MCSCPM -Chapter 50 Bitter Herb

Nangong Mei’er carried the medicinal herbs she had collected from the Imperial Medical Court, along with the thousand-year snow ginseng gifted by Consort Sun, and arrived at the Buddhist hall.

Nanny Lai looked at her approaching from a distance. Although she felt a twinge of displeasure, the thought that Consort Sun was someone they were trying to win over quickly quelled her anger. If the Empress and Consort Sun worked together, then Nangong Mei’er, as Consort Sun’s only daughter, was someone Nanny Lai absolutely needed to curry favor with.

Thinking back to her past treatment of Nangong Mei’er, Nanny Lai felt a deep sense of regret. Having spent so long in the palace, she knew the ways of the concubines better than anyone—one moment they could be enemies, and the next, they might become as close as sisters for the sake of mutual interests.

After weighing her thoughts, Nanny Lai immediately changed her attitude and tone.

“Princess Mei’er has arrived! Come, sit, sit.” Nanny Lai poured a cup of tea for Nangong Mei’er. Her tone was polite, though no longer overly flattering.

Yet Nangong Mei’er was still somewhat surprised. Yesterday, hadn’t Nanny Lai shown disdain toward her? “I’m here to see Miss Yin Qingyue,” Nangong Mei’er said with a gentle smile, a little flustered by the attention.

Nanny Lai hurriedly rose and went to fetch Yin Qingyue.

“Qingyue, look what I’ve brought for you,” Nangong Mei’er said, having her personal maid hand the snow ginseng and other herbs to Yin Qingyue.

“Princess Mei’er, thank you so much,” Yin Qingyue said, her eyes lighting up slightly with a smile.

Though she appeared outwardly delighted, Yin Qingyue remained calm in her heart, not letting the gifts cloud her judgment. She understood that this was merely a tactic from Consort Sun to win her over.

“My mother, upon hearing of your weak health, had me bring the thousand-year snow ginseng the Emperor gifted her on her birthday, and I also went to the Imperial Medical Court to fetch these herbs for you,” Nangong Mei’er said with a warm, gentle smile.

Though devoted to medicine, Nangong Mei’er had grown up in the palace and knew precisely how to speak to benefit herself and her mother.

“Consort Sun truly has a benevolent heart. The kindness she shows you, Qingyue, will surely be remembered,” Yin Qingyue said, aware of Nangong Mei’er’s intentions and playing along.

“Look, here are angelica, white peony root, prepared rehmannia, and he shou wu. These herbs, combined with the snow ginseng my mother gave you, can be brewed into a ginseng nourishing tonic—perfect for supplementing qi and blood,” Nangong Mei’er said, spreading out the herbs she had fetched from the Imperial Medical Court, counting them carefully.

“Also, here’s some donkey-hide gelatin I prepared when I had free time—it’s excellent for replenishing qi and blood as well. I’m not sure how well it was made; Miss Yin, you can take a look,” Nangong Mei’er added, having her maid bring out the gelatin, speaking softly.

Yin Qingyue nodded lightly, smiling as she accepted the gelatin.

Though her smile was subtle, her heart was elated. Ginseng nourishing tonic was ideal for someone with severe qi and blood deficiency like her, and donkey-hide gelatin was an extraordinary restorative. Taken together, they would accelerate her recovery immensely.

“This is indeed top-quality gelatin, Princess Mei’er, you are skillful and thoughtful. But for someone with severe qi and blood deficiency, adding one more ingredient could make it even better,” Yin Qingyue said, tasting a bit with a small silver spoon and pondering.

“What ingredient?” Nangong Mei’er’s interest was immediately piqued.

“Bitter herb,” Yin Qingyue said with a mysterious smile.

“Bitter herb? Isn’t that for clearing heat? People with severe qi and blood deficiency are already weak and feeble—how could they possibly have heat rising? Qingyue, you must be joking,” Nangong Mei’er tilted her head, shaking it in disbelief.

“Princess Mei’er, the prescription indeed does not include bitter herb. But treating patients cannot rely solely on the prescription—every patient’s condition is unique. Take me, for instance: my qi and blood are severely deficient, and gelatin is a supreme tonic that replenishes them. But with my weak body, I can only absorb a small portion, which can easily lead to ‘false heat.’ By adding bitter herb as an auxiliary, it clears the excess heat while improving absorption,” Yin Qingyue explained as she walked slowly, exuding elegance and confidence, which entirely overshadowed the disfigured makeup on her face.

