Volume One: The Hidden Dragon in the Abyss Chapter Thirty-Two: Healing

"Twenty years have passed, and at last I've found someone with whom I can share both fortune and the slow passage of time—how could I not pledge to follow him unto death?"
Yang Hao returned to his room to rest, his gaze resolute.
Merchants hold Lord Tao Zhu in utmost esteem; naturally, Yang Hao was well acquainted with his deeds. Fan Li, one of the ministers who built his career alongside the King of Yue, was a name familiar to many. Later, he abandoned his post and turned to commerce, earning a lasting reputation for virtue in later generations.
When the birds are gone, the good bow is put away; when the cunning hare is gone, the hound is boiled.
Yet Wen Zhong met a poor end at that time.
Having spent years in business, I've come to realize that no matter how vast the wealth, ruin can arrive overnight. Thus, I am willing to stake everything on Wang Chuan.
Princes, marquises, generals, and ministers may have honor and status, but when one reaches that level, power is in one's grasp.
This is precisely what I seek.
To be prime minister is to stand beneath one, above ten thousand! The ministers clear the way, the highest respect is paid, policies are decided, edicts are issued. Above, one assists the Son of Heaven; below, one serves the people; outside, one pacifies the barbarians; inside, one wins the hearts of the populace. It is as if the emperor sits in the chariot, and the prime minister holds the reins.
I aspire to wield authority and govern the world.
...
"Wang Chuan, Wang Chuan..."
Late into the night, many were awakened, it seemed Her Highness the Princess had rushed over; no one dared stop her.
"Are you looking for me?" Wang Chuan pushed open the door and walked out toward the young woman.
"Wang Chuan, where did you go?"
Xu Wei's chest rose and fell, her oval face pure and beautiful, a sheen of sweat upon her brow. Her graceful figure was slender and enchanting, and upon seeing him her eyes sparkled with delight.
Yang Hao, standing nearby, realized that this princess truly cared for the crown prince.
"I've been here all along," Wang Chuan replied.
"Oh." Xu Wei blushed, her expression somewhat dazed.
"Is there something you need?" Wang Chuan asked.
"Oh, right." Xu Wei suddenly grew anxious. "My mother is ill. Could you come with me to see her?"
"Me?" Wang Chuan was surprised. "Why me?"
"Aren't you skilled in medicine?" Xu Wei said.
"I've not formally studied it," Wang Chuan shook his head.
"But you saved that infant the other day," Xu Wei insisted, her eyes wide and earnest.
"I... well..." Wang Chuan struggled to explain. "For common ailments, I rely on experience, but if it's too complex... Right, you have imperial physicians—they couldn't help?"
"Yes, they're useless," Xu Wei said with some annoyance.
"Let me at least take a look," Wang Chuan said.
It might be some strange illness; Wang Chuan could only go and see.
Perhaps he would be powerless, yet he did not wish to disappoint the girl, not when even a sliver of hope remained.
Since when does His Highness know medicine—Yang Hao wondered.
"Why bring him? Does he understand medicine at all?" Lord Yu's attitude toward Wang Chuan was not friendly; had it not been for his daughter, he would not have shown a good face.
"I know a little. There are four seasons in nature, and yin and yang in the human body—balancing and harmonizing, complementing each other, so that life may flourish." Wang Chuan said.
Xu Wei spoke up for him, and only then did Lord Yu agree to let him examine her.
Wang Chuan approached the bedside, his eyes brightening; every encounter with the empress tested his composure.
Unlike the soothing aura Xu Wei gave him, the empress’s beauty was dazzling and radiant.
She lay on the couch in plain white robes, smiling gently. Her alluring gaze shimmered, her skin like creamy jade, flushed and tender, trembling ever so slightly—truly enticing!
Her face was a bit pale, two delicate brows drawn together, revealing infinite charm tinged with sorrow. Her eyes, clear and luminous, still shone brilliantly, drawing others in irresistibly.
"This illness... is quite peculiar," Wang Chuan assessed her internal energy, meridians, organs—there was some weakness.
She was not gravely ill, but enough to cause worry, and it was clear the cause eluded them.
By his sense, her whole being seemed somewhat withered.
Her current strength was only maintained through sheer will—she was forcing herself, likely to avoid distressing her husband and daughter.
Wang Chuan let out a sigh.
"Your Highness, I am fine," the empress smiled, gentle and warm. "Sorry to trouble you, Wei insisted you come, please forgive any inconvenience."
"It's all right, nothing to worry about," Wang Chuan shook his head, his tone much softer.
"Mother, don’t worry, he’s very skilled," Xu Wei stepped forward, grasped her hand, then turned to Wang Chuan. "Isn’t that right?"
Wang Chuan could only give a wry smile.
"Wei, don’t trouble him," the empress said, turning to Wang Chuan, "Your Highness, thank you for your poetry the other day, Wei was delighted. And I heard you accompanied her when she ventured out of the palace—thank you for looking after her."
"Your Highness is too kind," Wang Chuan nodded slightly.
"Now, please see what’s wrong with my mother," Xu Wei was growing impatient, pulling her mother’s hand toward Wang Chuan.
Wang Chuan blinked, pondering.
"Take her pulse," Xu Wei urged.
"Wei, don’t distract him," the empress said with a laugh, stroking her daughter’s hair. "Has Your Highness dined? If not, please stay."
"No hurry, I’m not hungry. Let’s first have a look at Her Highness’s illness," Wang Chuan said.
The empress nodded, awaiting his verdict.
"Bodily ailments can be cured, but ailments of the heart are beyond medicine," Wang Chuan looked at the mother and daughter. "Though we've only met twice, I see the empress is optimistic and open-hearted, much like the princess. There’s no need to worry overly."
