Volume One, Chapter 8: The Snow Ganoderma
Imperial Physician Zhang was rendered speechless by her words, his face alternating between shades of green and white. Inwardly, he seethed with resentment—who would have thought that this seemingly delicate concubine daughter of the Prime Minister’s manor would possess such a sharp tongue?
He snorted coldly, speaking with a sarcastic edge, “The Princess Consort certainly has a lofty opinion of herself. In all my decades of medical practice, I have encountered illnesses that even I could not treat, yet the Princess Consort is so confident she can cure them? Unless, of course, Her Highness possesses some miraculous elixir capable of raising the dead?”
Lin Wanti paid no heed to his mocking tone. She walked straight to the medicine cabinet, her gaze carefully scanning the labels. Her slender fingers brushed lightly across the jars, feeling the unique aura exuded by each herb. The pharmacy was thick with the mingled fragrances of countless medicinal ingredients, forming a heady, complex aroma that could intoxicate the senses.
Seeing that Lin Wanti ignored him and was inspecting the herbs on her own, Imperial Physician Zhang grew even more vexed. Just as he was about to step forward to stop her, Lin Wanti suddenly halted before a particular cabinet, her eyes fixed on one of the herbs inside.
It was a plant of pure snowy white, shaped like a stag’s antler, emitting a faint, refreshing scent. The label on the cabinet read: “Snow Ganoderma.”
A spark lit in Lin Wanti’s heart. According to her modern medical knowledge, Snow Ganoderma was exceedingly rare, renowned for its potent restorative properties. It could enhance the body’s immunity and had notable effects on certain chronic ailments. Murong Yunyi’s condition was complex and his body frail; perhaps this Snow Ganoderma could offer some support.
She reached out to take some of the Snow Ganoderma for closer inspection, only to find the cabinet locked. Turning to Imperial Physician Zhang, she asked, her tone calm, “Imperial Physician Zhang, may I see some of this Snow Ganoderma?”
The moment Lin Wanti showed interest in the Snow Ganoderma, alarm bells rang in Imperial Physician Zhang’s mind. This rare herb had cost him considerable effort to acquire, and he had intended to use it in a special elixir to enhance his own cultivation. If the Princess Consort took it for the Prince, would it not be wasted?
He quickly stepped forward, blocking Lin Wanti’s way, his smile forced and insincere. “Your Highness, Snow Ganoderma is a cooling herb and not suited to the Prince’s illness. It’s best not to touch it at random, lest you inadvertently harm yourself.”
Lin Wanti’s brows knitted slightly. Deep down, she became even more convinced that the Snow Ganoderma could benefit Murong Yunyi’s condition. Without revealing her thoughts, she asked, “Imperial Physician Zhang, how can you be so sure the Prince’s illness does not require Snow Ganoderma? The Prince’s malady is complex; perhaps this herb might have unexpected effects.”
Imperial Physician Zhang’s gaze flickered as he stammered, “That… that is simply the wisdom gained from my many years of practice, Your Highness need not question further.”
His evasiveness only deepened Lin Wanti’s suspicions. Fixing him with a burning stare, she pressed, “Imperial Physician Zhang, you seem particularly concerned about this Snow Ganoderma. Is there another reason?”
Her piercing gaze made him uneasy, but he forced himself to maintain composure. “Your Highness is overthinking it. I merely fear that, lacking medical expertise, you might misuse and waste such a precious ingredient.” As he spoke, he reached out to push her aside.
Lin Wanti stood her ground, her eyes icy as she stated, word by word, “Imperial Physician Zhang, you had better tell the truth. Otherwise, I shall report this matter to His Highness and let him judge.”
Imperial Physician Zhang’s face changed, panic flashing in his eyes. He had not expected the Princess Consort to be so forceful, and for a moment, he was at a loss.
At that moment, a low voice sounded from outside the pharmacy—
“What is causing such a commotion?”
