Chapter 50 Conspiracy The aphrodisiac plot.

Chapter 50: The Conspiracy of the Aphrodisiac

Yue Rongrong wasn't entirely untruthful; she genuinely sympathized with Ge Peilan's haggard appearance. Seeing Ge Peilan in high spirits due to her husband's stable condition, Yue Rongrong first took her on a tour of the capital's famous sights. Only after lunch did she hurry out of the city.

Since their last encounter at the training grounds, Yue Rongrong found Qu Lieshan utterly changed. He was shrouded in gloom, and when he saw her, the light in his eyes was gone, replaced by a somber gaze—whether from sorrow or something else, she couldn't tell.

Yue Rongrong forced a smile. "Brother Qu, today is your birthday. This is a protective amulet I bought for you. Wear it for peace and safety every year."

Qu Lieshan took it, examining it in his palm, then looked up at Yue Rongrong outside his cell. Her smile remained cloyingly sweet, tinged with a hint of appeasement, as if she feared his anger. His heart softened for a moment, but then, seeing her radiant beauty, it tightened again.

His gaze was dark. "Shen Jichen treats you well?"

Yue Rongrong's smile faltered slightly.

Qu Lieshan felt a sharp pang in his heart and said coldly, "You know I never wanted you to compromise yourself for my sake! Rongrong, leave him! Have you forgotten how much he hurt you back then? He deceived you, trapped you with a fake marriage contract, his mother humiliated you, sold you! Have you forgotten all of it?"

Yue Rongrong's smile stiffened, little by little, until her face seemed to crack. Emotionally agitated, she cried, "I haven't forgotten!"

"Then leave him! Be ruthless and tell him you no longer love him! That you will never be with him!" Qu Lieshan roared violently. "Return the pain he inflicted on you twofold! Destroy him!"

Yue Rongrong was stunned by his outburst. The intense hatred in his eyes startled her, and she trembled as she whispered, "Brother Qu..."

Qu Lieshan's heart stirred, as if suddenly awakened. He hastily averted his gaze, struggling to control his emotions, and forced a gentle turn of his face to look at her. "I scared you, Rongrong. I'm afraid you'll get hurt again. The Shen family will never accept you. He will only cause you repeated suffering." He stared at her intently, asking calmly and coldly, "Do you wish to follow him your entire life without status or recognition, or to be his concubine or mistress?"

As if splashed by hot oil, Yue Rongrong's fingers trembled slightly, and her face paled. She resisted. "I haven't thought that way. I don't plan to stay with him forever; I'm waiting for a chance to leave."

"When? What kind of chance?" Qu Lieshan looked at her nervously.

Yue Rongrong was at a loss for words. She did have a plan, but she couldn't tell Qu Lieshan, fearing he would worry. She could only look at him solemnly. "Trust me."

Qu Lieshan said nothing more, but his gaze remained skeptical. He kept his thoughts to himself, afraid she had fallen in love with Shen Jichen again.

To ease the tension, Yue Rongrong took a deep breath, put on a bright smile, and shared some happy news. "Brother Qu, I saw Sister Peilan."

Qu Lieshan's gaze froze, and he instantly stiffened.

Observing his expression, Yue Rongrong cautiously asked, "Brother Qu, are you still thinking about Sister Peilan?"

Qu Lieshan hastily looked away, managing a strained smile. "No, I only hope she's doing well. I was the one who wronged her back then."

"Sister Peilan is already married. Her husband is a gentle and refined gentleman. She has already let go of the past." Yue Rongrong brought this up partly to change the subject and partly to help Qu Lieshan release his lingering guilt.

Back then, when she and Qu Lieshan left Hangzhou and settled in Gusu, Qu Lieshan took a job at Gusu's largest security escort agency. There, he met Ge Peilan, the daughter of an old escort. Ge Peilan was gentle as water and treated her exceptionally well, so Yue Rongrong had intended to matchmake Qu Lieshan and Ge Peilan. Everything seemed to be progressing as she wished. She was very happy, and he and Ge Peilan were on the verge of marriage when she was suddenly kidnapped. The bandits threatened Qu Lieshan, demanding a silver dart as ransom for her.

