Chapter 37 Meeting the Empress Dowager
Li An's small figure, draped in simple yet refined robes, moved gracefully through the palace corridors as she was escorted toward the Empress Dowager's quarters. Her expression was calm and thoughtful, her young face holding a wisdom far beyond her years. Today, she was set to meet the Empress Dowager for a follow-up examination of the woman's health. Despite her youthful age, her medical knowledge—derived from both ancient and modern practices—had made her the most unconventional yet remarkable healer in the palace.
The Emperor himself had granted her this rare opportunity, though with a touch of reluctance. His mother's health had not significantly improved since her previous treatment, and the Empress, Su Mu Fang, had been quick to hint at Li An's inadequacy. But something within him stirred, and he couldn't quite shake the feeling that Li An was more than she appeared to be. Her confident request to re-examine the Empress Dowager's condition had intrigued him, and a hint of hope crept into his heart, urging him to agree.
Since the palace physicians were equally helpless to the worsening condition of his mother, the emperor's feelings and decisions have already swayed towards Li An's medical skill.
As Li An stepped inside the Empress Dowager's chamber, the serene ambiance was punctuated by the faint rustling of silk and hushed voices. The elderly woman lay on a reclining couch, her face pale and fatigued.
Though she partially recovered last time, it seems that her bad condition is slowly coming back even after taking the medical pellets that Li An made.
The Empress Dowager was propped up by delicate cushions embroidered with golden lotuses, and her eyes, though heavy-lidded, held a sharp glimmer. This was the first time Li An would be meeting the Empress Dowager while she was fully conscious.
Li An approached, her footsteps soft yet purposeful. She bowed deeply, showing respect for the matriarch. "Empress Dowager," she greeted with a voice as light as a breeze yet steady with confidence.
The Empress Dowager's eyes narrowed slightly, her gaze fixed upon the young girl before her. There was something familiar about Li An's features—the intensity of her gaze, the subtle elegance in her bearing. They evoked a shadow of the Emperor's own presence from years ago, and her heart stirred with a sudden, inexplicable suspicion.
"You are the young healer? The so-called little fairy doctor?" the Empress Dowager asked, her voice soft yet firm, tinted with a hint of disbelief. "I thought that the rumors were just stories, but it seems for once it held some... truth."
Li An smiled gently, unperturbed by the scrutiny. "I understand, Empress Dowager. But age doesn't always define capability."
The Empress Dowager raised a delicate brow. "Hmm. Wise words for a girl so young. Let's see if your wisdom extends to healing as well." She allowed Li An closer, watching her intently as the young girl took a seat beside her, setting down a small lacquered case filled with medical instruments and herbs.
This time, since Li An needed to bring a lot of medicine, she did not put them in her small bag.
Li An's hands moved with practiced care as she prepared to examine the elderly woman. "Empress Dowager, I will start by checking your pulse. With your permission?"
The Empress Dowager nodded, extending a thin wrist, veined and fragile beneath the skin. Li An took it carefully, closing her eyes in concentration as she felt the faint, uneven rhythm beneath her fingertips. The weak, slow throb of the pulse was as she expected, indicative of the chronic fatigue that had long plagued the Empress Dowager. But there was also an underlying imbalance, a sluggishness in her circulation, hinting at the blood sugar issues Li An suspected to be at the heart of her illness.
She nodded her head as she verified her conjecture when she first checked the Empress Dowager before.
"Wisdom points! Give me more!" the exhilarated voice of Seedee suddenly echoed in Li An's mind.
She could not help but shake her head and decided to just focus on her job.
"Do you often feel fatigued, Your Majesty? Perhaps overly thirsty or experiencing numbness in your limbs?" Li An asked gently, keeping her tone respectful yet straightforward.
The Empress Dowager's gaze sharpened, her lips pressing together in thought. "Indeed, you seem quite perceptive. I am often plagued by thirst, and my limbs... they ache more than they once did. The court physicians have been attentive, yet... their tonics offer little relief."
"Your Majesty," Li An said, choosing her words carefully, "what you describe sounds like symptoms of an imbalance that requires more than tonics. You see, there is an illness—a condition in which the body struggles to handle the sweetness in the blood. It causes fatigue and other discomforts, and requires a different approach."
The Empress Dowager tilted her head, her expression one of mild surprise. "And what approach do you suggest, child?"
Li An's eyes were filled with resolve as she spoke. "Your Majesty, I will not simply recommend herbs and tonics. Instead, I will ask that you adjust your meals and follow certain exercises. I believe these adjustments can improve your strength over time and alleviate many of the symptoms."
The Empress Dowager's eyes narrowed slightly. "Adjust my meals? Are you suggesting I follow some peasant diet?"
"Not at all, Your Majesty," Li An replied with calm conviction. "I would merely suggest reducing foods that may add strain on your body, while increasing those that nourish without taxing it. Smaller, frequent meals will prevent fatigue. I could also recommend a few exercises that will gently strengthen your muscles and improve your circulation."
