Chapter 79 Disputes over Contraception: Will Contraceptives Damage Your Chances of Having Children...
As the sun set, the sounds of string and wind instruments in the banquet hall gradually faded. Arrows were scattered all around the green-glazed pottery pitch-pot, and the huanghuali wooden horse swayed gently in the sunset. Guests bid farewell in twos and threes and stepped onto the carriages and horses prepared outside the mansion gate.
After smilingly seeing off the last group of guests, Prince Chun and his wife felt as stiff as if they were wearing masks.
The couple returned to their room, and Zhu finally had a chance to drink a cup of tea to soothe her throat.
"I had someone investigate carefully. That parrot belonged to the opera troupe. There was originally a scene called 'Parrot Presenting Poetry,' but the troupe leader was worried that the little creature would misbehave in front of the emperor, so he canceled the performance and kept the parrot in a cage backstage. In the midst of the chaos, someone took it away and put it in the Elegant Pavilion guest room..."
Xie Yu poured another cup of tea for Zhu Shi and said, "I will have someone send this message to the palace later, but... I really didn't expect that the Empress Dowager would be willing to stand up for the Lin family."
In particular, the Empress Dowager's final "advice" to Scholar Lin was clearly intended to use the Lin family to eliminate the Tao family completely, thereby weakening Prince Anxian's power.
With such meticulous thinking and decisive skills, this woman will surely be able to manage the six palaces with ease in the future. No wonder Wei Jin is fond of her.
Zhu recalled the expression on Princess Anxian's face when she left, and smiled faintly.
"This is the first time I've seen the Tao family suffer in silence. The Empress Dowager had been patiently waiting for the Tao family to become complacent so she could deliver a severe blow!"
Xie Yu gently massaged Zhu's shoulders, then changed the subject, saying, "Not long ago, Marquis Huiwen sent me a message saying that since we left the capital, his eldest son has been waiting for Nianyi, and has been all alone all these years. I used to think that the young master Wen was mediocre, but now it seems that his feelings for Nianyi are genuine."
Madam Zhu looked enlightened: "I knew it! No wonder the Marquis's wife sends invitations every few days, and today at the banquet she even asked me about Nianyi's recent situation."
"I haven't agreed to Marquis Huiwen's request yet. After being away from the capital for so many years, I need to find out the current situation of the Wen family."
"My husband is right. This time, we must find a good family for Nianyi!"
Holding her teacup, Madam Zhu sighed again, "I originally thought that since the Regent hadn't married all these years, he still cared about Nianyi. Even if she had been married once before, based on their past relationship, perhaps they could have become a couple. Now it seems I was overthinking it..."
Suddenly, a soft sound came from outside the door.
"Who's outside?" Zhu's eyes sharpened, and she raised her voice to ask.
The carved doors opened to the sides, and Xie Nianzhi walked in carrying a tray. He said calmly, "Brother and sister-in-law must be exhausted after a busy day. I've prepared two bowls of bird's nest soup for you."
Madam Zhu's expression softened. She pulled Xie Nianzhi to sit down, her tone reproachful, but her eyes were filled with heartache: "You've been working hard for me for most of the day, instead of resting properly, you've gone to the kitchen to work again."
Xie Nianzhi smiled gently: "Since we have nothing else to do, sister-in-law and brother, please drink it while it's hot."
Suddenly remembering something, Madam Zhu asked, "By the way, I remember that today the wife of the Minister of Justice wanted to see the play 'The Upright Judge Overturns a Wrongful Case.' You personally went backstage to ask the troupe leader to add this play. Do you remember seeing any suspicious people backstage at that time?"
Xie Nianzhi took out a bowl of bird's nest from the tray, her expression calm: "I didn't see anyone suspicious."
She raised her eyes, her clear eyes filled with curiosity: "When I came over, I saw Manager Yu still holding the opera troupe hostage. Did something happen?"
The fewer people who know about what happened to the Lin family's daughter, the better. Zhu took the ginseng soup and said with a smile, "It's nothing. I'll have Steward Yu give them a reward."
———
As night falls, the palace lanterns under the eaves of the Phoenix Perch Palace are lit one by one, making the entire palace shine like a bright pearl in the night.
Pei Muwei strode into the palace. The palace servants guarding the corridor bowed their heads and stared silently at their toes, their movements practiced as if they had long been accustomed to it.
Pei Muwei lingered in the warm pavilion for a while, waiting for the chill from the night breeze to dissipate before entering his bedroom.
