Looking at the elderly woman, though she was dressed in luxurious attire and her demeanor remained dignified, the dark circles between her brows were unmistakable signs of prolonged restlessness. Though she said nothing, Wan Qing could tell that the old woman had been suffering greatly from her ailment.
A sense of inexplicable closeness and compassion welled up in her heart. She comforted the elderly woman, explaining her approach while smiling gently.
“Your Majesty, rest assured. Though this illness is somewhat stubborn, with gradual care, you will recover fully. However, it’s a chronic condition that won’t heal overnight. For now, let me apply acupuncture to help you sleep better at night. Combined with the medicine I prescribe, taken daily, you’ll regain your former radiance in no time.”
“You know acupuncture too?” The Empress Dowager watched as Wan Qing deftly retrieved a set of silver needles from her medicine box. Though familiar with the practice, the Empress Dowager couldn’t help but express surprise at the young woman’s skill.
“Indeed. Qing’er’s acupuncture is quite swift. In fact, my leg—which had been immobile—recovered after just half a month of her treatments and the medicine she prescribed…”
Noticing the subtle tension in the elderly woman’s eyes, Prince Ning reassured her, his tone filled with pride as he spoke of his sister’s abilities.
“Oh, is that so? I had assumed a young girl might lack expertise, but it seems her skills are truly remarkable. One should never judge by appearances. Very well, proceed.”
Encouraged by her grandson’s words, Wan Qing’s gentle smile, and the eager anticipation of the maids, the Empress Dowager nodded resolutely. With a determined expression, she closed her eyes.
“Relax a little…” Wan Qing suppressed an amused chuckle at the old woman’s dramatic resolve. *This royal grandmother is quite amusing.* Outwardly, however, she remained composed, carefully inserting the needles into the acupoints on the Empress Dowager’s head.
One, then another. Prince Ning and Honglian remained calm, but the Empress Dowager’s maids were visibly terrified. Despite the long needles piercing her scalp, the Empress Dowager showed no signs of discomfort, reclining peacefully on the chaise lounge as if asleep. The maids barely dared to breathe, fearing the slightest disturbance might endanger their mistress.
As Wan Qing inserted over a dozen needles into various acupoints—including the throat—and manipulated them with practiced ease, the atmosphere grew tense. Half an hour later, she smiled faintly and removed each needle with effortless precision.
“Today’s session is complete, Your Majesty. You may open your eyes now. Do you feel any improvement?”
As she collected the needles, she noticed Prince Ning and Honglian exchanging knowing smiles, while the Empress Dowager’s maids exhaled in relief.
“I feel much lighter. The heaviness in my head seems to have faded significantly. Qing’er, your skills are truly impressive.” The Empress Dowager slowly opened her eyes, taking in the expectant smiles around her. Touching her head, she marveled at the noticeable relief and praised Wan Qing with genuine delight.
“Your Majesty flatters me. Qing’er merely fulfills her duty as a subject…” Wan Qing responded with a soft laugh. Though she had healed many, none had brought her such lightness of heart.
Meanwhile, unrest stirred within the palace.
“Grand Sorcerer, Prince Ning entered the palace today with a young woman. This old servant noticed that her appearance…”
An elderly eunuch approached Yemei, who lounged lazily in a pavilion, sipping wine amidst flowers.
“A young woman? What about her appearance?” Yemei arched a brow, his enchanting eyes glinting with curiosity.
“There’s nothing unusual about her, but… she bears an uncanny resemblance to the late Consort Hui, Grand Sorcerer…”
The eunuch spoke cautiously, sensing Yemei’s displeasure despite his calm demeanor.
“Resembles Consort Hui? Where did they go?” Yemei’s bewitching gaze sharpened as he murmured the question.
“This old servant saw them heading toward the Empress Dowager’s palace, Grand Sorcerer…”
“Perhaps just a coincidence. No need for alarm. You may leave.” Yemei waved dismissively, his expression unreadable.
Once the eunuch retreated, Yemei’s lips curled into a cold, enigmatic smile.
“A young woman who resembles Consort Hui… Xiao Sanzi, come here. Find out which family’s daughter accompanied Prince Ning into the palace.”
He issued the command to a young eunuch, who bowed and hurried off. Yemei resumed drinking, his thoughts inscrutable.
The ripple of disturbance extended beyond him.
In the imperial study, the Emperor nearly dropped his brush upon hearing the news from his attendant.
“What? You say the girl with Prince Ning resembles the late Consort Hui? This…”
“Your Majesty, the resemblance is striking. Are you… alright?” The eunuch confirmed hesitantly, noting the Emperor’s shaken expression.
“Perhaps a mere coincidence. Where did they go?”
The Emperor regained his composure, resuming his work with feigned indifference.
Meanwhile, in the Empress’s quarters—
“What? That girl entered the palace with Prince Ning to see the Empress Dowager? Could she be scheming to use their connection to annul the marriage through the Empress Dowager’s influence? This…”
Empress Sun, upon hearing that the second daughter of the Mu family had entered the palace with Prince Ning, paced anxiously.
“Your Majesty, they merely visited the Empress Dowager. Their intentions remain unclear. There’s no need for such alarm…”
Her maid attempted to soothe her, puzzled by the Empress’s disproportionate reaction to a seemingly ordinary girl—one less striking than Princess Qingyang or Mu Wanxia—who had somehow captured both the Empress’s favor and Prince Ning’s admiration.
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