Volume One, Chapter Five: The Concubine’s Provocation

Autumn Frost had been waiting for quite some time in Listening Rain Pavilion. These days, she dared not make a scene before Murong Yunyi, nor did she wish to cross Su Wanyin; left with no alternative, she could only seek trouble with Lin Wanti.

As soon as Lin Wanti returned, Autumn Frost stepped forward, her tone laced with mockery. “Your Grace truly has impressive skills, to have cured His Lordship’s illness.”

“You flatter me, Miss Autumn Frost,” Lin Wanti replied coolly.

“Your Grace,” Autumn Frost lowered her voice, a hint of warning in her words, “I advise you not to harbor designs on His Lordship. He is not someone you can aspire to.”

Lin Wanti let out a cold laugh. “You think too much, Miss. I care only for healing and saving lives. I have no other intentions.”

The sunlight was gentle; Lin Wanti had no intention of entangling herself with Autumn Frost. She went about her business, spreading the herbs she’d taken from her storage space last night out in the courtyard to dry.

A faint medicinal fragrance began to drift through the air.

Autumn Frost, ignored, was nearly beside herself with rage and was about to lose her temper when a sharp voice shattered the tranquility of the courtyard.

“What is that smell?”

Lin Wanti looked up to see a woman in splendid attire, flanked by several maids, storming into the courtyard with an imposing air. Her features were exquisite, but her arrogance was unmistakable—she was Su, the secondary consort of Murong Yunyi.

“Who’s making such a ruckus?” Lin Wanti’s tone was calm and unyielding.

At the sight of Su, Autumn Frost shrank back like a mouse before a cat, cowering in a corner, her former bravado vanished without a trace.

Lin Wanti found the situation rather amusing.

The secondary consort’s gaze fell immediately upon Autumn Frost.

“You country bumpkin, what are you doing here? Look at the rouge smeared on your face—it’s red as pig’s liver! Are you trying to disgust His Lordship to death so I’ll be left a widow?”

Autumn Frost dared not retort. She was well aware of Su’s methods and could only huddle in the corner, her eyes brimming with tears.

Su rolled her eyes. “What, reluctant to leave? Do you need me to invite you out?”

“No need! I’ll go—this servant will go at once!”

Autumn Frost scurried away in a flash.

Only then did Su turn her attention fully to Lin Wanti, sizing her up with open hostility. “So, you’re the new Princess Consort? Just look at the mess you’ve made of this courtyard—what a disgrace!”

Following Su’s gaze, Lin Wanti glanced at the herbs scattered across the courtyard and explained calmly, “These are medicinal herbs. I’m drying them so they can be used for His Lordship’s treatment.”

“Treatment?” Su sneered. “You’re just a concubine’s daughter, neglected since childhood—how would you possibly know medicine? Don’t think marrying His Lordship makes you some sort of phoenix. His illness is for the imperial physicians to treat, not for you to play at being important!”

Lin Wanti remained serene. “I know a little about medicine and only wish to do what I can for His Lordship.”

“Do what you can?” Su stepped closer, her gaze sharp as a blade. “I think you’re just using this as an excuse to get close to His Lordship! Listen well—he’s not someone you should even think of!”

“You’re mistaken, Your Ladyship,” Lin Wanti’s expression did not change. “I have no other intentions toward His Lordship. As a healer, I simply hope to ease his burdens.”

Su was clearly unconvinced. She snorted. “A healer’s heart? How noble. I think your heart is anything but pure! A mere concubine’s daughter daring to dream of being Princess Consort—you should know your place! Beware, lest you climb too high and fall to your ruin!”

A flicker passed through Lin Wanti’s eyes, but she kept her composure. “As a concubine’s daughter, I am humble and dare not overreach. But since I have married into this house, I am His Lordship’s wife and will serve him with all my heart.”

“Wife? Serve His Lordship? Hahaha!”

Su laughed as though she’d heard the greatest joke, her laughter ringing out like tinkling bells. “With what do you intend to serve His Lordship? Do you really think he’ll like someone as low-born as you?”

The maids by Su’s side echoed her cuttingly, “Exactly! Take a look in the mirror and see what you’re worth. How dare you think you can compete with our Lady? You don’t even know your own limits!”

Lin Wanti drew a deep breath, tamping down her anger and replying evenly, “I have no wish to compete for favor. I simply want to fulfill my duties as Princess Consort.”

“Your duty?” Su arched a brow. “Your duty is to stay in your own courtyard and not disgrace yourself in public!”

As she spoke, Su kicked over the herbs that had been drying, scattering the precious plants onto the dirt, ruining them.

Lin Wanti’s gaze turned icy at the sight of the wasted herbs.

She knelt down and began to gather the scattered plants, her voice unnervingly calm. “Since you dislike these herbs, I’ll put them away so they don’t offend your eyes.”

Deliberately, she dusted off the herbs, sending a cloud of dirt flying into Su and her entourage’s faces.

She carefully placed the dusty herbs back into her basket, then stood and dusted the dirt from her skirt, her eyes resolute. “Tomorrow at the hour of Chen, I will personally tend to His Lordship. You’d best not taint his medicine.”

Su was stunned, then scoffed, “You? You think you have the right to treat His Lordship? Who do you think you are, the reincarnation of Hua Tuo?”

“I wouldn’t dare claim such a title,” Lin Wanti replied calmly. “I merely know a little of medicine and hope to do what I can.”

“Do what you can?” Su’s derision deepened. “I think you just want an excuse to get close to His Lordship!”

Lin Wanti’s expression remained unchanged, her gaze clear. “You worry too much, Your Ladyship. I have no ulterior motives. As a healer, I simply wish to help.”

“A healer’s heart? What, do you want to be his father or his mother?” Su snorted. “You’re clearly up to no good!”

Lin Wanti ignored Su’s biting sarcasm and turned to leave, leaving Su fuming in place, stomping her feet in anger.

Back in her room, Lin Wanti retrieved a set of modern medical instruments from her bracelet’s hidden space and carefully checked them to ensure everything was ready.

She knew that treating Murong Yunyi would not be easy. His temperament was unpredictable, and he was wary of outsiders. Gaining his cooperation would be no simple feat.

That very night, chaos broke out in the residence.

Su and her maids all broke out in red rashes, itching unbearably from head to toe. Even Doctor Zhang, the physician assigned to His Lordship, was at a loss and could only advise them to endure it.

Chuntao and Xiahe, having heard about the incident, hurried back to tell Lin Wanti. She only smiled without comment.

After all, it was just a small lesson for Su for provoking her.

The next morning, at the appointed hour, Lin Wanti, carrying her prepared instruments, arrived at Murong Yunyi’s study.

Murong Yunyi was seated at his desk reading. At the sound of her arrival, he looked up at Lin Wanti, his gaze probing and scrutinizing.