Seeing Lianxing's expectant eyes, he swallowed the pill without hesitation. The pill melted instantly in his mouth, and a scorching warm current rose from his dantian, quickly flowing through his limbs and bones! As if withered trees had come back to life, a long-lost, surging sense of power filled his entire body, even invigorating his spirit! The fatigue from reviewing memorials last night was swept away!
"Excellent! Truly a wonderful medicine!" Xi Linghao was overjoyed, feeling as if his body had instantly returned to its prime, brimming with boundless energy! He pulled the whimpering Lianxing into his arms, his eyes burning with desire, "My beloved consort, I will now show you... what the might of a true dragon truly is!"
Inside the Moon-Viewing Pavilion, red candles flickered, and the air was thick with the sounds of panting and moaning as the battle raged fiercely. Xi Linghao was like a tireless beast, while Lianxing writhed beneath him, her eyes languid and alluring, her moans carrying an intense pleasure and a hint of barely perceptible triumph. She watched Xi Linghao's immersion in the moment, his growing dependence on her, a cold, calculating glint in her eyes. The effects of this "Dragon-Tiger Pill" were far more potent than she had anticipated! His Majesty's life force was being slowly...drained by this potent drug!
A few days later, in the early morning, Xi Linghao was dealing with several thorny political matters at the court meeting. He became emotional, his face flushed an abnormal red, and his breathing became slightly rapid.
After court, Xiao Chengkang requested an audience under the pretext of "presenting newly prepared calming incense".
"Your Highness Kang's fragrance is elegant and pleasant; it has indeed helped me sleep." Xi Linghao leaned back on the dragon throne, slightly weary as he rubbed his temples, his attitude towards Xiao Chengkang still relatively gentle.
"It is my honor to share Your Majesty's burdens," Xiao Chengkang said respectfully, but his keen eyes caught a few fine, abnormal red veins in the whites of Xi Linghao's eyes, and a barely perceptible tremor in his fingertips. Alarm bells rang in his mind, but his face remained impassive. "Your Majesty is burdened with state affairs; your health is of utmost importance. I have some knowledge of traditional Chinese medicine, and Your Majesty appears to be fatigued. May I take Your Majesty's pulse?"
Xi Linghao did feel a little palpitations and shortness of breath at that moment, but without thinking too much, he extended his wrist: "Alright."
Xiao Chengkang placed three fingers on Xi Linghao's wrist. The pulse he felt sent a jolt through him! The pulse appeared strong and powerful, like a rushing river, but in reality, it was all bark and no bite, its foundation weak and unstable! Deeper within, a restless, fiery, malevolent energy was raging, violently assaulting his already weakened internal organs! This was no ordinary sign of fatigue or aging, but rather... a harbinger of depletion caused by the forceful use of potent drugs!
He suppressed the turmoil within him, his face remaining calm as he slowly withdrew his hand, his tone carrying just the right amount of concern: "Your Majesty's pulse is slightly weak and forceful, indeed due to overwork and exhaustion. I will prescribe a formula to calm the mind, reduce internal heat, and strengthen the body's foundation shortly. Your Majesty must rest more, think less, and... and avoid getting angry." He deliberately emphasized "avoid getting angry," his words carrying a hidden meaning.
Xi Linghao waved his hand dismissively: "I know. Thank you for your trouble, Prince Kang."
Back at Qiwu Palace, Xiao Chengkang dismissed his attendants and told A Yuan everything he had seen during the pulse diagnosis and his own judgment without reservation.
Upon hearing this, A-Yuan's face turned deathly pale, her fingers gripping the edge of the table tightly: "A potent drug...exhausting the Emperor's health...it's Lianxing! She must have given Father some kind of evil potion!" Her eyes burned with the flames of anger and worry. "Father now listens to her every word and dotes on her to the extreme! If we tell him the truth now, not only will he not believe us, but he will also think we are jealous and stirring up trouble, trying to sow discord between them! He might even...alert her!"
“Indeed.” Xiao Chengkang’s eyes were as cold as ice. “The Lin family’s move is extremely vicious! Lianxing is a honey-coated poisoned blade that she plunged into Father’s heart! Father is infatuated with it and enjoys it immensely. Exposing it directly will only put us at a disadvantage.”
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