Chapter 33: The Spirit Pet’s Ailment
Translated by algoo | Proofread by algoo
For the latest updates, visit: ProNovels.com
Join our Discord for release updates: https://discord.gg/Eh2ayfR4FB
He wanted to escape, but the Noble Consort had already seen him. Lin Xiu’s head throbbed, but the matter had come to this; he could only brace himself and proceed.
He walked into the courtyard and first bowed to the Noble Consort. “Greetings, Your Ladyship.”
The Noble Consort waved her hand. “No need for formalities. Quickly, take a look at Nannan…”
The Noble Consort truly cared for her spirit pet, going so far as to personally come to the Imperial Hospital. Lin Xiu sighed inwardly and walked over to Shuangshuang, who was holding the spirit pet. “What’s wrong with Her Ladyship’s pet?”
Shuangshuang sighed softly. “I don’t know what’s wrong. Since yesterday, it hasn’t eaten or drunk anything, and it has no energy. I’ve checked, but it has no injuries, and there’s nothing wrong internally. We don’t know what to do…”
Asking imperial physicians to treat animals was truly difficult for them. Lin Xiu extended his hands. “Let me take a look.”
Shuangshuang carefully handed the spirit pet to Lin Xiu and then focused all her attention on him. She wanted to see how he would diagnose and treat it.
Lin Xiu held the spirit pet in his arms and found it motionless. Its jewel-like eyes were dull, which was clearly abnormal.
Lin Xiu extended a finger and gently touched its nose.
The little creature didn’t even look at him, saying weakly, “Don’t touch this princess, this princess is annoyed!”
Of course, to the Noble Consort and the imperial physicians, these were just a few “meows.”
Lin Xiu continued to tease it. Although he could understand the little creature’s words, it couldn’t understand his. Only by getting it to say more would he have a chance of figuring out what was wrong.
“So bored!”
“This princess is going to die of boredom…”
“Someone save me, I don’t want to stay in this place anymore…”
…
“Meow…”
“Meow, meow…”
“Meow, meow, meow…”
Everyone only saw that under Lin Xiu’s constant teasing, the Noble Consort’s spirit pet continuously let out mournful cries. The Noble Consort’s heart ached, but out of trust in Lin Xiu, she endured until she couldn’t help but ask, “Well? Have you figured out anything?”
Lin Xiu stopped teasing the pet. He had already obtained all the information he needed.
Everyone envied the concubines in the palace, but to truly confine them within the palace walls for years or even decades, few could bear it.
Throughout history, many concubines had met a melancholic end in the imperial palace.
This was true for humans, and it was the same for animals.
Lin Xiu had seen many similar news stories before. Many animals in zoos suddenly became listless, inactive, lost their appetite, became irritable, or paced in fixed patterns…
These were all symptoms of depression.
It was clear that the Noble Consort’s spirit pet was also depressed.
Lin Xiu had learned previously that it was captured from its habitat and brought to the capital. Separated from its parents, relatives, and companions, it had also lost its freedom, trapped in a small palace. How was this any different from the animals in a zoo? It was no wonder it showed symptoms of depression.
Lin Xiu looked at the Noble Consort and said, “Your Ladyship, this student has found the cause of your spirit pet’s illness.”
A look of joy appeared on the Noble Consort’s face. “Really? What’s wrong with Nannan?”
Lin Xiu said, “Your Ladyship’s spirit pet is depressed.”
The Noble Consort’s beautiful brows furrowed. She clearly didn’t understand. “What is… depressed?”
Lin Xiu thought for a moment and explained, “Your Ladyship, this spirit beast was taken from its birthplace to a strange place. Its daily activity is limited to the confines of Changchun Palace. Over time, this leads to pent-up frustration, manifesting as loss of appetite, listlessness, inactivity, and eventually, death…”
After Lin Xiu finished speaking, the Noble Consort didn’t respond. Instead, she stared blankly into space, lost in thought.
After a moment, she came back to herself and asked Lin Xiu, “Can Nannan’s illness be cured?”
Lin Xiu pondered for a moment and said, “If Your Ladyship permits, you could have someone take the spirit pet out of the palace to experience the wider world. This way, its condition should improve.”
The Noble Consort nodded slightly, then said to the young palace maid behind her, “Linglong, take Nannan out of the palace for half a day. I’m a little tired and will return to the palace to rest…”
With that, accompanied by several palace maids, she listlessly left the Imperial Hospital.
Enjoying the translation? Stay updated with the latest chapters at ProNovels.com.
Lin Xiu noticed that after he explained the spirit pet’s condition, the Noble Consort’s mood had shifted.
