“Chapter 0106: Aphrodisiac Incense”

"Chapter 0106: Aphrodisiac Incense"

"'Yes.' Zhu Ding understood something was amiss, but without asking further, he left to carry out the task."

"Initially, Zhu Ding didn’t say anything and just left to complete the errand."

"Zhi Fu and the others didn’t ask questions."

"They all sensed that something serious might be happening, which made them worried."

"When Yun Li summoned someone again, Zhi Fu and Zhuyu entered."

"Although Yun Li had more than two maids, only these two were allowed to serve her closely. Yin Cha and Furong were currently responsible for taking care of her belongings."

"They did not directly attend to Yun Li's personal needs."

"'My lady, has something happened?' Zhi Fu asked."

"'Don't worry, we'll know by this afternoon.'"

"With no pressing duties today, she even took her attendants for a stroll, enjoying the unique scenery of the hunting lodge."

"She could even go to the hunting grounds to ride horses."

"However, she wasn’t interested at the moment."

"Throughout the half-day, Yun Li remained calm and showed no signs of anything unusual."

"In contrast, the maids were anxious."

"When Zhu Ding returned, Yun Li placed both incense samples together: 'Smell these.'"

"At that time, only Zhu Ding, Zhuyu, and Zhi Fu were in the room."

"The three of them took turns inspecting, but couldn’t discern anything."

"'Light them up.'"

"Zhi Fu hurriedly lit both tower incenses."

"The first one lit was from their own chamber, a familiar, everyday scent."

"But when the incense from Concubine Jing's chamber was lit, it was different."

"The aroma was fainter."

"'Did the scent of citrus come out?' Yun Li asked."

"Everyone nodded eagerly, 'It's not obvious unless you've smelled the other scent before. If we hadn't been familiar with it, it would have been hard to tell.'"

"'The other day at noon, when I saw you lighting the incense, it suddenly occurred to me that Ye Baolin's fragrance was slightly different from mine,' Yun Li frowned, 'I didn’t think much of it at the time.'"

"'What should we do, my lady?' Zhi Fu and the others were visibly frightened, their faces turning pale."

"'It’s fine. Now that we know there’s a problem, it’s manageable,' Yun Li sighed, 'Isn’t it normal for someone to attempt to harm me? I just wonder what's behind this.'"

"The others were clueless."

"'So, when did the incense in our palace start to change?' Yun Li inquired."

"The three could only kneel and admit their inability to answer."

"Yun Li smiled and summoned Zhu Que, Yin Cha, and Furong to join them."

"'Furong, tell me, why does my incense seem to be extra fragrant? It even seems better than Concubine Jing’s. Why is that?'"

"Furong hurriedly responded, 'I don’t know, my lady. If you feel something is wrong with the incense, maybe the Neishi Mansion made a mistake...'"

"'Did I say it was wrong?' Yun Li smiled, 'Why are you in such a hurry?'"

"Furong quickly replied, 'No, my lady, I did not mean that. Please forgive me.'"

"Yun Li took a deep breath, 'I have said it before: betrayal in my service means death.'"

"Furong’s face turned even paler, 'I didn’t, I really didn’t, my lady! You can’t wrong me like this.'"

"'Would a visit to the internal punishment department make you willing to speak?' Yun Li asked."

"Furong’s face became ashen, 'No, I didn’t...I dare not betray. Please forgive me, my lady, please spare my life.'"

"As she spoke, she began to kowtow repeatedly."

"'Someone compelling you to betray me would either threaten or tempt you. There's no reason for them to hate you,' Yun Li said indifferently."

"'Now, I just need to know what has been mixed into this incense. Then I will decide whether you die or are left crippled. Zhu Ding, Zhu Que, bind her and gag her to prevent suicide,' Yun Li ordered calmly."

"Zhu Ding and Zhu Que hurried to comply."

"In fact, just a few minutes ago, Yun Li wasn’t sure if Furong was involved."

"But now, seeing her reaction, it would be strange if she weren’t guilty."

