Chapter 44: Anti-Itch Ointment

The news that Noble Lady Wan was trying to make insect repellents quickly reached Consort Xuan’s ears. Her brow furrowed, and she hurried to the back courtyard to stop it. After all, anything that could kill insects naturally had toxic effects on the human body as well—especially dangerous now that Noble Lady Wan was pregnant. The more she thought about it, the faster her pace became.

The back courtyard was bustling with noise.

Not only were Noble Lady Wan and her palace maids involved, but even Noble Lady Nara had joined in the commotion.

Consort Xuan: …

And to think she used to believe Noble Lady Nara was sensible!

Furious, Consort Xuan nearly fell over backward and quickly ordered her attendants to intervene. Noble Lady Wan, who was pulled aside, looked aggrieved. Taking into account her pregnancy, Consort Xuan turned her ire on Noble Lady Nara: “Noble Lady Nara, how could you just go along with Noble Lady Wan’s whims? What do you know about making insecticide? If you need to use it, let the Imperial Household Department prepare it. Understood?”

Then she turned and looked at Noble Lady Wan: “And you! The imperial heir in your womb is of utmost importance right now! If anything happens to the heir, it won’t just affect you—it will implicate your maids, Noble Lady Nara, and even me. None of us will be spared.”

Consort Xuan’s face darkened like the bottom of a pot.

She blamed herself for ever thinking Noble Lady Nara could keep Noble Lady Wan in check. Now that she saw the two getting along so well, it all made sense—they were simply two of a kind!

With a grave expression, Consort Xuan made up her mind.

In order to supervise the increasingly troublesome Noble Lady Wan, she decided to involve herself directly.

Noble Lady Nara smiled and gently linked arms with her. “Sister Xuan, do I really have so little credit in your eyes? Come see for yourself.”

Still suspicious, Consort Xuan stepped forward.

They had claimed to be making insect repellent, but on the table were only three items: brown sugar, dough, and a large bucket covered with black cloth.

This… could catch mosquitoes?

Consort Xuan didn’t believe it for a second. Clearly, Noble Lady Nara felt the same—the two exchanged a glance, and Consort Xuan thought, Fine, let her play with these harmless things if it keeps her occupied.

Wan Anran pouted.

Unhappy, she ordered her maids to prepare several more buckets and to add active dough in the evening. She was determined to show results to Consort Xuan and Noble Lady Nara the very next day.

Once that project was underway, her attention shifted again—to developing anti-itch and mosquito-repellent remedies. After all, preventing bites was just as important as killing the pests.

It wasn’t that the palace’s mosquito-repellent incense was useless; it worked fine indoors, but out in the open air, it was largely ineffective. Worse, the back garden of Jingyang Palace was overgrown with weeds, and the incense could easily pose a fire hazard.

But when Wan Anran had medicinal herbs brought in, she was immediately stopped by the others. Only after Noble Lady Nara explained did she understand: the palace’s herbal sachets contained ingredients like mint and patchouli, which were strictly forbidden for pregnant women.

To be cautious, all sachets had been banned throughout Xianfu Palace, which had become a prime target for summer mosquitoes.

Sachets couldn’t be used, and medicinal herbs with similar components were also off-limits. So her original plan to make floral water and herbal balm was put on hold.

With her head hanging low, Wan Anran shared her formulas, prompting helpless smiles from both Consort Xuan and Noble Lady Nara. The former’s suggestion contained fragrance, so it wasn’t suitable for use in Xianfu Palace. The latter’s was colorless and odorless, which… actually made it feasible—so long as Noble Lady Wan didn’t use it herself.

To be safe, during the preparation process Wan Anran was moved to the east wing room. She watched with puffed cheeks as her brilliant idea was carried out by others while she was only allowed to observe from afar.

Meanwhile, Consort Xuan and Noble Lady Nara were thoroughly enjoying themselves.

Why? Because they had indeed been losing sleep over mosquito bites lately—and more importantly, the formula looked simple enough.

They washed the herbs, pounded them into paste, added high-quality tea oil and stirred thoroughly, then steamed the mixture again to extract the oils. Once it cooled and congealed in small boxes, it was ready for use.

