Witch God Abyss (Lily) - Chapter 5

One month after the three girls entered the palace.

The Imperial Observatory, main hall.

This main hall was less a hall and more an oversized pavilion.

It had a roof, beams, and pillars, with no doors or windows, only green gauze curtains hanging around.

The courtyard was filled with wild grass and trees, swaying in the wind.

Wen Li sat cross-legged behind a desk, a scroll placed on it.

To the side was a sixteen-panel screen, carved top and bottom, painted in the middle.

It depicted demonic beasts, divine beasts, mountains, and valleys—all drawn by Wen Li himself, representing the strange creatures and places he had seen over centuries.

The screen originally had five panels, but as he painted more, it grew, now reaching sixteen panels.

He propped his chin with one hand, tilting his head to stare at the screen.

Today, there was no wind.

A young palace servant lifted the gauze curtain, walked around the screen, and bowed.

“National Master, the three princesses are unwell. The imperial physicians say…”

Wen Li stood before the servant finished.

“Let’s go.”

“Huh? Uh, yes. His Majesty said to ask the National Master to go…”

The servant trailed behind, muttering the unfinished words.

Leaving the Imperial Observatory, Wen Li headed toward Chenglin Hall, where Long Qianshan met with ministers.

The servant hurriedly said, “His Majesty asked the National Master to see the princesses. Where is the National Master going?”

Wen Li ignored him and reached Chenglin Hall, saying, “Go report my arrival.”

“Yes.”

Soon, a palace servant emerged.

“His Majesty invites the National Master inside.”

Wen Li bowed.

“Reporting to Your Majesty, the three princesses are women… As a man, it’s improper for me to examine them.”

“No matter. I’ve already informed the palace maids and the princesses.”

“Still improper. I suggest summoning Shen Yuan to the palace. It’s more convenient for women to handle this.”

Long Qianshan considered it and agreed.

Though the National Master was half-demon, half-human, he was still a man.

“Very well.”

Emperor Shuo Xuan told a palace servant, “Go to the princess’s mansion and summon Shen Yuan to the palace.”

“Yes.”

Shen Yuan received the palace servant’s oral edict and entered the palace but went to the Imperial Observatory first.

“Master, why ask me to treat illnesses? I don’t know how. With so many imperial physicians in the palace who can’t handle it, what can a young woman like me do?”

Wen Li was sorting scrolls on the bookshelf.

“If I say you can do it, you can. Imperial physicians are mortals, only able to treat common ailments. As a man, it’s inconvenient for me to examine the princesses’ affected areas.”

Shen Yuan said, “Why not ask Jingtan, the Reclusive One?”

“She took Fu Fengli back to the Taoist temple.”

“Then there’s still…”

Wen Li cut her off.

“Li Mushang returned to Yudong. She only escorted Princess Duan to Zhongdu. Besides, they’re outsiders without official positions, so it’s inconvenient for them to enter the palace.”

“Oh… Wait, Master, does that mean I can go back to Wubei too?”

“What for? Li Mushang is the Wood Clan’s leader, with an entire clan to manage. What’s in Wubei that needs you?”

“Huh? But I don’t have anything to do in Zhongdu either.”

“Now you do. Stay and help me at the Imperial Observatory. I’ve spoken to His Majesty. You’ll be given an eighth-rank academic officer position at the Imperial Observatory, overseeing academic rules and celestial observations. You’ll have a salary.”

“Ugh, the shackles are on.”

Shen Yuan shook her head.

Wen Li couldn’t help but smile.

She’d grown up like Bujian Tian, her tone and expression just like his, but he sternly said, “Why are you dodging responsibility the moment you arrive? Don’t you care about your Little Princess Zhou?”

“It’s not that I don’t care. Zhongdu is full of talent, and palace matters… meddling too much causes trouble…”

Wen Li turned, staring at Shen Yuan. “Who told you that?”

“Uh? No… nobody…”

“You’ve been in Zhongdu just over a month and entered the palace once. What talent have you seen? What trouble have you caused?”

Shen Yuan, unable to hide it, muttered, “Bujian Tian said it…”

“He should go back to Wubei.”

Wen Li picked up some scrolls and placed them on the desk.

“I’m heading back to Yudong too.”

“Master’s going to Yudong again?” Shen Yuan’s tone was full of dissatisfaction.

“Study these scrolls well. I’ll test you when I return.”

