Chapter 7: Medicinal Diet Recipes

The accompanying maidservant was startled by Princess Jing's harsh tone and hurriedly bowed, saying, "This servant will go and fetch the manor physicians immediately." She turned to leave, but was called back by Baili Rongjin.

He spoke softly to soothe Princess Jing: "Mother, I am fine, please do not worry. The physicians have already examined me and prescribed medicine; they have all gone to prepare it now. I only sent the attendants out because I found the crowd too much."

Only then did Princess Jing slowly calm down. She gripped Baili Rongjin's hand and asked, "How do you feel now? Is there anywhere else that feels uncomfortable?" She had only been in the palace for a few hours, spending time talking with her elder sister.

Suddenly, she received a report from the manor saying that Jin'er had fainted. It had scared her so much she nearly lost her soul, and she had rushed out of the palace in a panic to return.

Baili Rongjin shook his head slightly. "I only fainted for a short while. I felt better quickly after lying down to rest. I suspect it is because I have been too exhausted these past few days. It is nothing serious, Mother, do not be too nervous."

Hearing her son's consolation and seeing that he indeed appeared to be in no distress, the heart that had been hanging precariously in Princess Jing's chest since receiving the news finally settled.

Relieved, she said, "Then do not tire yourself further by handling those official documents. I will go and speak to your aunt, asking her to suggest to the Emperor that he stop giving you documents to process in the future."

Ever since her Jin'er was born, his constitution had always been weak. No matter how much medicine he had taken over the years, he never seemed to improve. Whenever he had even a slight headache or fever, her heart as a mother would tighten into a knot, terrified that something might happen to her son.

Baili Rongjin said softly, "Mother, you know very well that the Empress Dowager has always been at odds with my uncle, exerting every effort to seize power and interfere in politics. If I claim illness at a time like this, I fear the Empress Dowager will certainly take the opportunity to make her move."

The current Empress Dowager was not the Emperor's biological mother, and the two had been at odds for a long time. Although it was not overt on the surface, it was an open secret within the imperial court.

Relying on her prominent maternal clan, the Liu family, the Empress Dowager collaborated with her brother, Liu Zhipeng, to attempt to sideline the Emperor's authority.

The Liu clan had been rooted in the capital for many years, possessing vast influence and complex connections. Their eyes and ears were spread throughout the court, leaving the Emperor constrained at every turn.

To prevent the maternal relatives from interfering in politics and causing his power to slip away, the Emperor had long intended to eliminate the Liu clan. Since his accession, he had engaged in both open and covert struggles with the Empress Dowager, using various opportunities to strip the Liu clan of much of their power.

After several rounds of imperial examinations to select officials, he had cleared out many of the clan's henchmen from the court. Now, the Emperor had successfully replaced most important official positions with his own people, no longer being passive at every turn.

The Liu clan was no longer as prosperous as in the past, but a "starving camel is still larger than a horse," and the Emperor was held back by the concept of "filial piety." Thus, the matter of removing the Empress Dowager's influence could only be planned for gradually.

Baili Rongjin enjoyed the Emperor's deep trust and possessed extremely strong administrative capabilities. Although he held no official rank, he held actual power in the court without a formal title. The Emperor frequently bypassed "certain" officials to hand important state affairs directly to him, thereby sidelining the power of the Liu clan.

For this reason, the Empress Dowager had long regarded him as a thorn in her side. His sudden illness today was something the Empress Dowager absolutely could not be allowed to know; otherwise, she would surely use his poor health and inability to handle official business as an excuse to pressure the Emperor into delegating power to the Liu clan members serving in the court.

Princess Jing wanted to say more, but found no way to start. Although she did not understand politics, she knew the Empress Dowager had always been at odds with the Emperor. Jin'er had been exceptionally intelligent since childhood and now enjoyed the Emperor's appreciation and trust, often being tasked with important matters. If Jin'er resigned from his duties due to illness, the person most delighted would undoubtedly be the Empress Dowager.

Seeing Princess Jing's conflicted expression, Baili Rongjin comforted her, "Mother, do not worry. At most, I will promise you that I will only spend three hours a day handling documents from now on. That way, I will have enough time to rest."

Hearing this, Princess Jing's brow finally relaxed, and she asked urgently, "Are you telling the truth? Do not deceive your mother."

Her son often worked on documents late into the night. She had scolded him countless times for this, yet he remained unchanged. He would not rest until the documents were finished; it was rare for him to agree to reduce his working hours.

"It is true, I am not deceiving you. Three hours at most," Baili Rongjin said with absolute certainty.

