Witch God Abyss (Lily) - Chapter 7

Zhao Beijin was in the midst of her monthly cycle these past few days.

At sixteen, she was at an age when a woman’s body undergoes great changes.

Seven days before her cycle, her chest would swell and ache unbearably until it ended.

Back at the mansion, her mother tried many remedies, but none relieved it.

This month in the palace, the swelling and back pain grew worse.

The pain kept her awake at night and made it hard to focus during the day at the Imperial Academy.

As a result, she was scolded by the Grand Tutor for two days straight.

Shen Yuan kept recalling Zhao Beijin’s abnormal pulse.

Having formed her core, Shen Yuan had no such troubles.

Back in Wubei, she lived with her sect sisters, some of whom hadn’t formed their cores and used herbal remedies to manage their cycles.

She had heard much about it.

Shen Yuan recalled the prescriptions her senior sisters used.

Since ancient times, Taoist and medical arts have been intertwined.

Shen Yuan took a brush and wrote two prescriptions, then called an Imperial Observatory female officer.

“Have the imperial physicians prepare these. One for drinking, one for a medicinal bath. Boil three bowls of water to one for the drink. Cook the bath herbs over low heat for two hours. I wrote it clearly. Send them to Princess Jin.”

“Yes.”

“Tell Princess Jin these prescriptions can ease her monthly discomfort.”

At 9-11 PM.

The female officer returned.

“The medicinal bath was prepared for Princess Jin. The decoction was brewed and sent.”

“She accepted it?”

“Yes, she did.”

Shen Yuan thought, “Seems she’s not too petty.”

Shen Yuan went alone from the Imperial Observatory to Princess Jin’s quarters.

Zhao Beijin had indeed dismissed her maids and was soaking in the medicinal bath behind a screen in her quarters.

Shen Yuan stood outside the screen and said, “Princess Jin.”

“You!” Zhao Beijin’s voice was clearly tense.

“Academic Officer Lin, you’re now a court official. This is the inner palace. Can’t you follow some etiquette to avoid unnecessary trouble for you and your master?”

Shen Yuan, unconcerned, said, “Are all you noble families so fond of lecturing?”

“A kind reminder.”

“Then thanks, Princess Jin.”

Having drunk the decoction, Zhao Beijin’s discomfort eased slightly.

Soaking in the medicinal bath now, her mood improved greatly.

Thus, she spoke to Shen Yuan with some courtesy.

“When soaking, have a maid massage your chest, armpits, elbows, neck sides, and knees. It works better.”

“Mm.” Zhao Beijin softly agreed from inside.

“If you’re shy, you can massage yourself.”

“Got it.”

For a while, neither spoke.

Zhao Beijin, unsure if the person beyond the screen had left, tentatively called, “Academic Officer Lin?”

“What does Princess Jin command?”

“Nothing…”

Shen Yuan, standing by the screen, suddenly found Princess Jin utterly adorable, far from the ruthless figure she saw shooting the “Arrow Never Misses” from the rooftop.

After thinking, she decided to be direct.

“Princess Jin, I have a question.”

“Speak, Academic Officer Lin.”

“Do Jingtan, the Reclusive One, know about the symptoms on the left chest of the three princesses?”

“I haven’t told Jingtan, the Reclusive One.”

“If convenient, Princess Jin, send word to Jingtan. I think she might have a solution.”

Zhao Beijin rested her arm on the tub, fingers tapping its edge.

“She can treat it?”

“Yes.”

“Alright. I’ll send someone to Miaojing Mountain tomorrow morning.”

Shen Yuan returned to the Imperial Observatory.

The Imperial Observatory, on the west side of the palace, was only two courtyards from the princesses’ quarters.

She hadn’t finished the hundreds of scrolls on gu insects left by Wen Li.

Though mischievous, Shen Yuan never slacked on her master’s tasks.

That night, she slept in the Imperial Observatory’s main hall.

At some unknown hour, the night breeze felt chilly.

Shen Yuan suddenly felt a warm, soft body pressing against her from behind…

“Academic Officer Lin… I… help me…”

Shen Yuan snapped awake. It was… Zhao Beijin?

“Princess Jin? How did you get here? How did you avoid the night patrols?”

“I…”

Shen Yuan grabbed her flailing hands and checked her pulse.

“This is… a bewitching drug? In the inner palace? Impossible. It can’t be a bewitching drug.”

Zhao Beijin was barely conscious, barefoot, hair half-loose, secured only by a hairpin, wearing a white inner robe and pants for sleeping, the sash loose, revealing arms and shoulders with scratch marks.

Yesterday, during their encounter, her skin was like white jade.

These scratches were new.

Shen Yuan helped her sit up and asked, “Princess Jin, are you itchy?”

“Itchy, painful, and so hot. Help me…”

Zhao Beijin leaned entirely onto her…

Shen Yuan caught her. Zhao Beijin’s body was burning, like a high fever, especially her chest.

At that moment, Zhao Beijin’s skin was snowy white, her cheeks flushed, black hair cascading, half-faded makeup removing her daytime severity, making her even more delicate and alluring…

Holding the soft, fragrant body in her arms, Shen Yuan was momentarily dazed.

“What… do I do? Master never taught me this… Would a binding spell be too much?”

“Fragrance?” Shen Yuan noticed an odd scent on Zhao Beijin. She recalled smelling it yesterday in Zhao Beijin’s quarters.

She searched from Zhao Beijin’s hair, cheeks, and neck for the strange fragrance.

“Not hair oil, not face rouge, not body balm…”

Shen Yuan dragged Zhao Beijin to a low couch nearby, fearing she’d scratch herself more, and tied her hands with a gauze sash.

She wrapped her tightly in a blanket, removed her hairpin and earrings, and left the hall.

Not far from the hall were the female officers’ quarters.

Shen Yuan knocked.

“Anyone awake? I need help.”

Soon, a female officer opened the door, rubbing her eyes.

“Academic Officer Lin, what hour is it?”

“Help me heat bathwater.”

“Now?”

“Yes.”

“Oh, I’ll get someone else.”

Shen Yuan handed the hairpin and earrings to the officer.

“Please, hurry.”

“Yes.”

Two female officers helped remove Zhao Beijin’s clothes and supported her into the tub.

But she was so weak she couldn’t sit up.

Shen Yuan had to join her, holding her up. She kept thinking, “What is that fragrance?”

Using bath beans, she washed Zhao Beijin from head to toe until only the bean scent remained.

Zhao Beijin’s breathing steadied, and her body cooled.

Shen Yuan checked her pulse again.

Though still irregular, it was no longer critical.

The officers helped Zhao Beijin to Shen Yuan’s room to sleep.

Shen Yuan changed out of her wet clothes and went to Zhao Beijin’s quarters.

She searched the entire room, finding the same fragrant powder in the wardrobe, under the pillow, and in the incense burner for scenting clothes.

She took all the sachets and powder, opened the windows to air out the room, and returned to the Imperial Observatory as dawn approached.

Zhao Beijin woke with no discomfort, smelling a herbal scent by her pillow, the same as the medicinal bath from the previous afternoon.

It was calming.

“You’re awake?” Shen Yuan stood at the door, arms crossed.

Zhao Beijin vaguely recalled last night’s events. “I… what happened?”

“Why did you trust me?”