A few days later, an imperial edict in bright yellow color arrived at Lin Yue's residence like a swift gust of wind, carrying an irresistible sense of majesty. At that moment, Lin Yue was studying medical books in the courtyard. When she saw the edict, she felt as if the world was spinning. When she heard that the Empress Dowager, having heard of her excellent medical skills during the free medical consultations, specifically wanted to summon her, in an instant, a feeling of unease welled up like a surging tide, completely submerging her heart. She was all too aware of the great significance of this audience with the Empress Dowager. A slightest mistake could be like a butterfly flapping its wings, triggering a chain reaction that might bring about disaster and endanger the safety of herself and her family. During the process of preparing to enter the palace, her hands involuntarily trembled slightly, and even the ordinary action of arranging her clothes became slow and stiff, as if she were bound by an invisible shackle. Every time she raised her hand and every time she fastened a button, it seemed so difficult, as if bearing a weight of a thousand catties.
She was dressed in a plain brocade long dress. Her hair was neatly arranged in a bun, and a simple yet elegant jade hairpin was inserted into it. Then, she carefully followed the eunuch and walked along the winding and seemingly endless palace path. Along the way, the towering palace walls stood like giants on both sides, casting shadows that made her feel even more oppressed. Her heart beat faster and faster. Every step she took seemed to be on the edge of a sharp knife, and her heart was filled with the fear of walking on thin ice. The maids and eunuchs they passed by all kept their heads bowed and were silent. Only the sound of her footsteps echoed in the empty palace path, adding to the tense atmosphere.
Finally, they arrived at the Empress Dowager's living quarters. The palace gates slowly opened, and a rich fragrance of agarwood wafted out. Lin Yue took a deep breath, trying to calm her flustered and confused emotions. Then, she respectfully knelt down and saluted, her voice clear and melodious but with a trace of uncontrollable nervousness: "The commoner woman, Su Yao, pays her respects to the Empress Dowager." The Empress Dowager was sitting on the phoenix couch, wearing a magnificent phoenix robe embroidered with lifelike phoenixes, as if they were about to spread their wings and fly at any moment. The Empress Dowager had a kind face, and her gentle expression was like the warm spring sun. She graciously motioned for Lin Yue to rise, looked at her up and down with a scrutinizing gaze, and said with a smile: "I've heard that you have excellent medical skills. I've been feeling a bit unwell these days. Please take a careful look at me."
Lin Yue walked softly but a bit slowly to the side of the Empress Dowager. Her hands trembled even more violently. She tried her best to control them and gently placed her fingertips on the Empress Dowager's pulse, carefully feeling the Empress Dowager's pulse. She was fully concentrated, and it seemed that the only sound she could hear in her ears was the thunderous beating of her own heart. She focused on feeling the subtle ups and downs of the Empress Dowager's pulse. Her eyebrows furrowed and then relaxed from time to time, and in her mind, she was constantly thinking about the characteristics and treatment methods of various diseases. With her rich medical experience, she gradually formed a judgment in her heart. After a while, Lin Yue slowly stood up and tried her best to make her tone calm and firm, saying: "Your Majesty the Empress Dowager, you are suffering from a deficiency of qi and blood, coupled with excessive fatigue. Nourishment and recuperation are of utmost urgency. I suggest a combination of dietary therapy and acupuncture." The Empress Dowager nodded slightly, her eyes showing expectation, motioning for her to continue.
Lin Yue then went on methodically: "In terms of diet, you can consume more nourishing foods such as red dates, longans, and donkey-hide gelatin. These ingredients can effectively replenish qi and blood. It is advisable to eat five red dates every day, which can tonify the spleen and
stomach, nourish the blood, and soothe the nerves. When cooking porridge, add an appropriate amount of longans. It can not only add a sweet taste to the porridge but also nourish the heart and spleen and replenish qi and blood. As for donkey-hide gelatin, take it after melting it. Its effect of nourishing yin and replenishing blood is extremely remarkable. As for acupuncture, several key acupoints need to be selected, such as Zusanli, Sanyinjiao, Qihai, etc. Regular acupuncture can dredge the meridians, regulate qi and blood, and restore the body's balance. After each acupuncture session, Your Majesty the Empress Dowager needs to lie still for half an hour so that the body can better absorb the curative effect. During this period, the room should be kept quiet and the air should circulate smoothly. Your Majesty the Empress Dowager can calm her mind and nourish her spirit during this time, allowing the body and mind to be fully relaxed. Moreover, taking a short walk in the garden every morning and breathing in fresh air is also of great benefit to the recovery of the body." After hearing this, the Empress Dowager's eyes were filled with admiration and she readily agreed.
