Mosquitoes in the sweltering summer are something everyone hates, including the Empress Dowager and the Empress Dowager, of course. As soon as the palace servants from Xianfu Palace brought some, the Empress Dowager immediately took some to try. She first applied it to her wrist and smelled the scent. The fragrance was not too strong or overpowering, nor did it have the bitterness of herbs; it was light, elegant, and refreshing.

The smell is acceptable, and the next step is the effect.

The Empress Dowager gently applied the ointment to a mosquito bite, and in less than a quarter of an hour, the itchy bite was almost completely gone.

This effect is amazing!

The Empress Dowager was overjoyed and quickly had everyone in the palace try it. When the Emperor arrived, the hall was filled with chattering laughter.

"What has made Your Majesty so happy?"

"It's all thanks to this ointment; it's truly effective." The Empress Dowager was in a good mood, pulling Kangxi along with a smile. "It was sent from Xianfu Palace, wasn't it? I heard that Consort Wan gave the recipe, and Consort Xuan and Consort Nara made it themselves! Your Majesty, you should try it; the effect is truly remarkable!"

A prescription? Wan Guiren?

The Empress Dowager's words left Kangxi bewildered, and his gaze shifted to Liang Jiugong.

Why have I never heard of this ointment?

Liang Jiugong felt utterly wronged; his face was contorted with bitterness, and he bent over backwards, expressing his grievances from head to toe.

This servant has never received one either!

Kangxi fell into deep thought. A slight smile played on his lips as he forced a laugh and said, "Is it really that useful?"

The Empress Dowager thought the Emperor was just curious.

She smiled and took out the ointment, saying happily, "Come, come, Your Majesty, try it!"

Emperor Kangxi stepped forward with a beaming smile.

He suppressed his anger and tried it, finding that the ointment was indeed very effective, extremely good! :)

The Empress Dowager was still pleased with herself.

Even in front of the Emperor, she couldn't help but boast: "Yes, yes, yes. It works really well! I heard that Xianfu Palace even gave some to the Empress and the Crown Prince. Indeed, Consort Wan... no! Everyone in Xianfu Palace is different. They are all filial and considerate. Tomorrow I will talk to the concubines and tell them to try it out."

It was given to the Empress and the Crown Prince.

She is filial, considerate, and generous.

The Empress Dowager's words pierced the Emperor's heart like arrows. His lips twitched, and he almost lost control of his expression. Even after forcibly restraining himself, the coldness emanating from him couldn't be contained.

As for Liang Jiugong, who was following behind, his knees buckled and he almost knelt on the ground. In his heart, Liang Jiugong cursed the three people from Xianfu Palace a hundred times over. Tell me, which of the concubines in the entire palace doesn't care about the Emperor?

A cluster of fire rose behind Kangxi.

The Empress Dowager, who had been watching with a smile but hadn't said a word, sensed something was wrong. Her smile faltered, and a hint of confusion flashed in her eyes—could Xianfu Palace have failed to prepare a portion for the Emperor?

The Empress Dowager almost couldn't keep her composure.

A whole bunch of bears! Look at the girls Consort Xuan raised – they've all become peculiar breeds in the palace. The Empress Dowager disliked those who were too unconventional, and she also disapproved of those who were too decadent.

Just thinking about the noisy and annoying control group, Consort Wuya, the Empress Dowager felt that Consort Wan, who ate well and was a happy and lively pregnant woman, was also quite good.

She'll just treat this as a joke.

With this in mind, the Empress Dowager regained her composure and began to observe the Emperor's every move with great interest.

Emperor Kangxi's face was drawn long.

Despite his burning anger, he had to put on a smiling face and praise the three people in Xianfu Palace, especially Consort Wan, in accordance with the Empress Dowager's wishes!

As he walked out of Cining Palace, flames roared behind him, his face dark as he strode towards Xianfu Palace. But a cool evening breeze caused Kangxi to abruptly stop. A dignified emperor, going to the inner palace just for some ointment?

Hmph! Kangxi stopped in his tracks, flicked his sleeves, and turned back.

Liang Jiugong, who was following behind, shook his head repeatedly.

