Chapter Twenty-Seven: Just the Beginning

think you're around forty." 。The crown prince showered him with endless flattery. 。Just kidding, if you don't humor the old man, he'll go crazy. 。 Apparently, the spirit doctor was pleased with this...Chapter Twenty-Seven

This is just the beginning...

The woman in the gauze tent threw a note to Wan'er.

Yǎn'er picked up the note and saw that it read: Five Steps New Noble.

"My Lady, this servant...this servant doesn't understand..."

From inside the moon-silk canopy, a hand reached out. Wan'er stepped forward to help her up, letting the woman in the canopy lean against the pillow, and then used the delicate hook to pull the moon-silk canopy aside and hang it on either side.

The woman in bed had an egg-shaped face, showing no signs of age. Her skin was smooth like snow, her red lips plump and inviting...Only her phoenix eyes seemed dangerous and cold.

The woman's lips parted slightly, letting out a wisp of turbid breath as she slowly spoke: "It seems this palace has truly been idle for too long, even…"

The woman's words were cut short by the sound of footsteps outside the screen. Someone knelt outside the screen: "My lady, the Fifth Prince is here."

"Well, send him in." The woman instantly changed her expression to a bright smile.

Ruitian Lingzheng was standing outside the inner chamber of Ninghui Palace, waiting. His ink-colored embroidered golden dragon robe made him look handsome and extraordinary.

The maids of the Ninghui Palace were all staring with envy...

"Your Majesty, Her Majesty summons you inside." The maidservant who delivered the message lowered her head, the flush on her cheeks betraying her inner excitement and fervor.

Without looking at the maid, Rui Tianling walked straight into the inner room.

"My son pays his respects to the Empress Dowager." Rui Tian Ling bowed deeply and respectfully behind the screen.

"What are you doing kneeling out there Don't come in and see Mother" The woman in bed gave the maid beside her a wink.

Wan'er moved a round stool to the front of the bed, then walked outside the screen and said to Rui Tianling who was kneeling: "Your Highness, please rise. Your Highness hasn't visited the Empress for several days. The Empress misses you dearly. Please come in quickly. I will make tea for Your Highness."

Ruitianling simply closed his eyes, and Wan'er didn't expect Ruitianling to speak to her. After all, Ruitianling had always been cold and aloof from childhood to adulthood, keeping people at arm's length.

He only reveals a bit of humanity when he is in the presence of Empress Yinggui.

However, his little bit of pitiful human touch was only seen by Wan'er, who happened to be serving Empress Yinggui, by chance.

"How are your health and well-being, Empress Dowager" Rui Tianling sat on a round stool by the bed, looking at Ying貴妃 lying on it.

"My mother has always been like this, I've gotten used to it over the years, you don't have to worry." Empress Ying smiled gently at her son who was full of vigor before her.

Ruitian lowered his head, silent...

“Silly child, your mother doesn't blame you. In this world, there's no reason for parents to blame their own children. Come, come to your mother, you've been busy helping your father lately, and your mother hasn't seen you in a while. Come, let your mother take a look.” Yinggui Fei beckoned Ruitianling over with her hand, signaling him to sit down in front of her.

Rui Tianling moved the stool closer to Ying Guifei, and the lines on his face softened considerably.

"Hmm, your complexion looks good. I presume there's a talented new cook at the manor recently. Why not send some delicacies for Mother to try" Ying Gui concubine smiled from the corner of her eyes, looking pleased.

Ritian Ling's lips curled into a faint smile.

"Mother, the empress laughed softly. My son has discovered that there is a stone flower on a small island in Minnan, perhaps it would be effective for Mother. I have already petitioned Father Emperor, and in a few days, my son will lead elite troops to support Fourth Brother."

What happened to your fourth brother

Ruitian Ling knew that Empress Ying was concerned about the Fourth Prince Ruitian Jie, so he spoke lightly: "The Fourth Brother is fine, but this time the bandits are quite troublesome, and the Fourth Brother is a bit struggling. Mother, please rest assured, I will definitely assist my brother."

"Be careful yourself, your mother is also very worried about you."

Ying Gui Fei paused for a moment, then said: “Last time your mother pleaded with your father the Emperor to choose a wife for you, how did you refuse”

Reitang blamed Huang Gonggong for this debt again.

