Chapter 9: I Still Have Money

"I can do it!" Qin Xiao declared resolutely. He had no wish to spend his youth ignorant of gold’s value, only to grow old and cradle a daughter in vain regret.

"Your Majesty, tell me when to begin, and I will guard you," the old attendant said.

Inside the imperial study, Qin Xiao sat cross-legged upon the dragon cushion, following Ye Changmian’s guidance.

"Your Majesty, it may hurt a little—be sure to endure. I will open your Heavenly Pool, Taiyin position, Bubbling Spring... and the Eight Extraordinary Meridians," Ye Changmian said.

"Go ahead, Old Ye," Qin Xiao replied.

At that, Ye Changmian’s withered hands moved swiftly, pressing points all over Qin Xiao’s body, each touch carrying an overwhelming inner force.

It felt as though steel nails were driven into him; beads of sweat dripped from his brow, his jaw clenched so tightly that blood oozed from the corner of his mouth.

After dozens of minutes, he sensed muffled thuds within his body, as if something was breaking through.

Then, warmth flooded him, a rare comfort.

"Your Majesty, now circulate the Heart Method of the Dragon and Snake in the way I have taught you, and take the Pill of Everlasting Strength," Ye Changmian said, wiping sweat from his forehead.

He had poured out all his strength to open Qin Xiao’s vital points and extraordinary meridians. Such expenditure would severely damage any expert’s body, but for the emperor’s sake, he felt it worthwhile.

Outside the imperial study, Ye Changmian suddenly called, "Qing’er."

But there was no one in sight.

Suddenly, a woman in black drifted silently into view, mysterious and uncanny.

"Old Ye!" she bowed respectfully.

"Tell me, is His Majesty still staying in Fragrant Palace these days?" Ye Changmian asked, nodding.

Fragrant Palace was the private residence of Consort Li.

"No, His Majesty has been spending his nights in Huachi Palace," Qing’er replied calmly.

"Oh? Huachi Palace, the private residence of Noble Consort Hua. His Majesty often visited but never stayed overnight. What’s happening?" Ye Changmian asked with concern; he had witnessed the chaos of the late emperor’s harem and worried that Consort Li would dominate the palace. Yet, the emperor favored her alone.

Now that His Majesty was staying in Huachi Palace, Ye Changmian was pleased.

"His Majesty has changed. He no longer favors Consort Li, nor the Tang family..." Qing’er recounted everything that had happened to the emperor in recent days.

She was one of forty-nine secret protectors, assigned to guard the emperor day and night. Only Ye Changmian knew of her existence.

"I understand. Go inform Huachi Palace that His Majesty invites Noble Consort Hua to the imperial study," Ye Changmian said, waving her off.

Qing’er obeyed, vanishing like a spirit cat.

An hour later, Qin Xiao awoke from his cultivation in the imperial study.

He stared at himself in astonishment, feeling an endless power hidden beneath his flesh.

The Pill of Everlasting Strength’s effects were obvious; his head drooped, nearly striking his face.

"Truly a pillar that supports the heavens. Incredible—I fear my beloved will adore me to death," he mused, his lips curling into a wicked smile.

"Hmm? What’s that odor?" Qin Xiao sniffed, suddenly realizing the foul smell emanated from his own body.

He felt sticky all over; stripping off his clothes, he found them pitch black.

He reckoned he could mold ten thousand pills just from what he scrubbed off.

"Your Majesty, you’re awake. Let me bathe and dress you," Noble Consort Hua was drawn by the commotion and entered, calling softly.

Qin Xiao’s eyes lit up—exactly what he had hoped for. Old Ye truly understood him.

He wasn’t surprised at Noble Consort Hua’s arrival; who else could have arranged it but Old Ye?

"My beloved, you’d best prepare yourself. The surprise may make you cry with joy," Qin Xiao teased, taking her delicate hand and leading her to the bath.

It took only three minutes to wash Qin Xiao clean, but five hours passed before the two left the bath.

The battle had been fierce, day and night blurred together.

Cradling the sleeping beauty in his arms, Qin Xiao sighed with satisfaction—never had he driven so fast.

The brakes were gone, the doors locked, the accelerator slammed down.

Had Old Ye not said that cultivating the Dragon and Snake method together would benefit his woman, he’d never have been so relentless.

As the lamps lit the palace, two imperial edicts broke the night’s tranquility.

One was sent to the Bu residence, appointing Bu Qingyi as Censorate Inspector, second rank.

The other went to the Hua residence, naming Hua Yuntian Grand Marshal for bandit suppression.

A single stone stirred a thousand ripples!

Tonight, the capital was abuzz, civil and military officials mingling, all speculating about the emperor’s intentions.

"What! The edict was penned by that cunning fox!"

"Replying to Your Grace, sisters from Huachi Palace confirm that Noble Consort Hua wrote the edict on His Majesty’s behalf."

In Fragrant Palace, Tang Li's face grew dark with anxiety.

"Xiao Yu, quickly summon His Majesty. Tell him my doors are open wide, the path lined with welcome!" Tang Li urged her maid.

In Huachi Palace, Qin Xiao sat cross-legged by the pavilion beside Hua Spring, cultivating the Dragon and Snake method.

He had already experienced its wonders today; he was thoroughly enthralled.

"Your Majesty, a messenger from Fragrant Palace brings word that Consort Li welcomes you with open doors and awaits your arrival," Xiao Taohong called from nearby.

Qin Xiao looked up, his gaze falling on the charming little girl in simple palace attire—a uniform temptation in his eyes.

Under the emperor’s heated gaze, Xiao Taohong blushed from her fair forehead to her slender ankles.

Bathed in moonlight, Qin Xiao sighed, unable to resist.

"Consort Li?" he murmured, shifting his attention, his mind flashing to Consort Li’s alluring figure and moist red lips.

"What a pity," Qin Xiao sighed softly. It was a shame—her father was Tang Sicheng, a powerful minister. If not for that...

"Go reply that I am already asleep. I shall not visit Fragrant Palace; I need no welcoming procession—only ten thousand taels of gold!" Qin Xiao said calmly.

Upon hearing this, Xiao Taohong rejoiced, her delicate fists clenched; her mistress’s position was secure.

In the past, whenever Consort Li sent word, the emperor would rush to her side. Now, things had changed...

Shortly after Xiao Taohong departed, Noble Consort Hua approached, trembling and carrying a wooden box.

"Your Majesty, I can help share your burdens."

"My beloved, why are you up?" Qin Xiao rose at once, gently lifting her frail, boneless form into his arms.

In the pavilion, Noble Consort Hua sat on Qin Xiao’s lap, her cheeks flushed and eyes sparkling.

"Your Majesty, this was my dowry when I entered the palace. It can be exchanged for money; to save one more life is worth it," she said, pointing to the wooden box on the stone table.

"Silly girl, I haven’t sunk so low as to sell my wife’s dowry. I ordered Consort Li to surrender ten thousand taels of gold as punishment for her arrogance."

"You are my beloved; your thoughtfulness is enough," Qin Xiao replied, tenderly stroking Noble Consort Hua’s hair.

He felt a sudden surge of affection—where else could he find a woman so capable: skilled in bed, in the bath, on the hanging couch, and so virtuous?