Chapter 211: Bone Marrow Cleansing
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A shiny copper hairpin disappeared into her hair, leaving only the bead flowers at its end. The dangling jade beads swayed gently as they were inserted with a subtle force.
Consort Yu carefully examined herself in the bronze mirror, even her makeup was immaculate, not a hint of yesterday’s tears could be seen.
Perhaps her son hadn’t visited her for a while, and she could sense that the situation now wasn’t under his control as it used to be.
Perhaps it was due to her recurring exile and the instability of returning to Chaoyang Palace. She was always afraid that she would keep plummeting, never to rise again.
Perhaps it was because the flames that were once far from her had gradually ignited beside her.
It had been more than just a day or two. During the nights when the Emperor didn’t come to visit her, she sought comfort for herself. But recently, she was increasingly unable to control her panic and disgust, not just towards herself, but also towards Three Blessings.
Three Blessings had long lost the ability to bring her pleasure as he used to. He seemed unaware of his own situation, possessing an unsettling possessiveness towards her.
Sometimes, when the Emperor stayed in Chaoyang Palace, she could even imagine a pair of silent eyes staring at her through the crack of the door, as though watching over a wife being defiled by another.
As a result, she often experienced night terrors, becoming irritable and displeasing, causing the Emperor to stay over less frequently.
In recent times, after Three Blessings had attended to her, she increasingly struggled to control her nausea and breakdowns, becoming more…
The visage in the mirror grew paler, with a rosy hue accentuating the corners of her eyes, resembling peach blossom makeup.
“Niang Niang.” A senior palace maid by her side crouched down, extending her hand to support her.
Consort Yu focused her mind, connecting their hands, and casting a sidelong glance at the senior palace maid, “Hmm?”
“Niang Niang, Wangye has sent a message.”
Her heart trembled, afraid that her son’s reprimands would reach her through the servant. It wasn’t that she was inadequate in her efforts; many things were simply beyond her control.
She had merely wanted a son who could stand firm in the palace, but how had it come to this?
“What did he say?”
“Wangye ordered that in a few days, the Inner Court Bureau will be conducting the annual body examination and verification. The Jinxiu Ying has always been responsible for coordinating. However, this year, the Jinxiu Ying has changed its master. Wangye asks that you pay more attention.”
Her palms began to sweat, but she didn’t dare to wipe them.
The palace maid was conveying her son’s instructions; she certainly wouldn’t know the true meaning behind his words. However, Consort Yu understood. Liu Zhongming was their current formidable adversary. If Liu Zhongming discovered any leverage related to Three Blessings, no one would escape unscathed.
But it was easy for her son to say. What was she supposed to do?
Three Blessings’s name was recorded in the registry, and he had undergone the annual examination before. Could he really skip it this year? And if he went, then what? What if Liu Zhongming took some action? Could she really send someone to intervene?
Her mind was in turmoil, yet she could only grit her teeth and respond, “I understand.”
It was still a considerable distance from Lijing Palace, and she began to adjust herself, suppressing her anxiety. Slowly stepping over the threshold, she walked gracefully towards the central seat, bowing courteously, “Greetings, Noble Consort. I apologize for my lateness and humbly ask for your forgiveness.”
“Please, take a seat,” Liu Qingru didn’t mind at all. She smiled warmly, instructing someone to help her sit, “It’s just a casual chat between sisters; there’s no concept of being late. It’s quite coincidental that you arrived, I was just discussing it with Sister Qing.”
Consort Yu understood that these two individuals in front of her were on good terms, but the distinction in how they addressed each other was still uncomfortable for her. Yet, she couldn’t express her discomfort openly. She also took a seat and responded with a smile, “How did this interesting situation come about?”
Consort Xian sat to the right of Liu Qingru, lightly fanning herself with a folding fan, and remarked, “We were just discussing who will be going to Fangze Altar for ancestral worship this year.”
With just this sentence, Consort Yu understood.
Every year, the pilgrimage to Fangze Altar for ancestral worship was an essential event. While the journey wasn’t particularly long, the process was intricate and complex. Coupled with over two hours of kowtowing, it was quite physically taxing.
The Emperor was old, and his health was not robust; he naturally couldn’t withstand such exertions. Year after year, it was the Wangyes who performed these duties on his behalf.
In previous years, this was an opportunity to curry favor effortlessly. Even the victors of these internal competitions would be secretly speculated upon: was this the one favored by the Emperor?
But now there was no need for competition.
Jing Wang, Mu Jingchen, had no intention of getting involved in disputes. He had already requested permission to travel to his fiefdom and was set to depart before the autumn hunt. This year, he would spend the New Year in his fiefdom.
As for Rui Wang, Mu Jinglan, he hadn’t even reached one year old yet and couldn’t walk. It wasn’t feasible for the Noble Consort to carry him along.
