My Beloved Concubine Only Wants to Eat Melons

Of course, Yuwen Lan had considered Yanshu's concerns at this moment.0

But he had no other choice now.0

Previously, he had been wary of the Empress Dowager, so he never allowed Zhang Shengkang to get close. Although he was better now, Zhang Shengkang had ill intentions. If he learned about the Emperor's physical condition, who knows what schemes he might devise in the future.0

So he preferred to choose Jiang Nianqi.0

After all, he was just straightforward and honest. Even if he recognized him, he wouldn't do anything malicious.0

Most importantly, he had already recovered, so what was there to fear?0

Could he guarantee never falling ill again and never needing to summon an imperial physician?0

So if he had to choose someone, of course he would pick Jiang Nianqi.0

At this moment, he heard Yanshu asking through the door, "Is Your Majesty certain about calling for Imperial Physician Jiang?"0

Yuwen Lan sighed, "It's fine, just call him."0

And quickly too...0

The young lady outside responded affirmatively and finally went to summon him.0

Shortly after, Imperial Physician Jiang hurriedly arrived at Qianming Palace.0

Knowing that someone was in discomfort, Yanshu quickly said before the doctor could perform a full ceremonial greeting, "His Majesty is unwell. Doctor Jiang, please come quickly to examine the Emperor."0

Doctor Jiang complied and hurried to the Emperor's side, carefully extending his hand to take his pulse.0

After a moment, Yuwen Lan heard an exclamation of surprise—0

[This, this, this... Isn't this that... impotent official??? I thought his aura was extraordinary, so it's actually Your Majesty??? It's actually Your Majesty!!!]0

Yuwen Lan: "..."0

He had indeed recognized him.0

Fearing the doctor might forget the urgent matter at hand, he had to speak up, "Since childhood, We have been unable to drink goat's milk. The pastries We ate earlier likely contained some, so We... so We..."0

Fortunately, Doctor Jiang was a clever man. Before the Emperor could finish, he had already understood and proactively said, "Your Majesty, please don't worry. The amount of goat's milk in the pastries was likely minimal. There shouldn't be any major issue with Your Majesty's health. I'll write a prescription right away."0

Yuwen Lan nodded, and saw him quickly write out a prescription, instructing Fu Hai to fetch the medicine from the imperial pharmacy.0

In the Palace of Benevolent Peace, as dusk fell outside, the Empress Dowager was still waiting for news.0

Soon after, Zhang Shengkang hurriedly entered the hall. The Empress Dowager quickly asked, "How is it?"0

Zhang Shengkang bowed his head and said, "This servant has been waiting at the Imperial Medical Academy, but His Majesty did not summon me."0

"The Emperor didn't call for you?" The Empress Dowager was stunned.0

Could it be that the Emperor was still wary of her?0

This child...0

She then simply instructed her attendants, "Prepare the palanquin."0

And to Zhang Shengkang she said, "We shall take you there personally."0

After Doctor Jiang's busy efforts, once the Emperor had drunk the medicine, his symptoms finally subsided before long.0

Seeing this, everyone finally breathed a sigh of relief.0

Yanshu couldn't help but marvel inwardly at how creative the Empress Dowager's approach had been in trying to help treat the Emperor's condition.0

Tonight had truly been full of twists and turns, extremely dramatic.0

A mother worried about her son having no heir, racking her brains to force her son to seek treatment;0

Yet the son had actually recovered quietly long ago, just unwilling to tell her?0

Tsk tsk tsk, if this were written into a novel, it would definitely attract readers.0

Yuwen Lan: "..."0

At a time like this, she was still thinking about turning it into a novel?0

Of course, he knew she was just joking.0

But at this moment, he himself was also truly at a loss for words and bewildered.0

He hadn't intentionally concealed things from the Empress Dowager, it's just that he couldn't very well go and inform her out of the blue that he had recovered.0

He had originally thought that once Yanshu became pregnant, the Empress Dowager would naturally understand. He didn't expect the Empress Dowager to be so impatient...0

Well, it seems he can't eat anything from the Palace of Benevolent Peace anymore in the future.0

