Gunpowder: "He saw the King of Qin about to kiss the Queen."
Without further ado, all the alchemists gathered at the gates of Xianyang Palace that day, dressing up in elaborate attire and personally selecting their items.
She wanted to see what caused the explosion, what materials were used to heat it, and if she could figure it out, it wouldn't be impossible for gunpowder to be invented ahead of schedule.
If we can accurately kill the enemy, why will we need to worry about dealing with nomadic enemies in the future? If there are no external threats, we can focus all our energy on dealing with internal problems.
She couldn't help with serious matters either. Unless he asked her himself, if she tried to bring up 'future things,' he would always put on a deadpan expression and refuse to listen.
The Great Qin Dynasty belongs not only to my cousin, but also to her.
She had no choice but to do it herself; of course she would do anything to help lighten the burden on the future.
This also serves as a reminder to my cousin that he shouldn't take the elixir—a double purpose!
With her lip rouge applied perfectly, Yun looked at the Queen's makeup with satisfaction. "The Queen is radiant; even celestial beings would feel ashamed in comparison."
Banban stroked her cheek, pleased with her own beauty and often feeling smug, but she disliked such words. "Everyone has their own path to beauty, why compare looks? A face isn't everything for a woman." With that, she gracefully rose and said sweetly, "Let's go."
"It was my fault for speaking out of turn." Congyun pretended to pat her mouth lightly and helped her out.
Qianyin is waiting to be married in her boudoir. Recently, Congyun has been in charge of everything in Zhaoyang Palace. She is used to serving others and is experienced and composed. She manages the palace in an orderly manner and in her spare time, she can also keep a keen eye on everything around her.
"The Empress Dowager has recently become fascinated with listening to stories. The King has gathered storytellers from all over the Qin Dynasty to come to the palace to entertain her. However, she has probably grown tired of listening to them, and has even started to learn to read and write."
"This servant guesses it's because storybooks have recently become very popular in Xianyang, and the Empress Dowager wants to read them herself, as listening to others tell stories is not very interesting."
"A storybook?" It sounded like a novel. Banban's eyes lit up with curiosity. "Why don't you spend some money to buy a few? I'll take a look too."
"Yes," Yun replied naturally.
The group left Zhaoyang Palace smoothly and saw the crabapple blossoms in full bloom in the garden. Suddenly, Banban remembered someone, "...Where is that Chu princess?"
So many days have passed, and she has completely forgotten about everyone. Although the palace servants would not neglect her, it has been too long. I wonder if they have become bored and restless.
Cong Yun was taken aback, and hesitated for a moment before saying, "Your Majesty, when Mr. Lü Buwei left Xianyang, he took the Chu princess with him to Shu. She is no longer in the Qin Palace." As she spoke, she added doubtfully, "I specifically told you this on the day she left."
Banban: "?"
A question mark slowly appeared in my mind.
From Yun's expression, it was genuine, unlike that of a fake.
Banban tried hard to recall, and sure enough, she found a scene in some obscure corner where she was taking a nap and Yunbian was helping her undress while saying something.
A lot happened in those few days.
General Yang Duan, acting on Ying Zheng's orders, attacked the State of Wei and captured the Yan clan.
After the rebellion of Lao Ai was quelled, more than 4,000 of his clansmen and retainers were exiled. Without exception, all the officials in the Qin palace who were involved with Lao Ai were beheaded, including the Inner Historian, the Commandant of the Guards, and the Grand Master of the Palace.
With them gone, the Qin palace will need to be infused with fresh blood, replaced by their own people, and as the queen, Banban will inevitably have to worry about it.
“By the way,” Banban leaned against the sedan chair, gently massaging his temples with his fingertips, “King Chu has also passed away, Lord Chunshen Huang Xie was killed, and the new King of Chu is that Mi Han.” That is, Xiong Han.
The people of Chu referred to themselves by their clan name (氏) rather than their surname (姓), and they were generally accustomed to calling others by their surname. The Qin state was the same.
