Chapter 10: Mei Xi (10) Applying Medicine

The shadow of Mingtiao's defeat was like a heavy leaden cloud, pressing heavily on the Xia royal court, and even the air seemed to solidify into a sticky gel.

However, the order that Lin Jiaojiao issued that day with forced calmness, "Everyone should do their job and don't cause chaos," was like a stone thrown into a stagnant pond. Although it failed to dispel the panic, it barely maintained a fragile layer of calm on the turbulent undercurrent. This calm became her precious space to breathe and act.

The recovery of her body is the basis for supporting her actions. Under the silent but precise care of Doctor Zhao day after day, the hideous claw mark on her right shoulder finally made a qualitative leap.

The scabs fell off, revealing new pink flesh, as fragile as the tender buds on the branches in early spring. Although there was still a dull soreness when pulled, the soul-tearing pain was completely gone. The range of motion of the arms increased greatly, and even some slight stretching movements could be done.

[Host's body repair rate: 85%. Physiological function: Good. Pain perception: Slightly dull. Recommendation: Moderate activity to strengthen body functions.] The system's notification tone carried a hint of post-event calmness.

The improvement of her health lifted Lin Jiaojiao's spirits. She was no longer satisfied with being trapped in the side hall, and began to try to touch this huge and cold palace machine as the "Princess Yuan". She knew that beauty was her weapon, but at this moment, she needed to use it to establish order, not just to protect herself.

That morning, the sun rarely penetrated the thick clouds and generously cast its golden light.

Lin Jiaojiao changed into a natural linen gown sent by Ku Ding, which was starched and made extremely soft. Although the material was far less luxurious than the silk of later generations, it had a warm texture and fit her gradually recovering curves. Her long hair was not adorned with pearls or jade, but was loosely tied up with a smooth and round bone hairpin. A few strands of soft hair casually fell on the sides of her smooth neck and cheeks, swaying gently with her movements.

She walked to the only bronze mirror in the hall that was polished to a relatively bright finish. The figure in the mirror was blurry, but it still couldn't hide the thrilling background. The skin that had just recovered from a serious illness had lost its sickly paleness, revealing a lustrous, delicate luster like the finest white jade, and seemed to have its own soft light in the morning light.

Her eyebrows are not painted, but dark, naturally flowing like distant mountains covered with smoke; her lips are not lipstick, but red, a natural light pink like newly opened cherry blossoms. Most of all, her eyes are as clear as the ice springs melted from the snow-capped mountains, reflecting the glimmer of morning light. At this moment, they appear particularly calm and profound because of their determination, like a cold pool containing the stars. That beauty is so pure that it is not stained by dust, but the hint of determination that is revealed between the eyebrows adds a bit of majesty that cannot be desecrated.

"Chun, let's go to Kusi today." Lin Jiaojiao spoke calmly, her voice undeniable, as she faced the blurry image in the mirror. This was the first time she had taken the initiative to step out of the side hall, not to take a walk, but to... exercise her power.

"Yes!" Chun responded crisply, her little face full of excitement and pride. She quickly packed a small wicker basket containing a few pieces of clean linen and a small jar of medicine left by Doctor Zhao, in case the concubine felt unwell. She also carefully checked whether Lin Jiaojiao's cloak was thick enough to ensure that the cloak could keep warm without completely covering up Concubine Yuan's breathtaking figure.

The master and servant walked out of the side hall, and the cool morning air with the fresh scent of grass and trees hit their faces.

The sun poured down unreservedly on Lin Jiaojiao, coating her body in a warm golden hue. The palace servants and slaves they encountered along the way stopped and bowed at the sight of them from afar, their movements filled with a deeper reverence than usual and a hint of... an indescribable thrill? It was as if they had witnessed a goddess descend to earth.

Their gazes were involuntarily drawn to her, falling on her, then quickly dropped down, not daring to look directly at the overly dazzling light. Their hearts were like a lake with a stone thrown into it, and they could not calm down for a long time.

The side hall of Kusi is located in the northwest corner of the royal court. It is a slightly dark building built with huge stone slabs.

The air was filled with the mixed smell of leather, hay, grain, and some old wooden objects. When the soldier guarding the door saw Lin Jiaojiao approaching, a look of astonishment flashed across his eyes. He then hurriedly lowered his head and knelt on one knee, his voice trembling with a barely perceptible tremor: "Greetings, Concubine Yuan!"

"No need to be so polite." Lin Jiaojiao nodded slightly, her voice clear as jade beads falling on a plate.

Ku Ding had received the news long ago, and almost crawled out from the hall to greet her. He was wearing that dark blue official robe, his goatee was trembling slightly, and his face was filled with an almost flattering smile, but his eyes were like a frightened rabbit. He only dared to linger briefly on the hem of Lin Jiaojiao's trailing skirt, and didn't dare to look directly at that breathtaking face: "Your servant Ku Ding, respectfully welcomes the Concubine Yuan! The Concubine Yuan is here in person, and it is a great honor for Minister Ku, please, please, please." He repeated incoherently.

