Chapter 10

Nie Long examined the prescription previously written by the Imperial Physician and frowned. It was just a common remedy for colds, which might work for ordinary fevers and headaches. But this child—perhaps because the optimal treatment window had been missed earlier at Prince An’s Residence—had developed pneumonia.  

At this time, the term “pneumonia” didn’t exist. Symptoms like coughing or high fever were used to describe it, but many other illnesses shared similar symptoms, making it easy to confuse.  

The Imperial Physician hesitated, saying, “This child’s high fever hysteria makes me reluctant to prescribe strong medicine. If it backfires, it could worsen the condition.”  

Nie Long understood his concern. A child’s body was delicate, and many potent medicines had to be used with extreme caution. However, avoiding aggressive treatment also meant delaying recovery and exacerbating the illness.  

She inquired further about the child’s symptoms. After careful consideration, the Imperial Physician replied, “Initially, it was just an ordinary cold with coughing. Perhaps because it wasn’t properly treated, it progressed into a fever.”  

“When I took over, the Young Master’s condition had already worsened—alternating chills and fever, a hard and tender epigastrium, yellow tongue coating, red tongue body, wiry and rapid pulse… Yesterday, forced sweating was attempted, but the fever persisted…”  

Nie Long fell into deep thought, recalling what the old physician had once taught her. She confirmed the corresponding symptoms and prescription but hesitated, the brush poised in her hand.  

From the Imperial Physician’s previous treatment and prescription, it was clear he could only stall, helpless to do more. But if this dragged on until the child truly developed pulmonary tuberculosis, even Nie Long would be powerless. The prescriptions she knew could only treat common ailments—pulmonary tuberculosis required antibiotics for any hope of recovery.  

Though not a professional doctor, Nie Long decided to take a gamble. If she succeeded, she could save this little life. If not… Thinking of the child’s tragic fate, her heart ached with pity. No longer hesitating, she wrote:  

“Bupleurum root, eight qian; Scutellaria root, three qian; Fresh ginger, three qian; Rhubarb, two qian; White peony root, three qian; Jujube, four pieces; Pinellia tuber, four qian; Bitter orange, four qian; Gypsum, two and a half qian…”  

After finishing, she double-checked that no ingredient was written incorrectly before handing it over. “What do you think of this prescription? Can it cure the Young Master’s condition?”  

The Imperial Physician studied it carefully, his eyes lighting up—but then he hesitated. “Major Bupleurum Decoction with added gypsum?”  

Nie Long nodded. “These symptoms indicate clear internal heat excess in the Yangming stage. Initially, the illness transmitted to the Shaoyang stage, so ginseng, ginger, and licorice were used to tonify the middle and boost qi—both to prevent pathogens from penetrating deeper and to assist the body in expelling them.”  

“But the Young Master’s condition has dragged on for days, already merging with the Yangming stage. Thus, rhubarb is needed to purge the interior. Tonics like ginseng and the moderating effects of licorice are no longer suitable, so they’re removed. Additionally, due to the evident internal heat, gypsum is added.”  

The more the Imperial Physician listened, the brighter his eyes grew. After careful consideration, he looked at the Empress with newfound admiration. The elderly man’s sparkling gaze fixed on his young wife made Chu Ji’s lips twitch. He waved a hand, dismissing the physician to prepare the medicine.  

Nie Long stayed a while longer. After the child took the medicine, his condition visibly improved—his body calmed, no longer sweating or trembling, and his forehead temperature dropped. She breathed a quiet sigh of relief.  

Leaving Chun Feng in the Secluded Courtyard to care for the child, she returned to the palace with Chu Ji as the sun began to set.  

The next morning, Chun Feng reported that the Young Master had woken up and had a good appetite—he’d already drunk two small bowls of minced meat porridge and eaten two shrimp balls.  

Nie Long nodded, relieved that the crisis had passed.

She thought about what the emperor had said last night.

Under the lamplight, the emperor—handsome as jade, with a face like a crown—leaned casually against the headboard, holding a book in his hand. In no hurry, he turned his head and said, “Baobei, although there’s no custom for the empress to return home after the Imperial Wedding, I’ve noticed that in folk traditions, brides usually visit their parents three days after marriage. Baobei, do you miss home? How about I accompany you back to the Nie residence tomorrow?”

This was the first time Nie Long had heard him call her by her childhood nickname. The way the two syllables—”Baobei”—rolled off the man’s deep voice gave her an indescribable sense of embarrassment, as if he were calling her “baby.”

The young girl turned over, facing her back to him. After a long pause, she mustered the courage to protest, “Don’t call me Baobei.”

