The carriage was waiting outside by the time we were ready.
Just then, the gatekeeper announced, "Madam, Miss, Imperial Physician Ji has arrived, and he's brought his young son."
"Please, invite them in quickly," my mother chuckled. "They must have come to use you as practice for Ji Lianchuan."
Imperial Physician Ji Jin was highly skilled in medicine, specializing in all sorts of difficult and complex ailments. He had attended the late Emperor in his final years. After the Emperor's death, he and his wife traveled the world, working as itinerant physicians for many years, rumored to have tasted countless herbs. It was only when his wife became pregnant that they ended their travels and returned to the capital to have their child.
Unexpectedly, the Emperor had kept the position of Imperial Physician at the Imperial Hospital open for him.
He didn't stand on ceremony, but he didn't handle the mundane affairs of the Imperial Hospital; he only treated members of the royal family. In his free time, he compiled his years of travel experiences into a medical book.
Perhaps it was due to his travels, but although he was around the same age as the Emperor, the Crown Prince was nearing his adulthood, while his son was barely ten years old. Ji Lianchuan had inherited his father's medical skills and had started taking pulses the previous year.
However, since human lives were at stake, Imperial Physician Ji was unwilling to let him prescribe medicine independently.
My mother guessed correctly. After Imperial Physician Ji examined my pulse, Ji Lianchuan also placed his fingers on my wrist.
The young boy looked quite serious while taking my pulse, but after he finished, he muttered, "There's no major problem here. Martial artists have strong bodies; a period of recuperation should suffice. Father, am I right?"
Ji Jin patted his head and said, "If you're still worried, you can have them buy some Wound-Healing Pills or Body-Strengthening Pills from the Witch Doctor's Clinic."
The Witch Doctor's Clinic was the most popular medical establishment in the capital. Its proprietress was a descendant of the Western Frontier's sorcery and a wife of the richest merchant, Cheng.
Their medicines usually had miraculous effects, but one shouldn't inquire about their ingredients. They might contain all sorts of strange蛊虫 (gǔchóng -蛊 insects) corpses, or even their droppings.
I shook my head resolutely. "I'll just recuperate slowly."
Spending money was not an issue, but the thought of the ingredients made me feel nauseous.
Imperial Physician Ji was an old acquaintance of my parents. After examining me, he chatted with them for a while. At the end, my mother offered Ji Lianchuan a red envelope, but Ji Jin stopped her. "Qingya, this visit was at someone's request, and the consultation fee has already been paid."
My mother was touched. "Empress Dowager is truly thoughtful. Little Nannan only sustained a minor injury, and she's still concerned."
Ji Lianchuan said, "No, it was the Crown Prince who asked my father to come."
My mother/I: ...
After bidding farewell to Imperial Physician Ji and his son, my mother took me shopping.
My mother was a person who could always find enjoyment for herself. Even though she was over thirty, she remained curious about everything. Moreover, she was energetic and approached shopping with the enthusiasm of a charged battery.
However, today she was mindful of my health and decided to stop shopping at noon, suggesting we head back. Then she had the carriage detour to the Witch Doctor's Clinic to buy a bottle of Wound-Healing Pills.
Me: ...
"Mother, we don't need these pills, do we? I really don't want to take them."
"Our family can afford them. If they help with healing, why shouldn't we take them? Isn't taking a pill more convenient than drinking bitter medicine?"
"But who knows what they've put in this medicine?"
"That's for the doctor to consider. When we get back, I'll give the medicine to A Xiu. If you dare not take it, you won't be allowed out of the house again."
I couldn't argue with my mother; it was a matter of bloodline suppression. As I was feeling speechless, the carriage stopped. The coachman's voice called out from outside, "Madam, Miss, it's the Second Prince and Princess Chengping."
"They must have heard that Little Nannan has returned to the capital and wants to play with her," my mother always seemed more delighted to see the Empress's children than she was to see me and my brother.
On the street, they were both in plain clothes, so they naturally didn't bow. My mother cheerfully invited them into the carriage, offering to treat them to a meal at our home.
Situ You said, "Aunt Qing, perhaps next time. Today, we wanted to take Nannan to Zui Xiang Lou."
I hadn't eaten there in over two months and was rather looking forward to it.
So, I happily agreed.
My mother instructed me not to eat spicy food and to abstain from alcohol.
Sui Sui said, "Aunt Qing, don't worry, we'll keep an eye on her."
Situ You added, "Aunt Qing, don't worry. We'll drink tea instead of wine. Our main purpose isn't really to eat, just to gather and chat."
I felt my mother became even more worried.