Bai Li’s Dream – Chapter 86

Chapter 86: Insights

The scent of medicinal herbs permeated Madam Xue’s room. Maids and servants bustled in and out, but the earlier panic and chaos had subsided.

“I’m fine now. You should go back,” Madam Xue said, leaning against the bed and looking at Madam of Dongyang who was standing before her. “You have a big family to take care of.”

Madam of Dongyang took the medicine bowl from a servant and tested its warmth. “The Marquis is at home, keeping Cheng’er and the others in check. Mama Huang and Concubine Yang are managing the household affairs. Even without me, our family won’t starve or fall into disarray.”

She offered the spoon to Madam Xue.

“But I only have one sister.”

Madam Xue smiled and took the medicine without another word.

Zhuang Li entered, carrying a bowl of sweet soup. “Aunt, have some of this to get rid of the bitter taste.”

Seeing her, Madam Xue’s smile widened, and her eyes filled with gratitude. “Ah Li, thank you for saving my life.”

Zhuang Li smiled and said, “It was Imperial Physician Wu and Doctor Zhang’s expertise. I only assisted a little.”

Madam of Dongyang looked at her with a complicated expression. She wanted to say something but swallowed it back and stood up. “Sit down.”

How could an elder give up her seat to a junior? Zhuang Li hurriedly declined.

Madam Xue patted the space beside her with a smile. “Come, sit here with Aunt.”

Zhuang Li obeyed and sat down, feeding Madam Xue a few spoonfuls of sweet soup.

“Although you all talked about how dangerous it was, I didn’t know anything,” Madam Xue said. “I was so happy in my dream! I was free to do whatever I wanted!”

As she spoke, she remembered slashing at her mother-in-law with a knife, feeling both ashamed and strangely excited.

Her face flushed, and her eyes sparkled.

“I even dreamt of my mother. She was always with me, watching over me, telling me not to be afraid.”

As she spoke, she looked around, a hint of wistfulness in her eyes.

She couldn’t see her mother after waking up.

“My mother has passed away for so many years, and this is the first time I dreamt of her.”

Madam of Dongyang held her hand. “Life is full of suffering, Sister. Don’t yearn for the perfect world in your dreams and leave me alone.” Tears streamed down her face.

Madam Xue patted her hand with a smile. “Don’t worry, don’t worry. I’m awake now.”

Zhuang Li said, “Zhuang Zhou dreamt of being a butterfly, and the butterfly dreamt of being Zhuang Zhou. For Zhuang Zhou, the butterfly dream was an illusion, but for the butterfly, Zhuang Zhou was the illusion. So the suffering Aunt was a dream, and now that you’re awake, you are the one who has everything you desire.”

Madam Xue was taken aback for a moment, then she laughed and looked at Zhuang Li, nodding seriously. “You’re right. It was all a dream. Now that I’m awake, I will have everything I desire.”

✿✿✿

…….

Imperial Physician Wu walked into the Imperial Medical Academy with a hint of fatigue. Two imperial physicians were standing under the corridor, drinking tea. They greeted him when they saw him.

“Come and have a cup of ginseng tea.”

Imperial Physician Wu walked over, took the tea offered by his disciple, and drank a mouthful, letting out a sigh of relief.

“Are you just back from the Xue Residence?” one imperial physician asked. “What happened to Madam Xue, Elder Branch in the end…”

Earlier, Imperial Physician Wu had brought Madam Xue, Elder Branch’s medical records to the academy, asking everyone if they had any solutions. However, the acupuncture techniques and medicinal prescriptions suggested by the other imperial physicians were similar to his own, and none had been effective.

The illness had struck too suddenly and had been delayed for a night, causing a blockage of Qi and blood. Neither acupuncture nor medicine could help unless Madam Xue, Elder Branch could wake up on her own, giving the treatments a chance to unblock the flow.

But how could they wake her up if medicine was ineffective?

It was a dead end.

Now, three days had passed. She must have died, right?

“So, it’s both good and bad to have a healthy body,” the other imperial physician sighed with emotion. “Madam Xue, Elder Branch hardly ever needed to see a physician, and then she suddenly fell ill and couldn’t recover. Old Madam Xue needs to see an imperial physician every few days for minor ailments, but never for serious illnesses. Now, she’s going to outlive her daughter-in-law.”

Hearing this, Imperial Physician Wu snapped back to reality and hurriedly said, “No, no, Madam Xue, Elder Branch is awake! The treatments were all administered successfully, and her life is no longer in danger.”

The two imperial physicians were astonished. “She’s not dead? She woke up?!”

