something had happened to Consort Lan.

 

Without any hesitation, Wen Qingci quickly got up, changed his clothes, washed up, and went outside.

 

The chill and cold air that had accumulated overnight crept in, and even Wen Qingci’s large cloak seemed insufficient to ward it off.

 

As soon as he stood firm, he coughed lightly a few times.

 

The eunuch was taken aback, unsure how to voice the words he had prepared on the way.

 

—Consort Lan’s condition was very dangerous.

 

For any physician, this was a hot potato.

 

Would Wen Qingci really be willing to go to Huixin Palace with him?

 

As the eunuch was filled with trepidation, Wen Qingci’s coughing finally stopped, and he apologized with a smile to the eunuch, saying directly, “Let’s go, I’ll accompany you to Huixin Palace.”

 

Worried about disturbing Xie Bufeng, Wen Qingci deliberately lowered his voice.

 

“Yes… yes…” The eunuch, who had been stunned in place, finally came to his senses and turned to go to Huixin Palace with Wen Qingci.

 

In a daze, he suddenly realized.

 

In that moment just now, he had forgotten his fear, forgotten all the rumors related to Wen Qingci.

 

The cinnabar between his brows and those black eyes filled with compassion.

 

At this moment, Wen Qingci was like a deity leading people out of suffering…

 

Wen Qingci was very careful as he stepped out.

 

But the moment he closed the narrow door of his bedroom, the young man lying on the bed slowly opened his eyes.

 

Xie Bufeng’s gaze involuntarily passed through the slightly opened window crack, looking into the courtyard.

 

Unlike most places in Taishu Palace, the unassuming courtyard in the corner of the Imperial Medical Bureau had poor drainage.

 

After one night, the accumulated water had already overflowed the green bricks.

 

The rain last night had been heavy.

 

The young man’s gaze and thoughts became somewhat disordered.

 

Thirteen years of life in the imperial mausoleum had made Xie Bufeng develop the habit of light sleeping.

 

The slightest rustle would wake him from his sleep.

 

But last night, such heavy rain had fallen, and he hadn’t felt a thing…

 

It wasn’t until Wen Qingci opened the door and the cold breeze from the courtyard blew the bitter fragrance off his body that Xie Bufeng finally woke from his sleep.

 

Xie Bufeng belatedly realized that since moving to the Imperial Medical Bureau, he seemed to no longer wake up inexplicably in his dreams as before.

 

He didn’t know if it was the faint bitter fragrance on Wen Qingci’s body or his presence that had a reassuring power.

 

Now that the bitter fragrance had dissipated, Xie Bufeng couldn’t help but feel a sense of loneliness and abandonment.

 

At the hour of Yin, the silver moon is still high in the sky.

 

Seeing the nearly full moon, the young man suddenly remembered… Tomorrow seemed to be his birthday.