There is no difference to now and later

The sunlight's warmth melted the last remains of the winter snow, small buds began growing on the flowering trees with some bud starting to spout out flowers brought over a sense of dread as the deadline for the Empress' request was ending. Fangsu wore a suitable dress for the season, a light green hanfu with osmanthus embroidery that is scattered giving an illusion that the leaves we're being emitted from the wearer's body. The beautiful hanfu was given by Lady Meng but the craftsmanship was from Gui Ying who was able to create such a beautiful hanfu. As Fangsu was getting ready to leave to meet with the Empress with the caretaker unit. The protective barrier that surrounded the Chen household was disabled. Fangsu's grandpa was waiting outside the house and a sudden rush of carriages arrived with many hired movers came rushing into the house.

The gallops are horseshoes showed the doctor was moving into the Chen Household. Fangsu rushed over to the doctor, hugging the tall doctor despite her short stature, "Fangsu! You are dressed up so nicely!" The doctor returned the hug gently squeezing the young girl, "What battle are you fighting?" The doctor jokingly spoke but that caused Fangsu to slightly tremble in dread. The doctor was startled by Fangsu's quick emotional change at the mention of battle. Fangsu gave a quick summary of the situation that had been happening for the past couple of months trying to heal the Empress', Black Mirage Leopard, "I never knew an extremely timid person like you confronted the Empress directly." The doctor just chuckled at Fangsu guts for standing up against the Empress, one of the most powerful women in this kingdom.

A carriage came for Fangsu, a calloused hand came out through the curtain which Fangsu took. Entering the carriage, Fangsu was stunned to see Zhao Hui was the one who lent his hand to her. Fangsu quickly retreated her hand from Zhao Hui's and sat opposite from him, "Am I that unpleasant?" He lazily rested his chin on his hand, smirking at Fangsu nonchalantly looked outside the window avoiding him completely. Knowing that Fangsu was going to meet with the Empress, Zhao reaches into his robes to pull out two pieces of candy wrapped in some wax paper. Unwrapping one of the candies, plopping it into his mouth. The other candy, he handed to Fangsu who was surprised, "It's sea salt candy with plum," Swirling the candy in his mouth until the candy accidentally got caught in his throat.

Seeing that Zhao Hui turning red to blue from choking on the sea salt plum candy, Fangsu quickly began roughly hitting his back multiple time. Each hit on his back felt like Zhao Hui was getting beaten up. But, eventually, those hits caused the candy to come back up into his mouth. Zhao Hui began gasping for air slowly breathing normally as the air returned back in his lungs. Fangsu released an air of relief as his face began returning to its normal colour, "Next time, be careful eating those candies." Fangsu returned back to her nonchalant self and sat back down in her original seat, "It would such a pathetic death for someone powerful and important like you," Fangsu coldly stated as she remained seat during the ride to the Palace. This sudden coldness startled Zhao Hui who only knew of the kind facade of Fangsu. Truthfully, Fangsu was quite envious of Zhao Hui knowing that he was very strong cultivation powers and had a complete whole family who loved him.

As the carriage reached the stairs of the Imperial Palace, Zhao Hui got out of the carriage to escort Fangsu. Fangsu who has dressed appropriately for the designated meeting with the Empress naturally garnered lots of attention from all the servants and official who were curious about the unknown girl. Zhao Hui soon left Fangsu to her own device and went into the direction of the Dowager's Palace presumedly to meet with his grandmother. As Fangsu continued to walk towards the Empress' Palace for the meeting, a figure began chasing after her. Wu Song was also meant to meet the Empress with her because both of them were fulfilling the Empress' request. As they both reached the entrance of the Pearl Palace, the guards searched them for any potentially dangerous item on their person which there were none. After the search they entered the Empress' Palace which was mainly made from high-quality pearls and quartz, the high beams were littered with mother pearls and the palace was lavishly decorated with rare materials from foreign countries, handcrafted luxury goods and the palace itself was magnificently furnished with expensive wooden furniture.