To ransom her, Qu Lieshan caused significant losses to the escort agency and was severely injured himself. The agency held Qu Lieshan solely responsible for the losses. Unable to produce such a large sum of silver, she had to sign an indenture contract with the authorities, receiving a portion of the money and a government guarantee to resolve the matter. Who knew what would happen later...

Qu Lieshan had always blamed himself for failing Ge Peilan. She thought that hearing of Ge Peilan's stable life would finally bring him some peace of mind.

"Is she settling in the capital? Did she... mention me?" Qu Lieshan asked cautiously.

Yue Rongrong was taken aback. Could Brother Qu still be thinking of Sister Peilan? She was momentarily at a loss. "She didn't say if she'd settle in the capital. As for the past, she said she didn't want to bring it up again and told me not to dwell on it either, but to cherish the present."

Qu Lieshan suddenly smiled with relief. "That's good."

Yue Rongrong looked out through the small skylight and said hesitantly, "Brother Qu, I have to go..."

"Leaving already?" Qu Lieshan frowned deeply, looking at her questioningly. "Afraid of returning late?"

"I..."

She was about to say more when Qu Lieshan suddenly clutched his head, his entire face contorted in a grimace of agony, and he squatted down in unbearable pain. Yue Rongrong was greatly alarmed. "Brother Qu!" She was instantly panicked and frantically called for help.

Wang Xiong quickly ran in. Seeing the situation, he immediately grabbed medicine and opened the cell door. Yue Rongrong rushed in, supported Qu Lieshan, and watched as Wang Xiong skillfully administered the medicine. Frightened, she asked, "What is this?"

Wang Xiong replied, "Since his severe injury last time, he's been plagued by headaches. Doctors couldn't find the cause, so they prescribed medicine to temporarily alleviate the pain."

Yue Rongrong's face turned ashen upon hearing this. Anger slowly seeped into her eyes as she stared blankly at the gradually stabilizing Qu Lieshan.

"Miss, you should go back first."

Yue Rongrong said coldly, "I'll wait here until he wakes up."

Based on Shen Jichen's previous attitude toward Yue Rongrong, Wang Xiong had surmised that she held a special place in Shen Jichen's heart. He dared not disobey. He also knew there was a grand banquet in the palace that day, lasting until evening, which was why Yue Rongrong felt she could linger. He didn't press the matter, only saying, "Then, when you're ready to leave, I'll arrange a carriage to take you back."

＊＊

In the Hidden Spring Lodge of the palace, the spring banquet continued until the moon began to rise. The Grand Empress Dowager had lost count of her sighs.

Holding Empress Shen Qingci's hand, she watched the young ladies playing in the garden, saying earnestly, "What kind of wife do you think your brother wants? Those young ladies are all fresh and lovely, skilled in music, chess, calligraphy, and painting. But Piao Yao is something else—not only did he arrive late, but he kept a cold face for most of the day. When the young ladies spoke to him, he was only icily polite, truly icily polite."

Shen Qingci chuckled softly. "Imperial Grandmother, you know his temperament."

The Grand Empress Dowager snorted. "It's precisely because I know that I didn't force him to choose a wife as if it were an imperial selection." She sighed, "Your mother favors Jia Yan, but I see he treats Jia Yan no differently from the other young ladies."

Shen Qingci looked at Meng Jiayan in the garden. She was helping another young lady adjust the tuning of a zither, completely focused. At today's banquet, it seemed only Meng Jiayan had no ulterior motive, nor did she actively seek favor with Shen Jichen. It was as if this were just an ordinary spring outing. For a moment, even Shen Qingci couldn't discern Meng Jiayan's true intentions.

As for the other ladies, they were drinking tea in the waterside pavilion, seemingly chatting idly, but in truth, they were closely observing their daughters' interactions with Shen Jichen.

