Chapter 5

“Why is poison considered poison?”

Xue Mei, the consort, said as if she understood it all too well.

“Because it’s harmful, I suppose?”

“Indeed. But then, why is it harmful?”

“Poison disrupts the body’s functions or intensifies them, destroying cells or organs. For example, the venom of a snake increases the action of the blood, but in doing so, it destroys the blood cells, preventing wounds from closing. That’s why poison is considered poison.”

“I see, that makes sense.”

“However, the father of medicine once said, ‘All things in the universe are poisonous—everything, in fact, is poison.'”

To help plants grow and bear fruit, water is necessary, but too much water will cause the roots to decay. This means that water itself becomes poison, as explained by Fei Ling .

“Anything that goes too far becomes poison.”

Earthly poison, or chidoku, is the result of an imbalance in the harmony of yin and yang, where one element becomes too strong—either the yin or the yang.

“Excess, then, harms the body.”

“Do you know,” Fei Ling  continued, “that within our bodies, fire is always burning?”

As she spoke, she touched her lower abdomen, as if to make one aware of the invisible fire that continues to burn there, tracing the path of her intestines.

“I never thought about it.”

“It’s not just fire. Water flows through the body, the earth nourishes it, and if the veins of gold run through, the tree of life will also take root. If the tree grows too strong, it will sprout plums from the skin.”

At Xue Mei’s heel, another bud, like a red jewel, burst open.

“Does it hurt?”

“No. My toes are stiff, so I can no longer dance like before, but it’s not painful.”

Once, Fei Ling  had seen a patient who had been infected by the poison of a tree and turned into a cherry blossom. The poison had spread from the legs and the neck. Without detoxification, Xue Mei too would soon become like a plum.

The patient who had become a tree spoke not a word. Fei Ling  could only imagine that if the person retained only the consciousness of a human while becoming a tree, unable to move or speak—such a fate seemed terrifying.

(The thought alone makes me shudder.)

A spring breeze blew through the window, and the scent of plums was so thick it felt suffocating. A butterfly, drawn by the fragrant flowers, fluttered in through the window. It was a white butterfly.

Xue Mei extended her finger toward the butterfly.

“I like butterflies. They gather around fragrant flowers.”

The butterfly, perhaps attracted by the plum blossoms decorating her nails, landed on them.

“A woman is most alluring when she has a fragrant presence.”

She parted her moist lips and spoke almost as if humming a tune. No one in the imperial palace—or even in the entire capital—could match her in such a way.

“In three days, Her Majesty the Empress will host a banquet.”

The Empress held such grand gatherings every season, inviting the concubines to celebrate the beauty of the seasons. This was not a tradition started by the current Empress but rather a longstanding custom in the palace. Only the season’s concubines, including the seasonal consorts, consorts, and lesser wives, were invited, and Xue Mei had already received an invitation.

“The banquet in early spring was hosted by the seasonal consort, so I was able to decline, but when the Empress personally invites, I must attend. And I will have to perform a dance as well.”

Rumors of Xue Mei lying in bed had already spread. Fei Ling  casually considered suggesting that she publicly announce her illness, but that would tarnish her reputation as a dancer. If she could no longer perform, demotion or even a gift of a lower status might be considered.

“Of course, if you’re unable to prepare medicine, then it wouldn’t matter. I never expected anything in the first place.”

From the tip of her slender finger, a phoenix butterfly took flight.

“I will dance, even if I have to use a cane. More gracefully than any geisha in the city.”

There was a spirit in her words, a determination that radiated from her crimson eyes.

Xue Mei was strong. Far stronger than the consorts and concubines who wove meaningless rumors in the shadows while exchanging smiles. Fei Ling  held deep respect for the beautiful dancer.

“I promise. I will prepare the medicine and eliminate the poison before the dance.”

Xue Mei, the consort, merely said “I see” and faintly furrowed her willow-shaped brows. As her words indicated earlier, she held no hope. Yet, sensing the strength of Fei Ling ’s quiet voice, perhaps she felt the conviction that had been cultivated over time and did not outright deny her.

After the examination was finished, Fei Ling  asked one last question.

“By the way, Consort Xue Mei, did you have any connection to plums?”

For a moment, Xue Mei’s gaze wandered.

In her eyes, plums appeared—faintly blooming plums in the twilight. But like a gust of wind sweeping them away, they scattered, leaving only a vacant, distant look in her eyes.

“I’ve been called beautiful like a plum many times, to the point of weariness.”

Xue Mei then said, “If the examination is over, please leave. I am tired,” and turned her face away.

She was hiding something. Fei Ling  sensed it but did not press further. She bowed her head and left the room.

In the spring corridor, a palace maid was waiting.

It was Xiao Ling. She was carrying a tray with freshly brewed jasmine tea.

(Jasmine tea… It’s a fragrant tea known for its calming properties. It’s called mó lì huā chá in the West. If she wants this tea, it means Consort Xue Mei must be very tired.)

Fei Ling  moved to the side of the corridor and bowed her head.

Xiao Ling treated Fei Ling  as a doctor, but in reality, Xiao Ling, being a maid to a consort, held a higher rank. However, when she saw Fei Ling , she exclaimed in surprise and quickly began to explain herself.

“Ah… please don’t misunderstand. Consort Xue Mei is not a bad person. It’s just that she speaks her mind immediately, you see… her heart is kind, though.”

“I understand.”

“Oh, I see… I thought you might be upset. Every physician who has visited before has been that way.”

(With her behavior, she seems like a woman who would suffer for it. I don’t dislike her, though.)

“Ah, here, if you like, please take this sweet with you.”

On the tray were two tea cups. She had brewed one for Fei Ling  as well. Since Fei Ling  was leaving, Xiao Ling offered the sweets at least.

“Ah, plum branch sweets? How nostalgic. I had them once at the market in the capital.”

Plum branch sweets are simple treats made by steaming and frying rice flour. Seeing Fei Ling ’s joyful expression, Xiao Ling blinked in surprise.

“If you like them that much, please take another.”

“But this is for Consort Xue Mei.”

“It’s fine. Consort Xue Mei probably won’t eat it. She used to love sweets, but recently she’s been saying they’re too sweet. She still eats her meals properly, though.”

“I see. Well then, I’ll accept it without hesitation. Thank you.”

Fei Ling  accepted the sweet with gratitude, but her thoughts were turning.

(It’s clear. Consort Xue Mei… she’s pregnant.)

A taste disorder is commonly seen during the early stages of pregnancy, often accompanied by morning sickness. Additionally, when Fei Ling  measured her pulse, it showed a slippery pulse, like beads rolling on a tray—a sign of pregnancy.

Consort Xue Mei was holding two secrets: her illness and her pregnancy.

“Secrecy is beauty. Without secrecy, there is no beauty.”

The beautiful dancer still has something to hide. That would be her greatest secret. The two secrets that had already become clear were not connected to plums or “tree poison.”

The final secret is—the poison that is invading the dancer.