As dusk fell, the balm was complete—just in time, since everyone in the courtyard was covered in mosquito welts. It was the perfect moment to test the product.

Consort Xuan picked up a box. She brought it to her nose and took a sniff. A light, refreshing scent rose gently, clearing her mind at once.

The fragrance passed the test.

Next came effectiveness. She dabbed a little balm onto a bite and gently rubbed it in. The itching quickly subsided, replaced by a cool, soothing sensation. Her eyes lit up, and she nudged Noble Lady Nara: “You have to try this too.”

“Alright, alright.” Noble Lady Nara was eager as well. After applying some, she too was pleasantly surprised. The two of them stood there marveling over the results—until they suddenly felt a chilling gaze from behind.

Their hearts leapt.

Turning around, they saw a shadowy figure in the distance, a flickering candle illuminating a pale face and eyes black and white in stark contrast—staring straight at them.

A cool evening breeze blew by.

Then a ghostly voice whispered in their ears: “I’m so full of hatred…”

Cold sweat broke out all over them. Their legs even began to tremble.

Haitao, expressionless, snatched the little candle from Wan Anran’s hand. “Mistress! What in the world are you doing?!”

Wan Anran huffed, “Hmph!”

Haitao was speechless. “Consort Xuan and Noble Lady Nara were doing all this for your sake…”

Wan Anran pouted, “But they were having so much fun behind my back.”

Consort Xuan and Noble Lady Nara looked completely dumbfounded.

Then they snapped out of it and shouted in unison, “Noble Lady Wan!!!”

She had pretended to be a ghost to scare them!

Wan Anran stuck out her tongue. “It was for your own good, sisters. Don’t you feel much cooler now?”

Well—yes. After breaking into a cold sweat, they certainly felt cooler. But then why did they suddenly feel the urge to beat someone up?

Consort Xuan and Noble Lady Nara smiled with twitching expressions as they rolled up their sleeves and marched toward her.

Naturally, Wan Anran had no intention of surrendering.

Problem was, she was still pregnant. Just as she turned to flee, the “traitors” Haitao and Zisu reached out and grabbed her. Within three seconds, she was caught, and received two hearty smacks on the forehead.

Consort Xuan, both exasperated and amused, said, “You’re almost a mother, and yet you’re getting more mischievous by the day.”

Her gaze dropped to Wan Anran’s belly.

With a furrowed brow, she said thoughtfully, “If the child turns out like you… there won’t be a day of peace in this palace.”

Noble Lady Nara covered her mouth and giggled. “Honestly, if Noble Lady Wan gave birth to a perfectly serious, proper child—that would be even funnier!”

Wan Anran scrunched up her whole face in protest.

She shook her head repeatedly. “Oh, spare me! Children should be cute, lively, energetic, and a little mischievous—that’s the best kind!”

Nara Guiren chuckled. “Wan Fu is definitely lively, energetic, and mischievous—but where is he cute? He’s nothing short of a little devil!”

Little Devil Wan Fu: …?

He had just stepped into the back courtyard and already heard his mother bad-mouthing him. Wan Fu’s lips pouted high, full of indignation. “How am I a little devil? Mother, you’re bullying me, talking bad about me behind my back!”

He pitter-pattered up to Wan Anran, patting his chest with righteous assurance. “Mother Consort, don’t worry. When my little brother or sister is born, I’ll definitely be a good big brother and play with them every day!”

Wan Anran couldn’t help but laugh.

She reached out and rubbed Wan Fu’s head. “That’s right, that’s right. Our Wan Fu is going to be a great big brother.”

“Mm-hmm!”

“Wan Fu-gege, I’ll be counting on you in the future!” Wan Anran put her hands together, smiling sweetly as she flattered him.

Wan Fu lifted his chin so high it was practically pointing at the sky.

Nara Guiren was speechless. Since she had been caught talking about Wan Fu behind his back, as the guilty party, she had no choice but to apologize and rack her brains for a series of ways to make it up to him, just barely smoothing things over.

Wan Fu’s gaze turned to the table.

He stared at the rows of small boxes of ointment in confusion. “What is all this? I thought you were hiding in the backyard to sneak snacks… but instead, you’re making such strange stuff.”