...0

Just as his thoughts were in turmoil, he saw Doctor Jiang suddenly put on a serious expression and kneel down, saying, "This subject has something to report to Your Majesty."0

After speaking, he glanced around, anxiously thinking, [This is a matter of utmost importance, I hope Your Majesty can understand my meaning!]0

Yuwen Lan understood, and first raised his hand to dismiss everyone else.0

However, Jiang Nianqi still didn't speak, still glancing with some hesitation at the person beside him.0

Yanshu was standing there, pretending not to understand as she looked around, fiddling with her fingers.0

Yuwen Lan: "..."0

Then he heard her anxiously thinking, [Don't send me away! I'm the one who came to report to you tonight! Whatever secret it is, I must hear it!!! You've already chosen to face social death, so what's one more person?!!!]0

Yuwen Lan: "..."0

He could only say to Jiang Nianqi, "Imperial Consort Yi is not an outsider. Whatever important matter you have, just speak freely."0

Only then did the doctor comply, saying, "This subject boldly reports, I've noticed that the smell in this bedchamber is somewhat off. If Your Majesty has experienced any physical discomfort before, I fear the cause of that misfortune may still be present here."0

At these words, Yanshu's heart skipped a beat.0

The cause of misfortune the doctor spoke of... Could it be the reason for the Emperor's previous impotence?0

Tsk, this is indeed a major issue!!!0

But come to think of it, Doctor Jiang is clearly not stupid either, knowing to hint at it so tactfully without directly saying he had recognized the Emperor.0

Yuwen Lan had already furrowed his brow, quickly asking, "What exactly is off?"0

It should be noted that ever since he first went outside the palace to see this doctor and was told he had been poisoned, he had already replaced almost everything in this bedchamber - the bedding, curtains, flowers, ornaments, and so on.

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He also hadn't used any incense that could have possibly been tampered with.0

Yet now this doctor was still saying something was off?0

Could it be...0

This imperial bed?0

— This was an item passed down from Emperor Gaozu, it shouldn't be possible for anyone to have tampered with it.0

Just as he was thinking this, he saw the doctor walk over to the Azure Sky Sword hanging by the bedhead. He sniffed it repeatedly, then said to him, "Your Majesty, the anomaly seems to be in this sword."0

Yuwen Lan was taken aback.0

— This sword was a relic of the Former Emperor. Since the Former Emperor's passing, he had always kept it by his side as a memento.0

He asked in confusion, "This sword is made entirely of iron and copper, what anomaly could there be?"0

However, the doctor pointed at the sword's guard and said, "This subject boldly guesses that the anomaly is likely within this part."0

Hearing this, Yanshu couldn't help but lean in for a closer look. She saw that the sword guard was hollow, intricately carved with auspicious cloud patterns, and had the natural yellow color of brass.0

She took it in her hand and shook it, but heard no sound. She held it up to her eyes but couldn't see anything inside.0

Just as she was puzzled, she saw Yuwen Lan take the sword body and examine it. Suddenly, he took out a rather sturdy dagger and worked on the sword guard, actually prying it into two halves.0

This revealed the true nature of what was inside.0

They saw that on the inner wall of the intricately carved hollow sword guard, there was actually a layer of something golden, seemingly some kind of paste, though it had now hardened completely.0

Doctor Jiang brought it to his nose and sniffed carefully, his brow furrowing more and more.0

Seeing this, the others grew increasingly tense. Yuwen Lan hurriedly asked, "What is it?"0

The Imperial Physician sniffed as he answered, "Your Majesty, I'm afraid this contains tortoise shell, egg yolk, scutellaria root, rosa laevigata, and dozens of other medicinal ingredients, along with niter and sulfur mixed in. These are all substances that suppress desire. If one comes into contact with them night after night, over time it will inevitably cause numbness in a man's critical area, leading to loss of ability to produce offspring."0

Yanshu: !!!0

Goodness, isn't this chemical castration? So this was the culprit!0

Looking at Yuwen Lan again, his brows were also tightly knitted—0

Indeed, in the past he had been completely normal, but after ascending the throne and moving into Qianming Palace, he gradually became dysfunctional.0