Changping Jun Mi Qi also liked to call himself Xiong Qi, which is probably related to the national culture.
Cong Yun said, "I've heard rumors circulating among the people that the new King of Chu is actually the son of Lord Chunshen. Could this be the truth behind Lord Chunshen's murder? How could the King of Chu allow his lineage to be questioned?" Naturally, she nipped the rumors in the bud.
Banban curled her lip in disgust upon hearing this, "Sure enough, no matter where you are, spreading rumors about women is something everyone will do without hesitation. They really have nothing better to do than eat and be full of nothing."
Speaking of this, she became furious and clenched her fist, slamming it against the handrail of the sedan chair.
From Yun Zizhi, the Queen thought of King Ying Zheng of Qin, who was also embroiled in scandals about his birth, and Empress Dowager Ji Changyue, who was rumored to be licentious and whose jade arm was used as a pillow by thousands.
She quickly changed the subject, not wanting the Queen to stay angry for too long and harm her health, "So, the Chu princess was allowed to return for the funeral, right? She followed us all this time, did nothing, yet the King allowed her to leave safely."
Banban remained silent for a while, vaguely guessing that her cousin hadn't killed the Chu princess because of her. When Lianhua was executed, she was heartbroken for a long time, and the Chu princess was also captured. He said he still wanted to use the Chu princess, but he never actually did. Instead, he let her read medical books to the Chu princess.
Now that the matter of Lü Buwei has come to an end, he released the Chu princess.
The Qin state, located in the Shu region.
Mi Chenke knelt before Lü Buwei's tomb and respectfully bowed thirteen times with her hands clasped together. Beside her was a palace servant of about fifteen years old. It was unclear whether this servant was appointed by the Queen or the King of Qin. Her name was also Lianhua.
Mi Chenke guessed it was the Queen's idea. Her thoughts were easy to understand: her maid, Lianhua, had been killed by the King of Qin, and this was an attempt to compensate her with another, even though the original Lianhua could not be brought back to life…
She never imagined that someone like the King of Qin could have someone so pure, even somewhat foolish, in his love.
Now that she has left the palace, Lianhua has also come out.
“Princess, shall we not return to the Kingdom of Chu?” Lianhua hesitated slightly.
What should one worship at Lü Buwei's tomb?
“If the prince were to ascend the throne, I would not have a good time when I returned. Instead, I would be resented for not being able to stay and become a Qin concubine,” Mi Chenke said self-deprecatingly. “The King of Qin would not even look at me. I suppose they would not believe that I have such beauty but no use for it.”
Lianhua said softly, "The King's heart belongs only to the Queen. There is no way a second person could squeeze in. Who can compare to someone like the Queen?"
After saying that, she realized she had tilted her back and immediately added, "But the princess is also a woman of unparalleled beauty, and she will surely find a good man in the future."
Mi Chenke shook his head. "Getting married isn't necessarily the most important thing in the world. Let's not go back to Chu. Let's settle down in Shu instead."
The lotus painting was slightly startled.
"I am the seventh child in my family. From now on, you can call me Seventh Sister. Follow me, and I will not let you suffer." Her mother had died on her bed, and her father had passed away. The one who inherited the throne was her brother, who had no relation to her. In the Chu Palace, she was just a nobody, with no one to care for her. Even if she went back, she would not escape being sent to other states as a tool for alliances.
Having finally gotten out, why would we go back?
She didn't understand that the alliance between the two countries had to be maintained by a woman's body.
Sending my concubine to secure the state, I wonder where a general would be needed. ①
If the Qin state were powerful enough, why would it treat the princess as a tool for political alliance? It is hateful that she has never enjoyed any of the privileges of a princess or the support of the people, yet she has to sacrifice herself for the safety of the people. What is the basis for this?
"So what do we do next?" Lianhua was confused, wondering how a woman could survive in such a chaotic world.
