pill
He walked into the small garden but did not see Xichun. After circling around, he saw some ashes from a fire at a small intersection.
At the birthday banquet at the residence of Minister of Rites Zhao, Zhang Yunyao heard someone mention that a great master had come to Guangyun Temple in the suburbs of Beijing. Remembering that it had been almost three years since Wei Kang's death, she thought it was time to hold a Buddhist ceremony. So she asked Granny Wang to go to Qingwu Garden to fetch Xichun to go with her to pray for Wei Kang's well-being.
Sitting in the carriage, Xichun still found it unbelievable. She peeked greedily through a small crack in the curtain at everything outside. A constant flow of carriages and people. Cake vendors, clothing vendors, fan makers, general merchandise sellers… these things had been so far removed from her life. For a moment, Xichun longed to jump off the carriage and merge into the throng.
Zhang Yunyao was wearing a thick fox fur cloak and carrying a gilded hand warmer. She noticed Xichun constantly peeking out from behind the carriage curtain and gave her a disdainful look. Then she closed her eyes to rest.
It took more than two hours to get from Shuimo Street, where the Wei Mansion was located, to Guangyun Temple in the eastern suburbs of the city. It wasn't until late noon that we entered the temple gate. Guangyun Temple was one of the smaller temples in the capital. It was said that the Medicine Buddha in the temple was the most efficacious in the capital, and many worshippers came to pray for the removal of diseases from their families. Guangyun Temple was quite popular.
After offering three sticks of incense and paying their respects, the two had a vegetarian meal at the temple. The servants from the Wei family had already informed the temple in advance, and the donation for incense and oil had been made. They were just waiting for the high monk to chant sutras and pray for Wei Kang's well-being the next day. Early the next morning, after breakfast, Zhang Yunyao led Xichun to the main hall to participate in the Buddhist ceremony. The high monk chanted sutras in Sanskrit, which Xichun couldn't understand, but she devoutly prayed for Wei Kang's well-being. On the third day, after breakfast, they prepared to return home.
Just outside the mountain gate, they encountered Madam Dong, the wife of Vice Minister Zhou of the Ministry of Rites, and her two daughters-in-law, who had also come to invite a high-ranking monk for blessings. Madam Dong came from a scholarly family and had always looked down on Zhang Yunyao, who came from a merchant family. After exchanging polite greetings, Madam Dong began to scrutinize Xichun, who was standing next to Zhang Yunyao.
Xi Chun wore a grass-green cloak over a bright orange stand-up collar long coat with auspicious floral patterns. Seeing Dong Shi looking at her, Xi Chun smiled and curtsied, and Dong Shi smiled and nodded back. Dong Shi's smiling gaze then turned to Zhang Yunyao beside Xi Chun. Zhang Yunyao was still wearing the same fox fur cloak as the day before, and because of the morning chill, she wore a headband. However, unlike Xi Chun, who only had a single hairband, Zhang Yunyao's hair was adorned with seven or eight various hairpins, making her look extremely wealthy.
Zhang Yunyao felt a chill run down her spine as she was swept by Madam Dong's gaze. After a moment, she heard the other woman's leisurely voice say, "Madam Zhang's daughter-in-law is dressed rather simply."
Zhang Yunyao didn't respond to her, only saying that she had something to do at home, and then tugged at Xichun's sleeve and left. After boarding the carriage, Xichun began to lift a corner of the window to look at the scenery outside. In the neat fields, the lush green wheat seedlings were slowly growing against the cold wind. Along the roadside, one could occasionally see willows and elms that had lost all their leaves, their bare branches a testament to the arrival of winter.
"Xichun, I have something to say to you." Zhang Yunyao felt uncomfortable because of what Dong Shi had just said. She was not a mean mother-in-law who mistreated her daughter-in-law, yet Dong Shi looked at her with such disdain.
Hearing Zhang Yunyao call her name, Xichun lowered the carriage curtain and turned around to look at her respectfully. Zhang Yunyao glanced up and saw that Xichun's hair was indeed without a single hairpin. She pouted and said with displeasure, "Didn't I give you a pearl chrysanthemum hairpin last time? Why didn't you wear it when you went out?"
Upon hearing Zhang Yunyao mention the chrysanthemum hairpin, Xichun felt a little nervous. She certainly couldn't say that Wei Qiao had taken the hairpin, nor could she say that she had lost it. That chrysanthemum hairpin was probably very expensive, and her mother-in-law would definitely scold her severely if she found out. She pondered for a while, and finally said, "I was in such a hurry to go out the other day that I forgot to wear it."
