Chapter 3, Heart-stopping

As soon as she sat on the palanquin, Wang Qingjun suddenly clutched her stomach and cried out, swaying slightly on the palanquin. With a loud "thud," she fell to the ground, letting out a sharp scream and rolling around on the ground, crying out in pain

Emperor Tang Ruolong ascended the throne at the age of sixteen, and the empress appointed at that time was Sun Yuhua. After the death of Sun Yuhua, Chen Guifei Chen Rong was subsequently elevated to the position of empress.

Such a person is naturally a hot topic among the young ladies of the capital. Wang Qingjun has heard her close friends whisper countless times about how if one could marry Chen Sizhong, there would be no regrets in this life. At this moment, she sees that Chen Wen'an is indeed outstanding in talent, yet she still has the mind to appreciate beauty, secretly nodding to herself, indeed a handsome man. If that old emperor looked like this, she would not mind dying tonight, what a pity.

Wang Qingjun, upon hearing the voice of Master Zeng, could not help but quietly raise her head and look down the steps. There, she saw a young man, about twenty years old, with a tall and slender figure, dressed in a persimmon-red long robe, with the cuffs and collar edged in dark golden thread, and a white jade belt. The lantern at the palace gate illuminated his face and body, exuding an unparalleled elegance that was difficult to describe. After a moment, Wang Qingjun realized that this was Chen Wen'an, the intended fiancé of the princess.

The four eunuchs, upon hearing the words of the chief steward, had already loosened their belts and were preparing to advance to bind Wang Qingjun. However, they heard footsteps as a group of guards approached in formation, asking, "Master, what is the matter?"

The grapes are tightly clenched in the fist hidden in the sleeve, filled with countless unwillingness, yet there is no way to act. As the palanquin gradually recedes, tears involuntarily well up in the eyes. Woe is me, miss, you must come back!

Li Danyun and Xia Qiaoer believed that Wang Qingjun was merely feigning illness to delay the time for attending to her duties, and they did not pay attention to her subtle movements

Chen Wen'an entered the dormitory and saw a screen placed in front of the bed. Behind the screen, a figure was faintly visible. He hurriedly knelt down behind the screen and said: "Chen Wen'an pays his respects to Your Majesty"

Grape was still standing outside the palace door when she saw Wang Qingjun fall to the ground. She wanted to go help, but was stopped by the consul. Just as she was about to rush forward desperately, she saw Wang Qingjun suddenly look up at her.

Previously, there was a debate among the court officials regarding the position of the Crown Prince. Some argued that since Tang Tianzhi was born of Empress Sun, he was the legitimate heir and, being the eldest son, should naturally be established as the Crown Prince. Others contended that since Chen Rong is the current Empress, her son, Tang Tianyou, should be made the Crown Prince. With the two factions unable to reach a consensus, a third faction emerged, suggesting that the Emperor, being in his prime, could afford to delay the decision on the Crown Prince and need not rush into it. However, after a minor illness this spring, the Emperor's condition gradually worsened to the point where he became bedridden, leaving the position of Crown Prince unresolved. Both the court officials and Empress Chen were filled with anxiety.

Before the age of ten, Chen Wen'an was extremely unruly, known as a notorious wayward youth, having caused countless troubles. His father, Chen Ce, in desperation, sent him to the Shaolin Temple in Fuzhou, far from the capital, where he became a lay disciple under the abbot's name. It was not until he was thirteen that Chen Wen'an returned to the capital. Shortly after his return, both his father, Chen Ce, and his mother, Madam Yan, passed away. From then on, he devoted himself to studying and practicing martial arts, gradually revealing his talents. Last year, at the age of eighteen, he achieved the rank of the third place in the imperial examination, gaining considerable fame. This year, due to his political achievements, he was further appointed as a fourth-rank official, the Director of the Department of Justice, earning widespread acclaim.

Li Songbai's brief two sentences revealed shocking news. First, the seven concubines, the Seven Clever Girls, are now in grave danger. Second, to survive, one must successfully serve as a concubine. Third, Chunwan is a life-saving pill

Upon seeing Chen Wen'an requesting an audience with the Emperor, Wang Qingjun secretly let out a sigh of relief, thinking that perhaps this distraction would lead the Emperor to forgo her attendance at his bedchamber. Before she could ponder further, the sound of footsteps was heard as the eunuchs brought out two litters, each bearing a motionless figure, with a faint scent of blood lingering in the air

Li Songbai wrote on the note: Those who cannot successfully serve in bed have already been thrown into the alchemical furnace for sacrifice. The digestive pill is a spring pill, to be taken in moderation.