“I also have an idea,” Mi Chenke said with a smile. “I want to open a clinic that specializes in treating ailments that only women have. Nowadays, many women experience discomfort but are ashamed to talk about it; they also believe that their infertility is due to their own physical condition. I’m going to break those people’s perceptions.”
Lianhua was stunned for a moment, at a loss. However, she had followed the princess of Chu, and the princess was her master. Of course, she had to fully support whatever the princess wanted to do. So she nodded vigorously, "This servant supports the princess."
"Still calling me princess?"
"This servant supports Seventh Sister!"
"You don't need to refer to yourself as a slave."
These days, she has been eagerly absorbing countless medical techniques in the Qin Palace. There are so many medical books in the Qin Palace that she could never finish digesting them in her lifetime. Sure enough, this knowledge is reserved for the royal family and the powerful. How could commoners be qualified to know it?
Although the Queen opened many clinics for treating various ailments and changed some of the situation, she was still living in the Qin Palace, and change could not be achieved overnight.
For example, it is said that the medical books about women's ailments were read by the King of Qin in his spare time and then compiled by someone, with the purpose of benefiting the Queen.
Apart from the Queen, the King of Qin had no concept of gender towards the other women; he didn't care at all.
The book even states that the best time for a woman to conceive is between the ages of twenty and twenty-five. Therefore, the Queen's failure to conceive was not because she was angry with Huayang Jun, but because he cherished his wife and did not want her to suffer.
The medical book records all the birth-related illnesses and other difficult-to-treat diseases that women may experience, and also provides clear steps on how to treat them.
The King of Qin was very clever and did a good job in this regard, but he only had one share of his goodness and did not share it with others. If she had not stayed in the Qin Palace for a while, and if the Queen had not seen that she loved medical books and sent her all the medical books in the Qin Palace to read, she would never have known about these things.
This left her with mixed feelings, even a bittersweet feeling. This bittersweet feeling had nothing to do with romantic love; she had no affection for the King of Qin. Despite the bitterness, she also felt fortunate, deeply fortunate.
If they won't do these things, then she will!
Banban arrived at the outside of Xianyang Palace in a sedan chair. Further out from here was the gate of the Qin Palace. At this moment, the Qin soldiers were guarding the area, standing in neat rows, not daring to make a sound, and each of them was carrying a medicine box and waiting quietly.
There was no way around it; once they said no loud noises, it really meant no. Anyone who dared to raise their voices might have a Qin soldier's spear thrust at them at any moment. They didn't give any warnings; they had explained the rules beforehand, and anyone who broke them would be killed on the first try. It was terrifying.
Many people have been waiting since morning, and haven't even had lunch yet, for fear of missing their turn if they arrive too late.
"They're here!"
Someone lowered their voice and said something, and instantly all the alchemists raised their heads and craned their necks in response.
A woman of outstanding beauty sat atop a golden-black palanquin. Before anyone could get a good look at her, they knelt down to pay their respects.
"This humble subject pays respects to Your Majesty the Queen. Long live Your Majesty!"
The queen, seated at the head of the table, slowly alighted from her palanquin, her voice soft and sweet, "Rise."
Liu Shiqing couldn't help but quietly raise his head. Just then, the Queen walked gracefully towards him against the light. When he saw her face clearly, his gaze froze, unable to look away even an inch.
This is the Queen...
She did not deliberately adopt the demeanor of a queen; her steps were graceful and poised. The afternoon sun shone with a luxurious luster around her, and beneath her jet-black hair were a pair of bright, curious, and beautiful eyes that made her face breathtaking.
Looking into the heart through the eyes, the Queen's eyes were the purest black, like a clear stream that could see the pebbles at the bottom of a pool; even a glance at them was an offense.
Liu Shiqing instantly grasped the hand under the wide sleeve, and it took him a long time to realize that he had subconsciously held his breath. He slowly calmed his breathing.
What beauty this is!
She was flawless, as if she had gathered all the beauty and wonder of the world, making one forget the mundane world upon seeing her. This was the Queen… she truly deserved to be the Queen.