“When’s that?” Shen Yuan pressed.

Wen Li wrote several talismans for Shen Yuan.

“If something urgent arises, burn one.”

Shen Yuan tucked the talismans away.

“Sigh, a grand National Master, always absent from the Imperial Observatory, living in Yudong for over twenty years. Ridiculous. Master, you and General An from Yudong have been together for over twenty years, haven’t you? Aren’t you tired of it?”

Wen Li flicked her forehead.

“Brat, who’s been telling you these things?!”

“Ouch, I told you this will make me dumb. I’m going!”

Shen Yuan left the Imperial Observatory’s main hall.

A palace servant was already waiting outside and led her to the three princesses’ quarters.

Shen Yuan followed the servant, first arriving at Little Princess Zhou’s quarters.

Zhou Yizhi, not having seen Shen Yuan for over a month, excitedly chattered about everything.

“I miss Grandmother, but she’s too strict. The palace is so different from outside. Every move, every word—countless eyes watch you. Luckily, Grandmother made me memorize etiquette and rules. Little Princess Duan probably didn’t have a tutor in Yudong’s mansion. She can’t read and doesn’t know palace etiquette, so she often embarrasses herself. The maids laugh at her in private.”

Zhou Yizhi was at an awkward age, curious about everything outside yet unaware of the responsibilities awaiting her.

She didn’t want to be treated like a child but was clueless about what was coming.

“Are you used to the food?”

Shen Yuan, always greedy for food and raised on plain temple meals, asked, “Does the palace have lots of delicious things?”

“Not really. His Majesty’s from Wubei, so the palace food’s like ours at home, just more refined with smaller portions. But I don’t dare eat much. Six maids stand by, watching how much you eat, how many times you pick up food—it’s mortifying. The day before yesterday, Duan Yule ate an extra piece of osmanthus cake, and the maids mocked her for two days. But the previous afternoon, she was kept by the Grand Tutor to copy two extra pages, so her dinner was cold by the time she returned. The plates and bowls had a layer of white grease, and the maids didn’t reheat it. She didn’t eat. Of course she was hungry the next morning.”

“That’s bullying!”

“Exactly. She entered the palace alone. Now I understand why Grandmother insisted I bring two maids. Having your own maids makes a difference. And she’s only six—she doesn’t know how to gift jewelry to the maids, so they just bully her.”

“What about Princess Zhao Beijin?”

Zhou Yizhi’s face filled with admiration.

“She’s different, a prodigy. She read at three, wrote poetry at five, played the zither at six, rode and shot arrows at ten, and by twelve, mastered the languages of the barbarian tribes. She’s skilled in music, archery, riding, literature, and math. She’s sixteen now—I think they could just name her crown prin—”

“Shh… don’t talk nonsense.”

Shen Yuan cut her off.

“Court matters must never be discussed in private, not even a word.”

“Oh, got it.”

Shen Yuan said, “Seems you like living in the palace.”

Zhou Yizhi complained, “I have to get up at dawn to meditate with the National Master. After mid-morning, I go to the Imperial Academy to study and write with the Grand Tutor. By night, I’m so tired I fall asleep while undoing my hair.”

“You look lively. Doesn’t seem like you’re sick.”

“It’s not exactly an illness.”

Shen Yuan said, “Alright, let’s see your symptoms.”

Zhou Yizhi’s maid, Banzhi, came to help her undo her upper garment.

On the left side of her chest was a round, red, translucent mark, as if the red flesh inside was visible.

Shen Yuan examined the mark, pressed it, and asked, “Does it hurt?”

“It doesn’t hurt unless you press it. Normally, it doesn’t hurt either.”

“When did you notice it?”

“A few days ago?” Zhou Yizhi looked at Banzhi.

Maid Banzhi said, “Reporting to Academic Officer Lin, about ten days ago, while bathing the princess, we noticed her chest was slightly red. It got redder and larger, and two days ago, it seemed like something was moving inside.”

Shen Yuan asked, “Any other symptoms?”

Zhou Yizhi shook her head.

“Is having a good appetite a symptom?”

Shen Yuan laughed.

“No.”

She felt Zhou Yizhi’s palm, which was warm, and said to Banzhi, “Alright, dress the princess.”

“Done?” Zhou Yizhi asked.

“Yes. I need to see the other two princesses. If you think of anything, have Banzhi tell me.”

“Okay.”