Just as Princess Jing was about to speak, the door was opened again. Prince Jing, dressed in magnificent silk robes, walked in looking composed, though a hint of anxiety flickered in his eyes.

Seeing her husband, Princess Jing hurriedly stood up to greet him. "Prince, you are back." Although she had entered the palace with him that morning, the Prince had gone to the Imperial Study to discuss matters with the Emperor, while she had gone to the quarters of her sister, the Empress. Upon hearing that something had happened to Jin'er, she had rushed out of the palace in such haste that she had forgotten to send word to the Prince.

Prince Jing nodded and naturally placed an arm around Princess Jing as they walked toward Baili Rongjin, who was leaning against the bed. "I received a message sent by the Empress's people and rushed back immediately. How is Jin'er? What did the physicians say?"

He had been in the middle of discussing matters with the Emperor when the Empress suddenly sent someone to deliver the news; only then did he learn that Jin'er had fainted from illness. Upon receiving the news, he had hurriedly taken his leave from the Emperor and galloped back to the manor on horseback.

Princess Jing spoke up, "Jin'er said he likely fainted because he was too exhausted and doesn't think it is anything serious. The physicians have prescribed medicine and gone to prepare it."

Looking at his seemingly weak son, Prince Jing felt a pang of heartache. Although his Jin'er was brilliant and extraordinary, he suffered greatly from illness; from childhood to adulthood, he had swallowed more medicine than he had eaten rice. He had searched everywhere for famous doctors to treat him, yet he still could not make him well.

Prince Jing composed himself slightly and said, "The Empress has just bestowed many precious medicinal ingredients. I have instructed the kitchen to stew that five-hundred-year-old ginseng to nourish Jin'er's body. There are no urgent matters in the court these few days, so stay in the manor and rest well. Do not worry about those trivial matters."

The last sentence was directed specifically at Baili Rongjin, who nodded silently.

Knowing that Prince Jing was also deeply concerned about their son's health and that they were of one mind, Princess Jing naturally agreed with a smile.

Baili Rongjin spoke up at the appropriate moment, "Father, Mother, I am tired. I wish to rest for a while."

Princess Jing nodded hurriedly. "Then rest well. I will instruct the kitchen to stew the ginseng soup for you so you can drink it when you wake up."

"Alright," Baili Rongjin nodded slightly.

Though Prince Jing did not speak, before leaving the room, he instructed the maidservant, "Serve the Heir with care."

After Prince Jing and Princess Jing left, the large room fell silent.

After a while, Qing Yu returned from outside, carrying a bowl of dark, murky medicinal liquid. He stepped toward Baili Rongjin and said, "Young Master, this is the medicine brewed according to the new prescription from the physicians. You should drink it while it is hot."

Baili Rongjin looked up at the bowl of medicine and said softly, "Take it and pour it out."

No matter how much he drank, his body showed no sign of improvement.

Qing Yu was momentarily stunned, then understood. The medicines prescribed by the physicians had some effect at first, but as time went on, they gradually became useless. Now, they were of no use at all to the Young Master's illness. Since the medicine was useless, why bother continuing to drink it?

He could only helplessly go out to pour the medicine away. When he returned, he found the Young Master holding several thin sheets of paper, staring at them intently.

As Qing Yu drew closer, he realized these were written by that young lady from the 'Zui Xiang Pavilion' who possessed medical knowledge. He had heard her say these were several medicinal culinary recipes used to nourish the body.

At the time, he had been somewhat confused, as this was the first time he had ever heard of "medicinal cuisine."

However, thinking that the lady's medical skills seemed quite extraordinary, perhaps it wouldn't hurt to try.

Qing Yu's spirits lifted, and he ventured to ask, "Young Master, would you like to try these medicinal recipes?"

Baili Rongjin was quietly looking at the recipes written by Xia Tingning, which included detailed cooking steps. A faint scent of ink drifted from the paper, and the handwriting was beautiful *Zanhua Xiaokai* script.

Suddenly hearing Qing Yu's question, Baili Rongjin recalled Xia Tingning's natural and calm expression, as if what he had suffered was merely a common cold.

His slender, white fingers gently brushed the paper. After a long pause, he handed the recipes to Qing Yu and instructed, "Have the kitchen prepare these medicinal dishes every day and send them here."

Qing Yu nodded and tucked the papers close to his body, then asked, "Young Master, should we inform the Prince and Princess of this?"

Baili Rongjin shook his head slightly. "No. This matter must not be known by others. Even the medicine prescribed by the physicians should be ordered to be brewed by the kitchen as usual, but once brought back, find a place to dispose of it. If these medicinal dishes are truly effective, once people find out, I fear certain people in this manor will not be able to sit still."