The Empress sat on a beautifully crafted tableware and chairs made from Zitan wood which is a wood that is blackish-purple to blackish-red in colour, and it is relatively rare therefore making it incredibly highly sought for by nobility. But, Zitan tree grows relatively slow which adds to the value being worth as much as gold. Having anything made of Zitan wood is considered to be a status symbol. Fangsu and Wu Song bowed, "Greetings Your Highness!" They waited for the Empress' command you allow them to return to their standing position.

Both Fangsu and Wu Song, "You May rise," The Empress gestured with her hand and the two individuals both stood out, "You remember my request?" The Empress question the two individuals who stiffened are the question whilst a servant hands the Empress from freshly brewed tea. Both Wu Song and Fangsu nodded, confirming the Empress' words.

Fangsu slowly released her breath under her breath seemingly tired with this situation and wanting nothing more than return back to her normal routine. The Black Mirage came from the inner parts of the Empress' Palace, laying on the floor next to the Empress's feet. Seeing the Leopard has fully recovered, Fangsu smiled. The Leopard got up from the ground, prowling towards Fangsu only to gently rubbing itself against Fangsu's leg, purring. The Empress and her servants were surprised that the leopard who only favoured the Empress was now happily rubbing against the girl. Fangsu gently scratched the area behind the ears of the leopard who purred much more loudly, "I won't be able to see you from now on," But as soon Fangsu said those words the leopard pounced on her, pinning her underneath its belly to keep her there. The Leopard's unusual behaviour caused an internal commotion through the Empress' Palace.

Wu Song began trying to push the Leopard of Fangsu but the leopard lazily laid on top of Fangsu, snuggling against her shoulder, "Rui Shi, come to my side," The Empress was quite stunned by the Leopard begrudgingly returned to the Empress's side, basically sulking. Fangsu was now able to stand up, dusting off any of the furs that stuck to her clothes, "Since you two have cared for my mount meticulously, I shall fulfil one request within reason," The Empress was basically rewarding the both Wu Song and Fangsu for their efforts for curing the Leopard.

Wu Song's eye began beaming enthusiastically upon hearing that the Empress could fulfil any request within reason. Carefully thinking of his request, "Your highness, I wish to be granted a bluish-purple ranked Life Elixir Pill." Kowtowing you the floor with his head touching the ground.

The Empress lifted her eyebrows in confusion but gestured to a servant nearby to fetch the item requested from Wu Song. Waving her hand at Wu Song, the servant ushered Wu Song out of the Pearl Palace. Wu Song stared at Fangsu's back one last time before being escorted out of the Palace to return to his caretaking duties. As the Empress turned her attention to the young girl, "What is your request?" Fangsu remained quiet as if she was still indecisive with her request.

Fangsu was excited, this was a once in a lifetime opportunity to get ingredients she needed for the medicine which could cure her. The most important one was the Dragon Leaf, known to be very difficult and extremely rare to come by. The plant grows from the corpse of a dragon and takes about five centuries for it to fully mature, however, not many dragons die due to their long lifespan but also they are extremely difficult to kill. The leaves gathered from this plant are considered national treasures and are reserved for the Royal Family, "Your Highness, I need the Dragon Leaf," Asking for such an item would be difficult but if it meant living a long life, Fangsu would take the chance.

Everyone in the Pearl Palace flinched at Fangsu's blatantly outrageous request. The Empress, however, was curious for the reason that Fangsu needed the Dragon Leaf but also for the fact she didn't want the Leaf but needed it, "What you are asking for it quite the far stretch?" The Empress's long nails tap on the table like a pendulum.

It was the only source of sound but it may Fangsu feel exhausted, "If your highness can not fulfil my request then please forget about it," Fangsu bowed before leaving the Pearl Palace as she dejectedly slumped her shoulders.