Perhaps she was thinking of herself. Although she was a Noble Consort, in a sense, she was no different from that spirit pet.
Since they were treating the Noble Consort’s spirit pet, naturally, someone from the Imperial Hospital had to accompany them. This person was naturally Bai Shuangshuang. At the same time, Lin Xiu also had to follow along.
In addition, several figures followed them from a distance, likely guards sent by the Noble Consort to protect the spirit pet.
She treasured this spirit pet so much that she certainly wouldn’t feel at ease letting just a young palace maid take it out of the palace.
The palace maid named Linglong was the same young girl Lin Xiu had saved in Changchun Palace. Holding the spirit pet, her face was full of excitement and joy. Since entering the palace, this was her first time leaving, and she practically skipped as she walked.
On the way, Lin Xiu remarked, “The Noble Consort seems to be very fond of this spirit pet.”
The Noble Consort’s genuine affection for the spirit pet made Lin Xiu feel a pang of envy.
Linglong said, “Of course! Nannan was a gift from the Noble Consort’s mother before she passed away. Her Ladyship treasures it dearly. When it’s sick, Her Ladyship can’t even eat…”
Lin Xiu hadn’t known about the spirit pet’s origins. This explained everything. It was no wonder the Noble Consort had such special feelings for a memento left by her mother.
At this moment, Bai Shuangshuang also looked at Lin Xiu curiously and asked, “Lin Gongzi, I know that if people lose their freedom and are confined in a monotonous environment for a long time, they tend to become depressed. Is this also true for animals and spirit pets?”
Lin Xiu nodded. “Of course. Animals also have intelligence, and these spirit pets are even more intelligent. Some illnesses that humans suffer from can also affect them. Don’t believe me? Look, after leaving the palace, hasn’t it changed?”
Linglong and Bai Shuangshuang’s attention was on Lin Xiu. Hearing him finish, they immediately looked at the spirit pet in Linglong’s arms.
They saw that at some point, the spirit pet’s eyes had regained their sparkle. It was nestled in Linglong’s arms, only its head poking out, looking around curiously at everything, appearing much more energetic.
“It really is much better!” Bai Shuangshuang exclaimed, then looked at Lin Xiu with admiration. “I learned something new today. Thank you, Lin Gongzi...”
Lin Xiu smiled slightly. “There are many areas where I am inferior to you. We should exchange knowledge more often and learn from each other’s strengths.”
Then, he said to Bai Shuangshuang, “By the way, Shuangshuang, there’s something I’d like to ask for your help with…”
Bai Shuangshuang said, “You don’t have to be so polite, Lin Gongzi. You’ve already helped me twice. Just say what it is.”
Lin Xiu smiled slightly. “It’s actually not a big deal. A friend of mine is ill, and she hasn’t gotten better despite taking a lot of medicine. Could you please go and treat her…?”
Bai Shuangshuang smiled. “That’s no trouble at all. A physician’s duty is to heal people. Where is your friend? Let’s go now.”
Their purpose in leaving the palace was to let the Noble Consort’s spirit pet have some fun, so it didn’t matter where they went.
Soon, Lin Xiu brought them to where Caiyi lived. Bai Shuangshuang took Caiyi’s hand, and in a short while, Caiyi’s pale face became rosy. She sat up from the bed and exclaimed, “It’s amazing! I feel completely well!”
Lin Xiu said, “Naturally. Shuangshuang is an imperial physician from the Imperial Hospital. Her reputation is well-deserved. Alright, you’ve just recovered from a serious illness, so you should rest well. I’ll come see you again in a couple of days…”
After leaving Caiyi’s residence, what Lin Xiu and the others had to do next was go shopping.
The little creature had indeed been cooped up in the palace for too long. Listless within the palace walls, once outside, it immediately became lively. If it weren’t for the leash, it would probably have flown off somewhere.
Lin Xiu understood its self-talk, so he knew exactly where it wanted to go and what it wanted to eat, silently accommodating its wishes every time. This greatly satisfied the little creature’s playful nature, making it incredibly active, a stark contrast to its languid state in the palace.
Bai Shuangshuang was amazed, and the admiration and respect in her eyes for Lin Xiu deepened.
She knew very well that without her mystical art ability, she was nothing. And in many situations, mystical arts weren’t always effective, as seen in these two instances.
Her greatest dream was to become a true physician, and becoming a renowned physician wasn’t easy. She still had much to learn from Lin Gongzi…
For the latest updates, visit ProNovels.com. Join our Discord for release updates: https://discord.gg/Eh2ayfR4FB.