That area did indeed become increasingly numb, and his heart gradually lost all desire, until later when he met Yanshu.0

It seems the root cause of his illness was actually this object?0

Yanshu hurriedly asked him, "But why would this be in Your Majesty's chambers? Who could have put it inside this sword guard?"0

In her mind she thought, [Since this is the Former Emperor's sword, it must have been meant for him, to make the Former Emperor impotent! So... could it have been the Empress Dowager?]0

[Back then, the Empress Dowager hated how the Former Emperor kept taking one concubine after another, so she decided to chemically castrate her husband?]0

Yuwen Lan: ???0

He knew the term "castration", but what did those two words in front mean?0

Before he could figure it out, he heard her reject this idea herself—0

[That's impossible. If the Empress Dowager had placed it, she would definitely know about it. Then why would she go to such lengths now to urge the Emperor to seek treatment?]0

...Yuwen Lan thought the same.0

So the first person he ruled out was the Empress Dowager.0

Then he heard her ponder, [Could it have been done by one of the Former Emperor's other consorts?]0

"It's not very likely. First of all, even if a concubine could enter Qianming Palace, how could she do such a thing right under the Former Emperor's nose?"0

"Moreover, concubines are always competing for favor. How could they compete if they chemically drowned the Former Emperor?"0

Yuwen Lan: "..."0

That was his father after all. Could they please stop using the word "drown"?0

Of course, her analysis made sense. The possibility of other imperial concubines poisoning the Former Emperor was also almost zero.0

So who could it be?0

Just then, an announcement came from outside: "The Empress Dowager has arrived..."0

The three people in the hall were all startled.0

Yanshu: [Why is the Empress Dowager coming? She's not here to check if the Emperor really has diarrhea, is she?]0

Yuwen Lan: "..."0

Very likely.0

He first put down the sword in his hand. Then, he saw the Empress Dowager enter the hall, followed by Zhang Shengkang.0

Seeing this man, the previously nervous Imperial Physician Jiang quietly composed himself and bowed to the Empress Dowager along with Yanshu.0

Yuwen Lan also showed no unusual reaction, only asking, "Why has Mother come?"0

The Empress Dowager looked anxious as she said, "I was so careless. I just realized that the taro paste cakes I sent to Your Majesty earlier might not be suitable. Your Majesty couldn't eat goat's milk since childhood, but I forgot to tell them not to add goat's milk. They made it and sent it directly to Your Majesty... Is Your Majesty alright?"0

"..."0

Yanshu silently marveled in her heart - no wonder people say the Empress Dowager is formidable. Her acting skills were impeccable.0

But the Emperor was no less skilled, only saying, "I did feel a bit unwell earlier, so I called for Imperial Physician Jiang. I've just taken some medicine and I'm fine now."0

The Empress Dowager seemed surprised, "You're fine?"0

She looked him over again, and seeing that his complexion was indeed not bad, she couldn't help but mutter, it seems he really is fine?0

At this, the Empress Dowager could only sigh and blame herself, "It's all my fault for being so careless. I only thought of it just now and worried that Your Majesty might be unwell, so I specifically brought Zhang Shengkang with me."0

Yanshu quietly observed from the side, thinking it was rare to see the Empress Dowager speak like this.0

— She really feared the Emperor might be angry.0

But it had to be said, the Empress Dowager's imagination was quite wild. Who else could come up with such a method and dare to use it on the Emperor?0

If the Emperor were ruthless, he could completely use this to make a big fuss with her.0

But Yuwen Lan said, "It's just a small matter, Mother needn't blame herself so."0

Yanshu understood - the Emperor was giving face to the Empress Dowager.0

He was indeed a filial child, and quite sentimental.0

The Empress Dowager nodded, "That's good. However, it's better if Imperial Physician Zhang also examines Your Majesty, just to be absolutely certain."0

Yanshu: "..."0

Of course, after all the planning, it would be a waste if Zhang Shengkang didn't examine the Emperor, wouldn't it?0

