Chapter 45: Floral Water

In the height of summer, mosquitoes were the bane of everyone’s existence, including the Empress Dowager and the Grand Empress Dowager. As soon as the palace servants from Xianfu Palace delivered the items, the Grand Empress Dowager immediately took some to try. She first applied the ointment to her wrist and smelled it. The fragrance was neither overwhelmingly strong nor floral; it didn’t carry the bitterness of medicinal herbs either. Instead, it was light and elegant, refreshing and uplifting.

Satisfied with the scent, the next step was to test the effect.

The Grand Empress Dowager gently applied it to a mosquito bite. Within less than fifteen minutes, the previously intensely itchy bite no longer caused any sensation.

This effect was impressive!

The Grand Empress Dowager was so pleased she could hardly contain her smile. She quickly urged the palace maids to try it out. By the time the Emperor arrived, the hall was filled with cheerful chattering and laughter.

“What is it that makes Your Majesty so happy?” asked the Emperor.

“It’s this ointment. It really works well,” the Grand Empress Dowager replied, her mood buoyant. She held Kangxi’s hand and said with a smile, “It came from Xianfu Palace, didn’t it? I heard it was Madam Wan’s recipe, personally made by Consort Xuan and Noble Lady Nara! Emperor, you must try it; the effect is truly remarkable!”

“Recipe? Madam Wan?” Kangxi’s face showed confusion as his gaze shifted to Liang Jiugong.

How come he hadn’t heard about this ointment before?

Liang Jiugong looked wronged. His entire face was sour, and he even bent forward noticeably, silently telling his grievances from head to toe.

“I didn’t receive any orders either!”

Kangxi pondered this, then forced a calm laugh with a slight upturn of his lips. “Is it really that effective?”

The Grand Empress Dowager thought the Emperor was curious.

She cheerfully took out the ointment and said happily, “Come, Emperor, try it!”

Kangxi smiled charmingly as he stepped forward.

Though suppressing a bellyful of anger, he tested the ointment and found it really worked, very well indeed. 🙂

The Grand Empress Dowager continued to be proud.

In front of the Emperor, she couldn’t help but boast, “Yes, yes, yes. It’s effective, truly effective! I heard Xianfu Palace also sent some to the Empress and the Crown Prince. Indeed, Madam Wan… no! The entire Xianfu Palace is different, each one filial, thoughtful, and generous. Tomorrow, I shall talk to the consorts, telling them to all try it out.”

Sent to the Empress and the Crown Prince.

Filial, thoughtful, and generous.

The Grand Empress Dowager’s words struck like arrows straight into the Emperor’s heart. His mouth twitched, nearly losing control of his expression. Even though he forcibly restrained himself, an uncontrollable chill radiated from his body.

Behind him, Liang Jiugong nearly collapsed onto his knees. In his heart, he cursed the three from Xianfu Palace a hundred times over. He thought, “Among all these palace consorts, who wouldn’t keep the Emperor in their heart?”

A burst of fire flared behind Kangxi.

The Grand Empress Dowager, who had been smiling quietly while watching, sensed something amiss. Her smile froze, and a trace of confusion flashed in her eyes — “Xianfu Palace wouldn’t have forgotten the Emperor’s portion, would they?”

The Empress Dowager almost couldn’t hold her expression either.

Seeing the flamboyant and peculiar characters Consort Xuan brought out had turned into unusual specimens in the palace. The overly free-spirited Empress Dowager disliked it; the excessively decadent one also disapproved.

But when she thought of the noisy and bothersome contrast, the maid Wuya Changzai, the Empress Dowager found Madam Wan, the cheerful and lively pregnant consort, rather agreeable.

She decided to just treat this as a joke.

With that thought, the Empress Dowager returned to her composed expression, watching the Emperor’s every move with interest.

Kangxi’s face was drawn long.

Yet, despite his raging anger, he had to keep smiling and follow the Grand Empress Dowager’s lead to praise the three from Xianfu Palace, especially Madam Wan!

When he left Cining Palace, a fierce fire flared behind him. His face darkened as he strode toward Xianfu Palace. But a cool evening breeze suddenly blew, making Kangxi’s footsteps halt abruptly. A mighty emperor—was he really about to enter the harem just because of some ointment?