The room still held the warmth of the bathwater, which had been left untouched, mingling with the woman's delicate fragrance, creating an exceptionally alluring atmosphere.
The candlelight was bright, and a graceful figure could be vaguely seen through the evening-colored embroidered magnolia curtains.
The man's long, slender fingers, with their distinct knuckles, parted the curtains, as if tearing open a corner of a delicate pink flower petal to reveal the alluring beauty sleeping within.
The young empress dowager lay on her side on the phoenix couch, dressed in a light yellow brocade undergarment. The delicate magnolia embroidery on the lapel looked tender and delicate in the candlelight, as if quietly waiting to be chosen.
The woman's long, black hair clung to her fair, jade-like face, cascading down her snow-white collarbone and finally falling in front of her dress, half-concealing her proud curves.
Pei Muwei lowered his eyes, his gaze falling on the woman's trembling eyelashes. He smiled slightly and gently brushed his sandalwood prayer beads across her delicate cheek.
The prayer beads, warmed by the man's body temperature and scent, tickled Chu Yueyuan's cheeks. Unable to continue pretending any longer, she had no choice but to open her eyes.
The man's deep-set eyes came into view, his cool gaze reflecting the flickering candlelight, his eyes filled with tender affection, as if one could easily fall into his trap.
Chu Yueyuan's heart skipped a beat, then pounded violently at the sight of the excessively handsome face before her.
She secretly berated herself for her lack of self-control, propped herself up on the cushion, and tucked a stray strand of hair behind her ear: "I feel a little tired. Would you be willing to rest in the side hall tonight, Minister Pei?"
The implication was that she was going to keep the widow's door closed tonight.
Pei Muwei lifted his robe and sat down on the edge of the couch. He picked up a strand of her hair with his fingers, slowly twirling it between his fingertips. He gazed deeply into her charming eyes, his voice low and mellow:
"Your Majesty, I heard that the Empress Dowager heard a case at the Prince's residence today. Prince Chun and Lord Hu both praised Your Highness highly, saying that Your Highness was insightful and capable in punishing evil and promoting good, ultimately bringing the villains to justice and clearing the name of the Lin family's daughter. The Lin family is extremely grateful to Your Highness."
Chu Yueyuan's cheeks flushed slightly, whether from the Regent's string of compliments or from his affectionate gaze, she couldn't tell.
She coughed lightly: "Prince Chun and Lord Hu are really... exaggerating. In fact, there are many oversights in this case..."
Just a quarter of an hour ago, Prince Chun sent his trusted aide to report that the parrot that could only mimic human speech was kept by the opera troupe. After the opera started, the actors behind the stage were busy performing, and no one noticed who stole the parrot and then placed it in the guest room of Yaxuan without anyone noticing.
This reason seems reasonable at first glance, but it doesn't stand up to close scrutiny.
For example, why would a bird thief abandon the parrot in the innermost guest room of the elegant pavilion instead of releasing it directly?
Furthermore, when Prince Tao and his servant entered the guest room, they did not find the parrot inside. This proves that the bird thief sneaked into the guest room after Prince Tao fell asleep, leaving the parrot there, which led to Lin Yuzhen breaking down the door.
Furthermore, what is this person's intention? Is it to ruin Miss Lin's reputation, or to turn the Lin and Tao families into enemies?
Chu Yueyuan expressed her doubts to the Regent.
Pei Muwei had not personally experienced this incident, but he still keenly sensed the woman's worry from her words.
His eyes darkened slightly: "Your Highness believes there is a traitor within the Prince Chun's residence."
Chu Yueyuan nodded. The person who stole the bird must be very familiar with the environment of the Prince's mansion to be able to do everything without anyone around.
As for this person's purpose, she couldn't figure it out yet. Even if Lin Yuzhen hadn't escaped Tao Shizi's clutches, the Tao and Lin families wouldn't have blamed the host of this banquet. So what exactly was the person behind it all up to?
"Your Highness will convey your concerns to Prince Chun and instruct him to thoroughly investigate the people in your household."
"But... today Prince Chun helped me deal with the Tao family. If I tell him about this, won't the prince think that I am suspicious of him?"
Pei Muwei gazed into the woman's watery eyes, which held a hint of guilt. He raised his hand and gently rubbed the back of her head, his voice soft: "Xie Yu is not a narrow-minded person. If the traitor in the manor can be found, it will be like removing a major threat to him, and he will be grateful for Your Highness's reminder."
