Several buildings in the Imperial Medical Bureau suffered severe damage during the palace coup. Xie Bufeng ordered this area to be sealed off, relocating the entire Medical Bureau to the other end of the Taishu Palace.
Apart from the palace maids who regularly swept and cleaned, no one else was allowed inside.
The original location of the Medical Bureau within the imperial city fell silent for the first time.
Yet, it wasn’t entirely devoid of life.
Every night, a lantern would illuminate the path from the Medical Bureau to the Imperial Study.
Xie Bufeng, despite residing in the Yi Guang Hall, spent his nights in the cramped little room behind the Medical Bureau.
He no longer touched the bed where Wen Qingci once slept. Instead, he lay on the narrow couch near the door, just as he always had.
As the night deepened, the young man lying on the couch felt no trace of sleepiness.
Xie Bufeng’s gaze wandered and settled on the nearby folding screen. He squinted his eyes, the scene before him blurring.
Moonlight filtered through the window, casting patterns on the screen, illuminating delicate designs.
…Wen Qingci, always a light sleeper, barely made a sound even when breathing.
In a moment of drowsiness, Xie Bufeng had a strange sensation—perhaps nothing had truly happened yet. Tonight was merely one ordinary night among countless others.
Or perhaps the past few days were nothing more than his own nightmare.
At this moment, Wen Qingci lay quietly behind the screen… If Xie Bufeng got up and circled around the screen, he could see him once more.
On this profoundly tranquil night, everything seemed to return to the past.
Xie Bufeng’s prolonged stay in the Medical Bureau became a whispered secret, shrouded in mystery among the Taishu Palace residents.
Yet, it wasn’t entirely a secret. After all, the new emperor of the Wei Dynasty had never concealed anything.
But soon, the “palace secrets” fluttered like snowflakes to Yongdu, spreading throughout the entire country.
Accompanying these secrets was a dragon boat carrying a coffin.
Wen Qingci’s coffin rested outside Songxiu Manor in Yongdu, where he was ultimately buried.
Everything appeared settled, but little did they know that several days earlier, Song Junran had secretly come by boat, taking Wen Qingci away before his scheduled burial.
*
The yellow orioles sang, the willows swayed.
A gentle breeze rustled the water’s surface.
Faint floral scents wafted through the half-open bamboo curtains of the neighboring waterside pavilion.
While Yongdu remained in the depths of winter, the Valley of Divine Physicians felt like spring all year round.
Warm sunlight, like a sheer veil, gently covered the body, making one pleasantly drowsy.
“…Why hasn’t Second Valley Master awakened after all this time?” The medicine attendant who had accompanied Song Junran from Yongdu to the Valley of Divine Physicians watered the plants, voicing his concern.
Song Junran removed his fingers from Wen Qingci’s wrist. “He must be trapped in a nightmare.”
“A nightmare,” the attendant sighed, as if recalling something. “I remember the Second Valley Master always had vivid dreams since childhood.”
Song Junran fell silent, then turned to organize his medicine box.
After a long pause, he sighed. “If only I’d listened to my father earlier and not allowed him to study medicine.”
His words carried a hint of frustration and a subtle trace of regret.
Wen Qingci was indeed trapped in a nightmare just as Song Junran said.
He had seen the events that unfolded here.
Unlike the chaotic dreams of the past, this time Wen Qingci’s slumber was exceptionally clear.
To the point where he even felt an illusion that he and the dream’s protagonist were the same person.
—The old Valley Master treated the original host as his own, even indulging him. But he steadfastly refused to let him study medicine.
Although officially, only Song Junran was the Valley Master’s disciple, the other medicine attendants in the Valley also learned medical skills.
Within the valley, there was a school where the old Valley Master taught every morning, never withholding knowledge.
“…Qingzaozi, bitter taste, slightly cold, enters the Liver meridian. Clears liver heat, brightens vision, dispels wind…” The old Valley Master’s voice drifted through the window, reaching outside the schoolroom.
Suddenly, he paused and raised his voice. “Wen Qingci! Come out, no eavesdropping from outside!”