"No need to be so polite, Mr. Ku." Lin Jiaojiao walked into the hall calmly. Light came in from the narrow window high up, forming several beams of light, and one beam happened to hit her at an angle.

Dust particles danced in the beam of light like fine gold powder, lingering around her body, making her skin look whiter than snow and her eyebrows and eyes look like a painting.

Her eyes calmly swept over the neatly stacked linen rolls, the orderly stacked pottery jars, the hanging animal skins, and the hay and grain piled in the corner. Everything seemed to be in order, but the stale and oppressive smell in the air lingered.

"I came here today to see the daily necessities of the palace servants." Lin Jiaojiao spoke calmly, her voice remarkably clear and pleasant in the somewhat empty storehouse. "Especially...what the injured and sick need."

Ku Ding quickly responded, "Yes, yes, yes! Your Majesty is kind-hearted. Everything the Kusi has is here. Please have a look, Your Majesty." He led Lin Jiaojiao to the area where cloth and herbs were stored. His steps seemed a little light, as if he was walking on clouds.

Lin Jiaojiao stretched out her slender fingers and gently stroked the rough linen. Her fingers were white and slender, and her nails were trimmed round and clean, forming a sharp contrast with the rough cloth.

She picked up a few bundles of hay that smelled faintly of herbs, brought them close to her nose and sniffed gently. The sunlight outlined her perfect profile, her long eyelashes drooped, casting thick fan-shaped shadows under her eyes. Her expression was focused and calm, as if she was appreciating a rare treasure.

She asked casually, "Were these cloths washed before being distributed to the palace servants?"

Ku Ding was stunned for a moment, then smiled apologetically and said, "Princess Yuan, these cloths are newly woven and have been protected from insects during storage, so they are relatively clean... Wash them? Well... the palace maids will take them away and wash them themselves." He glanced at Lin Jiaojiao's face and saw that she slightly frowned her delicate brows. The slightly frowned brows not only did not diminish her beauty, but instead added a hint of heartbreaking worry.

Lin Jiaojiao understood. She picked up a piece of cloth, gently stroking the rough texture, and said slowly, "This concubine has observed that these cloths, although newly woven, are inevitably stained with dust. Especially for bandaging wounds, they need to be kept clean. Treasure Officer, in the future, cloth distributed to palace servants, especially those suffering from injuries, must first be boiled in boiling water and dried thoroughly in the sun before distribution. The firewood needed can be taken from the Treasure Officer's daily expenses."

Ku Ding was stunned. Boiling cloth in boiling water? This... was unheard of. But looking at Lin Jiaojiao's calm face, which held an unquestionable expression, and seeing her clear eyes that seemed to show a look of all-seeing compassion for all beings, how could he dare to refute? Moreover, the request of Concubine Yuan sounded... as if it was for the good of the palace maids. He quickly bowed, his voice filled with unprecedented respect: "Yes! I obey Concubine Yuan's order! It will be done immediately!"

Lin Jiaojiao nodded and walked towards the corner where the herbs were stored. Thanks to her modern common sense, she knew a few basic herbs. She picked up a bundle of dried plants with small white flowers and asked, "Is this used to clear heat?"

Ku Ding said quickly: "Empress Yuan has a keen eye! This is wild chrysanthemum, which does have the effect of clearing away heat. You should boil it in water and drink it often." He looked at Lin Jiaojiao's focused profile. The sunlight gave her a layer of gold, making her more beautiful than an ordinary person, and he felt even more awe in his heart.

Lin Jiaojiao picked up a few more pieces of dry bark: "Where is this thing?"

"This is Gan root, which tastes sweet and can moisten the throat and also harmonize the properties of the medicine."

Lin Jiaojiao had a plan in mind. She looked at Ku Ding, the sunlight just falling on her long eyelashes, casting a small shadow. "Ku Ding, I've noticed many people in the palace are suffering from mosquito bites and minor wounds. Grind these wild chrysanthemums and sweet roots, and some... well, some cooling grass leaves similar to mint leaves, into a fine powder, and wrap them in clean linen cloth. If any palace servants are injured or unwell, they can go to the Zhao Medical Officer to get some. Use boiling water to wash the wound or drink it. It will clear away heat, reduce swelling, and relieve discomfort."

Ku Ding was stunned. Grinding into powder? Subcontracting? This…this was another unprecedented practice, but the Imperial Concubine explained it clearly, and her clear eyes seemed to hold a soothing power as she spoke, compelling him to believe. His reverence for the Imperial Concubine reached its peak, and he quickly agreed, "Yes! I…I will consult with the medical officer and have it done as soon as possible!"

Lin Jiaojiao nodded with satisfaction. She knew that these "improvements" were extremely limited, but even if they could only reduce a little bit of pain, it would be good. Her move was not only out of instinctive kindness, but also a way to quietly accumulate popularity and consolidate her status and influence as the "Prince Concubine".

External Individual (Kuding) Loyalty: Significantly Improved (Identification + Awe). Logic Module: Host Behavior Pattern Analysis - Consistent with the "Improving Living Environment Quality" strategy. Emotional Simulation Unit: ...Redundant Data (Expected Gratitude from Palace Servants) ...Weak Positive Feedback...Zizizizi...] The system's analysis seems to have a subtle...fluctuation?