Hearing the Regent say this, Chu Yueyuan felt much more at ease.
The emperor and his minister talked for a long time, but by the time Chu Yueyuan realized something was wrong, the minister had already brazenly climbed onto her phoenix bed and skillfully untied the sash around her waist with his long fingers.
Chu Yueyuan quickly shrank back, her bright eyes widening slightly: "Just now, didn't I tell Pei Qing... that I don't need you to serve me tonight?"
Pei Muwei gripped the woman's slender ankle and gently pulled her down beneath him. He leaned down and pecked her pink earlobe, his phoenix eyes narrowing slightly, his voice low and deep: "What? Has Your Highness grown tired of this humble subject so quickly?"
It was more than just disgust; Chu Yueyuan practically wanted to seal off the widow's door and keep her insatiable brother-in-law out.
The man, in particular, would make a scene endlessly, wanting nothing more than to possess her completely.
The next day, Imperial Physician Zhao prescribed her a contraceptive decoction and asked her how often she had sex to determine the dosage. Chu Yueyuan blushed and didn't know how to answer.
Because there were a few times when she genuinely couldn't remember.
The kiss that landed on her neck made her weak all over, and even the force she used to push against the man's chest seemed reluctant to stop.
In just a few breaths, the belt around her waist loosened, her inner garment opened, and two thin straps extended from under her jade-like neck. As she leaned back to dodge, the two magnolia flowers embroidered on her pale blue inner garment bloomed even more fully.
Pei Muwei's dark eyes reflected that trembling crimson, as if lighting a fire in his heart, which then spread like wildfire.
He leaned down, his thin lips parted slightly, and his sharp teeth bit down on the ribbon that bound the spring colors.
Moist lips landed on her skin, and Chu Yueyuan couldn't help but let out a soft moan. This melodious sound was like deer blood wine, arousing the man's breathing to become heavier and heavier. The torrential kisses interrupted her voice, which was half warning and half scolding.
"Just this once. If... if you cause trouble again afterward, I will remove your green plaque!"
Beneath the haphazardly piled pale yellow undergarments, Pei Muwei cradled the woman's slender waist in his hand. His phoenix eyes curved slightly, and his low, husky chuckle was filled with doting affection.
"Your Highness, you mustn't rush me..."
It wasn't that he was insatiable; rather, the young Empress Dowager, newly in love, was as delicate as a peach blossom on a branch. If she were to be exposed to any wind or rain, she would urge him to hurry up in a soft voice, which only made him more and more insatiable.
Chu Yueyuan's eyes shimmered with a spring-like light, her gaze sweeping over the man's well-muscled abdomen. Recalling the sycophant's past behavior, she narrowed her eyes and feigned bravado, saying:
"If you urge me, I'll be a dog!"
The woman's eyes were alluring, her lips slightly parted, her captivating charm sending shivers down Pei Muwei's spine. His gaze suddenly darkened, and he lowered his head to capture her crimson lips, swallowing her sobs completely.
The tall figure cast upon the evening-colored curtains resembled a black dragon coiled around a peach tree, suddenly bending the peach branches and indulging in the overflowing nectar of the peaches.
———
The sun was high in the sky, the light was bright, but the windows were tightly closed.
The woman's slender arms peeked out from behind the curtains, and as the curtains were lifted slightly, a rich musky scent wafted out from the delicate fragrance.
Chu Yueyuan swayed as she stepped off the bed. As she passed the three-foot-tall carved bronze mirror, the mirror reflected the deep and shallow marks on the woman's snow-white skin, especially the area below her collarbone, which resembled a red plum blossom that had endured a night of wind and snow, its petals scattered on the white snow, dazzlingly beautiful.
She casually took down the bamboo-colored outer robe hanging on the clothes rack and draped it over herself. She turned to look at the man sleeping soundly on the bed, then quietly pushed open the sliding door and entered the warm chamber that connected to the bedroom.
Jin Tong had been waiting outside for a while. She brought out the prepared warm water, and after a quick wash, she picked up an ivory comb, dipped it in jasmine oil, and gently combed the woman's thick black hair.
Seeing the scattered red plum blossoms on the woman's fair neck, Jin Tong's ears burned, and she couldn't help but recall the scene from last night.
Although the water was only called once last night, the wait was long, and the sound of the bell was not heard until late at night.
