Hua Zhi took a seat on a chair near the bed. "How much longer should I pretend to be dizzy?"
"Until everyone who needs to know finds out, that should be enough." Shaoyao moved closer and checked her pulse again, feeling somewhat disheartened. After an entire winter, there had been little improvement in her health, which was truly discouraging.
Hua Zhi patted her head. Yu Lao turned and smiled at the sight of the two. He was already in his fifties and uncertain how much longer he had to live. The only one he worried about was his apprentice. With her skills, even members of the royal family wouldn’t dare offend her, so he had no concerns in that regard. What troubled him was that she had come into this world alone and might leave just as lonely—without close friends or a loving partner. That was why he had gone to such great lengths to gather all the ingredients for the prescription, hoping that once her face improved, someone would recognize her as a wonderful woman and accompany her through life.
He didn’t know if such a person would appear, but now he was certain she wouldn’t be alone. The sincerity of the Hua family’s young lady was evident in her gaze and actions toward Shaoyao.
Shaoyao took the prescription and began studying it. Hua Zhi stood up to speak with Yu Lao, but he gestured for her to sit and took a seat at the table himself. "You’ll need to take this medicine consistently for six months. It’s a good prescription."
The thought of drinking medicine for half a year made Hua Zhi’s mouth feel bitter, and even her smile turned wry. "I’ve probably drunk more medicine in the past year or two than most people do in a lifetime."
"It’s better to drink it now than to have to later."
"You’re right." Hua Zhi glanced at Shaoyao, who was biting her finger. "With this stubborn one around, I wouldn’t dare skip a dose."
The "stubborn one" didn’t even turn her head, completely absorbed in the prescription and oblivious to their conversation.
Hua Zhi chuckled and turned back to Yu Lao. "I heard before that you intended to remove the scars on Shaoyao’s face. I wonder…"
Yu Lao smiled. "I’m not sure how much can be removed. This prescription came from an ancient text, and it took me years to gather all the ingredients. I hope it proves effective."
"Is it taken orally or applied topically? When can it be used?"
"It’s a medicinal ointment. I’ve just finished the preliminary preparations. Once it’s ready, I’ll have her bring it to you. Apply it morning and night, and make sure she does it."
"Of course. Don’t worry, I’ll keep a close eye on her."
"Oh, right. I came to find you earlier because I had something to ask, but before I could say anything, Hua Hua had that incident." Shaoyao turned around. "I mentioned before that Haoyue had a scent of blood on him. Today, I paid close attention and noticed the scent is gone from Haoyue, but now the Emperor has it. Master, have you noticed anything during your days in the palace?"
"I haven’t been summoned to check his pulse these past few days." Yu Lao frowned. "A scent of blood? Is it strong?"
"Not very strong. At first, I thought it was still coming from Haoyao, but after he left, I realized it was on the Emperor. Hasn’t the Emperor called for you to check his pulse?"
"No. The Emperor said I’d been working hard and allowed me to rest for a few days. I took the opportunity to mention I needed to prepare medicine for you, and he said to send for me if needed."
Shaoyao stood up, stroking her chin as she paced a few times. "It sounds like the Emperor doesn’t want you near him, which means he’s aware of the blood scent… Oh, Hua Hua, you’re clever. Help me figure out what’s going on."Hua Zhi shot her a sidelong glance, but under her pleading gaze, she explained, "It indicates one thing: regardless of whether the smell of blood is from his injury or some other reason, he doesn’t want it known. Judging by his attitude, it might not be something that displeases the Emperor."
"He enjoys it?" Shaoyao widened her eyes. "There can’t be many people in this world who enjoy watching themselves bleed, so is it someone else bleeding that he enjoys?"
"..." Hua Zhi gave her a speechless look and pricked up her ears to listen for any movement outside.
Yu Lao glared at her. "You speak recklessly! What kind of place is this? Is that the kind of thing you should say?"
"I’m listening for outside sounds, and when I closed the door earlier, I set up traps. Anyone who dares approach without making a sound..." Shaoyao made a throat-slitting gesture, grinning smugly.
Yu Lao shook his head. Her unpredictable nature was truly a headache.
Suddenly, Shaoyao shushed everyone, helped Hua Hua back to the bed, and soon heard an announcement from outside: "The Empress Dowager has arrived!"
Shaoyao hurried to open the door, discreetly scattering some medicinal powder on both sides as she bounced out to greet her. "Empress Dowager, what brings you here?"
The Empress Dowager pulled her close, waving for the others to stay back. As she walked inside, she said, "I heard a young lady from the Hua family fainted in the palace. I came to check on her. How is she? Is she all right?"
Shaoyao pouted and immediately began complaining. "Hua Hua’s health has never been strong. During the long audience with the Emperor, her mind was racing nonstop, and she had to stand the entire time. Her body couldn’t take it. And then that Moon Consort—putting on airs and making Hua Hua perform a deep bow! In this weather? And in a drafty spot! Hua Hua couldn’t handle it and collapsed on the spot. Empress Dowager, you must believe me—that Moon Consort is no good."
"She is now Consort Yue," the Empress Dowager gently tapped Shaoyao’s head. How could she not know that Haoyue was no good? But if the Emperor insisted on protecting her, what could she do? The drama of mother and son falling out was something many old-timers in the palace were already tired of witnessing.
Entering the room, Yu Lao bowed respectfully, and Hua Zhi stood properly as well—she had no intention of deceiving the Empress Dowager, who had always treated Yan Xi well.
"Your humble servant, Hua Zhi, greets the Empress Dowager."
"At ease." The Empress Dowager sat on the brocade stool brought by Yu Xiang. "Why are you up? Sit and speak comfortably."
Hua Zhi didn’t hesitate and sat gracefully, her back straight—a posture that subtly conveyed vigilance.
The Empress Dowager smiled, pretending not to notice. "Are you feeling better now?"
"Yes, thank you for your concern. I’ve recovered."
"Right after waking from a faint, one is most prone to dizziness and weakness. There’s no need to force yourself to speak with me. Go lie down on the bed. Yu Xiang, help her."
Just as Hua Zhi was about to speak, the Empress Dowager added, "You needn’t push yourself. In this palace, forcing yourself only leads to losses. Let’s not suffer that, shall we?"
Hua Zhi immediately understood, rose, and curtsied. "You are right. I’ve learned my lesson.""These matters, I truly have no desire to teach you any of them." The Empress Dowager smiled ruefully, her thoughts drifting to past memories with profound emotion. "This old one still remembers those two years with Wan Niang - time and again I wished to instruct her further in the ways of inner household management. Yet she would tell me she'd never marry into a family filled with such sordid affairs, and would hide whenever lessons were mentioned. In the end, she learned precious little. After she left, I kept worrying about her, never imagining she would indeed marry into a decent family. Were she to know I'm teaching you these things, she'd probably come tossing and turning in my dreams tonight making a scene."
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