Dongfang Yi looked at the medicine bottle placed on the table and recalled his words. Her chest couldn't help but burn with a warm feeling.
So this was the blissful sensation of knowing how important one was in someone else's heart.
Ever since Yaoji was conferred the title of Concubine Yao, the news had spread like wildfire. Both the court and the harem were abuzz with whispers.
The first to submit a memorial was Prime Minister Dongfang. He rushed into the Qianqing Palace to meet the emperor.
With a sincere look on his face, he said, "The Southern Neighboring Country has always been unstable and often encroached on our border. How can we form an alliance through marriage with such a country!"
But Helian Qi only replied calmly, "I have my own plans."
He held Prime Minister Dongfang in high regard. It was not only because he was Dongfang Yi's father but also because of his integrity and his dedication to the country and the people. As a courtier for two generations, he had made great contributions to the Dongsheng State.
However, he couldn't reveal his plans to the prime minister easily.
After a long sigh, he put down the official document in his hand and stared intently at the man opposite him. "Prime Minister, rest assured. I will never do anything foolish!"
Saying this already showed that he trusted the old Dongfang.
The old prime minister fell into deep thought upon hearing this. Suddenly, he remembered what his daughter had told him, that Helian Qi had always been a good emperor and that he should trust him.
After a moment of thought, he bowed deeply to the young emperor in front of him and then turned around and strode out of the Qianqing Palace.
He was willing to trust the young emperor.
Helian Qi watched the back of the man in front of him gradually fading away until he completely disappeared from his sight. A faint smile involuntarily appeared on his lips.
Meanwhile, turmoil also erupted in the harem.
Concubine Chu, who couldn't bear the blow, was the first to stand up and say, "What's so special about that woman from the Southern Neighboring Country? How dare she be conferred the title of concubine right away!"
The rapid promotion of Concubine Shun had already annoyed her. Now, with the arrival of Concubine Yao, she felt that her status as Concubine Chu was being completely ignored.
Previously, there were only four concubines in the harem: Concubine Chu, Concubine Luo, Concubine Dong, and Concubine Zhang.
Later, Concubine Zhang was secretly executed for offending Concubine Chu, leaving only three main concubines in the palace.
Then came Concubine Shun, who had monopolized all the emperor's favor.
Now, there was Yaoji. Concubine Chu had only seen her from afar at the night pearl banquet hosted by Lady Shu. With her charming looks, she seemed like a temptress.
Thinking of this, Concubine Chu felt annoyed. She knew she couldn't compete with Yaoji in terms of beauty, so she had to resort to some tricks.
A sinister smile appeared on her lips. She then ordered the maid beside her to summon Lady Lian.
Within a quarter of an hour, Lady Lian arrived. She bowed respectfully to the woman in front of her and asked, "Your Highness, is there something you need me for?"
"Do you have any medicine that can disfigure someone?" Concubine Chu asked bluntly, not hiding the killing intent in her eyes.
Lady Lian was startled. Her pupils dilated involuntarily, but she quickly regained her composure.
Her family not only made incense but also studied some strange medicines. So, Concubine Chu's question was not unexpected, as there were indeed some herbs that contained toxins that could disfigure a person without killing them.
"Your Highness, there is a medicine called the Ten - Day Face - Ruining Powder. If one takes it continuously for ten days in ten doses, it will block the blood flow in the face, and the complexion will gradually turn sallow and haggard. For a woman, it's no different from being disfigured," Lady Lian said with a sinister smile. Her big, watery eyes were filled with cruelty.
Although she looked charming, her heart was extremely vicious.
Concubine Chu burst into laughter upon hearing this and then asked the woman in front of her for the so - called "Ten - Day Face - Ruining Powder".
"Your Highness, this medicine needs to be prepared. I will definitely deliver it to you in two days," she replied.
She probably already knew what the woman in front of her was up to. It was nothing more than trying to suppress Yaoji, who had just been conferred the title of concubine.
She couldn't help but snort coldly in her heart. She thought, Concubine Chu, you can never stand anyone being better than you even a little bit. But this gives me a chance to get rid of you.
Thinking of this, the smile on her lips became even more unrestrained.
She had long harbored resentment towards Concubine Chu and was just waiting for a good opportunity to kill her without exposing herself. Now, wasn't this the chance!
After Concubine Chu gave her a few more instructions, Lady Lian turned around and left Concubine Chu's palace. She left with a smug look on her face.
As night gradually fell and the moon climbed into the sky, tonight was the night when Yaoji was to be summoned by the emperor.
It was also the moment when Helian Qi's plan was about to reach its conclusion.
According to the methods of the Southern Neighboring Country, they would never let this opportunity slip by. They would surely send Yaoji to assassinate him.
But he was fully prepared. As long as she showed the slightest sign of danger, the imperial guards would rush in and catch her red - handed.
In the Lanfang Garden, the entire palace was decorated with light red curtains that fluttered gently in the night breeze.
Concubine Yao had just finished bathing in the bathtub. After being wiped dry by the maids, she put on the silk undergarment prepared for her in advance.
The undergarment was smeared with sesame oil, and as soon as she put it on, a faint fragrance wafted out.
She was pushed in front of the dressing table by the maids. They combed her hair and simply applied some makeup to her eyebrows and eyes.
"Your Highness, you are so beautiful. You are the most beautiful woman the maid has ever seen," the maid said in an amazed tone.
Yaoji was indeed extremely beautiful, especially after just taking a bath. The mist in her eyes had not yet dissipated, and her lips were moist and shiny.
There was still a purple iris flower painted between her eyebrows, which made her delicate face look even more extraordinary.
After finishing her makeup, she returned to the couch and quietly waited.
She was thinking about tonight's plan. As soon as Helian Qi lifted her clothes, the poisoned needles attached to the inner lining would shoot out. At that time, Yaoji would tightly hold onto the man on top of her.
He would have no time or space to hide.
As soon as he fell, Shun and Ye, who were lying in ambush outside the palace, would receive a signal. Then they would rush into the palace and seize power.
Without a leader, even if the others wanted to resist, they would be helpless.
Thinking of this, a pleased smile appeared on her lips, as if she had already envisioned the scene after everything was successful.
Within a quarter of an hour, a shout came from outside the palace, "His Majesty the Emperor is arriving!"
Immediately afterwards, a man in a robe with a dark - gold base and cloud - embroidered borders strode in.
Helian Qi wore a purple - gold hair crown on his head, with all his hair neatly tied up. He looked extremely handsome.