Zhao Hui saw the dejected-looking Fangsu whose shoulder was slumped inelegantly especially where the palace was known for maintaining poise postures and elegance, "What wrong aren't you happy you still get to keep your life?" Zhao Hui was soon faced with Fangsu who blankly stared at him.

Sighing with exhaustion, Fangsu stretched her arms to release the tension within her muscles, "I don't care if I die now, my life expectancy is not that long anyway," Those words were quite unnerving for someone her age to say, "There is no difference to now or later when I die," Fangsu yawned as she walked out of the Palace to return back to her normal life away from the suffocating Palace.

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The past few weeks the flowers began blossoming. The Doctor, Yun Nan, has already settled into the Chen Household as the family doctor and her workplace was smelt completely of medicine. Yun Nan was eventually introduced into Blossoming Fragrance as a consulting doctor in the shop but it was also for the fact that it would be easier to treat Fangsu on the spot. Fangsu was in the break room to rest her eye from all the paperwork but an employee came bursting through the door causing Fangsu to flinch, "Little Boss! Your grandpa is trying to deal with your father!" Hearing the word father caused Fangsu to pause and pinch the bridge of her nose. Just a few weeks ago, she had a deal with the Empress and now she had to deal with her father. To be honest, her father never even bothered with raising her sisters and her much.

Fangsu released a heavy sigh, "This better be worth my time," The chair scraped against the floor as Fangsu walked with the employee who nervously follows her. Fangsu walked out of the study room and began walking down the stairs. The voices became louder, Fangsu nonchalantly stood over the commotion where everyone from Flowery Fragrance was standing against her father and his servants. Customer who was in the shop tried to distance themselves from the group fearing the powerful Tang family. Some even left as they were closer to the exit.

Hearing of a sword starting to being unsheathed which alarmed Fangsu, "You dare cause a commotion in this establishment!" Fangsu's voice boomed throughout the shop which travelled throughout the shop because she was on the top level. Glaring at the man who was about to fully unsheathe his sword, "If you dare think about drawing your weapon I will not hesitate to report to the magistrate," Fangsu walked down the stairs until she reached the ground floor directly facing her father. The only feeling she had for him was nothing, basically, she was numb.

Her father awkwardly went to hug but Fangsu slaps her father's arms away, "Fangsu... Come home with me," After being rejected her father could only bring his arm to his side. Offering a hand out for Fangsu to hand, but Fangsu remained unmoving and chose to stay beside her grandpa's side. Seeing that Fangsu was not moving to take his hand, clicking his tongue in annoyance he went to grab Fangsu's arm but her grandpa stopped him, "Father in law, I ask you to let Fangsu return back to the Tang residence." Both of them glared at each other. Both of them began to release Qi which caused the air to tremble as they continue to raise their Qi in order to take the other one down. Fangsu's grandpa continued to persistently fight against Fangsu's father.

Fangsu who had never cultivated before was instantly pressurised by the monstrous levels of Qi that continue to rise. No one in the Blossoming Fragrance was able to move to help Fangsu who was the closest to the two men who were oblivious continuing to rise their Qi to overpower each other. Fangsu strained to continue standing against the massive amount of pressure that was trying to force her down, but because she had no protection Fangsu eventually was sent to the ground to suffer under the crushing pressure. The pressure was too much which caused Fangsu to have difficulty breathing and had begun bleeding from her nose

Two figures entered the establishment sensing the strong pressure of Qi raising. Both Zhao Hui and When Cheng saw that everyone was paralysed under the rising levels of pressure while Fangsu was under extreme danger as she was suffering. Wen Cheng went to the two men to stop them, "Senior Chen and Master Tang, I will have to ask you remove yourselves from the premises," This warning caused the men to pause and they were both a shock to see that Fangsu was under critical condition.

Zhao Hui was gently prompted her upright to see that she was under severe pain. Holding her in his arm, he began rubbing her back to help her breath.