Chapter 113: Regulating the Body and Drawing Blood

Dusk had descended, and the sunset painted the firmament in a brilliant display, every cloud stained with a unique hue.

Though some reach the twilight of their years, appearing as if they have arrived at life’s sunset, their minds may remain crystal clear and their countenances ageless. Among the thousands of women in the harem, none could rival the Empress Dowager’s passion for beauty. She possessed not only a heart that cherished aesthetics but also a fervor for every manner of beauty treatment. Whether a method originated from foreign lands or the common folk, and regardless of whether the practitioner was a renowned physician or a person of obscure status, the Empress Dowager pursued them with tireless curiosity and a daring spirit.

With He Yu present in the palace, the Empress Dowager naturally would not let such an opportunity slip by. He Yu was a deacon physician from the Western Sea Prefecture, possessing exquisite medical skill and a mastery of pharmacology; her reputation and prestige had already piqued the Empress Dowager’s expectations.

At a single summons, He Yu arrived, bringing the Virtuous Consort along to assist.

The Empress Dowager had just finished handling affairs of state and meeting with Liu Zhong, after which she returned serenely to her sleeping quarters. Before long, He Yu appeared. Her expression was calm, as if she were merely there to provide a routine consultation and beauty treatment, her heart at ease and without hidden thoughts.

Observing this, the Empress Dowager smiled with satisfaction, thinking to herself: I hope this little girl can restrain herself and learn a thing or two about the ways of the world from your mistress in the main hall!

"He Yu pays her respects to the Empress Dowager!"

"Rise," the Empress Dowager said with a gentle smile. "Has the Noble Lady of the Western Sea come alone? Is that arrangement truly appropriate?"

"Please rest assured, Your Majesty. I am quite capable of handling this and would never dare offend your beauty or your person. As we are now in the early autumn season, it is the perfect time for acupuncture and floral baths to clear the meridians, which will naturally leave the skin smooth and fair. These methods do not require the aid of serving maids, so I have come alone."

"Oh? Is that so? Then I shall heed the Noble Lady's words." The Empress Dowager nodded, thinking: She wants to perform acupuncture alone—is she planning to draw some blood? Yet, shrewd physicians avoid the sight of blood; surely you would not dare break such a taboo?

For some reason, the Empress Dowager had felt wary of He Yu from the very beginning, constantly probing the thoughts of this young woman. There are some people whom one meets and immediately finds grating—a sensation that arises when one senses a worthy adversary.

He Yu glanced at the Empress Dowager, completely ignoring her penetrating gaze, and asked softly, "Empress Dowager, I have heard that you often bathe in seasonal fresh flowers. Have the palace servants been able to find any today?"

The Empress Dowager cast a triumphant glance at her attendants and replied, "They have already searched the back garden. There are three different kinds; surely one will suit your preferences. Why don't you prepare yourself while we wait?"

"Very well!" He Yu took a set of silver needles and went into the inner chamber to set up.

Shortly after, a palace attendant came to report: the flowers in the back garden were covered in insects and were utterly disgusting. The Empress Dowager was furious upon hearing this, but then word came that someone was there on behalf of the Virtuous Consort.

"What is she doing here?"

"Reporting to the Empress Dowager, the Virtuous Consort says she has something to present to you!"

The Empress Dowager gave a cold laugh. "As if I would care for anything of hers? Send her away!"

"However, the flowers the Virtuous Consort holds are exquisite—they are the very 'Fragrant Blooms' that Your Majesty favors."

"What?" The Empress Dowager was startled, then immediately filled with delight. "For the sake of the flowers, let the Virtuous Consort enter!"

The doors opened, and the Virtuous Consort entered carrying a pot of beautiful, enchanting China roses, bowing gracefully to the Empress Dowager.

"The Virtuous Consort pays respects to the Empress Dowager. May you enjoy ten thousand years of peace and prosperity!"

"Rise." The Empress Dowager stared at the beautiful potted plant. "It is a blessing enough that you and the Emperor do not clash with me, let alone wish for my peace and prosperity. However, these flowers are indeed to my liking!"

The Virtuous Consort smiled with satisfaction and replied humbly, "I am glad they please you, Empress Dowager. I brought them specifically to apologize. I had nothing to do in the palace, so I grew some flowers, and these China roses bloomed the best. I felt uneasy about having offended you recently, as did the Emperor, so I brought these 'Fragrant Blooms' to beg your forgiveness."

"It is rare for you to have such thoughts, and the beauty of these flowers is truly a rarity. In consideration of your first offense, I shall not hold a grudge!" Having said this, the Empress Dowager looked at He Yu and asked, "What does the Noble Lady think of these flowers?"

