(BaiLing's pov)
Hearing what the Royal Consort just said stunned me. My mother was childhood friends with the Royal Consort and the Empress? How come I never heard about it from my father, though? But then again, it was almost a taboo to speak of my mother since my reaction to it was never the best.
Seeing how I didn't say anything for a while, the Royal Consort said.
"I meet you and your brother once as babies. Your mother used to come and visit me quite often... I'm sorry I wasn't able to go to her funeral at the time."
Me: "No, it's alright. I'm sure you had your reasons."
For a bit, everyone was quiet, but I soon spoke up and said.
"This is my first time meeting you today since I was a baby. I don't know what you like, but I did prepare a little gift. I hope you will accept it."
Royal Consort: "Of course, I will. Thank you."
The Royal Consort had her maid come over and take the box from me. Once she received that box, she opened it to see what was inside. When she opened the box, she was both surprised and confused. She first opened the porcelain jar and smelled it. She then looked up at me and asked.
"Is this..."
Me: "Yes, this is a beauty cream. It will help keep your skin healthy and make you look more youthful."
(Narrator's pov)
BaiLing knew that the Royal Consort often used the beauty cream that her grandpa had developed. BaiLing had used the same recipe, except she did some experiments to improve the formula. This cream not only protects the skin and makes it look youthful, but it also feels cool to the touch and isn't sticky or makes the skin look white after using it. The consistency of this cream was more like a gel.
While the Royal Consort's expression started to relax, the ninth prince's expression was one of clarity. He finally knew what was in the box that BaiLing was carrying.
BaiLing: "Also, in the other box are some vitamin pills. They will help boost your energy."
The Royal Consort smiled and said.
"Thank you, my dear. Did your grandfather give this to you?"
BaiLing shook her head and responded.
"No, your highness. I made this myself."
Both mother and son were surprised to hear her response.
Royal Consort Lin: "You made these?"
BaiLing: "Yes, I often go help, my grandfather at his medicine shop. I picked up some skills from him along the way."
Royal Consort Lin: "Indeed, you are his granddaughter. You both have excellent skills in the medical field."
BaiLing: "You flatter me, your highness."
Hearing the BaiLing call the Royal Consort, your highness, over and over, made her a little sad. She had always wanted a daughter but only had one son. Now she had a daughter-in-law, but she felt so distant from her. Besides, she was also her best friend's daughter, so she wanted to be close to her.
Royal Consort Lin: "BaiLing, you don't have to call me your highness. It makes me feel old and distant from you. Can you call me mother instead? If you don't feel comfortable, then it's okay, but... I would love it if you could."
Hearing the Royal Consort say so, BaiLing didn't have much of a choice. She looked at the Royal Consort and said.
"Mother."
Hearing her call, her mother made the Royal Consort very happy. She called for BaiLing to come over. When BaiLing came over to her, she took her hand and slipped a gold bracelet onto her wrist. She then patted her hand and said.
"This is my gift to you. Please accept it. I'm delighted that you are Yue Hwa's fiance. I hope that you two will get along well."
BaiLing looked at the bracelet and wanted to refuse. However, from the corner of her eye, she could see the ninth prince nodding his head, telling her to just accept the gift from his mother.
The Royal Consort wasn't a person who would give out a gift to anyone. Giving one out meant that she was very fond of that person.
Seeing that was the case, BaiLing smiled and said.
"Thank you for the gift, mother. I like it very much and will cherish it."
BaiLing then went back to her seat, and the Royal Consort said.
"It's getting late now. I'm sure you both haven't had lunch yet. Why don't you two go out and eat something? Yue Hwa, you can take her to Heaven's Blessing."
Ninth prince: "Why don't we eat with you, mother?"
The Royal Consort shook her head and responded.
"No, I'm old now and don't eat much. You two go out and have fun. Don't worry about me."
The ninth prince wanted to say something else, but seeing his mother's determination, he went with her will. The two then got and bid her farewell before heading out.
(BaiLing's pov)
We headed back towards the gate, but before we got there, I stopped in my tracks and turned to face Ling Chen. I held out my hand, wanting to take the pastry boxes. Ling Chen then handed me the boxes, and the ninth prince asked.
"Are you going to go see your grandfather right now?"
Me: "Yes, your highness. I want to drop these off for him while they're still fresh."