Their surprise was so great that their voices were a bit loud. Imperial Physician Sun, who was walking in from outside, frowned upon hearing this. As physicians, what were they talking about! Shouldn’t they be surprised if the patient died?

He coughed loudly. “What are you talking about?”

The three imperial physicians looked up and saw Imperial Physician Sun, and then the person behind him—Zhang Ze. They were instantly startled.

✿✿✿

“We were talking about Madam Xue, Elder Branch’s condition,” one imperial physician stammered, glancing at Zhang Ze.

Zhang Ze didn’t look at them. He was talking to his attendant, his face grim.

The other imperial physician couldn’t help but explain their shock. “Madam Xue, Elder Branch woke up.”

As expected, Imperial Physician Sun was also surprised. “She woke up?” He turned to Imperial Physician Wu. “What medicine did you prescribe?”

Imperial Physician Wu shook his head. “Neither Doctor Zhang nor I changed the prescription.”

Imperial Physician Sun was puzzled. “Then how could she wake up?”

He had also seen Madam Xue, Elder Branch’s medical records. Her illness was like a mountain collapsing, impossible to prop up.

Unless there was some miraculous medicine or prescription they had never heard of.

The imperial physicians in the academy did have their own family traditions, secret skills, and techniques, but it wasn’t as if they would hide their talents and then suddenly reveal them for a case like Madam Xue, Elder Branch’s, right?

Imperial Physician Wu was also quite old; there was no need for him to steal the limelight.

Imperial Physician Wu understood Imperial Physician Sun’s thoughts and quickly explained, “It might be because of an additional medicinal primer.”

He and Doctor Zhang, who were present yesterday, were also shocked that Madam Xue, Elder Branch could wake up. They couldn’t believe it until they had observed her for another day and night, confirming that she was truly fine.

Then Doctor Zhang sighed and said, “The Young Madam’s medicinal primer is truly miraculous.”

Although he didn’t think the Young Madam of Dongyang knew medicine, the only change in the medication used for Madam Xue, Elder Branch’s recovery was the incense lit by the Young Madam of Dongyang.

That’s what he called the medicinal primer.

He had to admit that the primer had a miraculous effect.

“The Young Madam of Dongyang?” Imperial Physician Sun said, finding the name somewhat familiar.

“Previously, Madam of Dongyang invited you twice to see the Young Madam,” one imperial physician recalled. “You happened to be unavailable both times.”

Imperial Physician Sun remembered and was even more puzzled. “So she knows medicine?”

And she frequently requested imperial physicians?

“Doctor Zhang Shilin is quite familiar with the Young Madam of Dongyang and said that she does know medicine,” Imperial Physician Wu hurriedly said. “I think she at least possesses some secret medical prescriptions.”

Imperial Physician Sun hummed in acknowledgment. Although he was a bit surprised, it wasn’t that unusual. There were many secret medical techniques among the common people. As long as they were effective, it was fine.

He dismissed the matter and turned to Zhang Ze, inviting him. “Inspector, please come with me. Physician Shen is organizing the Empress’s medical records.”

Zhang Ze nodded and walked forward.

So he was here to see Consort Bai’s medical records. The other imperial physicians breathed a sigh of relief.

Consort Bai’s pregnancy was a major event in the palace. Not only did the Emperor repeatedly give strict instructions, but the Empress was also very concerned and often inquired about her condition. Anyone who could get close to Consort Bai had been investigated by the Censorate.

Accompanying Zhang Ze inside, Imperial Physician Sun explained, “The former Prince Hengyang’s daughter, the lady who married into the Xue family, her daughter-in-law Gao fell ill. It was very dangerous, but unexpectedly, the crisis has been averted.”

Zhang Ze had heard their conversation earlier and roughly understood the situation. However, whether a woman in the inner chambers fell ill, died, or recovered was of no concern to him.

Behind him, he could hear the imperial physicians’ hushed discussions.

“The Young Madam of Dongyang is quite capable.”

“It seems that Marquis Zhou’s Heir didn’t marry her on a whim.”

“Is the Young Madam as beautiful as Marquis Zhou’s Heir?”

These imperial physicians were actually gossipmongers in private, Zhang Ze thought to himself, smiling. Speaking of which, he was also acquainted with the Young Madam of Dongyang. He had attended Marquis Zhou’s Heir’s hasty wedding outside the capital and even received tea served by the new wife.

But the next moment, he stopped in his tracks.

What did the Young Madam of Dongyang look like?

Strange, why couldn’t he remember?