Miao Witchcraft

　　With these words, Wang Chuan also looked ahead. Looking carefully at that person, she then furrowed her brow and asked: “Noble Lady Li?”

　　Feng Yu Heng nodded. It was the sixth prince’s birthmother, Noble Lady Li, who had been demoted from the position of imperial concubine. At this moment, she stood roughly 20 paces in front of them. Facing Winter Moon Palace, who knew what she was doing. Feng Yu Heng stopped in her tracks and did not continue forward. Taking it in for a while, she saw that Noble Lady Li did not move. She just stood there while staring, thus an even stranger feeling appeared. She pulled Wang Chuan forward and deliberately moved quietly. After advancing another ten steps, the person ahead finally realized that there was someone behind her. Cautiously looking back, when she noticed Feng Yu Heng, she was clearly shocked. She then quickly fled and headed into the inner palace.

　　“Should we give chase?” Wang Chuan asked Feng Yu Heng, “That Noble Lady Li looks to have had bad intentions. It would be better to let this servant go and bring her back for a proper interrogation about what she was doing?”

　　Feng Yu Heng, however, shook her head, “No need. We still don’t have the power to interrogate the imperial concubines of the inner palace. Let’s see what she did first then talk about it.” As she spoke, she stepped forward until she reached the location that Noble Lady Li had been standing in. She then began to carefully search.

　　Wang Chuan was puzzled: “What is Young Miss looking for?”

　　She asked Wang Chuan: “Do you still remember the matter of Noble Lady Li using witchcraft on me at the hunting ground? Stabbing a little figure with needles is a kind of witchcraft, and it’s a very hateful thing. Although it’s unknown what sort of witchcraft was used, once things are set in motion, it’s really difficult to get rid of it.”

　　Wang Chuan was startled then asked: “Didn’t Young Miss say that you don’t believe in these things?”

　　“I don’t believe that Noble Lady Li knows the methods; however, I did not refute that there really is witchcraft in this world. But belief is just that. We can’t lower our guard. What if Noble Lady Li really knows how, and we neglected it? It’s very possible that even more people will be harmed by her. Quickly come and search with me. See if there’s anything nearby. We don’t know how long she stood here for, to say that she did not do anything, it’s clearly not too possible.”

　　Wang Chuan saw that she was speaking very seriously, thus she also took it to heart and quickly lowered her head to begin searching. She even ran into the yard nearby to search. But the two searched for a long time and did not find anything. Wang Chuan then said: “Perhaps we thought too much about it. It’s possible that Noble Lady Li only just arrived and did not have a chance to do anything before running into us. Is the witchcraft that Young Miss is talking about really that fierce? What would happen to the target? Would they die? Or would their body hurt? It’s really odd, would that not be the same as magic? If even this could cause harm to someone, what did we spend our time suffering through learning martial arts for? It would be better to just stab little figures.”

　　Feng Yu Heng smiled bitterly: “How could it be as easy as you make it sound? Stabbing little figures is not something that everyone knows how to do. Learning witchcraft is not as easy as you say. Although it’s much easier from a physical aspect, the mental torment that it causes is not something a normal person can handle. Because witchcraft has a high probability of rebounding on the caster when it fails, who knows just how many times they have been hurt through practicing from a young age. At best, they would have a body covered in injuries, but at worst, they might lose their lives.”

　　“It’s that serious?” This was something that Wang Chuan had not thought of, but she had also heard about some things related to witchcraft, thus she added: “Apparently, the majority of the people that practice witchcraft come from the Northwest. Of course, His Highness the ninth prince has once gone to the Northwest, and apparently, they are the Miao people.”

　　“That’s right.” Feng Yu Heng nodded: “I never thought that you would also call them the Miao people, but I can’t say for certain what the place those Miao people that know witchcraft is called. Where we come from, we call that place Xiang Xi.”

　　Wang Chuan was a bit dazed, “Where you come from?”

