FID – Chapter 819

Chapter 819 – Eyes on the Back of Her Head

Liu Yusheng lifted her gaze to look at the young medical maid who had been pulled in, only to feel her headache worsen. 

How could it be such a coincidence for a medical maid to just happen to show up at this exact place and time?

“There’s no need to trouble the medical maid. I’m a doctor myself, and there’s nothing wrong with my stomach. It’s probably just fatigue—some rest will sort it out.”

If the medical maid took her pulse, wouldn’t her act of pretending to have a stomachache be exposed? It wasn’t that she was afraid of being exposed. It was just a little embarrassing.

After all, these beauties were Xiao Feng’s wives in name. She should at least give them a bit of face, shouldn’t she?

“A healer cannot treat herself. Princess, please allow the medical maid to examine you. It will put our minds at ease. You’re pregnant now, and a stomachache is no trivial matter.”

Without giving her a chance to refuse, the ladies continued pushing the medical maid toward her.

As the young maid’s warm fingers settled lightly on her wrist, Liu Yusheng pressed her forehead and sighed softly.

Forget it. If she’s exposed, she’s exposed. She truly didn’t want to keep dealing with these women here. Had she known earlier, she wouldn’t have come at all.

“A pregnant woman needs to take extra care to rest and avoid excessive noise. The Princess has simply been disturbed and overstimulated. To prevent any issues with the fetus, I recommend she return and rest as soon as possible to avoid any mishaps,” the young medical maid suddenly spoke as Liu Yusheng was silently regretting her choices.

Liu Yusheng was slightly surprised and looked up at the maid.

Clear features, elegant and cool demeanor, and she appeared to be about sixteen or seventeen years old.

She didn’t recognize her, but the girl was clearly helping her.

The surrounding concubines finally let out a slight sigh of relief after hearing the medical maid’s words.

“In that case, please return and rest early, Princess. Once you’re feeling better, we’ll arrange another gathering to chat with you.”

“Yes, we certainly wouldn’t dare trouble Your Highness any further—Your health is most important.”

Liu Yusheng smiled at them and went along with it, saying, “It’s my own body that’s uncooperative and has dampened everyone’s mood. The Yangxin Hall isn’t far from here; I can make my way back on my own. You all should continue enjoying the lotus flowers.”

“Allow me to escort the Princess back. I am a medical maid of the palace, and looking after the health of the palace mistresses is my duty,” the young medical maid offered softly.

The concubines were naturally more than happy to agree.

Once the Princess was out of their sight, it wouldn’t be their responsibility if her belly caused any issues later.

Once they left the Mirror Lake and were out of the concubines’ line of sight, Liu Yusheng let out a long breath of relief. The weakness she had feigned earlier disappeared without a trace. “Thank you, doctor.”

“I wouldn’t dare ask for thanks—it was merely a small favor.”

Tilting her head to carefully study the girl, Liu Yusheng smiled. “You’re quite clever—your small favor was exactly what I needed. I was worried I’d give myself away in front of you.”

“It was bold of me to presume to guess at Your Highness’s intentions. I hope Your Highness will forgive me,” the medical maid answered with just the right degree of deference, bowing her head slightly.

“What is your name?”

“I am called Shan Lai, a junior medical maid from the Imperial Medical Academy. I usually help tend to the health of the young mistresses and concubines in the harem.”

A medical maid in charge of tending to health…Liu Yusheng looked ahead, a faint smile tugging at her lips.

Aunt Rong—she had once been a medical maid responsible for caring for the late emperor’s health.

Thinking back to the days when Aunt Rong was still around—though brief, those days had been beautiful.

They were also the only time Feng Qingbai had his mother by his side.

In the side hall of Yangxin Hall, Liu Yusheng had dismissed the other servants; only Zisu and Chenxiang remained with her. When they saw her bring in a medical maid, although surprised, they didn’t ask questions and simply served tea and stood by.

“I’m only temporarily residing here, and there’s nothing much I can offer to entertain you. For the small favor you did earlier, all I can offer in thanks is a cup of tea.”

Shan Lai quickly bowed. “It was merely a few words, I dare not accept such courtesy from Your Highness. Now that I have escorted you back safely, I should take my leave.”

