The Emperor Chenghua took a Nine-Colored Pill. The medicine dissolved upon entering his mouth, and soon his stomach felt warm, a faint aroma of the medicine lingering on his lips and tongue, bringing him a sense of comfort.
The Emperor Chenghua felt no discomfort; on the contrary, he was filled with energy. He even extended his wrist for Li Man'er to take his pulse and check for any changes.
"Your Majesty, your body is in perfect health. However, this medicine is potent and requires a long time to digest. Therefore, for the second pill, you must wait patiently for a while, only taking it after the effects of the first have been fully assimilated."
The Emperor Chenghua nodded repeatedly. His most important task now was to recover his health.
"If Your Majesty has no urgent matters, you may take a short nap. You will surely wake up refreshed. To alleviate Your Majesty's concerns, Anning wishes to impose upon my aunt and uncle for a few days and stay in the palace."
The Emperor Chenghua was in a good mood. He admired Li Man'er's directness the most; she always expressed what she wanted or disliked openly. Others, upon seeing him, would instinctively hide their true thoughts, even responding insincerely.
Li Man'er, however, could frankly state that she was staying as a hostage to alleviate his worries. This, ironically, prevented him from becoming angry.
"Very well, Consort Shu must also miss her family dearly. This is a good opportunity for you to comfort her."
Though Consort Shu was not favored, the Emperor Chenghua felt a great deal of pity for her. The death of the Fourth Princess had plunged her into despair, a significant blow. Moreover, Consort Shu was a woman of great decorum, never seeking favors or engaging in disputes. When Consort Cui was investigated, she did not plead for her, only stating that the law was not to be trifled with. She confined herself to her chambers, copying scriptures to guide Consort Cui's soul, thus fulfilling her filial duty as a mother.
"My aunt, being wise and understanding, will surely grasp Your Majesty's kind intentions."
The Emperor Chenghua nodded and waved his hand. He was feeling rather tired and needed to rest.
Li Man'er withdrew and sent a message to her residence, informing them that she would be staying with Consort Shu for a few days. Those who understood would understand, thus avoiding unnecessary trouble and misunderstandings.
Before Li Man'er could head to Li Qingshu's chambers, she encountered a eunuch sent by Consort Rong. The eunuch was quick-witted, stepping forward to pay his respects, addressing her as "County Princess" with great familiarity.
"Your consort is waiting for me?"
"Indeed!" the eunuch bowed. "My consort has prepared tea and pastries and awaits the County Princess's esteemed arrival."
"Very well, lead the way!" Li Man'er turned to Zi Yan and said, "I will be staying in the palace for these few days. Go and inform my aunt."
Zi Yan curtsied slightly. "Yes, this servant will go immediately."
The eunuch felt a hint of dissatisfaction but could say nothing. He could only lead the way.
Soon, Li Man'er arrived at Qitai Palace.
There were not many concubines in the harem. In recent years, due to the Emperor's frailty, no new selections had been held, so there was ample space. Consort Rong occupied an entire palace by herself, enjoying treatment similar to Consort Shu.
As Li Man'er entered the courtyard, she felt a palpable tension, as if the servants were holding their breath, anticipating impending doom.
Li Man'er chuckled inwardly and followed the leading palace maid to the reception hall. "County Princess, please wait a moment. Her Ladyship will be here shortly."
Li Man'er was unconcerned. She estimated that "shortly" might mean a considerable wait. She decided to calmly close her eyes and rest.
A short while later, palace maids brought hot tea and pastries. Li Man'er ate and drank without hesitation, as if unconcerned about being poisoned.
The petty displays of power meant to intimidate ordinary ladies were nothing to Li Man'er. Upon hearing that she was neither angered nor flustered, and was calmly eating and drinking, Consort Rong became enraged.
"What does she take my Qitai Palace for?" she exclaimed, abandoning her previous stratagems and hastening to meet Li Man'er.
Upon seeing Consort Rong, Li Man'er greeted her with feigned delight. "Oh, Her Ladyship has arrived?" She did not rise and asked with an excited expression, "Her Ladyship took so long to come. Did you have difficulty changing?"
Difficulty changing?
Consort Rong's expression worsened. "What did you say?"
"Did you not go to the privy? Her Ladyship summoned me, surely not because of constipation?" Li Man'er waved her hand. "Her Ladyship, we are both women, and I am a physician. There is no need for embarrassment."
Consort Rong was furious. "Of course not."
"Then what is it?"
Consort Rong was so angry she nearly sputtered smoke. "County Princess Anning, do you not understand palace etiquette? I am a consort of the Emperor. You are obligated to perform a grand salutation upon meeting me."
Li Man'er yawned listlessly and pointed at A'Si. "Tell her."
A'Si looked at her former friend with mixed emotions, but she still bowed. "Consort Rong, our County Princess has distinguished military achievements. When the Emperor bestowed her honors, he issued a decree stating that our County Princess need only salute, even when meeting the Empress Dowager or the Emperor."
"You..." Consort Rong's face contorted with rage, losing all its delicate beauty. "How dare you, a mere servant, glare at me? Guards, slap her!"
Immediately, a managing matron stepped forward, grabbed A'Si's collar, and prepared to strike her. A'Si was skilled in martial arts. If she chose to resist, the matron would be no match for her. However, being in the palace, she dared not act impulsively and could only endure.
While A'Si could endure, Li Man'er could not. She picked up a pastry from the table and hurled it at the matron.
The pastry struck the matron's face, causing it to swell instantly. The pastry shattered on the floor, as if nothing had happened.
The matron dared not retaliate against a County Princess, so she released A'Si and glanced at Consort Rong.
"You dare!" Consort Rong was incensed, wishing she could strike A'Si herself to humiliate Li Man'er.
Li Man'er leaped to her feet and, in two strides, reached Consort Rong, seizing her wrist.
The palace attendants cried out in alarm, "County Princess, you must not!"
This woman was a force to be reckoned with, soon to be the Ninth Prince's consort, and a physician personally appointed by the Emperor. If she were to strike a consort, the latter would likely have to suffer in silence.
In truth, Li Man'er had not intended to physically confront Consort Rong. However, from the moment she appeared, Consort Rong had been continuously pushing her boundaries, forcing her hand. If A'Si had been an ordinary maid, it would have been different. In ancient times, lives were cheap, and it was not a major issue for a consort to discipline a servant. But A'Si was a friend Li Man'er had known for years. Consort Rong, ignoring their past acquaintance and even seeming to revel in it, was something Li Man'er absolutely could not tolerate.
"Who do you think you are?" Li Man'er leaned close to Consort Rong and spoke in a voice only they could hear. "You are merely a discarded pawn. Do you really think you still have any value?"