Chapter 117 A way to cure the strange disease has been found. ...
Inside the Chenji Hall, ambergris incense burned in a gilded Boshan censer.
Wisps of white smoke escaped from the openwork holes, slowly seeping into the interior along the bright yellow curtains.
On the bed, Emperor Wei Yuan lay with his eyes closed, his temples damp with sweat, and his face flushed with a strange redness.
He seemed to be lost in some kind of dream, his lips moving slightly as he murmured someone's name.
This must have been a beautiful dream, because he still had a smile on his lips even in his sleep.
After an unknown amount of time, a thick layer of incense ash had accumulated beside the incense burner. The eunuchs, fearing to disturb the emperor's precious dream, dared not approach to clean it.
Just then, Emperor Wei Yuan, who was asleep, suddenly turned his eyes rapidly and opened them abruptly.
He gazed at Cheng Chen above him, panting heavily for a few moments. After a while, he stretched his hand out from behind the curtain and called out, "Cheng En—"
As Emperor Wei Yuan's personal attendant, Cheng En always served him from the side. When he heard Emperor Wei Yuan call him, he quickly stepped forward, took his hand, and carefully helped him sit up: "Your Majesty, how are you feeling?"
Emperor Wei Yuan sat back against the headboard, a dragon-patterned brocade pillow supporting his back. Once he had finally calmed his breathing, he slowly spoke, "Xiao Jue's medicine is indeed effective. Ever since the previous pills lost their effectiveness, I haven't dreamed of the Imperial Concubine for a long time..."
As he spoke, his gaze fell on the wisps of white smoke drifting in the distance. Perhaps the effects of the medicine hadn't worn off, for the smoke in front of him gradually outlined the silhouette of Jiang Chenyu. Her every frown and smile vaguely revealed her former charm. Xiao Yuangan's eyes welled up with tears, and he was about to reach out and touch her when "Jiang Chenyu" suddenly vanished.
Xiao Yuangan was taken aback, and the last glimmer of light in his eyes dimmed.
Cheng En was adept at reading people's expressions, and upon hearing this, he quickly said, "Your Majesty, this servant congratulates you! Your Majesty has two joys today. First, the Crown Prince's filial piety is evident; he painstakingly searched for miraculous medicines to present to Your Majesty, relieving Your Majesty's worries and difficulties. Second, Your Majesty is delighted to have obtained a miraculous medicine, the effects of which are remarkable, allowing Your Majesty to see the Imperial Concubine again, fulfilling Your Majesty's wish."
Xiao Yuangan waved his hand: "...Enough, no need for these polite words to make me happy."
He narrowed his eyes slightly and said in a low voice, "Xiao Jue presented me with elixirs. Do you think he has good intentions? I'm afraid he's poisoned them and is eager to send me to my death as soon as possible. The other day, Che'er was falsely accused of treason. I'm afraid that was also his doing. If I hadn't intervened and Che'er hadn't had a backup plan, I'm afraid this matter would not have been resolved peacefully."
Cheng En said, "Your Majesty, are you overthinking this? You had the imperial physician examine the pills that the Crown Prince presented after he left. The ingredients are similar to the pills you usually take. Although you should not take an excessive amount at once, taking small amounts regularly can keep Your Majesty healthy and energetic. It is unlikely to be poisonous."
Xiao Yuangan sneered, "Don't I know my son? Xiao Jue's talent is mediocre. He has been the crown prince for more than 20 years, walking on thin ice. I'm afraid he has never stopped worrying about being deposed. After falling from his horse, he has become a cripple. Now that Che'er has stolen his limelight, I'm afraid he is worried about losing his position as crown prince. How can he have any spare thoughts to be filial to me?"
"Offering me elixirs is nothing more than a way to hasten my death so that he can inherit the throne smoothly before he is deposed as crown prince."
"Leaving aside the elixirs he presented, even the ones I usually take, you don't really think they can prolong life and invigorate the spirit, do you? Even if they can invigorate, it's only temporary, a brief life force obtained at the cost of draining one's yang energy."
"Don't I know my own body? Ever since I started taking the elixir, I feel increasingly tired after each bout of excitement. To prolong life? It's better to sacrifice one's vital energy for a moment of pleasure."
Cheng En was greatly surprised upon hearing this: "Your Majesty... if that's the case, why are you still..."