Lin Yue began to perform acupuncture on the Empress Dowager. She was fully concentrated, and fine beads of sweat gradually appeared on her forehead, like glistening dewdrops slowly sliding down her cheeks. Her technique was skillful and steady, and every needle was inserted accurately, as if she were performing a solemn and sacred ceremony. First, she carefully disinfected the silver needles in alcohol to ensure everything was safe. Then, she gently twirled the silver needles and slowly inserted them into the acupoints, precisely adjusting the depth and angle of insertion according to the different characteristics of the acupoints and the severity of the illness. Every time she inserted a needle, she would softly ask the Empress Dowager how she felt so as to make timely adjustments. "Your Majesty the Empress Dowager, do you feel a sour and distending sensation? If you feel any discomfort, please inform me immediately." The Empress Dowager nodded slightly and said softly: "There is no discomfort. You have a skillful acupuncture technique, and I trust you."
Just then, Li Yi walked in with steady steps. He was wearing a bright yellow dragon robe embroidered with five-clawed golden dragons, demonstrating his supreme dignity. He had originally come to visit the Empress Dowager and inquire about her health. When he saw Lin Yue's focused and serious appearance, completely immersed in what she was doing, as if the whole world consisted only of her and the shining silver needles in her hands, Li Yi felt as if an invisible hand had gently touched his heart, and an indescribable feeling of affection quietly sprouted in his heart. This feeling was like a tender shoot breaking through the soil in spring, rapidly growing vigorously in his heart. When the Empress Dowager saw her son, the smile on her face became even wider, and she said with a laugh: "Yi'er, come and take a look at this Miss Su. Her medical skills are truly remarkable."
Only then did Lin Yue notice Li Yi's arrival. She hurriedly saluted, her voice a bit flustered: "The commoner woman pays her respects to the Emperor." Li Yi softly told her to rise, but his eyes remained fixed on her, and there was a hint more of tenderness and concern in his eyes. This gentle gaze was like the gentle spring breeze, softly brushing against Lin Yue's heart, gradually relaxing her originally tense nerves. She slightly raised her head and briefly met Li Yi's gaze. At that moment, she seemed to see the sincerity and kindness in Li Yi's eyes.
After that, Li Yi often took the opportunity to meet Lin Yue on the pretext of caring about the Empress Dowager's illness. The two of them got along very well and talked about everything, from poetry and songs to medical principles, from astronomy and geography to life ideals. When talking about poetry, Lin Yue interpreted the classics from a unique modern perspective. Her novel explanations of the connotations of poetry and her different analyses of the creative backgrounds made Li Yi's eyes light up, as if a brand-new window to literature had been opened. She told Li Yi about the romance and boldness in Li Bai's poems and interpreted Li Bai's yearning for freedom from a modern emotional perspective, giving Li Yi a new understanding of those well-known poems. When it came to medical principles, the modern medical concepts and methods that Lin Yue shared, such as her unique understanding of the human physiological functions and innovative ideas for disease treatment, made Li Yi admire her knowledge even more and marvel at her profound and unique knowledge. She explained to Li Yi the principle of the human blood circulation and some simple disinfection and epidemic prevention measures. These unheard-of knowledge greatly shocked Li Yi.
Lin Yue's talent and knowledge were like a delicate key, gradually opening Li Yi's heart, making him more and more fascinated by her. And Lin Yue, without realizing it, had secretly developed feelings for this gentle, refined, and benevolent emperor who cared about the world. Every time she saw him, her heart would flutter like a startled deer, and ripples of emotions would rise in her heart. When Li Yi's gaze met hers, her cheeks would involuntarily turn red, and her heart would beat like a drum. When she heard Li Yi's voice, a warmth and joy would well up in her heart, as if she were bathed in the warm spring sun. During the process of getting along with Li Yi, Lin Yue experienced an unprecedented emotional experience. She began to eagerly look forward to every meeting with Li Yi and to envision that the relationship between the two of them could bloom like spring flowers and continue to develop and warm up. After each separation, she would silently look forward to the next reunion in her heart, recalling every detail of their time together, and the corners of her mouth would involuntarily turn up.