"This..." Eunuch Xia's face contorted as if he had eaten a bitter gourd.
"Would Anning harm me? Hurry and bring it here. Let's see together what the pills in the gourd that the Ninth Prince mentioned look like."
"Yes!"
Eunuch Xia took the box, weighing it slightly. It wasn't heavy. He carefully opened the box, and his eyes widened to the point of nearly popping out when he saw the pills inside.
"What do you see?"
Eunuch Xia quickly presented the box to Emperor Chengqing with both hands. "Your Majesty, please look."
The box contained three pills, perfectly round and not small in size. The pills were golden, without a single flaw. As soon as the box was opened, Eunuch Xia smelled a medicinal fragrance that was incredibly refreshing. Just inhaling it seemed to make him feel comfortable.
The aroma intensified, and Emperor Chengqing took a deep breath, feeling a significant portion of his fatigue dissipate.
He reached out and picked up a pill for a closer look. "Does this pill have a name?"
"This pill is called Tianci, also known as Jiuxia."
"Oh? Strange names. What do they signify?" Emperor Chengqing placed the pill back in the box and set it on his desk. He feared he might be unable to resist eating it, which would be a huge problem.
"Your Majesty, the meaning of the pill named Tianci is self-evident. As for Jiuxia, it's even more significant. Those who reach the great perfection of this sect's cultivation can refine pills with nine rays of divine light. Such pills, imbued with the essence of heaven and earth and the concentrated spiritual energy of the world, can cure all diseases, turn white hair black, and allow an old woman to grow new teeth. Even an eighty-year-old man, after taking it, could marry a new wife and have twins within three years."
"Cough, cough!" Eunuch Xia almost choked on his own saliva, coughing so hard his lungs felt like they would come out. He looked at Li Maner with a mixture of terror, disbelief, and a hint of admiration.
"Eunuch Xia, my apologies. While Jiuxia is an unparalleled treasure, it cannot make up for your regret."
Emperor Chengqing burst into hearty laughter. "I really should let the Ninth Prince see what his wife is like. She's revealing her true nature."
He knew it. Everyone in the city called Li Maner vulgar and uncouth, so how had she suddenly changed? It wasn't a change of heart, merely a concealment of her true self. Now that she held a high position and was about to become a Princess Consort, did she still need to hide her personality?
He suspected the Ninth Prince also found the ladies in the capital to be dull and uninteresting and liked Li Maner's eccentric personality.
"Then your skill isn't quite there yet! Jiuxia, nine rays of divine light, and you don't have a single one."
Li Maner nodded. "The one in your hand is a defective product."
Eunuch Xia's eyes widened. "County Princess, you call this a defective product?"
"Yes! I already said this batch of pills was a failure, with poor quality."
Poor quality and it's still like this!
"Then, what about the excellent quality ones?"
Li Maner, as if performing a magic trick, produced another box. "Here. There are only three finished products, each with three rays of divine light."
Without waiting for Emperor Chengqing's instruction, Eunuch Xia walked over and carefully took the box. This time, he didn't dare to open it himself and presented it to Emperor Chengqing. "Your Majesty, please examine it."
Emperor Chengqing solemnly placed the box on his desk and gently opened it. A bright light spilled out, almost blinding Emperor Chengqing.
The medicinal fragrance permeated the air, making every pore feel comfortable.
"It truly has three rays of divine light." Emperor Chengqing carefully picked up a pill and examined it closely.
Eunuch Xia craned his neck to look. The pill was round, golden, but with a more vibrant hue. On the pill, there were three ring-shaped patterns of rosy light, each shimmering brightly. It was truly a marvel!
This was nothing like the dark, ugly pills that those old Taoist priests refined.
"Your Majesty, isn't this pill beautiful?" Li Maner said with a smile. "Anning has one request, which she hopes Your Majesty will grant."
"What is it?"
"The three pills from before, although of poor quality, still possess some efficacy. This medicine is not suitable for Your Majesty, but it can be tested on Marquis Tiedan."
Emperor Chengqing nodded. "Your filial piety is commendable. Granted. Xia Ruhai, you will personally deliver it and give it directly to the heir."
"Yes." Eunuch Xia took the pill and, with a smile, approached Li Maner. "Thank you, County Princess. Please tell this old servant how to administer the medicine. This old servant can then relay it to the heir to avoid any mistakes."
"Your Majesty, why don't Anning accompany you?" Li Maner said. "It's not that I don't trust the Eunuch, but as a physician, I can explain it more clearly. After Marquis consumes the first pill, there will be miraculous effects. Your Majesty can await news."
"Very well! Go and return quickly."
Emperor Chengqing knew this was Li Maner showing her loyalty. If Li Shu took the medicine and died, Li Maner would bear the reputation of patricide. But if Li Shu took the medicine and recovered his health, then he himself could take the even more potent pills.
"Yes!"
Li Maner accompanied Eunuch Xia out of the palace and went to the Marquis Tiedan's residence.
Upon hearing that there was an imperial decree, everyone in the mansion came out to greet them. They were stunned to see Li Maner and Eunuch Xia arrive together.
"An oral decree from His Majesty. Is the heir present?"
The servants hurried to the study and summoned Li Qingyun.
"An oral decree from His Majesty. The heir should listen."
Li Qingyun quickly knelt. "Your subject, Li Qingyun, heir of Marquis Tiedan, listens to the imperial decree."
"County Princess Anning is a skilled physician and has now refined three pills capable of curing all ailments. Marquis Tiedan has rendered meritorious service to the empire. He is hereby bestowed with these pills and ordered to take them immediately."
Li Qingyun's face was filled with shock. "Eunuch..." Was Li Maner using His Majesty's decree to harm someone? Was there any justice?
"What? Does the heir wish to defy the decree?"
"Qingyun dares not!" Li Qingyun gritted his teeth and looked up, his eyes burning as if he wanted to devour someone.
"Let's go. Delaying the medication is defying the decree."
"You..." Even if Li Qingyun were foolish, he knew he could not afford to offend the current Li Maner. He could only reluctantly lead the two to where Li Shu was recuperating.
The room was clean and free of any unpleasant odors, but despite the blooming spring outside, the room had a chilling atmosphere that made one feel extremely uncomfortable.
Li Shu was conscious but could not speak, nor could he coordinate his limbs. He was like a broken puppet, manipulated at will, truly unable to live or die.
Upon seeing Li Maner, he became extremely agitated. He knew he hadn't suffered a stroke, but had been harmed by Li Maner. Now, hearing that Li Maner had brought medicine bestowed by the Emperor, he became even more agitated. Who knew what Li Maner's intentions were? Would she try to kill him?
Li Maner ordered someone to prepare warm water, dissolved the pill in it, and personally fed it to Li Shu.
"Father, after taking this medicine, you will soon recover. Only you can ensure the prosperity of Marquis Tiedan's mansion. Grandmother is no longer here. Do you intend to let Qingyun, a mere child, bear the burden of the entire Marquis's mansion alone?"