In the past, when she brought water in, Chu Yueyuan would always lift the curtain and go to the washroom to clean herself. But last night, the woman lay motionless on the phoenix bed, her snow-white jade arms hanging down from the edge of the bed, as if she had no breath left.
Jin Tong suddenly suspected that the Regent had tormented her master to death!
The man wet a handkerchief in warm water, carefully brushed aside the woman's disheveled hair, bent down and kissed her still-rosy cheeks, then carefully helped her wipe her body.
The warm yellow candlelight cast a soft glow on the man's profile, softening the sharp angles of his face and adding a touch of gentleness to his cool eyes. He gazed intently at the woman on the bed with her eyes closed, as if she were a precious treasure, his eyes gleaming.
"Go to the Imperial Hospital and bring Physician Zhao here."
The woman's soft voice brought Jin Tong back to her senses. She bowed and said "Yes, ma'am," before leaving the warm pavilion.
Chu Yueyuan touched her flat stomach. Last night, she had spoken her mind, but she had fallen for the villain's trick again. In the end, he even clung to her desperately. It seemed that she couldn't avoid this contraceptive soup.
About the time it takes for an incense stick to burn, Zhao Qiming arrived carrying a medicine box.
Zhao Qiming took the Empress Dowager's pulse as usual. His brows furrowed, and a hint of hesitation flashed across his face. Finally, he bowed and said, "Forgive my bluntness, but the contraceptive medicine is cold in nature. Even if I reduce the dosage according to Your Highness's constitution, long-term use will still damage your health."
Zhao Qiming's voice trailed off: "Furthermore... it might affect His Highness's... chances of having children in the future."
Upon hearing the words "fate and destiny," Chu Yueyuan's eyes flickered slightly, but her tone remained calm: "I will remember what Imperial Physician Zhao said. Please prescribe the medicine as usual."
"Your humble servant obeys the decree."
After Zhao Qiming left, Chu Yueyuan strolled to the carved window.
She pushed open the window, and a cool breeze rushed in, causing pale purple petals to swirl and land in her hair.
The sky was a clear, bright blue, and beyond the layers of painted beams and flying eaves, one could see the towering pagoda reaching into the clouds.
The pagoda has thirteen stories. The body of the pagoda, built of blue bricks, is painted with a layer of gold paint. Each brick is engraved with Sanskrit characters. The eaves are covered with peacock blue glazed tiles. When the sunlight shines on it, the whole pagoda is radiant with light, and the gold and blue colors intertwine, making it seem like a heavenly palace or Buddhist realm.
In seven days, the pagoda will be inaugurated, and civil and military officials will go to the Imperial Ancestral Temple to witness the ceremony.
Chu Yueyuan stared at it for a while, but her eyes were dazzled. She turned around, and a tall figure gradually emerged in her white vision. The man walked out of the light, wearing a black brocade robe, with cold, sharp eyes and slightly pursed lips. The chilling aura surrounding him was so real that it quickly swallowed the golden light.
"Would you like to have breakfast here, Pei Qing?"
Although Chu Yueyuan remembered the humiliation she suffered last night, she still pretended to be magnanimous and took the initiative to smile and say.
Pei Muwei gazed at the young Empress Dowager's bright face. A hint of spring fever still lingered in her shimmering eyes. He stepped forward, his long fingers twirling a hibiscus petal from her hair, his voice cool and clear:
"What did Your Highness just say to Imperial Physician Zhao?"
Chu Yueyuan truthfully replied, "I had Imperial Physician Zhao bring me a contraceptive soup."
Pei Muwei's eyes were unusually deep. He remained silent for a few moments before his thin lips parted slightly: "Does Your Highness take a contraceptive potion every time you have sex with me?"
"Otherwise what?"
Chu Yueyuan blinked her bright eyes. She did not intend to hide this from the man. It was just that she had been to the morning court several times before, and the regent got up earlier than her, so he did not know that she was taking the contraceptive soup.
But... so what?
Since the regent had decided to imprison her in the stupa, it was impossible for her to conceive his child.
Otherwise, it wouldn't be enough to have one former emperor enshrined in the pagoda; adding a prince of the new dynasty would make it too much of a place where hidden talents reside...
Pei Muwei stared at the woman's open and honest expression, feeling a dull ache in his chest. Whenever he thought that this delicate flower, which he had nurtured with his heart and soul, had sprouted new buds, the Empress Dowager would always give him a different kind of surprise, just like a fleeting moment under the moon, something he could never grasp.
