Chapter 14 – What a Remarkable Woman

Mu Nanjin followed Eunuch Shou to Yongshou Palace, her spirits high and her steps light.

Along the way, Eunuch Shou quietly observed her every movement.

From start to finish, Mu Nanjin’s expression remained calm and serious, revealing nothing. Yet from the bounce in her stride, he could tell she wasn’t the least bit afraid of meeting the Empress Dowager.

“We’ve arrived.”

Eunuch Shou stopped outside Yongshou Palace. “Guard Mu, please wait here a moment. This servant will go in and announce you.”

Mu Nanjin nodded.

Eunuch Shou bowed and stepped into the hall.

Inside, Princess Xueyu, who was massaging the Empress Dowager’s temples, quickly asked, “Is she here yet?”

Eunuch Shou smiled. “Since the Empress Dowager summoned her, she wouldn’t dare disobey.”

Princess Xueyu smirked in satisfaction. “Let her wait outside. She’s not coming in until I say so.”

Eunuch Shou looked to the Empress Dowager for instructions.

He served the Empress Dowager and would only follow her orders.

The Empress Dowager slowly opened her eyes. Before she could speak, a young woman’s voice drifted in from outside—clear, confident, and unguarded.

【The Empress Dowager was born into a poor farming family. She’s experienced the hardships of common life firsthand. After marrying the late emperor, she accompanied him through countless wars, witnessing innumerable soldiers die on the battlefield. Those who survived did so by sheer luck, so she deeply respects meritorious officials and treats courtiers and servants alike with kindness. As long as no one crosses her bottom line, she’s gentle and fair to all. Princess Xueyu knows the Empress Dowager’s temperament well—that’s why she came here for help. She doesn’t truly wish to punish me too harshly but still wants to scare me a little, so she used the woman the emperor respects most to pressure me. Otherwise, she would’ve gone to the Empress instead.】

【After all, the Empress was born into a noble house, values rules and decorum, and would never tolerate anyone disrespecting the royal family. If she knew someone had offended a princess, she would certainly punish them.】

【Since Princess Xueyu doesn’t truly want to punish me, should I pretend to be frightened to make her think I’m scared? But I’m terrible at acting… what should I do?】

【Ah! I can pretend to apologize with a gift—my Jade Beauty Pill! Once they use it and see how miraculous it is, they’ll be begging to buy more from me. Hehehe, this could be my new way to make money. My fortune starts here!】

The Empress Dowager chuckled softly. “What a remarkable woman.”

When she had first heard Mu Nanjin’s thoughts weeks ago, she’d only found them curious. But now she understood why the emperor kept her close—life around her was simply more entertaining.

Princess Xueyu frowned. “Imperial Grandmother, what are you laughing at?”

The Empress Dowager waved her hand, her smile fading. “Nothing. Let her wait a little longer, as you said.”

Outside the hall, Mu Nanjin guessed that they were deliberately making her wait. Bored, she leaned against a pillar and dozed off.

A palace maid standing guard noticed and hurried inside to report it.

When Princess Xueyu heard Mu Nanjin had fallen asleep while waiting, she was furious. She stormed out.

“Mu Nanjin! How dare you fall asleep while waiting to see the Empress Dowager!”

Mu Nanjin, who had only been lightly napping, opened her eyes at once. “My apologies, I was… so frightened that I fell asleep.”

Princess Xueyu nearly exploded. “Who in their right mind falls asleep out of fear?!”

“I do.”

“You—!”

“Xueyu, bring her in,” came the Empress Dowager’s calm voice from within.

Princess Xueyu glared daggers at Mu Nanjin. “Her Majesty calls for you.”

Mu Nanjin entered the hall and bowed respectfully before the serene Empress Dowager seated on the phoenix throne. “This subordinate greets the Empress Dowager.”

The Empress Dowager deliberately kept her tone stern. “Do you know why I summoned you to Yongshou Palace?”

“I do.” Mu Nanjin spoke simply, producing a small jade bottle. “This is an apology gift for Princess Xueyu.”

Princess Xueyu curiously took the bottle. “What is it?”

“Jade Beauty Pill.”

“Jade Beauty Pill? Is it medicine?” Princess Xueyu frowned slightly. “What does it do?”

“If the Princess takes it, her skin will become softer and fairer—smooth as a newborn’s. If the Empress Dowager takes it, it will reduce wrinkles and gray hair, restoring your youthful beauty to that of a thirty-year-old.”

Princess Xueyu’s eyes widened. “Truly?”

The Empress Dowager, too, was intrigued.

She was still a woman, after all. What woman wouldn’t wish to stay forever young? Yet lately, her wrinkles and silver hair seemed to grow by the day, no matter how she tried to hide them.

【Just wait until you see the effect—my pills will definitely shock you.】

Mu Nanjin nodded earnestly. “The Princess can try one and see for herself.”

Princess Xueyu hesitated. “And what if it’s poison?”

Mu Nanjin asked lightly, “Why would I poison the Princess and doom my entire family when we’ve no enmity between us?”

Princess Xueyu thought it over—she had a point. “Where did this pill come from?”

“I can’t say.”

That much was expected; a miraculous medicine’s secret couldn’t be revealed so easily.

Princess Xueyu finally said, “Very well. I accept your apology. But next time, you’d better mind your manners. You may go now.”

She was already eager to try the pill.

“This subordinate takes her leave.” Mu Nanjin bowed and quickly withdrew.

Once she was gone, Princess Xueyu hurried over to the Empress Dowager. “Imperial Grandmother, do you think it’s real?”

“It should be,” said the Empress Dowager, who had gleaned from Mu Nanjin’s thoughts that she wasn’t lying.

Still, she was cautious. “Summon the Imperial Academy’s Chief Physician.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

Half an hour later, Eunuch Shou returned with the Chief Physician.

Before he could bow, Princess Xueyu thrust the pill toward him. “Examine this. Is it poisonous?”

The Chief Physician carefully sniffed the pill, his brows furrowing in concentration. After a long pause, he said, “This pill contains five herbs beneficial for the skin. As for the remaining ingredients, they’re too well blended for me to distinguish by scent. But I can confirm—it is not poisonous.”

Princess Xueyu asked again, “Then can you tell what it does?”

The physician hesitated. “May I ask what this medicine is called?”

“Jade Beauty Pill.”

“Jade Beauty Pill?” He shook his head. “I’ve never heard of such a medicine, Your Highness. I cannot determine its effects.”

Seeing his sincerity, the Empress Dowager waved him away.

Princess Xueyu fretted. “Imperial Grandmother, what do we do if even the Chief Physician doesn’t know what it does?”

The Empress Dowager pondered Mu Nanjin’s earlier thoughts and murmured, “Send it to the National Preceptor. If he doesn’t know either… we’ll have someone test it.”

There were three pills in the jade bottle—just enough for a test dose. If nothing happened, the Empress Dowager and Princess Xueyu could each take one later.

“I’ll take it to the National Preceptor myself!” Princess Xueyu brightened instantly. The thought of meeting Feng Sinan again made her giddy. Without waiting for permission, she dashed out of Yongshou Palace.

The Empress Dowager could only shake her head in amusement.

Meanwhile, back at the Jinyiwei Command Office, Mu Nanjin suddenly stopped mid-step and scratched her head. “I feel like I’ve forgotten something… but what was it? Hmm… never mind, it can’t be that important.”