“This isn’t strange stuff—it’s good stuff.” Nara Guiren had sharp eyes and spotted a mosquito bite on her son’s neck. She immediately pulled him over to try it too.

“This is for itching?”

“It’s pretty effective! They say it even repels mosquitoes!”

“Really? Can I take some to Crown Prince-gege? He got bitten a lot while studying today!” Wan Fu asked excitedly.

There were several dozen boxes already made.

Just a moment ago, they’d been fretting about how to use them all. Wan Fu’s suggestion instantly lit up Wan Anran’s eyes. “Wan Fu is right—we can’t forget the Empress Dowager and the Grand Empress Dowager. We should also send some to the Empress and the Eldest Princess.”

Nara Guiren nodded thoughtfully.

“Sending it to the other consorts directly might not be well-received. I think we should just send extra to the Empress. If anyone asks, she can gift it as she sees fit.”

That actually made a lot of sense.

Wan Anran agreed immediately and quickly dispatched the palace maids to deliver them.

Standing off to the side, Consort Xuan said nothing.

Seeing that Wan Guiren and Nara Guiren were acting like everything was done and wrapping things up, she couldn’t hold back and sighed as she facepalmed. “There’s still one person left.”

One person? Who?

Wan Anran looked bewildered. Under Consort Xuan’s gradually narrowing eyes, she quickly let out an awkward laugh. “His Majesty’s portion—I definitely didn’t forget! I already included it with the Empress’s!”

Consort Xuan continued to stare.

Wan Anran grinned sheepishly. “In any case, His Majesty often visits the Empress. She’ll surely pass it on.”

Nara Guiren’s face flickered with guilt.

She didn’t have the nerve to admit she’d also forgotten the Emperor, so she nodded solemnly and chimed in, “Exactly! Wan meimei is absolutely right. Don’t worry, Consort Xuan, the Empress will surely understand our intentions.”

Don’t think I didn’t notice you forgot too!

Consort Xuan wanted to say something, but then didn’t. In the end, she could only let out a long sigh. This Xianfu Palace team is getting harder and harder to manage…

The Empress shared her sentiments.

When Nanny Xia delivered the ointment, even she couldn’t keep her stern face straight anymore. Trying to be tactful, she brought it up subtly… The Empress burst into laughter, and even Nanny Xia and the others couldn’t help their shoulders from shaking.

Nanny Xia’s face flushed bright red.

As she exited Kunning Palace, hearing the laughter behind her, she felt utterly mortified.

Nanny Zhou was beside herself with joy.

She wiped away tears of laughter from the corners of her eyes. “That Wan Guiren—no, that Nara Guiren—no, Consort Xuan… Aiyo, I don’t even know what to say anymore!”

Nanny Zhou felt like something was off about the entire Xianfu Palace.

Thinking back, Xianfu Palace used to have such a low presence. Consort Xuan and Nara Guiren always gave the impression of being composed, dignified, gentle, and reserved women who didn’t compete for favor.

And now? They were still the same women.

It’s just that their whole vibe was somehow out of step with the rest of the harem. After thinking it over, Nanny Zhou concluded that the root of the shift was Wan Guiren. She couldn’t help but sigh. “Wan Guiren really is a peculiar one. Forgive this old maid for being blunt… but doesn’t she seem like she kind of dislikes His Majesty?”

The Niohuru Empress coughed lightly.

She shot Nanny Zhou a side-eye, then raised her gaze to sweep across the palace attendants. “Who in the palace would dare dislike His Majesty? This just shows that Consort Xuan has taught Wan Guiren well. Wan Guiren herself understands propriety and knows how to act with restraint. That’s why she didn’t disturb His Majesty at Qianqing Palace and instead entrusted this gift to me.”

Nanny Zhou straightened her expression immediately.

She respectfully replied, “Yes, Your Majesty is right! Wan Guiren is strict and well-mannered, truly the most proper of ladies.”

Though it did sound a little like she was reading from a script.

The Empress chuckled and said with a smile, “When His Majesty visits this evening, I’ll have it presented to him. That way their intentions are fully conveyed.”

Except—before the Empress even had the chance to deliver it, Kangxi was already being treated to a full performance by the Empress Dowager in Cining Palace.