Lady Meng excused herself to change clothes and walked out. Aunt Qiu Gui closed the door, her expression evasive. "I just saw the person arranged by the Grand Princess. I've already given him that bottle of medicine."

Aunt Qiu Gui was somewhat worried. "Is it really alright to do this? If Marquis Shen retaliates afterward..."

"Can he retaliate against his own mother?" Lady Meng said nonchalantly.

Aunt Qiu Gui couldn't bear it. "But this is too unfair to our young lady..."

A trace of reluctance flashed in Lady Meng's eyes, but she quickly firmed her resolve. "The unfairness is only temporary."

As they spoke, through a crack in the window, they saw the eunuch arranged by the Grand Princess lead Shen Jichen away. Lady Meng steadied herself. "Go call Jia Yan over."

At this moment, Meng Jiayan was sitting in a corner drinking tea. She turned her back, took a note from Zi Teng, and focused on reading it. She was deeply shaken. Zi Teng stood by her, keeping watch, when Aunt Qiu Gui approached. She whispered, "Young Lady."

Meng Jiayan quickly crumpled the note and hurriedly stuffed it into her sleeve.

"Young Lady, here you are. Your mother has been looking for you." Aunt Qiu Gui came forward and bowed.

Meng Jiayan smiled gently. "What does Mother need?"

"Your mother would like you to help her look at the clothes she changed into."

Meng Jiayan didn't suspect anything and followed. Once inside the side room, Lady Meng took her and left through a side door, taking secluded paths all the way.

"Mother, where are we going?" Meng Jiayan asked, trying to hold her mother back.

"Don't ask," Lady Meng turned around and said gravely.

Meng Jiayan stopped asking. Lady Meng led her into a palace building. The courtyard was empty. Meng Jiayan suddenly became wary, but then thought her mother wouldn't harm her. She just didn't know what her mother was planning.

When they stopped by the window of a bedchamber, Lady Meng held her hand and said, "Jia Yan, Mother knows this wrongs you, but no one else will know about this, rest assured."

"Mother, what are you saying?" Meng Jiayan asked with confusion, following her mother's gaze through the window. Suddenly, she gasped, her cheeks flushing pink.

Seated inside the bedchamber was Shen Jichen, reading a book under the lamplight, looking aloof and dignified. Her heart fluttered slightly, but she kept her composure. She pulled her mother back, hidden in the corner, and asked, "What is this about?"

Madam Meng said, "Soon, the medicated incense in the room will take effect. You should go inside..."

Meng Jiayan frowned. "What are you planning?"

Madam Meng spoke firmly and quietly, "Once the rice is cooked, everything will be settled! No one will know about this afterward. Marquis Shen, for the sake of both the Shen and Meng families' reputations, will have no choice but to remain silent and marry you with full honors!"

Meng Jiayan’s pupils dilated, her face instantly turning pale. She clenched her fingers tightly, forcing herself to stay calm, and looked at her mother with a mix of horror and anger. "This is absurd! Do you realize what you're doing? You're willing to sacrifice your daughter's virtue for this marriage alliance!"

"How can this be called a sacrifice..."

"How can it not!" Meng Jiayan interrupted her mother indignantly.

"The marriage alliance between the Shen and Meng families was promised by the Grand Princess herself! She has chosen you as her daughter-in-law. Any hardship will only be temporary, and the Meng family will rise because of this marriage..."

"I will never do it!" Meng Jiayan stated resolutely. "Such a humiliating marriage is something I cannot accept!"

Seeing her daughter so stubborn, Madam Meng grew anxious. "How can you be so principled about matters of love? Relations between men and women are perfectly natural!"

"Mother!" Meng Jiayan exclaimed, flushed with anger and shame. "This isn't love! It's vile! It's taking advantage of someone’s vulnerability! It goes against all integrity!" She spoke solemnly, "Using some methods to achieve a goal may be acceptable, but not at the cost of trampling my virtue and dignity."

