Only then would Li Mao understand that the Bai family was unwilling to cause trouble, not lacking the ability to create trouble for him. Only then would he know that although the Bai family had only orphans and widows left, they were not powerless weaklings.

Li Mao must know pain, know fear, know how ruthless the Bai family could be – only then would he feel genuine apprehension and fear from the bottom of his heart.

Otherwise, if Li Mao harbored designs against the Bai family, or… casually created trouble for the Bai army far away in Nan Jiang, that was not what she wanted to see. She needed the Bai family to be safe, needed the Bai army to prosper smoothly, so she needed to suppress Li Mao, even make Li Mao act to protect the Bai family and Bai army.

Thus… those letters that Li Mao feared would temporarily remain buried.

Although Bai Qingyan hated Li Mao in her heart, compared to killing him, if she could now utilize this person in high position, why wouldn’t Bai Qingyan be happy to do so?

It was merely postponing dealing with him by a few years – no rush.

Understanding Bai Qingyan’s intention, Bai Jinzhi nodded forcefully: “Then these next few days I’ll keep a close watch on Left Chancellor Li Mao’s movements, guarding against his moves!”

Bai Qingyan nodded.

Bai Jinzhi remembered that the Emperor had not yet summoned Miss Lu into the palace for treatment, feeling somewhat anxious: “Elder sister, do you think I should go find Huang family’s A’Rong again, to ask whether she failed to relay my words to Imperial Physician Huang? The Emperor has headaches so severe he can’t hold court, so why hasn’t the palace sent anyone to request the aunt?”

“I think Imperial Physician Huang must have mentioned Aunt to the Emperor. Let’s wait a bit more – it should be soon.” Bai Qingyan said.

The Emperor’s headaches had no identifiable cause, making the Imperial Medical Academy anxious and fearful. If Imperial Physician Huang heard his little granddaughter mention that Miss Lu had cured many difficult and miscellaneous diseases, he would inevitably bring up Miss Lu to the Emperor.

After all, Imperial Physician Huang had previously discussed prescriptions with Miss Lu for the Grand Princess and was very confident in Miss Lu’s medical skills.

The Emperor was in unbearable pain and was already extremely curious about this Miss Lu. Perhaps she could cure his headache condition, and he could use this legitimate opportunity to meet her – why wouldn’t the Emperor be willing?

The reason he had delayed sending someone to summon Lu Ning’e was probably because he wanted to see her, yet worried that this Miss Lu truly was the reincarnation of Aunt Suqiu. Now that the Bai family had fallen to such a state under his suspicion, even if the Emperor was unwilling to admit his mistake, deep in his heart he probably felt too ashamed to face Aunt Suqiu.

Just as Bai Jinzhi mentioned that the Emperor had not yet sent anyone to request Lu Ning’e to enter the palace for treatment, at noon, Imperial Physician Huang’s residence sent someone over, saying they requested Miss Lu to accompany Imperial Physician Huang into the palace to treat the Emperor.

Upon hearing the news that she would enter the palace to meet the Emperor, Lu Ning’e showed no panic, only went to consult Nanny Jiang about proper attire, just encountering Bai Qingyan, who had come upon hearing the news.

Bai Qingyan thought for a moment and said, “There’s no need to deliberately choose favorite colors – similar styles will do. If it’s too similar to that Concubine Qiu, it would seem contrived instead.”

Nanny Jiang nodded: “What the eldest miss says is exactly right. How about choosing that azure moon-flower skirt that was just finished the other day – it would also appear fresh and elegant.”

Lu Ning’e bowed to thank Nanny Jiang.

“Who has grandmother assigned to accompany and serve the aunt?” Bai Qingyan asked.

Nanny Jiang quickly said, “The Grand Princess has this old servant accompany Miss Lu into the palace. Since it’s Miss Lu’s first time entering the palace, the Grand Princess is inevitably worried.”

Bai Qingyan nodded: “I have words to instruct Aunt, so I’ll accompany her back to change clothes!”

Nanny Jiang smiled and said, “This old servant will go prepare Miss Lu’s medicine box.”

“Thank you for your trouble, Nanny.” Lu Ning’e was very polite.

