Chapter 7 (1/2)

Chapter 7

Did Concubine Li eat the pill?

While Shi Qing was worrying, she was leaning back on her couch, staring at the little pill.

She was burning good spices in her censer, so her room not only smelled good, but it also provided recuperating effects. These spices were some that Madam Li Er had specially brought from the South, worth thousands of gold—calling them expensive was not adequate. However, because Emperor Xuan Cheng favoured their scent, Concubine Li would burn them year round, never stopping.

It was already late in the day; she knew that the Emperor would not come see her today, and could not help but feel a little gloomy.

Presently, one of the palace servants came in, so Concubine Li took the opportunity to inquire after the whereabouts of Emperor Xuan Cheng. The small eunuch whispered, “The Emperor went to the Chu Xiu Palace1.” When Concubine Li heard this, her mood turned gloomier. When she gave it some thought, the Emperor had spent many nights recently in the Blue Jade Palace—she had been spoiled. She had even said many malicious things about the Empress and the Crown Prince. The Emperor listened to her earnestly, and had seemed inclined to revoke the Crown Prince’s status as heir.

How could she have suspected that Concubine Cheng Xiang, that slut, would actually manage to charm her way into the Emperor’s company? It seemed like the Emperor had suddenly changed his heart, and in only two days had moved his favour to her!

Concubine Li was also aware of the possibility of a newcomer; how could she avoid being concerned about that when it comes to looks? Whether it was the fresh complexion or a pair of large, beautiful eyes revealing the vitality of youth, it was truly difficult to compete with those tender, flower-like girls.

While she entertained those thoughts, Concubine Li twisted the handkerchief she held. She glanced again at the Zhu Yan Pill, and was filled with a strong impulse to just consume it.

Madam Li Er was very astute, and her conduct was always reliable; she would not risk harming the Imperial Concubine. As for the man who made the pill, he would not risk the lives of his entire family to hand over an unsafe pill. Even the Imperial physician claimed that there was no toxicity…

After these thoughts had crossed through her mind, Concubine Li had finally reached her limit. She picked up the pill and smelled its cold and fresh aroma. She thought of the Emperor warming nephrite2, steeled her heart, and popped the pill into her mouth.

Once it entered her mouth, the pill immediately slid down her throat, and the taste was actually very good.

Concubine Li waited for a while, but she did not feel like there was anything strange happening. Just as she went to get up, she suddenly felt like her whole body was on fire. It started from her stomach and began to spread, and the heat caused her to sweat profusely.

Her heart began to feel unwell, and she began to consider calling out to her servants. It was at this moment that she glanced at the mirror, and suddenly froze, her eyes widened in shock.

The woman in the mirror was also holding the edge of the screen. Her hair cascaded down like black silk, and a pair of large, beautiful eyes looked back—mellow yet romantic. Her skin was once again smooth and lustrous; it resembled delicate flower petals—even music could not capture this beauty…

Concubine Li hurriedly walked in front of the mirror to get a closer look, and her heart was wild with joy. She actually looked the same as she did at the age of 17; her looks had reverted to the most magnificent age.

Unexpectedly, this medicinal pill; not only did it work, the results could only be described as miraculous!

Concubine Li was emotionally overwhelmed. Her face was blooming like a peony—extremely beautiful. Her eyes darted around for a moment, and her mind was starting to form plans.

She called her maidservants to come in and attend her in the bath, rinsed off the sweat that had come with the heat, applied her face cream, and then put on the pale yellow kimono she had not touched since her youth. Once she was finished, she gently turned around in a circle; she was truly alluring—the calibre of beauty that would topple a country.

She was overjoyed, and whispered a few words Yuxiang before reclining on the royal couch, lightly caressing her forehead.

At first glance, Yuxiang was completely dumbfounded by the change in Concubine Li. She knew that Madam Li Er had sent her some medicine, but she did not expect that it would have such a miraculous effect.

