More than an hour had passed since they returned to the hot spring.
Shuixian leaned lazily against Emperor Zhaoheng’s chest, feeling the warm spring water soothe the soreness in her waist. Beneath the water’s surface, the Emperor kept one hand resting on her abdomen while the other roamed freely, provoking a reproachful glare from Shuixian.
“I heard you punished a servant in the Imperial Garden today?” Emperor Zhaoheng’s deep voice murmured by her ear, laced with lazy amusement.
Shuixian nestled her cheek against his chest, her voice soft and coquettish: “Your Majesty… you already know?”
She lifted her head, her eyes glistening: “This concubine simply couldn’t stand by. That eunuch named Li San was too cruel! He smashed those precious medicinal pills and framed the young eunuch called Xiao Chuanzi, then proceeded to beat him mercilessly… Xiao Chuanzi was covered in blood, so pitiful…”
As she spoke, her long eyelashes gathered moisture: “This concubine too suffered bullying from Shan Cha in the past. Now that I’ve become a mistress, how could I stand by and watch someone perish…”
Emperor Zhaoheng listened quietly, his thumb gently brushing her cool cheek to wipe away the dampness, his tone unconsciously indulgent: “You’re always so soft-hearted and kind… Just a minor eunuch. Since you pity him, you may keep him in your service.”
Throughout, Shuixian never mentioned Li San’s connection to Consort Yi. Having recently hinted to Emperor Zhaoheng about Attendant Song’s relationship with Consort Yi, she knew this tactic was effective but shouldn’t be overused, lest it arouse the Emperor’s vigilance and prove counterproductive.
“Your Majesty is most wise.”
Shuixian’s tears turned to smiles as she gazed at him with profound admiration, as if Emperor Zhaoheng ruled her entire world.
The Emperor’s hand beneath the water shifted, his tone suddenly deepening. “Has Xian’er rested enough?”
The water rippled – this was no question but a statement. “Your Majesty…”
Shuixian bit her lip, clinging to him as the waves pushed her off balance. “Let’s go to the daybed…”
Her face was flushed red from the hot spring, her entire body like a boiled shrimp.
Emperor Zhaoheng leaned down to kiss her, deliberately teasing her.
That night,
The waters of Wenlan Hall were thoroughly disturbed.
The next day, in the West Side Hall.
Shuixian couldn’t remember the last time she had slept so late. Waking up, she had missed breakfast entirely and went straight to lunch.
Emperor Zhaoheng had been particularly demanding last night. She returned late to find Xuemei still waiting in the West Side Hall, presenting her with a bowl of dark, bitter medicine.
After lunch was cleared, while Shuixian was reading, Yinzhu brought Xiao Chuanzi to pay respects.
She learned that Xiao Chuanzi had arrived at the West Side Hall yesterday evening, just missing her late return. Fortunately, before leaving, Shuixian had instructed Yinzhu to arrange Xiao Chuanzi’s recuperation in the side hall and summon the imperial physician.
After such a severe beating, she didn’t want him to suffer lasting effects.
The door curtain lifted as Xiao Chuanzi shuffled in, hunched and unsteady. Though wearing clean eunuch’s robes, the brutal bruises covering his neck and hands remained visible, his face gaunt and eyes disproportionately large.
Xiao Chuanzi fell to his knees with a thud, forehead knocking heavily on the floor: “This humble servant Xiao Chuanzi kowtows in gratitude for Mistress’s life-saving grace! This servant… could never repay this debt even through ten thousand deaths!”
Shuixian personally stepped forward to help him rise: “Speak standing up. In my presence, there’s no need to kneel at every turn.”
Xiao Chuanzi kept his head lowered, not daring to look directly at Shuixian.
“Yinzhu, go check if the medicinal decoction in the small kitchen is ready.”
At Shuixian’s instruction, Yinzhu understood and silently withdrew, gently closing the door behind her.
Only when the two of them remained in the inner chamber did Shuixian speak slowly: “I’ve heard you have some expertise in medical knowledge and pharmacology?”
Xiao Chuanzi’s body trembled violently, his head sinking even lower.
Visions of the scornful faces of the other young eunuchs in the Internal Pharmacy flashed before his eyes.
“How dare a filthy creature like you touch medical texts?”
“A toad lusting after swan’s flesh—how could someone as lowly as us aspire to the Imperial Hospital?”