Nangong Mei’er stared at her in awe, momentarily stunned. After a long pause, she said, “Qingyue, what you said makes perfect sense. I never understood these principles before, but now I finally do. And you don’t even realize how beautiful you looked just now when you were explaining this!”

“Princess Mei’er, I am so ugly; how could ‘beautiful’ describe me?” Yin Qingyue thought, startled, quickly suppressing her earlier elegance and poise.

“No, that’s exactly what I mean—you didn’t realize it, but when you spoke, your eyes shone with intelligence, and your whole presence radiated elegance and confidence. I rarely see that in other women. Doesn’t that count as beautiful?” Nangong Mei’er smiled gently, clarifying her words.

Yin Qingyue was secretly annoyed at herself for unintentionally revealing her true nature. Luckily, Nangong Mei’er didn’t overthink it—otherwise she might have been exposed. She resolved to act more cautiously in the future and avoid drawing attention to her appearance.

“Princess Mei’er, do you know what bitter herb is?” Yin Qingyue asked, subtly trying to divert her attention.

“Bitter herb? I don’t recall ever seeing it in the Imperial Medical Court pharmacy,” Nangong Mei’er said, curiosity immediately piqued.

“Bitter herb is actually a common wild vegetable found along roadsides. Imperial physicians would never use it as a medicinal herb, but commoners eat it, especially in winter for tonics or in summer to cool the body,” Yin Qingyue explained with a smile.

“Then Qingyue, shall we go find some now? But would such a thing even grow in the palace?” Nangong Mei’er asked excitedly.

“When I entered the palace with the Crown Prince, I saw it growing abundantly by the roadside. No time to waste—let’s go pick it now,” Yin Qingyue suggested eagerly.

The sooner they gathered all the ingredients, the sooner Yin Qingyue could aid her recovery, so she was eager to begin.

“All right! Let’s go now,” Nangong Mei’er said, equally excited.

The place Yin Qingyue mentioned was the same road that led from the palace to the courier inn. Laughing and chatting, she and Nangong Mei’er walked toward it.

Along the way, they happened to encounter Nangong Xiaoxiao.

Seeing Nangong Mei’er approaching, chatting and laughing, Xiaoxiao’s body tensed, and she asked with a slightly sharp tone, “Oh, second sister, weren’t you supposed to be engrossed in medicine? What brings you here today?”

Seeing Yin Qingyue behind Nangong Mei’er, Xiaoxiao became even more furious. She thought Nangong Mei’er had brought Yin Qingyue to make her own beauty stand out by contrast, hoping to catch Chu Jingcheng’s attention.

The more Xiaoxiao thought about it, the angrier she became, regretting not thinking of that tactic herself.

“Elder sister,” Nangong Wan, standing beside Xiaoxiao, greeted gently with a smile.

Nangong Mei’er, unaware of Xiaoxiao’s meaning, returned the greeting with a smile.

“Sister, you look really beautiful today!” Nangong Mei’er commented, noticing Xiaoxiao wore a rainbow-colored long silk skirt reserved for court banquets, her hair elegantly styled, forehead adorned with jade flowers, and long floral earrings hanging from her delicate earlobes—utterly stunning.

Having no idea why Xiaoxiao had come, Nangong Mei’er admired her beauty unconsciously.

Nangong Wan, realizing Xiaoxiao’s overthinking, wisely stayed silent. But Nangong Mei’er still didn’t catch herself, smiling at Xiaoxiao.

“Hmph, not as clever as you think, bringing along an ugly girl to make yourself look better. Clever sometimes works, but beware of backfiring,” Xiaoxiao said coldly, sarcastically.

Having spent time with Xiaoxiao, Nangong Mei’er knew her temperament and didn’t mind, instead smiling as she explained, “Elder sister, you misunderstand. Why would I bring Qingyue to make myself look beautiful? We’re here to gather bitter herbs, just passing by.”

“So this is the highly skilled female physician who just arrived in the palace, Yin Qingyue!?” Xiaoxiao and Nangong Wan exclaimed in surprise, hearing Nangong Mei’er’s words.