However, they addressed him as 'lord' and not 'His Majesty', so perhaps I was mistaken.
Lord Lan sighed and grabbed the booklet from my hand. He tossed it back to the physician who was still on his knees. "After Priest Luo finished his business here, I'm taking that booklet. So while you still have time, make your own copy."
"Yes, my lord," the physician replied.
"Get up and start writing."
The physician quickly rose to his feet and dashed to the corner where the table was.
Lord Lan looked at me. "Continue what you're doing," he said in a gentle voice and stepped aside.
I was still in a state of bemusement that I had to discreetly massage my fingers to soften them before I was able to move again.
I continued examining the crown prince until I got a thorough clinical image of his physical condition. As for other symptoms, I had to trust the content of that booklet.
What I needed now were specimens from the patient, but I could not just take anything from the crown prince's body without risking my neck.
Caught in a dilemma, I approached Lord Lan. "My lord, I need a few things from His Highness if you don't mind."
"Name them."
"A few strands of hair, including the root, a small piece of his nail, and a few drops of blood."
Without saying a word, he shrugged as if my request was too easy. He approached the crown prince and untied his hair. Just behind the prince's ear, he plucked a few strands of his royal hair as if he were simply pulling weeds from the ground.
I heard several gasps inside the room, including mine.
My deceased master was a prince himself, so I knew that doing such a thing to a member of the royal family was considered a contemptuous offense that warranted death.
But Lord Lan acted like he was the authority himself and immune to any punishment. He even raised the strands of hair in his hand for me as if I could see it. "Is this enough?"
It was a struggle for me to close my mouth and nod. "It is more than enough, my lord," I replied, even if I had no idea how many strands of hair he had. If he had at least three, that should be enough.
He placed the strands of hair on a plate that the eunuch held before him. "I need a clean knife."
A physician handed him a small knife.
Lord Lan took the crown prince's hand and again, right before everyone's wide-open eyes, he made a small cut on the prince's fingertip while a physician held a tiny cup underneath it to catch the dripping blood.
Next, he recklessly cut a piece of the crown prince's nail. At that time, it did not shock the onlookers that much anymore for they had already seen the worst that one could do against a royal prince.
The eunuch carefully packed the specimens inside a small lacquered box and handed it to me.
"Thank you," I nodded politely.
Having finished my business with the crown prince, Lord Lan ushered me out of the palace and back to the waiting carriage. I thought it would be a long ride once again, but after just half an hour, the carriage stopped.
When I stepped out, I found myself standing in the front yard of a big mansion, adorned by gardens of flowers and small trees.
It was unfortunate that they only came in one color in my eyes—black.
"This is my official residence in the capital," he said and walked ahead of me.
I nodded and followed him. It was only then that I noticed that there were people standing before the door.
"Welcome back, my lord," the people said in chorus.
It was already late in the afternoon. With my body's condition, I was already exhausted. Lord Lan noticed it and ordered his servants to take me to my room to rest.
I immediately fell asleep. The bed was so soft it felt so comfortable I slept through the rest of the afternoon until a servant came to wake me up.
"His lordship is waiting for you to join him for dinner," he said.
I was more tired than hungry I would not have minded skipping dinner and just sleep until morning, but I must pay respect to my benefactor.
I straightened my clothes and combed my hair before I walked out of the room and followed the servant to the dining hall.
I found the master of the house already seated at the table, his chin resting on his palm while he waited. Although he was idle, I did not sense any traces of impatience from him.
While I approached him, he remained still. This was the same exact demeanor he had presented when I met him at the restaurant the night before.
I cupped my hands and lowered my head. "I apologize for keeping his lordship waiting."
He sighed and gestured for me to sit on the chair from across him. "Did you rest well?" he asked after I settled down.
"I did, my lord."
"Did you find the room to your liking? There's a bigger room with a private courtyard if you prefer that, but it's quite far from here I'm concerned I may not be able to protect you personally if you're that far."
"I'm quite content with the room you have generously provided for me, my lord. I can't ask for more."
He nodded. "That's good." He turned to the female servants behind him and made signs with his hand that only they could understand. A moment later, two women brought in a tall vessel and two cups.
Lord Lan poured wine into the two cups and handed one to me. Immediately, I caught a whiff of its sweet aroma, an assurance of its fine quality.
"I've set up a laboratory for your use," he said after taking a sip from his cup of wine. "You may go check it out tomorrow to see what else is lacking. Make a list of everything that you need and I'll provide them."
"Lord Lan is indeed very generous."
"It's not entirely for you. This is also for the crown prince."
I nodded.
Of course. What made me think that he was doing this for me?