WBSGVS Chapter 187 V1

Qingli didn’t know the exact structure of official ranks in this world, but she knew that the Imperial Medical Bureau usually had apprentices. Typically, they would follow a fully licensed imperial physician, and once they passed an assessment, they’d be officially appointed.

No matter how things changed, the general process was about the same, so the person they sent was just an apprentice.

If she were merely a low-ranking, unfavored concubine, she could understand being brushed off like this. But she and Sima Yan were the emperor’s biological children.

As emperor, he might not care about a woman he didn’t like—but if his bloodline were to die of illness in the palace, no normal man, especially not an emperor, would simply ignore it.

Because princes were his bloodline.

So this whole situation felt strange.

Even if Consort Shu was suppressing them, she had already treated the original Qingli and her brother like ants beneath her feet. She had casually assigned a couple of servants to them and couldn’t possibly be keeping a close eye at all times.

There was no way Consort Shu knew that Qingli could get her people, namely Xiling, to obediently go and fetch a physician. And given how long Xiling had been gone, there was no reason she’d return with just an apprentice.

The only explanation was that the other physicians couldn’t be bothered to come.

Claiming they were all on duty? That was too much of a coincidence. Which meant the problem was with imperial authority itself. Maybe their bloodline wasn’t as important as Qingli had assumed—perhaps because it wasn’t backed by enough power to inspire fear.

Qingli temporarily shelved her original plan and returned to the front hall, where she saw a young man with a baby face checking Sima Yan’s pulse.

Her footsteps were light, so no one noticed her at first.

Just as the young man was about to speak, Xiling suddenly sensed something and turned around—only to see the frail, poorly dressed young girl standing less than two yards away.

“Ah!” Xiling let out a startled scream, stumbling backward and knocking over a nearby chair. She clutched her chest in panic and almost blurted out a complaint: “What are you—” But she caught sight of the doctor and quickly shut her mouth, forcing a smile. “Princess, you startled me!”

It wasn’t that she was truly afraid of Qingli—she just didn’t want anyone else to notice.

The physicians from the Bureau had long learned to be politically slick to survive the inner palace. Xiling had been acting arrogant in this cold palace for so long, she nearly forgot to restrain herself.

The young man didn’t notice anything odd. He simply heard the commotion, stood up quickly, and bowed. “Greetings, Princess.”

“No need for formalities,” Qingli replied, playing the part of a timid girl, waving her hand a little awkwardly.

Xiling rolled her eyes behind Qingli’s back, full of disdain.

The young man remained calm. “Thank you, Princess. The Fourth Prince’s condition appears to be symptoms of wind-cold—he’s got a cough as well. I’ll write a prescription that should clear it up.”

“Thank you so much,” Qingli said with a grateful smile.

Sima Yan, seeing her like this, mimicked her tone: “Thank you!”

His voice was hoarse but still held a childlike innocence that made the young physician smile. “I’m afraid I don’t have the authority to retrieve the herbs myself,” he added apologetically. “Someone will need to accompany me to the Medical Bureau.”

He looked at Xiling. Her lips curled in a pout—getting to the Medical Bureau from the cold palace was a long, tiring walk. But she couldn’t say no, so she just nodded.

At that moment, Qingli hesitated slightly and asked, “Sir, I’ve also been feeling dizzy and faint lately—I even collapsed once. Could you… Please check on me too?”

Xiling’s heartbeat skipped.

She’d underestimated this princess. Qingli knew how to use the moment to ask for help?

“Of course, Princess. There’s no need to be so polite,” the young man replied seriously, taking out a handkerchief and inviting her to extend her arm for a pulse reading.

Qingli obeyed. After a few moments, he asked her to stick out her tongue for a closer examination. Then he gave his diagnosis. “The Princess is suffering from qi deficiency and blood loss. You’ll need nourishment and supplements—if this continues, it could cause lasting harm.”

Sweat started forming on Xiling’s palms. She looked up sharply, watching Qingli closely, terrified she’d say something that would cause trouble. The emperor might’ve forgotten them—but if they suddenly reappeared before him…

This was reckless! She dared bring a physician in!

But Qingli only smiled faintly in relief. “Thank you, Doctor. Would it be possible for me to go with you to the Bureau to pick up the medicine? I also have a few questions I’d like to ask along the way. My body’s been so weak lately—arms and legs always feel like jelly. As you can see, it’s hard to get proper treatment here. If I can bring back a few extra doses, it would save you another trip.”

“Well, I—” The young man gave her a sympathetic glance.

A royal child, yet so neglected that even seeing a doctor was a challenge. Naturally, he didn’t want to refuse. But just as he was about to agree, Xiling cut in sharply: “Princess! People from the cold palace aren’t allowed to go out!”

Qingli lowered her gaze in disappointment and bit her lip, whispering, “But… my mother said that if I brought back more medicine, she wouldn’t have to catch snakes anymore…”

At the mention of snakes, Xiling’s hair stood on end. Her whole body broke out in goosebumps, as if something cold had slithered across her skin. Her face turned pale, and she no longer dared to object.

In truth, the rule about not leaving the cold palace was meant for deposed consorts—no one had ever heard of royal children being banished there.

But neither Qingli nor Sima Yan knew that.

The young man said nothing more. He simply waited patiently for the discussion to end. Though he sympathized with the princess, he couldn’t get involved in palace politics. The number-one rule in the Medical Bureau was: never meddle in the affairs of the inner court.

Qingli continued to play the part, eyes glistening as if on the verge of tears. Her thin face only added to the pitiful image. Even Baizhu couldn’t help pleading, “Sister Xiling, the Princess is well-behaved. Nothing will happen if you go with her.”

Xiling finally nodded, albeit reluctantly. “Fine, just this once. Don’t make a habit of it!”

They’d already brought a doctor here. Letting her leave briefly wasn’t a big deal. The Medical Bureau was far from where the emperor usually appeared—they wouldn’t run into him.

Qingli beamed. “Doctor, let’s go get the medicine for my brother.”

“Of course.” The young man nodded and opened his medicine case. He pulled out a small bottle, took out a pill, and held it to Sima Yan’s lips. “This should help with the cough right away. He can take it now.”

Sima Yan obediently took the pill and lit up with delight. “It’s sweet!”

The young doctor gave a small smile and slung the medicine box over his shoulder. “The main ingredient is loquat, so of course it tastes sweet.”