To prevent Xiao Man from causing further trouble, the Empress Dowager sent her personal physician to the Chang Le Palace to attend to Xiao Man.
Four maids were also assigned to serve Xiao Man. Because Xiao Man's issue stemmed from food, the Empress Dowager ordered a small separate kitchen to be set up for the Chang Le Palace. Xiao Man's meals would be prepared there, not by the imperial kitchen, thus creating an appearance of great favor and indulgence towards Xiao Man.
Outside Xiao Man's room, Mr. Zhong set up a medicinal station, grinding herbs with a casual and natural demeanor. Ying Xue's gaze never left Mr. Zhong; in the entire Chang Le Palace, he was the only threat.
After preparing the herbs, Mr. Zhong handed them to Ying Xue. "Boil these with three bowls of water until only one remains, and have the princess drink it."
"Yes," Ying Xue replied, her eyes lingering on the medicinal powder Mr. Zhong was grinding.
"The powder is for repelling insects."
A flicker of confusion crossed Ying Xue's face. It was late autumn; there weren't many insects. Was so much insect repellent powder necessary? However, Ying Xue didn't ask. She turned to prepare the medicine. Her lady was always attended by someone, so she wasn't worried about Mr. Zhong causing trouble.
Mr. Zhong watched Ying Xue leave, then picked up a medical book and entered the inner room. He dragged a chair to the bedside and began reading.
Xiang Xue couldn't help but frown. Unrelated men and women should maintain distance. Why was he sitting by her lady's bedside reading?
"Mr. Zhong..."
Mr. Zhong raised his index finger, signaling Xiang Xue to be quiet so as not to disturb Xiao Man's rest. Xiang Xue gritted her teeth but said nothing, her gaze falling upon Xiao Man in bed. As she watched, she felt increasingly drowsy, her eyelids growing heavy as if she couldn't keep them open. Moments later, she collapsed by the bed and fell into a deep sleep.
Xiao Man slept until the hour of Shen (3 PM to 5 PM) before waking, her senses stirred by the aroma of food.
"You're awake," a gentle voice said. "I just made some congee. Get up and eat."
Xiao Man felt a moment of disorientation. She thought she had heard Feng Tian Lan's voice. Turning her head, she saw it was Mr. Zhong speaking. Her gaze then fell on Xiang Xue, who was asleep by the bed. Mr. Zhong smiled. "I put calming incense in the censer. You girls were so tense. Now that you've relaxed, you probably need a nap."
Mr. Zhong helped Xiao Man sit up, brought her a pillow to lean against comfortably, then picked up the bowl of congee from the small table. He stirred it carefully for a moment before blowing it cool and bringing it to Xiao Man's lips.
Xiao Man eyed Mr. Zhong suspiciously, not opening her mouth. Mr. Zhong wasn't in a hurry. "Since I promised the Empress Dowager I would help you recover, I will do my best. This bowl of congee contains many herbs beneficial to your health. Eat it while it's hot; the medicinal effect is best then."
"Thank you, sir. I'll take it myself," Xiao Man said, taking the bowl. She took a spoonful. Indeed, it contained many warming and nourishing herbs, all beneficial to her health. "Where are you from, sir?"
"I am from Qiongzhou," Mr. Zhong replied, answering every question. "I am thirty-six years old and alone."
A hint of amusement flashed in Xiao Man's eyes. "Are you married, sir?"
"No, but I am engaged."
Xiao Man was somewhat surprised. "If you are engaged, why haven't you married?"
"My fiancée is still young." Mr. Zhong's voice was gentle, like a breeze caressing the heart, making one feel comfortable.
"A child bride?"
Mr. Zhong thought for a moment. "You could say she is a child bride."
"Then you have quite a wait, sir."
"It shouldn't be too long now," Mr. Zhong said softly, looking at Xiao Man.
Xiao Man finished the congee. Mr. Zhong took the empty bowl, offered her a cup of tea to rinse her mouth, and then handed her a cloth. His demeanor was natural and unhurried. Even when performing tasks for a servant, he did so in a way that felt entirely appropriate.
"The sun hasn't set yet. Would you like to go for a walk?" Mr. Zhong inquired. "Lying in bed all the time isn't conducive to recovery."
"Xiang Xue!" Xiao Man sent a gust of internal energy, striking Xiang Xue.
Xiang Xue suddenly woke up, realizing Xiao Man was awake. Mr. Zhong was sitting by the bed. Filled with alarm, she immediately got up. "Miss."
"Help me go for a walk."
"Yes, Miss."
Xiang Xue was bewildered. How had she fallen asleep? She hadn't even noticed her lady waking up.
Mr. Zhong followed behind, maintaining a comfortable distance – not so close as to make Xiao Man uneasy, nor so far as to be unable to respond in an emergency.
The osmanthus flowers in the palace had already withered, but the chrysanthemums were in full bloom. Xiao Man sat in a pavilion, gazing at the chrysanthemums swaying in the breeze, her expression gentle.
Melancholy zither music drifted, carrying the sorrow of autumn, lingering and spreading far. Xiao Man turned her head. Mr. Zhong sat in the courtyard playing the zither, his expression neither happy nor sad, serene and at ease.
Xiao Man's gaze fell upon Mr. Zhong. For some reason, this man gave her a sense of familiarity, yet she couldn't pinpoint where it came from. It felt as though she should know him, but searching her memory yielded no clues.
"This Mr. Zhong is strange," Xiang Xue murmured.
"Oh?" Xiao Man asked softly. "In what way is he strange?"
"When you were resting, he sat by your bed reading. As the Empress Dowager's personal physician, he lives in Chang Le Palace and even cooks for you. Isn't that strange?"
"To be the Empress Dowager's personal physician, his skills must be considerable. Go and investigate his background. For some reason, I feel a sense of familiarity with him."
"Miss, do you know him?"
"That's the peculiar part. I don't recognize this face, yet the person gives me a familiar feeling." Xiao Man's gaze fell on Mr. Zhong. Where could she have seen him before?
Nangong Yu passed by the Chang Le Palace, frowning at the zither music emanating from within. He had intended to sneak into Chang Le Palace to see Xiao Man but was blocked. There was a hidden master in Chang Le Palace. Whose side was this person on? The Empress Dowager's or the Emperor's?
"Your Highness, could it be Princess Yongning playing the zither?" Si Chen asked, seeing Nangong Yu distracted.
Nangong Yu shook his head. "She wouldn't play such a sentimental tune. Her zither music is always clean and decisive, full of killing intent. How could she play such a sorrowful, lingering melody?"
Upon hearing the words "sentimental melody," Si Chen distinctly felt his master gnash his teeth. He grew curious. Who was playing the zither? "Your Highness, shall we go take a look?"
Nangong Yu glanced at the guards at the entrance of Chang Le Palace, then snorted. Moments later, the proud Prince Qin scaled the high palace wall, all for the sake of peeking at the zither player.
Xiao Man was listening to the music when Xiang Xue suddenly tugged at her sleeve. Following Xiang Xue's gaze, she saw Prince Qin's head peering over the palace wall. Xiao Man's lips twitched, and she turned her head away, pretending not to notice.