Book Synopsis
Book Tags
Donation Rankings
Comment
0 Comments
You May Also Like
墨書 Inktalez
In the twelfth year of Han, Liu Bang quelled the rebellion of Ying Bu but returned to Chang'an with life-threatening arrow wounds.
Inside Langhua Palace, Lu Zhi sat majestically, gazing thoughtfully at the curling smoke rising from the stove.
A hurried sound of footsteps approached. An elderly eunuch, his hair and beard white, hurriedly bowed and whispered a few words in her ear before bowing again and leaving.
The corners of Lu Zhi's mouth lifted slightly as she exchanged a knowing glance with a palace maid behind her.
Immediately, a maid brought over a medicinal soup that had been warmed in water, while another maid stepped forward to dab some ash from the pot onto Lu Zhi's forehead. As she did so, her face couldn't help but show concern. "Your Highness, Consort Qi has been by the Emperor's sickbed all day. You rarely visit, yet you’ve made yourself look like this. If the Emperor sees you..."
"If he still has me in his eyes, then even if I were old and frail, he would cherish me. Back when he was the steward at the Pavilion of Sishui, whenever he fell ill, who was it that served him soup and medicine?" She spoke as she rose gracefully and headed toward Chen He Palace.
"Your Majesty!"
The maid guarding outside Chen He Palace knelt down in panic upon seeing Lu Zhi. "Your Majesty, the Emperor just fell asleep. Consort Qi is attending to him..."
"Bring him here!" Liu Hou's voice was calm yet chilling. "Execute him immediately; drag him far away so as not to disturb the Emperor!"
As she spoke, her gaze sliced through the crowd like a knife. "Is there anyone else who wishes to stop me?"
At that moment, her expression, devoid of visible emotion, instilled fear in everyone present. The surroundings fell silent; no one dared to speak out against her.
Lu Zhi let out a cold laugh and strode into the inner chamber like a stealthy cat, silently lifting the curtain of the inner hall.
On the dragon bed, Liu Bang lay bare-chested due to an arrow wound, while Qi Ji gently rested her head on his chest, her eyes glistening as she softly lamented, "Your Majesty, your health is in jeopardy. I have been watching over you day and night, hoping for your swift recovery. But I cannot help but worry for Ruyi. With the Emperor ill and unable to care for him, and with his mother not by his side to guide him, I fear he may be bullied."
"I am not like the Empress, born into a noble family with knowledge of governance. Over the years, I have only been able to assist you in eliminating the rival kings and dealing with Han Xin to ease your burdens. My learning is shallow; since entering the palace, I have only known how to serve you and have neglected my duties toward Ruyi..."
"Do not think such thoughts," Liu Bang replied, gently taking Qi Ji's hand and bringing it to his face. "Ruyi is a good boy; he has shown great filial piety. I know you are sincere. If one day I truly leave this world and you are left alone with him, the Empress would likely not spare you. But if you and Ruyi were to hold power, I believe you would treat them well!"
Lu Zhi lifted the gauzy curtain with her own hands and gazed at the scene before her. This radiant woman, delicate and fragile, was forever the one he cherished most dearly, making him feel an overwhelming desire to protect her.
Yet she? From the very beginning, she had been mistaken; a man did not need a virtuous wife or a good mother. The hardships she endured for him only served to widen the chasm between them.
Thinking of this, Lu Zhi couldn't help but let out a soft laugh.
The sound startled both of them behind the curtain; they released their hands—one looking back timidly while the other blushed with shame.
Lu Zhi appeared as if she had heard nothing, approaching with a bright smile. "I know His Majesty has Qi Ji to care for him; he will surely recover soon. However, while Qi Ji serves His Majesty well, when it comes to real matters, she may not be as capable as me, who has been a farmer's wife. Just now I heard that one of Qi Ji's maids left while preparing medicine for half a tea's worth of time..."
Qi Ji's face turned pale as she quickly glanced at Liu Bang with a pleading look. Liu Bang merely frowned slightly, hesitating to speak: "That servant..."
"The medicine for His Majesty," Lu Zhi continued calmly yet coldly, "the physician said that every quarter hour the fire must be reduced. Moreover, if no one is watching over the preparation of the medicine and something goes wrong due to malicious intent, it could destabilize the country. This concerns both His Majesty's health and our Han dynasty's stability. Therefore, I took it upon myself to have her executed!"
Lu Zhi's voice was steady and chilling as if she were stating something utterly commonplace.
Upon hearing this, Qi Ji's legs gave way beneath her, and she collapsed onto the floor. That was her little maid whom she had raised since childhood! Though merely a small palace maid, they shared a bond akin to sisters.
The strike from Liu Hou not only ended the life of a palace maid but also severed her arm completely.
"Since His Majesty fell ill, I have personally prepared medicine for him every day at Langhua Palace. However, with Qi Ji taking care of things here at Weiyang Palace, I did not wish to disturb His Majesty and Qi Ji. Now that there seems to be an issue with the medicine, I fear its efficacy might be compromised. Therefore, I have brought the medicine I personally brewed, hoping for His Majesty's swift recovery!"
Lu Zhi said as she took the porcelain bowl from the maid's hands and approached the bed, handing it directly to Qi Ji. "Sister, you have always served His Majesty best; it would be a great help if you could feed him this medicine!"
As she drew closer, Liu Bang noticed the faint smudge of ash on her face, and his gaze flickered. " Zhi'er, you..."
"It's late; after taking the medicine, Your Majesty should rest early."
Lu Zhi bowed respectfully and left Weiyang Palace without looking back.
Once she had walked a considerable distance away, she suddenly stopped and quietly instructed, "Send someone out of the palace to notify the Duke of State. Whether by persuasion or force, make sure Zhang Liang finds a way tonight to prevent His Majesty from deposing the Crown Prince!"
Comment 0 Comment Count