Soon, Master Zeng emerged, holding the whisk in his elbow, and respectfully said to Chen Wen'an: "The Emperor has issued an edict, summoning Duke Chen to an audience." As Chen Wen'an stepped forward, Master Zeng pointed at Wang Qingjun and instructed the eunuchs following him: "Carry her inside"

Chen Wen'an is nineteen years old this year. The young man is talented and has already attained the official position of a fourth-rank magistrate. Empress Chen has even betrothed her eldest daughter, the precious princess, to him. However, due to the emperor's serious illness and the ensuing chaos in the court, the wedding date has been postponed.

The grape was alert, pretending to advance but showing a hesitant demeanor, quietly retreating behind the consul, waiting for Wang Qingjun to take action, at which point she would fully cooperate.

Chen Wen'an, being both the nephew of Empress Chen and the intended husband of the precious princess, arrived here late at night with profound intentions. Eunuch Zeng did not dare to be negligent; as soon as the palanquin came to a stop, he performed a deep bow to pay his respects, addressing Chen Siyi.

Chen Wen'an followed Grandfather Zeng into the Sanqing Hall and arrived outside the emperor's bedroom. Upon catching a whiff of the dragon's saliva fragrance and medicinal aroma wafting from within, he couldn't help but frown momentarily, but soon returned to his usual composure

Chen Wen'an, being both the nephew of Empress Chen and the prospective husband of the precious princess, found it quite smooth to enter and exit the palace. He then said to Grandfather Zeng: "Please inform Grandfather Zeng that the prince consort requests an audience."

A group of guards stood not far away, coldly watching her. Seeing that she did not cry out, they did not approach.

As Chen Wen'an looked up, he saw the eunuch supporting Wang Qingjun as she entered, guiding her behind the screen. Following that, there was a series of hissing sounds, as if someone was tearing the beauty's garments and pushing her onto the bed

Chen Rong has one son and one daughter. His eldest daughter, Princess Qianjin, is sixteen years old this year, and his son, Tang Tianyou, is ten years old

Today, the Emperor summoned the Seven Clever Girls to the palace for the night. Empress Chen sensed something amiss and hurriedly summoned Chen Wen'an to the palace, taking steps to ensure that he must meet the Emperor and obtain the imperial edict.

Sun Yuhua has two sons. The elder son, Tang Tianzhi, is now eighteen years old, has achieved military accomplishments, and enjoys great prestige. The younger son, Tang Tianyuan, is sixteen years old, gentle and peaceful, and is greatly favored by the Emperor

Chen Wen'an caught a glimpse of Wang Qingjun covering her mouth, yet she did not scream, which was somewhat unexpected. Hmm, this beauty is quite strong!

"What, can't we come to our home?" Master Cao, without showing any courtesy, asked in a vague manner: "What has happened?"

Seeing His Highness standing with a beautiful woman, Chen Wen'an speculated that it was the newly summoned Qiqiao girl of the day. He did not inquire further and merely raised an eyebrow at the nearby Eunuch Cao.

Elder Gong was speaking when he raised his eyes and noticed a palanquin approaching from the other side. He couldn't help but squint, using the light from the lanterns in front of the hall to take a closer look, and suddenly realized that the person coming was Chen Wenan, the nephew of Empress Chen. He immediately stepped down the stairs to greet him.

This journey is fraught with danger, and going with Grape may very well lead to death. Wang Qingjun turned back and said, "Grape, wait for me to return here." As she spoke, she fixed her gaze on Grape, her expression filled with the solemnity of a farewell, gesturing emphatically: If I do not return, you should go find Li Songbai and ask him to help you leave the palace!

Eunuch Zeng nodded in response and reported obsequiously: "The Emperor has instructed that those who succeed should be temporarily housed in the Hall of Auspicious Clouds, with proper care taken of them. Unfortunately, the first seven were all unsuccessful and have been taken to the alchemy chamber."

