Over the next week, a sort of routine developed. I would clean the room at the start and end of each day. Gaoshun came to check on us a few times a day, bringing whatever I required. Since they were most-likely suffering from lead poisoning, I used what knowledge and resources I had at hand. I made purifying tonics and teas from dandelion root and milk thistle-like plants. It took a while, but after some time, Lady Lihua built up the strength to leave her bed and go to the bathhouse and sauna. I made sure they were empty, devoid of any other people, whenever we went; I carried the princess in my arms while another eunuch helped the lady walk back and forth.
Before we went that first time though, Lady Lihua regained her fluid consciousness, enough to register that I- a stranger- was there in the room with her. Her eyes fluttered open and peered in my direction while I busy getting a cloth ready to wipe her face with. She looked at me, trying to register what her eyes were seeing.
"Shin?" I flinched in surprise; she'd never spoken before. Glancing over my shoulder to her bed, I continued ringing out the excess water from the cloth. "Uh no, madame. I'm the new apothecary for the Harem." "A-Apothecary?" She wheezed and I nodded, getting up to come over and sit at her bedside, gently cleaning her face with the cloth. She seemed to enjoy its cooling affect, closing her eyes while soaking up the sensation. Her lips let out a small, wary sigh as she sunk further into her pillow and mattress. "So he did send for you….." I guess she was referring to the Emperor; made me wonder what kind of man he really was and how much he valued- cause love isn't an appropriate word- his concubines. Judging by the very faint hint of surprise and relief in her tone, maybe not so much…..
Her eyes fluttered open after a minute, gazing back at me tiredly. "Where's Shin?" "It's just the three of us in here, madame. I'm purifying the room." "Purifying?" She sounded sceptically but I still nodded reassuringly. "We follow proper rituals at the Abbey when someone gets sick. It's important to keep any impurities out of the room; you're lacking the vital strength to deal with them. But please don't worry; I'm doing everything I can heal you and little princess," I smiled and her gaze crept over to the baby fast asleep on the floor. Meanwhile I finished wiping her brow and went to dispose of the water. Then I cleaned my own hands and feet, which caught her admittedly low attention.
It was at this time I heard someone approach from down the hallway, stopping just shy of the open door; I wanted to get as much fresh air in here as possible so I kept the doors and windows opened. Despite him not coming into view, I already knew who it was: Master Jinshi made it a habit of stopping by once or twice everyday too. He never came inside or even showed himself, and he didn't say anything to me, but I could tell it was him. He'd come by and stand outside, listening for a few minutes. Now, I'm not entirely sure, but I think he wanted to check on me, or the situation- who knows which one-, without interrupting my work. I don't know why he thought the need to see if I was doing my job, but he did, and there he was again, quietly listening as I spoke to the lady, who was gradually drifting off to sleep, but not before speaking to me again. She breathed with effort, keeping her attention onto me; she seemed oblivious of our casual eavesdropper just outside the door.
"Now what are you doing?" "I'm going to pray, madame." "Pray? What good has prayer ever done….?" "It depends on your perspective. We're taught that there is a Will, and all outside of our control is done by it." "So everything has a reason, then? Is that what you're saying?" She asked dubiously and I shook my head, glancing back her way with tenderness. "No. Humans have freewill, so we can affect real change. God is not all-powerful or all-controlling, rather He acts like a friend, a source of comfort. He gives us strength when we need it- it's up to us to decide what to do with the strength we're given. That's why I pray, madame. I'm giving thanks…. For the strength He's given me to help heal you," I said and we locked eyes for a moment. She eventually let out another sigh, turning her head back upward and shutting her eyes.
"You want to save me to save your own neck," she uttered sourly and I shook my head, coming to kneel down at her bedside. "Sisters in the Abbey heal whoever we can, with no expectation of reward for ourselves. God gave me the strength and energy; it's up to my own freewill how I use it." "You're not free…. None of us are." "You're right, madame; we're not. But even if we were back home at the Abbey, I'd still try and save your life," I countered. She didn't say anything for a long while after this, only breathing steadily while keeping her eyes shut. Eventually her dry, poorly lips parted a sliver.
"Do you know how many apothecaries have tried to heal us before? Though none of them could ever come to see me…" Lady Lihua paused to suck in another laboured breath, softly closing her eyes. "They were the best of the best…. So why are your efforts working and not theirs? What makes you so special?"
And I heard Master Jinshi shuffle a little where he stood outside, still listening while out of view.