The Vermilion String

Chapter 11: Sandalwood Medicine

The Cold Palace was colder at night.

Not because of the wind.

Because night gave people time to think.

Wen Shuyan sat curled against the wall, knees pulled to his chest. The prison robe hung loose on him now. Too many missed meals. Too many sleepless nights. The rope around his wrists had finally been removed that morning, but angry red marks remained across his skin like fading shackles.

He pressed his forehead against his knees and listened to the dripping water somewhere beyond the corridor.

Drip.

Drip.

Drip.

Seven days.

Shuyan touched the folded paper hidden inside his sleeve.

The line between us.

Yichen’s stroke. Sharp.

Shuyan closed his eyes.

Idiot.

The Crown Prince was probably fighting half the court right now and Shuyan was sitting here remembering warm fingers against his skin.

The thought made his chest ache.

A sudden clang shattered the silence.

Shuyan flinched violently.

Footsteps approached.

Not guards.

Too light.

Too calm.

The figure stopped outside the bars carrying a lantern. Warm gold light spilled through the darkness.

Li Shen.

The royal physician looked exactly the same as always. Snow-pale robes. Straight black hair tied neatly behind his back. Calm eyes that never seemed surprised by anything.

Shuyan immediately lowered his head. “Physician Li.”

“You’re shivering.”

“I’m fine.”

“That was not a question.”

Shuyan blinked.

Li Shen crouched beside the bars. He smelled faintly of sandalwood and herbs. Cleaner than this entire place deserved.

“I brought medicine,” he said.

“For me?”

“No. For the rats.” Li Shen looked at him blankly. “Of course for you.”

Shuyan stared at him for two full seconds. Then the corner of his mouth twitched despite himself.

“That’s a terrible joke, Physician Li.”

His voice came out rougher than he meant it to. Like he’d forgotten how to use it for anything but fear.

Li Shen reached through the bars with a small ceramic jar. “Your wrists.”

Shuyan hesitated. “The guards said no one was allowed to touch me.”

“The guards know nothing about medicine.” Li Shen paused. “Hold still.”

Shuyan slowly extended his hands.

Li Shen’s fingers were cool against his skin. Gentle. Efficient. He spread the medicine over the rope burns carefully, saying nothing for a while.

It had been days since someone touched him without violence.

Shuyan hated that his eyes started burning immediately.

Li Shen noticed.

Of course he noticed.

“You cry often,” Li Shen said quietly.

Mortifying.

Shuyan tried to yank his hands back. “S-sorry…”

Li Shen caught his wrist before he could retreat.

Not hard.

Just enough to stop him.

“Why are you apologizing to me for your own face?”

Shuyan opened his mouth.

Closed it.

That was actually a good question.

Li Shen released him after a moment and continued applying medicine. “You’re thinner.”

“I’m in prison.”

“Yes. I noticed the bars.”

Shuyan made a strange sound.

Li Shen looked up. “Was that a laugh?”

“N-no.”

“It sounded unhealthy.”

This time Shuyan really did laugh.

Small. Broken. But real.

Li Shen went still for half a heartbeat, like he had not expected the sound.

Then he returned to wrapping Shuyan’s wrists in clean cloth.

“You should do that more,” the physician murmured.

Shuyan’s smile faded almost instantly.

People who laughed in the palace usually stopped laughing eventually.

Li Shen tied the bandage neatly. “There.”

“Thank you,” Shuyan said softly.

“You’re welcome.”

Silence settled again.

Not uncomfortable.

Just quiet.

Shuyan studied the physician carefully now that he could actually see him up close. Li Shen was beautiful in a terrifyingly calm way. Like snowfall. Like untouched water. Even the lantern light seemed softer around him.

“How is...” Shuyan swallowed. “How is His Highness?”

Li Shen did not answer immediately.

Which was answer enough.

Shuyan’s stomach twisted.

“He has not slept properly in five days,” Li Shen said at last. “General Fu Zhao threatened to knock him unconscious with a chair.”

Shuyan stared.

“A chair?”

“Yes.”

“Did he?”

“No. The chair broke first.”

Shuyan choked on air.

Li Shen’s expression remained perfectly serious.

That somehow made it funnier.

A laugh escaped before Shuyan could stop it.

Then another.

The sound startled him.

Li Shen watched quietly. “Better.”

Shuyan wiped quickly at his eyes. “General Fu Zhao would really hit the Crown Prince with furniture?”

“He tried once before during military discussions.”

“What happened?” Shuyan asked, shocked.

“His Highness promoted him.”

Shuyan stared in disbelief.

Li Shen finally sighed very softly. “The Eastern Palace is exhausting.”

For the first time since entering the Cold Palace, warmth spread through Shuyan’s chest that had nothing to do with Yichen.

Just human warmth.

Simple.

Safe.

Then Li Shen’s expression shifted slightly.

Serious again.

“The court intends to move quickly,” he said quietly. “Minister Wen is pushing for formal sentencing.”

Shuyan’s fingers tightened around the blanket.

Of course he was.

His uncle would never stop until he was dead.

Li Shen studied him for a moment too long. “You look like someone expecting bad news.”

“I usually am.”

Something unreadable flickered through Li Shen’s eyes.

Then

Footsteps.

Heavy this time.

Li Shen stood instantly.

A guard rounded the corner. “Time’s up, Physician Li.”

Li Shen nodded once.

Before leaving, he looked back at Shuyan through the bars.

“Eat tomorrow,” he said.

Shuyan blinked. “What?”

“The guards told me you barely touch your food.” Li Shen adjusted his sleeves calmly. “It’s embarrassing that you think nobody noticed.”

Shuyan went red with horror.

Li Shen paused.

Then, very quietly

“If you die before His Highness gets you out, he really will become unbearable.”

And just like that, the physician left.

Shuyan stared after him in stunned silence.

Then slowly looked down at his bandaged wrists, fingers tightening around the clean cloth like it was the only thing keeping him tethered here.

For the first time in days

The Cold Palace didn’t feel completely empty anymore.