"Well, it's good that it's not lost. That hairpin wasn't cheap; it cost me twenty taels of silver to make it. It's not good for you to go out looking too plain without any jewelry; people will say that I, as your mother-in-law, am mistreating my daughter-in-law. When you get back to the manor, bring that chrysanthemum hairpin to Manxin Courtyard, and I'll have someone make a few more hairpins and rings for you to complete your headdress."
"Okay, thank you, Mother-in-law," Xichun replied guiltily.
It was already afternoon when she returned to Qingwu Garden. Mozhi was very excited to see her return and quickly climbed down from the paulownia tree, wagging its tail and rubbing against her legs. She paced anxiously in the courtyard. When she got off the carriage and parted ways with Zhang Yunyao, Zhang Yunyao was afraid that she would forget and specially mentioned the chrysanthemum hairpin.
After dinner, Xichun's irritability only increased. Standing at the entrance of Qingwu Garden and gazing at Xuesong Hall across the street, Xichun had an idea.
In the Imperial Study of Yuanhe Hall, Yan Zhongyou was showing Wei Qiao his collection of paintings. Yan Zhongyou prided himself on his refined taste and had a fondness for painting. Knowing his interests, the civil and military officials would often find various excuses to send paintings by famous artists from different dynasties to Yuanhe Hall.
"Wei Qiao, take a look. This is the painting 'Scholar Playing the Qin' by Master Pu Jing of the previous dynasty, which was presented to me by Consort Xian's father, Lord Zhang. The scholar is playing the qin on the edge of a cliff. This painting reminds me of Bo Ya and Zi Qi, a story of kindred spirits meeting amidst high mountains and flowing water."
Wei Qiao smiled and said, "Your Majesty is wise. The artistic conception of this painting is indeed similar to that of 'High Mountains and Flowing Water'."
Yan Zhongyou smiled and pointed at Wei Qiao with his finger, "You and I can really talk to each other. I asked Miched, and that old fellow said he couldn't see any meaning in this painting."
"Oh dear, Your Majesty, please don't expose my shortcomings in front of Lord Wei. How could I possibly compare to Lord Wei?" Michide, dressed in a red eunuch's uniform, was pale and beardless, with half of his short, thick eyebrows already turned white. He brought over two cups of pre-Qingming Longjing tea and handed them to the two men respectively.
Wei Qiao stood up and accepted the gift, thanking the other party with a smile. Michide was Yan Zhongyou's chief advisor, and held a very important position in Yan Zhongyou's heart. Wei Qiao was able to gain Yan Zhongyou's trust largely thanks to Michide's repeated praise of him.
Michid's family was poor; his father died early, leaving his mother to support the four brothers by doing embroidery. Later, his mother contracted tuberculosis, and in order to support his two younger brothers, Michid and his younger brother Michikuan were castrated and entered the palace as eunuchs. One brother served under Yan Zhongyou, and the other under Yan Zhongshen.
Mi Qide often brought things to his younger brother, Yan Ren. When Yan Ren was young, he was often looked after by Mi Qikuan, and Mi Qide also paid some attention to this young prince who was by his brother's side. Later, Yan Zhongshen was deposed, and the late emperor ordered the execution of a group of palace servants around Yan Zhongshen, including Mi Qide's younger brother, Mi Qikuan.
When Wei Qiao and Miched first met, Miched said that his eyes looked like those of an old friend, so he always took extra care of him.
Yan Zhongyou took a sip of tea, rolled up the "Scholar Playing the Qin" painting, and placed it into the painting jar decorated with flying dragons. He then took out an exquisite painting box from the gold-threaded sandalwood bookshelf behind him, carefully unfolded a painting inside on his desk, and gazed at the figure in the painting with deep affection.
This was the first time Wei Qiao had ever seen such an expression on Yan Zhongyou's face. He walked up to Yan Zhongyou, turned his head and looked down at the painting. When he saw the woman in the blue dress in the painting, Wei Qiao was immediately stunned. The woman's eyebrows and eyes were seven or eight parts similar to his sister-in-law Xichun.
He caught a glimpse of Yan Zhongyou's hand gently stroking the face of the woman in the painting, her affectionate gaze seeming to be looking at her lover.