The only viable candidate left was Huai Wang.
In previous years, this would undoubtedly have been a tremendous opportunity. People would be elated, but for some reason, Consort Yu felt restless.
“There’s still some time…” She looked at the tea that had been brought before her but didn’t touch it, managing a forced smile, “The Emperor must already have a suitable candidate in mind; he will decide when the time comes.”
“It’s just idle chatter, after all. Matters from the previous dynasty should naturally be determined by the Emperor,” Liu Qingru remarked.
Liu Qingru watched as the servant took out a pot of ashes and replaced it with fresh charcoal, then she stretched out her legs and let out a sigh, “Spring came quite late this year. It’s still so cold.”
Consort Xian smiled lightly, “Perhaps it’s not that spring came late, but after giving birth to the young prince, Niang Niang’s body hasn’t fully recovered. It might be a good idea to have the imperial physician look after you.”
“Is that so?” Liu Qingru smiled as well, “Then I really should invite Doctor Qin to take another look another day. It’s not just about feeling cold; it’s after giving birth to Lan Er…”
Her hand gently caressed her lower abdomen.
Both women seated below had experienced childbirth and naturally understood her worries.
Consort Yu chuckled, “Young Wangye is only a few months old. There’s no need to worry, Noble Consort. With the care from the Imperial Physician’s Court and some regular movement, it will smooth out quickly.”
“Can it really be done?” Liu Qingru still had some concerns.
“Of course, it can,” Consort Yu assured, “When Jingyan celebrated his first birthday, the Emperor even teased me, saying my belly still looked like it was carrying something.”
All three of them laughed.
Liu Qingru was young and a first-time mother, so she had many private and perplexing questions. She didn’t want to ask those male physicians from the Imperial Physician’s Court about such matters. Perhaps because she had been tense within her own Chaoyang palace, discussing children now helped Consort Yu relax in this topic.
They chatted animatedly, as though they still held a tender infant learning to speak in their arms.
The charcoal fire in the room burned brightly, making the air dry. Consort Yu spoke a lot and couldn’t help but feel parched. She absentmindedly picked up the teacup from the table, but before she raised it to her lips, a sensation like ice hitting boiling water washed over her, instantly awakening her senses. She discreetly placed the cup back on the table without a sound.
Liu Qingru’s gaze shifted towards her and she kindly smiled, “My hospitality has been lacking. I’m afraid this tea has already gone cold.”
She poured out the remnants of her own cup of tea, saying, “They just sent some Yijun Mountain Silver Needle tea recently. It’s a good opportunity to taste it together.”
Various tea sets had already been prepared in advance, kept warm over the stove, and quickly brought in.
The exquisite enamel teapot, wrapped in a cloth, caught Consort Yu’s eye. She recognized it – it was a recent batch of fine porcelain made by the Liu Family’s shop. It wasn’t available on the market; a batch had been sent to the palace first.
The Emperor had rewarded a set to Chaoyang Palace as well. They were indeed exquisite and transparent, enjoyable to play with, and the tea fragrance didn’t disperse. It was truly top-notch.
Consort Xian chuckled, “Noble Consort is surprisingly willing to share,” as she personally poured tea from the pot for Liu Qingru, then brought it over to Consort Yu.
“Sister, take care of your health,” Consort Yu also stood up and saw that the spout was still emitting steam. Not wanting to contend for it, she looked on as the pale tea poured out, “Many thanks, Sister.”
“It’s no trouble at all,” Consort Xian said as she finally poured a cup for herself. She smiled at Consort Yu, “You wouldn’t believe it, but the Consort holds Zhongming’s item in high regard. She won’t let anyone else handle it, afraid it might be dropped or damaged. The last time I visited, I made a mistake and, in the end, she had to pour the tea herself.”
Liu Qingru pouted, “She’s acting as if nobody’s ever heard of this before. She said it to the Emperor and to Zhongming, as if she wants everyone to think there’s nothing good in my palace. It’s as if I’m being wronged.”
Seeing the two chatting and smiling while they raised their teacups for a few sips, Consort Yu finally felt at ease.
The flavor of Yijun Mountain Silver Needle was rich and mellow, its white downy hairs floating in the water. It was a familiar taste as it entered her mouth.
Lifting her teacup, she blocked a surreptitious exchange of glances between the two across the table.
“Only half a piece.”
Consort Xian leisurely fanned herself. She didn’t turn to look until the sound of footsteps had faded for a long while, then glanced over at the nearby table.
“Even the teacup hasn’t been finished; it only used about half a piece. What do you think?”
The enamel teapot was placed into Liu Qingru’s hands. From the spout, you could faintly see a portion of the pot’s waist protruding.
Her fingers lightly traced over the handle, brushing over a hidden button beneath the handle’s intricate carving. That protruding piece shifted towards the spout, and the pot was now empty.
