Gu Jiangli frowned as she looked at the bowl of medicine.
Based on her experience, this wouldn't be anything good.
"But I'm not sick, why should I take medicine?"
Eunuch Liu said with some difficulty, "Your Highness, this is His Majesty's order. Please do not ask any further questions. Just take it."
Gu Jiangli pushed the medicine away and asked:
"Eunuch Liu, is this bowl of medicine something all the concubines who have been summoned to the emperor's bedchamber have to drink, or was it just given to me?"
"Your Majesty, all the concubines who have served the emperor must drink this medicine. Please rest assured, Your Majesty, this medicine will not harm your body. Just treat it as a nourishing soup."
Eunuch Liu was practically begging.
Gu Jiangli finished dressing and stared at the unsettling dregs of medicine at the bottom of the bowl.
She had a pretty good idea of what the medicine was for.
It was only given to the concubines after they had been with the emperor, either to help them conceive or to prevent pregnancy.
If it's about assisted reproduction, Eunuch Liu could just say it directly. It would be good for the concubines and the royal family, so there's no need to hide it.
But the fact that he's being so secretive now means that this bowl of medicine has nothing to do with fertility.
So this is a contraceptive soup.
Gu Jiangli looked at Eunuch Liu with a hint of suspicion in her eyes.
"Eunuch Liu, is this bowl of medicine truly a gift from His Majesty?"
"Your Majesty, this servant would not dare to speak nonsense. I was only acting according to His Majesty's orders."
"Do you know what the consequences will be after you drink this bowl of medicine?"
Eunuch Liu hesitated, his eyes darting around, his words stammering, and he tried to change the subject: "This...this servant was only following His Majesty's orders...it's the consequence of taking the medicine..."
The fact that he didn't say it directly means he knew it was a contraceptive soup.
“Eunuch Liu, harming the royal offspring is a grave crime,” Gu Jiangli said coldly.
Liu Gonggong's face turned pale, and he immediately knelt on the ground, followed by several palace maids around him.
"Your Majesty, you mustn't speak such nonsense!"
Gu Jiangli wanted to say something, but before she could speak, the appearance of a figure outside the door interrupted her.
The emperor stood backlit in his court robes, his cold face revealing neither joy nor anger.
His gaze remained fixed on Gu Jiangli.
Then he said to the palace maids around him, "You may all leave."
"yes."
The palace maids left one by one, and Eunuch Liu closed the door with a look of self-reproach, as if he were ashamed that he had not done a good job for the emperor.
The emperor walked up to Gu Jiangli, stared at the bowl of medicine, and said nothing.
Gu Jiangli was the first to break the silence.
"Your Majesty, there's something wrong with the bowl of medicine that Eunuch Liu brought. He says it was arranged by Your Majesty. I don't think Your Majesty would do that, would you?"
She preferred that it was Eunuch Liu who had been misled by outsiders and sent the contraceptive soup behind the emperor's back.
But the emperor's next words still left her feeling powerless.
"It was I who ordered him to deliver it."
His voice was cold and indifferent, without a trace of emotion.
Gu Jiangli frowned and asked, "Does Your Majesty know what this bowl of medicine is for?"
"If you don't want to drink it, you probably already know what this bowl of medicine is for."
Gu Jiangli took a deep breath. "Your Majesty, I do not understand. What is the purpose of Your Majesty sending me a bowl of contraceptive soup?"
"What other intention could it be? Of course, it's to prevent you from having the child."
"What if I don't want to drink it?"
"This is an imperial edict. You have the right to disobey it, but you also have to bear the consequences of disobeying it."
The emperor's tone left no room for argument, leaving no room for resistance.
He really doesn't want children.
Never before has anyone felt such a strong aversion to children.
But her mission here is to have his child.
Could it be that the child was also a source of anxiety for one of the emperors?
Looking at the bowl of medicine, she had a sudden thought and decided to take a gamble.
Anyway, she had taken the fertility pills given to her by the system, so getting pregnant wouldn't be a problem. A little contraceptive soup wouldn't affect her at all.
Since that's the case, why not indulge myself a little in front of this great emperor?
"Your Majesty, last night I saw that you also had two bowls of medicine to drink. How about this, I will drink this bowl of contraceptive soup, and you will drink your two bowls of medicine tonight, what do you say?"
If we give the emperor medicine, he might live a few more years.
A hint of surprise suddenly appeared in the emperor's cold eyes. "Are you making a deal with me?"
Gu Jiangli shrugged, saying with a hint of helplessness:
"Your Majesty, this bowl of medicine is of no benefit to me whatsoever, while your two bowls of medicine are beneficial to you. Even if this were a transaction, you would still be making a profit."
The emperor was taken aback for a moment, then a slight smile appeared on his lips. "I have already witnessed your talent for sophistry."
"His Majesty agreed?"
The emperor did not state his opinion, but simply said, "Drink."
Seeing that he did not object, Gu Jiangli directly poured the bitter medicine down her throat in one gulp.
No matter how many times she drinks it, she still absolutely hates the taste.
She placed the empty bowl on the table and smiled at the emperor. "Your Majesty, I have finished drinking. Remember to take your medicine tonight and keep your promise. I will not disturb your court session any longer and will take my leave now."
She turned and left, ignoring the emperor's slightly stunned gaze.
When the gate was opened, Eunuch Liu was waiting outside.
Seeing Liu Gonggong's neck craning frantically, Gu Jiangli kindly said to him, "Don't worry, Liu Gonggong, I've already taken the medicine and haven't angered His Majesty."
Liu Gonggong felt relieved. "Thank you, Your Majesty. If you hadn't drunk it, His Majesty would have thought that I couldn't even do such a small thing properly."
"Eunuch Liu, you are overthinking it. You have served His Majesty for so many years, His Majesty will not blame you for such a trivial matter. It was I who misunderstood you just now and spoke a bit harshly. I hope you will not take it to heart."
She might need Eunuch Liu's help in the future, so it's best not to offend him if possible.
Eunuch Liu put on a smile and said, "Your Highness, what are you saying? This servant failed in his duty and did not explain things clearly to Your Highness. Of course, it is my fault, and I hope Your Highness will not hold it against me."
Gu Jiangli smiled faintly.
It seems there's a reason why Eunuch Liu was able to stay by the emperor's side for so long.
He was quick to accept the opportunity Gu Jiangli offered.
Gu Jiangli likes talking to smart people; it's effortless.
Eunuch Liu led her outside, his expression respectful and his manners impeccable.
"Your Majesty, please. This servant will escort you back to the Delan Palace."
Gu Jiangli did not refuse.
She happened to have some questions for him.
The journey back to Delan Palace was very quiet, and Gu Jiangli seized the opportunity to speak first.
The first question was about the medicine the emperor drank.
"Eunuch Liu, I noticed that two bowls of medicine were served to His Majesty last night. Why did His Majesty only drink one of them? Is there any deeper meaning behind this?"
Gu Jiangli still adopted a humble, inquiring manner.
Eunuch Liu also spoke frankly, "Your Majesty, it's not that complicated. It's just two bowls of medicine with different effects. One bowl is to treat His Majesty's heart ailment, and the other is to calm his mind."
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