Yang Lianting’s prescription underwent three successive refinements, finally curbing the spread of the plague. At that time, the imperial court was unable to provide a large quantity of medicinal herbs, leaving Zuo Canglang with no choice but to lead her soldiers into the mountains to harvest them.
Wen Qi deployed more soldiers from Suye City to assist, and soon the entire city of Daji was permeated with the fragrance of medicine. The six imperial physicians looked rather grim; in such a time, having a mere youth beat them to the discovery of a cure was hardly a point of pride.
That evening, Wen Qi sent Zuo Canglang to invite Yang Lianting for a drink. When she arrived, Yang Lianting was packing his medical chest, placing his gold needles, silver knives, and other tools inside one by one. Zuo Canglang said, "The main army returns to Suye tomorrow to resume defensive duties. Commander Wen asks that you grace us with your presence at the banquet."
Yang Lianting replied, "Since the Commander is hosting, it is only right that I attend."
Zuo Canglang sat on the wooden platform previously used for dissecting diseased corpses and said, "Hurry up, I’m waiting for you, Divine Doctor Yang. You’ve certainly made a name for yourself this time."
Yang Lianting glanced at her and stood up to wash his hands. He washed them over and over again until Zuo Canglang finally lost her patience. Standing beside him, she asked, "Still not clean? Do you want me to peel the skin off for you?"
The corners of Yang Lianting’s mouth twitched slightly. He took a cloth to dry his hands and said, "Let’s go."
Zuo Canglang accompanied him out to the banquet.
Military men were not fond of excessive formality; the feast was set directly on the open ground outside the city. Yang Lianting was ushered to a seat beside Wen Qi, and all the officials of Daji City, high and low, rose to welcome him.
Yang Lianting gave a collective bow and sat down next to Wen Qi. Although the six imperial physicians felt somewhat humiliated, they still stood to offer him a toast. Zuo Canglang sat to Wen Qi’s left, watching Yang Lianting positioned in the center of the crowd, his smile forced.
By the end of the tenth month, as the weather turned cold, the epidemic was completely halted. The army withdrew, returning to Suye City. Wen Qi sent men to capture Daxi Cheng, Daxi Qin, and their followers, sending them back to Jinyang. Murong Yuan did not make things difficult for them; he enfeoffed Daxi Cheng as the Duke of Shanyang, allowing him to reside in Jinyang as a guest. Meanwhile, the former lands of the State of Yu remained in chaos. Xijing and Guzhu were still trading accusations over the dispute for cities. Tuohe had seized eight cities but remained unsatisfied, wishing for Xijing and Guzhu to resume hostilities immediately, fanning the flames whenever possible.
Tribes like the Shanrong and Xunyu, though lacking in strength, wandered about in hopes of claiming a share of the spoils.
In an instant, the crisis facing the Great Yan had vanished.
Murong Yuan was greatly pleased and recalled Wen Qi, Yang Lianting, and the others to reward them for their service. Zuo Canglang returned to Jinyang with Wen Qi. It was already the beginning of the eleventh month, yet Jinyang was filled with an indescribable air of celebration. As soon as Wen Qi reached the West Splendor Gate, civil and military officials were there to receive him; even the Crown Prince had come in person.
Yang Lianting naturally walked alongside Wen Qi. Everyone knew that after this plague, the name Yang Lianting would truly represent a peerless master of medicine. Wen Qi, Yang Lianting, and their party knelt to pay their respects to the Crown Prince.
The Crown Prince first helped Wen Qi up, then Yang Lianting, before ordering the rest to rise. Zuo Canglang stood and looked around, but Murong Yan was nowhere to be seen.
On such an occasion, he still failed to appear.
Wen Qi, Yang Lianting, and Xu Lang were bound to enter the palace to receive their rewards. Zuo Canglang had not intended to go; she was not unaware that Wen Qi was suppressing her, whether intentionally or not. At a time like this, rather than entering the palace, she preferred to go to the Prince of Qianyi’s manor to see that person.