After leaving Kusi, Lin Jiaojiao did not return to the palace directly. Instead, she was supported by Chun and headed towards the low-rise row houses where the palace people lived.

This is the lowest level of the royal court. The air is filled with the smell of sweat, mildew, and a faint stench of decay. It is completely different from the stale smell of Kusi, and is another kind of suffocating despair.

Her appearance was like a pearl thrown into a murky pond, instantly causing a huge commotion.

The ragged, skinny slaves and low-ranking palace servants knelt on the ground, their heads buried deep in their chests, their bodies trembling with fear and awe.

They had never imagined that the high and mighty Princess Yuan would set foot in such a filthy place. However, when that elegant figure really approached and the sunlight outlined her breathtaking silhouette, many pairs of eyes among those drooping heads involuntarily raised their heads, with shock and... a kind of confusion that was stunned by the pure beauty.

Lin Jiaojiao's gaze swept across the low, damp huts and fell on several slaves huddled in the corner with obvious festering wounds or physical disabilities.

One of the old slaves had one leg twisted unnaturally from the knee down, the wound covered with dirty grass leaves, emitting a foul odor, flies buzzing around, and his cloudy eyes were filled with numb despair.

This scene deeply wounded Lin Jiaojiao's heart. Is this... the fate of a slave? She paused, the sunlight falling on her slightly furrowed brows and tightly pursed lips. The pain born of her unwillingness to bear it added a touch of touching fragility and compassion to her beautiful face.

She pointed at the old slave and said to Ku Ding, who was trotting along behind her and now dared not even breathe, in a deep voice, "Kusi, this man's injuries are so serious, why didn't you report it to the medical officer?"

Ku Ding's forehead was covered with sweat, and he stammered: "Reply... Reply to Princess Yuan... This... This lowly slave... is seriously injured. Sir Medical Officer... I'm afraid... I'm afraid..." He didn't dare to continue, his meaning was very clear.

Lin Jiaojiao frowned, a nameless anger welling up in her heart. She took a deep breath, suppressed her emotions, and her voice became colder, like a bead of ice falling to the ground: "In my eyes, as long as there is a breath left, he is alive. Go, send someone to carry him to the doctor immediately. Get the herbs he needs from the treasury, and say... it's my order!"

Her voice was not loud, but it had a strange penetrating power, and it echoed clearly in the dead silent palace area. Her cheeks, which were slightly flushed with anger, were breathtakingly beautiful in the sunlight, and carried an unquestionable sense of holiness.

Ku Ding shuddered all over, looking at Lin Jiaojiao's face, which was slightly angry but still breathtakingly beautiful, he dared not hesitate: "Yes! Your Majesty...Your Majesty obeys!" He turned around hurriedly and shouted at the slaves beside him to carry the person quickly.

The old slave seemed to understand, and a gleam of disbelief flashed in his turbid eyes. Then he was overwhelmed by great panic. He struggled to say something, but was carefully lifted up by several young slaves.

When he was lifted up, the figure of Lin Jiaojiao standing in the sunlight was clearly reflected in his cloudy pupils - her white clothes were whiter than snow, her eyebrows and eyes were picturesque, like a goddess who came to the world to save people from suffering.

The slaves in the surrounding palace watched this scene unfold, and for the first time, a faint spark of hope ignited in their previously numb eyes. Their gazes towards Lin Jiaojiao were no longer filled with pure fear, but a mixture of shock, gratitude, and... a kind of almost devout admiration?

Lin Jiaojiao felt mixed emotions. She knew that she couldn't save everyone, but at least she could change something.

She turned to Ku Ding, her voice softened, yet it held an undeniable power, like a gentle spring breeze, yet it also contained an irresistible will. "Ku Ding, pass on this order: From today onwards, any palace servant or slave who suffers from an injury, no matter how serious, may report it to the steward, who will report it to the medical officer for appropriate diagnosis and treatment. The essential herbs needed will be supplied by the Ku Ding on demand! No delays or deductions are allowed!"

"Yes! I...will obey the order of Concubine Yuan!" Ku Ding's voice trembled and he bowed deeply.

He knew that this order would completely change the fate of the palace maids at the bottom of the royal court, and all of this was due to the seemingly weak Concubine Yuan in front of him, who possessed an amazing will and... a face and compassion that could make the world pale in comparison.

[External Environment: Host influence (lower level) significantly increased. Threat Level: Low (Palace servants' loyalty increased). Emotion Simulation Unit: ...receiving a large number of "gratitude" and "hope" emotion fluctuations...data redundancy...analyzing...] The system's notification tone carried a strange humming tone.

Lin Jiaojiao did not stay any longer and turned to leave this depressing area. The sunlight shone on her body again, dispelling the gloom. She knew that she had taken an important step, and there was still a lot she needed to do.

At this moment, her unparalleled beauty is no longer just a burden or a weapon, but an invisible force that communicates, comforts and unites people.