The study was silent. Emperor Chenghua closed his eyes, seemingly immersed in a profound state. He felt as if he had already seen the Western Pure Land, as if he were wearing a wide, silver-woven robe with the swastika pattern, as if he had attained enlightenment.
A smile involuntarily curved his lips, his body and mind relaxed.
Li Man'er spoke slowly, softly saying, "Your Majesty's heart technique has reached the introductory stage. Attainment is imminent. If you were to abdicate to a prince, you could enter the mountains to cultivate."
Emperor Chenghua slowly opened his eyes, his gaze hazy, as if unfocused.
"Human hearts are unpredictable. Your Majesty could choose a young son to inherit the throne, and personally guide him. He would surely become a wise ruler. However, his mother's background is humble, which will inevitably be disadvantageous to the new emperor in the future. It would be best to select a consort of higher status to raise him."
A young son to inherit the throne...
Surely he would become a wise ruler, a wise ruler...
His mother's background is humble...
When Li Man'er left, Emperor Chenghua was still meditating. The palace attendants and eunuchs dared not disturb him, merely guarding outside the door.
Meanwhile, Consort Rong of Qitai Palace had peacefully awoken. She looked proudly at the child sleeping beside her, her heart filled with emotion.
This child was indeed handsome, his features bearing a slight resemblance to Emperor Chenghua.
Consort Rong's heart filled with anger. She told the wet nurse to take the child away. She closed her eyes to rest, and after a long while, asked, "Where is His Majesty?"
"Your Highness, please rest assured. His Majesty came earlier and has already seen the Seventh Prince. Your servant was asleep, but His Majesty was very pleased! He is likely busy with state affairs now and may even be drafting an imperial decree to promote your rank. Please do not worry."
Consort Rong merely snorted, saying nothing more. She did not have the energy now. It would be time enough to settle matters after her confinement.
As for Li Man'er...
A cold smile played on Consort Rong's lips. We'll see!
When Li Man'er returned to the Princess's residence, Qi Yihan was already waiting for her. He strode over, anxiously examining Li Man'er, and asked, "Are you alright?"
"I'm fine, what are you so nervous about?"
Qi Yihan said, "I don't know why, but I've been uneasy ever since you went into the palace." He had informants in the palace. Although nothing major had happened, Qi Yihan still felt there was something he didn't know.
This feeling of being beyond his control displeased him greatly.
"I'm fine. I'll discuss it with you later."
"Alright!"
Li Man'er first went back to change her clothes, then chatted with Lady Su for a while before going to find Qi Yihan.
Li Man'er dismissed her attendants and led Qi Yihan into her spatial realm.
Upon entering the realm, Qi Yihan finally opened his eyes. He had been here a few times before, but each time he was still astonished.
White mist swirled within the realm, obscuring the view, as if one were in the clouds. Li Man'er did not hide anything from Qi Yihan, directly revealing everything Emperor Chenghua had done and his plans.
Qi Yihan's eyes turned red. "He actually set his sights on you."
"Since ancient times, emperors have been obsessed with longevity. He probably believes I can refine elixirs and possess exceptional medical skills, which is why he conceived this idea. To use the child in Consort Rong's womb as bait for this purpose is truly heartless. However, there is a turn of events."
Li Man'er's gaze was deep, but she said no more. "It's good that you understand. I have already dispelled his notion. He will likely choose a new crown prince candidate soon. If nothing unexpected occurs, it will be the Seventh Prince."
"The Seventh Prince?"
Qi Yihan frowned. "What did you do? Was it very risky?"
Li Man'er still did not hide it from him. "Our Xuan Yi Sect has a secret art called hypnosis. Simply put, it is to transmit my thoughts to others, thereby influencing their minds and causing them to act against their true intentions."
Qi Yihan furrowed his brow. "Does using this secret art have any effect on you?"
Li Man'er sighed. "Naturally, it does. It expends considerable energy, but it will not cause any damage to my body. Rest will suffice. Hypnosis is not effective on everyone. Those with strong wills are difficult to be swayed. His Majesty is currently focused on seeking longevity, and he has consumed the elixirs I refined. His temperament has changed, which has also affected his state of mind. Otherwise, I would not have returned so smoothly."
"Stay at home. If absolutely necessary, feign illness and refuse all visitors. Leave the rest to me."
Li Man'er shook her head. "I know you're worried about me, but do you realize the significant impact of Consort Rong's premature birth?"
Qi Yihan nodded. "It's just that he never imagined you would possess extraordinary skills and leave safely."
"Not just him, but Consort Rong also seemed to be in league with him. She was likely aware of the prince's premature birth and had her own plans," Li Man'er said. "She has never given up on you and may very well use the Seventh Prince to force you to rebel."
"Is she mad?"
Li Man'er had long since guessed Consort Rong's intentions. "She's not mad, she's just shameless. Let me put it this way: she doesn't love His Majesty. The only reason she was willing to become His Majesty's woman was for power. Now that she has a prince, she might entice you to stage a coup. Once successful, with the Seventh Prince ascending the throne, she would become the Empress Dowager, and you would be the Regent. You would then control the court, and she would control the harem. According to her plan, during the time the Seventh Prince grows up, the entire empire will be in your hands. At that point, you, the Regent, might also become her conquest."
Qi Yihan looked like a bitter melon, as if he were an ignited gasoline barrel, about to explode.
He disdained Consort Rong, unable to comprehend how this woman could harbor such vile thoughts.
"Take me out. I'll settle with her first." Although she was in the harem, it was too simple for Qi Yihan to take her life.
Li Man'er tugged his sleeve. "Don't worry, everything is under my control. This child will not be raised by her in the end. Her background is so lowly, how can she be worthy of raising the future ruler?"
Qi Yihan recalled the plan Li Man'er had told him earlier, and his heart immediately understood. "Be careful with everything. I am here for you in all things."
"Don't worry, I know. Later on, I will still need you to hold the fort! All of this is just minor maneuvering on my part."
The two left the spatial realm. Qi Yihan ate at the residence before returning to the Prince's manor.
The imperial decree promoting Consort Rong was delayed. Although she was anxious, she was still in confinement and could only endure it.
By the time it was the twelfth lunar month, Consort Rong had finally emerged from her confinement. She washed herself and intended to take the Seventh Prince to see His Majesty.
Before she could leave, the imperial decree arrived.
The old women and maids were all beaming with joy. Everyone knelt to receive the edict.
However, no one had expected that this was not an imperial decree of promotion, but an order to hand over the Seventh Prince to Consort Shu to raise.
Consort Rong was struck by lightning. She immediately stood up and questioned, "Why? As a consort, am I not allowed to raise my own child? What kind of rule is this?"
"Presumptuous!" Eunuch Xia, who delivered the decree, would not tolerate her. "What is Consort Rong's background? If the Seventh Prince is handed to you, it will only tarnish his noble lineage. Take him away!"