He Yu emerged and examined them closely. "The color is vivid and the blooms are lush; they are the finest of their kind. They perfectly suit the current season and are ideal for my meridian-clearing treatment!"

"Good, then I shall not let the Virtuous Consort's intentions go to waste. Use them as the essence for the floral bath!"

As a maid moved to take the pot, the Virtuous Consort stepped forward, displeased, and stopped her. "These are the nobility of flowers, nourished by the dew of the heavens; they are meant for the Empress Dowager’s internal wellness. Why not display them in the bedchamber instead? These flowers have been specially tended and can bloom for a month without fading. Would it not be a waste to use them for a bath?"

Before the Empress Dowager could reply, He Yu looked at the Virtuous Consort with a sharp gaze and said, "I have heard that the Virtuous Consort is skilled at flower arrangement, but I did not expect you to be so petty! While these flowers are rare, you can always cultivate more. The Empress Dowager’s health and my medical arts are not so easily replaced or replicated. Why not offer your filial piety to the Empress Dowager’s favorite beauty treatment?"

"The Noble Lady of the Western Sea speaks reasonably, does she not, Virtuous Consort?"

The Virtuous Consort froze, looking at the flowers, still unwilling. "Empress Dowager, is it not excessive for this Noble Lady to order me about just because she relies on her medical skills? The Emperor is your son, and I am the Emperor’s consort; I am a person of importance in the royal family. How can I be bullied by a commoner? I ask you to weigh the importance of the matter!"

He Yu smiled, showing no sign of fear, and sighed, "Instead of obsessing over trifles and looking for excuses to pick fights, the Virtuous Consort would be better off learning from the Empress Dowager how to cherish one’s health and maintain one's beauty—all this resentment and bitterness only makes one look old!"

"You!"

Watching He Yu and the Virtuous Consort clash from the moment they met, the Empress Dowager was actually quite pleased. "Enough! Say no more!"

The Virtuous Consort glared at He Yu, their gazes filled with mutual hatred and coldness. Seeing this, the Empress Dowager chuckled internally: Could it be that these two are fighting for favor? Very well, let them bicker; as long as they are occupied with each other, they won't be plotting anything else!

"Neither of you shall argue. The Noble Lady is the physician I invited, and the Virtuous Consort’s flowers meet the requirements exactly, so let it be!" The Empress Dowager looked at the maid. "Bring the flowers!"

"Empress Dowager!" The Virtuous Consort stepped toward her, pleading, "Do not be misled by others. I have my own ways of handling these flowers. I have many more; why not let my servants fetch them? That way, you could have your immediate needs met while also enjoying the lasting effects of the floral dew and the beauty of the blossoms. Would that not be killing two birds with one stone?"

He Yu sneered, "Even so, the sun is already setting. If we miss the prime moment, it would be better not to use them at all!"

The Empress Dowager thought for a moment and took the Virtuous Consort’s flowers herself. "Since they were meant for me, they are now my property. Virtuous Consort, thank you."

The Virtuous Consort was stunned, then smiled. "As long as you are pleased, Empress Dowager. Why not let me pluck the petals and prepare the bath? I am naturally more refined than these maids."

The Empress Dowager hesitated, then handed the flowers to the Virtuous Consort. "Since you have such filial intentions, come in!"

He Yu and the Virtuous Consort exchanged looks of disdain and loathing before moving to their respective stations. The Empress Dowager took it all in, feeling quite delighted: since they dislike each other, they will naturally look for each other’s mistakes. Who would dare to commit an error at such a time? What else did she have to worry about?

The Empress Dowager lay back in the floral bath with satisfaction, finding the Virtuous Consort’s service quite comfortable. He Yu’s acupuncture technique was painless, even inducing a sense of ease and delight. Amidst the bath, the scent of flowers and herbs mingled, creating an intoxicating sensation that relaxed the entire body and anchored the spirit.

Before long, the Empress Dowager drifted into a peaceful sleep, and He Yu seized the moment to take out a larger silver needle. The needle appeared unremarkable, but it contained a secret: it could penetrate the skin and draw blood without leaving a trace. As long as the patient did not focus intently during the procedure, the sensation was minimal and dull. He Yu applied the needle with caution, using a numbing agent so the Empress Dowager would feel nothing.

When the Empress Dowager finally awoke, the space felt like a wondrous, tranquil sanctuary where one could not help but linger. The fragrance of flowers was rich, and she felt as if she were a young maiden once more, having regained a fresh and youthful bloom.