WBSGVS Chapter 200 V2

Within less than a month, the reputation of “Princess Qingli, the Divine Seer” was spreading through the capital.

At first, those who came were mainly members of the imperial clan, simply curious and unsure whether she’d be able to do much. But soon, as reports flowed back praising her skills, even ordinary people started to gather the courage to seek her help.

It wasn’t easy for someone to find a person with genuine ability in this world.

A princess remained in the Inner Palace, and normally it was a huge inconvenience for her to travel outside. But those who invited her made all the arrangements, removing that hurdle for her.

Today it was Madam Xu, wife of Senior Minister Zhao, who called upon her.

The Zhao family was a renowned clan in the Jin dynasty. Nonetheless, their family was in decline; their numbers were dwindling, and the only person holding it together was Senior Minister Zhao himself.

About six months earlier, Senior Minister Zhao fell ill — at first, it was midnight talking in his sleep, then it turned into full-on rambling.

Three months previously, he fell gravely ill and was forced to stay home, avoiding all outsiders.

Elder Zhao’s eldest son died a few years ago, and his second son is weak and sickly; if it weren’t for Elder Zhao’s influence, the family would barely be able to stay on its feet. Currently, the Zhao household is managed by his eldest daughter-in-law, Madam Xu. She has a son and a daughter — her son is fifteen, and her daughter is nineteen.

The Zhao family was already waiting at the gate to greet their guests. As soon as Qing Li stepped down from her carriage, Madam Xu came forward warmly. There was a nervousness in her eyes, but more than that, a deep, eager hope.

This was the woman Qing Li had previously seen at the Chancellor’s manor.

A month had passed, yet the shadows on her face seemed to have grown even darker.

Qing Li was led into the residence. After the servants were dismissed, Madam Xu spoke anxiously: “I boldly asked Your Highness to come because of my father-in-law’s health. He was always strong and healthy, never sick, but suddenly, a while back, he started rambling and calling for his late wife. He insisted she’d come to take him away. Your Highness, please, come and take a look…”

Qing Li blinked. To be frank, many cases she’d dealt with were less about physical ailments and more about psychological disorders — once reassured, the symptoms would diminish. Few were genuine cases, and when there were, a few simple prescriptions were enough. There was no need for much effort.

From Madam Xu’s description, it seemed more likely to be a psychological ailment.

Instead of stating that directly, Qing Li nodded. “All right. Let me check first.”

Relieved, Madam Xu nodded repeatedly and led her into the inner chamber. The room was filled with a faint smell of herbs; the windows were kept well-ventilated, and although medication was frequently taken here, the smell was not heavy, and everything was quite clean.

Softly, Madam Xu explained, “My father-in-law treated my late mother-in-law unfairly in the past. After she died in childbirth, he remained a widower and never remarried, feeling guilty all these years. His health was strong, but in the past six months, something changed. His mind fell into confusion. He insisted it was his wife’s spirit come to fetch him and even tried to hang himself once. His Majesty was kind enough to send Royal Doctor Wang to treat him, but it was all in vain. Half a month ago, Royal Doctor Wang said there was nothing more to be done… But if my father-in-law were to pass away, my second uncle would be forced into mourning, and my eldest daughter, already nineteen and delayed in marriage once due to her fiancé’s death, would have to wait another three years. That might be… more than we can bear.”

In those days, the codes of filial piety were strict. If a parent died, children were expected to observe a period of mourning; if a grandparent died, grandchildren were expected to do the same. Among the elite, marriage negotiations were lengthy and elaborate, often taking at least six months. A rushed marriage might be finished in about 3 months.

It made perfect sense for Madam Xu to be worried. If Elder Zhao died now, her daughter’s marriage prospects could be delayed once again — and by then, the marriage might be in trouble.

Qing Li listened quietly. After a while, she asked for Elder Zhao’s birthdate and time of birth. Then she entered the chamber and saw him. His hair was white, his face sickly and ashen, his eyes were open but unfocused and vacant.

Yet, contrary to his weak appearance, the area between his eyebrows was clear and full — a sign of strong life force — although it was faintly red in the center, a classical indicator of ill fortune or trouble from a “villain.”

