With her deceased husband as her dowry, would Your Highness dare to marry her?

In a side hall of the palace, Imperial Physician Xu held the prescription given to him by Pei Jinxuan, looking at it from left to right, sometimes stroking his beard and sometimes sighing, his two white eyebrows furrowed in distress.

"Your Highness, the kingfisher herb does indeed have a calming and tranquilizing effect. However, it is extremely rare, worth a fortune, and very difficult to find. Even in the palace, mimosa flowers are often used as a substitute in medicine."

Judge Xu cupped his hands in greeting and pointed to several other medicinal herbs on the prescription, saying, "These are also rare. Dragon-head grass and seven-star vine are both rare plants that grow deep in the mountains, and they are always in high demand but not available on the market."

"This is what Madam Lin wanted."

Upon hearing these four words, Judge Xu immediately straightened his back, raised his hand to adjust his official hat, and looked determined to succeed until his ambitions were fulfilled.

"Since it is what Lady Lin desires, I will certainly do my best! In my decades of medical practice, I have not encountered such a remarkable talent in a long time! Your Highness, if Lady Lin has the time, would you be willing to exchange techniques of acupuncture and pulse diagnosis with her?"

As he spoke, he rubbed his old hands together, bowed, and smiled solicitously.

Pei Jinxuan picked up his teacup and took a slow sip. "She is currently taking the pulse of His Majesty and the Empress, and she will be going to Consort Chang's palace later. She probably won't be available today."

Judge Xu sighed, his disappointment evident in his expression.

Seeing his appearance, Pei Jinxuan couldn't bear it and said, "I will take her to Cheng'an Hall to get the medicine later. We can spar again then."

"Then it's settled! I'll be waiting for you at Cheng'an Hall."

Judge Xu smiled so broadly that his eyes disappeared. He bowed deeply and his steps were lighter as he retreated than when he came.

Pei Jinxuan's forehead throbbed. This old man had been pestering him for three whole days, not for anything else, but for Lin Ci's medical skills.

Everyone in the Imperial Medical Academy knows that Prince Jing'an has invited a capable person from the common people who was able to pull His Majesty back from the brink of death, and they all want to learn from him.

Lin Ci was already extremely busy, taking pulses for His Majesty, the Empress, and several imperial concubines every day, and also studying the art of bringing the dead back to life. Where would she find the time to teach others?

Even if she were willing to go through the trouble, Pei Jinxuan would refuse, pushing her away or blocking her whenever possible.

He drank half a cup of tea, but Lin Ci still hadn't returned.

Pei Jinxuan placed the teacup on the table and summoned the young eunuch on duty: "How is His Majesty's health today? Physician Lin has been gone for so long, why haven't we seen him yet?"

The young eunuch bowed and replied, "Your Highness, His Majesty is in good health. He is currently strolling in the Imperial Garden with Physician Lin."

Strolling through the Imperial Garden?

Pei Jinxuan's face darkened. He drank the remaining half cup of tea in one gulp, then got up and went to the Imperial Garden.

After several days of snow, the sun finally came out.

The snow in the Imperial Garden was just beginning to melt, and fine, glistening water droplets dripped onto the glazed tiles, falling onto the white jade steps with a soft, rhythmic sound.

The old plum trees on both sides of the winding path, which had been weighed down by snow for many days, now shook off their white coats, revealing tiny flower buds on their gnarled branches. A few branches had already opened impatiently, releasing a faint fragrance that was almost imperceptible.

Emperor Yan and Lin Ci were walking side by side on the winding, exquisite bridge. The weather was pleasant, and Emperor Yan's spirits were much better.

He smiled and said, "My wife's medical skills are truly extraordinary. This morning, as soon as I got out of bed, I felt that my breathing was smoother than usual."

Lin Ci lowered his eyes, his attitude respectful. "Your Majesty is the Son of Heaven, and is naturally blessed by Heaven. The ancients said that it is advisable to conserve energy in winter. If Your Majesty could sleep an hour earlier, it would greatly benefit your health."

The Emperor of Yan shook his head and smiled wryly, "A whole bunch of memorials are waiting to be approved."

