Chapter 17 Detoxification

An hour had passed since they returned to the hot spring.

Narcissus leaned lazily against Emperor Zhaoheng's chest, feeling the warm spring water soothe the soreness in her lower back.

Beneath the water's surface, Emperor Zhaoheng had one hand resting on her lower abdomen, while his other hand was much freer, prompting Shui Xian to glare at him angrily.

"I heard you punished a servant in the Imperial Garden today?"

Emperor Zhaoheng's deep voice rang in Shui Xian's ears, tinged with a lazy smile.

Narcissus nestled her cheek against his chest, her voice soft and sweet: "Your Majesty...you know everything?"

She raised her head, her eyes glistening with tears: "I simply cannot stand by and watch. That eunuch named Li San is bullying us terribly!"

"He smashed those precious pills and pinned the blame on that little eunuch named Xiao Chuanzi, then beat and kicked him... Xiao Chuanzi was covered in blood, so pitiful..."

As she spoke, a few drops of moisture touched her long eyelashes: "I too have been humiliated by Camellia, but now that I am your mistress, I can no longer stand by and watch you die..."

Emperor Zhaoheng listened quietly, his fingertips gently stroking her slightly cool cheek, wiping away the dampness, his tone unconsciously carrying a hint of indulgence:

“You’re always so kind and soft-hearted… He’s just a little eunuch. Since you pity him, you can take him in and serve him.”

Throughout the entire story, Narcissus never mentions any connection between Li San and Consort Yi.

She had just hinted at the relationship between Consort Song and Consort Yi to Emperor Zhaoheng a few days ago. This trick works, but it can't be used too often, otherwise it will arouse the emperor's suspicion, which would be a loss.

"Your Majesty is wise."

Narcissus stopped crying and smiled, looking at him with deep admiration, as if Emperor Zhaoheng was the ruler of her world.

Emperor Zhaoheng moved his hand slightly beneath the water's surface, and his tone suddenly became profound.

"Is Xian'er rested enough?"

The water rippled gently; he wasn't asking a question, but rather expressing certainty.

"emperor......"

Narcissus bit her lip, and was pushed by the water ripples, so she quickly clung to him to steady herself.

"Go to the low couch..."

Narcissus's face turned red from the hot spring, and she looked like a boiled shrimp.

Emperor Zhaoheng leaned down and kissed her, deliberately teasing her.

That night.

The pool water in Wenlan Palace was completely in disarray.

——

The next day, in the west side hall.

Narcissus couldn't remember the last time she overslept.

When I woke up, I found that I had skipped breakfast and had lunch directly.

Last night, Emperor Zhaoheng was very persistent, and she didn't return until late at night. Xuemei was still guarding the west side hall, serving her a bowl of thick, dark medicine.

After lunch was cleared away, while Shui Xian was reading, Yin Zhu brought Xiao Chuanzi over to pay her respects.

I heard that Xiao Chuanzi came to the West Annex Hall last night, and Shui Xian didn't return until late at night, so the two of them just happened to miss each other.

Fortunately, before leaving, Shui Xian instructed Yin Zhu to arrange for Xiao Chuanzi to rest in a side hall and also invited the imperial physician to examine Xiao Chuanzi.

He got beaten so badly, I hope he doesn't develop any health problems later.

The curtain was lifted, and Xiao Chuanzi, hunched over, stumbled in with unsteady steps.

He changed into clean eunuch clothes, but the bruises on his exposed neck and the back of his hands were still grotesque, and his face was so thin that it made his eyes look particularly large.

Xiao Chuanzi knelt down with a thud, his forehead slamming heavily against the ground: "This servant, Xiao Chuanzi, kowtows to thank Your Highness for saving my life! This servant... this servant can never repay such a debt even if I die!"

Narcissus personally stepped forward to help him stand up: "Get up and speak. Don't kneel down so easily in front of me."

Xiao Chuanzi lowered his head, not daring to look directly at the narcissus.

"Yinzhu, go check if the herbal medicine in the small kitchen is ready."

Narcissus gave the order, and Silver Pearl understood, silently retreating and gently closing the door behind her.

With only the two of them left in the inner room, Narcissus slowly spoke: "I've heard that you have quite a bit of knowledge about medicine and pharmacology?"

Ogawa shuddered violently, and his head drooped even lower.

He seemed to see the disdainful faces of the other eunuchs in the inner pharmacy.

"How dare a filthy wretch touch a medical book?"