"Your Highness observes keenly, but these two are far too anxious," the empress managed a smile.
"Actually, the empress knows her own condition," Wang Chuan added. "I have my suspicions, but dare not confirm."
"Wang Chuan, do you know what’s wrong with my mother?" Xu Wei’s spirits lifted, she rushed to ask. "She hasn’t had an appetite for days, and anything she eats she vomits—she’s miserable. The physicians found nothing, please help her!"
Wang Chuan fell silent, thinking, his gaze resting on the fair wrist revealed outside the embroidered quilt.
He extended two fingers, gently pressing—not quite like taking a pulse.
A stream of energy slowly flowed into her body, like a gentle trickle, soft as a breeze.
Wang Chuan’s fingers lifted, pressed down, lifted, pressed down...
Just like that, he tapped lightly again and again.
A power of transformation flowed.
Xu Wei had never seen such a method, but recalling how he had used a scallion to open the infant’s airway, she did not question him.
Lord Yu watched in silence, his composure steady; he had not interfered, but was the most concerned of all.
If Wang Chuan showed any sign of wrong-doing, he could seize him instantly!
Suddenly, they saw changes within the empress’s body.
As Wang Chuan tapped, her acupoints began to resonate, and energy seemed to circulate within her meridians.
Vitality seeped in, little by little, and color returned to the empress’s face.
Her acupoints opened, her pores seemed to relax.
Wang Chuan withdrew his hand.
Everyone’s attention was on the empress, delighting in the improvement.
But the empress kept her gaze fixed on Wang Chuan, seeing his face; for a moment, there was something alluring in her expression.
He quickly transformed the energy he had drawn from her, and it vanished.
Father and daughter hurried to check, their affection deep.
Wang Chuan rarely witnessed such scenes, especially in a royal household. In his understanding, it was most common among ordinary folk—though they bore burdens, their lives were stable, sometimes even comfortable and peaceful.
Such harmony was truly joyous.
"Wang Chuan, my mother’s all right now—how did you do it?" Xu Wei rushed over, eagerly questioning him.

"Not quite yet," Wang Chuan shook his head.
"Ah?" Xu Wei jumped, startled.
Lord Yu also looked over, concerned.
"I need to take her out of the city, seek expert help—then all will be well," Wang Chuan said, looking to Lord Yu. "What does Your Highness think?"
"Why not summon the expert to the palace?" Lord Yu replied.
"No, the palace’s location won’t do," Wang Chuan shook his head, glancing at them. "Ignoring the illness out of pride!"
Lord Yu was shocked, frowning.
"Wang Chuan, what’s going on? If we find this expert, will my mother be cured?" Xu Wei pressed.
"Don’t worry yourself. Your mother has her reasons," Wang Chuan said. "I’ve only eased her suffering for now, it won’t last. She hopes simply to endure this period. I only learned today that the empress has been enduring alone, not wanting to worry you, but that only made you worry more."
"I don’t understand," Xu Wei was confused. "What’s really happening?"
"Your Highness already knows, truly a sage reborn," the empress sat up and addressed Wang Chuan.
"There are things I won’t speak of; I don’t wish to be entangled in others’ affairs, to bear such karma—I’d rather sever it," Wang Chuan said. "Besides, my acquaintance is with the princess, not with Your Highness, so you needn’t be concerned."
"No matter," the empress smiled.
Wang Chuan gazed at her for a moment, then spoke: "His Majesty is a forceful man; from what I’ve seen, he’s spent his life intimidating the petty with his presence, overpowering with sheer aura. But today, I’ve witnessed true depth—like a prime minister’s capacity. Now I know a gentleman is like water: gentle as a trickle, powerful as a mighty river. I am deeply impressed."
"Your Highness is the true dragon among men. That day, your poetry amazed the world. Some praised, ‘A gentleman as flawless as jade, unmatched in the world,’ your elegance and charm are like a spring breeze," the empress said.
"You flatter me."
Wang Chuan said no more.
He sat in the vermillion lacquered grand chair, quietly studying the teacup before him, as if examining the patterns.
"Wang Chuan, what’s wrong with my mother? Why do you keep praising each other—can you really help her?" Xu Wei grew ever more confused.
Lord Yu felt it, realizing at last he simply didn’t trust Wang Chuan enough.
Wang Chuan claimed he could cure her, but it was doubtful; Lord Yu loved the empress deeply.
He did not fully trust Wang Chuan.
"It’s all right, she’ll be fine soon," Wang Chuan said. "Your mother didn’t want you to worry, so she endured alone—it’s hard for her. Don’t fret, she’ll get through it."
Xu Wei, teary-eyed, threw herself onto her mother and began to sob.
"Wang Chuan, can you really cure her?" Lord Yu asked.
"It’s a small matter. I never attempt what I cannot do—if I act, I will not fail," Wang Chuan replied seriously.
Such was his nature—proud, indeed.
"Can’t you say? What illness afflicts my empress?" Lord Yu asked, somewhat disheartened.
"It’s better to ask the empress herself. If she chooses not to speak, it’s not my place to say. This has nothing to do with me, why ask?" Wang Chuan shook his head, unwilling to interfere.
It was a matter of principle.
Lord Yu looked again at the woman on the bed—she always endured alone, suffering in silence.
What could it be? Could husband and wife not be honest with each other?
Every time, it touched the softest part of his heart.
"How long will you need?" Lord Yu asked.
"Two days, perhaps one," Wang Chuan replied.
"Very well, I owe you a favor!" Lord Yu stared at him. "My empress is in your hands; I won’t interfere. But should you act against me, dare to scheme, you will regret it!"
"I understand," Wang Chuan nodded.