Michald didn't try to make a joke either, his expression remaining inscrutable. Seeing this, Wei Qiao tactfully walked away, returned to the stool Yan Zhongyou had offered him, and resumed drinking his tea.
After a short while, Yan Zhongyou left his desk with a sorrowful expression. Michal quickly went over and rolled up the painting, packing it away. Yan Zhongyou sighed deeply and sat down to drink tea. After putting the painting box back in its place, Michal walked over to Yan Zhongyou, leaned down, and whispered a few words in his ear. Yan Zhongyou smiled upon hearing this, "Hmm, I almost forgot about it if you hadn't mentioned it. Go get it."
A moment later, Mitchid took a small red lacquered box and handed it to Yan Zhongyou. Yan Zhongyou looked up at Wei Qiao, who was sitting below him, and said, "Give this to Wei Qiao."
"Yes." Miched turned around and handed the small box to Wei Qiao. "Lord Wei, here you go."
Wei Qiao stood up and took the small box. He looked at Yan Zhongyou with a puzzled expression, and Yan Zhongyou slightly raised his chin, gesturing for him to open it. After opening it, Wei Qiao found a black pill the size of a lotus seed inside.
"I have heard that Minister Wei is still alone. The nights are long, and Minister Wei should find a beautiful woman to keep him company. This pill was sent to me by Prince Cheng. There are two pills in total. I have taken one, and you can have the remaining one."
Wei Qiao's hand tightened suddenly as he picked up the small box. Yan Zhongyou's words were clear: this was a pill to enhance the mood. He was about to thank him and say he would take it when he got back when Michide brought him a small bowl of yellow wine.
"Lord Wei, this pill should be taken with rice wine. This is osmanthus rice wine from the palace, specially prepared for you by the Emperor."
Looking up and seeing Yan Zhongyou's expectant expression, Wei Qiao knew he had no choice but to eat it. He frowned slightly, picked up the pill, put it in his mouth, and took the yellow wine from Michide and drank it all in one gulp.
After confirming that he had taken the pill, Miched turned to Yan Zhongyou and nodded. Yan Zhongyou clapped his hands and laughed, "Minister Wei, it will take a few more hours for the pill to take effect. You should leave the palace now."
Back at Xuesong Hall, Wei Qiao didn't feel any discomfort. He continued to handle official business in his study as usual. However, towards the end of the Xu hour (7-9 PM), his body began to feel unwell. An unbearable restlessness kept rising within him, which he couldn't suppress even after drinking several glasses of cold water.
"A-Gui, prepare some cold water for me, I want to take a bath."
Ah Gui had already learned from Wei Qiao that he had been forced to take aphrodisiac pills in the Imperial Study today. Seeing Wei Qiao gradually becoming unbearable, he cursed the old emperor in his heart. What did it have to do with the emperor that his second young master didn't look for women? He was being far too overbearing.
After Ah Gui filled the bathtub with cold water in Wei Qiao's bedroom, Wei Qiao left the study and returned to his bedroom. Before entering, he instructed Ah Gui and the others not to come in that night.
He took off his clothes and lay down in the bathtub. The cold water made Wei Qiao shiver. After a while, the heat in his body was relieved. But in less than the time it takes for an incense stick to burn, the suppressed heat returned.
Xi Chun lay in bed with her eyes open, while Mo Zi, fast asleep at her feet, waited until past midnight. Then, Xi Chun got up, put on her cloak, lit a lantern, and stealthily made her way to the gate of Xue Song Tang. After blowing out the lantern and placing it at the entrance, she planned to climb over the wall, but upon gently pushing the door, she found it unlocked. She entered through the gate. Once inside, Xi Chun cautiously looked around, finding no light; everyone in the other rooms should be fast asleep by this hour.
She went straight to the main room. If Wei Qiao wanted to put her chrysanthemum hairpin away, he would have just left it there, perhaps even tossed it into his jewelry box. Xi Chun's heart pounded. Unlike when she returned the jade pendant last time, she wasn't as confident this time. She had come to Xue Song Tang to retrieve something, and although it was her own, she still felt an uncontrollable sense of guilt.
"Ah~" A bird's cry suddenly rang out from the sky, startling Xi Chun, who nearly collapsed at the doorway of Wei Qiao's main house. She took a few deep breaths to calm herself before peering left and right at the doorway, making sure no one had been awakened by the bird's cry before carefully pushing open the door to Wei Qiao's main house.
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