Chapter 36 : No Way

While waiting for news from Huo Zhen, Song Ying didn’t remain idle.

She went to Hejun Mountain outside the city to pray. The prayer was mainly for herself, hoping for fewer troubles in the future.

That was one reason. The other was to find Master Yu.

He was a wandering doctor with an eccentric personality, but a kind heart. He had taught Song Ying a lot about medicinal preparation, but he never accepted her as a formal apprentice and strictly forbade her from selling any medicine she made. If she did, he said she would have to pay the price.

Song Ying had learned from him back then to protect herself and also for the sake of those she cared about.

Recently, she heard that Master Yu was temporarily staying there, so she came to consult him about alternative medicinal ingredients.

Under the guidance of a young Taoist priest, Song Ying and Faer arrived at the bamboo forest behind the mountain.

“Ladies, Master Yu lives here,” the young Taoist said, leading them to the entrance of a bamboo courtyard and then stopping.

“Thank you very much.”

Faer stood behind the bamboo gate, tiptoeing. “Miss, it looks like no one’s inside.”

Song Ying gently pushed on the courtyard gate, but it was locked, so she assumed the occupant had already gone out.

“We’ll wait here.”

“Yes, Miss.”

Time passed slowly. Faer yawned out of boredom, then spotted a butterfly fluttering by and instantly wanted to catch it.

Song Ying, sitting on a stone stool, warned, “Don’t let the butterfly fall before you catch it.”

Faer chased it playfully. “No, I’m just playing.”

The butterfly seemed to be teasing her too. One person and one butterfly ran around each other.

After a while, Faer ran back and said, “Master Yu is back, but…”

Before she could finish, a voice called out Song Ying’s name.

“Song Ying?”

Song Ying stood up. Her gaze met the man beside Master Yu. She bowed and said, “Greetings, Your Highness.”

Master Yu was unaware of the relationship between Song Ying and Yue Shaozhi. He had no interest in anyone’s background and simply said, “Since you already know each other, come in together.”

Song Ying hadn’t expected Yue Shaozhi to be here. She hadn’t intended to let him know her purpose for visiting.

But Master Yu spoke first. “Why are you still standing there? I’m leaving today. If you wait any longer, you won’t get another chance.”

No one knew when they’d next see Master Yu, so Song Ying had no choice but to follow.

There was only one table in the room. Song Ying sat on the right, Yue Shaozhi on the left, and Master Yu in the middle.

He poured tea for them and first asked Yue Shaozhi, “What brings the prince here?”

Yue Shaozhi replied, “I’ve come to ask you for a prescription to stabilize a pregnancy.”

Song Ruoer had a difficult pregnancy. Upon hearing that the traveling doctor Master Yu was temporarily staying nearby, Yue Shaozhi came personally to seek a prescription.

This kind of prescription could be written by any regular doctor, but those who sought out Master Yu were usually dealing with something more complicated.

“What’s wrong? The prescriptions from the imperial physicians aren’t working?”

Yue Shaozhi replied, “My wife is weak. The prescription is rather particular, but some of the ingredients are now rare. I don’t want to waste time, so I came to ask if you could suggest a substitute prescription.”

Song Ying sat silently, thinking to herself that Yue Shaozhi had also come to ask about alternative ingredients.

Master Yu nodded. “I’ve heard about those herbs. But I’ll have to see the princess first before I can say anything.”

Yue Shaozhi: “Thank you very much.”

Master Yu turned to Song Ying. “And you? What did you come for? You’ve grown up now. You used to only be this tall.”

Song Ying ignored Yue Shaozhi’s curious gaze and said with a light smile, “Since His Highness’s matter is urgent, sir, please help him first. I’ll wait here. Mine isn’t too pressing.”

Master Yu wasn’t someone who overthought things, so he nodded and said, “Alright, you wait here. I’ll be back soon.”

Once they had left, Song Ying felt much more at ease.

Faer said, “Miss, the prince must now know that you’re connected to Master Yu. Do you think he’ll…”

Song Ying: “So what if he knows? We’re already divorced.”

Faer nodded quickly. “Yes, we’ve already divorced.”

—

Meanwhile, inside the carriage—

After Yue Shaozhi finished describing Song Ruoer’s symptoms over the past few days, he casually asked, “When did you and Song Ying meet?”

Master Yu answered truthfully, “Didn’t Song Ying tell the prince? I don’t remember exactly when. I haven’t seen her in four or five years. I didn’t expect she’d grown so much and become so quiet. Back then, she was like a little sparrow constantly chirping and asking questions that annoyed me.”

“But that’s not a bad thing either. I wonder if she’s married? I met many good families while traveling. I’ll ask her later.”

Yue Shaozhi: “She got married.”

Master Yu nodded. “I see. That’s fine. She’s talented, studious, and learns quickly. Whoever marries her won’t have to worry about getting sick or injured.”

Yue Shaozhi: “How do her medical skills compare to yours, sir?”

Master Yu: “I don’t really know. If she’s willing to learn from me, I’ll teach her. After that, it depends on her own effort.”

Yue Shaozhi: “So she’s your apprentice?”

Master Yu smiled. “Your Highness should know, I never take disciples.”

Yue Shaozhi: “Forgive me for asking.”

—

When they arrived at the palace, Master Yu examined Song Ruoer and immediately wrote a new prescription to help preserve the pregnancy. He told Yue Shaozhi.”This prescription is only good for one month. After that, it must be adjusted based on the princess’s condition.”

“If you trust Song Ying, you can have her assist with the follow-up. If you don’t, then consult the imperial physicians.”

Yue Shaozhi: “Where will you be in a month, sir?”

Master Yu: (waving his hand) “I don’t know. I don’t plan to go far. Either you bring the princess to me, or just find someone else.”

That’s just how Master Yu was.

Yue Shaozhi hesitated: “Is Song Ying… capable of handling it?”

Master Yu: “The fact that she still comes to see me means she hasn’t slacked off on her pharmacology. Pregnancy maintenance is an easy task for her.”

Yue Shaozhi: “Understood.”

After receiving his reward, Master Yu was escorted back by Yu Liang.

—

It was still early, and Song Ying, bored from waiting, had dozed off.

When she heard the sound of hoofbeats, Faer called out, “Miss, the master is back!”

Song Ying stood up to greet them and saw that Yu Liang had come as well.

Faer: “Master is finally back. My lady and I have dreamed about you several times!”

Master Yu was in a good mood and laughed at Faer’s silly remarks.

Then he noticed Yu Liang wasn’t leaving and asked, “Why are you still here?”

Yu Liang glanced at Song Ying and said, “The prince ordered me to wait here and escort the young lady back.”

Master Yu:”You two seem to have a close relationship.”

Song Ying: …

After asking Master Yu for the medicinal solution she needed, Song Ying prepared to leave.

Seeing Yu Liang still waiting, she said, “No need to trouble yourself. I’ll go back on my own.”

Yu Liang: “The prince said, no matter what.”

Master Yu had just recommended Song Ying to Song Ruoer and even prescribed a pregnancy-preserving medicine.

Song Ying gave a cold, fake smile and told Yu Liang. “Go back and tell Yue Shaozhi, no way.”