She fits the image circulating among the people, exactly like everyone's fantasy of a queen!
She inspected the list of people one by one, and she knew their abilities very well. Based on their appearances, she selected three alchemists who looked very serious.
Finally, after hesitating for a long time as she walked, she stopped in front of a thin man and said, "You, raise your head."
The man slightly hunched his shoulders, then straightened his back with composure.
A thin face, with a slightly bluish tinge, came into view.
If someone has the skill to refine pills but lives such a miserable life, like they can't get enough to eat, it's either because they lack eloquence and can't deceive people, or because they haven't learned the skills properly and can't refine pills well.
"You're the last one. What's your name?"
The man was stunned for a moment, then immediately said, "I am Liu Shiqing, a commoner."
"What are you standing there for? You've been chosen, hurry up and thank the emperor!" Qin Bing scolded him harshly.
Liu Shiqing snapped out of his daze, his face flushed red, and he kowtowed deeply, "This humble subject thanks Your Majesty for your great kindness and virtue!"
Banban glanced at him strangely, finding the alchemist's gaze rather disgusting as he stared at her like that, but his gaze was not quite the same as the one Lao Ai had once given her.
Liu Shiqing still felt it was not quite real when he moved into the front palace with his attendants.
The Queen selected four Danshi in total; with so many competitors, he was able to be chosen.
"Tsk tsk."
Liu Shiqing turned his head, and the one who spoke was a tall, well-off man with a short beard. He stroked his chin and rolled his eyes at him, "Who do we have here? It's you. What real talent do you have that you managed to get in here?"
Liu Shiqing recognized him as Huo Ziqian. Huo Ziqian had an older brother named Huo Ziqi, who was an official in the court. Huo Ziqi had been dismissed by the Prince of Qin despite not having committed any wrongdoing, as the court was purged after the Lao Ai Rebellion.
The Huo family had been doing business for years and originally relied on Huo Ziqi as their backer. However, the Queen insisted on opening many clinics for treating various ailments, which caused several of the Huo family's clinics to close down. He then came to engage in swindling and deception.
"Everyone knows who lacks real talent and ability," Liu Shiqing said coldly, then turned and left.
"Hey, you—" Huo Ziqian glared and puffed out his cheeks.
Banban naturally remembered Huo Ziqian. She knew that Huo Ziqian's brother was Huo Ziqi, who had opposed her opening a clinic in the court back then. At that time, she stood on one side of Xianyang Palace and saw Huo Ziqi's arrogant face clearly with her own ears.
She holds grudges very well.
The next day, she officially began refining the pills, using the pretext of a beauty and health-preserving pill to have each of them refine one batch of pills.
Liu Shiqing was the first to successfully refine it, taking only three days. The resulting pill was dark brown and had a fragrant aroma reminiscent of herbs.
Huo Ziqian took nearly a month. While the other two had already completed the process, he remained calm and composed, sitting cross-legged in a solemn fast. When the time came, he took out the pill.
The pill was dark black, coated with a layer of dark gold luster.
It looks quite intimidating.
On the day the event was completed, Ying Zheng also came to witness the ceremony.
"Does this elixir truly beautify and nourish the skin?" Ying Zheng was skeptical. Though doubtful, he maintained a peaceful smile and feigned a humble attitude, eager to learn.
"Indeed, Your Majesty." Huo Ziqian nodded with a smile.
Banban sat beside Ying Zheng, a delighted smile on his face. "In that case, it would be best if Huo Danshi took it himself. I need to see the effects first before I take it myself."
Having heard this many times, Huo Ziqian readily picked up a pill and swallowed it with water. "What's so difficult about that? It's been refined by the spiritual energy of heaven and earth, so it's not only non-toxic, but also extremely beneficial to take."
"Then Hordans will take two pills a day, once in the morning and once in the evening. Take them for two months and let me check. If they really have miraculous effects, you will enjoy wealth and honor."
Upon hearing this, Huo Ziqian's smile froze slightly. "?"