He nodded his head before saying.
"Then, let's go together. I should go and greet my grandfather-in-law."
I nodded my head and headed toward the imperial physicians working quarters. However, an eagle came diving toward the ninth prince less than five minutes later. The eagle stopped and landed on his arm. Tied to its feet was a small piece of paper. The eagle was here to deliver a message.
Before taking out the letter, the ninth prince glanced over at me. His expression said it all. He didn't want me to be here while reading the important message.
Me: "Your highness, you can take your time. I will go see my grandfather first. If needed, you can come to visit him another time. I will head to the carriage afterward."
Ninth prince: "Alright, then."
I bid him farewell and headed off to see my grandpa. It took me a while to walk there since the place was quite far away from the Eternal Spring palace. Once I got there, I went up to the door and knocked before coming in. Most of the physicians stopped what they were doing and looked up to see who had knocked at their door. Seeing that it was a familiar face, they all smiled, and one called out.
"Old Ling, your granddaughter is here again!"
I stepped inside and placed two of the boxes at the center table, and said.
"I bought some pastries on my way into the palace today. I hope you will all enjoy them."
The old men who were tired and hungry from working all day were more than happy to take a break and have a snack. I backed away from the table as they approached the boxes. I went over to where my grandpa was sitting and greeted him.
He looked up at me and smiled. I pulled up a chair and sat near him. I opened the box, took out one of the smaller boxes, and placed it near my grandpa.
Me: "Grandpa, have a quick snack before continuing your work. I got your favorite rose pastry."
Grandpa set down the book he was reading and took one of the pastries.
Grandpa: "Thank you, my dear."
As I was sitting there, I heard some of the other physicians say.
"Does anyone know where Qing Yuan is?"
Another physician: "He's probably out in the back checking on the herbs. He's always out there anyway."
Another physician: "If he doesn't come back in here soon, there will be nothing left for him to eat."
Hearing them say so reminded me that I had bought one more rose pastry box. Grandpa often talked about Qing Yuan, the youngest physician in the imperial palace. He was known as a genius among the physicians. He had passed the entry exam at such a young age with full marks.
Once when grandpa talked about him, he told me that Qing Yuan also liked rose pastries, so this time I bought one box for him.
As I was sitting there, I took one of the many medical books that my grandpa had and started to read it. Although I had read most of the books that he owns. It doesn't hurt to reread them.
A little while later, I heard footsteps approaching the front door. However, I didn't recognize who it belonged to. Once the person stepped into the room, one of the physicians spoke up and said.
"Qing Yuan, you're back. Old Ling's granddaughter brought us some snacks, but it took you so long to come back there's none left."
Looking past the blind, I could see Qing Yuan standing there. He was a fairly tall guy, about the height of my brother. However, he was pretty skinny. Standing, not saying anything, except for wiping away his sweat. Once he seemed to have cooled off, my grandpa called him over.
He came over ready to talk to my grandpa but stopped in his tracks when he saw me sitting next to him. I gave him a slight nod and smile. He was out of it for a while. He only snapped out of it when my grandpa called him out. He turned a bit red and gave a nervous laugh.
I let out a small chuckle. Watching him become embarrassed was quite amusing. After all, he was still a young man.
Grandpa: "Did you finish checking on the herbs?"
Qing Yuan: "Yes, I did. Everything thing is drying properly."
My grandpa nodded his head and nodded his head towards me. Qing Yuan turned towards me, confused, not knowing what my grandpa meant. I then took the other pastry box and handed it over to him.
Me: "Here, this is for you."
He took the box from me and opened it to see it was what he liked to eat.
Qing Yuan: "How did you..."
Me: "My grandpa often talks about you. He once told me that you enjoyed eating the same pastries that he did."
Qing Yuan: "I see. Thank you."
Not long after, I heard two pairs of footsteps coming. And true to what I thought it was, the ninth prince and Ling Chen soon stepped into the room. All of the physicians once stopped again and went over to greet the ninth prince. I went over with my grandpa, and Qing Yuan followed from behind.
Upon seeing my grandpa, the ninth prince came forward and greeted him.
Ninth prince: "Greetings, physician Ling. I apologize for coming to greet you so late."
Grandpa: "Please don't say so, your highness."
Ninth prince: "No, I should come and visit you. After all, you are my fiance's grandfather."
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