"It’s unlikely that the incense from the Neishi Mansion would have problems only in her batch. It must have been switched later."

"The Neishi Mansion drugging a consort’s incense openly? Only if it were the Emperor's will."

"But if it were the Emperor's will, Furong wouldn't be so alarmed."

"Moreover, since the Qi family doesn't control the military, the Emperor wouldn’t bother manipulating the fertility of Qi women."

"That leaves someone within the harem."

"What exactly is in this incense?"

"Yun Li instructed, 'Change clothes, and accompany me to see His Majesty.'"

"Zhi Fu anxiously advised, 'My lady, please reconsider. If we can't explain ourselves clearly, His Majesty might misunderstand.'"

"'Precisely because we can't clarify it ourselves, we must seek His Majesty's help. In the harem, I'm just a consort, powerless and influenceless. Should I ask my family for help instead of my husband? Or should I solve it alone?' Yun Li smiled, 'What’s there to fear? His Majesty is not a tyrant.'"

"This stern declaration frightened Zhi Fu and the others into silence."

"Yun Li waved her hand, 'Change clothes.'"

"Half an hour later, Yun Li appeared at the entrance of Zhengde Hall."

"When she requested an audience for a serious matter, Emperor He Jingli was momentarily surprised; this was the first time Yun Li had actively sought him out."

"He naturally granted her an audience."

"Upon entering, Yun Li knelt down immediately: 'Your Majesty, please grant me justice.'"

"This display took Emperor He Jingli by surprise, 'What’s the matter? Stand up and speak. Did you cause some trouble?'"

"Yun Li stood up, biting her lip, 'Your Majesty, someone is trying to harm me. I’m in danger.'"

"Casually mentioning life and death was taboo, so Meng Chang timely interjected, 'Concubine Qiong, remember to follow protocol.'"

"Yun Li approached, 'Your Majesty~'"

"'Alright, tell me, what happened?' Emperor He Jingli was now intrigued."

"Yun Li handed over a box she was carrying."

"Opening it for him to see, 'Your Majesty, please have someone examine my incense. Let's see what's in it before discussing further.'"

"Inside the box were all the Jade Blossom incense sticks from her quarters, including one that had been recently burned."

"Seeing this, Emperor He Jingli gestured for Meng Chang to summon the imperial physician."

"Shortly, Physician Li arrived."

"After paying his respects, he examined the incense, first visually, then by smell, and finally lighting it."

"'Your Majesty, there's Horny Goat Weed powder in this incense. It’s not advisable to use it in excess,' Physician Li cautiously reported."

"'What effect does it have?' Emperor He Jingli frowned."

"Physician Li hesitated, 'This... it’s... this substance is...'"

"'An aphrodisiac,' Yun Li interjected for him."

"Emperor He Jingli looked over, 'You seem to know about it?'"

"Even Physician Li was embarrassed to mention it, with such a straightforward name, what else could it be?" Yun Li scoffed.

"Indeed, this item induces desire. Used in moderation, it's harmless, but long-term use damages health," Physician Li said.

"I wonder, Physician Li, if this scent is used in the palace solely for repelling insects and scenting clothes, does it still have that effect?" Yun Li asked.

"That... would not be as potent. After all, once burned, it's merely a whiff of smoke," Physician Li replied.

"Thank you, Physician Li, for clearing my doubts," Yun Li said.

Physician Li hurriedly said it was nothing.

He Jingxi gestured for him to leave.

As soon as Doctor Li left, Yun Li couldn't hide her grievance: "Your Majesty, must I still poison you?"

He Jinli initially wanted to maintain a stern face to intimidate her, but upon hearing her words, he laughed, "What? Do you think you're irresistibly charming?"

"But was it necessary to use drugs? Your Majesty, you're so young. Your Majesty!" Yun Li reached out to grasp He Jinli's sleeve, "Your Majesty, won't you do something about this?"

He Jinli found her reaction amusing, "Why don't you handle it yourself?"

Yun Li widened her eyes in disbelief.