The Culinary Chronicles of the Court Physician: The Disgraced Princess Consumes Poison to Create Medicine
Even in the corridor, the sound of coughing and sneezing could be heard from all directions.
“What a shame. It’s the season of plum blossoms, and yet this is happening.”
Xue Mei approached. I almost addressed her as “Consort Xue Mei” but quickly reminded myself that she was now Spring Consort.
Li Xue Mei—
The ceremony when she was granted the title of Spring Consort was truly grand.
Bringing along performers of song, dance, and elegant music, Xue Mei traveled through the Summer, Autumn, and Winter palaces before swearing an oath at the Noble Palace, where the Empress resided, and finally returning to the Spring Palace. She danced her way through this journey with the pride befitting a Plum Blossom Dancer. Even Fei Ling, who was rarely moved by extravagance, felt her heart stir at Xue Mei’s dazzling presence.
“Is Consort Xue Mei feeling unwell?”
“I’m fine, for now at least. There were always a few court ladies who fell ill during this season, but I’ve never seen it this bad before. Still, I’m relieved—thanks to your medicine, this cold outbreak should subside soon.”
Consort Xue Mei had just given birth to an imperial princess. She must have been deeply worried about the risk of infection. Fei Ling wanted to reassure her that medicine would prevent any harm, but she could not bring herself to lie to Xue Mei.
“The truth is, there is no cure for the common cold.”
Xue Mei furrowed her brows at the unexpected words.
“What do you mean?”
“All traditional remedies can only alleviate symptoms. It is the patient’s own body that ultimately fights off the cold. Recovery is solely dependent on the immune system, and I doubt that a complete cure will ever exist.”
The drastic temperature shifts between winter and spring often weakened the liver, making people more susceptible to illness. Once the immune system was compromised, the wind pathogen would invade. The common cold was considered the “leader of all ailments.”
“That is why the key lies in strengthening the body to resist illness in the first place. A physician’s true duty is to treat disease before it manifests. Please ensure adequate rest and consume foods such as eggs, carrots, burdock, lotus root, and tubers.”
Fei Ling unpacked her belongings and took out a certain item.
“This is a tea brewed from the root of dyer’s knotweed.”
The leaves of this plant were the basis for banlangen, a well-known herbal remedy, and were also used for indigo dye. While it was employed as an antidote for spider and snake venom and as an insect repellent, its root was known for its fever-reducing and antibacterial properties.
“If I drink this, will it prevent the cold?”
“No, it should only be taken after falling ill. For prevention, brew it and let it cool, then use it as a gargle.”
“That’s reassuring.”
Consort Xue Mei smiled, her expression as delicate as a blossoming plum.
While the Spring Palace was currently the epicenter of the outbreak, the illness could easily spread to the other palaces. Fei Ling handed tea leaves to Lan Xin, instructing her to distribute them to the Summer, Autumn, and Winter palaces.
She needed to continue examining the consorts.
“Do you have a moment? The white plums in Yanchun’s garden have bloomed.”
Yanchun—the only eunuch Xue Mei had ever loved.
Ironically, it was the poison he left behind that had intertwined the fates of Fei Ling and Xue Mei.
“Is that so? I would love to see them with you.”
