The freshly brewed tea and steamed cakes were brought in. “Young Master, Madam, there are hawkers outside selling apricot slices, would you like a plate?” the waiter asked with a placating smile.

This kind of slightly better teahouse didn't usually permit hawkers to roam inside, but the staff often arranged private side deals. “Yes, please,” Qi Yue nodded, glancing at Chang Yuncheng before asking the waiter, “Do you have any meat dishes?” The waiter was delighted.

This man had booked this room; first, an eunuch arrived who ordered no food, and then a woman arrived, also ordering nothing substantial. The waiter had begun to suspect they weren't generous patrons, only to realize they simply hadn't started eating yet.

“Yes, yes,” the waiter hurried to affirm, “We have roasted pork skin, it’s the most famous in the entire capital…” Qi Yue nodded. Chang Yuncheng waved a hand at the waiter.

The waiter cheerfully acknowledged the order, and soon the requested meal was served, covering the table. “Are you not eating well in the Imperial Palace?” Chang Yuncheng inquired, watching Qi Yue set up as if preparing for a feast.

“Not at all,” Qi Yue laughed, pausing her chopsticks to begin eating. “The food is excellent; the standard of the Imperial Cuisine could hardly be lacking.” She started to eat, noticing Chang Yuncheng was still watching her.

“Ah?” she questioned. “Is there something you haven’t finished saying?” Chang Yuncheng asked, clearing his throat and sitting up straighter.

Qi Yue looked at him. “…Oh.” A knowing smile broke across her face.

She also coughed lightly and narrowed her eyes at Chang Yuncheng in a teasing grin, “But even the best food tastes bland if I don’t have you to share it with.” Only then did Chang Yuncheng nod. “Then eat quickly,” he said.

Qi Yue laughed heartily. “When do you leave tomorrow?” she asked after a few bites.

“Early morning,” Chang Yuncheng replied. “It’s too early; don’t come to see me off.” Qi Yue nodded.

“Fine,” she agreed briskly. “Once I’m done with Prince Sima and the matter of the pharmacy, I’ll come over.” “There’s no rush,” Chang Yuncheng assured her.

“I’ll find suitable lodging in a nearby town once I arrive.” He smiled as he said this. “It should be in time for me to join you for the New Year celebrations,” he continued.

“However, my funds are running low. The furniture, the servants—that will have to rely on you, Madam.” Qi Yue, taking a sip of tea, nearly spat it out upon hearing this.

“No money,” she stated, raising a hand to wipe her mouth, glaring at Chang Yuncheng and gesturing around them. “No money, yet you, Young Master, still choose to eat breakfast in a place like this!

We could have just bought a steamed bun from a street vendor.” “Though I may be yesterday’s bloom, already setting like the sun, I must still dine with dignity. Everyone in the capital is waiting to see me make a fool of myself; how can I let them succeed?” Chang Yuncheng said with a straight face, picking up a piece of meat and chewing it vigorously.

“You’re paying for this meal.” Qi Yue burst into laughter. After they finished eating, they left the teahouse.

“Shall I see you off?” Chang Yuncheng asked, glancing toward the direction of the Imperial Palace. Qi Yue nodded.

Chang Yuncheng started walking. “Where is your horse?” Qi Yue inquired.

“Pawned it, I’m broke,” Chang Yuncheng replied, walking straight ahead without looking back. Qi Yue couldn't stop laughing and hurried to catch up.

“Are the things you’ll need for the journey—clothing and necessities—all prepared over there?” They chatted idly as they walked. Chang Yuncheng nodded.

“Mother has prepared everything,” he confirmed. “Your mother must be quite sad, no?” Qi Yue turned to ask him.

Chang Yuncheng nodded with a low sound but said nothing more, and Qi Yue didn't press the issue. The streets were already crowded, and the two wove through the masses.

Logically, there should have been much to say before parting, but only a few stray remarks about daily routines and small matters were exchanged before they reached the edge of the Imperial Road. There were very few people here.

Chang Yuncheng stopped walking. “You go on,” he said.

“Then I won’t walk you further,” Qi Yue replied. “Go, go,” Chang Yuncheng waved dismissively.

Qi Yue smiled at him, nodded, waved farewell, and turned to walk slowly back towards the Palace. She didn't look back until she reached the gate, presenting her entry pass.

The man was still standing there, looking straight towards her. Qi Yue waved once more, then turned and entered.

The Emperor stopped walking, and the eunuch behind him quickly raised a hand, causing the retinue of following eunuchs and maids to halt as well. A few steps away, beneath a raised platform, a junior eunuch was leading that woman along.

The woman kept her head down, appearing dispirited. “Oh, Madam Qi is finally back,” one eunuch couldn't help but remark.

“There’s been quite a commotion over there.” The Emperor said nothing, watching the woman turn into a narrow path. The sickroom, converted from the Empress Dowager’s chambers, was chaotic.

“…Are you all dead? Hurry up and find a solution!” “…This is excruciatingly painful…” “…That An, you dare not approach my Young Prince by a single step…” “..Old White Whiskers, I’m talking to you, stop playing dumb…” “…Are all you imperial physicians useless?…” “..What about Madam Qi?

Where is Madam Qi? Did she run off early because she couldn't cure him?” Qi Yue slammed the door open.

The sudden noise startled everyone in the room, and they all turned to look. “What is all this noise?

Who allowed you all in here?” Qi Yue scanned the members of the Sima family in the room, frowning as she asked, “Who permitted you to shout so loudly in the sickroom?” “You…” A man from the Sima family recovered his senses and started to speak, laced with anger. “What do you mean, ‘you’?” Qi Yue cut him off, pointing at him from head to toe.

“Have you sanitized? Are you wearing isolation gowns?