The medicine attendants inside the schoolroom all turned their gaze toward the window.
Wen Qingci, dressed in a light-colored robe, stood up from outside the window, holding a book.
He didn’t know how long he’d been lurking here. When he stood up, his legs felt numb, and his face showed frustration
“Go back to your own room. Have you finished copying the calligraphy I gave you last time?” the old valley master asked him.
“…No.” Thinking of the calligraphy that had accumulated in the room for months without being touched, the original owner shook his head in confusion for a long time.
“Why don’t you go back and do your work?” The old valley master looked down at the medical book, coughed twice and said, “Finish copying the calligraphy, then go and have a good rest. What’s the point of coming here?”
The medicine attendants in the school all cast envious glances at Wen Qingci.
The Valley of Divine Physicians is a relatively closed organization, and the medicine attendants are all passed down from generation to generation.
The average age of the few medicine attendants attending classes in the school at this time was only eleven or twelve years old.
They are at an age where they cannot concentrate, and without exception, they are forced by their parents to come here to attend classes.
It has been more than a year since Wen Qingci entered the Valley of Divine Physicians.
Scenes like today happen several times every month, and everyone is used to it.
After being scolded by the old valley master through the window, Wen Qingci finally left reluctantly.
Then he walked to the stream, sat on the grass and wrote and drew with a book.
Song Junran’s mother died after giving birth to him, and the old valley master never remarried.
Therefore, having grown up without any brothers or sisters, he has always been particularly enthusiastic towards Wen Qingci, the “junior brother” who suddenly appeared.
“Qingci, why are you here?” Little Song Junran, who had just returned from collecting herbs outside the valley, saw him at a glance and then ran over quickly.
Although Song Junran is a little older than Wen Qingci, he is still in the chubby childhood Phase like Wen Qingci.
He threw the tools for collecting herbs beside him, then sat next to Wen Qingci and looked curiously at what was in the other’s hand.
Song Junran couldn’t help but rub his junior brother’s head, and then praised: “You are really quick, much more talented than me. I really don’t understand why Dad doesn’t want you to study medicine, you stingy guy.”
In the past, when faced with this kind of situation, Song Junran might have said, “If you have anything you want to learn, I can teach you. Why do you have to look for him?” But Wen Qingci made rapid progress, and now he is too embarrassed to say this.
“Tsk, is it possible that he is afraid that his son will not be able to learn as well as others and lose face?”
Song Junran has always been a free-spirited person who says whatever he wants since he was a child.
Little Wen Qingci stretched himself lazily, and couldn’t help but frown and mutter, “I wonder what else he’ll say to kick me out next time.”
Thinking of his father’s outrageous remarks in the past, Song Junran couldn’t help but laugh.
“…By the way, senior brother, can I ask you a question?” Before standing up, Wen Qingci seemed to suddenly remember something and looked towards Song Junran.
The beautiful black hair glows a light chestnut color under the sunlight.
The cinnabar mole between his eyebrows makes him look as cute as a immortal boy.
Song Junran, who was also young, was startled. He felt a little embarrassed to be stared at, and asked dazedly, “What?”
Wen Qingci was rarely so polite to him.
Wen Qingci secretly looked around and confirmed that no one was around. He finally approached Song Junran quietly and asked in a low voice: “I heard that the valley is looking for a new ‘medicine man’ recently. Brother, do you know if this is true or false?”
Song Junran was stunned for a moment, he thought for a moment and replied: “…Yes, I think I heard Dad talk about it a few days ago.”
Although the Valley of Divine Physicians is often said to be “both good and evil”, it is not a cult organization after all. They will not force others to become medicine people, nor will they greedily create a large number of medicine people.
Generally speaking, there are at most two or three medicine men in the valley at the same time, and most of the time there is only one.
Only after he dies will we look for a new medicine man.
The old pharmacist in the Valley just passed away a few days ago.
——As soon as he was born, he was sent here by his parents to transform his physique into a medicine man.
As a reward, the Valley fulfilled a wish for his parents.
This was a common experience for generations of physicians within the valley, a longstanding tradition.
