Volume One, Chapter Nine: The Prince Despises Women the Most

Lin Wanti answered without hesitation, “Snow ginseng is of a warm nature, not the cold-natured herb that Physician Zhang claims. It is remarkably effective for certain chronic illnesses.”

Murong Yunyi listened quietly, saying nothing. He turned to look at Physician Zhang, his gaze carrying a trace of icy disdain. “Physician Zhang, is there anything else you wish to say?”

Physician Zhang trembled all over, then collapsed to his knees with a thud, his voice quivering, “Your Highness, forgive me. This old servant... I know I've erred, Your Highness Consort. I only know what is in the books, perhaps I remembered wrong.”

Murong Yunyi ignored him, shifting his gaze back to Lin Wanti, a barely perceptible glimmer of appreciation flickering in his eyes.

He spoke slowly, “Since the Princess Consort is so interested in pharmacology, she may come to the pharmacy to study whenever she wishes. Physician Zhang, you are to guide Her Highness with all diligence, holding nothing back.”

“Yes, Your Highness,” Physician Zhang replied hastily, bowing his head to the floor.

Lin Wanti felt a surge of joy within her, knowing she had successfully won Murong Yunyi’s support. She bowed deeply and spoke with respect, “Thank you for Your Highness’s kindness.”

Murong Yunyi fixed her with a long look. Lin Wanti met his eyes, thinking to herself, “Murong Yunyi, I will cure your illness, and will also unravel all the secrets that shroud you…”

Turning away, her gaze fell once more upon the snow ginseng, the corners of her lips lifting into a smile laced with meaning.

Physician Zhang climbed to his feet, trembling, and stole a glance at Lin Wanti, his eyes brimming with apprehension. He had no idea what background this new Princess Consort possessed, to be so unfathomable…

A few words, and his head had nearly rolled, not to mention—she truly understood medicine!

“Your Highness Consort,” he ventured cautiously.

He spoke with a trace of tremor, “Your Highness Consort, this old servant had no intention of obstructing you, only that this snow ginseng is exceptionally precious, not for common ailments…”

Lin Wanti’s lips curved in a slight smile, ignoring Physician Zhang’s explanation. Instead, she reached out to gently stroke the snow ginseng, her fingertips tracing the delicate veins on its leaves.

Snow ginseng—such a name did not exist in modern medicine, yet she had read of it in the medical texts stored within her bracelet’s space. It was warm in nature, superb for replenishing vitality, and especially miraculous for damaged meridians and deficiencies of qi and blood.

Murong Yunyi’s body had been frail for a long time—pale-faced, with a weak and floating pulse. Perhaps this snow ginseng could truly be of use.

Yet she still knew too little of Murong Yunyi’s condition to risk prescribing it rashly. Besides, the Prince’s residence was rife with hidden dangers; she must tread carefully, planning each step with caution.

Seeing Lin Wanti pay him no heed, Physician Zhang grew even more uneasy. He lifted his eyes to observe her expression, secretly trying to fathom the mind of this new Princess Consort.

He had assumed this illegitimate daughter from the Minister’s household was nothing more than a pretty ornament, never imagining she would possess such knowledge of pharmacology.

The pharmacy fell into a tense silence, broken only by the faint sound of Lin Wanti’s gentle caress over the medicinal herbs. Physician Zhang dared not breathe too loudly, beads of sweat gathering ever more densely on his brow.

Lin Wanti shot Physician Zhang a cold glance, her tone edged with mockery. “Physician Zhang, you style yourself as highly skilled, yet after all these years, you have never cured His Highness’s illness. Is it because you do not wish to, and thus have not given your all?”

Physician Zhang was rendered speechless, his face flushing red with anger and humiliation. He glared fiercely at Lin Wanti, cursing her inwardly: What a sharp-tongued woman!

Murong Yunyi watched their endless bickering, a trace of impatience flickering in his eyes. With a wave of his hand, he signaled for silence.

“That will do. No more arguing.” His voice carried an unmistakable authority that neither dared challenge.

