Chapter 8 (1/2)
Chapter 8
The Second Prince Rongxiang learned early in the morning that something had happened in the Blue Jade Palace. When he approached, the moment the smell hit his nose, he staggered and almost feel to the ground.
He knew that Emperor Xuan Cheng had an incredibly sensitive nose, and was affected by every little smell. Otherwise, Concubine Li would not have to spend excessive amounts of money purchasing spices in order to burn them every day…
And now, Concubine Li was actually producing such a foul body odour—to the point that she caused the Emperor to faint. This was simply a disaster. As of now, the situation was not clear. The Empress still held the Emperor’s seal in her palm1, and the Crown Prince had no significant tarnishes on his reputation. If Concubine Li fell out of favor, would he gain a further advantage?
With this fear and anxiety weighing on him heavily, Rongxiang went straight to the Blue Jade Palace early in the morning—as soon as he heard the news. He wanted to see what had happened, but he did not expect his father, the Emperor, to actually be there!?
Was it possible that this horrible mess could actually turn out for the better? A hint of excitement began sprouting in his heart. Rongxiang quickly walked into the palace, and when he had barely set foot inside, he was inundated with the foulest stench he had ever encountered. He grew dizzy, and before he could be greeted…he fainted…
The palace was thrown into a flurry of activity; it had become Yuxiang’s special duty to prepare and provide wet, scented handkerchiefs to all who entered.
Desperately holding the wet cloth over his mouth, Rongxiang stood in the greeting line; he could not help the cold, sinking feeling in his heart. His mother’s malodour was enough to have her removed to the Cold Palace2; it was truly a miracle she was allowed to remain here…
When Rongxiang heard that soaking in the hot springs for three hours would remove the smell, his eyes instantly brightened. He stepped forward and requested, “Father Emperor; I, your son and servant, am willing to escort my mother, the Imperial Concubine, to the Luofang Palace.”
Emperor Xuan Cheng thought, in his heart; the effect of this medicinal pill was unquestionable. Concubine Li’s appearance had reverted to its youthful vitality, and her gorgeous looks were enhanced. Not only did her beauty move his heart, but it gave him hope. Since there was a way to deal with the stench, if he also took this pill…could he also restore his youth? At that time, where would he have to worry about the power held by the Crown Prince?
With those thoughts, he endured the stench and returned to the Blue Jade Palace. He had not dared to believe that the odour could be remedied.
After listening to Rongxiang’s petition, the Emperor acquiesced, and then remarked, “You have a sincere heart and your filial piety is admirable, we will go up together.”
Rongxiang was extremely pleased, and Concubine Li also revealed a joyful expression.
Shortly after they began the journey to the Luofang Palace, a small eunuch quietly retreated and rushed back toward the Crowned Prince’s quarters.
Shi Qing was still being held within Qin Mo’s palm, so although he could not see the eunuch coming, it did not prevent him from excitedly listening to the small eunuch report on the situation. When he heard that the Emperor and Concubine Li were currently en route towards Luofang Palace, a solution quickly entered his mind.
In the Imperial Palace, Qin Mo lacked the means to kill the Emperor and escape the blame. However, at Luofang Palace, even if there were guards deployed, there were bound to be some exploitable weaknesses in his protection. Not to mention, the old Emperor had devised this trip hastily, so their planning could only be so meticulous.
When Shi Qing thought this way, he immediately felt that he had touched on the truth.
At this time, Qin Mo stood up. He wore wide robes with long, sweeping sleeves, and a jade crown restrained his dark, flowing hair. Although the Crown Prince’s appearance was quite ordinary, in this moment his bearing and temperament were truly outstanding. He stroked the jade pendant in his hand out of habit, and then issued an order, “Commander Ma, take your men and surround Luofang Palace.”
