Chapter 107 : Frustrated

“The side Concubine is kind-hearted, but this little palace maid is a bit crazy. If she were to come to the manor, she might cause some trouble. If the side Concubine wishes, this servant could select two more palace maids and send them to the manor—some are skilled in hairstyling, others in mixing fragrances,” Jiang Hua said with a smile, handling Xue Qingyin with ease.

The little palace maid’s heart immediately dropped.

What should the princess Concubine say to this? No, what should the side Concubine say?

It was only now that the little palace maid realized she was the side Concubine .

The side Concubine ‘s position was naturally not the same as the main Concubine ’s, and saving them would likely be more difficult. Jiang Hua was also very clever, and it was clear she was trying to dig a hole for the side Concubine .

If the side Concubine refused, it would seem suspicious. There was no reason to reject a palace maid who could help her gain favor, especially when she was asking for a foolish one.

If she agreed, wouldn’t the Eastern Palace seize the chance to plant someone in the King Xuan’s mansion?

It was a dilemma.

The little palace maid lay on the ground, still pretending to be a dog, but inside, she was frantic.

Xue Qingyin, on the other hand, looked hesitant, raising her chin with an even prouder expression as she asked Jiang Hua, “You? You have the final say? Can you really send me those palace maids skilled in hairstyling and fragrance?”

Jiang Hua smiled, “This servant is lowly, certainly not comparable to the side Concubine . However, I have served by the Crown Prince’s side for years and am an inner court female official. I do have the authority to make this decision.”

Xue Qingyin became suspicious and said, “Is that so? Are you trying to trick me? If such capable palace maids really exist, how could the Crown Princess let them go to me? I’ve heard that many inner court officials have conflicts over favor with their masters. Could it be that you want to…?”

Jiang Hua felt a headache coming on. She hadn’t expected Xue Qingyin to be a little sharp, but not very much.

When others figured out a conspiracy, they kept it to themselves. But the side Concubine ? She spoke it all out loud.

If this conversation continued, it would sound like she was competing with the Crown Princess for favor and deliberately plotting something.

Jiang Hua’s face darkened as she quickly interrupted, “Where did the side Concubine hear such things? In the Eastern Palace, the hierarchy is clear, there’s no competition for favor. If the side Concubine has any doubts, this servant will not mention the two palace maids anymore.”

Xue Qingyin muttered, “You servants are full of tricks. It’s better to trust a fool.”

Jiang Hua’s face twisted again, nearly losing her temper.

“Isn’t the side Concubine going to see the Crown Princess? Let’s go quickly,” Jiang Hua urged, eager to end this conversation.

No wonder the Crown Prince had been so upset that day.

“Let’s go, let’s go,” Xue Qingyin said, pouting.

The little palace maid remained lying on the ground, still reeling from the shock.

Was this really how it was going to end?

She shakily got up, walked around in circles, and then followed them.

After lying sick in bed for so long, the Crown Princess’s hearing had become even sharper.

When Jiang Hua and Xue Qingyin arrived at the palace door, the Crown Princess heard the noise.

“Is it Jiayu coming back?”

The Crown Princess was worried.

She knew her health was worsening, and she knew the little palace maid couldn’t wait any longer, which was why she had boldly taken action again and again.

Especially today, when she woke up, her heart inexplicably sank. It felt as if something bad was about to happen.

Please, don’t let Jiayu do anything foolish for her sake!

“Jiayu? Is that you?” the Crown Princess asked again, forcing out a voice as she struggled to sit up.

“That little palace maid is called Jiayu?” Xue Qingyin asked Jiang Hua.

Inside, the Crown Princess heard the voices, her heart tightened, and she immediately pressed her lips together, not making a sound.

She knew that someone unfamiliar had arrived.

Jiang Hua pushed open the door and said, “Yes… the inner palace is filled with the smell of illness, the medicinal odor is quite strong. The side Concubine should greet the Crown Princess and leave.”

Hearing the voice, the Crown Princess’s heart skipped a beat.

The side Concubine ?

Who is here?

Xue Qingyin asked, “What illness does the Crown Princess have?”

Jiang Hua said, “Leucorrhea.”

Leucorrhea refers to gynecological diseases below the belt meridian.

“Is the doctor of the Eastern Palace so incompetent? He can’t even cure leucorrhea?” Xue Qingyin asked again.

Jiang Hua looked indifferent: “It’s not that the doctor is incompetent. Leucorrhea has been very difficult since ancient times. I don’t know how many women have died because of it. Even if they are noble, they can’t withstand the torture of illness.”

Jiang Hua wasn’t lying here.

Xue Qingyin also knew that the medical level in ancient times was quite low, especially in gynecology, where the number of skilled female doctors was extremely rare.

When a woman fell ill, who would invite a male doctor to their home to diagnose them?

There were simply too few female doctors.

As a result, many women, when experiencing miscarriage, irregular menstruation, or postpartum illness, often had no choice but to wait helplessly for death.

