Ministers Begging Me to Ascend the Throne-Chapter 1083 - 124: Empress Xie Takes the Divine Pill
After Empress Xie learned about the existence of the Divine Pill, she asked her brother, now the Duke Zhen, to secretly buy some for her. She thought obtaining a single pill would be difficult, but surprisingly, Duke Zhen acquired them easily.
When the seller learned that the Duke Zhen Country Mansion wanted the Divine Pill, they proactively delivered a bottle to him, suggesting he try them out. If he found them effective, he could come back to purchase more.
Because Empress Xie instructed that it should not be revealed who wanted to consume the Divine Pill, the Duke had to pretend he was the buyer. He personally wasn’t interested in the elixir; besides, he felt young and vigorous, not needing pills to become younger or stronger. In fact, the main reason he didn’t take the Divine Pill was because of its cost. A single Divine Pill was worth a fortune, and this wasn’t an exaggeration, but a truth.
Ever since taking the Divine Pill, Empress Xie’s health improved greatly, and she appeared more radiant, suddenly looking ten years younger. Over the past few years, her constant headaches and poor health had left her looking very worn, with many wrinkles forming on her face. Even eating Purple River Car every day didn’t improve her complexion or reduce her wrinkles.
Just days ago, her chronic headache reoccurred, striking her severely. She couldn’t handle even the trivial matters of the harem, let alone get out of bed. She had to stay in bed for one or two months before recovering.
After recovering from her headaches, she looked much more haggard and aged. Although she applied exquisite makeup, it couldn’t hide her aged face.
Every time she saw her reflection in the mirror, she couldn’t believe that face was hers. She found it hard to accept becoming so old and unattractive.
In a fit of rage, she shattered all the mercury mirrors in Zhao Yang Palace and ordered that no mercury mirrors be allowed to appear there.
When Zhao Yao first made mercury mirrors, Empress Xie adored them. But after her illness, she came to despise how they distinctly revealed one’s appearance. She preferred the old copper mirrors that wouldn’t show off every detail.
After taking the Divine Pill, Empress Xie returned to using the mercury mirror. Seeing her reflection steadily improving, with even the wrinkles on her face and at the corners of her eyes slowly fading, she decided the mercury mirror was indeed better.
Today, the fifteenth, was the day when concubines visited Zhao Yang Palace to pay their respects. Empress Xie rose early, having finished her breakfast, and was now doing her hair and makeup.
Jiang Chuan was extremely skilled at combing hair. Every time she had previously done Empress Xie’s hair, she was on edge, fearing the Empress might blame her because there would always be a strand of hair on the comb. She would secretly hide it to ensure the Empress didn’t notice.
After the Empress fell ill, her hair not only fell more but became increasingly brittle. However, since the Empress began taking the Divine Pill, her hair condition improved significantly, and it gradually stopped falling. Now, doing the Empress’s hair no longer caused any anxiety.
Empress Xie kept gazing into the mirror, growing more satisfied and delighted the longer she looked.
"Your Majesty, your skin is now as smooth as porcelain, fair with a rosy glow," Jiang Chuan exaggerated slightly, but it was true Empress Xie’s skin had improved a lot, no longer sallow like before. "Previously, your illness had dulled your skin, leaving it without luster, but now your whole face glows."
Empress Xie gently touched her face, a joyful smile playing at her lips: "I believe there are much fewer wrinkles on my face now."
"Your Majesty, the fine lines on your face are barely noticeable now," Jiang Chuan adeptly styled her hair, "if you continue taking the Divine Pill, you might return to how you looked at nineteen."
Empress Xie liked hearing this, "Returning to when I was nineteen is impossible."
"Your Majesty, in some time, Noble Princess Consort Rong will no longer compare to you," mentioning Noble Princess Consort Rong filled Jiang Chuan with resentment, "Previously, due to your illness and poor complexion, Noble Princess Consort Rong mocked your age, but now with the Divine Pill revitalizing you, compared to you, she’s the one who is truly haggard."
Empress Xie’s eyes sharpened, her voice turning chilly: "Today, I’ll make sure Noble Princess has something to contend with."
"Your Majesty, rest assured, today I will ensure you outshine Noble Princess," Jiang Chuan was not only skilled at styling hair but also adept with cosmetics.
Empress Xie continued to admire her reflection, increasingly pleased with her appearance, "I haven’t been this happy in a long time." Empress Xie had always cared deeply about her looks, as compared to most concubines in the harem, she wasn’t as beautiful. Her sole advantage was being younger than most. However, due to her illness, even that advantage faded.