The concept of “medicine people” within the Healer’s Valley had only recently slipped out when Song Junran inadvertently revealed it to Wen Qingci.
Wen Qingci, having received confirmation from Song Junran, lowered his eyes thoughtfully and nodded.
Suspicious, Song Junran asked, “What are you planning?”
Wen Qingci chuckled, recalling the memories. He walked briskly to the stream, using his hand to ripple the cool water. “I’m just curious,” he replied. His longing remained hidden.
Song Junran, still young, didn’t think much of it.
Seeing Wen Qingci playing by the water, he put down what he was holding and followed him.
Little did Song Junran know that later that evening, after receiving a positive response, Wen Qingci would sneak into the old valley master’s room and secretly consume the “Tianci” medicine prepared for the medicine people.
By the time the old valley master discovered it, it was too late. Song Junran had never seen his father so angry. That night, Wen Qingci was punished to copy books ten times and forbidden from eating for three days. As for Song Junran himself, he received the most severe beating of his life.
“Song Junran, do you realize what harm you’ve caused?” the old valley master seethed. “Becoming a medicine person? Do you think it’s easy?”
Wen Qingci had surprisingly offered to exchange becoming a medicine person for Song Junran’s teaching in medicine. He boldly claimed he wanted to obtain the “Universal Healing Medicine.” In that moment, the old valley master glimpsed madness in the child’s eyes.
Song Junran didn’t understand why his father was so adamant about keeping Wen Qingci away from the path of medicine. He also couldn’t fathom Wen Qingci’s obsession with healing.
From then on, Wen Qingci ceased to be merely the valley master’s nominal “disciple.”
Like Song Junran, he followed him daily, learning side by side. Although Song Junran didn’t grasp the full meaning of his father’s warning about Wen Qingci’s deep obsession, he sensed that his own words had altered Wen Qingci’s fate.
…
Now, Song Junran and the half-conscious Wen Qingci both recalled this past event.
Song Junran looked deeply at the figure lying on the bed. He felt guilty that Wen Qingci had become a medicine person, a consequence of his own loose tongue.
Over the years, he had catered to Wen Qingci’s every need, treating him like a younger brother. Aware of Wen Qingci’s unyielding obsession, and knowing what he intended to do, Song Junran had quietly assisted him behind the scenes.
“Valley Master! Valley Master!” Suddenly, a servant burst in, shouting, “Second Valley Master’s eyelids moved!”
As he spoke, he was so anxious that he even threw the kettle he was using to water the flowers aside.
As soon as he finished speaking, Song Junran saw Wen Qingci on the bed finally opening his eyes little by little with difficulty.
The sunlight outside the window was reflected in those dark eyes.
Wen Qingci was a little afraid of the light because he had slept for too long.
He subconsciously closed his eyes and gently called the person next to him: “Senior Brother… cough cough cough…”
Hearing this, Song Junran immediately approached Wen Qingci to check his pulse. As the familiar scene unfolded, Wen Qingci belatedly realized he was truly back in the Valley.
It was all over.
He had no time to feel lucky for surviving the disaster. At this moment, he just wanted to know how Xie Bufeng was doing now, and whether his blocked arrow had been in vain.
“Cough… Yong… Yongdu…” Wen Qingci coughed, feeling the familiar pain in his chest and lungs. The effects of the Miao Heng Pill had completely worn off, returning his body to its previous state.
Though Wen Qingci had only mentioned “Yongdu,” Song Junran immediately understood—he wanted to know how Xie Bufeng was faring.
“He’s doing well,” Song Junran’s expression darkened. “But you’re not.” His tone turned cold.
The servant’s heart raced as he listened to Song Junran’s stern words. “Your vital energy is severely damaged. Until your body fully recovers, you’ll stay here and rest.”
“Oh, and even after you recover, you’ll stay in the valley,” Song Junran continued, muttering to himself. Finally, he said, “You consumed one of my Miao Heng Pills, worth a fortune. From now on, you’ll cultivate herbs and make pills within the valley until you’ve repaid the cost.”
The servant widened his eyes—when did the valley master become so stingy?