Even though their sweat mingled last night, as tender and intimate as mandarin ducks entwined, there was still an insurmountable chasm separating her heart from his.
Just then, Jin Tong walked in carrying a tray.
Just as Chu Yueyuan was about to pick up the celadon bowl on the tray, the Regent grabbed her wrist. Confused, she looked up and met the man's phoenix eyes, which held a hint of anger.
"You're not allowed to drink."
She was also getting angry, and glared back with her dark eyes: "I want to drink it."
"Has Your Highness forgotten what Imperial Physician Zhao said? The contraceptive soup will harm your chances of having children."
"I do not want children."
As soon as she finished speaking, she clearly felt the man tighten his grip on her wrist, causing her to furrow her brow in pain.
Pei Muwei's dark eyes gleamed with a burning light, and his voice was deep: "This humble subject desires it."
Chu Yueyuan's anger turned into surprise. She opened her bright eyes wide and looked at the man's tense and handsome face in disbelief. Her heart was filled with shock and she felt that he had gone mad.
Jin Tong glanced at the two arguing ministers and, steeling herself, spoke up: "Your Highness, the contraceptive soup is not yet ready. This is ginseng soup sent from the kitchen..."
Chu Yueyuan was slightly taken aback. Only then did she remember that Imperial Physician Zhao had said that the contraceptive soup was cold in nature and needed to be mixed with ginseng soup before taking it. However, she had forgotten about this because of the Regent's unreasonable nagging.
"Jin Tong, you may step back now."
"This servant obeys the order."
The atmosphere between the two remained tense.
Chu Yueyuan took a soft breath and softened her voice: "If Pei Qingru wishes to have children, I can select a virtuous lady from a prestigious family for you, a gentle and kind young lady with both beauty and virtue, to help you continue your lineage."
Pei Muwei's eyes suddenly darkened. He lifted the woman's delicate chin with his long fingers, scrutinizing her beautiful face, and said softly, "Your Highness is beautiful and intelligent. Why can't you bear me an heir?"
Chu Yueyuan frowned slightly, finding the man's words increasingly absurd. She emphasized, "My relationship with you has already violated moral principles. If we were to have a child, he would have no status or identity, and would only become a laughingstock in the eyes of the world... an illegitimate child..."
Pei Muwei's jaw tightened, his dark eyes swirling, and his voice was slow and deep: "I will give him a title, and I will also give His Highness a title."
Chu Yueyuan raised her head, meeting the man's dark eyes, and said resolutely, "But I will not like the arrival of this child. What kind of life will an unappreciated life lead in the deep palace? Pei Qing... should know better than anyone else. Why repeat the same mistake?"
These words were like a sharp sword, piercing Pei Muwei's chest and causing him to gasp for breath.
In an instant, a surge of violent energy rose within him, prompting him to act impulsively, just like his father had years ago.
He wanted to use a gold chain to lock the woman firmly, confining her to his own little world. He would no longer pity her, nor would he need to accommodate her. He would roughly silence her rosy lips, turning her earnest words into melodious moans, intertwining like clouds and rain in a mountain stream, endlessly, until the woman conceived his child.
If he can't control her, then he'll imprison her for life with his own flesh and blood.
He didn't care about love or resentment. As long as he could keep her by his side, what did it matter if she became the person he hated the most?
Chu Yueyuan looked at the man's eyes and saw a deep shadow of gloom rising in them, a terrifying sight she had never seen before, and her heart couldn't help but feel uneasy.
She knew that the man was invincible except for this one weakness. Now, she was so determined to strike at his Achilles' heel with her words, which could very well bring about a result she could not bear.
Her long eyelashes drooped slightly, her tone calm, yet carrying an unwavering resolve: "I will not change my mind. If Pei Qing truly cares about my health, he might as well... come less often in the future."
Pei Muwei's face was gloomy. He held the woman's soft, boneless, slender wrist. The beast in his heart was about to break free of its cage, fiercely biting the prey that wanted to escape, and indulging in unrestrained pleasure.
"Your humble servant will come again tonight."
He released her wrist, uttered those words, and strode away.
The scent of sandalwood, belonging to men, lingered in the room. Chu Yueyuan relaxed her tense shoulders and looked out the window at the golden pagoda again, a dark look appearing in her eyes.
It's still too slow!
Sigh... But she's already schemed against him so much, and now the relationship has become strained because of the contraceptive soup. Maybe I should just wait a little longer...
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