However, the Emperor only said, "There's no need. I really am fine now. Mother has seen Imperial Physician Jiang's skills with her own eyes. Don't you trust him? He has already resolved many of my concerns lately."0

Yanshu quietly paused again - the Emperor was sending signals to the Empress Dowager!0

Hearing him say this, the Empress Dowager was indeed taken aback. She tried asking Imperial Physician Jiang, "How is His Majesty's health now?"0

Imperial Physician Jiang hurriedly replied, "Reporting to the Empress Dowager, His Majesty's health is excellent now. Apart from the earlier diarrhea caused by the goat's milk disagreeing with him, there are no other problems at all."0

Hearing this, the Empress Dowager pondered —0

[Could it be that the Emperor has already consulted this Imperial Physician Jiang? Does this mean the illness is cured? That's great news!]0

However, before she could rejoice, she heard the Emperor suddenly ask her, "There's something I wanted to ask Mother about."0

The Empress Dowager came back to her senses and quickly said, "What is it?"0

Yuwen Lan picked up the sword he had put down earlier, along with the scabbard he had just removed and its contents, presenting them all before the Empress Dowager.0

"Just now, I found something unusual in this scabbard."0

"Something unusual?"0

The Empress Dowager and Zhang Shengkang were both startled and quickly looked into the scabbard.0

Yuwen Lan continued, "As Mother knows, this sword originally belonged to Father. Since I inherited the throne, I've always kept it here in this hall. It's unlikely that anyone could have tampered with it. So I wonder, could it have been placed there when Father was still alive?"0

As he spoke, he closely watched their expressions and said slowly and deliberately, "Imperial Physician Jiang examined it earlier and thinks it might be poisonous."0

Poison?0

The Empress Dowager was visibly startled and quickly instructed Zhang Shengkang, "You take a look too."0

[How could there be such a thing in the scabbard? What's going on?]0

Yuwen Lan thought silently, it seems the Empress Dowager doesn't know about this either.0

Zhang Shengkang responded affirmatively and hurriedly took the scabbard to examine it carefully.0

He touched it and even sniffed it, while secretly pondering, [Not bad, this is indeed the Three Purity Pill. It was hidden so discreetly!]0

Three Purity Pill?0

Yuwen Lan paused inwardly. It seems Zhang Shengkang knew about this object all along?0

He tried speaking to the Empress Dowager again, "I'm wondering if this might have been intended for Father. But who would want to harm Father?"0

As soon as he said this, Zhang Shengkang spoke up, "Your Majesty, if I'm not mistaken, this object is called the Three Purity Pill. It's usually used by Taoist practitioners for abstinence."0

"Abstinence?"0

The Empress Dowager was startled.0

Then she reacted, inwardly sneering, [That man was really willing to go to such lengths for immortality!]0

Yuwen Lan: "..."0

Is she talking about the Former Emperor?0

Could the Former Emperor have placed it there himself?0

Just then, the Empress Dowager composed herself and said, "Qianming Palace is the Emperor's residence. Without being summoned, even I cannot enter. Back then, the Former Emperor was obsessed with Taoism and neglected state affairs, only allowing that Baihe Taoist to come and go. So in my opinion, if this wasn't done by the Former Emperor himself, then that Baihe Taoist is the most suspicious."0

Hearing this, Yuwen Lan also remembered.0

— When he was seven or eight years old, the Former Emperor met a Taoist priest called Baihe Taoist and became obsessed with Taoism. At first, he only read related books and occasionally discussed scriptures with this Baihe Taoist, but later the situation escalated. He even set up an incense burner in the palace and spent all day meditating and refining elixirs, neglecting all other matters.0

All state affairs were left to the ministers and the Empress Dowager to handle. Apart from the Baihe Taoist, he wouldn't let anyone else near him.0

During that time, Yuwen Lan led troops to fight the Xiongnu, and was gone for half a year. When he returned and wanted to see his father, he waited outside Qianming Palace for half a day, but only the Baihe Taoist came out to tell him that the Former Emperor was in seclusion and couldn't see anyone, asking him to come back later.0

Looking at it this way, it seems only the Former Emperor himself and that Baihe Taoist were most likely responsible.0