"A toad lusting after a swan? How dare we lowly creatures dream of the Imperial Hospital?"

"......"

Xiao Chuanzi's voice trembled uncontrollably, "This servant...this servant is terrified!"

He stammered incoherently, "This servant only...only knows a few characters and has haphazardly flipped through a few medical books. I am utterly unfit for any serious profession! This servant is truly incompetent!"

Narcissus seemed not to hear her. She stretched out her right hand and gently placed it on the table: "In that case, please take my pulse."

Ogawa suddenly looked up, her eyes filled with disbelief.

He instinctively wanted to back away, to refuse, but the moment he looked up, he met Narcissus's clear eyes, which held no disdain, no mockery, only complete trust.

Encouraged by that gaze, Ogawa struggled for a moment before finally mustering the greatest courage of his life and placing his hand on Narcissus's pulse.

For a moment, the hall was so quiet that only the faint crackling of the charcoal fire could be heard.

Xiao Chuanzi closed his eyes, his brows sometimes furrowing and sometimes relaxing, and fine beads of sweat gradually seeped from his forehead.

Shui Xian didn't urge him, but just watched him quietly, observing the focus on his face as he took his pulse.

After a long while, Ogawa slowly opened his eyes, his eyes filled with shock.

He instinctively knelt down again, trembling, and said, "Young...Young Master!"

Narcissus reluctantly helped him up, raising an eyebrow as she asked, "How are you?"

Xiao Chuanzi stood up tremblingly, his voice tight: "My lord...my lord's pulse is smooth and strong, and the radial pulse is deep and powerful. This is...this is an extremely rare and exceptionally blessed constitution! Normally, such a constitution makes conception very easy..."

He abruptly changed the subject: "But...but deep within the pulse, there is a sinister and obscure energy lurking in the uterus, like a maggot clinging to the bone, devouring life! This is...this is caused by long-term ingestion of chronic toxins!"

Xiao Chuanzi raised his eyes and asked cautiously, "May I ask if, in recent months, Your Highness, you have taken any cold or harmful medicines?"

really.

Narcissus remembered the "pregnancy-stabilizing medicine" that had even changed the color of the silver hairpin, and whispered to Xiao Chuanzi about the bowls of medicine that Consort Yi had given her.

After taking the medicine, although she tried her best to vomit it all out, there was still some residue that was harmful to her body.

After the imperial physician examined her pulse and realized that she had been favored by the emperor several times but had not conceived, Shui Xian vaguely sensed that the medicine was still harming her body.

Upon hearing this, Xiao Chuanzi's words were exactly the same as Shui Xian's guess.

"Although you are clever enough to spit out most of it, this poison is domineering and vicious. Even if a little remains, it has already severely damaged your foundation and blocked your ability to conceive over time!"

"This...this is the real reason why Your Highness has been favored several times but has failed to conceive! Moreover, if this poison is not cleared, not only will it be difficult for you to have offspring, but in the long run, it will also deplete your vital energy and endanger your lifespan!"

Narcissus calmly asked, "Is there an antidote for this poison?"

"Yes!" Xiao Chuanzi said decisively. "Although I am not very talented, I have some knowledge of this kind of insidious poison."

"As long as Your Highness trusts me, this servant will do everything in my power to prepare an antidote, remove the toxins, and help Your Highness recover!"

"Alright! I'll leave this matter entirely to you."

Narcissus lowered her voice, "Have Silver Pearl secretly arrange the necessary medicinal herbs for you, and be sure to do so discreetly."

"Your servant obeys! But..."

Xiao Chuanzi hesitated for a moment, then cautiously said, "Detoxification and recuperation are not things that can be done in a day. It will take at least half a month to clear the remaining toxins and stabilize the foundation."

"During this period... Your Highness must not become pregnant! Otherwise, the toxins will enter the fetus along with your blood and qi, endangering the fetus and even harming the mother, with unimaginable consequences!"

Narcissus immediately understood what he meant: "You mean, I still need to use contraception until I'm completely detoxified?"

“Exactly!” Xiao Chuanzi nodded emphatically. “This servant dares to ask Your Highness to allow me to prepare another pill. This medicine is specially made for Your Highness’s current condition. It is mild and only serves as a temporary contraceptive, and will not harm your health.”

"Once Your Highness's body has recovered and the toxins have been eliminated, you can conceive normally after stopping the medication. This will not affect your ability to bear healthy heirs for the Emperor in the future!"

