Within a few days, autumn rains began in the capital, one after another, knocking countless leaves from the trees as the weather quickly turned chilly.
Fang He rose early and specifically sent Chunlai to the Imperial Workshop to retrieve the sandalwood meridian brush she had asked Madam Liu to custom-make for her.
A few days prior, she had requested some unused mugwort leaves from Madam Liu, taken them to the Cining Palace kitchen, and ground them with ginger before slowly distilling them over low heat to extract mugwort-ginger essential oil and hydrosol.
She planned to use these to help Empress Dowager Xiaozhuang stimulate her meridians.
Fang He wasn’t sure exactly when Empress Dowager Xiaozhuang would pass away, but she vaguely remembered it should be within the next few years.
The dowager’s diabetes had already grown severe even if her skin and joints ached, soaking in hot springs was no longer suitable.
Though her diet was carefully managed, an elderly body’s blocked meridians, slowed metabolism, and weakened immunity made complications all too easy to develop.
But since Fang He was still in her trial period at the Cining Palace, the dowager absolutely couldn’t fall ill before her official appointment.
These days, she took extra care in her service.
In her past life, the hotel where Fang He worked had a wellness center tucked in a corner of the lobby, and she often liked to stop by.
Aside from the first aid techniques required by the hotel, she had also picked up some useful tricks for patient care.
Meridian brushing was one of them-it could regulate a patient’s yin-yang and qi-blood circulation, and while it might not have major effects, it could at least help boost immunity.
Two days later, once there was movement in the main hall, Fang He carried the essential oil and meridian brush inside.
She carefully observed the dowager’s complexion and, seeing the swelling wasn’t too severe, felt somewhat relieved.
“Your Majesty, I recently learned some methods to soothe itchy skin while outside the palace. I’ve already consulted the imperial physicians -Chief Lu of the Imperial Hospital said it’s feasible, so I asked Madam Liu to order this brush from the Imperial Workshop.”
“After you finish breakfast, Chunlai and I can help you take a walk along the corridor to aid digestion, and then we can try it. What do you think?”
Once the dowager finished washing up, she turned and glanced at the palm-sized brush on Fang He’s tray, unable to suppress a laugh.
“Others treat me like fragile paper, panicking over every little thing-only you, you little rascal, see me as an unbreakable fortress, daring to try any method on me.”
If she was certain it worked, that would be one thing, but this girl even used the word “try.”
Usually, she was so cautious in her actions-it was hard to tell if she was bold or timid.
Fang He helped the dowager toward the table, murmuring in defense, “I’ve already tested it. Aside from being a bit painful, there aren’t any other drawbacks.”
“Besides, Chief Lu has performed acupuncture on others before. He specifically pointed out the acupoints for us, and both Chunlai and I have practiced.”
Caring for a patient-especially one so critical-wasn’t something she could afford to be careless about.
She continued explaining, “If we waited for Chief Lu to find someone else to test it, who knows how long that would take? With the weather swinging between cold and warm, I was afraid you might catch a chill. Why not take a two-pronged approach?”
Those with weakened immunity feared seasonal transitions the most.
Every time the seasons changed, the dowager’s skin would grow uncomfortable-her immunity had already dropped to a concerning level.
There was no time to wait.
Sumala also spoke up for Fang He, “This servant also inquired about it-I went to the Imperial Hospital myself. It’s just like the acupuncture you had before. You found moxibustion too smoky, ointments too greasy…”
“Thankfully, Lady Zha has a solution. Yesterday, she had the palace maids test it, and it really does relieve itching.”
Lady Zhasihuli was already married, so she should have been addressed as “Madame” upon entering the palace.
However, due to Emperor Kangxi’s ambiguous attitude, the imperial court continued to refer to her as “Miss.”
But since she was entering the palace, if they really wanted to avoid any impropriety, they could simply pretend she was unmarried.
Empress Dowager Xiaozhuang ordered everyone to address her as “Gege” (young lady), and thus, the entire Cining Palace followed suit.
Now, hearing Su Mo’er’s words, Xiaozhuang pointed at the two of them.
“Alright, alright, you two are ganging up on me now. Do you really think this old woman can escape?”
Fang He instinctively replied, “Who knows? Even a cooked duck can fly away.”
Xiaozhuang:”…..”
The palace maids waiting in the hall covered their mouths to stifle laughter, while even Su Mo’er and Nanny Liu doubled over in amusement.
After breakfast, since it wasn’t a day for formal greetings, Xiaozhuang went out for a stroll.
The recent rain had left the air chilly, making her legs ache, so she soon returned to the palace.
By now, the Cining Palace had already lit the underfloor heating, filling the rooms with a cozy warmth that made one drowsy.
Xiaozhuang reclined on the soft couch, allowing Fang He and Chunlai to work carefully-one starting from her neck, the other from her feet.
Su Mo’er, aware of Fang He’s special status, had long instructed Nanny Liu to bring in nimble-fingered palace maids to observe and learn.
If they could truly bring their mistress some comfort, the entire Cining Palace would be indebted to Fang He.
How could they continue to trouble her?
Naturally, the tasks would soon be handed over to the maids.
The two maids entrusted with this important duty, along with Su Mo’er and Nanny Liu, watched intently… and before long, Xiaozhuang had fallen asleep.
Su Mo’er and Nanny Liu exchanged glances, their expressions a mix of surprise and excitement.
Ever since the weather turned cold a few days ago, their mistress had been uncomfortable-itching one moment, aching the next-and unable to sleep soundly at night.
Though Su Mo’er claimed Xiaozhuang disliked applying ointment because it felt greasy, the truth was that the ointment had little effect on her.
Yet, it was already the finest salve the Imperial Hospital could provide.