Though not loud, the voice carried a natural authority that made the air within the pharmacy turn heavy and still. Both Lin Wanti and Imperial Physician Zhang turned toward the door to see Murong Yunyi standing there, clad in an ink-black robe. His face was pale, his gaze deep and cold, his expression unreadable.
Imperial Physician Zhang hastily bowed, “Forgive me, Your Highness. This old servant was merely explaining medicinal principles to the Princess Consort and inadvertently raised my voice, disturbing Your Highness. I beg forgiveness.”
Murong Yunyi’s gaze rested on Lin Wanti as he asked, his tone indifferent, “Princess Consort, what brings you here?”
Meeting his eyes, Lin Wanti replied with dignified calm, “Your Highness, I heard that the pharmacy holds many rare herbs and ancient texts, so I came to broaden my knowledge in hopes that I might be of some small help to Your Highness’s illness.”
Murong Yunyi nodded slightly, then turned to Imperial Physician Zhang, his tone probing, “Imperial Physician Zhang, is what the Princess Consort says true?”
Lin Wanti’s eyes hinted at a threat: You have accepted my gift.
A cold sweat broke out across Imperial Physician Zhang’s brow as he hurried to answer, “The Princess Consort is indeed interested in medicine, and I was just explaining some basics to her.”
“Oh?” Murong Yunyi’s tone was laced with amusement. “And what has Her Highness learned?”
Lin Wanti stepped forward, pointing to the Snow Ganoderma in the cabinet. “Your Highness, I am intrigued by this Snow Ganoderma and wished to consult Imperial Physician Zhang about it, but he…”
She paused, shifting her gaze to Imperial Physician Zhang, her eyes carrying a subtle challenge.
Imperial Physician Zhang quickly explained, “Your Highness, the Snow Ganoderma is a cooling herb and not suitable for your condition. I merely feared that the Princess Consort, lacking expertise, might misuse such a precious medicine.”
Lin Wanti drew a steady breath and said slowly, “Your Highness has been plagued by illness and is physically weak. I see your complexion is pale and your lips tinged with blue; I suspect cold stagnation and blocked meridians. Ideally, Violet Ganoderma would be the best remedy, but since it was stolen, this Snow Ganoderma, being warm in nature, could serve as a substitute—nourishing the meridians and dispelling the cold.”
She paused, watching Murong Yunyi’s reaction. Seeing that he did not interrupt, she continued, “Though I have some medical knowledge, I dare not claim to cure Your Highness. I only hope to offer some relief, however slight.”
Imperial Physician Zhang, sweating profusely, was aghast that Lin Wanti dared display her skills in front of the Prince.
He stepped forward, bowing. “Your Highness, the Princess Consort is but a woman—how could she understand medicine? This Snow Ganoderma is a precious herb; if misused, it could cause harm! I beg Your Highness to see reason!”
Lin Wanti, undaunted, retorted, “Imperial Physician Zhang, you are mistaken. Medicine knows no gender—whoever can heal is a good physician. Moreover, I mean no harm; I only wish to help His Highness. What fault is there in that?”
Murong Yunyi’s gaze swept between the two, his eyes fathomless, and the atmosphere grew tense, as if the very air had frozen.
Lin Wanti met his gaze fearlessly, knowing that every move she made was under his scrutiny and that the slightest misstep would spell ruin.
She let out a cold laugh. “Imperial Physician Zhang, you are so keen to prevent me from examining this herb. Is there some hidden reason?”
Imperial Physician Zhang’s face flushed deep red, but he dared not argue, only stammering, “This old servant… I only follow what is written in the medical texts—I dare not use medicine rashly.”
Murong Yunyi listened to their exchange, his eyes dark and unreadable.
He slowly approached the medicine cabinet, his gaze falling on the Snow Ganoderma. He reached out and lightly touched it, then turned to Lin Wanti, his voice even, “You seem very interested in this Snow Ganoderma, Princess Consort. Do you truly understand its use?”