As he spoke, he stopped and took a pinch of fish food from the eunuch's hand, gently scattering it into the pond. Fish rushed over in droves, their crimson, inky black, silver, and golden scales creating a dazzling display of color in the clear water.

Even the fish in the palace were more luxurious than elsewhere. Lin Ci watched quietly, a hint of joy in her eyes.

When the Emperor of Yan saw this, he handed the fish food in his hand to Lin Ci, saying, "Here, you can feed them too."

Lin Ci was flattered and was about to reach out to receive it when Eunuch Gao hurriedly stepped onto the bridge and bowed, saying, "Your Majesty, Prince Jing'an requests an audience."

After saying that, he turned to the side and pointed.

Pei Jinxuan stood at the other end of the Linglong Bridge, his long arms and slender waist giving him a tall and upright figure. He wore a low-key and unassuming black brocade robe. When he saw the Emperor of Yan looking over, he gave a respectful bow from afar.

The Yan Emperor glanced at him, feeling both amused and exasperated.

"My younger brother..." he beckoned, "Come here."

Pei Jinxuan strode forward and bowed again before the Emperor of Yan: "Greetings, Your Majesty." As he straightened up, his gaze swept over Lin Ci with remarkable ease.

Lin Ci was still wearing men's clothing today, with a section of her snow-white neck exposed under her black gauze hat. Compared with the palace concubines surrounded by flowers in the pavilion, she looked exceptionally beautiful and otherworldly.

Emperor Yan handed some fish food to Pei Jinxuan and teased, "You really can't be separated from someone for even half a day. I just borrowed Physician Lin to feed a few fish, and you came right after me."

Pei Jinxuan accepted the fish food with both hands, his peach blossom eyes curving into a smile as he said, "Your Majesty, I am worried about your health. Although the weather has cleared up, the chill has not yet dissipated. I was afraid that Lin Ci would not be able to serve you properly, so it is best if I come in person."

Lin Ci blinked, her clear, cold eyes staring straight at him, clearly asking: Where was I lacking in consideration?

Emperor Yan knew Pei Jinxuan was hiding his thoughts, so he didn't say anything more. He turned to Lin Ci and smiled slightly, "Thank you for your hard work today. It's getting late, you should go back and rest with Prince Jing'an."

"Thank you, Your Majesty." Lin Ci bowed.

Pei Jinxuan also bowed and took his leave, turning aside to let Lin Ci go first.

His gaze inadvertently swept behind him and happened to fall on the pavilion in the middle of the lake.

Consort Chang sat in the pavilion, dressed in a crescent-shaped white palace gown, playing the zither for Mei.

Their eyes met unintentionally.

Pei Jinxuan quickly lowered his eyes to avoid suspicion, and Consort Chang also shifted her gaze to the plum blossoms, her fingertips plucking the strings of the zither with perfect precision.

After the two figures had gone far away, she couldn't help but take one last look.

As they left the Imperial Garden, Pei Jinxuan walked beside Lin Ci and said in a light tone, "His Majesty looks quite well today. As expected of you, you cured him instantly."

Lin Ci sighed softly, his brows furrowing. "Some things can't be judged by appearances alone. His Majesty is just putting on a brave face."

Pei Jinxuan did not respond.

In fact, everyone knew that the Yan Emperor's life was like a candle flickering in the wind, about to be extinguished at any moment.

Seeing that the Emperor of Yan looked well today, Pei Jinxuan finally relaxed a little, even if it was just a little bit.

Just as the two were about to leave the palace gate, a young eunuch hurriedly caught up with them, bowing respectfully: "Your Highness Prince Jing'an, Her Majesty the Empress invites you."

Pei Jinxuan frowned slightly. He didn't want to go, but he had no choice, so he told Lin Ci, "You go back and rest first."

"Her Majesty also said to invite Physician Lin to go as well," the little eunuch hurriedly added.

Pei Jinxuan gave the little eunuch a cold look. What a clueless idiot!

"Tell Her Majesty later that Physician Lin has gone back first."

"But..." The little eunuch glanced at Lin Ci secretly, looking pitiful.