maidservant

Chapter 113 Farewell
In the cold winter of December, the cold wind was like a knife, cutting every corner of the Imperial Hospital.

A thick layer of snow covered the glazed tiles, and icicles dangled from the eaves, gleaming coldly in the dim sky. In the courtyard, a few withered trees shivered in the cold wind, their branches trembling, only a few withered and yellowed leaves remaining, still stubbornly defying the winter's harshness.

"You're leaving?" Situ Zhen paused with his brush, ink splattering onto the open medical book. His face was filled with shock, and he forgot to put down the brush, his eyes widening.

"Your progress in gynecology and inflammation is truly remarkable. I can see your diligent study every day. However, you still have some way to go before you reach the pinnacle of mastery. In my opinion, you should devote yourself to further study for a while longer. This way, you will surely reach even greater heights."

Situ Zhen spoke with deep sincerity.

"Master, I have a compelling reason to leave."

Yunshan respectfully called "Master", which surprised Situ Zhen. He was slightly stunned and looked Yunshan up and down.

After a brief moment of reflection, he instantly guessed, with his years of experience in the martial arts world, that what Yunshan was talking about must be extremely urgent. He sighed inwardly, knowing that everyone has their own difficulties, some of which are unbearable to share with outsiders, so he stopped trying to dissuade her.

"Wait a moment then." Situ Zhen rolled up his sleeves, revealing his fair arms. Even in this cold winter, a thin layer of sweat covered them. It seemed that he had been very busy these past two days while Yunshan was away.

He skillfully picked up the brush, dipped it in thick ink, and wrote down the names of a whole page of medical books in a casual manner.

The handwriting is vigorous and powerful, and the pen strokes move like dragons and snakes.

"The others are not difficult to purchase. These medical books can be found in any bookstore. However, this first copy is only kept in the palace library and is difficult for ordinary people to access."

As he spoke, he lightly tapped the tip of his pen on the name of the first medical book. A drop of ink fell quietly, quickly smudged the name, and with his handsome handwriting, it looked like a stained ink painting.

At this moment, a cold wind blew, causing the window frames to creak and the papers on the desk to shake.

"Hmm?" Yunshan reminded him to continue.

"That's all right. I'll copy a copy for you tonight."

Upon hearing this, Yunshan quickly raised her hand to stop him, her expression filled with gratitude and apology.
"I'll go to the library today and borrow some books. I don't want to trouble Master. Master, you've taught me so carefully and I've benefited so much. I'll just copy them myself tonight."

"You? Borrowing?" Situ Zhen shook his head slightly, a wry smile on his face.
"I'm afraid it's as difficult as climbing to the sky. I applied for it for several months and submitted countless official documents before I finally got a chance to borrow it. The library has strict rules and regulations. It's not easy to borrow such a rare and excellent edition."

"Master, are you sure you can borrow it today?" Yunshan asked doubtfully.

"It's only over forty pages, and I had already memorized it last time." Situ Zhen looked calm, as if he was talking about something very ordinary.

Yunshan has always known that he is diligent and studious, and has read medical books at a young age, but she never expected that Situ Zhen has such a photographic memory. She couldn't help but marvel in her heart that this man's intelligence is simply extraordinary.

Looking out the window, the dead trees are still standing proudly, witnessing the countless changes in the palace, while people are like passers-by, coming and going in a hurry.

There are many intelligent people in this world, and there must be many talented people outside the palace, Yunshan thought to herself, things change and time passes quickly, I wonder what the scene outside the palace is like.

Yunshan knew that Situ Zhen valued money extremely highly. Although she didn't know what he saved his monthly stipend for, he was always very frugal and unwilling to spend even a penny more. He was well-known for his frugality in the Imperial Hospital, and he would think long and hard before buying a new piece of clothing.

Then, she took out a gold ingot from her sleeve, placed it firmly on the page Situ Zhen had just written, and said:
"Master, I have now paid off my tuition for the past few months. Thank you for your generous teaching during this time."

The gold gleamed coldly in the dim light. Situ Zhen hesitated for a moment, a flicker of struggle in his eyes, but he quickly accepted it. Putting on his usual smiling demeanor, he said, "Sir Song is truly wealthy and generous. Thank you for your reward."

Yunshan carefully folded the paper, her movements gentle as if she were holding a rare treasure, and placed it in her crossbody pocket. She then quickly packed her medicine box, placing all the medicines neatly.

Finally, she looked around at the doctors at the Imperial Hospital, and the familiar faces surfaced in her mind one by one. She bowed respectfully, her waist bent low, with a calm and beautiful smile on her face. That smile contained gratitude and a hint of separation.

Turning around, she walked away with firm steps. The cold wind blew into her collar, making her shiver. However, the ancient trees in the Imperial Hospital still stood quietly, witnessing the farewell between master and disciple.