"Mother, there is something your son wishes to tell you."

Ying貴妃 knew that Ruitianling's words must be related to the note given by the Falcon, "Five Steps into New Favor."

Indeed...

"Mother, a few days ago, I saved a woman. She is not afraid of my poison, and she is currently in the palace. In time, perhaps the Divine Doctor can find an antidote from her."

"A woman Really" Empress Ying's face was filled with joy. "Tell mother, what kind of woman is she"

"She... is very special... The son has never seen such a woman."

"So, do you like her If you do, Mother will ask Father to arrange a marriage for you."

"No, to become the Crown Princess... she is unworthy." Perhaps if he perfected the antidote, she would perish.

"But, it's truly difficult to find someone in this world who isn't afraid of your poison..."

"Your son understands, Mother need not worry." Rui Tianling clearly did not want to say more on this topic.

He took down a piece of jade from his waist: "Mother, this jade is made of special materials and has a calming effect. I present this jade to my mother, hoping that..."

“No, Mother doesn’t need it. Mother knows you haven't been sleeping well. You should keep this jade with you. When you are out on campaign, there won't be a comfortable bed for you, and it will be even harder for you to sleep. How will you be able to go into battle and fight the bandits then” Empress Ying said, refusing to accept the jade.

"Mother, please rest assured. My son has the Divine Physician by his side. Mother, there is no need to worry about me. I hope that my mother will be healthy and well. As long as my mother is well, I will have more confidence in leading the army."

"Alright, then I'll accept it as a wish. I hope you can return safely from this campaign."

"Rest assured, Mother." Rui Tianling placed the jade by Ying Gui's pillow.

Empress Dowager Yinggui covered her face with her delicate hand and yawned.

"Mother, please rest well. When your son returns from the campaign, I will come back to see you."

"Well, one must definitely protect oneself well for Mother's sake."

"Your humble son follows your mother's teachings."

Ritianling was poisoned himself and couldn't help Empress Ying lie down, so he called Wan'er over. Watching Wan'er help Empress Ying lie down, he then left.

When she saw Ruitian leave, Wan'er finally spoke: "Your Majesty, the Wangye has left."

On the bed, Yinggui Fei opened her eyes, her gaze cold and menacing: “Those old fellows seem impatient. They even dare to leak news about Shiruihua.”

"Your Majesty, the Fifth Prince understands that the Stone Lily Flower isn't necessarily a bad thing. It grows in places with miasma swamps and spirit beasts. Our people going to collect it may not be able to return unharmed, and we might even alert them."

"So what if it's brought Do you think that the Stone Lily can truly cure the poison on this palace's body Hmph, even if it does cure the poison, what then This palace has been lying in bed for fifteen years, both legs already disabled. What use is a Stone Lily to this palace!"

"My lady, perhaps it will have miraculous effects. My lady, it's better than not trying."

Yinggui Fei glared at Wan'er, and Wan'er immediately knelt on the ground: "The slave girl has overstepped, please punish the empress."

By the time Wang Er knelt with her legs numb, Ying Guifei finally spoke softly, letting Wang Er stand up.

“Go, have someone tell Rui Tianjie his true identity at the opportune moment. Also, be sure to make him personally pluck the Stone Lily.” After uttering these words, Empress Ying seemed to feel a considerable amount of relief.

"My Lady!" Wan'er abruptly raised her head, "Are you planning to..."

Seeing that Empress Yinggui remained silent, Wan'er knew she had guessed correctly. She knelt by the bed: “But Your Majesty, Fifth Prince…Fifth Prince is after all your own flesh and blood…Your Majesty, please think this through…”

Ying Gui Fei turned her head to look at Wan'er, her two eyes like two sharp swords piercing Wan'er.

"Do as I say."

"...Yes, Your Majesty..." Wan'er bowed her head and retreated.

Ying Gui Fei took a deep breath, closed her eyes, Old thing, you dare to release the Shi Rui flower, this palace dares to continue, hmph, for so many years, this palace has never given up…

Litmus flower, just the beginning...tidy black outfit."Hmm... get up!" Ying貴妃 didn't get up, nor did she call Mu Jinjiao in."Greetings, Madame Xie!"Mu Jinjiao stood outside the screen, her head respectfully bowed.How did you do with wha...