“…”
Xiao Chuanzi’s voice trembled uncontrollably, “This slave… this slave is terrified!”
He stammered incoherently: “This slave merely… merely recognizes a few characters, randomly flipping through some medical texts—nothing worthy of refined company! This slave is truly useless!”
Shuixian appeared not to hear his protests. She extended her right hand and gently rested it on the table: “Since that’s the case, take my pulse.”
Xiao Chuanzi’s head snapped up, his eyes filled with disbelief.
He instinctively wanted to retreat, to refuse, but when he raised his gaze, he met Shuixian’s clear eyes—devoid of scorn or mockery, containing only complete trust.
As if encouraged by that gaze, after a moment of struggle, he finally summoned the greatest courage of his life and reached out to place his fingers on Shuixian’s pulse.
For a moment, the chamber fell so quiet that only the faint crackling of charcoal could be heard.
Xiao Chuanzi closed his eyes, his brows sometimes furrowing tightly, sometimes relaxing, fine beads of sweat gradually forming at his temples.
Shuixian didn’t rush him, merely watching quietly as he focused with the intense concentration unique to medical practitioners.
After a long while, Xiao Chuanzi slowly opened his eyes, which were filled with astonishment.
He instinctively knelt on the ground again, fearfully saying: “M-Mistress!””
Shuixian helped him up with a sigh, raising an eyebrow as she asked: “Well?”
Xiao Chuanzi rose trembling, his voice tight: “Mistress… your pulse is smooth and rapid, with the chi pulse deep, solid, and strong—this is… this is an extremely rare, heaven-blessed constitution ideal for conception! Normally, with such a constitution, pregnancy should occur very easily…”
But here his tone suddenly shifted: “However… deep within the pulse, there’s a sinister, obscure energy entrenched in the womb, like maggots clinging to bone, gnawing away at your vitality! This is… this is caused by long-term ingestion of a slow-acting poison!”
Xiao Chuanzi looked up cautiously and asked: “Might this slave inquire if the Mistress has been regularly consuming any cold or body-damaging medicines in recent months?”
Just as expected.
Shuixian thought of the Fetus-Protecting Medicine that had turned her silver hairpin black, and quietly told Xiao Chuanzi about the bowls of medicine Consort Yi had bestowed upon her.
Although she had tried to spit out most of the medicine after taking it, residual amounts had still damaged her body.
Ever since the imperial physician had taken her pulse and noted her failure to conceive despite multiple imperial favors, Shuixian had vaguely sensed that the medicine continued to harm her body.
After hearing her account, Xiao Chuanzi’s words confirmed exactly what Shuixian had suspected.
“Although the Mistress wisely expelled most of it, this poison is vicious and insidious. Even small residues, accumulating over time, have severely damaged your foundation and blocked your fertility!”
“This… this is the true reason why you have been favored multiple times yet failed to conceive! Moreover, if this poison is not eliminated, not only will it prevent pregnancy, but over time it will deplete your vitality and endanger your lifespan!”
Shuixian calmly asked, “Is there an antidote for this poison?”
“There is!” Xiao Chuanzi declared resolutely. “Although I am untalented, I have some knowledge of such insidious poisons.”
“If you trust me, I will spare no effort to prepare an antidote for you, eradicate the toxins, and restore your health!”
“Good! I entrust this matter entirely to you.”
Shuixian lowered her voice, “Have Yinzhu discreetly assist you with any medicinal ingredients needed. Secrecy is paramount.”
“This servant obeys! Only…”
Xiao Chuanzi hesitated briefly before cautioning, “Detoxification and recuperation cannot be achieved overnight. It will take at least half a month to fully eliminate residual toxins and stabilize your foundation.”
“During this period… you must absolutely avoid pregnancy! Otherwise, the toxins could enter the fetus through your blood and qi, endangering the child and rebounding upon your own body with unimaginable consequences!”
Shuixian immediately understood his meaning: “You mean I must prevent conception until completely detoxified?”
“Precisely!” Xiao Chuanzi nodded emphatically. “I boldly request your permission to prepare another pill. This medicine is specially formulated for your current condition—mild in nature, serving only as temporary contraception without harming your fundamental health.”
“Once your body is restored and all toxins are eliminated, discontinuing the pill will allow normal conception, ensuring no hindrance to bearing His Majesty a healthy Imperial Heir in the future!”