Ying Zheng glanced at his wife, knowing exactly what she was thinking, and coughed lightly to cover his smile.
"The same applies to the others. Once the effects are seen in two months, I will reward them accordingly." Banban instructed the palace servants, "You must carefully supervise them. If they use any unused pills or secretly throw them away, you will be rewarded for reporting them. Those who cover up such acts will be severely punished."
She emphasized the severity of the punishment, without specifying what it was, but it reminded everyone of the principle of collective punishment in Qin law. Instantly, everyone in the court trembled like leaves, staring intently at the four alchemists.
Ying Zheng shook his head, leaned against the throne, picked up a pill that smelled strongly of herbs, sniffed it, and said, "Leave the person who made this pill behind."
Before he could finish speaking, his wife snatched the pill from his hand. "Don't eat it! What are you doing?" He also received a glare from her.
"I was just smelling what it smelled like," he said gently, then put his arm around her waist and bowed, saying, "Your Majesty is so majestic."
She pinched his arm in annoyance, and was about to whisper something intimate to him when she glanced at him and saw Liu Shiqing still standing below. She nudged her cousin with her elbow.
Ying Zheng's smile faded, and he asked seriously, "What ingredients are used to refine these pills?"
Liu Shiqing bowed and clasped his hands in greeting. He had just noticed that the King of Qin seemed to want to kiss the Queen's lips. The two were incredibly intimate, their relationship perfectly harmonious and loving.
"Your Majesty, I used Poria cocos, Atractylodes macrocephala, Angelica dahurica, Angelica sinensis, Astragalus membranaceus, red dates, and wolfberries, supplemented with dried motherwort powder, and also mixed with honey juice."
Poria cocos reduces swelling, strengthens the spleen, and calms the mind, improving dull complexion caused by excessive dampness; Atractylodes macrocephala strengthens the spleen and removes dampness; Angelica dahurica clears nasal passages; Angelica sinensis nourishes and invigorates blood, giving a rosy complexion; Astragalus membranaceus tonifies qi and raises yang; Jujubes nourish blood and calm the mind; Goji berries benefit essence, improve eyesight, and invigorate the spirit... Motherwort is even known as a raw material for "Fairy Maiden Powder," invigorating blood and moisturizing the skin.
He recognized them all. Ying Zheng frowned slightly. "Just these?"
Liu Shiqing cupped his hands in a gesture of respect again, saying, "These are my prescriptions."
"According to you, others probably don't use the same prescription?" Ying Zheng raised an eyebrow, looking at the thin man below with interest.
Liu Shiqing hesitated slightly before speaking frankly, “Many people use cinnabar, mercury, lead powder, gold and other substances in alchemy. I believe that such things should not be ingested easily; they are not for alchemy but for poison.”
He said frankly, "Like Huo Ziqian just now, the Queen ordered him to take pills day and night, but he dared not, and would definitely have to secretly throw them away. Please, Your Majesty, do not punish those servants."
"I was just scare them; of course I wouldn't punish my palace servants." Banban hadn't expected this person to be so honest. "So you didn't actually cause an explosion, did you?"
Liu Shiqing noticed the stove exploding and seemed to understand the Queen's intention. "The Queen is interested in the stove exploding?"
"What kind of raw materials would cause the furnace to explode when refining elixirs?" Ying Zheng turned his gaze slightly, seemingly lost in thought.
Without hesitation, Liu Shiqing said, "As far as I know, it requires stone flow yellow, soil saltpeter, and charcoal, but I don't know the specific formula ratio."
"Alchemists usually use these ingredients to make pills, but these... these commoners think they are inedible."
"Shi Liu Huang is used to treat scabies, a skin disease. It needs to be used with caution even when treating the disease because it is poisonous, let alone swallowed?"
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The author's note: ① "I send my concubine to secure the nation; I wonder where a general is needed." This is a quote from the Tang Dynasty poet Li Shanfu.
Here we go, extra chapter as usual at 11 PM.
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