"What's wrong with her?" A young doctor asked Situ Zhen with confusion in his eyes.

"She has already completed her studies. There is no point in staying any longer. I am finally free. I will report to the Dean tomorrow."

Situ Zhen's tone was relaxed and natural. Except for the deputy director of the Academy of Arts, no one else thought much of it and just regarded it as an ordinary graduation.

Yunshan first sent the medicine box back to Liuhua Palace. She walked hurriedly. The cold wind blew on the way and made her cheeks hurt.

The palace walls on the roadside were covered with snow, looking even colder and more solemn, as if reminding her of the coldness of the palace that could not be warmed by the years.

"Yunshan, look at the weather. It's going to rain or snow soon. If you have anything to do, it's better to do it later." Yunjin saw that she was in a hurry and hurriedly reminded her, her tone full of concern.

Yunshan did not stop and replied, "No, it's urgent." After that, she was about to step out of Liuhua Palace.

"Hey--" Yun Jin hurriedly called her, "Take it." As he said that, he threw an oil umbrella to her.

Yunshan reached out to take it and forced a stiff smile.

"Something's wrong," Yun Jin whispered to Aunt Zhuang, her eyes full of worry. She stared at Yun Shan's departing back for a long time without taking her eyes off her.

At the pharmacy, Li Meng was away today, and Fan Yao was sorting through the booklets. Fan Yao was extremely meticulous, carefully weighing the Baire Pills sent in for random inspection each day, unable to tolerate even the slightest mistake.

"Lord Song." Seeing Yunshan come in, Fan Yao immediately bowed respectfully with a humble attitude and words full of respect.

To the outside world, Yunshan has already acknowledged that Fan Yao is her disciple and often teaches her.

Seeing her checking the Baire Pills, Yunshan offered some pointers, "Use a hairpin to prick a few pills, place them in hot rice wine, and smell them carefully. This is very helpful in testing the properties of the pills. This method is based on my years of experience, so give it a try."

Like Yunshan, Fan Yao possessed an extremely keen sense of smell, a gifted talent. This method might be difficult for others to learn, but after Fan Yao tried it out, she grasped it instantly, a look of sudden enlightenment dawning on her face.

"Your Excellency, are you here at this hour to check today's dosage?" "No, I will no longer be responsible for this matter. During your time with me, you have become very familiar with the preparation, efficacy, and testing of the Baire Pills. Tomorrow, I will recommend you to Fengyu Lord to take over my inspection."

Yunshan had never shown favoritism to Fan Yao. She simply felt that she was leaving soon and had to help her. Otherwise, she would be burdened with the reputation of being her lackey, and would be bullied and laughed at in the future. This was absolutely not what Yunshan wanted.

Besides, human hearts are unpredictable. Yunshan has experienced many twists and turns and will not easily trust someone she has only known for a year.

A person with a delicate mind like Fan Yao is considered one of our own to outsiders. If you don't give her some benefits before she leaves, and she becomes mentally unbalanced in the future and is used by others against you, the damage caused will be much greater than that of an ordinary person.

"Sir, do you have any new tasks to take on?" Fan Yao guessed, thinking that Yunshan was too busy to handle everything.

Yunshan looked at her, smiled, and said, "I do have a new job, but I can't tell you."

In the past, female officials from the Imperial Pharmacy would leave the palace to reside permanently in temporary palaces or the royal residences, serving as pharmacists for three to five years. Since they were leaving, they had to do so in a formal manner, leaving no stain behind. Rumors were terrifying, and not saying anything would actually help to minimize speculation.

Fan Yao helped Yunshan pack some things and sent them back to Liuhua Palace for her.

Yunshan carefully sorted out her personal belongings in the room, her movements slow and meticulous. Each item carried memories of her time in the palace.

Just then, Lin Yu walked in gracefully.

"Yunshan." Lin Yu sat down comfortably on the couch, then raised his hand gently, signaling Yun Jin to close the door. His voice was soft but with a hint of inquiry, "Tell me, what happened?"

Yunshan had solemnly promised Lin Yu that she would not conceal anything in the palace. So, she walked solemnly to Lin Yu and slowly knelt on her knees.

"What are you doing? Get up quickly." Seeing this, Lin Yu quickly raised his hand to signal her to get up.

"My Lady, I've been targeted. I'm afraid they won't give up until they force me into a desperate situation and put me to death."

Yunshan spoke frankly without reservation,
"Noble Concubine Cui hinted at something in her words a few days ago. Your Majesty may have harbored suspicions about Concubine Bianliang and may even be investigating Concubine Gao's miscarriage as well."

"What?" Lin Yu frowned upon hearing this, his eyes filled with disbelief. "Your Majesty, you actually doubt me?"