"Do you think everything will be settled after today? Given Piao Yao’s temperament, do you think he would compromise? Even if he considers his reputation and agrees to marry me, how could I possibly find happiness in such a marriage? How could I, with this humiliation, become the lady of the Shen household? How could I establish myself in the Marquis’s residence? Even in front of the Grand Princess, I would never be able to hold my head high!"

Madam Meng was stunned, her eyes beginning to show panic. Meng Jiayan softened her tone and asked tearfully, "How should a wife who doesn’t earn her husband’s respect carry herself? Mother, tell me."

Madam Meng’s heart wavered, her lips trembling slightly. Fear rose within her, spreading through her limbs. Even her hands shook as she grasped Meng Jiayan’s. "Then what should we do now? The drug has already seeped into his system. If... if the act isn’t consummated, could it harm Marquis Shen’s health? We cannot bear the consequences! And if Marquis Shen investigates afterward, who will take responsibility?"

Now truly frightened, Madam Meng looked lost. Zi Teng, who had been listening nearby, was also panicked and without ideas. But Aunt Qiu Gui, more experienced, hurriedly suggested, "Why not find any palace maid..."

Meng Jiayan, however, had an idea. "This morning, when I went to pay respects to Noble Consort Liang, I saw her giving a hard time to an embroiderer from the Palace Women's Bureau named Ren Hanzhen. I heard she tried to act coy and delicate in front of the Emperor while delivering clothing, and Noble Consort Liang caught her. It’s even said that the Empress found out. Rather than picking any maid, why not choose her?"

Madam Meng didn’t understand. "What do you mean?"

Meng Jiayan frowned. "This isn’t an honorable matter. An innocent girl might not be willing, but Ren Hanzhen is eager to climb the social ladder. She has a history, so her motives would make sense. Besides, an ordinary palace maid is innocent, and if Piao Yao finds out she had nothing to do with it, he might pity her and leave loose ends. But if it’s Ren Hanzhen, Noble Consort Liang will certainly not let her stay after this."

Madam Meng’s eyes lit up. "Meng Jiayan, you are absolutely right."

Meng Jiayan felt slightly guilty but justified her actions: "She has already offended Noble Consort Liang and won’t last long in the palace. If this works out for her, it might be a way out. With Noble Consort Liang involved, even if Piao Yao allows her into his household later, he won’t pity her."

Madam Meng felt greatly relieved. "Meng Jiayan, you’ve thought this through. Qiu Gui, go immediately to find Director Cui of the Palace Women's Bureau. She’s a relative from my maiden family and will help make this happen." Watching Qiu Gui leave, she worriedly grasped her daughter’s hand. "What if the Grand Princess asks later..."

"Don’t worry, Mother. I will explain it to the Grand Princess myself."

In truth, she had another plan. She wasn’t afraid of Shen Jichen investigating; in fact, she hoped he would trace it back to her. It was well-known that her mother had visited the Ducal residence recently, which would inevitably implicate the Grand Princess. By not following the elders’ plan and cutting off retreat, she would make Shen Jichen see her as understanding and principled...

Composed, she quickly led her mother away, unaware that the scrap of paper in her sleeve had fallen out. They returned to the Hidden Spring Pavilion as if nothing had happened and soon blended back in with the other ladies.

Some time later, sudden shouts were heard. A eunuch rushed over, stumbled into the Grand Empress Dowager’s pavilion, fell to the ground with a thud, scrambled to his knees, and knelt down, speaking in a panic: "Grand Empress Dowager, Empress, a disaster has occurred!"

The Grand Empress Dowager and Shen Qingci were startled by his appearance, and upon hearing this, grew tense. The Grand Empress Dowager demanded sharply, "You fool! Can’t you speak properly?"

The eunuch suppressed his trembling voice. "Something has happened at Cangwu Palace!"

"What!" The Grand Empress Dowager and Shen Qingci stood up immediately. Shen Qingci said, "That’s Piao Yao’s palace!"

It turned out that the palace was bestowed upon Shen Jichen by the late emperor, who had no children of his own. The current emperor was an imperial cousin who succeeded him. The late emperor adored Shen Jichen and specially granted him this palace, where he often stayed as a child.

