The Empress Who Divorced Her Husband Was So Arrogant, Mu Qingyao Mu Rong Liu Zun.
The Empress Dowager, seated at the head of the table, startled Yun Xiao. In the months since their last meeting, she seemed to have aged decades. White hairs streaked her temples, and wrinkles marred the corners of her once-charming eyes. Her brows were set in a perpetual frown, her skin slack and sallow, her demeanor weary.
This woman clearly wasn't eating or sleeping well; it was the toll of exhaustion. With so many imperial physicians in the palace, why had she declined so drastically? It appeared to be a sickness of the heart.
Yun Xiao, leading Wanwan, bowed with practiced composure. "Greetings to the Empress Dowager."
"Rise," came the gentle voice from above. She sounded like a benevolent ruler, but Yun Xiao knew all too well the woman's true cruelty. She was becoming increasingly adept at this charade.
"Thank you, Your Ladyship. May I ask why you summoned Leng Yue to the palace?"
A fleeting shadow crossed the Empress Dowager's pupils. With a calm wave of her hand, the eunuchs and palace maids in the hall filed out. Soon, only Yun Xiao, Wanwan, the chief eunuch Lin An, and Aunt Ping, who attended the Empress Dowager, remained.
"Two days ago, the Emperor was attacked. I heard it was you who purged the Emperor's poison. I have long wished to meet you, so I summoned you to the palace. Raise your head and let me see your fair face. I am told that Young Master Leng Yue is not only a master physician but also possesses peerless beauty."
Yun Xiao almost gagged at the flowery words. Wasn't it simply that they wanted her to treat the Emperor? Why go through such a convoluted process? What did her appearance have to do with it?
Still, some pretense was necessary. If the woman enjoyed this performance, she would indulge her, lest she have to perform a solo act, which would be dreadfully boring.
"Leng Yue is honored."
Though she spoke of being honored, her demeanor was neither servile nor arrogant. She straightened, lifting her face, her piercing gaze fixed on the old woman above.
A flash of astonishment, followed by admiration, crossed the Empress Dowager's deep eyes.
Indeed, Young Master Leng Yue possessed an extraordinary presence. Though merely a humble physician, his posture was unyielding, like clouds high in the heavens, or a luminous pearl in the vast ocean, his brilliance momentarily dazzling the entire hall.
"Truly exceptional," the Empress Dowager nodded, then glanced at Aunt Ping. "Bring forth what I have prepared for Young Master Leng Yue."
"Yes, Your Ladyship."
Aunt Ping produced a magnificent brocade box, clearly prepared in advance. She descended the steps and stopped before Yun Xiao and Wanwan, gracefully opening the box.
Inside lay an assortment of exquisite jewelry and jade pieces. They were clearly valuable, likely worth a fortune. Yun Xiao lowered her eyelids and spoke respectfully.
"Thank you for Your Ladyship's generous gift."
If gifts were offered, she wouldn't be foolish enough to refuse them. She wasn't so naive as to reject such a bounty; converting these items to silver could save many lives.
Wanwan seized the opportunity to collect the brocade box. Both stood respectfully in the hall.
A subtle smile flickered across the Empress Dowager's lips. It seemed that regardless of their stature, everyone accepted wealth, even the most proud and aloof. She waved her hand faintly.
Aunt Ping and Lin An carefully retreated. As they passed Wanwan, Aunt Ping whispered,
"Her Ladyship wishes to speak with Young Master Leng."
Wanwan glanced at Yun Xiao. She no longer worried for her mistress. No matter how formidable this old demon was, her mistress was no pushover. Her martial arts were already formidable; harming her would not be easy. Moreover, the Empress Dowager surely wanted to help the young Emperor.
Yun Xiao nodded, and Wanwan followed Aunt Ping and Lin An out.
The hall fell silent. The Empress Dowager, resplendent in her ornate robes, her hair adorned with piled emeralds and pearls, descended from her high seat. Yet, her fine clothes and dazzling jewels could not conceal her aging face; instead, they only made her appear more vulgar.
Yun Xiao remembered that in the past, she wouldn't have dressed in such a manner. Perhaps now, she dared not face her reflection. The beauty that was once as flawless as jade had, under the erosion of time, become merely an ancient, hollow shell.
A mixture of pity and disdain flickered in Yun Xiao's eyes. She pitied the suffering that had transformed a once-radiant beauty into an aged figure, yet she disdained her cruelty, knowing that retribution would surely come.
"Your Ladyship?"
Yun Xiao probed gently. The Empress Dowager had already reached her, studying her quietly for a long moment before finally speaking.
"Leng Yue, I wish to ask you a question?"
"Your Ladyship, please speak."
Yun Xiao, afraid of revealing a telltale sign, quickly lowered her eyelids, feigning timidity. In truth, she feared being too close and giving herself away. The Empress Dowager was experienced in judging people; a single misstep could expose her.
"If a man is… deficient in that regard, is there a cure?"
The Empress Dowager's voice was deep, each word enunciated precisely. Yun Xiao lowered her head, a cold smile playing on her lips, though her voice remained remarkably steady, growing even more frigid.
"Your Ladyship means a man unable to consummate marital relations?"
She spoke directly, her bluntness causing the Empress Dowager's face to flush with embarrassment. After taking several deep breaths, she replied, "Yes, is there a medical treatment for such an issue?"
"Reporting to Your Ladyship, it depends on the cause of the inability to consummate. Regarding male impotence, there are countless reasons in medicine. The cause must be identified before appropriate treatment can be administered."
"Does that mean there is a cure?"
The Empress Dowager's voice rose with agitation, her urgent questioning echoing. Yun Xiao's brow furrowed. This old woman was so desperate to cure her son that she hadn't realized Yun Xiao said the causes were countless.
To treat it, one needed to identify the cause and find the corresponding medicine. Where would she find such a cure? Moreover, the medicine he had been given required no treatment; it was merely a slight punishment at the time.
The reason he was unable to consummate was because he lacked love in his heart. If he loved someone, he would overcome such obstacles, and his virility would return.
Alas, Yun Xiao sighed inwardly, feigning solemnity, though her face remained impassive. Her words were even more devoid of emotion.
"Leng Yue dares not guarantee success. Such matters are subjective; some can be cured, others cannot. May I ask who this person is?"
Yun Xiao deliberately inquired. The Empress Dowager hesitated for a moment, then turned back towards her high seat, calling out, "Lin An, come in."
The chief eunuch Lin An rushed in, bowing in anticipation. The Empress Dowager slowly commanded, "Escort Young Master Leng to Jingfu Palace to see the Emperor."
"Yes, Your Ladyship."
As Lin An turned back, he dared not be as presumptuous as before. Even the Empress Dowager treated the physician with courtesy; how could he afford to be arrogant? One wrong move could lead to disaster.
Though the Empress Dowager favored him, it was because he had made no mistakes. If he erred, she would show no leniency.
Yun Xiao bowed and withdrew, leaving the Changxin Palace with Lin An ahead of her.