“Then what should I call you? Long’er? Baobei, Baobei, Long’er, Long’er…”

Nie Long: “…”

She was utterly mortified. For a moment, she forgot the identity of this shameless man in front of her. Grabbing a pillow, she smacked it against his handsome face, trying to shut him up.

The man laughed heartily, catching the pillow and seizing her small hand before she could pull it back. He brought it to his nose and lips, planting a light kiss before teasing, “Baobei smells so sweet!”

Nie Long: “…”

——

Over the past three days since the wedding, life in the palace had been far more peaceful than Nie Long had imagined.

The worries she had harbored never came to pass. The young, villainous emperor from the book turned out to be unexpectedly good-tempered.

At least, when Nie Long set aside her prejudices and observed him objectively, she found him gentle, patient, and never forcing her to do anything.

What surprised her most was that—whether by coincidence or not—this emperor seemed to understand her exceptionally well. Her preferences, her personality—it was as if he knew everything about her. He always managed to put her at ease just when she felt flustered.

If it wasn’t a coincidence, Nie Long thought, then this emperor’s emotional intelligence was terrifyingly high. Even though she had initially avoided him like the plague, keeping her distance, she had unknowingly begun to lower her guard…

Thinking of this, Nie Long said to Dong Hua, who was in charge of her private treasury, “This afternoon, after His Majesty finishes his political duties, he will accompany me back home. Go and prepare—take three rolls each of Cloud brocade and Plain brocade from my treasury. Also, gather some other items—choose whatever you think is suitable, as long as they don’t bear the palace’s insignia.”

After Dong Hua selected the unmarked items, Nie Long carefully reviewed them again, ensuring she had gifts for everyone in the Nie household.

For Nie Sheng, she chose an authentic masterpiece by a renowned artist from the previous dynasty. For her eldest brother, she picked a rare book. As for the chubby Nie Hu, she selected a tiger figurine with a curved base that wobbled adorably when pushed.

For Madam Nie, she brought six rolls of fabric—Cloud brocade and Plain brocade, both rare tributes in the palace. Ordinary people would treasure even a single roll, but if made into clothes and worn outside, countless noblewomen and young ladies would surely burn with envy.

Though Madam Nie had already borne three children—the eldest now in his twenties—she had married at just fifteen or sixteen and was only in her mid-thirties now. Raised in luxury, blessed with a loving husband and thriving children, she had maintained her beauty exceptionally well, appearing no older than twenty.

No woman could resist beauty, and receiving such exquisite fabric would surely delight her.

Chu Ji had attended court early in the morning. After the session, he summoned several ministers to the Imperial Study to discuss state affairs. Once matters were settled, he called out to Nie Sheng.

“Minister Nie, stay behind. There is still a matter I wish to discuss with you.”

The other court officials cast envious glances at the Duke. Being the Emperor’s father-in-law certainly had its privileges!

Nie Sheng was puzzled but stayed behind as instructed. Once everyone had left, the young Emperor spoke, “This afternoon, I will accompany Bao’er on her return visit. Go home and make the necessary preparations.”

Chu Ji’s words startled his father-in-law. A return visit? Bao’er?

He nearly lost his composure, barely resisting the urge to scrutinize the Emperor’s face for clues.

Though the Emperor was not typically domineering, he was a decisive and diligent ruler—an absolute paragon of enlightened leadership. As the sovereign of the nation, his heart was devoted solely to the realm, leaving no room for sentimental attachments. Nie Sheng knew that while his daughter was the most exalted woman in the empire, she was destined never to receive this emperor’s love.

Yet now, this very emperor spoke of his daughter with tenderness—not only calling her by her childhood name but also offering to accompany her on her return visit???

Nie Sheng himself had not called his daughter by that pet name since her coming-of-age ceremony. Hearing it now from another man—and that man the ruler of the realm—left him feeling deeply unsettled.

He had assumed the Emperor’s personal escort on his daughter’s wedding day was merely a whim. But now, just three days into the marriage, the Emperor was voluntarily proposing to accompany Bao’er home…

Regardless, the fact that the Emperor held a place in his heart for his daughter brought Nie Sheng some comfort. After the initial shock, he knelt and said gratefully, “This old subject thanks Your Majesty on behalf of the Empress. I shall return at once to inform my wife to prepare.”

A faint smile tugged at Chu Ji’s lips, his expression carrying a hint of pride. “There’s no need for formalities, Minister Nie. In private, we are simply father-in-law and son-in-law. Since you are Bao’er’s father, you are also mine.”

Nie Sheng left the palace on trembling legs. He dared not presume to be the Emperor’s father—such a thought alone was enough to shorten one’s lifespan!

Author’s Note:

[Note: The medical treatment described in this chapter is purely fictional, cobbled together from online research and plot needs. Do not take it seriously, and certainly do not use the prescriptions mentioned!]