Hmph! Kangxi stopped and with a flick of his sleeve, turned back.

Liang Jiugong behind him shook his head repeatedly.

“Why bother arguing with the Emperor, Madam Wan? Could it be she’s so proud because she’s pregnant? I fear this time she’s fallen out of favor, and it’ll be hard for her to regain it!”

Liang Jiugong shook his head quietly.

He lowered his head and followed the Emperor. After just a few steps, Kangxi stopped again. A mighty emperor being ignored by a consort? Kangxi had never suffered such humiliation since childhood. Feeling upset, he decided to return and have a proper talk with Madam Wan.

Liang Jiugong: …?

He looked puzzled as the Emperor turned around and dashed once again toward Xianfu Palace.

What else could Liang Jiugong do? He followed along!

Only upon reaching the gate of Xianfu Palace did Kangxi’s pace slow. He adjusted his collar and calmly stepped inside. The small eunuch guarding the gate was about to notify someone but was dismissed with a single glance.

Kangxi strode toward the rear courtyard.

In the back courtyard, there was quite a lot of chattering. From afar, one could see Madam Wan being stopped by four or five palace maids. She was loudly yelling, “Wash thoroughly and drain the water; it must be drained before use.”

“Got it, got it.”

“Haitao, Zisu, watch carefully and don’t let Madam Wan come over,” Consort Xuan reminded.

Haitao and Zisu looked serious.

The two gently pulled their mistress’s arm: “Mistress, there are many mosquitoes outside; how about we go back inside to rest?”

But Wan Anran (Madam Wan) was still very concerned.

She absolutely refused to go back inside, standing on tiptoe and peering forward: “It must be poured into white wine. Other types of alcohol won’t do.”

“Yes, yes, yes.”

“Got it, this is the first time I’ve heard Madam Wan be so nagging,” Noble Lady Nara waved her hand and personally put the drained herbs into a jar, then filled it with high-concentration white wine following Madam Wan’s instructions, carefully sealing the jar.

“Why are you still making alcohol while pregnant?”

“This isn’t alcohol, it’s floral water,” Wan Anran explained without turning around. But as soon as she said this, she sensed something was wrong, turned around, and was startled by Kangxi suddenly appearing. Wan Anran jumped like a startled rabbit. Kangxi quickly reached out to steady her, saying, “You’re going to be the Empress someday; don’t be so reckless.”

Wan Anran gave a cheeky smile.

Consort Xuan and Noble Lady Nara, busy with their tasks, also stopped what they were doing. The two quickly washed their hands with clean water, then respectfully bowed from a distance, “We, your humble servants, pay our respects to the Emperor. Wishing you health and great fortune.”

“Why do you stand so far away?”

“Your Majesty, there are mint leaves here, and the scent is not good for pregnant women,” Consort Xuan answered honestly.

“Hm? What about the ointment?”

“Has Your Majesty already received it?” Wan Anran’s heart skipped a beat when she heard the word ‘ointment.’ Luckily, Consort Xuan reminded her; otherwise, asking that would have caused a big problem.

She quickly changed the subject: “The ointment contains mint leaves and other herbs like patchouli. I can’t use it myself.”

Already received?

Could it have been delivered to the Qianqing Palace, just missing the Emperor? Kangxi was slightly startled, and his anger subsided a little.

After hearing that Madam Wan couldn’t use it, most of his dissatisfaction disappeared instantly. Mint leaves and patchouli are cold in nature; pregnant women must never touch them. If she can’t use it, it must have been made for someone else.

Ahem, surely it’s for me.

Kangxi’s anger dissolved completely like spring snow melting away. In a good mood, he looked down at Noble Lady Wan, preparing to exchange meaningful glances with his beloved consort to express his feelings. But just as Kangxi lowered his gaze, his eyes happened to fall on Noble Lady Wan’s slightly swollen eyelids.

One eyelid was big, the other small.

Kangxi and Wan Anran stared at each other for a moment. Wan Anran was the first to regain composure and quickly covered her eyes.

After the initial shock, Kangxi couldn’t help but laugh out loud.

He laughed heartily, saying, “I’ve already seen it all. What’s the point of covering your eyes now?”