Why is Consort Wan so determined to defy the Emperor? Could it be that she's become too proud of having a child? I fear that now that she's lost favor, it will be difficult for her to regain it!

Liang Jiugong shook his head secretly.

He followed behind the Emperor with his head down, but after taking only two steps, Kangxi stopped again. A dignified emperor, actually ignored by a concubine? Kangxi had never suffered such humiliation since childhood. He felt indignant and decided to go back to Xianfu Palace to have a serious talk with Consort Wan about this matter.

Liang Jiugong: ...?

He watched blankly as the emperor turned and ran towards Xianfu Palace again.

What else could Liang Jiugong do? He followed them!

Kangxi's pace slowed as he approached the entrance of Xianfu Palace. He straightened his clothes and casually stepped through the gate. The gatekeeper was about to announce his arrival when he was dismissed with a dismissive glance.

Kangxi strode towards the backyard.

There was quite a lot of chattering in the backyard. From a distance, you could see Consort Wan being stopped by four or five palace servants, shouting at the top of her lungs: "Wash it clean and drain it. It can only be used after it has drained."

"Okay, okay."

"Haitao, Zisu, keep a close eye on Consort Wan and make sure she doesn't come over," Consort Xuan reminded her.

Haitao and Zisu looked serious.

The two men eagerly tugged at their master's arms: "Master, there are so many mosquitoes outside, how about we go back inside and rest for a bit?"

But Wan Anran was still very worried.

She absolutely refused to go back inside, and stood on tiptoe to peek forward: "It has to be baijiu (Chinese white liquor) in there, no other kind of liquor will do."

Yes, yes, yes.

"I know, this is the first time I've ever heard of you being so long-winded, Sister Wan." Noble Lady Nara waved her hand, personally put the drained herbs into the jar, poured in high-proof liquor according to Wan Anran's muttered words, and then carefully sealed the jar.

"Why were you still making wine while you were pregnant?"

"This isn't wine, it's floral water," Wan Anran explained without turning her head. But as soon as she finished speaking, she realized something was wrong. She turned around and was startled by the sudden appearance of Kangxi. Wan Anran jumped up like a rabbit, and Kangxi quickly reached out to support her: "You're about to become a mother, and you're still acting so recklessly."

Wan Anran chuckled.

Consort Xuan and Noble Lady Nara, who were busy with their work, stopped what they were doing, quickly washed their hands with water, and then curtsied from a distance: "Your Majesty, we pay our respects to Your Majesty. May Your Majesty be well and blessed with long life."

What are you doing standing so far away?

“Your Majesty, there are mint leaves here, and the smell is not good for pregnant women,” Consort Xuan answered honestly.

"Hmm? That ointment?"

"Has His Majesty received it yet?" Wan Anran's heart skipped a beat when she heard about the ointment. Luckily, Consort Xuan reminded her, otherwise asking this question would have caused a major incident.

She quickly changed the subject: "The ointment contains not only mint leaves but also herbs like patchouli, which is beyond my ability to use."

Have you already received it?

Could it be that it was sent to the Qianqing Palace, just in time to avoid me? Kangxi was slightly taken aback, and the anger in his heart subsided for a moment.

Upon hearing Consort Wan say that she couldn't use it, most of his dissatisfaction vanished instantly. Both mint leaves and patchouli are cold in nature, and pregnant women absolutely cannot touch them. If she couldn't use it, what was the point? It was obvious that it could only be used for someone else.

Ahem, it must be for my sake.

Kangxi's anger melted away like spring snow. In a good mood, he looked down at Consort Wan, preparing to make eye contact with his beloved concubine and express his feelings. However, just as Kangxi lowered his head, his gaze fell on Consort Wan's slightly swollen eyelids.

Two eyelids, one big and one small.

Kangxi and Wan Anran stared at each other for a moment, and Wan Anran, who was the first to come to her senses, quickly covered her eyes.

After his initial shock, Kangxi couldn't help but burst out laughing.

He laughed heartily: "I've already seen it, what's the use of you covering it up now?"

We can't let anyone else see that!

Wan Anran's cheeks were puffed up with anger as she quickly moved out of Kangxi's arms, feeling extremely annoyed at the thought of the swarm of mosquitoes.