"Approved." Narcissus's tone revealed her trust in Ogawa.

"You need to work on both the antidote and the birth control pills simultaneously and prepare them as soon as possible. Remember, this matter concerns our lives, and you must not divulge even a single word!"

Xiao Chuanzi felt the trust in Shui Xian's words and was deeply moved. He kowtowed again, saying, "This servant understands! This servant will do his utmost to fulfill Your Highness's trust! This servant will go and do it right away!"

——

Two days later, Shui Xian started her period, and the Qianqing Palace removed her green plaque.

This time, the abdominal pain was particularly severe, as if countless silver needles were churning inside her abdomen, causing her to break out in a cold sweat, turn pale, and almost unable to get out of bed.

This is precisely the result of the body not being cleared of cold toxins, coupled with menstruation, triggering a severe reaction.

While Shui Xian was recuperating in the West Annex Hall, news of her menstrual period arrived at the main hall of Changxin Palace immediately.

As Consort Yi was putting on her makeup in front of the mirror, Xue Mei carefully inserted a kingfisher feather hairpin into her flying phoenix hairpin. Hearing the maid's whispered report, Consort Yi suddenly turned around, a smug smile playing on her lips.

"Stomach ache and bedridden? In severe pain?" she repeated slowly, her voice revealing undisguised pleasure.

"Heh...it seems that medicine really works."

Xuemei dismissed the palace maids, leaving only the mistress and her servant in the hall.

She stepped forward, lowered her voice, and asked with a hint of doubt, "Your Majesty, are you... really no longer considering Shui Xian's pregnancy?"

Consort Yi scoffed, a hint of contempt in her eyes. "Why do you think the Emperor favors her so much? It's just because he hopes her reputation for being pregnant will lead to the birth of a royal heir. Now, she's been favored several times, but not only is there no sign of pregnancy, her menstrual cycle is irregular, and she's suffering terribly from the pain..."

"Ha, once this news gets out, how can the Emperor not be disappointed? After the Emperor is completely disappointed in her, how long can his interest in her in that area be maintained?"

She stood up, walked to the window, and gazed in the direction of the west wing. The smug smile on her lips deepened, carrying a twisted sense of satisfaction.

"What children... You know about Mother's letter from a few days ago."

Xuemei lowered her eyes knowingly: "Yes, Madam mentioned in her letter that Shuixian has been favored for a long time but has not conceived. Her constitution must be... Madam has devised another way for you."

“Not bad!” Consort Yi turned around abruptly, her eyes gleaming with ambition.

"The heir of Prince Duan! A close relative of the imperial family, the Empress Dowager's darling! If we can establish a good relationship with him, and then adopt him in the future... the immense wealth and power he brings might not be inferior to giving birth to a prince!"

She strolled back to her dressing table and picked up a cold jade comb, playing with it.

"With this second path, why should I compromise myself any longer!"

A fierce jealousy flashed in Consort Yi's eyes: "Why should I watch her use that vixen face to please the Emperor? What if she actually gets lucky and becomes a Consort in the future..."

"Am I supposed to go and discuss with her about raising her bastard child? I am the daughter of a high-ranking official of the first rank. How can I share a child with a lowly maid? It would be an utter disgrace!"

Consort Yi grew increasingly resentful, gripping her jade comb tightly: "Now that we have the Prince as a shortcut, this lowly servant... is completely useless, just an eyesore! I can't stand the sight of her face!"

Consort Yi turned to stare at Xue Mei and whispered her instructions:

"Xuemei, Narcissus is currently in poor health and needs proper nourishment. Pass on my message to the imperial physicians you know well..."

She gave a cold laugh, her words laced with malice:

"Increase the dosage of the 'pregnancy-stabilizing medicine' given to Consort Shuixian by another 30%! Send it to the West Annex Hall on time every day, keep an eye on her, and make sure she drinks every last drop!"

"Just say... it was out of compassion for her unwell condition that I bestowed this favor upon her, so that she may bear a son for the Emperor as soon as possible!"

Xuemei met Yi Fei's venomous gaze, her heart skipped a beat, and she immediately bowed to accept the order:

"Yes, Your Highness! This servant will take care of it immediately."

Consort Yi smiled with satisfaction.

The future path of this deep palace depends on how Yi Guichun plans and rises step by step!

New Year's Eve banquet, Prince Duan's heir...

Consort Yi quickly made plans in her mind, completely putting the figure curled up in the west wing due to abdominal pain out of her mind.