The Grand Empress Dowager shouted, "Where is Marquis Shen?"

Someone immediately reported, "Your Majesty, Marquis Shen has already left."

The Grand Empress Dowager and Shen Qingci’s faces changed dramatically. Shen Qingci quickly supported the Grand Empress Dowager, and they hurried toward Cangwu Palace, trying to reassure her along the way.

Meng Jiayan and Madam Meng exchanged glances. Madam Meng’s wildly beating heart calmed somewhat upon seeing Meng Jiayan’s steady gaze. By then, everyone had risen and followed the Grand Empress Dowager.

When the Grand Empress Dowager arrived, Cangwu Palace was brightly lit. The Emperor sat on the main seat in the hall, his face grim. Noble Consort Liang stood beside him with a peculiar expression. Kneeling on the floor was a disheveled woman, her face tear-streaked, clearly scared out of her wits.

Seeing the Grand Empress Dowager arrive, the Emperor stood and greeted her. "You’ve come."

"What happened! Where is Piao Yao?" the Grand Empress Dowager asked urgently.

The Emperor glanced at the Grand Empress Dowager, then at Shen Qingci, whose bright eyes were fixed intently on him. Just as he was about to respond, a weak but determined voice came from the side.

"Grandmother."

The Grand Empress Dowager and Shen Qingci turned toward the side chamber and saw Shen Jichen leaning on a reclining couch, his brow furrowed and face pale, his chest stained with blood. The Grand Empress Dowager and Shen Qingci turned white, nearly fainting on the spot.

The Emperor steadied Shen Qingci, though his expression remained cold. "Don’t worry, Piao Yao is fine."

Director Gao was attending to his wound. The Grand Empress Dowager walked over, sat beside Shen Jichen, and held his hand, her heart aching. She looked at Director Gao. "What exactly happened?"

"Your Majesty, the Marquis was exposed to a potent aphrodisiac. Fortunately, his will is strong, and he resisted by harming himself."

The Grand Empress Dowager flew into a rage, slapping the table. "Who dared do such a despicable thing!"

Noble Consort Liang stepped forward promptly, offering tea to the Grand Empress Dowager to soothe her. "Grand Empress Dowager, please calm down. It was this wretched maid from the Palace Women's Bureau."

The Grand Empress Dowager looked at Ren Hanzhen kneeling on the floor without an ounce of mercy. "How dare you! How dare you set your sights on Marquis Shen!"

The Emperor looked at Shen Qingci. "Empress, what do you think should be done?"

Shen Qingci said coldly, "Twenty strokes of the rod, then banished from the palace."

The Emperor’s gaze hardened, his heart chilling. Noble Consort Liang, however, curled her lips, pleased to have effortlessly rid herself of a seductress.

Eunuchs immediately stepped forward and roughly dragged Ren Hanzhen away.

The ladies outside the palace gate watched in shock, scornful of Ren Hanzhen yet felt satisfied with the outcome. Madam Meng tightly gripped Meng Jiayan’s hand, her heart uneasy. Meng Jiayan knew her mother was fearful—if she had followed her mother’s plan, it might have been her being dragged away. She steadied her mother’s hand in return, and an invisible strength seemed to steady Madam Meng’s heart, gradually calming her.

The banquet ended early. Director Gao said, "The remaining effects of the aphrodisiac in the Marquis’s system have been cleared. The chest wound, while not fatal, requires careful rest. He must avoid strenuous activities for some time."

The Grand Empress Dowager immediately said, "Piao Yao, you will stay in the palace tonight."

Shen Jichen struggled to sit up straight and said solemnly, "Grandmother, your grandson is fine. I will return to my residence later."

The Grand Empress Dowager urged anxiously, "You’re seriously injured! Why rush back?"

Shen Jichen said softly, "If I don’t return, I’m afraid she will worry."

The Grand Empress Dowager was startled and looked urgently at Shen Qingci, who also seemed taken aback, clearly unaware.

"Which 'she'?" the Grand Empress Dowager asked urgently.