Seeing that Consort Wan was already furious, Emperor Kangxi smiled and changed the subject: "What is this 'flower dew' called? Why is it made with wine?"

Wan Anran made an X.

She held her head high and said, "It's a secret. The Emperor will find out in ten days."

Emperor Kangxi raised his eyebrows.

He didn't bring up the question for the moment, but instead pointed to the large black vats in the yard: "And what are these things?"

"These are for catching mosquitoes."

"Catching mosquitoes?" Kangxi looked surprised, but after hearing Consort Wan's explanation of the 'poisonous creatures' inside, he couldn't help but show the same look of doubt.

Wan Anran was unhappy.

She snorted coldly: "Just you wait and see tomorrow!"

Tomorrow morning.

Wan Anran impatiently had someone open the water tank, and Ju Bai, who stepped forward, turned pale at the sight: "Mosquitoes! So many mosquitoes!!!"

Consort Xuan and Noble Lady Nara also rushed over.

Their eyes widened in shock as they stared at the water vat—it contained only fermented brown sugar dough crumbs and a little water… These things, which seemed to have nothing to do with mosquitoes, had filled the vat with a layer of mosquitoes.

It's simply unbelievable!

Consort Xuan and Noble Lady Nara clicked their tongues in amazement, while Wan Anran waved his hand and said, "Someone, take this water vat to the Qianqing Palace and invite the Emperor to take a look!"

Xuan Bin:......

Lady Nara: ...

The young eunuchs exclaimed in response.

They carried the jars, heaving as they walked towards the Qianqing Palace, attracting countless surprised and astonished glances along the way.

For example, Consort Yi and Consort An also received the news. As soon as the morning and evening greetings were held at Kunning Palace, Consort An couldn't help but take the lead in asking, "Sister Xuan, what are you up to in Xianfu Palace this time? Carrying a big vat around all morning? I've been wondering about it until now."

Consort Xuan explained with a smile, "It's not being sent around, it's being delivered to the Emperor."

Should it be sent to the Emperor?

The expressions of all the concubines changed slightly. Consort An sighed softly, "I wonder what good things you have, elder sister. I'd like to see them too..."

Consort Xuan asked in a flat voice, "Does my sister want it?"

Consort An looked at her with a puzzled expression, then nodded tentatively: "As long as my sister is curious, I'll let her know..."

Consort Xuan immediately smiled and said, "Sister, take it if you want it. I'll have someone deliver it to your room later. There are plenty more in Xianfu Palace!"

Consort An slowly typed out a question mark.

Surely it wouldn't be something strange or unusual that was given to the Emperor? She thought about it for a while, then smiled and agreed, "Thank you for your kindness, elder sister."

"It's nothing, I'm the one who should be thanking you," Consort Xuan said with a kind smile. These jars of mosquitoes were truly terrifying, and Consort Xuan was wondering where else to send them besides the Emperor. Since Consort An was willing, she was naturally happy to be generous.

“…Hmm, ah?” Consort An was even more bewildered, and her eyes were still trembling even after she sat back down.

"Does anyone else want it?" Consort Xuan looked expectantly at the others. The concubines looked at each other, and after a long while, one or two of them shook their heads: "No, no, thank you."

"Thank you for your kindness, Sister Xuan."

"My sister has never cared about these things."

If there were truly good things, wouldn't the Empress be given first?

The concubines said they weren't as naive as Consort An. Judging from Consort Xuan's eagerness to send it out, they wondered if there was something strange inside. They just didn't know why it could be sent to the Emperor.

Everyone was both curious and puzzled.

The Empress concealed her smile and had someone bring out the ointment with a grin: "By the way, this is something that Xianfu Palace came up with yesterday. It can repel mosquitoes and relieve itching very well. Anyone who wants it can take it and try it."

The concubines looked at each other in bewilderment.

Another one from Xianfu Palace? Could it be related to the large vat? For a moment, Kunning Palace was eerily quiet. To everyone's surprise, Consort Tong was the first to respond, smiling as she took a small box of ointment from a palace maid: "Anything recommended by Her Majesty the Empress must be top-notch!"