Pharmacist Penumbra (Draft)

Chapter 4: The Ghost Dancer

A harem servant was walking to deliver a late night chore, but a strange shadow waved over the servant. Turning her head, as she peeked around the corner of an abandoned Concubine's quarters. A chilling scene unfolds in front of her, as a pale like a figure with dull eyes danced with flowing movement. "Ahhhhhhh!" yelled the servant in fright.

Li Hua and Ying Yue were helping each other with Consort Ming's laundry. "Dear me, there have been so many rumors about the dancing ghost in the abandoned Concubine's courtyard." said Li Hua.

"I guess stories like this aren't uncommon in the harem." stated Ying Yue. As Ying Yue walked into the spare doctor's office and experiment with various herbs, as a familiar eunuch Ming Su walked into the doctor's office in which Ying Yue was experimenting in. "Is there anything I may help you with Eunuch Su?" asked Ying Yue.

Ming Su sighed heavily. "Has the General been here?" he asked. Ying Yue shook her head. He sat onto a nearby stool dejectly, as waves of depression hovered over his head. But then he came out of his depressive mood rather quickly, "Ying Yue are you heard of the ghost dancer?" asked.

"Yes, but only rumours." replied Ying Yue.

"How about sleepwalking?" he asked.

"Sleepwalking is not something that is cured with herbs. I only specialise in herbs. But I'll see what I can do." sighed Ying Yue.

Ying Yue held onto a lantern, as the light stretched out into the eerie dark. Then it start to drizzle lightly, grumbling annoyed as Ying Yue rushed to the abandoned Concubine's courtyard. A mournful beauty danced gracefully, as her dress followed the graceful movement of her arms uncaring about the drizzle. The dress the Concubine was wearing was a light summer dress and could easily get sick.

Ying Yue had taken the appropriate measure beforehand, such as a small gong, mallet, blanket and ingredients. As Ying Yue slammed the gong with loud making a deep resounding sound. The Concubine startled woke up with a small squeak, as Ying Yue rushed to the startled and confused Concubine. She was like a frail doe that was afraid of everything.

Wrapping the dry blanket around the shivering form of the Concubine, while escorting her to her chambers. "What happened?" asked the concubine.

"You were sleepwalking." answered Ying Yue, as she poured a soup made mandarin skins, ginger and cinnamon. Handing it to the concubine, as the concubine took a small sip.

"It seems that you have some troubles on your mind. I may not be a good talker, but I am a good listener. Would you like to talk for to relive any troubles?" offered Ying Yue.

The woman smiled brightly at the young girl. Despite the girl been only roughly 17-19 had a silent aura of calm and maturity and it seemed to calm her. "If you don't mind." said the woman. Coughing slightly, "I am Hong Yue a vassal princess that had recently been added into the harem, but when I was performing for the Emperor had made a mistaken and fell. Feeling embarrassed, I isolated myself to save myself from any humiliation. But I was offered to a military officer for his many military achievement." she told, but she had a suspicious twinkle in her eye.

"From what I can tell, you speak quite fondly of this 'military officer'. Perhaps he is a lover or a childhood friend?" said Ying Yue, smiling. The woman stiffened. "So he's both." stated Ying Yue.

"No he's not. How can I deliberately go to such length to avoid the Emperor?" argued Hong Yue.

The sharp gaze of Ying Yue shot towards Hong Yue, "I didn't say you were avoiding the Emperor, am l?" questioned Ying Yue. "From what I have pieced together, you are a vassal princess given to the Emperor's harem. During you performance, you deliberately made it seem like an accident. So that the Emperor had a dislike towards you, as you childhood friend joined the military to collect as many military achievements in order for the Emperor reward him with a princess. But in order to make sure that the Emperor doesn't come visit you before the marriage, you sleepwalking making rumors to prevent any visit of the Emperor to maintain your purity before the marriage, yes?" pointed out Ying Yue. "Your silence confirms my assumption," stated Ying Yue.

"Please do not tell the Emperor!" pleaded Hong Yue, as she bowed lowly.

"Lift your head. You outrank me and I dislike the gesture and what can I get from telling the Emperor. I was forced to be here." muttered Ying Yue.

"What do you mean?" she asked with such innocence. Ying Yue closed her eyes and gave a bitter smile.

"Not everyone gets a happy ending. So I may be a pharmacist but I am a pharmacist that can help. Are you getting ready to meet your new soon to be husband in a few hours?" asked Ying Yue.

"Ah yes," she answered also surprised. Ying Yue stayed up the rest of the morning to help Hong Yue into her dress and makeup. Hong Yue grabbed an elegantly made ebony hairpin with a beautiful budding red camellia and pushed it into Ying Yue's hair. "This is my gratitude for helping me." said Hong Yue.

As Ying Yue dashed to a nearby bush, as all the young noble ladies, maids stood and stared at the ever so beautiful princess. A man stood to wait with a charming smiling. All the ladies would have been jealous or happy at the Hong Yue's situation. "So this is where you have been?" stated a voice almost sarcastically.

Ying Yue jumped in shock, as she placed a hand of her frightened heart. "Long Fan. Don't sneak up on me." scolded Ying Yue.

The General chuckled, as he escorted Ying Yue to the courtyard of Consort Ming's Pearl Palace.

Ying Yue had endured a three-hour lecture from Li Ju, as she was smothered in worried hugs of the three other personal attendants.