Humph, it seems life in ancient times is destined not to give me a moment of peace.
Before I had even warmed my seat, the Empress's imperial edict arrived, summoning me specifically to pay my respects.
"My Lady, this Empress is no easy person to deal with. You must be careful when you go!" Shen Li, that little maid of mine, had her face scrunched up like a steamed bun, a sight that almost made me burst out laughing.
"Don't worry, Shen Li, I've got this." I patted her hand, while secretly calculating what kind of nasty trick that old hag of an Empress was up to this time.
Changing into a plain dress, I took a deep breath and told myself to stay calm.
Back in the day, I was the medical school's notorious "Emperor of Calm." This little scene was an absolute breeze.
Upon arriving at the Empress's bedchamber, the blinding display of gold and jade almost burned out my titanium-alloy eyes.
The Empress sat upright on the Phoenix throne, wearing a fake smile that made my skin crawl.
"Oh, if it isn't the Crown Prince's Consort? Come closer and let this Empress have a good look at you." The Empress's voice was so saccharine it almost made me vomit up last night's dinner.
I mentally cursed her as an "old hag," but plastered an innocent smile across my face: "Greetings, Your Majesty the Empress. May Your Majesty live for ten thousand years."
"Rise." The Empress waved a hand, her gaze sweeping over me like a pair of knives. "The Crown Prince's Consort has just entered the palace. I'm afraid you aren't familiar with the rules here yet, are you?"
Here it comes, here it comes! The fox's tail is finally showing!
I put on a frail and timid look, saying fearfully, "Replying to Your Majesty, this concubine is dim-witted. If there are any improprieties, I beg Your Majesty for your generous guidance."
"Guidance I wouldn't dare offer, but in this palace, propriety is everything. If you happen to offend a person of high status, that wouldn't be good at all," the Empress said slowly, her eyes drifting toward several imperial concubines standing nearby.
I sneered inwardly. With those clumsy tricks of yours, you think you can stump me?
I am a person who has seen great storms!
"What Your Majesty says is true, and this concubine will keep it firmly in mind," I replied with lowered eyes and a submissive air, while quietly plotting how to launch a counter-attack.
Seeing me so "well-behaved," the Empress seemed somewhat disappointed. With a roll of her eyes, she hatched another plot: "I hear the Crown Prince's Consort has some knowledge of medicine? As it happens, I have a palace maid here who has been feeling listless lately. Why don't you take a look at her?"
Oh ho! So she wants to test my medical skills?
Fine by me! I'll let you all witness what true strength looks like!
I walked up to the palace maid and observed her closely.
Pale complexion, dark circles under the eyes, thick and greasy tongue coating... well, this is interesting.
"Your Majesty, this sister is suffering from a weak spleen and stomach, along with a deficiency of Qi and blood," I stated my diagnosis unhurriedly. "She simply needs some medicinal herbs to strengthen the spleen and boost Qi, combined with dietary therapy, and she will recover in no time."
Hearing this, the Empress's expression instantly darkened.
She had wanted to use this opportunity to make a fool of me, never expecting that I actually understood medicine and could explain it all so logically.
"Is that so? Then I'll have to trouble the Crown Prince's Consort," the Empress said with a smile that didn't reach her eyes.
I smiled faintly. "Your Majesty is too kind. Relieving Your Majesty's worries is this concubine's duty."
Stepping out of the Empress's bedchamber, I let out a long breath, feeling as though I had just won a grand battle.
Humph, you lot are still a bit too green to mess with me!
Back at the Heir's Estate, just as I was getting ready to head to my room to rest, I saw an old servant clutching his waist and breaking out in a cold sweat from the pain.
"Uncle Wang, what happened to you?" I hurriedly stepped forward to ask.
"Oh dear, Crown Prince's Consort, my old backache is acting up again. It hurts so much!" Uncle Wang said in agony.
I examined him closely. Uncle Wang was suffering from a flare-up of chronic rheumatism in his legs, likely triggered by the drastic weather changes over the past few days.
"Uncle Wang, don't worry, let me take a look," I said, and immediately began administering massage and manipulation to Uncle Wang's back.
My technique was professional. In no time at all, Uncle Wang felt the pain in his lower back lessen significantly.
"Crown Prince's Consort, you truly are a divine doctor! My old ailment has been seen by countless physicians to no avail, yet I never expected you to cure it in just a few strokes!" Uncle Wang said gratefully.
"You're too kind, Uncle Wang. I merely know a few superficial tricks," I said with a smile.
Following this incident, my status within the Heir's Estate shot up instantly.
Everyone knew that not only was I the Crown Prince's Consort, but I was also a "divine doctor" with extraordinary medical skills, and they all treated me with the utmost respect.
This turned out to be an unexpected bonus.
I had originally thought that transmigrating as a Substitute Concubine meant I was bound to suffer endless bullying, but to my surprise, I had quickly planted my feet firmly on the ground thanks to my medical skills.
It seems life in ancient times isn't all that hard to endure after all.
Just as I was feeling rather pleased with myself, Mammy Li walked over with a beaming smile.
"Crown Prince's Consort, congratulations! Your medical skills are truly remarkable—what a blessing for our Heir's Estate."
Looking at her hypocritical smiling face, I sneered inwardly: Old fox, has your tail finally decided to show itself?
"Oh, Mammy Li, you flatter me. It's just a petty skill not worth mentioning." I smiled with a completely harmless expression, while rolling my eyes on the inside: This old hag is showing excessive courtesy for no good reason—it's either a trap or thievery!
"How can you call this a petty skill? Even old slaves like me are completely and utterly won over by the Crown Prince's Consort's medical prowess!" Mammy Li's old face crinkled into a smile like a blooming chrysanthemum, a sight that churned my stomach.
I forced down my discomfort and continued our game of mutual flattery: "Not at all, not at all. Mammy Li is the one with a wealth of experience, and I still have much to learn from you in the future!" As I spoke, I calmly observed her gaze, attempting to glean some trace of a clue from her murky, aged eyes.
Tsk tsk tsk, that look in her eyes was indeed far from simple—it was hiding a knife!
"The Crown Prince's Consort is far too modest; how could this old slave ever dare?" Though Mammy Li said she didn't dare, the smug look on her face was impossible to hide.
Ha, the old fox's tail is finally showing!
I sneered inwardly while keeping an enthusiastic, sunny smile on my face: "Mammy Li, look at how late it is. Shall we go inside and have a cup of tea?" As I spoke, I retreated half a step without leaving a trace and quietly heightened my vigilance.
This old hag definitely means no good!
"Since the Crown Prince's Consort is so gracious, this old slave will not refuse." Mammy Li followed me inside with a beaming smile, her gaze fixed on me like a venomous snake eyeing its prey.
I sneered to myself: Old hag, let's see how this plays out!
Just as I was about to step into the room, a cold voice suddenly sounded from behind me: "Crown Prince's Consort..."