The Crown Prince walked with Wen Qi, speaking in low tones. Just as Zuo Canglang was about to slip away, Wen Qi suddenly said, "A-Zuo, come here."
Zuo Canglang was slightly startled and had no choice but to step forward. Wen Qi led her before Murong Ruo and introduced her with surprising gravity: "This is my adjutant, Zuo Canglang. She possesses exceptional talent and intelligence. A-Zuo, greet His Royal Highness the Crown Prince."
Zuo Canglang could only bow her head. "This subordinate greets Your Royal Highness."
Murong Ruo looked at her, his smile gentle. "I have heard Commander Wen mention you many times. To be so young and yet so capable—you are truly a pillar of our Great Yan."
Zuo Canglang bowed. "Your Highness overpraises me."
Having been introduced, she could no longer leave and was forced to follow Wen Qi, Yang Lianting, and Xu Lang into the palace.
Inside the Palace of Yan, Murong Yuan personally received the group. He also bestowed rewards upon Xu Lang and Zuo Canglang for their merits in leading the herb-gathering and disaster relief efforts. These were nothing more than gold, silver, and jewels—nothing particularly novel. Yang Lianting, however, was granted a plaque inscribed with "Exquisite Mastery of Medicine," written in the King's own hand. In all of Jinyang, no other physician possessed such an honor.
At noon, the King of Yan kept them in the palace for a meal. He was in high spirits, his words carrying a smile, appearing like a benevolent elder. In contrast, Zuo Canglang, Yang Lianting, and Xu Lang appeared quite constrained; they were young, after all, and opportunities to face the Sovereign directly were rare.
Murong Yuan looked at Yang Lianting and asked, "Physician Yang, your medical skills are extraordinary. At such a young age, you have surpassed the imperial physicians of my palace. It would be a pity for such talent to be wasted in the streets. Have you never thought of seeking an official position?"
Yang Lianting knew that one should not look directly at the King’s face during an audience, yet he raised his head and saw Murong Yuan’s smiling countenance. It was only eight years ago that this very man, listening to the slanders of treacherous officials, had personally issued the decree to execute the entire Yang family.
He had seen with his own eyes how his closest kin were tortured to death, how their lives ended on the execution grounds. And he could only change his name and surname, living a ignominious existence just to survive.
His right hand tightened slightly. He lowered his head, looking at the wine in his cup, and said softly, "Replying to Your Majesty: I am a man of the countryside, accustomed to freedom. Fortunately, practicing medicine to save the world is an act of loyalty to Great Yan whether one is in the court or the wild; there is no difference."
Hearing this, Murong Yuan praised him greatly. "A heart free of distractions, unattached to fame or fortune—you are truly a model for the medical profession of Great Yan."
Yang Lianting replied neither humbly nor arrogantly, "Your Majesty overpraises me. I am unworthy."
Just then, the sound of silver bells suddenly rang out from outside. Everyone was startled and could not help but look toward the source. Behind the palace doors, a woman walked in slowly. She wore a crown of Hmong silver and was dressed in the red-and-white patterned clothing of a foreign tribe, with an exaggerated malachite necklace upon her chest. Her wrists were adorned with large silver bracelets that chimed melodiously with every step.
Murong Yuan smiled. "The people of the Baiyu Sect rarely enter the palace. For the Saintess to come from afar today, what business brings you here?"
The newcomer was indeed the Saintess of the Baiyu Sect. She walked gracefully to the center of the hall and bowed to Murong Yuan. "Your Majesty, I heard that a Physician Yang has controlled the epidemic in Daji City. A Fei has taken the liberty of entering the palace, hoping to exchange knowledge with Physician Yang. I hope Your Majesty will not take offense."
She possessed the frankness of a foreign woman, not considering it at all bashful to come and meet a man.
Murong Yuan laughed heartily. "Rise, Saintess. Men, prepare a seat." The attendants began to rearrange the seating. The Saintess’s place should have been near Murong Yuan, but he waved his hand and said, "Since the Saintess wishes to become acquainted with Physician Yang, set her table beside his."