Xiaozhuang didn’t want to make a fuss or trouble others, nor did she want Kangxi to punish the imperial physicians over it.
Even she herself understood-she was simply getting old.
How many days she had left was uncertain, and she didn’t wish to cause unnecessary suffering.
Fang He and Chunlai had just lightly patted on the mugwort-ginger infused lotion and applied the essential oil when Xiaozhuang, finding her reclined position uncomfortable, began to snore.
Nanny Liu’s eyes reddened as she hurried forward to carefully adjust her mistress’s posture, then silently gave Fang He a deep curtsy.
Su Mo’er did the same.
Fang He quickly stepped aside, grinning and waving her hand.
“Since Her Majesty has fallen asleep, let’s pause the massage. Pressing on acupoints can be quite painful-we can continue after lunch.”
She hadn’t expected the mugwort-ginger oil to be so effective.
This oil was mainly useful for sterilization and reducing inflammation…
Could Xiaozhuang’s skin condition be related to fungal infections?
If so, she actually knew of a “Seven Toxins and Eight Tinea Ointment” that might work.
Back when Geng Shuning had taken her along for charity work at a nursing home, they’d learned that many elderly suffered from persistent itching caused by untreatable fungal infections.
Especially after eating seafood like fish or shrimp, the itching worsened.
Geng Shuning had specifically sought out a recipe to address it.
Fang He had helped make it before, vaguely remembering some ingredients, though the exact measurements escaped her.
But this wasn’t something she needed to worry about.
She could simply relay the recipe to the Imperial Hospital’s head physician under Sister Liang’s name and let him figure it out-or write to Sister Liang for guidance.
If she could establish another line of communication with Sister Liang and her group, she’d have better access to news outside the palace in the future.
Given Liang’s intelligence and medical skills, she would surely understand her meaning-perhaps even develop something useful.
Smiling, she put away her things, washed her hands, and said to Sumala, “I’ll go to the kitchen and have them prepare more mugwort- ginger extract and essential oils.”
“Once they’re ready, I’ll take some to the Imperial Hospital for the physicians to examine. Maybe they can find a better way to relieve the Empress Dowager’s itching.”
By the time Empress Dowager Xiaozhuang woke up, it was nearly mid-morning-she had slept a full two hours.
Even Xiaozhuang herself was surprised.
“Did that girl really come up with something useful?”
Sumala happily agreed, “This servant also thought it only worked on palace maids with milder symptoms, but it seems she truly has some skill. Most likely, she learned it from that Liang woman-the descendant of a former imperial physician from Jiangnan.”
Fang He hadn’t hidden her past in Jiangnan from Xiaozhuang or the Empress Dowager.
When the Empress Dowager visited Xiaozhuang, Fang He vividly recounted how carefree her life had been as “Young Master Fan” in Jiangnan, making the two elderly women almost envious.
Xiaozhuang’s eyes flickered.
“Has the Emperor come by?”
Sumala couldn’t help but laugh.
“He did, wanting to pay his respects, but you were asleep. When he asked about Lady Za, he was told she’d gone to the Imperial Hospital. His Majesty left rubbing his nose in frustration.”
Xiaozhuang burst into laughter, slapping the couch and exclaiming, “Serves him right!”
“Finally, someone can make him taste a bit of frustration that scoundrel only knows how to infuriate me.”
“In this, she’s better than Wulinzhu.”
Wulinzhu was bold, but too soft-hearted.
For the sake of family and dear friends, she endured too much.
Her life seemed free-spirited, but in truth, it was a mess.
Fang He, however, was different.
This girl probably cared only for herself above all else.
Having been in the palace for over half a month, Xiaozhuang had been quietly observing whether Fang He was as clear-headed as she claimed.
The evidence showed that Fang He indeed knew her limits.
Whether in speech or action, she appeared bold but always stayed within bounds, never truly crossing the line-making her exceptionally likable.
Even when the imperial consorts came to pay respects, she didn’t deliberately avoid them.
From the Noble Consort down to the lowliest concubines currying favor, the barbs in their words sometimes made even Xiaozhuang frown.
Fang He simply pretended not to understand.
Called a seductress?
She’d thank them for the compliment on her beauty, praising their excellent taste.
Accused of seducing Kangxi?
She’d respond with a serene “Amitabha”-the benevolent see benevolence, the lewd see lewdness-and express confidence that the ladies wouldn’t believe such rumors.
This left the consorts fuming, while Fang He’s mischievousness often had Xiaozhuang and the Empress Dowager stifling laughter until their sides ached.
Even Xiaozhuang found it hard to muster the resolve to take harsh action against her now.
After all, such a lively character was rare in the palace who didn’t enjoy a bit of amusement?
Kangxi, however, left Xiaozhuang torn between amusement and irritation.
A man in his thirties, yet acting like a newlywed youth, eagerly scheming to lure Fang He into the Palace of Heavenly Purity.
By using tricks like “Fang He came to inquire about my health” or “I’m worried about Grandmother and need to give Fang He more instructions”— it was obvious the Emperor’s intentions lay elsewhere, yet he couldn’t care less about saving face.
But Fang He refused to humor Kangxi.
Only when she was in a good mood or needed something would she respond to him with a few pleasant words.
If she was preoccupied with tasks or had been subjected to sarcastic remarks from the concubines that day, she would stand beside Empress Dowager Xiaozhuang like a pillar, refusing to budge no matter how fiercely Emperor Kangxi glared at her.
This was clearly a one-sided infatuation.
Though Xiaozhuang understood this was Fang He’s tactic to vie for favor, seeing Kangxi repeatedly infuriated gave her an indescribable sense of satisfaction deep down.
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