Chapter 338: The pattern of a nightmare emerges (1/2)
Chapter 338: The pattern of a nightmare emerges
As soon as the empress dowager uncovered the red cloth, she saw…the Medicine Fan she so desperately needed on that plate!
It was an oval-shaped fan, its surface made of a very fine, clean white silk. The handle was made of precious ivory and adorned with a purple tassel. Any part of the Medicine Fan would be worth a fortune in itself, but none of it could compare to the medicinal ingredients sewn on its two sides: incense grass and purple lily. The incense grass was the most effective medicine used to treat insomnia, while the purple lily could revitalize one’s spirits. Even the strongest case of insomnia would be cured with one puff of the Medicine Fan. Most importantly, it was easy to use and had no negative side effects!
Its value was incomparable to medicine or acupuncture treatments. The empress dowager was thoroughly delighted with the fan and even leaned over subconsciously to grasp it in her hands. And yet, Han Yunxi picked up the fan first. She slowed fanned the air as she spoke.
“Esteemed Empress Dowager, do you recognize this?”
“Of course!” the empress dowager was very certain. Her eyes hadn’t budged from the sight of the Medicine Fan even though her neck had suddenly started feeling itchy. It wasn’t much different from a usual itch, however, so she simply ignored it after scratching herself.
“Esteemed Empress Dowager, Gu Beiyue’s grandfather once prescribed you this very Medicine Fan, didn’t he?” Han Yunxi asked next.
She’d already asked this question before, so the empress dowager simply nodded her head. “Yes, this very same fan.”
Han Yunxi refused to hand it over right away, but played with the fan in her hands. “Esteemed Empress Dowager, do you know how to use it?”
“I do. Fan it twice for both sides–one to fall asleep, one to wake up,” the empress dowager finally grew impatient. “Yunxi, give it here and let me have a look.”
Han Yunxi shot a glance at the empress dowager’s hand, which was still scratching an itch, before ridicule flashed in her eyes. She purposely cradled the fan in both hands before presenting it like an offering. “Esteemed Empress Dowager, kindly accept this small gift of mine!”
The empress dowager took the fan impatiently, as if afraid that Han Yunxi would come to regret her actions. She looked over the Medicine Fan from all directions before breathing in the scent of its medicines with an expression of enjoyment. Han Yunxi simply observed her coldly, a slight mocking tilt to her lips.
Take your time and smell it slowly. The best part is yet to come!
Han Yunxi patiently waited for the empress dowager to finish sniffing before she asked, “Esteemed Empress Dowager, this is the genuine article, isn’t it?”
“Heheh, Yunxi is still the truly capable one!” the empress dowager replied meaningfully.
“This is the genuine article, isn’t it?” Han Yunxi still wanted a confirmation. She wanted to accomplish her task to the very end, which meant there couldn’t be any loopholes for the empress dowager to exploit against herself or Gu Beiyue.
The empress dowager had never seen a real Medicine Fan before, much less its incense grass or purple lily. However, she was all too familiar with such contents. The fan she’d recognized at one glance at the birthday banquet couldn’t be a sham! Only the Medicine Fan had two different medicinal ingredients embroidered on both sides. Moreover, she’d fanned herself just then and the effects of the purple lily had revitalized her spirits after days of constant exhaustion. Now she was alert and energetic!
“It’s not a fake. This is indeed the Medicine Fan,” the empress dowager said generously to Han Yunxi. Although many unhappy things had happened in the process of obtaining it, although she’d missed her chance to get back at Han Yunxi thoroughly for the sake of this fan, she was still secretly thankful to the woman for giving her her heart’s desire. After all, it had been nearly 20 years since she started looking for this item, but there had been no news of it anywhere! Although the empress dowager didn’t want to admit it, the truth was that she might have never seen the Medicine Fan in her lifetime until Han Yunxi showed up.
Of course, her thankful feelings only lasted an instant. In the empress dowager’s heart, anyone who owned the Medicine Fan had the right to give it up to her.
“Then that’s all well and good. Esteemed Empress Dowager, chenqie won’t disturb you any further.” Once everything had been clearly accounted for, Han Yunxi took her leave. The empress dowager didn’t mind, and sent her off with a few spoken civilities.
But as soon as Han Yunxi was gone, the empress dowager’s unconcealed delight rose full to the surface. She was too happy, so much so that her mood improved immensely. She carefully stroked the Medicine Fan before lightly fanning herself a few times. It was such a lovely item that she couldn’t bear to part with it. In fact, she couldn’t wait for it to get dark sooner so she could use the fan to treat her insomnia and have a beautiful night’s sleep.
While she fanned herself, she subconsciously scratched herself too–an itch here, an itch there. Li mama, who had replaced Gui mama’s duties, noticed the action and asked in concern, “Esteemed Empress Dowager, what is the matter? Did you touch something dirty by accident?”
“Perhaps my skin’s too dry because we’ve just entered winter. Aiya, my back is itching as well. Hurry and help me scratch!” the empress dowager said as she leisurely fanned herself. She didn’t notice anything amiss with her body. Li mama scratched her back for awhile until the itch went away.
Ever since Han Yunxi left, the empress dowager simply held onto her fan and did nothing but wait for nightfall. She had suffered from her insomnia for too long, so much that she’d forgotten what it felt like to be able to fall asleep naturally. After dinner, she and Li mama took a stroll in the imperial gardens before returning to her room. She even took a hot water bath and then retired early to her bed.
“Esteemed Empress Dowager, let this old servant fan for you!” Li mama volunteered.