Chapter 10, Terror
Yuan Qi was not playing chess with others as usual; instead, he was arranging ancient chess manuals. The scrolls were extremely old, yet they remained refreshingly pristine, clearly indicating that the owner cherished them greatly
She murmured softly, stepping back slowly, retreating to her chamber
Morning dew recalled Aunt He from the Imperial Garden, whose cultivated poisons were far more sophisticated than this, colorless and tasteless, almost undetectable by anyone in the world
The queen swept her sleeve and departed, rendering the banquet awkward and dull. The concubines, being astute individuals, perceived the situation and casually exchanged a few perfunctory remarks before each finding an excuse to take their leave and return.
Until the morning dew retreated, the emperor remained somewhat dazed, as if immersed in something.
If this is not important, then what is the most important thing
Morning dew ... ... I indeed underestimated you, you have great expertise in the antidote for poisons. It seems that my decision to let you reside in the Changchun Palace was truly the right choice. What do you think about this matter?
She gently broke free from Mei Pin and said clearly and slowly: "Your Highness, please remain calm"
The morning dew returned in the evening, and it was already time. After her bath, she was about to go to bed
Your Majesty, I have previously stated that there is no principle of guarding against thieves for a thousand days. I am not accustomed to such mere defense.
... ...
She reached out, embracing the morning dew, as if grasping a lifeline, and cried out softly: "Sister, I beg you to save me!"
Yuan Qi felt a wave of coolness, and the slight turmoil within him dissipated instantly, making him feel as if he were immersed in a cold pool
Lady Mei seemed to comprehend her situation in an instant
... ...
Aunt Yue, please dispose of that package of pregnancy-preserving medicine. On another day, I will ask the Emperor to have the imperial physician prescribe a new formula, and then have it verified, allowing a few trusted individuals to prepare the medicine themselves
Although it is cruel, she hopes that this naive and innocent girl can fully understand the kind of world she is in
She opened the door and saw a person dressed in a white garment, with disheveled hair, standing there in a daze under the moonlight, resembling a ghost.
Yuan Xu ... ! ... Just watch, in this vast world, I shall personally overturn it
Those clear and tranquil black eyes, as crystalline as ice and snow
From the afternoon until the time of lighting the lamps, this incident of "The Banquet Turmoil" has spread through the imperial harem with the speed of a storm
This... this is impossible... those pills have all been tested one by one by me using silver needles!
The palace walls remain silent, just as they have for millennia
The emperor's smile grew increasingly sharp, the evident malice suggesting that he was recalling some unpleasant memories
Lady Mei let out a scream, and the teacup clattered to the ground. She looked at this and then at that, and finally cried out with a "Wow."
Oh?
Three thousand beauties, each frown and smile, each sorrow and joy, honor and disgrace, all depend solely on you
The invisible pressure exists solely within this glance
Sister, I am so scared. As soon as I close my eyes, I think of what happened today... At the banquet, everyone was laughing so insincerely, it was terrifying... I thought that just eating without talking would be enough... But! They actually want to harm me!
The night was deep, and after the morning dew left the Qianqing Palace, it did not take the palace carriage, but walked alone.
At the banquet hosted by the Empress, the dish of pine nut fish sauce contained the essence extracted from that root through a long process of simmering.
Lady Mei and Aunt Yue could hardly believe their ears
She glanced at the emperor, knowing that he was still scrutinizing her, and continued, "As for the pills, if we investigate the imperial physician, he is either missing or has committed suicide. And the empress's banquet is even more troublesome. I am certain that, including the empress, everyone has that kind of root juice in their small dishes—so, who can we really pin as the culprit? The empress? Her chef is newly hired, and she would certainly protest: no one would be so blatant as to harm others in their own palace—everyone would think this way." I am certain that, including the empress, everyone has that kind of root juice in their small dishes—so, who can we really pin as the culprit? The empress? Her chef is newly hired, and she would certainly protest: no one would be so blatant as to harm others in their own palace—everyone would think this way.
Morning dew stood under the watery moon, on a day twenty-six years later, asking someone in the tomb.
The morning dew can only sigh, who can save whom in this harem?
Yuan Xu ... ... Is this what you wantーー
A spring banquet, marked by a lack of enthusiasm, concluded in a haphazard manner
The night is cool as water, reflecting her petite figure as it gradually recedes
The pills used by Mei Pin are completely harmless; however, they contain an extremely small amount of a peculiar fragrance, which in itself has no effect. If it encounters the root of a certain plant, it will transform into a potent poison within the human body, gradually weakening and ultimately leading to death.
However, I really do not want to die... Father, Mother, why did you send me to this place that devours people!
They tread upon the bones of their companions, soaring to great heights; did they ever feel fear, did they ever feel guilt, to the extent that in the dark of night, upon waking from a dream, they were momentarily struck with horror
After a moment of contemplation, Chen Lu responded with a shocking remark
These teenage girls, having cast off the pampering of their families, entered this resplendent yet dark palace. What struggles did they endure to learn how to smile and, with their beautiful fingers, extinguish the hopes and lives of others?
As the morning dew reached its peak, observing the fearful expressions of the old and the young, I was just about to kindly persuade them to return when I heard a report from outside the door, announcing that a decree from the Son of Heaven had been issued, summoning her to an audience.