A gentle breeze carried a small, nameless blue wildflower onto Wen Qingci’s forehead. Before he could ask anything else, Song Junran left him with a curt “rest well” and departed with the servant.
The Valley of Divine Physicians was too warm, the scent of flowers too strong, lulling Wen Qingci back into slumber.
*
In the evening, Xie Bufeng left Taishu Palace and went to the Ministry of Justice prison.
This prison cell, like the Taishu Palace, was built in the previous dynasty. It has three floors in total, two of which are buried deep underground.
The interior of the Ministry of Justice prison was eerie and damp. From time to time, a dark liquid oozed out from the huge stone walls on both sides, and it was impossible to tell whether it was water or blood.
“Help… Help…” In the center of the lowest level of the prison, Hengxin Guard was tied to a pillar with half of his body exposed to his white bones.
He prayed with his last bit of strength: “Long live the emperor… Your Majesty, Your Majesty, please, please stop the pain, pain…”
After saying that, he let out another terrible scream.
Even the executioner who was carrying out the execution began to tremble uncontrollably.
“Why don’t you continue?” Xie Bufeng, who was sitting in the middle of the cell reviewing memorials, didn’t even raise his eyelids. “Three thousand swords, if there is one sword missing, you will make up for it.”
Xie Bufeng’s tone was nonchalant, and even contained a hint of smile, but to everyone in the cell, this voice sounded as terrifying as the cry of a ghost urging them to die.
“Yes… yes, Your Majesty.” The executioner suppressed his trembling and dropped the knife once again.
“ah–“
Xie Bufeng smiled, picked up the teacup and took a sip.
As if listening to a piece of music, he squinted his eyes and enjoyed the scene.
But that smile never reached his eyes.
The light amber eyes were as cold as if they were frozen.
The strong smell of blood and the bloody figures made the other rebellious Hengxin guards who were imprisoned here feel like vomiting.
Also trapped in this huge cell was Xie Zhaolin, who was still being bled. At this moment, he was talking nonsense like a madman.
—Xie Bufeng wasn’t in a hurry to execute them. Instead, he kept them all here, one by one, awaiting their fate.
Before his arrival, one of the Hengxin guards had already suffered a gruesome death.
The remaining prisoners were on the verge of collapse, their spirits shattered.
Aware of their impending doom, one of the Hengxin guards suddenly erupted into a tirade, seemingly attempting to provoke Xie Bufeng for a swift end.
“Ha! If only I’d killed Wen Qingci directly from the start! If it weren’t for him, I would have killed you long ago!”
Xie Bufeng narrowed his eyes, setting aside the crimson brush in his hand.
The imprisoned Hengxin guard had no idea what was happening in the palace.
But when he saw Xie Bufeng’s sudden change of expression, he sensed something: “Ha! But it’s not all in vain!”
The guard clenched his teeth, “Wen Qingci spent his final days imprisoned in the palace by the old emperor. Ha! He died even before me! Worth it—”
The words “final days” were too harsh.
Like a heavy sword, they sliced straight into Xie Bufeng’s .
He despised those two words with every fiber of his being.
The emperor, dressed in dark robes, rose abruptly and snatched the small knife from the executioner’s hand. He gripped it tightly and leaned in, eyes narrowed: “What did you say?” His voice was low.
Xie Bufeng exuded a murderous aura.
But only he knew that his fear at this moment was no less than that of the dying Hengxin guard before him.
The guard’s words seemed to genuinely provoke Xie Bufeng. Desperate for a swift death, he continued loudly, “Oh? Our wise and mighty emperor doesn’t know? Wen Qingci hasn’t left the palace for over a year now, especially those last few days. He lived in that tiny courtyard, under our constant surveillance. It was delightful!”
“Except for your foolish sister, who managed to exchange a few words with him through the door. The rest of the time… Ha! Everyone in Taishu Palace avoided him!”
As the dying guard screamed in pain, he gritted his teeth, “Even in death, he only had a few hours of freedom, right? Ha!”
Xie Bufeng stared at him.
Loneliness.