And you keep entering and exiting your Young Prince’s sickroom like this? Do you have any idea how filthy you are?” The man was stunned into silence.

Filthy?! He involuntarily looked down at himself.

This was a newly changed robe, fine silk, the latest style… Though worried about the Young Prince’s illness, he had bathed last night… “Do you know how many germs you are carrying on your hands, your body, and in the air you exhale?” Qi Yue continued, pointing at the others. The others, especially the women, grew tense, looking down at themselves.

This was too much, to call them filthy! You, you are the filthy one!

“Everyone out! If anyone dares to barge in and out like this again, carry your Young Prince out with you and be gone,” Qi Yue commanded.

“You, you, if our Young Prince…” The Sima family members were livid, unable to form coherent words, and they too pointed fingers at Qi Yue. “If I what?” Qi Yue drowned out his voice with a scornful laugh.

“If I can’t cure your Young Prince, then my corpse will be carried out, is that it?” “It’s good you know that,” the man spat out hatefully. This time, Qi Yue did not rush to interrupt him; instead, she took a few steps forward, examining the man.

At any other time, a man being looked at so intently by such a beautiful woman would have felt immensely proud, but now, he felt prickles all over his skin. “Who are you?

An immortal? A demon?

The Buddha? The King of Hell?” Qi Yue asked with a smile.

“Since you are so capable, why bother calling for a physician? Why don’t you just shout at your Young Prince like that?

If you tell him to live, he lives—how powerful would that be? If he recovers, it’s because you are blessed; if he doesn't, it becomes my fault?

You want to trade my life for his? How audacious of you to even think that!

Let me tell you, I am a physician. Healing is our duty, not a sin.

If we succeed, it is our skill; if we fail, it is fate!” The Sima family members were dumbstruck. Even the pained cries of Prince Sima in the next room ceased.

“Aren't you leaving yet? If you refuse to leave,” Qi Yue said, waving her hand, “Physicians, let’s go.

This place is theirs now.” She started to move as she spoke. This vile woman!

The Sima family members trembled with rage. This was when the Emperor arrived.

Without announcement, he simply stood at the doorway, observing the standoff between the two parties inside the room. Everyone finally snapped back to reality and bowed.

“Leave,” the Emperor stated simply. The Sima family members naturally understood his meaning.

They bowed their heads in submission, kowtowed, and then filed out. “And one more thing,” Qi Yue spoke up again.

Cai Zhong quickly signaled to her, urging her to stop talking since even the Emperor hadn't spoken. Qi Yue, of course, could not see him.

“In the future, I do not wish to see or hear you denigrate my disciples,” she said, looking at the Sima family members. Removing her gloves and mask, Qi Yue walked in and looked at the Emperor seated on the main high chair in the hall of the Empress Dowager’s chambers.

“Your Majesty, Prince Sima has awakened. His consciousness is clear, his blood pressure is normal, and the incision shows no…” she said, performing a bow.

The Emperor tapped his armrest. Qi Yue, quick-witted, fell silent briefly.

“Currently, recovery appears excellent, but the critical period has not yet passed,” she stated concisely. “Quite a temper you have,” the Emperor commented.

Qi Yue kept her head bowed. “This commoner has sinned,” she replied.

“Are you bullying the weak and fearing the strong?” the Emperor asked, looking at the woman now meekly bowing her head. “No,” Qi Yue lifted her head to say.

“Because Your Majesty is wise and divine. Whether this commoner is at fault or not, Your Majesty judges with clear wisdom in your heart, so whatever I say is ultimately inconsequential.” The Emperor raised a hand to shield his face and chuckled.

“You truly are…” he laughed, starting to say something to Qi Yue but trailing off. “This commoner comes from humble origins and knows no etiquette; I say what is on my mind.

Besides, those who dislike me—I have no need to win their favor,” Qi Yue explained. The Emperor laughed again.

Silence descended upon the room for a moment. “After losing your temper, you seem much more spirited,” the Emperor suddenly remarked, standing up.

Qi Yue looked on, slightly perplexed, as the Emperor took the arm of a eunuch to step down. As he was about to walk over, he paused, looking at Qi Yue.

Qi Yue met his gaze. “Do you always look at people this way?” the Emperor inquired.

Qi Yue startled slightly. Cai Zhong, behind her, made a gesture urging her to lower her head.

Ah, right, this was the Emperor; one should show reverence and not stare so casually. “Your Majesty, this commoner believes it is a form of respect,” she quickly said, lowering her gaze.

Respect? This woman always managed to justify her actions.

“If it is respect, perhaps Madam Qi should not have forgotten her duty as a physician for the sake of her private affairs?” the Emperor countered, referring to her having left Prince Sima’s side to run out earlier. “Your Majesty, actually, this commoner is of little use now; everything relies on these imperial physicians prescribing medicine and taking pulses…” Qi Yue quickly said.

The most straightforward part of conversing with this woman was that she always seemed to understand what he meant, but… The Emperor stopped again, turning to look at her. “Be quiet,” he commanded.

Qi Yue stopped speaking. The Emperor raised his foot and walked away slowly.

Cai Zhong gestured to Qi Yue with his hand, making a face that implied she was far too bold, before following the Emperor. Hearing the Emperor’s carriage depart outside, Qi Yue breathed a sigh of relief, then shook her head slightly.

“Madam,” A Ru’s voice sounded from outside. “Shall we add another layer to the abdominal binder now?” “Let me see.

Has he been propped up to sit?” Qi Yue said, stepping out. Outside the door, disciples from the Qianjin Hall moved back and forth, occasionally taking a prescription slip to prepare decoctions.

Below the window, the imperial physicians gathered in low discussion, the thick smell of medicine permeating the air. The first watch is certain, do not wait deliberately until the second watch.

RS