With that, she picked up the tea and drank it in one go. “This is excellent tea. Many thanks to Your Highness’s hospitality.”

“I am a healer as well. I hope that in the future I can see you again, Shan Lai. When there’s time, perhaps we can discuss medical theories together,” Liu Yusheng said, not for any particular reason, but simply out of nostalgia for the times she had studied medicine under Aunt Rong.

“It would be Shan Lai’s greatest honor.”

After bowing and taking her leave, Shan Lai had just turned around when she saw a figure rushing toward the door.

Clad in bright yellow, his eyes brimmed with anxiety, worry, and an undercurrent of barely suppressed aggression. He brushed past her without a glance, his gaze fixed solely on the woman behind her.

“Imperial Aunt, are you alright? Does your stomach still hurt? The imperial physician is right behind me, he’ll be here any moment!”

“Xiao Feng’er?” Liu Yusheng asked in surprise. “How did you know I had a stomachache?”

“Does it hurt badly? Aunt, don’t worry, don’t worry—the physician will be here soon!”

Raising her hand, she lightly tapped the flustered young man on the head. “Which one of your eyes sees that I’m in pain? Do I look like I’m unwell to you?”

It really made one both laugh and cry.

If she truly had a stomachache, could she be sitting here looking perfectly fine?

If she were feeling unwell, could she still be speaking to him so energetically?

Xiao Feng’er must have eyes growing on the back of his head.

With a firmer smack, Feng Mohan’s head dipped slightly, and his clarity returned along with it.

Looking more carefully at the woman before him, he saw her expression was relaxed, a faint smile on her lips—indeed, she didn’t seem unwell at all.

Only then did his tightly strung nerves loosen. Wiping the fine sweat from his forehead, Feng Moxian said, “It’s good that you’re alright, Aunt. I’ll return to handle government affairs then.”

“You still haven’t said how you knew I had a stomachache.”

The woman’s calm voice halted Feng Mohan’s attempt to slip away.

She had only mentioned a stomachache once in front of the concubines, and it had taken merely a quarter of an hour to get back from Mirror Lake to the side chamber—yet Feng Mohan had rushed over so quickly.

That was a bit too timely.

“Are you not going to answer?”

“Aunt, I was wrong. I had someone secretly protecting you.” Feng Mohan sighed helplessly, unable to keep it from her. Now that her tone hinted at a veiled threat, how could he dare continue hiding it?

Besides, even if he didn’t confess, she probably already guessed.

After all, hadn’t his uncle always arranged shadow guards to protect her in secret?

“Alright, go handle your business now. Don’t keep getting so startled and flustered. I’m fine—it’s you who’s scaring yourself pale and blue-lipped.” Liu Yusheng shook her head with a smile.

It was partly Shi Xianrou’s fault, constantly saying she was now as fragile as glass and couldn’t afford even the slightest bump or knock, which had made everyone around her extra cautious.

“Even if there’s nothing wrong, you should still rest more and stop wandering around, Aunt. And as for those annoying women in the harem, you don’t need to bother with them. If they dare disturb you again, I won’t let them off lightly!” 

A flash of fierceness passed through Feng Mohan’s eyes. As he turned, he finally noticed someone kneeling by the door. “What are you doing here?”

“Servant Shan Lai greets Your Majesty. I just escorted the Princess back and was about to leave,” Shan Lai replied softly.

“You escorted my Imperial Aunt back?” Narrowing his eyes, Feng Mohan’s lips curled with a trace of coldness. “Later, I’ll have someone send you a reward.”

“I wouldn’t dare!”

“Xiao Feng’er, Shan Lai—you two know each other?” Liu Yusheng asked curiously, overhearing their exchange.

If she remembered correctly, Shan Lai only handled the physical care of the palace ladies. She hadn’t expected the two to know each other.

“I’ve just seen her once or twice, that’s all. Imperial Aunt, I’ll take my leave. I’ll come by this evening to dine with you and the Empress Dowager,” Feng Mohan said as he strode away.

When he passed by Shan Lai, his steps paused slightly.

Shan Lai rose quickly and followed behind, never daring to lift her head.

The Emperor clearly didn’t like her disturbing the Princess Consort’s peace.