Her voice trembled slightly. As the man beside her, she should not have suffered such suspicion. However, her husband was the king of a country and held a high position. He was destined to move forward alone in this world full of suspicion and intrigue, and be a lonely person.

Yunshan consoled her, "Your Majesty, His Majesty is very thoughtful and considerate, and he certainly wouldn't wrongly accuse you. It's just that the world is treacherous; it's easy to dodge an open spear, but hard to guard against an arrow from the dark."

"If Yang, Zhong, or some other enemy lurking in the shadows set a trap for me, I might be able to prevent it once or twice, but if I'm careless and fall into their trap, I'm afraid I won't be able to explain the consequences even if I have a hundred mouths to speak."

Yunshan looked solemn and poured out all the worries deep in her heart.

"So, you're planning on leaving?"

Lin Yu asked, his eyes full of heartache and reluctance,

"You were once a commoner, rising from humble slavery through countless hardships to reach your current position as a sixth-rank court lady. It's truly not easy. You've worked diligently and diligently over the years, never slacking off for even a moment. Are you really going to give up like this?"

"Your Majesty, thanks to Your Majesty's grace, General Lin and I are destined to be together, and we will one day be happily married. Since Yang and Zhong already regard me as a thorn in their side, they will surely make a big fuss about this matter and fan the flames. If I continue to stay in the palace, rumors will surely flood me like a raging tide, and may even implicate you. I am afraid that someone will slander Your Majesty for secretly cultivating power within the palace and colluding with the imperial relatives."

"I can't have it all, right? With such a small fate, how can you be considered one of the rare and blessed people in this world?" Yun Shan joked, tilting her head and said to Lin Yu and Yun Jin.

"You're worth it! Why would I be afraid of these rumors?" Lin Yu waved his hand, straightened his back, and looked determined.

"Your Highness, you are certainly upright and have nothing to fear. However, this matter is of grave importance and we cannot take such risks lightly! Back then, the old Marquis was so understanding and righteous that he resolutely resigned his official position, thus preserving the safety of the Lin family."

"Now, I should also follow the old marquis's example, even if it is just to express an attitude to His Majesty, so that everyone knows that Liuhua Palace will never keep private ministers." Yunshan's words were sincere and heartfelt.

Seeing Lin Yu's furrowed brows, Yunshan paused for a moment, and then continued to persuade:

"Your Majesty, I have devoted myself to study in the Pharmacy and the Imperial Hospital over the years and have learned a lot of medical skills and pharmacology, especially in the field of gynecological diseases. I have some experience."

"But these medical skills may not seem particularly outstanding in a palace filled with talented people. And the palaces don't lack an unofficial, unorthodox physician like me."

"However, the situation outside the palace is quite different. Female doctors are already scarce. Although there are some well-known female doctors in the martial arts world, they find it difficult to gain a foothold in a prosperous place like Kyoto. They are restricted in every way. The women in Kyoto need someone who can hold a bowl of medicine for them, and I want to be that person."

"Is this what you really want to do?" Lin Yu stared into Yunshan's eyes.

"Yes, my lady, to realize my own value is what I desire."

The three of them fell into a long silence, and the air was filled with a sense of solemnity and reluctance.

"Finally, Concubine Yang succeeded in this matter?!" Yun Jin was furious. "This Concubine Yang has always been meticulous and has been playing tricks on her repeatedly over the past few years!"

"I believe she originally wanted to try and punish me, and have the Empress taken away. We have dampened her spirit. His Majesty dislikes those who stir up trouble in the palace. This time she came openly. Doesn't His Majesty know that she is the one behind it? I'm afraid she can't pretend to be weak any longer. This time she hurts the enemy eight hundred times and hurts herself a thousand times. Fortunately, I took the initiative to resign, so the Empress was not harmed in the slightest."

After a long time, Lin Yu slowly stood up, stretched out his hand, gently pulled up Yun Shan who was kneeling on the ground, and said softly:
"Okay, I will find a suitable reason and discuss this matter with His Majesty. I will ensure that your resignation is handled properly, leaving no room for any unwarranted gossip or criticism."

There was a loud thunderclap, and suddenly a torrential downpour began outside. The big raindrops hit the window violently, making a crackling sound.

Yunshan slowly walked to the bed and sat down quietly, staring at the sudden rainstorm with a lot of thoughts in her mind, as if this rainstorm could wash away all traces of her years in the palace.

She turned around, walked to the table, picked up a pen and wrote on the paper:

"An eagle cuts off its beak at forty, thus extending its lifespan by thirty years. Humans, too, must have the courage to start over."

After finishing writing, she gently put down her pen, turned around, and slowly fell asleep accompanied by the sound of rain.