Chapter 36: “Get Down Immediately.”
Gan Qiongying felt nauseous.
The heavy bitterness of medicine mingled with the Empress Dowager’s powder fragrance, filling her nostrils with an indescribable scent.
She stared at the jade bowl before her, slowly extending her hand. The jade felt warm and cool to the touch, yet Gan Qiongying sensed a piercing coldness.
The Empress Dowager smiled without speaking, no longer looking at the two beside her. After the dishes had been on the table for a long time, she finally took a bite, nodding slightly in approval as if today’s meal suited her taste perfectly.
Sweat beaded on the back of Gan Qiongying’s neck. The consequences of drinking this soup were still unknown, but she remembered the Emperor’s warning—this soup must not be consumed. She had to find some excuse to avoid it.
Direct refusal was not feasible now. In her desperation, she thought of a less-than-ideal solution: simply pretend to slip and spill it.
As she slowly lifted the jade bowl, Gan Qiongying murmured softly, “It’s so hot.”
Just as she was about to tilt her hand and pour it out, she heard a loud clatter!
She suddenly looked up, beads of sweat the size of peas sliding from her neck into her collar.
The jade bowl wobbled on the table, now empty of the medicinal soup. Traces of brown liquid lingered at the corners of the Emperor’s mouth, his eyes bloodshot as if they might bleed at any moment.
Before Gan Qiongying could recover from the shock, the Emperor suddenly stood up and rushed toward her. His wide, heavy robes billowed with the motion, and the jade bowl was snatched from her hand!
The movement was so abrupt that some of the medicinal soup splashed out, staining the delicacies on the table.
However, what shocked Gan Qiongying even more was that the Emperor intended to drink the soup in one gulp again.
Gan Qiongying’s hand now empty, she tried to stand and stop him but was forcefully pressed down by the shoulder.
The large hand on her shoulder trembled violently, knuckles turning white, pressing down with such force that Gan Qiongying felt a dull pain.
Caught off guard, Gan Qiongying’s breath hitched. The sound of the Emperor swallowing the soup above her head felt like heavy stones pounding against her chest.
But what could she do now?
The Empress Dowager, the instigator of it all, continued leisurely picking at her food. Noticing the medicinal soup splashed on her sleeve, she frowned, her fingers loosening their grip, letting the food fall back onto the plate. A few drops of soup splattered onto the table.
The Empress Dowager’s expression remained unchanged; she even smiled as she set down her chopsticks. The once-delicious dish now seemed tasteless to her.
After the Emperor finished drinking, he slammed the jade bowl onto the table. It shattered instantly, its sharp edges cutting into his palm, blood continuously welling up.
This was the only show of strength he had displayed since stepping into Yinian Hall.
Standing between Gan Qiongying and the Empress Dowager, he acted as both a barrier and a protector. The veins on his hands bulged as he stared fixedly at the Empress Dowager’s face.
“Mother Empress,” the Emperor’s voice no longer trembled but carried the deep, resolute tone befitting a ruler, “the soup has been finished.”
Hearing this, the Empress Dowager smiled faintly, lowering her gaze to calmly adjust her sleeve. Her fingernail guards rubbed against the damp, dark red stain as she spoke softly, “The Emperor has been reckless. My sleeve is soaked.”
Seeing that the Emperor did not show the fear she had anticipated, the Empress Dowager sighed as if in regret. “This outfit was only worn once today.”
She looked up and met the Emperor’s gaze, then broke into a gentle smile. Her tone was coaxing, yet as she looked past the Emperor at Gan Qiongying, she said, “Never mind. It’s just a piece of clothing, not worth mentioning.”
The dishes on the table had long grown cold, their aroma faded. Only the heavy scent of medicine lingered, refusing to dissipate.
The two stood in silent confrontation—one pale and unsteady, as if standing alone had drained all his strength; the other composed and calm, a faint smile playing at the corners of her eyes, as though watching a fine spectacle.
The Emperor leaned forward slightly, his voice hoarse as a crow’s. “Your son and the Princess will take their leave now.”
Without waiting for the Empress Dowager’s permission, he took Gan Qiongying by the wrist and strode toward the exit, heedless of all else.
Aunt Hu, as if anticipating this, had already positioned herself at the doorway to block their path. She said nothing, yet met the Emperor’s gaze without flinching, undaunted by the imperial authority.