Shen Jichen merely smiled faintly. "In time, your grandson will bring her to pay respects to you."

For a moment, the Grand Empress Dowager did not know whether to feel joy or worry, yet seeing her usually restrained and steady grandson go to such lengths over a girl, disregarding his own well-being, she was stunned. No wonder he had been cold-faced all day.

Knowing his temperament—once he made a decision, no one could sway him—the Grand Empress Dowager instructed Director Gao to accompany him back to the residence, adding, "Do not let this news reach the Duke's residence yet. Weixi is delicate; we must not worry her."

After all, she cared most deeply for her daughter.

Everyone acknowledged the order. Shen Qingci escorted the Grand Empress Dowager back to Cian Palace, served her soothing tea, and only then stepped out. There, she found the Emperor standing in the courtyard, quietly observing her. As she approached, he said coldly, "Only today did I witness the Empress’s authority and see how she worries and cares for someone with such intensity."

Shen Qingci replied calmly, "Piao Yao is my only blood-related younger brother."

The Emperor looked at her, his voice heavy, "The Empress could watch Ren Hanzhen take my hand without reacting, yet you would not tolerate her disrespecting Piao Yao in the slightest. In the end, it all comes down to closeness and distance."

Shen Qingci lifted her head to meet his gaze, "That matter was already punished by Noble Consort Liang. There was no need for me to intervene and embarrass Noble Consort Liang further. Besides, as the Nine-Five Sovereign, it is natural for Your Majesty to have three palaces and six chambers."

The Emperor sneered, took a step forward, leaned in slightly, and whispered near her ear, "The eldest daughter of the Shen family, the Lady Junzhu, a model for noblewomen across the land—truly dignified and magnanimous! You’ve even considered Noble Consort Liang’s position and my harem! But, Empress, have you ever considered me, even for a moment?" A flash of aggression suddenly surfaced in his tone.

Shen Qingci remained poised and answered meticulously, "Your Majesty is the supreme ruler of the realm. Naturally, I hold Your Majesty in my heart at all times."

The Emperor’s expression darkened abruptly, a flicker of faint anger in his eyes. He stared at her for a long moment, but she remained unflinching. Finally, the Emperor turned away in frustration and left. Shen Qingci calmly performed a parting salute.

＊＊

The Marquis residence was in chaos that night. The gatehouse attendant paced back and forth anxiously, and the head steward had asked more than once, "Has the young lady returned yet? Wen Song has already inquired several times!"

The gatekeepers were equally distressed. Wasn’t there a banquet at the palace? Why had the Marquis returned so suddenly, and in such a foul mood? To make matters worse, Miss Rong Rong was not home! Just as they were on the verge of despair, an unfamiliar carriage slowly approached. The guards raised their swords, becoming vigilant.

The carriage stopped, and Yue Rongrong stepped out. Suddenly, it felt as if the moon had risen, illuminating everything instantly. Coincidentally, Wen Song, unable to wait any longer, came out to look around and spotted Yue Rongrong. He hurried over to greet her, "My dear young mistress, you’ve finally returned!"

In the past, whenever Wen Song was nervous, he would call her "young mistress." Her heart tightened, "Has the Marquis returned?"

Wen Song’s expression turned serious, "Not only has he returned—he’s been back for some time! Where have you been? The Marquis returned and didn’t see you, so he exploded in anger!"

Hearing this, Yue Rongrong’s heart sank. But she was also angry due to what happened with Qu Lieshan, and she walked toward the main courtyard with a darkened expression. She saw all the maids kneeling outside her door, and her heart skipped a beat. She paused for a moment. Wen Song quickly whispered behind her, "Young lady, the Marquis is furious. Say something soothing—don’t tell the whole truth."

He had a feeling the Marquis would not want to hear the truth at all. He added, "Moreover, the Marquis tonight—"

"I understand."

Yue Rongrong cut him off, stepped into the room, and saw Hui Yin and Gu Yu kneeling in the reception hall. Shen Jichen sat upright in the central seat, his face somewhat pale, glaring at her with contained fury.