“Lihua, is the spear Sister Yun gave me really that special?”
“Definitely much better than your last one.”
“That’s obvious. I mean, what makes it different…”
Lihua thought for a moment. “Well, it’s pretty ordinary. ‘Ruyi’ can mean something used by an Immortal. But honestly, that Immortal probably wasn’t very powerful either.”
“An Immortal’s weapon?” Ruyi blinked in surprise. “How did Sister Yun end up with something like this?”
Lihua said, “Miss Yun likely has no idea about its origins.”
“Is that so…”
Holding the spear, Ruyi suddenly felt it grow heavier in her grasp. She’d have to take good care of it.
She pushed aside her thoughts and gazed into the distance.
A new adventure.
She paused, then suddenly thought: “Hey, what’s this spear even called?”
Ruyi went to ask Caravan Leader Cao.
Caravan Leader Cao replied, “Not sure about that, actually. This spear was a reward from the palace many years ago. The person who handed it over mentioned something briefly, but it wasn’t written down in the record books. So, it just stayed nameless.”
“A reward from the palace?!”
Ruyi gasped. “Th-this…”
“What exactly does Sister Yun’s family do?”
Caravan Leader Cao chuckled lightly. “Just ordinary merchants, miss. Don’t think too hard about it.”
Nobody would believe that.
Merchants? What kind of merchants have ties to the palace?
Hearing this, Ruyi suspected it might have been a reward from the Imperial Majesty himself. How could this be…?
Sister Yun sure kept her secrets hidden well.
Ruyi didn’t dwell on it further. She stared at the silver-glinting spear in her hands, thinking deeply.
“What should I name it…”
Lihua offered no suggestions.
“Shining silver, like a spirit-steed. How about ‘Silver Steed’?”
Caravan Leader Cao smiled. “Silver Steed is a fine name.”
“Really?”
Ruyi beamed. “Then that’s what I’ll call it!”
The young woman, carrying her long spear at her side, walked beside the caravan, her expression bright and eager, as if the road ahead held boundless possibilities.
The tabby cat on her shoulder looked around, its eyes now and then getting distracted by fluttering insects.
The road was long, but with Silver Steed and her cat, she figured it wouldn’t be boring.
………
Shuncheng Year Ten, Late Winter.
Shangjing was blanketed by heavy snow that year. Breath turned to frosty fog the moment it was exhaled.
People on the streets huddled in thick coats.
The snow disaster was particularly severe. The Imperial Court ordered relief efforts and distributed warm coats. Of course, some would be skimmed off before reaching the people, but still, much more grain and coats made it through than in previous years.
Fewer people froze that winter.
“Rumble, rumble…”
The carriage wheels turned, occasionally getting stuck in the snowy streets. The snowfall was truly massive, hindering travel. Slow going, indeed, but eventually, the carriage arrived at its destination – stopping right before the palace gates.
A man draped in a heavy coat stepped down from the carriage. At the palace entrance, several eunuchs waited patiently.
The head eunuch stepped forward. “You must be Physician Wenzhu.”
The man who descended was indeed Physician Wenzhu. He had a gentle, peaceful face radiating an air of refined wisdom – more like a scholar than a physician, though the two weren’t mutually exclusive.
“Greetings, Chief Eunuch.”
“Please follow us, Physician Wenzhu.”
Physician Wenzhu was escorted inside by the eunuchs. After passing through many guarded checkpoints, they finally reached the Imperial Study.
The reigning Son of Heaven sat behind his desk, brush in hand, reviewing memorials. He looked up slowly as the man he expected arrived.
“Your Majesty, this is Physician Wenzhu.”
“Mhm.”
Yan Ruchu spoke softly. “Physician Wenzhu shall remain. Everyone else, withdraw.”
“Understood…”
Everyone in the Imperial Study filed out.
Physician Wenzhu met the monarch’s gaze, then knelt. “This humble commoner pays his respects to His Majesty.”
“Rise, Physician Wenzhu.”
Yan Ruchu said, “I heard long ago that you treated the Founding Emperor of Xiang, using your exceptional skills to extend his life by half a year. Lately, my own health has felt… unsettled. I wished to have you examine my pulse.”
Physician Wenzhu paused. “This commoner can take Your Majesty’s pulse. But should it reveal something unfavorable… I beg Your Majesty not to execute me in anger.”
Yan Ruchu laughed out loud at this. “Set your mind at ease, Physician Wenzhu. I am nothing like that old brute Zhao Zhen.”
He was well aware of the story. Years ago, Physician Wenzhu spoke an unpleasant truth and nearly lost his head to Zhao Zhen’s decree. Only the Crown Prince’s intervention, valuing the physician’s talent, had saved him.
Physician Wenzhu had initially refused to come. But one cannot easily decline the Imperial Majesty’s summons – not after the third request.
“Your Majesty’s words give me much peace.”
“Mhm.” Yan Ruchu nodded. “Then, Physician Wenzhu, take my pulse. Speak plainly. I understand my own condition.”
Physician Wenzhu said, “This commoner has one more impertinent request.”
“Speak.”
“I possess no great talents, only this skill in medicine. For many years, I have wandered far and wide seeking my childhood Master… Yet over a decade, my search has yielded nothing…”
“You wish for me to help find him?”
Yan Ruchu was slightly surprised. Making a request before even beginning the diagnosis?
“Your Majesty need not worry. If Your Majesty declines, I will still devote my full attention to your pulse.”
Yan Ruchu waved a hand. “Later, speak with Chief Eunuch Cao.”
“Gratitude, Your Majesty.”
“Mhm.”
A small breath of relief escaped Physician Wenzhu. He approached Yan Ruchu.
He extended his hand, resting his fingers on the Emperor’s wrist.
Yan Ruchu remained impassive. But Physician Wenzhu’s expression grew increasingly grave.
After a quarter of an hour, he slowly withdrew his hand.
Yan Ruchu asked, “Well?”
“Your Majesty’s dragon vessel…” Physician Wenzhu trailed off, struggling for words.
Yan Ruchu pulled his arm back. “Be direct. How many years do I have?”
Physician Wenzhu hesitated. “Your Majesty… already knew?”
“Mhm.” Yan Ruchu gave a slight nod, not denying it.
A tremor ran through Physician Wenzhu’s arm.
“Your Majesty, this commoner heard nothing.”
Yan Ruchu sighed quietly, waving dismissively. “I knew you were wise enough to understand discretion. That is precisely why I sent for you, rather than my Imperial Physicians.”
Physician Wenzhu inwardly sighed. He truly regretted coming today.
This was another matter risking his neck.
Yan Ruchu prompted again, “First, tell me the diagnosis.”
Gathering himself, Physician Wenzhu replied. “Within Your Majesty’s Dantian resides a coil of cold qi. It is highly unusual. Common methods likely cannot eradicate it. And judging by the pulse… this cold qi has resided there for a long, long time. It has bound itself tightly to you – you prosper together as one, you suffer together as one. Yet… this cold qi continues to grow stronger day by day. If matters continue thus… a crisis may strike within three… perhaps five years…”
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