So, Wen Qingci’s final moments were spent in loneliness.
The youth said nothing, but his eyes held deathly silence and murderous intent.
Then, he smiled slowly.
“Give him some ginseng to chew.” Xie Bufeng’s soft command cut through the air.
“Yes, Your Majesty!” The jailer immediately stepped forward, stuffing the medicinal herb into the Hengxin guard’s mouth.
But no one envied him; they all knew what ginseng meant in this context.
—Amid countless screams and cries, a bucket of strong liquor was poured slowly over the guard’s mutilated body.
Even from a distance, everyone could feel his trembling, hear his suppressed screams, and sense his fear and pain.
Xie Bufeng cared little for his own image. Even if they called him a tyrant, it didn’t matter. In their eyes, he was far worse than his father.
< “Xie Bufeng, you’ll meet a gruesome end!”
“…Ha! When I die, I’ll come for your life first.” >
At that moment, the dying guard froze, realizing Xie Bufeng had repeated his thoughts.
Next second, he remained motionless.
“No, impossible! How could he hear my inner thoughts?” Fear consumed him.
“Why wouldn’t I hear them?”
When the human heart reaches its breaking point, it clings to false gods and spirits.
Xie Bufeng despised such people.
But he also knew how to exploit their weaknesses.
His hoarse voice held a hint of madness as he laughed, pressing the cold blade against the guard’s wound: “You all call me a ‘monster,’ right? Well, if I’m a monster, why wouldn’t I hear your thoughts?”
The Hengxin guard’s eyes widened, fear flooding him. His brain went blank, and even his curses ceased.
Impossible…
…how could this be?
Xie Bufeng raised his hand, pouring the remaining liquor.
“Ah—”
Amidst agony, Xie Bufeng warned, “As a tormented soul, you’re just one of countless in the North. Even if you all come, I’ll scatter your spirits.”
He spun the blade gently on his fingertip, landing it on the guard’s flesh.
Madness.
At that moment, Xie Bufeng embodied madness.
…
The execution did not end until early morning.
On this day, screams of pain were heard from the Ministry of Justice prison, and even the people around heard a few.
Xie Bufeng, covered in blood, didn’t know how he returned to Taishu Palace.
The hell-like scene in the Ministry of Justice was far behind him.
There was only one sentence lingering in Xie Bufeng’s mind.
——Wen Qingci spent the last part of his life in confinement.
Only Xie Fuyin spoke to him.
The heavy feeling of sadness and loneliness was like an invisible hand, tightly grasping Xie Bufeng’s heart.
Crazy thoughts fell into his mind like a blizzard.
Xie Bufeng tried hard to calm down.
The last words Wen Qing said to him before he left once again echoed in the young man’s ears… Cherish the person in front of you.
Mother, and Xie Fuyin.
Yes…After he went to the North, Consort Lan also helped him.
It started snowing again in Yongdu, and soon the snow turned Xie Bufeng’s black hair white.
On the long palace road, only his footsteps echoed again and again.
In a trance, the young man realized that from now on, there would be no one to hold an umbrella for him and walk side by side with him back to the small bedroom in the Imperial Medical Bureau as before.
Xie Bufeng was trying his best to suppress the madness in his heart.
Supported by Wen Qingci’s words, he appeared in front of the gate of Huixin Palace in the early morning with full of energy.
This was his last bit of sanity.
It was also the last bit of warmth that Wen Qingci left behind that he could find…
In the midst of chaos, he didn’t understand what exactly he was doing here.
Only Wen Qingci’s words were still lingering in Xie Bufeng’s mind again and again, like a thin rope, leading him like a walking corpse, slowly stepping into Huixin Palace.
Abyss: Can you hear the sound of my heart breaking? T_T…….If you want to soothe your heart before the next update, check out my latest translation ‘Drunken Spring‘ which is a fluffy and spicy short novel :>
Thank you for the update~
Thanks for The update ❤️
Qinchi you cruel man, how can you leave him like that… Poor guy literally descending into madness with each passing moment. I hope he can undo all these pain Bufeng’s going through when they eventually meet again😭