Gan Qiongying felt the grip on her wrist tighten further. Seeing Aunt Hu blocking the way, she guessed the Emperor intended to force their way out. Just as she braced herself to charge forward, the Empress Dowager’s voice drifted lazily from behind.
“This palace is weary,” the Empress Dowager said, her voice clear and melodious, accompanied by a languid yawn. “Let His Majesty return and rest well. The Princess is unwell—summon Imperial Physician Fu to her residence to examine her and prescribe medicine.”
She spoke like a considerate elder, every word seemingly for the benefit of the younger generation.
Aunt Hu kept her eyes fixed on the Emperor’s. “As you command.”
With that, she bowed her head and stepped aside. At once, the people in the hall seemed to come back to life, kneeling in unison. “We respectfully bid farewell to His Majesty and the Princess.”
After the Emperor led Gan Qiongying swiftly out of the hall, the Empress Dowager stepped forward slowly. She casually lifted the beaded curtain, the clinking of beads echoing sharply. The smile had vanished from her face, and even layers of heavy powder could not conceal her fury.
The palace attendants dared not breathe, trembling like sifted chaff. Having not yet received permission to rise from their earlier deep bows, they once again became motionless, prostrate on the ground.
Aunt Hu immediately stepped forward to support the Empress Dowager and ordered, “Someone, clear the luncheon and prepare fresh attire for Her Majesty.”
At her command, the attendants seemed released from a spell, scrambling to their feet. Several swiftly cleared the table, two went to fetch clean robes, and another lit incense.
In moments, the table was spotless, the medicinal scent diluted, and the hall restored to freshness. Their movements were swift, yet not a single clink of porcelain was heard, nor even the sound of footsteps.
Outside Yinian Hall, it was less that the Emperor was leading Gan Qiongying and more that he was dragging her. Tall and long-legged, he strode hurriedly, and Gan Qiongying could barely keep up.
“Your Majesty!”
Eunuch Li and the others were waiting at the foot of the steps outside the hall. They surged forward as soon as the Emperor emerged. A young eunuch stumbled in his haste, nearly falling, their faces etched with worry.
Eunuch Li stepped forward to assist, his eyes reddening at the sight of the medicinal stains on the imperial robe, his voice already choked with tears. “Your Majesty.”
The Emperor did not respond, intent only on dragging Gan Qiongying away from Yinian Hall, as if fearing that a moment’s delay would summon him back to that hell.
The palace attendants hurried after them. They boarded the sedan chair without incident, and once seated, the Emperor released Gan Qiongying’s wrist.
Gan Qiongying’s shoulders ached, and her wrist felt sticky. Looking down, she was startled to see it marked with reddish-purple bruises, stained with the Emperor’s blood.
Remnants of medicinal broth clung to the imperial robe, filling the sedan chair with a heavy medicinal scent. Sweat dampened the Emperor’s temples and neck, his entire body trembling uncontrollably. The sharp line of his jaw was taut—he was clenching his teeth, fighting to endure.
“Your Majesty, what’s wrong?” Gan Qiongying’s inquiry went unanswered.
“Your Majesty!”
The Emperor still did not respond, but he suddenly seemed unable to bear the pain, closing his eyes tightly, tucking his injured hand into his sleeve, and repeatedly knocking his head against the inner side of the sedan chair.
Gan Qiongying tried to reach for him but was avoided, so she asked, “What is the matter with that Yibu Decoction?”
She did not want to confirm her suspicions, but everything was too strange. “Does Your Majesty drink it every time you see the Empress Dowager?”
At that moment, the Emperor suddenly turned to look at her, his eyes already bloodshot. “Stop!”
He spoke weakly, his voice as faint as a mosquito’s hum. The palace attendants did not hear him, and the sedan chair continued moving.
After a few steps, the Emperor reached out to lift the curtain, his other hand clenched tightly into a fist, still gasping weakly, “Stop!”
The sedan chair was halted. The palace attendants stood guard around it, though puzzled, they dared not utter a word. Eunuch Li anxiously paced back and forth, straining his ears to listen for any message from inside. After a long while, he heard a sharp slap and was greatly alarmed.
“Get down,” the Emperor stared at Gan Qiongying, his tone icy. “Get down at once.”