"Do you think there is any meaning to me remaining in this world alone after the death of the Imperial Concubine? Cheng'en, do you know that even the most beautiful spring scenery, with its vibrant colors, seems shrouded in darkness in my eyes? All I see is a gray expanse, devoid of any interest. Do you know how much pain I suffer?"
"For me, the rest of my life is more like torture; it would be better to go with her sooner. But before that, I must fulfill her last wish," he said, a faint smile gradually appearing on his face, as if he were lost in some beautiful vision: "So that when I reach the afterlife, she will be willing to come and see me..."
Cheng En said, "Your Majesty's feelings for the Empress are surely felt by her if she is alive in heaven."
Xiao Yuangan's gaze fell on a point in the void, and a bitter smile appeared on his lips: "If she could really sense it, why was she so heartless, refusing to come to see me in my dreams?"
"Only by taking elixirs can I weave a dream to meet her, but now, even the elixirs are gradually losing their effectiveness..."
"The things Xiao Jue presented were quite useful. I finally dreamed of the Imperial Concubine again, it had been so long... It's just a pity that they were sent by Xiao Jue. His intentions are impure, and the things he sent were naturally treacherous. Sure enough, after using them, I felt even more tired than before. Although the imperial physician couldn't find anything wrong, I know my own body. I'm afraid that if I use them a few more times, I'll really have to go see the Imperial Concubine. This wouldn't have been a big deal, but I still have things to do, so I have to keep my life."
Cheng En was startled upon hearing this: "...Since Your Majesty is feeling unwell, for the sake of safety, perhaps it would be better to let this old servant handle the pills that the Crown Prince presented for you."
Xiao Yuangan slowly closed his eyes and hummed in agreement.
Upon seeing this, Cheng En took a half step back, bowed respectfully, and turned to leave when a sigh from Emperor Wei Yuan suddenly rang out behind him: "Enough..."
He said, "Let it stay for now, use it sparingly, I know how to handle it."
He was still ultimately captivated by the illusion woven from those elixirs.
No one knows how much he misses Jiang Chenyu... The dream of seeing her is worth anything he would give up.
Cheng En was taken aback, and seemed to understand what was going on. He bowed and replied, "Yes."
——
Inside the East Palace.
Su Quan bent down and placed the teacup on the table. Li Rong picked up the cup, skimmed off the foam on top, and took a small sip of tea, saying, "Since Your Highness says that His Majesty has accepted the elixir you presented, then the matter is considered settled. What else is Your Highness worried about?"
"But my father has never liked me. He is usually wary of the things I offer. Even if he accepts them, he may not use them... Besides, we tampered with the pills. If the imperial physicians find out something, wouldn't I be guilty of plotting to harm the emperor's health?"
"Oh, Your Highness, why worry? As I said, the 'Dreambhara' I added to the elixir came from the Western Regions. I obtained this herb by chance during my campaign. The people of the Imperial Medical Academy have never seen it before, so how could they distinguish it? Besides, 'Dreambhara,' to put it bluntly, is not a deadly poison. Its medicinal properties are very similar to those of the elixir. Taking it in moderation can even help alleviate pain and make it easier to fall asleep. How can this not be considered relieving Your Majesty's worries?"
"It's just that long-term or excessive use can cause strokes, but every medicine has some toxicity, which is unavoidable."
"As for Your Highness's concern that His Majesty might accept the pills but then discard them because you gave them to him, I think you are overthinking it. It is true that His Majesty is concerned about you, but there is no doubt that His Majesty will take the pills. Just as you said, His Majesty has long been infatuated with that vixen and is capable of doing anything for her. The pills can give him illusions and fulfill his desires. He cannot resist such temptation."
Xiao Jue seemed to be thinking about what he heard, and finally nodded slowly.
——
Under the corridor, Ji Le was carrying a lacquer tray and walking forward. She had brewed a bowl of ginger tea for Xiao Che. Ginger is believed to dispel cold and ward off evil spirits, which would help him wash away the bad luck he had experienced in prison.
Thinking of Xiao Che, a smile unconsciously crept onto her lips again.
However, the next moment, her smile suddenly froze on her face.
She saw a person come out of the side hall.
She had a charming and alluring appearance, with a slender and graceful figure. After not seeing her for a while, she appeared even more voluptuous.