The consul temporarily summoned the eunuchs and pointed at them, saying: "Carry them away!"

The grape was about to follow Wang Qingjun's palanquin but was stopped by someone. The consul, with a smile that did not reach his eyes, said: "The Emperor only summons beautiful women to his bedchamber; palace maids must withdraw."

Wang Qingjun had sharp eyes and, in that fleeting moment, recognized that the figures lying on the stretcher were indeed Li Danyun and Xia Qiaoer. Before she could let out a gasp of surprise, she had already swallowed it back. How could Li Danyun and Xia Qiaoer, who had only arrived a moment before her, have died so quickly?

As time slipped away with a slight delay, the hour was already late. The consul was anxious, fearing that if they arrived too late, he would bear significant consequences. Therefore, he urged the inner servants carrying the palanquin to hasten their steps

A group of people quickly arrived outside the Sanqing Hall, but did not enter immediately; they only waited outside for their summons. After a while, a eunuch named Zeng, who served beside the emperor, came out and waved his hand, saying: "They are not finished inside yet; you can go in later."

The consul, growing impatient, exclaimed: "Hurry up, hurry up! If we delay, everyone will lose their heads."

Upon hearing these words, Master Zeng raised his voice and said: "The Emperor has issued an edict, summoning Lady Wang to attend to his bedchamber."

Upon hearing this, Wang Qingjun felt as if struck by five thunders, nearly losing her balance. She clenched her fists tightly, barely managing to steady herself. Oh my God, have those Seven Clever Girls already been thrown into the alchemy furnace? I don't want to die, I don't want to die!

Although the Emperor had stated that he would not meet anyone tonight, he has always held a great appreciation for Chen Wen'an, his prospective son-in-law. Even if they do not meet, he would not be overly harsh. After weighing the pros and cons, Eunuch Zeng quickly made a decision and turned to report inside.

Lord Cao raised his eyes to look at Lady Wang and asked, "Is this the only one left?"

Chen Wen'an was indifferent to whether the beauties lived or died, yet the emperor, despite being gravely ill, insisted on summoning ten maidens to his bedchamber in one night, as his end drew near. He had come on the empress's orders to ensure that the emperor would write a will on his deathbed, naming the empress's son, Tang Tianyou, as the crown prince

Li Danyun and Xia Qiaoer heard the scream, turned around to look, and heard the consul say: "First, carry them over; we will come later." With a darkened face, he turned to Wang Qingjun and shouted at several eunuchs: "What are you still dawdling for? Get the people to the palanquin, bind them with something, and hurry up and carry them away"

Tang Ruolong, upon hearing Chen Wen'an's voice, merely responded with a soft "mm" and then, in a hushed tone, inquired, "Isn't there still one beauty?"

Wang Qingjun quickly assessed the four palace attendants carrying the palanquin, waiting for them to approach her to bind her. She planned to swiftly strike down two of them with a punch, then have Putao incapacitate the chief eunuch, and together deal with the remaining two attendants. After that, they would hide in the darkness and devise a way to escape the palace.

After a short while, Master Duke came out and said: "The prince consort is invited to enter!"

Opportunities are fleeting, and Wang Qingjun, feeling helpless, could only struggle to stand up and say: "Your Excellency, I am fine now and can be on my way." With that, she automatically sat down on the palanquin, no longer complaining of a stomach ache.

What Master Cao represented was naturally Empress Chen. Master Zeng did not dare to be negligent and only carefully considered his words, saying: "It doesn't seem to be going well; seven have already been taken away, and there are still two inside. I estimate it will be soon."

Wang Qingjun finished reading, her fingers curled in, and she quickly crumpled the note in her palm, stuffed it into her mouth, and swallowed it with the warm water in her hand, while hoarsely saying to Grape: "This pill should be taken in moderation, you cannot swallow it all at once"

When Grand Eunuch Zeng saw the favored eunuch, Eunuch Cao, accompanying Empress Chen Wen'an, he smiled and asked, "Why has Eunuch Cao come? Is there something that could have been communicated with a message?"

Without mentioning names or official titles, simply referring to the son-in-law as "the prince consort" implies a request for an audience with the father-in-law, which carries its own significance