　　Feng Yu Heng smiled and did not explain. Wang Chuan was not like Huang Quan, who liked to continue asking questions. Seeing that her young miss did not respond, she automatically moved on from the topic and told Feng Yu heng: “It’s still called Xiang Xi. His Highness the ninth prince once said that there are a number of Miao people in Xiang Xi that live deep in the mountains. They know a sort of very strange sorcery, and they must not be offended lightly. Speaking of, Young Miss was sent into the mountains of the Northwest by the Feng family. It should be said that Xiang Xi would not be far away.”

　　Feng Yu Heng was startled and only just realized that the Miao region was indeed not far, but in her memory, the original owner of the body did not meet any Miao people. That village still belonged to Han people. She shook her head, “I’m not clear, as I was still young at that time. I did not understand anything, but the place that I lived in still had Han people. Everyone spoke the Han language. If there were Miao people, they would speak the Miao language.” As she spoke, she straightened her back and told Wang Chuan: “There’s no need to keep searching. There shouldn’t be anything special that was left here. Regardless of whether or not Noble Lady Li knows witchcraft, for her to have appeared here today is something worth paying attention to. We can’t lower our guard.”

　　“Can Young Miss not treat someone that has been afflicted by witchcraft?” Wang Chuan did not understand witchcraft very well, but when the idea was brought up, everyone would feel very afraid. “It is often said that witchcraft is poison, so is it poison? If it’s a poison, then it should be treatable.”

　　Feng Yu Heng shook her head, “Witchcraft is not poison. It’s a type of method that exerts a manmade pressure. Witchcraft is not just used to harm people. It can also save people. Someone that has been targeted by witchcraft is not without salvation. As long as the person that applied it is willing to remove it, it can be treated. But… it’s a pity that I can’t treat it because witchcraft is not an illness. Even if I have medical abilities that far exceed what is available in this world, I don’t have any defenses against witchcraft.” As she spoke, she waved her hand and told Wang Chuan: “But there’s no need to worry. As I see it, even if Noble Lady Li knows a few small techniques, they will be very basic and won’t cause any situations. Even if she harms people, they will just be some small illnesses. Or she may mess around for a couple days. Any of the more powerful witchcraft, she will not know about.”

　　As the two spoke, they arrived in front of Winter Moon Palace’s entrance. The people inside had already received a report saying that Feng Yu Heng would be heading in that direction. When the two approached, the gates were opened, and the head palace maid, Su Yu, came out to welcome them. She saluted respectfully to Feng Yu Heng then led them toward Imperial Concubine Yun’s bedchamber.

　　Imperial Concubine Yun was lazily lying on her bed, and a palace maid was massaging her leg. It seemed that she was living a very pleasant life. Upon seeing Feng Yu Heng come over, she quickly had the palace maid leave then waved to Feng Yu Heng: “A-Heng, quickly come here.”

　　Feng Yu Heng went forward with a smile and saluted to Imperial Concubine Yun. She then observed Imperial Concubine Yun’s complexion for a while before nodding in satisfaction: “Imperial Concubine Mother’s complexion is very good. Daughter-in-law is at ease.”

　　“My days are spent either sitting or curled up. When my mouth is opened, it’s to eat. How could my complexion be bad. As for you, why does it look to this One as if you’ve gotten thinner?” Imperial Concubine Yun unhappily pinched Feng Yu Heng’s arm and said with an unhappy tone: “Too thin, A-Heng, you need to eat some more good food. You can’t continue to be so thin. Imperial Concubine Mother will tell you that not all men like sickly girls. Although those types of girls are doted on quite a bit, but that sort of depressing look can only be looked at for a few days. To be able to capture a man fully, you need to be spirited and healthy. Only like this can you deal with the many wives in the residence.” As she spoke of this, she suddenly thought of something and began to giggle, waving her hand: “It was this One that over-thought it. Ming’er won’t marry that many women. There’s no need for you to worry about that. But you need to take care of your body. You’re a doctor, but you can’t concern yourself with the health of others while neglecting your own.”

