A sweltering summer had come to the Flower Palace.
In the rear palace, summer was accompanied by the sound of wind chimes and the fragrance of blooming flowers.
The announcement of Lady Xue Mei’s pregnancy was made after the rainy season had passed. This joyful news, a rare blessing amidst the palace’s grim updates about the poisonous epidemic, spread rapidly through the capital and enlivened the harem.
“Lady Xue Mei, congratulations on your pregnancy.”
Fei Ling had come to Lady Xue Mei’s chambers to check on her post-illness recovery. Although Lady Xue Mei still wore her characteristic crimson ruqun (traditional attire), by her fifth month of pregnancy, her belly had grown, and she no longer tightened her waist with a sash.
“Oh, don’t be so formal… I owe it all to you that we could announce it safely.”
Peeking out from the hem of her skirt, Lady Xue Mei’s bare legs no longer bore the marks of plum blossoms. The humid room was filled not with the scent of plums but with a coo Ling fragrance that eased the heat.
“Now, all I can do is pray that the child in my womb will be a healthy boy.”
Fei Ling, skilled in taking pulses, could determine with about 90% accuracy whether the child was male or female. However, she chose to remain silent, avoiding unnecessary complications.
(After all, my position is precarious enough—I could be sentenced to death at any moment.)
Fei Ling someone’s gaze, Fei Ling bLingked and looked up to find Lady Xue Mei staring at her intently.
“Still, you… You never wear lipstick, do you?”
“I am a food physician.”
“More importantly, you’re a lady of the harem. Your skin is so pale—it looks unbalanced without a touch of color. Here, purse your lips.”
“Wait, Lady Xue Mei—”
Before Fei Ling could resist, her green silk sleeve was tugged, and she found herself wearing lipstick. A mirror was thrust before her, reflecting the face of a dazzling young woman. Her lips, painted in deep crimson, gleamed like a blooming peony.
“Do you realize you’re as much a flower as anyone here?”
(Wait, what? No, I don’t think so… Besides, I’m not the Emperor’s concubine. I’m just borrowing a minor position to remain in the rear palace.)
When Fei Ling remained silent, Lady Xue Mei sighed.
“Goodness. You should try Fei Ling in love at least once.”
“Fei Ling in love…?”
Why had the conversation turned to love so suddenly? Fei Ling had never even considered it. Spending time on romance seemed far less appea Ling than crafting traps to catch snakes.
Lady Xue Mei, with a knowing smile and ruby lips, murmured:
“Love is wonderful. At its dawn, it overflows with joy; when it burns, it’s filled with anguish.”
Though she was the Emperor’s beloved flower, she had once been consumed by an illicit love. The poison of that romance had turned into plum blossoms that afflicted her just this past spring.
(And yet, she dares to recommend love to others?)
Fei Ling couldn’t fathom it.
At that moment, a commotion echoed from the corridor.
“You mustn’t! Lady Xue Mei is in the middle of an examination. Even if it’s Lady Qilin, barging in is unacceptable!”
It was Xiao Ling, Lady Xue Mei’s maid, trying to hold someone back.
Despite her efforts, the sliding door was flung open.
“Is the food physician here?”
A striking beauty entered, clad in a tailored hufu (riding attire). In this palace, where women usually wore ornate skirts, she was likely the only one in such plain yet commanding garments.
“It’s quite improper to enter without permission, Lady Xia. What if I had been undressed for an examination?”
Lady Xue Mei adjusted her hem and shot a sharp glare. The Summer Consort—Fang—shrugged her shoulders and smiled.
“Don’t be so angry. We’re all women here, aren’t we? No need to fuss.”
“You may not mind, but I do.”
“Lady Xue Mei, you’re always so particular. Fine, I’ll be careful next time. But this is urgent.”
Turning to Fei Ling, Fang said:
“Can you treat a dog?”