The clever design of the teapot dissolved Consort Yu’s suspicions.
Just enough for one cup, originally containing a whole piece of Shaoye.
“Half is still something.”
She poured the half-cup of leftover tea into a flowerpot, and their earlier cheerful banter quickly subsided.
“According to Chenzhou’s words, it should be enough. But… there’s less than a month left for them.”
As Yu Dexi stepped out of the warm pavilion, he saw Bo Yan standing on the steps.
“Commander Bo,” he descended slowly, shaking off the dust from his sleeves and bowing, “Does Commander Bo wish to see the Emperor? Unfortunately, the Emperor didn’t sleep well last night, and he just managed to fall asleep. He probably won’t wake up for a few more hours. Commander Bo, please return.”
“I wouldn’t want to disturb the Emperor,” Bo Yan took a few steps forward, lowering his voice, “Is Gonggong busy right now? This lowly official has something to discuss with Gonggong, could I trouble Gonggong to spare some time?”
As the Deputy Commander of the Southern Bureau, Bo Yan addressing himself as “lowly official” in front of Yu Dexi was already quite humble. Yet Yu Dexi took it in stride, not feeling any discomfort.
“Commander Bo is too polite.”
The two walked out through a side gate and headed towards a waterside pavilion.
When the area was less crowded, Bo Yan couldn’t help but start the conversation, “Gonggong, regarding that matter I entrusted you to mention to the Emperor… any progress on that?”
Yu Dexi gave him a sidelong look, his smile somewhat ambiguous, mixing scorn with pity. Bo Yan could only smile wryly.
“Gonggong…”
“Commander Bo, it’s not that I am not willing to help you. It’s just that I am but a servant. I only know how to serve the Emperor. I have no say in major matters of the court. Otherwise, if the Emperor lays blame on me, neither you nor I will have a good end.”
“I wouldn’t want to make things difficult for Gonggong,” Bo Yan hastily said. “It’s just that the Southern Bureau has never been in the current situation before. I want to know what the Emperor’s private intentions are.”
Yu Dexi understood his meaning.
Bo Yan’s current situation was quite awkward. It had been fine when he was Vice Commander under Qi Wang, but after Qi Wang left, he lost his immediate superior. Although he was still in the Vice Commander position, he effectively commanded the Southern Bureau.
But then Qu Chenzhou appeared halfway.
Now the Southern Bureau had been split in two by the palace walls, and the most crucial of its four divisions had been placed under Qu Chenzhou’s control, what was even more troublesome was that Bo Yan’s official position and prestige in front of the Emperor were not on par with Qu Sitian’s. As a result, some of the people under his command were getting restless.
This situation couldn’t be sustained for long.
For Bo Yan, the best outcome would be to separate the Southern Bureau. He could hold his head high as the legitimate Commander, even if he only had control over twelve Guards.
And the worst scenario would be if the Emperor handed over the entire Southern Bureau to Qu Chenzhou, and he remained in the subordinate Vice Commander role.
Seeing his anxious expression, Yu Dexi smiled reassuringly, consoling, “The Emperor hasn’t said anything specific. But recently, it seems that Qu Sitian has been a bit unruly and disobedient, which has annoyed the Emperor. It’s not a good time for us to speak on this matter while the Emperor is in a bad mood. Let this storm pass, and we’ll discuss it later.”
This was akin to giving him a peace of mind pill. Bo Yan’s happiness was barely concealed as he politely arched his hand and softly said, “Thank you, Gonggong. I don’t have anything particularly valuable to offer, but I’ve recently gathered some marrow. It’s stored at the back in the Huixin Courtyard.”
Yu Dexi’s expression shifted.
He lacked nothing, yet that one thing others had, he did not.
This so-called “marrow” was the extract of the jade bone-cleansing process. Among their group, it was also referred to as the “life-root water.” Whether anyone had truly consumed it and grown roots was uncertain, but no one remained unmoved by the prospect.
“Where is it?”
Bo Yan had once offered him gifts before, but to avoid arousing suspicions, those were all stored in the Huixin Courtyard—a location not far from the Cold Palace and visited by few.
For anything else, he could easily send a young eunuch to retrieve it. But not for this.
“Gonggong, it’s just…” Bo Yan whispered softly, confirming that Yu Dexi had memorized the information before respectfully sending the messenger on his way. Only long after he sent the person off did he leave through the Xihua Gate.
Nowadays, he had less convenience moving around the palace compared to before. It was only during these days when Qu Chenzhou was under house arrest that he acted as a temporary replacement.
After passing the marker, a personal guard came up with a horse. Bo Yan mounted with a swift movement, then turned the horse’s head, gazing back at the red walls and green tiles he had known for decades. He couldn’t help but mutter to himself with a sigh.
“Next year… what will this place become…”
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