Months slipped by in quiet, steady rhythm.
At the Sacred Lotus Medicine Hall, the number of interns from Sacred Lotus Pavilion continued to grow.
Rouyuan's astonishing surgical skill—especially the miraculous rescue of the transverse baby—spread like wildfire among the young students.
Master Su Yuelin also sent detailed reports to the Sacred Lotus Elder.
The Elder, shocked and deeply impressed, immediately dispatched even more students to Wuzhen City.
Soon, the medicine hall bustled with young students eager to learn.
The Bloom of Knowledge
Rouyuan divided her days with perfect discipline; teaching, treating patients, writing medical manuscripts, drawing clear anatomical diagrams for their students, demonstrating surgical methods, explaining internal organ functions, and training students in sterilization, stitching, pulse reading, and diagnosis.
She taught with calm confidence, her voice soft yet steady as she answered every question with patience.
To these students who had lived their whole lives believing surgery was impossible—
Rouyuan was a miracle.
A genius they were lucky to meet in their lifetime.
In her heart, Rouyuan whispered: "If they learn what I know… the empire will be flourish. Countless lives could be saved."
And so she poured out everything she remembered from her past world.
Letters Across the Distance
Her connection with Murong Yexuan grew deeper each month.
Though they met less often for the sake of her reputation—his letters arrived like warm sunlight.
He wrote about the frontier, about military affairs, about interesting things Yunchen had done, and sometimes… about his worries.
Rouyuan wrote back about medicine, inventions, and little stories about patients.
It was a friendship—gentle, quiet, beautifully close.
But neither dared cross the line.
Not yet.
An Imperial Invitation
Late afternoon sunlight spilled across the floor of Yunyan Pavilion when a palace servant arrived, holding a scroll tied with a crimson silk cord.
He bowed respectfully. "A letter from Consort Rou, for Miss Bai Rouyuan and Miss Wen Xianyi."
He left silently.
Rouyuan and Xianyi exchanged curious glances.
Xianyi untied the ribbon while Rouyuan carefully unrolled the scroll.
The handwriting was graceful, refined — unmistakably Consort Rou's.
Rouyuan began reading aloud.
To my beloved niece, Rouyuan,
and to the cherished child of my Wen family, Xianyi—
'In ten days' time, the Empress will celebrate her birthday.
As members of the Wen Clan, and as daughters raised with virtue and skill,
I wish for both of you to attend.'
Rouyuan's eyes widened slightly.
Xianyi leaned closer.
Rouyuan continued:
'First, this gathering will allow you to grow familiar with imperial etiquette, and help you enter noble society gently.'
'Second, I wish for the noble ladies to know of your work — your medical hall, your fragrance pavilion, and the talents you both possess.
The palace frequently requires medicines,' healing balms, perfumes, and household goods.
This is an opportunity for the nobles to understand the value of what you have created."
Xianyi gasped softly.
Rouyuan's heart warmed.
She continued reading:
'Third…
I wish to introduce both of you properly, as the next generation of our Wen family lady
And they should know that my niece, has grown into a jewel no palace can dim.'
Rouyuan's breath caught.
Xianyi held her hand tightly.
The final lines were gentle and affectionate:
'Prepare yourselves well.
Dress beautifully.
And walk proudly —
for the Wen family, who stands with you.'
— With love,
Consort Rou.
Rouyuan lowered the letter slowly, still absorbing the warmth embedded between the lines.
Xianyi exhaled dramatically.
"So it's not just an invitation—it's a full mission!
We must shine until the entire palace is blinded!"
Rouyuan laughed softly, her eyes shimmering with emotion.
"Then we should start preparing…"
And so the preparations began —but this time, not because the palace demanded it.
Because Consort Rou wanted them there as family.
Choosing Gifts for the Empress
Wen Xianyi, as expected of a merchant heiress, already had ideas:
"Let's prepare a full silk attire set from our Yunyan Pavillion…
And jewellery—gold, pearls, jade, diamonds… a proper Empress gift!"
Rouyuan nodded while thinking carefully.
She wanted something unique.
Something meaningful.
So she began crafting a new fragrance, blended elegantly;
golden lotus, peony dew, silver osmanthus, snow pear essence, and crystal musk.
She planned to gift the Empress a complete luxury personal care set, each bottle plated with real gold and adorned with diamonds and tiny gemstones.
Then—
Rouyuan paused mid-thought.
"What if…I bring a Hand-Crank Cooling Fan as an additional gift?"
Xianyi gasped.
"That's brilliant! We can introduce our Mingyue Pavilion at the same time!"
Even Mingyue Pavilion wasn't fully constructed yet,
but a mysterious product reveal would stir the entire capital.
Rouyuan smiled to herself.
Perfect.
A Visit from Murong Yexuan
The next morning, Murong Yexuan arrived at Yunyan Pavilion.
Wen Xianyi immediately sent a messenger to the Medicine Hall.
A few minutes later, Rouyuan rushed back, still smelling faintly of calming tonic herbs.
Yexuan met her with a soft smile.
"I wish to have a new outfit made for the Empress's birthday celebration. Can I request for Miss Bai's assistance?"
"Of course," she said warmly.
"Tailor, take His Highness' measurements."
And so began the selection of fabrics.
Rouyuan held up rolls of silk.
"What color do you prefer, Your Highness?"
Yexuan glanced at her quietly before asking, "What color will you wear?"
"Peach," she replied.
A slow smile curved his lips.
"Peach suits you very well."
Rouyuan blinked, confused.
"Then… choose the same color for me," Yexuan said calmly.
Rouyuan froze.
"Eh? But—"
"Peach," he repeated gently.
Her cheeks-tinged pink as she handed him several peach-toned silks.
They leaned close as they discussed textures, shades, and embroidery details—their shoulders occasionally brushing, their smiles softening.
From the corner of the room, Bai Yuxin and Bai Yulin watched bitterly.
Bai Yulin's face tightened with jealousy.
'How unfair…
Why does she get to be close to him?
It should have been me… Prince Murong Yexuan should have looked at me…'
Meanwhile, Bai Yuxin clenched her sleeves.
She needed to send a report—
'A report to Princess Murong Yingwei.'
Because their storm was just beginning.