Moreover, after that, no more imperial heirs were born in the palace. Now it seems this might also be related to this object.0

The Former Emperor might have been poisoned by this Three Purity Pill just like him.0

Just as Yuwen Lan figured this out, he heard the Empress Dowager coldly laugh in her heart, [That man nearly caused himself to have no descendants! I've spent half my life cleaning up his mess, always thinking of his son's interests. Now not only does he not appreciate my efforts, he even suspects me? It's truly heartbreaking!]0

Yuwen Lan: "..."0

It seems the Empress Dowager really didn't know about this.0

He was silent for a moment, then said, "Mother has suffered much these years."0

The Empress Dowager only said, "I only want what's best for Your Majesty."0

Her voice had already turned cold.0

Yuwen Lan could only say, "It's my fault for not doing well enough, causing you trouble."0

The Empress Dowager still spoke coldly, "It's fine. Now that Your Majesty is well, I can rest easy."0

She sighed and said, "I've been out for a while now. Since Your Majesty is in good health, I'll take my leave."0

With that, she turned and walked out of the hall.0

Seeing this, Zhang Shengkang could only hurriedly say to Yuwen Lan, "Since Your Majesty is well, this subject will also take his leave."0

He then followed in the Empress Dowager's footsteps.0

Yuwen Lan's face showed no emotion, but he laughed coldly in his heart.0

Back when the Former Emperor was critically ill, this Zhang Shengkang guarded Qianming Palace day and night. He must have discovered the abnormality long ago.0

Perhaps even earlier.0

But he never mentioned it to anyone.0

Not even the Empress Dowager knew about it.0

What was he planning?0

Was he waiting for Yuwen Lan to find him, so he could then produce this object and claim credit?0

Sure enough, just as Zhang Shengkang was about to step out of the hall, Yuwen Lan heard him think, [After all my calculations, I can't believe this Jiang fellow beat me to it! Heaven is unfair!]0

After the Empress Dowager and Zhang Shengkang left, only Yanshu, Yuwen Lan, and Imperial Physician Jiang remained in the hall.0

— Although the mystery that had troubled him for so long was finally solved tonight, Yuwen Lan's heart was far from at ease.0

He never imagined that this object would be related to his imperial father.0

How could his once brilliant and mighty father have become like that?0

As his heart grew heavy, he heard Yanshu's voice in his ear, crunching on melon seeds—0

[I'm starting to think the old emperor was a victim too! After all, he might practice Taoism on his own, but he'd never want to implicate his son and end his family line!]0

[Besides, if he knew about this, he would have told his son before dying no matter what! Since he didn't say anything, he must not have known either. Plus, it was hidden in such a secretive place.]0

[Damn, looking at it this way, that Baihe Taoist had some big ambitions! Where is he now?]0

The system replied, [He ran away. The Former Emperor's death was quite sudden - he was in the middle of cultivation when he suddenly coughed up blood. The palace was in chaos, with everyone focused on trying to save the emperor. The Empress Dowager was also working to ensure the crown prince's smooth succession. Add to that the various royal clan members starting rebellions, and the court was in complete disarray. He took advantage of the chaos to escape.]0

Yanshu: [...]0

Tsk, the old emperor really didn't leave his son anything good, did he?0

What was the point of all that?0

Of course, now wasn't the time to criticize the Former Emperor. She was about to speak to the emperor when she saw him call out to someone outside, "Summon the Imperial Guard to immediately search for that Baihe Taoist from back then."0

The person outside acknowledged the order, and Yanshu felt somewhat relieved.0

Just then, Imperial Physician Jiang suddenly knelt and said, "This subject did not recognize Your Majesty earlier. Please punish me for my transgression."0

— If he had known that official was the emperor, he would never have spoken so bluntly!0

Especially about "sexual indulgence"...0

Yuwen Lan: "..."0

He could only pretend not to hear and said, "You helped solve a difficult problem for me. I should reward you instead."0

He then instructed Fu Hai, "Issue an edict: Imperial Physician Jiang's medical skills are exceptional. Promote him by one rank to Chief Imperial Physician."0