He turned to Lin Wanti, as if recalling something suddenly. “Princess Consort, you have not yet taken my pulse today.”

He extended his hand of his own accord.

Delighted, Lin Wanti stepped forward to his side. She placed her slender, cool hand lightly upon his wrist.

Her fingertips, icy to the touch, met the warmth of Murong Yunyi’s skin, causing him to shiver involuntarily. He lowered his gaze to her, a complex emotion flickering in his eyes.

Lin Wanti’s brows knit slightly. She felt his pulse was chaotic and feeble—clearly, his illness had reached a critical stage.

She withdrew her hand, pondering for a moment before speaking. “Your Highness’s illness…”

“Your Highness’s illness is not of a day’s making.”

Lin Wanti took a deep breath, about to continue, when she was interrupted by Physician Zhang.

“Your Highness Consort, you are not a physician. It would be best not to make hasty judgments. I have treated His Highness for many years—would I not know his condition?”

Lin Wanti shot him a frosty glance. “Physician Zhang, if you have treated His Highness for so long, why has his illness not improved? Could it be your skills are lacking, unable to prescribe effectively?”

Physician Zhang’s face darkened as he prepared to retort, but Murong Yunyi raised his hand, silencing him.

After a moment’s thought, Murong Yunyi said, “Princess Consort, speak your mind. I wish to hear a different perspective.”

He looked at Physician Zhang, his tone calm yet leaving no room for argument. “Physician Zhang, let the Princess Consort try. After all, the Imperial Physicians have treated me for years, yet to no avail.”

Though unwilling, Physician Zhang could only bow and reply, “Yes, Your Highness.” He cast Lin Wanti a venomous look, cursing silently: This woman is nothing short of a seductress! She hasn’t been in the Prince’s residence for long, yet already she’s so close to Murong Yunyi.

All the capital knew that Murong Yunyi despised women. Even the favored Concubine Su had never been allowed within a yard of him. Yet this Lin Wanti had already touched his hand—and he had offered it himself!

Having gained Murong Yunyi’s permission, Lin Wanti paid no further attention to Physician Zhang’s sarcasm. She walked straight to the rare medicinal herb—snow ginseng.

Physician Zhang sneered from the side, “Your Highness Consort, you examine it so closely—do you know how to use it? Snow ginseng is not an ordinary herb; a mistake could be fatal.”

Lin Wanti ignored his provocation, focusing intently on the snow ginseng. She reached out and lightly touched its petals.

“Your Highness Consort, that is a precious herb—be careful you don’t damage it!” Physician Zhang remarked with a sarcastic lilt.

Retracting her hand, Lin Wanti turned to Physician Zhang, her eyes cold. “Physician Zhang, rather than making a nuisance of yourself, perhaps you should consider how best to treat His Highness.”

Physician Zhang was cowed by her manner, momentarily speechless, and could only close his mouth in frustration.

Lin Wanti’s gaze returned to the snow ginseng in her palm, her mind recalling descriptions from both modern and ancient medical texts. Weighing Murong Yunyi’s pulse and symptoms, a bold idea gradually took shape within her.

“Your Highness,” she began, turning to Murong Yunyi, “I believe the snow ginseng is not unusable, but…”

She paused, her gaze steady. “It must be combined with other herbs to achieve its greatest effect.”

Murong Yunyi listened attentively, waiting to hear what insights she might offer.

Lin Wanti continued, “Your Highness’s body is blocked by accumulated cold, the meridians obstructed. Snow ginseng, being warm in nature, can nourish the meridians and dispel cold. However, its medicinal power is potent; if taken directly, I fear…”

She suddenly paused, her eyes shifting to the teacup in Murong Yunyi’s hand. “Your Highness, this tea…”

Her gaze was probing. “Your Highness, is this tea perhaps brewed with a cold-natured herb?”

Murong Yunyi started slightly, then handed her the cup. “You have a keen eye, Princess Consort. Indeed, it is brewed with icegrass, used to relieve internal heat.”