Her beautiful face held a languid spring glow, and she had somehow shed her youthful naiveté, becoming increasingly charming and alluring.
She wore a cloak, loosely tied, and with every movement, a patch of snow-white skin on her chest was revealed, covered with red marks, a shocking sight.
It's Yan Jiarou!
Ji Le stared intently at her, her fingernails unconsciously digging into the lacquer tray in her hand.
What is she doing here?!
Didn't Xiao Che already break up with her?
How did she reappear here in just a few days!
Have they made up again?
No, no, she almost killed Xiao Che. No matter how much he pampers and indulges her, he will never forgive a woman who betrayed him...
Thinking this way, she breathed a slight sigh of relief and comforted herself not to overthink it.
But the next moment, Xiao Che came out from inside, walked to her side, tightened the ties for her, and helped her put on the hood.
After saying something under her breath, Yan Jiarou started to wriggle and act coquettishly, looking reluctant to leave. It wasn't until Xiao Che kissed her forehead that she finally smiled and left, turning back to look at him every few steps.
Ji Le, who witnessed this scene from not far away, felt her blood rush to her head, her ears ringing, and she almost lost her balance. She had to hold onto a nearby pillar to barely maintain her posture.
They actually made up again?!
Yan Jiarou is a big-breasted, brainless fool. She was spoiled since childhood, and Xiao Che continued to indulge her as she grew up, making her increasingly reckless and prone to causing trouble. She never learned her lesson. In the past, it was one thing, but after causing such a mess this time, she thought Xiao Che would finally break up with her. However, in just a few days, the two of them were inseparable again.
Xiao Che was someone she had watched grow up since he was a child. He deserved to be with the most noble woman in the world. Although she admired him, she would not say a word if the person he was intimate with was Cui Lingyi. But why was that person her, a spoiled, willful, and useless imposter princess?
She can't help him at all; she'll only hurt him!
Ji Le took a deep breath, her fingers gripping the lacquer tray tightly, feeling increasingly unwilling.
——
After being nearly killed by Xiao Che that night, Yan Jiarou slept for a whole day after returning home before regaining some energy.
However, she forgot the pain as soon as her wounds healed, and as soon as her health improved, she wanted to go find Xiao Che again, but unexpectedly she met Xiao Jue on the way.
Yan Jiarou wanted to avoid him as soon as she saw him, her gaze shifting away uncertainly. She tried to pretend she didn't see him and turned into a side path, but Xiao Jue had already caught up behind her. His voice was unreadable: "Jiarou, why do you want to leave as soon as you see me?"
Jia Rou had no choice but to stop, slowly turn around, and reluctantly call out to him, "Crown Prince Brother."
"Jiarou hasn't said yet why she wanted to leave as soon as she saw me. It's been a few days since we last met. I went to Chenghuan Palace to see you, but you always made excuses. If I hadn't waited for you here on the only way to Hanguang Palace, I probably wouldn't have seen you."
Jia Rou couldn't lie, so upon hearing this, she simply said directly, "Because I don't know what to say to you, Crown Prince. I'm still angry about what happened last time, so I have nothing to say to you right now."
"I kindly reminded you, intending to save your life. Instead of being grateful, you tried to harm me. Do you know that you almost killed Xiao Che and also ruined me!"
"Alright, there's nothing more to say to you. In short, I'm not clever enough to say anything that might be overheard by you and used against Xiao Che. It's best to talk to you less in the future. Since my brother, the Crown Prince, has the intention to harm others, I'm afraid he has also given up the idea of suicide. I can rest assured now. I have other matters to attend to, so I'll have to keep you company for now."
After saying that, she continued walking forward. Just as she was about to brush past him, she heard Xiao Che sneer: "Something wrong? What important matter is it? Are you going to see Xiao Che again?"
His gaze instantly darkened, and his face twisted as he said, "You're inseparable from him day and night, yet you won't even spare me a moment!"
Jia Rou was getting impatient and looked up to meet his gaze: "That's right! He and I cannot be separated even for a moment!"
"As for you and me, Crown Prince, I've already said that we have nothing more to say to each other."
Just as he was about to continue walking forward, Xiao Jue suddenly said in a low voice, "What if I told you that I have found a way to cure your strange illness?"
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