“Approved.” Shuixian’s tone conveyed full trust in Xiao Chuanzi.
“Begin preparing both the antidote and contraceptive pill simultaneously, with all haste. Remember—this matter concerns both our lives. Not a word must be leaked!”
Feeling the weight of her trust, Xiao Chuanzi’s heart swelled as he kowtowed forcefully again: “This servant understands! I would lay down my life to fulfill your task! I shall begin immediately!”
Two days later, Shuixian began her monthly courses, and her Green Head Placard was withdrawn from Qianqing Palace.
This time, the abdominal pain struck with exceptional violence—as though countless silver needles were churning within her—leaving her drenched in cold sweat, face ghastly pale, and barely able to leave her bed.
This was the severe reaction caused by the lingering cold poison coinciding with her menstrual cycle.
While Shuixian was recuperating in the West Side Hall, news of her condition promptly reached the main hall of Changxin Palace.
Consort Yi was seated before her mirror as Xuemei carefully inserted a kingfisher feather hairpin into her flying temples hairstyle. Upon hearing the maid’s whispered report, Consort Yi turned abruptly, a smug smile curling her lips.
“Abdominal pain confining her to bed? Severe pain?” she repeated languidly, undisguised pleasure coloring her voice.
“Heh… It seems the medicine is indeed effective.”
Xuemei dismissed the maid, leaving only mistress and servant in the hall.
She stepped closer, lowering her voice with a trace of concern: “Your Highness, have you… truly given up all consideration for Shuixian’s womb?”
Consort Yi scoffed, disdain flashing in her eyes. “Why do you think His Majesty dotes on her so? Merely because he hopes her reputation for fertility might produce an Imperial Heir. Now she’s been favored repeatedly—not only showing no signs of pregnancy but suffering irregular courses and excruciating pain…”
“Once this news spreads, how could His Majesty not be disappointed? And when he becomes thoroughly disillusioned with her, how long do you suppose his… interest in that aspect will last?”
She rose and walked to the window, gazing toward the West Side Hall, the smug smile at her lips deepening with a twisted satisfaction:
“What does it matter if she bears a child or not… You’ve seen my mother’s recent letter.”
Xuemei lowered her eyes in understanding. “Yes, the letter mentioned that Shuixian has long received the emperor’s favor yet remains childless—her constitution must be… The lady has paved another path for you.”
“Exactly!” Consort Yi whirled around, her eyes gleaming with ambition. “Duan Qinwang Shizi! A close branch of the imperial clan, the treasure doted on by the Empress Dowager! If we can forge a favorable connection with him and later have him adopted… Such immense wealth and power may not be inferior to bearing a prince!”
She paced back to the dressing table and picked up a cold jade comb, toying with it.
“With this second path, why should I continue to humble myself!”
A flash of intense jealousy and resentment crossed Consort Yi’s eyes. “Why should I watch that vixen flaunt her seductive face to please His Majesty? What if she actually manages to rise to consort rank someday…”
“Would I then have to discuss raising her lowborn spawn with her? I, the daughter of a first-rank official, sharing the upbringing of a child with a household slave? What an utter disgrace!”
The more Consort Yi brooded, the more her hatred swelled. She clenched the jade comb viciously. “Now that we have the shortcut through the prince, that lowly servant… is completely useless, nothing but an eyesore! The sight of her face disgusts me!”
Consort Yi turned and fixed her gaze on Xuemei, instructing in a low voice, “Xuemei, Changzai Shuixian is frail now—precisely when she needs ample nourishment. Relay my orders to the acquainted imperial physician…”
She let out a cold laugh, her tone laced with venom:
“Increase the dosage of the ‘Fetus-Protecting Medicine’ for Changzai Shuixian by another thirty percent! Deliver it daily to the West Side Hall, watch her, and make sure she drinks every last drop!”
“Say… it is a special favor from me, showing concern for her poor health, to help her bear a child for His Majesty sooner!”
Meeting Consort Yi’s poisonous glare, Xuemei shuddered inwardly and immediately bowed in acknowledgment. “Yes, Your Highness! This servant will see to it at once.”
Consort Yi smiled with satisfaction.
The future path in this deep palace still depended on how she, Yi Guichun, strategized and climbed step by step!
The New Year’s banquet, Duan Qinwang Shizi…
Consort Yi quickly calculated in her heart, completely casting aside the figure curled up in pain in the West Side Hall.