Shi Qing was excited; it was finally time to drop the net! But…did Qin Mo really want to carry the burden of committing regicide3? Shi Qing felt a bit awkward in his heart, but it was not long before he learned how silly he was…
When they arrived at Luofang Palace, Emperor Xuan Cheng did not waste any time, and led Concubine Li directly to the hot springs. The guards kept watch outside the palace, in the full light of day, while the beautiful young Imperial Concubine went immediately down into the water.
Emperor Xuan Cheng chose not to go down at this time; he sat on the side and watched quietly. Three hours was not long, but it was not too short either. However, compared to the recovery of one’s youth, it was not even worth mentioning.
Rongxiang kept watch outside, and his heart was very anxious. He was afraid that the smell on Concubine Li’s body would not be removed completely—what would this mother and child do…if he lost the Emperor’s favour, he was still too weak to fly on his own. How could he fight with the Crown Prince? Rongxiang’s mind was filled with many thoughts, and his eyes glanced over to his temporary defense of the palace; a faint wisp of treasonous thoughts wound their way up into his mind.
If…if…no! He quickly shook his head, and rejected those thoughts from his mind. However, the seed had already sprouted, and taken root in his heart.
Even though it should take three hours, after Concubine Li had soaked for only one hour, the disgusting stench had already begun to fade. Emperor Xuan Cheng had discovered this phenomenon even sooner than Concubine Li. His muddy eyes suddenly brightened, and he stood up straight from his chair.
Concubine Li did not understand at first, but when she saw the Emperor’s expression, she knew that the hot springs had truly achieved a miracle.
Emperor Xuan Cheng was excited. He was holding the other Zhu Yan Pill in his hand, and he watched Concubine Li with the eyes of a downright fanatic—not only because of her delicate white skin, but even more so because of the success of this experiment.
Two hours later, Concubine Li came out of the water. Her skin was creamy and smooth, her face like a peach blossom, her whole body emitted a pleasantly cool fragrance—she was a beauty unmatched in her generation.
She moved towards the Emperor, fell to her knees, and softly called, “Your Majesty the Emperor…”
Emperor Xuan Cheng helped her up excitedly. Her skin was delicate and smooth to the touch, and that pleasing cold fragrance wafted towards him; everything about her caused him to be choked up with emotions, he could scarcely express himself, “Imperial Concubine my love, how do you feel?”
Concubine Li understood what he was asking, smiled softly, and whispered, “This concubine’s body feels good everywhere. My body is relaxed, and it seems as if there is an endless store of fresh energy.” When she finished speaking, she stretched out her finger and placed it onto the emperor’s chest, where she playfully drew a circle. Then she continued her sultry flirting, “Your Majesty the Emperor, why not take your pill without delay?”
Her words echoed the thoughts that were in the Emperor’s mind. When he had seen the initial change in Concubine Li, he was already deeply interested. He was much older than the Imperial Concubine. Concubine Li was already depressed from just a few frown lines around her eyes—the Emperor’s suffering was far worse than that. He had tinnitus, blurred vision, pain in his limbs, and more…sick and troubled, It was these things that had greatly contributed to the old Emperor losing his sense of security. He was in a constant state of panic that the young and promising Crown Prince would seize his throne.
But now, he was unexpectedly given the opportunity to restore his youth. Surely this must be Heaven’s gift; a sign that God wanted him to continue ruling?
Concubine Li had already come out of the water. Emperor Xuan Cheng smiled at her, opened the medicine box, took a large sip of water, and then swallowed the fragrant brown pill.
When she saw that Emperor Xuan Cheng had taken the pill, Concubine Li hurried to make him comfortable, and then told him, “Your Majesty the Emperor, when the pill is first swallowed, the taste is good, but after taking it the body will start to heat up, and you’ll sweat profusely, it could last for a while…”
“Thud!” Before Concubine Li could finish speaking her last words, she was shocked into a complete silence.
Emperor Xuan Cheng, who had just taken the pill, had gone completely stiff and then collapsed backwards. He landed hard on the ground; his eyes were both wide open, he was foaming at the mouth, and his body twitched unceasingly.