A Fei curtsied and indeed sat down at the table next to Yang Lianting.
Yang Lianting was aware of the Baiyu Sect; he had heard that the sect was comprised entirely of people proficient in medicine, and members of the medical community often interacted with them. However, for the Saintess to come in person and state so bluntly that she was there for him was still unexpected.
Yet, very quickly, he recalled Murong Yan’s words. Why had Murong Yan sent him to Daji City? Why had he repeatedly instructed him to succeed at any cost? Why had he sent Jiang Xing to help him?
Was this the moment he had been waiting for?
It made sense. What Murong Yan sought to do was a monumental task that would change the world. What use was a minor physician, even one with world-startling skills, on his own?
Lost in these thoughts, he momentarily dazed. The Saintess beside him, A Fei, offered a salute. "Physician Yang, this humble girl, A Fei, offers you a toast."
Yang Lianting snapped back to his senses and hastily raised his cup. "I wouldn't dare. Allow me to finish this cup first as a sign of respect."
The two of them shared a drink. Though she was a Saintess, A Fei was entirely without affectation. She said, "I heard from my foster father that you cured the plague in Daji City in only half a month. I thought you would surely be an old man over fifty; I didn't expect you to be so young. And so handsome, too."
Yang Lianting’s heart had been heavy, thinking of the blood that had dripped from his blades. Hearing the last sentence, he didn't know whether to laugh or cry. After all, many years had passed since he was a young noble scion. In eight years, this was the first time someone had used the word "handsome" to describe him. He said, "The Saintess exaggerates. It was merely a stroke of luck."
A Fei drank another cup with him and said, "Our Baiyu Sect has many members proficient in medicine. When you have time, come to Mount Gushe as a guest. The Baiyu Sect still has some difficult cases and ancient medical texts that we haven't fully deciphered. We hold a Xinglin Assembly every year; I’ll have someone send you an invitation later. You must come."
Her eyes seemed as though they were about to overflow with moisture. Yang Lianting did not dare look directly at her. "Since the Saintess has deigned to invite me, Lianting will surely pay a visit."
A Fei nodded with great satisfaction, then stood up and said, "Uncle Wen, I offer you a toast as well."
Wen Qi was quite familiar with her; he rose and shared a drink. After finishing the cup, A Fei stood and bowed to Murong Yuan. "Your Majesty, the Divine Doctor Yang has agreed to attend the Xinglin Assembly, so I shall take my leave."
She was like a swallow, light and free-spirited. Even if there were lapses in etiquette, no one would hold it against her. Murong Yuan said, "Go then."
She turned and exited the palace hall. The sunlight fell upon her exquisite and bold silver ornaments; she had arrived draped in shifting colors and departed laden with radiance. Without her, the hall seemed to fall into shadow.
***
| Chinese | English | Notes/Explanation |
| :--- | :--- | :--- |
| 阿绯 | A Fei | The name of the Saintess of the Baiyu Sect. |
| 术精歧黄 | Exquisite Mastery of Medicine | A phrase praising medical skill; "Qihuang" refers to the legendary founders of Chinese medicine. |
| 拜玉教 | Baiyu Sect | A religious/medical sect; "Baiyu" literally means "Worship Jade." |
| 圣女 | Saintess | A high-ranking female religious figure. |
| 慕容若 | Murong Ruo | The Crown Prince of Yan. |
| 西华门 | West Splendor Gate | A gate of the palace in Jinyang. |
| 杏林会 | Xinglin Assembly | A gathering of medical professionals; "Xinglin" (Apricot Grove) is a poetic synonym for medicine. |
| 姑射山 | Mount Gushe | The location/headquarters of the Baiyu Sect. |
| 山阳公 | Duke of Shanyang | The title bestowed upon the captured ruler of Yu. |
| 荤粥 | Xunyu | An ancient nomadic tribe (often associated with the Xiongnu). |
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