Chinese medicine had been studied for five thousand years, carefully analyzed and tested. She was but one of many practitioners in China. That skill was why she had been chosen by the Wong cohong as a gift to the English. It was believed thatEngland might benefit from her medical knowledge. This was a lie. No man in China had respected her skills.
And then the last, most important comment. If the English doctors could not benefit a patient, what did that man lose by consulting with the Chinese?
She could see those words settle into the queen. She knew that no English doctor had aided her husband, the king. It was several minutes of more talk, more questions before that lady pierced her with a long stare.
“I should like you to walk with me. Now.”
The queen stood up and the others, including her son, fell back. Olivia rushed forward to lift her, but given how far the queen had already moved, it would be difficult for one person to carry her that far. Fortunately, Max was there with equal speed. Together they lifted her up, making a base on which she sat while they followed behind her royal highness.
It was a long walk.
Through back rooms and hallways, past gilt mirrors and long tapestries, and then, at last, to a door protected by two guards. At the queen’s direction, the men pulled it open and led the way into the king’s bedroom.
Chapter Forty-Six
Max had beenin the king’s presence several times when he was younger, but never in the man’s private chambers. Since the onset of the king’s madness, few were allowed here except his doctors and the guards who kept the royal safe.
So when the queen said, “You will utter no word of this to anyone,” all three of them were quick to nod their understanding. “The king is at Windsor Castle,” she said firmly. “We discussed Chinese medicine as it pertains to… to…” Her words failed her.
“Grief, Your Highness,” said Yihui. “I have a few teas that support a woman as she grieves a child’s death…or a husband’s madness. Such things are very hard on a woman’s heart and body.”
The queen was silent a moment before she nodded. “You may send those to me on the morrow.”
“Of course, Your Highness.”
Contrary to what they’d just agreed to say, the king was not in Windsor Castle but sitting at his writing desk muttering as he scribbled furiously in a book. A quick peek showed that it was, in fact, a printed book and not blank pages. The King of England was furiously scribbling across what Max thought was a book of sermons.
The very sight punched Max in the gut. He remembered George III as being a man of towering presence. Unlike his father who kept his wits but was losing his body, the king’s mindwas fractured while his body seemed hale, though he’d lost his sight. It was a sobering realization.
Meanwhile, a man he recognized as Dr. Francis Willis looked up from where he’d been reading on a nearby couch.
“George,” he said calmly. “The queen has come for a visit. George, will you say hello to her?”
The king did not look up. If anything, he hunched closer to the paper, though it was clear he could not see anything. He simply scribbled while muttering to himself. The quill he held was nearly broken in half, and the nub was dull and without ink.
His king was completely blind, and yet intent on whatever he was writing.
Meanwhile, Max whispered to Olivia who nodded and passed Yihui into his arms. A moment later, Olivia placed a chair next to the king so that Max could set Yihui down. It was damned awkward, but he managed it. And he even gave her an encouraging squeeze in the process.
If she felt it, she didn’t react. Her attention was centered on the king. It was an odd thing for Max to experience. Normally, Yihui seemed very aware of her surroundings. But this was Yihui as a medicine maker. Every part of her was focused on the patient.
She didn’t say anything as she watched the king. Dr. Willis, however, was extraordinarily upset. “Who is this woman? Why is she here gawking? This is most upsetting to the king!”
The only one getting upset was Dr. Willis. The king didn’t seem to notice anything but his scribblings.
“I must protest—” he continued.
“Be quiet!” the queen snapped.
Dr. Willis straightened with a furious sniff. Then, rather than speak, he headed toward Yihui. Max quickly stepped forward, blocking the man’s path. A moment later, Olivia joined him andtogether they created a hard wall that kept everyone else away from Yihiu and the king.
And once she was protected from interference, Yihui began to talk.
“Hello,” she said to the king. “May I touch your wrist?”
There was no reaction except that the king turned a page and began writing on the fresh one. Yihui moved excruciatingly slowly as she gently placed her hand on the king’s left wrist, appearing to take his pulse. He didn’t react beyond a subtle twitch.
“His heartrate is accelerated,” Dr. Willis growled. “Any fool could see that.”
