The Culinary Chronicles of the Court Physician: The Disgraced Princess Consumes Poison to Create Medicine
A spring breeze blew through the harem.
However, what the long-awaited seasonal wind brought was not just the scent of blooming plum blossoms.
In the Spring Palace, yet another sneeze echoed.
In other chambers, the court ladies were coughing incessantly.
“I woke up with a scratchy throat and thought I should see someone before it gets worse.”
“Your throat is quite swollen.”
Cai Tsai Fei Ling, the food physician of the harem, had come to the Spring Palace to examine the consorts.
The person being examined was Yao Li Sha. Last year, after a series of events, Li Sha had stepped down from her position as a consort to become a lower-ranking concubine.
“It seems you’ve caught a cold. It’s understandable, with the weather shifting so erratically between warm and cold lately.”
In the harem, particularly in the Spring Palace, an unusual number of colds had been spreading this year.
Li Sha coughed again. After checking her temperature and confirming there was no fever, Fei Ling borrowed the kitchen from the palace.
“Lan Xin.”
Fei Ling called out to a court lady standing nearby.
Ming Lan Xin was a lively and loyal court lady who had sworn her loyalty to Fei Ling after receiving her favor.
“Could you please grate some lotus root and ginger for me?”
“Leave it to me. Wait, aren’t these just regular ingredients?”
Lan Xin, excited to get started, looked surprised.
“In the past, if we were making medicine, we’d start by grinding cicada shells or boiling poisonous mushrooms, or splitting hard, slimy fruits that looked unfamiliar.”
“This is not a poison remedy.”
Even without using special ingredients, it could still work as a medicine.
The lotus root was sliced into flower shapes, and the rest was grated. It was important not to peel it. To avoid roughness, it was wrapped in cloth and squeezed. The mixture was placed in a pot, stirred carefully to prevent it from boiling, and gradually became thicker.
After adjusting the taste, spring onions were sprinkled, and ginger was squeezed in.
“It’s ready now. Let’s bring it to Li Sha.”
After ladling the mixture into a bowl, Fei Ling carried it to Li Sha.
“Here is a medicinal soup made from lotus root and ginger.”
Li Sha smiled, hands folded, gazing at the bowl with delight as the warm steam rose from it. The lotus root shaped like plum blossoms floated gently in the soup.
“…Hmm… It’s simple, but there’s a nostalgic flavor to it… Hehe, it’s delicious.”
Li Sha closed her eyes and took a deep breath, her eyes glistening with tears.
“I feel like the pain in my throat has eased. I’m all warmed up, and the chill I’ve had since this morning is gone.”
Just as she spoke, Li Sha’s previously pale cheeks were now faintly flushed.
“What kind of medicine is this?”
“First, ginger. Ginger warms the body, promotes sweating, and helps dispel colds. The grated lotus root relieves throat pain and is widely used in folk remedies to stop coughing. Finally, the spring onion, which is a very effective herb for colds, boosts the immunity weakened by the change of seasons.”
Fei Ling spoke without hesitation, her explanation clear and concise.
“Even though there’s nothing special about the ingredients, it’s amazing how effective it is. You really are a skilled food physician.”
Li Sha was in awe.
“Unlike poison, a cold can’t be cured immediately. Please drink this every morning and evening to expel the cold before it worsens.”
Just then, someone stepped into the examination room.
“Is the food physician still here?”
It was a tall eunuch wearing a mask. His name was Gua Lang. Normally, it would be a grave insult to enter a concubine’s chamber without announcing oneself, but Li Sha didn’t reprimand him. That was because he was a man she loved, and who loved her in return.
“A messenger from the Spring Consort is here. One of her ladies-in-waiting has developed a severe fever and has been bedridden since last night. Once you’re finished here, please go and see her.”
“Understood.”
Gua Lang glared at Fei Ling with his sharp, piercing eyes. She knew he wasn’t actually angry; he just had an intense gaze. But it still made her uneasy to have his gaze on her so intently.
“…Is there something wrong?” she asked, unsure.
“No, I just thought… you’ve really become the food physician of the harem,” Gua Lang said with a hint of sarcasm.
“I’ve always been the food physician of the harem,” Fei Ling replied, blinking in confusion.
“I know that.”
Gua Lang scratched his messy hair, looking irritated as if his thoughts weren’t getting across.
“What I meant was, you’re really being relied upon. I doubt anyone would openly dismiss you as a ‘common girl’ now.”
This implied that there were still some people who secretly resented or criticized her. However, the trust she had built up over the past year was solid. Her popularity now served as a shield, protecting her from the negativity around her.
“Thank you for your kind words.”
Fei Ling smiled and lowered her head in gratitude.
“I will remain a healer with my medicines until I rid the harem of its poison. That is my vow to the late Emperor Diao.”
It had been about two months since Emperor Diao passed away. Around the same time, the Emperor’s lost son, who had been missing for six years, had returned, and the palace was thrown into turmoil. However, the Empress, Xin Hua, took charge, declaring herself the ruler of the court. All the ministers obeyed her without question.
Thanks to this, the order in the palace was preserved.
Even without the Emperor, the harem remained a place of elegance, and Fei Ling, as the food physician, continued to do her duty.
“You never waver, do you, food physician?”
Whether it was meant as praise or exasperation, Gua Lang gave a subtle, wry smile.