The people outside acknowledged, and Imperial Physician Jiang quickly kowtowed, "This subject thanks Your Majesty for the great honor."0

*Cough cough* And thank you for sparing my life, Your Majesty.0

Tonight was truly... too dangerous!0

Just as he was secretly breathing a sigh of relief, he heard the emperor speak again, "Forget about what happened earlier. You are not to mention it to anyone."0

Imperial Physician Jiang quickly responded solemnly, "This subject obeys."0

After the goat's milk incident, the relationship between the Empress Dowager and the emperor became somewhat delicate.0

Yanshu understood that the emperor was likely concerned about the goat's milk affair, while the Empress Dowager resented the emperor's suspicions towards her.0

— Tsk, this situation was indeed difficult. They each had their own stance and grievances.0

If there was anyone to blame, it could only be the old emperor for his misdeeds, leaving behind so many historical issues for this mother and son to deal with.0

Moreover, it would be better if they were biological mother and son, but these two were missing that blood connection, so their relationship could easily become distant.0

A few days later, the Empress Dowager suffered from another headache.0

When the emperor received the news, he went to visit her personally but was politely refused by the Empress Dowager.0

With no other choice, he had to instruct Yanshu to go attend to her in his place.0

Yanshu: "..."0

Wasn't this a case of the innocent bystander getting caught in the crossfire?0

... What had she done to deserve this?0

However, as a palace consort, it was her duty to attend to the Empress Dowager when she was unwell. So, she spent several days by the sickbed without complaint.0

Fortunately, the Empress Dowager didn't make things difficult for her. When she was in pain, she only called for Nanny Zhuang and Zhu Shu to attend to her. When she felt better, she would ask Yanshu to read novels to her to pass the time.0

And the novels she read were the ones Yanshu had written herself.0

Yanshu: "..."0

Well, she could only suppress her embarrassment and do her best to read them vividly for the Empress Dowager.0

The Empress Dowager even complained to her, "The Carefree Young Master's novels are good, but lately, the author has become too lazy, taking too long to release new stories. It's making people wait anxiously."0

Yanshu smiled and agreed outwardly, but inwardly she sighed.0

She wanted to write, but she had been spending all her time reviewing her old works. Where would she find the time?0

Just as she was thinking this, a palace servant came in to report, "Your Highness, the Marquess of Pingjin's Wife has come to visit you."0

The Marquess of Pingjin's Wife was the Empress Dowager's maternal cousin. She usually didn't stay in the capital, only coming to the palace to visit the Empress Dowager during festivals and holidays. This time, she had likely heard about the Empress Dowager's illness and hurried to the capital.0

Ever since the incident with the Duke of Cheng'en's Mansion, the Empress Dowager had grown increasingly distant from her natal family, only maintaining some contact with her cousins.0

Especially since this cousin had come all the way from Pingjin, the Empress Dowager couldn't refuse her. She nodded and said, "Please show her in."0

The palace servant acknowledged.0

Not long after, two women, one old and one young, were led into the hall.0

It was the Marquess of Pingjin's Wife and her youngest daughter, Huo Yingxia.0

— This family was quite legendary.0

The Marquess's Wife seemed to have been blessed with her mother-in-law's luck. She had given birth to five sons in a row, and only at the age of forty did she have this youngest daughter, whom she treasured like the apple of her eye and took everywhere.0

However, while the mother and daughter were close, they didn't look very alike.0

The Marquess's Wife had a round face with bright, piercing eyes that gave her a somewhat heroic air.0

Her daughter, on the other hand, had an oval face with slightly upturned phoenix eyes, giving her quite an alluring appearance.0

Yanshu had seen this mother-daughter pair before during the New Year celebrations and the Empress Dowager's birthday banquet. Seeing them again now, she couldn't help but wonder to herself—0

They say daughters take after their fathers. Could it be that the Marquess of Pingjin looked so alluring?0

Suddenly, she heard the system chime in, [The Marquess of Pingjin isn't alluring, but his mistress is. This daughter is actually born from his mistress.]0

Yanshu: "???"0

What kind of story was this now?0