There was silence for a moment as the Empress Dowager regarded her, her eyes flickering with curiosity and a touch of skepticism. And yet, beneath it all, was a small spark of intrigue. "Your words are strange, yet I cannot deny... they stir a sense of reason."
The Empress Dowager sighed, her gaze shifting to a nearby window. Outside, the autumn leaves swirled in the breeze, their golden hues catching the sunlight. A hint of melancholy touched her features. "Child, I do not expect to regain the strength of my youth. What you speak of—sensible meals, gentle movement—seems a humble path for a woman of my position."
Li An looked at her with empathy. "Your Majesty, to honor your strength, we must care for it as it is now. Even as one ages, there is wisdom in sustaining what one has, rather than reaching for the impossible. I believe this is a noble path for a ruler who has seen so much."
The Empress Dowager was silent, her fingers tracing the embroidery on her sleeve. She studied Li An with renewed interest, that peculiar sense of familiarity tugging insistently at her heart. This young healer's quiet strength and refined manner reminded her of someone, though she couldn't place it. The sharpness in her gaze softened as she took a deep breath, her voice now gentler.
"You speak well for one so young," she said thoughtfully. "Tell me, child, where did you learn such insight?"
Li An's gaze dropped for a moment before lifting to meet the Empress Dowager's. "I was... blessed, Your Majesty. I have been fortunate to learn from many teachings, both old and new whenever I close my eyes in slumber. This knowledge compels me to help others."
The Empress Dowager's eyes softened further, but the suspicion in her heart only grew. There was an eerie resemblance between this child and the Emperor himself when he was of her age—the same striking gaze, the same composed elegance. A strange instinct gnawed at her, suggesting there was more to this young healer than mere medical talent.
"Child, you speak of blessings. I cannot help but feel that fate has brought you here," the Empress Dowager mused, almost to herself.
Li An remained composed, but inwardly, she sensed the subtle shift in the Empress Dowager's demeanor. The suspicion, the careful study, told her that the matriarch's thoughts were circling somewhere far beyond her present illness. Li An understood the stakes. She was, after all, the secretly abandoned daughter of the Emperor, but this was a truth she had kept for now.
Yet she couldn't allow the Empress Dowager to dwell on this trail for too long. She shifted her attention back to the purpose of her visit. "Your Majesty, if I may, I would like to demonstrate some gentle movements that may relieve tension and promote circulation."
The Empress Dowager's thoughts returned to the present, nodding slowly. "Very well, show me."
Li An knelt beside her, her movements fluid and graceful, as she guided the elderly woman through simple stretches, demonstrating with patience and care. The Empress Dowager followed as best as she could, her breathing slowing, her face gradually easing into relaxation. After a few moments, she sighed, her usual rigid poise softening.
"A peculiar child," the Empress Dowager murmured, a faint smile touching her lips. "And yet... I feel lighter already."
Li An offered a gentle smile in return, her voice soft. "This is only the beginning, Your Majesty. With time, I believe your strength will gradually improve. Please remember, small steps will build lasting strength."
The Empress Dowager watched her, that familiar warmth stirring within her again, an unspoken question lingering in her gaze. "I shall consider your advice, little healer. But remember—if your words hold no truth, you shall find my patience will not last long."
Li An met her gaze steadily and with a smile. "I understand, Your Majesty. I would not say what I do not believe."
As she rose to leave, the Empress Dowager reached out, her slender fingers grasping Li An's hand briefly. "You are an intriguing child... I would like to see you again."
Li An's heart skipped a beat. She could sense that the Empress Dowager's curiosity was not merely about her healing, but perhaps a deeper, instinctual suspicion. Yet she kept her expression composed and nodded. "It would be my honor to serve you, Your Majesty."
The Empress Dowager released her hand, reclining back, her sharp gaze still fixed on the young girl. "Yes... we shall meet again," she murmured softly, her eyes tracing Li An's retreating form with a strange tenderness.
As Li An exited the chamber, a lingering warmth settled over her. The encounter had been delicate, charged with unspoken truths, and yet there was a sense of fulfillment. She had laid the first stone on a path that, she hoped, would ultimately lead to the Empress Dowager's improved health.
But a part of her could not shake the weight of the woman's watchful gaze, the intense suspicion that had surfaced, like a shadow that followed her footsteps. If the Empress Dowager was resolved to learn more about her origins, Li An knew she would have to tread carefully.
Once outside, she took a slow breath, the fresh cool air filling her lungs. The road ahead would be intricate, and she understood the risk. But for now, she allowed herself a moment of quiet satisfaction, her heart resolute.
As she looked up, she saw the Emperor standing in the distance, his face partially shadowed by the palace roof. Their eyes met, and for a moment, Li An could see the same warmth in his gaze that she had seen in his mother's. He gave her a subtle nod, a silent acknowledgment of her efforts.
Li An returned the nod with a small bow, her mind already turning over her next steps.