“But I can’t let others see it!” Wan Anran’s cheeks puffed up in anger as she hurriedly moved out of Kangxi’s embrace, thinking about those mosquitoes made her even more annoyed.

Seeing Noble Lady Wan so embarrassed and angry, Kangxi smiled and smoothly changed the subject, “What exactly is this ‘floral water’? Why do you have to use alcohol to make it?”

Wan Anran made an ‘X’ gesture with her fingers.

She held her head high and chest out, saying, “It’s a secret. The Emperor will know after ten days.”

Kangxi raised an eyebrow.

He decided not to bring up the matter for now but instead pointed at the large black jar placed in the courtyard, “Then what are these?”

“These are used to catch mosquitoes.”

“Catch mosquitoes?” Kangxi looked surprised. After Wan Anran explained the ‘poison’ inside, he couldn’t help but show the same skeptical expression.

Wan Anran was displeased.

She snorted coldly, “Just wait until tomorrow!”

Early the next morning.

Wan Anran eagerly had someone open the jar. The orange-and-white cat that approached took one look inside and immediately turned pale: “Mosquitoes! So many mosquitoes!!!”

Consort Xuan and Noble Lady Nara hurried over as well.

They widened their eyes and looked at the jar in shock—inside, there was clearly only some fermented red sugar dough crumbs and a bit of water… These things that seemed to have nothing to do with mosquitoes had somehow attracted a whole layer of mosquitoes inside the jar.

It was simply unbelievable!

Consort Xuan and Noble Lady Nara clicked their tongues in amazement. Wan Anran waved her hand decisively, “Someone, take this jar to the Qianqing Palace and let the Emperor have a look!”

Consort Xuan: …

Noble Lady Nara: …

The young eunuchs sighed.

They carried the jar with much effort toward Qianqing Palace, attracting countless curious and shocked glances along the way.

For example, Consort Yi and Consort An also quickly heard the news. Once the daily morning and evening duties at Kunning Palace were done, Consort An couldn’t help but be the first to comment, “Sister Xuan, what has Xianfu Palace been up to again? Carrying a big jar around first thing in the morning? You’ve got me curious all this time.”

Consort Xuan smiled and explained, “Not carrying it around everywhere, it’s being delivered to the Emperor.”

Delivered to the Emperor?

All the consorts’ expressions changed slightly. Consort An sighed softly, “I wonder what Sister has that’s so good? I want to see it too…”

Consort Xuan answered calmly, “You want some?”

Consort An looked at her with curiosity and tentatively nodded, “I’m just curious, Sister…”

Consort Xuan immediately smiled, “If you want some, take it. I’ll have someone send it to your room later. Xianfu Palace still has plenty!”

Consort An slowly formed a question in her expression.

Surely what’s sent to the Emperor isn’t some strange or peculiar thing, right? After thinking it over, she smiled and agreed, “Thank you, Sister, for your kindness.”

“No need to thank me. If anyone should be thanked, it’s me,” Consort Xuan said kindly. These jars full of mosquitoes were somewhat creepy. Consort Xuan was thinking about where else they could be sent besides the Emperor’s place. Since Consort An was pleased, she naturally was happy too.

“… Hmm, ah?” Consort An grew even more confused, sitting back down with her eyes still shaken.

“Anyone else want some?” Consort Xuan asked expectantly, looking around.

The consorts looked at each other, and after a moment, one or two shook their heads, “No, no thanks.”

“Thank you for your kindness, Sister Xuan.”

“I’m usually not interested in these things.”

If it were really something good, wouldn’t it be given to the Empress first?

The consorts were not as naïve as Consort An. Seeing how eager Consort Xuan was to send it out, they feared there must be something strange inside. They just didn’t understand why it could be sent to the Emperor.

Everyone was both curious and confused.

The Empress covered her smile, smiling warmly as she had someone bring out the ointment: “By the way, this is something Xianfu Palace figured out yesterday. It repels mosquitoes and relieves itching very well. If anyone wants to try it, you can take some.”

The consorts looked at each other.

Again from Xianfu Palace? Could it be related to the big jar? For a while, Kunning Palace was very quiet. Unexpectedly, Noble Consort Tong was the first to respond. She smiled and took a small box of ointment from a palace maid: “If it’s recommended by Her Majesty the Empress, it must be a first-rate good thing!