"Lovesickness."
Yun Xiao said lightly, placing the medicine box on the ground for Hong Si.
Yan Ling was stunned. She hadn't expected to contract such an illness. Was it because she constantly thought of Shangguan Yao and longed for him to come to Qianlan Palace that she would yearn for him to enter her palace every day?
"Is there a cure for this illness?"
"The one who tied the bell must untie it. Since Your Highness is suffering from lovesickness, and the Emperor is in Jingfu Palace, why not alleviate your lovesickness with the Emperor?"
Yun Xiao had already picked up the medicine box and was preparing to leave.
Yan Ling, who was sitting high up, panicked at his movements. She showed no sign of illness and nimbly got down, blocking Yun Xiao's path. She blinked her watery eyes, a hazy mist blurring her vision, her face full of sorrow. Tears of lovesickness slowly welled up and trickled down her rosy cheeks, adding a touch of seductive charm.
Her inky hair cascaded over a faintly visible silk robe, revealing her perfect, curvaceous figure. Her heaving bosom seemed about to break free, making her a truly sexy enchantress.
Such a plump and full body was likely molded by the attentions of a man. It seemed this Yan Ling was no simple character. No wonder she had insisted on Shangguan Yao entering her palace; this was clearly her desire.
Yun Xiao inwardly sneered. Northern Chao was indeed interesting, sending such a woman.
She wondered what Shangguan Yao would think if he knew.
Yun Xiao's pupils flickered with a chilling coldness. Smiling, she raised her head to look at the weeping beauty. She heard Yan Ling speak with a mix of resentment and coquetry.
"Young Master Leng, do you truly not understand this palace's feelings? The one this palace yearns for is you, Young Master."
Yun Xiao glanced at her coldly, not doubting Yan Ling's words in the least. At this moment, any man with a modicum of good looks standing before her would likely hear such words.
This woman was clearly not a woman who could remain placid. She was not suited to be in the imperial harem.
"Your Highness speaks too highly. This would harm Leng Yue. If the Emperor were to know of this, Leng Yue would have no way to explain, even with a thousand mouths. Your Highness should show more self-respect."
Yun Xiao's expression turned cold. Her clear pupils were distant and sharp, like frost and snow, her demeanor elegant, like orchids or plum blossoms, noble and refined.
Yan Ling was stunned. She, a princess of a dynasty, was being scorned by a mere physician. She became enraged, her face turning ashen. She glared at Yun Xiao with a sinister smile.
"If you yield to me today, you will be mine forever. If you refuse? You will not leave Qianlan Palace today."
"Not leave? Very well, then Leng Yue wishes to test Your Highness's abilities. Does Your Highness wish for mutual destruction?
I believe infidelity on the part of a Consort is a crime sufficient to confine Your Highness to the cold palace for life to reflect on her mistakes. Even the Emperor of Northern Chao would have no right to interfere, and would only feel shame."
Yun Xiao's expression grew colder. She found it utterly amusing. She, a woman, being threatened by another woman to yield to her. This was truly a huge joke.
Even if she were truly caught in an affair with Yan Ling, Shangguan Yao would likely not punish her. Instead, he would demand that she cure him, and Yan Ling would be the true culprit, likely confined to the cold palace to repent.
However, she was equally angered by Yan Ling's current threat and Shangguan Yao's cunning. Since they made her unhappy, why should she let them be happy?
Yun Xiao gazed at Yan Ling coldly, a sneer of disdain curling her lips.
"I've heard that Your Highness the Consort cannot even capture the Emperor's heart. Do you know why?"
Yan Ling started, quickly regaining her composure. She glared at Yun Xiao, speaking guardedly, "Why?"
"Because Your Highness has body odor. The smell is too strong, so the Emperor dares not approach."
Yun Xiao said with a forced smile. Yan Ling's eyes widened in disbelief. She took a step back, her face turning pale, shaking her head resolutely, "Impossible, I always..."
She stopped mid-sentence, realizing her words might be overheard. But Leng Yue was still a physician. Did he dare to deceive her? Did she really have body odor?
Yan Ling's eyes were filled with doubt and fear as she gazed at the man standing in the center of the hall, smiling with a light and carefree expression.
"Your Highness possesses such beauty and grace, why does the Emperor not fall for you? Why doesn't Leng Yue? It is precisely because of Your Highness's body odor."
Yun Xiao looked at the beautiful woman who seemed to have been frost-bitten, showing no sympathy. There was no need for soft-heartedness when dealing with a harlot.
After speaking, she didn't even look at the dejected woman in the hall and walked straight out. As she neared the palace gate, she suddenly stopped and said kindly, "Oh, I forgot to tell you, the Emperor is currently favoring other concubines in Jingfu Palace. If Your Highness does not believe me, why not investigate yourself?"
Yun Xiao smiled darkly. Let this Consort Yan stir up trouble in Jingfu Palace. This felt good. Shangguan Yao, you dared to use me, and this is what you get.
Outside the palace gate, Wan Wan breathed a sigh of relief when she saw Yun Xiao appear.
Meanwhile, in Qianlan Palace, Yan Ling's personal maid looked surprised as she watched the elegant Young Master Leng depart. Only when a loud crash echoed from the hall did she snap back to reality, wondering what had happened to her mistress.
The palace maids of Qianlan Palace rushed in, finding the hall in disarray. The Consort had smashed a valuable celadon jade vase.
Upon seeing someone rush in, Yan Ling abruptly raised her head and commanded, "Feng Jiao, go to Jingfu Palace immediately." xxs
If Shangguan Yao was indeed favoring another concubine in Jing Palace, she would cause a huge scene in Jingfu Palace tonight, making him dare to treat her like this. She had endured it time and time again, and now this was simply too much.
"Your Highness, perhaps you should change your clothes."
Feng Jiao's scalp tingled. She knew her mistress well. Her mistress was naturally fiery and never let go of a man she desired. She had two close male companions in Northern Chao.
Now in Eastern Qin, the Emperor's disdain had already embarrassed her. Unexpectedly, even after summoning Young Master Leng today, she still hadn't gotten her way, and it seemed she had even angered the Emperor.
"Change what? What is there to hide about my attire? Isn't he my man?"
Yan Ling was in a state of utter despair. Her carefully painted face was now twisted with a sinister ferocity.
Shangguan Yao, if what Leng Yue said is true today, I will not swallow the humiliation you have brought me. I will surely turn your harem upside down.
Yan Ling flicked her hand and walked out first. Outside the door, the eunuch on duty couldn't help but stare at the Consort's attire. They had never seen such a sexy and alluring figure. Feng Jiao glared at them and ordered the young eunuchs to fetch a soft sedan chair to escort her mistress. Together, they headed for Jingfu Palace.
In the inner chambers of Jingfu Palace, Emperor Shangguan Yao sat on a soft couch, intently gazing at the charming woman on the bed, trying to find the feeling of being moved that Leng Yue had spoken of.
However, the woman had posed alluringly for a long time, her face flushed and her breathing labored, yet Shangguan Yao felt nothing. On the contrary, he was quite disgusted.
But thinking of his illness and the many beautiful women in the harem, he could only force himself to endure and continue searching for the feeling.