Consort Ji's well-intentioned advice was destined to be in vain.
That day when she mentioned the Qiu Lie event, Yun Jiao paid no heed, letting it go in one ear and out the other. However, Xue Ya and Gong Mei kept it in mind and became more diligent in their efforts to care for their master's skin and hair, striving to make her even more beautiful and radiant.
At first, Yun Jiao didn't notice, since as soon as it was time for skincare, she would close her eyes, so serene that the palace maids almost wanted to check if she was still breathing. Later, whenever she reached for a dish with chili oil, Xue Ya would advise, "Master, this lamb dish is sprinkled with pepper; eating it may cause bread to grow on the face."
Bread? What bread?
Yun Jiao looked up bewildered, taking a moment to understand Xue Ya's meaning: "That word is pronounced like 'pustule.'"
Pustules, meaning acne, were a matter of great concern even to ancient people.