She gazed around, under the serene moonlight, the palace walls stood tall as if for thousands of years. What lay within, separated from her view, was either a scene of brilliant lights, with the songs of orioles and swallows, or a desolate and bleak solitude, guarded by the cold palace, of which no one could know.
She looked into the frantic and panicked eyes of the young girl and softened her tone: "I will do my best to ensure your safety, but, my lady, in this world, no one can save you or protect you for a lifetime."
However, there was no smile in his eyes, only an unfathomable darkness.
The emperor actually smiled, his gentle and handsome face, with this smile, made one feel as if they were bathed in a spring breeze
The scene today was simply unbearable for her, accustomed as she was to darkness and bloodshed
Your Highness ... ... ?
Morning Dew listened to his dangerously sarcastic words, which were quite absurd, and unexpectedly felt a sense of kinship arise from within.
The Empress Qi was truly a sight to behold; as she raised her voice to say this, the entire audience immediately turned their attention to this spot
Yet behind this laughter and joy, the conspiracy and malice orchestrated by delicate women still leave her in sorrow
You still need to take care of Lady Mei during these few days
It was cautious yet restrained urgency, as if it contained immense fear
Sister ... ... you must save me ... ... you know who poisoned me, right ... ... hurry and report to the Emperor, he will save me!
Yuan Qi, upon hearing such bold words, did not become angry but was somewhat irritated: "Where have your grandiose words from that day gone? Do not make excuses; this task is yours and yours alone. If there is a shortage of manpower, you may choose from among Qu Qing's people as you wish"
In conclusion, it is decisive and leaves no room for maneuver.
Morning dew cast a deep glance at him
There is a faint knocking sound on the door frame
For the entire half of the day, the tranquility around Chen Lu had vanished; overwhelmed by the relentless questioning, she sighed and finally spoke up
She became increasingly interested and said to Chen Lu: "Shang Yi, I saw you just now stopping Mei Pin Mei Mei from eating this pine nut fish sauce, could it be that..." She smiled and emphasized her tone: "What is wrong with this dish?"
Qianqing Palace
Your Majesty, the identity of the criminal is not actually important
The morning dew remains as calm as ever, completely unaffected: "Your Majesty, why must you ask when you already know the answer? If it were truly possible to identify the real culprit, I believe you would certainly be willing to remove an obstacle for yourself—however, this time, you will be disappointed."
It is Mei Pin
Yuan Qi seemed to ask casually, with no emotion visible in his deep black eyes
It is a pity that it is simply not easy... it is not that it cannot be done
What?
Her gaze no longer appeared frantic; gradually, it dimmed.
Her delicate face was pale as death, and the teacup in her hand was on the verge of falling.
The superiority of the means can be immediately discerned
Several layers of sorrow, several layers of indignation, ultimately transform into resolute anger
"Today is truly lively..." He smiled at Chen Lu and said, "All of my consorts are virtuous and talented, each one remarkable in her own right. Now they even find the 'Compendium of Materia Medica' too superficial and have turned to ancient remedies!"
If those who usually consider him to be "gentle and upright" were to see this, they would surely be frightened to the point of fainting.
Chen Lu and Mei Pin returned to Changchun Palace in a palanquin. Aunt Yue approached them and, noticing their unusual expressions, realized that something was amiss
... ...
They compete for favor, for offspring; what they vie for is the highest title that women have been able to attain for thousands of years. Have they ever considered that in the end, all of this returns to dust, and what significance does it hold?
This was also her only feeling after a busy half day
Aunt, this pill is non-toxic; it merely has a peculiar fragrance that will linger in the body for three to four days. Once it encounters the roots of certain plants, the combination will result in a potent and dangerous medicine.
Your Majesty? Then please present the evidence. To unjustly depose a consort without reason is an act that even an emperor cannot commit recklessly
What a clever scheme... to act within one's own palace, it would be hard for anyone to believe—this humble self, along with the *illustrations* and *books*, has truly made remarkable progress.
This anger, like a glacier breaking through a dam, surges forth with a chilling intensity, unstoppable and fierce
Chen Lu displayed an expression of extreme surprise: "Why does Empress Qi say such a thing? Consort Mei is with child, and the imperial physician has specifically advised that she must avoid any 'stimulating' substances related to rivers and seas, which is why..."
As soon as these words were spoken, everyone turned pale, simultaneously putting down their chopsticks, appearing as if facing a great enemy. Some were so flustered that they accidentally knocked a glass bowl to the ground, and with a loud "clang," it was even more alarming.
No one can, right
... ...
Even if Mei Pin is pure and ignorant, she has already understood the meaning behind her words: "Sister... are you saying that there is poison in that medicine?"
Her face grew increasingly pale with anger, and she was supported by her maids as she returned to the inner hall to rest
She has completely lost that naive tranquility, she is huddled up, unable to cry out.
She is not involved in this matter, so what is the purpose of cultivating those rare poisonous substances
What kind of stunning beauty, what kind of enchanting bright eyes, cannot compare to the elegance of this one glance
It also has a fragrance, similar to the fresh scent of pine nuts, which is not easily noticeable to the average person
In this palace, the layers are being peeled back, and indeed, the mysteries are numerous
The Queen could no longer contain her anger and finally erupted in fury. Before she could finish speaking, she interrupted, saying: "Qi Fei, you have spoken the most idle chatter today; do you dare to be so presumptuous? If you are unwell, it would be better to summon the imperial physician early, to spare the younger sisters from such unwarranted fright."