As Bai Qingyan walked outside with Miss Lu, she smiled and said: “For the aunt’s palace visit this time, being able to stop the Emperor’s headache with acupuncture will suffice. As for the cause of the Emperor’s headaches, since even the Imperial Medical Academy cannot diagnose it, the aunt shouldn’t offend the entire Imperial Medical Academy. Moreover… only if the Emperor’s headache condition improves but doesn’t completely heal will there be reason to continue seeing the aunt.”

Lu Ning’e nodded and curtsied to Bai Qingyan: “Young miss, please rest assured. Ning’e knows propriety and will certainly do well.”

“Aunt needn’t be so formal.” Bai Qingyan supported Lu Ning’e, “I am the junior; being so formal puts Qingyan to shame.”

Nanny Jiang had servants prepare the medicine box and various implements, then came to summon Lu Ning’e, who had finished changing clothes.

Bai Qingyan escorted Lu Ning’e to the gate and bowed: “Then I’ll trouble Aunt and Nanny Jiang.”

Lu Ning’e returned Bai Qingyan’s bow, was helped into the carriage by Nanny Jiang, her palms tightly clenched. This was her first time meeting the Emperor – success or failure depended on this one chance. The Grand Princess had repeatedly instructed her.

The Grand Princess had shown great kindness to her and her mother. Without the Grand Princess, she and her mother would have long since departed this world. In this life, she could only repay the Grand Princess with her very life, and absolutely could not ruin the Grand Princess’s affairs.

At the hour of you, the Emperor’s rewards returned to the County Princess’s mansion along with Lu Ning’e.

Bai Qingyan and the Grand Princess had been waiting for Lu Ning’e early.

After Lu Ning’e returned, she described in detail the day’s situation in the palace.

When she heard Lu Ning’e say that the Emperor had dismissed everyone else, leaving only her alone in the hall, gazing at her with sorrowful eyes and reddened pupils, the Grand Princess, seated on the ginger-yellow passionflower-patterned cushion, closed her eyes and fingered her prayer beads, pressing her lips together in silence.

Bai Qingyan knew that the Emperor believed the matter of Lu Ning’e being the reincarnation of Aunt Bai Suqiu.

“Thank you for your hard work today, Aunt.” Bai Qingyan smiled at Lu Ning’e.

“What exactly is wrong with the Emperor’s body? Could it be that someone is deliberately competing for favor and has harmed His Majesty’s sacred body?” the Grand Princess asked.

Lu Ning’e dared not hide anything from the Grand Princess, so she said: “His Majesty’s pulse shows no abnormalities, so Ning’e cannot be certain for now.”

“Tell us what you think.” The Grand Princess opened her eyes and lifted the teacup at her side.

“Ning’e observed that His Majesty’s fingers tremble slightly involuntarily, and his body has a unique dark fragrance. Ning’e suspects His Majesty seems to have used a type of aphrodisiac medicine from Xiliang. This medicine… when used makes one feel vigorous and powerful, but excessive amounts cause mild poisoning and unbearable headaches.”

When Lu Ning’e spoke of these matters, she showed none of the bashful demeanor of an unmarried young lady, speaking openly and generously. The Grand Princess frowned, feeling that these topics needlessly polluted Bai Qingyan’s ears.

“Did Aunt see Concubine Qiu?” Bai Qingyan asked again.

Lu Ning’e shook her head.

Bai Qingyan, thinking that only Concubine Qiu’s massage could slightly alleviate such headaches for His Majesty, said: “If His Majesty truly used this medicine, is there anything that could relieve such headaches?”

Lu Ning’e thought briefly and shook her head: “This aphrodisiac is from Xiliang. Ning’e has never had deep contact with it – it’s only that my grandfather once treated such a patient, and I merely observed. So, currently, I can only guess that His Majesty probably used this medicine, but I dare not be certain.”

Bai Qingyan narrowed her eyes. Aphrodisiac medicine from Xiliang…

“After administering acupuncture to His Majesty, I have suggested he maintain a pure heart and few desires, living alone and eating vegetarian food for ten days.” Lu Ning’e looked at Bai Qingyan, “If His Majesty doesn’t have headaches within ten days, Ning’e can confirm that His Majesty consumed this type of aphrodisiac medicine.”