Knowing this was one thing, but Xue Qingyin still voiced her ignorance: “If they can’t cure it, it’s naturally the fault of the physician. Could it be the Crown Princess’s fault? Should she not have gotten this illness? Or is it that the people of the Eastern Palace are too lenient? I also have an old ailment, and the imperial doctor in the mansion wouldn’t dare say it’s incurable. I think it’s not just the Crown Princess who should see more doctors, but even the Crown Prince should change a few doctors too…”

Jiang Hua’s mouth twitched.

This concubine was relying on the favor of King Xuan and acting so arrogantly.

“The concubine does not understand,” Jiang Hua said calmly. “In the palace, there is a fixed number of imperial physicians. Some are for the Eastern Palace, some for His Majesty, and others for the empress or the Queen Mother. One cannot simply change the rules. King Xuan’s mansion is outside the palace, so if one diagnosis fails, you can simply replace him with a country doctor. But those of high status in the palace can’t use such rural doctors. I advise the concubine not to speak like this, for fear that outsiders might mock you for not understanding the rules.” Jiang Hua spoke without urgency or emotion.

It was almost like she was directly mocking Xue Qingyin for being big-chested but empty-headed.

The Crown Princess couldn’t help but smile bitterly.

Jiang Hua was far too skilled; it would be easy for her to deceive this concubine.

However, Xue Qingyin snorted in disdain: “So, you can only be a servant then.”

Jiang Hua’s face turned a little darker. “Why do you say that, concubine?”

Xue Qingyin smugly replied, “What’s so difficult about changing the doctor? Just ask the Emperor to issue an edict.”

Jiang Hua was speechless.

Did she think the Emperor’s edict could be like issuing cabbage?

Xue Qingyin said, “My father is a kind and gentle person, so he will surely agree. Tomorrow—no, today—I’ll go speak to him.”

Jiang Hua became even more speechless.

Did she understand her own position? She was just a concubine! Did she think she could just go to the Emperor whenever she pleased? And dared to call him “father”?

Xue Qingyin continued, “But if Father is too busy…”

Jiang Hua sneered inwardly. He would be too busy.

Xue Qingyin changed her tone. “Then I’ll go find my grandmother.”

Jiang Hua couldn’t hold back. “Grandmother? You mean the old lady of the Xue family?”

Xue Qingyin proudly said, “Yes, the Queen Mother, don’t you know?”

Jiang Hua was speechless.

Xue Qingyin seemed to become even more proud, bragging, “A few days ago, Father and I went to visit Grandmother, the Queen Mother. When she saw me, she really liked me, and immediately waved her hand and rewarded me with many things. Have you ever seen a jade and gold-inlaid incense box? Do you know how heavy nine gold ingots are? Do you know how beautiful a malachite headpiece is?”

Jiang Hua’s heart skipped a beat.

This concubine from King Xuan’s mansion had actually received special favor from both the Emperor and the Queen Mother?

That couldn’t be right!

Just, just this vase of a woman!

But Jiang Hua knew she wasn’t lying.

After all, it was easy to verify things in the palace.

Besides, who would dare lie about the Queen Mother?

She wouldn’t really go and ask for an imperial edict, would she?

“Look at you, so naive. Did I scare you?” Xue Qingyin lightly laughed, snapping Jiang Hua back from her thoughts.

Jiang Hua was almost furious enough to spit blood, but she still forced herself to say, “Yes, I’ve never seen the world.”

The Crown Princess could hear the frustration in Jiang Hua’s voice.

How satisfying.

It had been a long time since she’d seen Jiang Hua taken aback like this.

The Crown Princess nearly laughed out loud.

No matter how skilled this concubine’s tactics were, she was really good at making people angry!

She always managed to make the Crown Princess feel a little lighter-hearted.

Even if she died right here, she’d probably die in a good mood.

Finally, Xue Qingyin stepped around the screen.

The Crown Princess immediately saw her.

The door of the hall was wide open.

The light streamed in, casting a glow behind her.

It was as though she was stepping on the sunlight, walking gracefully.

She was a stunning beauty.

The Crown Princess thought absently.

“Greetings, Your Highness the Crown Princess,” Xue Qingyin slightly curtsied and then quickly straightened up, asking Jiang Hua in confusion, “This is the Crown Princess, right? Why does she look like she’s about to die?”

Jiang Hua choked up, replying, “Yes, this is the Crown Princess.”

King Xuan’s concubine was so blunt; sooner or later, her mouth would get her into trouble!

Xue Qingyin eyed her suspiciously, “She’s this sick, and I said we should change the doctors, but you kept resisting. You…”

Jiang Hua quickly interjected, “It’s not that I resisted, Your Highness. Since the Crown Princess had a miscarriage, her health has been deteriorating. I mostly attend to His Highness, so I don’t know the situation here. Even if I did, there’s nothing I could do. Ultimately, it’s because the people around the Crown Princess aren’t attentive enough. I’ll report this to His Highness, and no one will get away with it!”

Jiang Hua said this, a quick flash of coldness flickering in her eyes.

The Crown Princess knew she was trying to shift the blame.

She also understood this was a subtle threat.

If Jiang Hua really used this opportunity to deal with the people around the Crown Princess, it would be like removing the last remaining loyal supporters from the Crown Prince’s side.

Xue Qingyin sneered, “I can’t stand those little sluts who use their positions as close attendants to seduce the master and plot against their mistress. You’d better not be one of them.”