A Flower Without Rain

Chapter 3

Even if the days were filled with solitude, there was still a place where she was always welcomed. This place was the Royal Physician's Department. Rather than her father, Clan Leader Lian Gen join the royal court, he decided to become a physician. With this, he runs a small clinic helping others along with his family. It is here that his dream he's held since childhood of saving the unfortunate is able to be put to work.

Reaching the entrance doors of the building, she announced herself. "Royal Physician Ping, it is I, Lian Yu!" she spoke loud and clear.

Once those words left her mouth, the sound of hurried steps followed until they reached the doors. Swinging the doors open, the old royal physician who is also the head of the department, greeted her. "Greetings, Your Highness!" his voice filled with thrill as he bowed.

It has been a while since she saw him. The last time they met, she was just Miss Lian Yu not Crown Princess Lian Yu.

The young woman chuckled as she brought him up to stand, "Please, just call me the same as always. It is still quite strange to be called so." speaking of how the title she holds is foreign.

Royal Physician Ping laughed, "I'm afraid I cannot do that, Your Highness. I could be punished." telling her of the consequences if he should ever say her name rather than her title.

Lian Yu gave a short frown, "Alright then." succumbing immediately to defeat.

Walking along, the Crown Princess followed beside him as they spoke. For the royal physician, she was like granddaughter who watched her grow from a toddler till now. To Lian Yu, he was a part of her family, someone who taught her father, Clan Leader Lian Gen the way of medicine and healing the ill.

"Has my father been coming by?" she asked.

Royal Physician Ping shook his head, "He's been rather busy lately. It seems the townsfolk have been getting affected by herbs found in the mountains. The herbs make them paralyzed, unable to move if touched by bare skin. I'm sure you know what I'm talking about."

Crown Princess Lian Yu nodded as she knew very well about that herb. "The plum weed is indeed a terrifying herb. It can grow anywhere no matter the place or climate." stating facts of the plant.

The old man chuckled, "Your knowledge of such herbs are also indeed terrifying. You may even know more than I do." he seemed to be praising her.

This only made the young woman smile.

Reaching the open space where the medicinal herbs are to dry in the sun, they stood there on the wooden floor of the outside as assistants and workers of the royal physician sorted out the many plants. Just seeing so, made Lian Yu remember when she used to help around the clinic to treat patients. It was especially sweet when her older sister, Lian Song would teach her more about the properties each herb held.

One that stood out to her most as a child, was the nectar bloom. This small plant grew in shaded or dark areas as it did not crave the rays of sun.

"Your Highness, I'm sorry for not asking earlier but would you like something to eat or drink?" Royal Physician Ping asked.

Lian Yu shook her head, "I'm alright, and I wanted to ask." she spoke causing the old man to raise a brow. "You seem to have a lot more valerian roots than usual. Did someone request for them?" she saw them as they walked by the workers.

The royal physician lightly sighed, "It is actually your husband, His Highness the Crown Prince. We've been informed lately that he's had trouble sleeping ever since you know, her." referring to the death of Lian Song.

This seemed to make the Crown Princess fall into a state of sorrow just at the mention of how the Crown Prince has been taking it. Although she did not know him much, she still cared for his well-being somewhat as he is her husband.