Concubine Li ordered Yuxiang to call Emperor Xuan Cheng. If this was normal day in the past, she would not dare dream of disturbing him, but after see the new appearance of Concubine Li today, she was not worried. Her heart knew that as long as the Emperor came and saw her, that the Blue Jade Palace could immediately look down on the harem. If the Blue Jade palace gained benefits, it would naturally mean numerous benefits for all those within. In order to gain those benefits, Yuxiang vowed to work hard, and paid a eunuch to deliver the Imperial Concubine’s words to the Emperor.

Emperor Xuan Cheng was preparing to spend the night with his new favourite within the harem, Concubine Chen Xiang. At this time he received the news that Concubine Li was sick, and he could not help frowning.

He knew that this was a small means that concubines employed in the struggle for his favour, and he found it somewhat repugnant, but he had loved the Imperial Concubine for decades. His feelings towards her were still there, so when he heard the eunuch speak so anxiously, he thought that there may be some seriousness to those words.

Concubine Chen Xiang wanted to spend more time with the Emperor to gain benefits. However, at this time, the 77-year-old Emperor Xuan Cheng was actually reminded of second prince—Rongxiang. Rongxiang is Concubine Li’s son, very clever and sensible. He was proud of him, and had even considered declaring him the official heir. For this reason, he could not ignore the Imperial Concubine, so he waved his hand, got up, and headed to the Blue Jade Palace.

Once the Emperor came at the Blue Jade Palace, his arrival was announced by the attendants, and he then entered Concubine Li’s chamber. When he saw her reclined on the couch, his entire body suddenly froze.

Concubine Li was wearing a yellow kimono that perfectly complimented her creamy, white complexion. She was obviously near middle age, but her peach-skin smooth skin was comparable to even the most exquisite young lady in the kingdom.

Emperor Xuan Cheng had always liked Concubine Li’s appearance, but as she had aged and left behind the prime of her youth, he found that his adoration had dimmed. However, when he looked at her today, he was suddenly brought back to the strong feelings he once had for her. His cooling heart had fluttered once again.

Concubine Li watched the Emperor’s facial expressions, smiled weakly, and then spoke in a soft tone, “Your majesty…”

Emperor Xuan Cheng felt his heart melt upon hearing her soft voice, and quickly approached, “Do not get up, I have come to see, where do you feel uncomfortable?”

Concubine Li took the Emperor’s hands, drew them towards her chest, and fawned, “My heart is so melancholy, it’s unbearable…”

With such an obvious hint, how could Emperor Xuan Cheng not understand? He groped her a few times, and was shocked by how good she felt; he immediately felt aroused. Concubine Li let out a delicate laugh, and the two of them went to bed.

It was a warm spring evening in the Blue Jade Palace. It was the middle of the night, but suddenly a loud bang broke the silence. It was actually the sound of someone falling to the ground. The noise was quickly followed by Concubine Li’s sharp shouting, “Come…Servants!”

Yuxiang, who was stationed outside the door, heard the sound and immediately rushed in. No sooner had she entered the room, and her face instantly turned green, good heavens! What a smell! It stinks horribly!

The very next day, Shi Qing woke up early. He was quietly counting days; two days have passed, and if they do not hurry and finish their task, those seven days will be gone with the wind.

He was worried that Concubine Li would not consume the medicinal pill. It was at this time that certain news reached Qin Mo. Last night the Blue Jade Palace was brilliant and very lively.

Concubine Li once again made a name for herself. In her younger years she was the beauty of a generation amongst women of the Daqing Dynasty. Now she was leading the generation in foulness. Even the Emperor had a dizzy spell and fainted; how could her stench be so repulsive?

The palace eunuch who brought the news spoke very quickly, and his tone was very excited. Shi Qing actually felt discomfort from the pain of trying to withhold his laughter.

He waited until there was no one around, and then he laughed aloud, but then immediately felt he had become a fool. Even with this, Qin Mo bore no trace of a smile, and suddenly he could not laugh anymore…