After returning to Jingyang Palace from the main hall, Chan'er was somewhat confused as to why her mistress had said those things to Consort Xian.
"Your Majesty, what if Consort Xian tells the Emperor everything you just said? Wouldn't the Emperor then harbor resentment towards you?"
Linghu Ning shook her head: "I have no children and no one to rely on. Now I have revealed my biggest trump card to Consort Xian. Consort Xian is wise and will not make things difficult for me."
On the contrary, Consort Xian would only treat her politely.
If something were to happen to her in her frail body, even the most virtuous concubine would be unable to explain herself.
It poses no threat to Consort Xian.
Consort Xian must be bored and have nothing better to do than cause her trouble.
Just as Linghu Ning had predicted, life at Jingyang Palace was getting better and better. The supplies were all top-notch, and even the extremely rare Floating Light Brocade, which was offered as tribute, was sent by Consort Xian.
Even Chan'er's life became increasingly better.
Linghu Ning gently touched her chest, calculating the time. It was time for Xuan Yuan Chen to take his medicine again. She turned her head and asked, "Has Your Highness entered the palace yet?"
Chan'er asked in surprise, "How did Your Highness know that the Fourth Prince entered the palace today?"
"Just a guess."
Linghu Ning tilted her head and glanced at Chan'er: "I suddenly want to try water chestnut cake. Have the kitchen staff make some and send them over."
"yes."
After sending Chan'er away, Linghu Ning went into the room, took out a dagger, held it to her heart, took a deep breath, and ripped out blood from her heart.
When Chan'er rushed back, Linghu Ning had already finished treating the situation. Large beads of cold sweat rolled down her forehead, her face was pale, and she was leaning against the chair, barely breathing.
"Imperial Consort!" Chan'er exclaimed.
Linghu Ning smiled slightly: "I am fine."
Chan'er sniffed: "You, you really don't need to do this, your body can't take it anymore."
She smiled.
As before, Linghu Ning's periods of unconsciousness grew longer and longer, and she ate very little each day. When the Emperor of Dongying came to visit, her thin and frail body looked as if it would break if you squeezed it, and a look of pity flashed in his eyes.
As they were leaving, Xuanyuan Chen followed: "Brother, if we send the Imperial Concubine back to Northern Chu, there is still a glimmer of hope."
The Japanese emperor remained silent, his face tense.
"Your Majesty, are we really going to watch the Imperial Concubine perish?"
The Emperor of Dongying clenched his fist: "How about I personally lead troops to infiltrate Northern Chu, kidnap the Crown Princess, and hand over the secret medicine?"
Xuanyuan Chen was suddenly stunned and hurriedly advised, "Absolutely not! Your Majesty, this is too dangerous."
"If one day I really can't come back, I still have you and the sixth prince in Japan."
Xuanyuan Chen became anxious: "Your Majesty, the poison in my body has not been cured, and the sixth prince is not mature enough. Neither of us can bear the responsibility for Dongying. Your Majesty, please think it over."
What he didn't understand was that simply sending Linghu Ning back would save her life, which was far more worthwhile than the Eastern Emperor personally going to Northern Chu.
"If the Imperial Concubine returns to Northern Chu, she will never come back," the Emperor of Dongying murmured.
Amidst the chaos of war, the princess, a daughter of a military family, returned to Northern Chu for a political marriage, a situation that was awkward for her. Moreover, the Crown Princess of Northern Chu might not necessarily save her.
He was unwilling to gamble.
Xuanyuan Chen frowned.
"I will go myself. If I do not return in time, you will lead the troops to bring them back. If Northern Chu does not return, I will grant you permission to take its place and attack Northern Chu!"
The Emperor of Dongying reached out and patted Xuanyuan Chen heavily on the shoulder: "I only trust you."
Xuanyuan Chen was so shocked that he remained silent for a long time.
Feeling deeply ashamed of his past suspicions about the Emperor of Japan, he lowered his eyes and said, "Your subject obeys."
Then the Emperor of Dongying claimed to be ill and issued an edict appointing Xuanyuan Chen to act as regent, even handing over the Imperial Seal of the State to Xuanyuan Chen.
Consort Xian was shocked upon hearing this and went to the main hall several times to look for him, but was persuaded to return each time. On one occasion, she made a scene so bad that she pushed open the door and the Emperor of Dongying appeared before her.
"emperor……"
"Consort Xian, I am feeling slightly unwell and will need to rest for a few days." The Emperor of Dongying solemnly instructed, clutching his chest with one hand and pretending to be very uncomfortable. "I ask that you, Consort Xian, help me stabilize the harem."
"Your Majesty, what's wrong with you?" Consort Xian asked with a worried expression.
The Japanese emperor fabricated a story: "There is residual poison in my body. The imperial physician will perform acupuncture on me for three months. During this period, I cannot move around at will, nor can I exert myself mentally."
Consort Xian believed her and nodded repeatedly, promising to stabilize the harem and allow the Emperor of Dongying to recuperate in peace.
A few days later, everything was ready. Before leaving, the Emperor of Dongying went to visit Linghu Ning. Her small and thin body leaned against the rocking chair, holding a fan in her hand and gently waving it. Her long black hair was casually draped over her shoulders, and her fair, porcelain-like skin was almost transparent.
"Ning'er," the Emperor of Dongying called out.
Linghu Ning raised her eyes, a smile appearing on her brows. She rose to bow, but the Emperor of Dongying shook his head and refused, saying, "No need for formalities. How have you been feeling these past few days?"
"Your Majesty need not worry, everything is fine." Linghu Ning smiled sweetly.
The Emperor of Dongying held Linghu Ning's hand tightly, hesitating to speak several times. Linghu Ning pretended not to notice, leaning against his shoulder with a gentle smile. She fell asleep without realizing it, and when she woke up, he was no longer beside her.
"His Majesty spent an hour with you," Chan'er said.
Linghu Ning yawned.
In the days that followed, Jingyang Palace became much quieter, with only occasional visitors, such as Xuanyuan Chen.
He would occasionally bring over top-quality tonics, sometimes sitting for a while before leaving, and sometimes chatting with Linghu Ning for a few minutes.
Never overstepping one's bounds.
As Linghu Ning noticed the increasingly strong scent of ambergris on Xuanyuan Chen, she guessed that he had been in the main hall the whole time, which was why he had picked up the scent.
That day, Imperial Physician Li came to examine the patient's pulse and said in a low voice, "Your Highness, the Emperor has gone on a private visit to Northern Chu."
Linghu Ning raised an eyebrow, her eyes full of mockery. Wasn't this just courting death?
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