　　Feng Yu Heng smiled and sat at her side, gently holding Imperial Concubine Yun’s hand and saying: “Imperial Concubine Mother’s words, daughter-in-law will keep them in mind. In the future, I will definitely eat a bit more. I guarantee that daughter-in-law will definitely be a little chubbier next time we meet.”

　　Imperial Concubine Yun nodded her head in satisfaction, “This is a good child.” As she spoke, she reached out to gently pat Feng Yu Heng’s head. As she did this, she pretended to ask with disinterest: “What sort of fuss was going on in Heavenly Hall? Did the old man’s hip break? If it really did break, just don’t treat it. It serves him right!”

　　There was nothing that Feng Yu Heng could do. She was clearly concerned, but the words that Imperial Concubine Yun said were quite unpleasant, and only those that understood her could understand. Even if these words were unpleasant, they were words that Imperial Concubine Yun had thought over countless times. Thus she told Imperial Concubine Yun: “There isn’t too much wrong with Father Emperor’s hip. A-Heng performed acupuncture for him and left him some medical plasters. After a few days of rest, he will be better. Imperial Concubine Mother, don’t worry.”

　　“Don’t worry? Tsk! This One isn’t worried at all, alright!” Imperial Concubine Yun was stubborn, “The old man has wives and concubines. There are already so many people lining up to worry about him. This One can’t be bothered to join in that lively crowd.” After saying this, she very uneasily began to fiddle with her fingernails. A fingernail protector was twisted back and forth, and the gems on it nearly fell out.

　　Feng Yu Heng faintly sighed and said: “It’s clear that you are very worried. Why can’t you be on good terms again? Imperial Concubine Mother, Father Emperor has waited for over 20 years and has never touched another woman. Can you… just forgive him? In the end, the ones from before were from before he met Imperial Concubine Mother!”

　　Imperial Concubine Yun looked at her and smiled once more. People of this age could still appear quite innocent when smiling. The years really had been gentle with her, and they had practically not left any trace on her. In this smile, Feng Yu Heng could almost experience what the Emperor had seen when he had first met Imperial Concubine Yun. In the mountains, she was pure like a little stream, resplendent like a butterfly, and this had made him attached for so many years, unwilling to let go.

　　“It cannot be like before.” Imperial Concubine Yun finally stopped smiling and said in a serious tone to Feng Yu Heng, “After so many years, I have already become accustomed to this sort of life. I left my residence in the mountains and decided that I would no longer have a home, and I could no longer return to that place. But I am unwilling to lower my head. After all, when we met for the first time, he lied to me. This is a hurdle in my heart that I cannot get over. A-Heng, this is my life. Everyone has their own life. People at our age are very persistent and believe in fate.” While she spoke, she looked at Feng Yu Heng. Turning the conversation around, it became about Feng Yu Heng, “I know why you are so thin and why you very rarely come into the palace to see me. It’s because your days outside the palace are not to your liking. Yao shi disappeared, Feng Jin Yuan also ran away. There’s also that imitation. That family of three went out of the province to live freely. You don’t show much on your face; however, your heart is crying. I know this much.”

　　Feng Yu Heng nodded and copied what Imperial Concubine Yun had said; “This is also my life.”

　　Imperial Concubine Yun smiled once more: “Look, we both believe in fate.”

　　The two smiled at each other; however, Su Yu entered at this time and whispered a few things into Imperial Concubine Yun’s ears. Imperial Concubine Yun’s smile grew even more, as she said to Feng Yu Heng: “Go ahead, this One will not keep you too long. Quickly leave the palace.”

　　Feng Yu Heng was startled, “Daughter-in-law wishes to accompany Imperial Concubine Mother for a meal before leaving.” While speaking, she patted her belly, “I’m hungry.”

　　“We won’t be keeping you for a meal today. Quickly leave, quickly leave.” Imperial Concubine Yun began to chase her out. While doing this, Feng Yu Heng seemed to have understood something, as her eyes lit up.