Pairing this observation with his birthdate, Qing Li understood immediately. She walked forward to take his pulse.

Xu’s eyebrows rose in surprise. Wasn’t the Princess supposed to be proficient in divination and fate-reading? Why was she now examining a pulse?

Noticing her disbelief, Qing Li glanced back and explained, “Having a range of skills can help solve problems more thoroughly.”

Xu nodded in acknowledgement.

Once Qing Li finished, she took a silver needle — previously sterilized — from her pouch and pricked Elder Zhao’s finger. As soon as the needle broke the skin, the elderly man trembled slightly and seemed to become more conscious. His unfocused eyes darted around in confusion, not seeing the person he expected. Disappointment crossed his face, and he whispered, “Why haven’t you come to get me yet? Didn’t you say you’d come tonight…?”

Qing Li inspected the drop of blood that fell and nodded in confirmation. Turning back toward Madam Xu, she said, “Please gather all the servants who attend to Elder Zhao.”

Xu’s expression tightened, and she nodded toward her wet nurse, who rushed off to summon everyone.

In a short while, servants entered in a stream. Qing Li looked them over and shook her head. Just as Madam Xu was about to ask what was amiss, the wet nurse whispered, “Your Highness, please wait — there’s a maid who said she’s sick to her stomach and might be late.”

Qing Li dismissed this immediately. “Don’t wait. Bring her here. She’s the one we need.”

Xu pressed her lips and nodded, then raised her voice, “Go immediately!”

The servants rushed away and were gone a bit longer this time. Qing Li and Madam Xu were already sitting in the main hall when the wet nurse came back, sweaty and nervous. “Your Highness… Madam… the little maid tried to run away when we went for her. If we hadn’t gotten there in time, she might have gotten away!”

Xu’s face fell. “How could you be so careless to let a suspicious person attend to the master of this household?!”

The servants kept their heads lowered and remained silent.

A young maid was soon forced into the room in chains. Kneeling immediately, she cried through her tears, “I’m innocent, madam! Please, madam, you must clear me of these charges! I was sick to my stomach and fell behind — that’s all it was!”

Qing Li ignored her pleas. She put down her brush, blew on the still-wet ink, and turned back toward the dark-faced Madam Xu. “This is the one who poisoned him. She chose a toxin that directly attacks the nervous system. She knew Elder Zhao felt guilty about his wife and used it to undermine him. His mind fell into chaos and a deep depression, making him lose his will to live. Once the poison is removed and proper treatment is given, he should live at least two more years.”

As for the trial of the maid, that was for the Zhao family to handle on their own.

Xu was surprised and delighted. “Your Highness… two more years… really?”

Qing Li nodded once more.

Xu fell to her knees in deep gratitude and tried to present a rich gift in return. Qing Li declined again — these earthly possessions meant little to her. She came with nothing and left with nothing.

Xu insisted on seeing her safely back and then turned immediately to send the maid to Dali Temple to be investigated. The attempted murder of a high official was a serious crime — private punishment was not an option. Furthermore, this might help them uncover the person who was truly responsible.

A few days later, Censors Lord Wang was convicted of attempting to murder Elder Zhao. The punishment was severe — Wang was beheaded, and his family was exiled — yet when Madam Xu came to express her thanks in person, she sighed quietly. “Your Highness… Lord Wang was not the true mastermind. The real culprit is the Prince Regent. Currently, the only prince of age is the Second Prince, and the Regent repeatedly pressed His Majesty to name him Crown Prince. My father-in-law frequently opposed this, and I suspect this is what drove the conspiracy against him.”

Qing Li remained silent and made no comment.

Xu departed in disappointment, but the incident made a huge ripple in the capital. Everyone now knew Princess Leyi was not only proficient in divination but a healer as well. She was able to pull Elder Zhao back from the gates of death and find the true culprit who tried to harm him.

As rumors grew, more and more people believed in her ability to “see fate” and “heal sickness.” Petitions flowed into Chaoyang Palace in a blizzard of requests.

And just then, the “big fish” Qing Li had been waiting for finally took the bait.