When the emperor and the empress had a quarrel, the happiest ones were, of course, the other concubines. Concubine Xi, in particular, went to the Empress Dowager's palace early.
"Auntie Empress Dowager, please talk to Eunuch Fang Xi. Ask him to make sure my name tag is chosen for the night's attendance."
Seeing her charming smile, the Empress Dowager felt a warmth in her heart. She naturally hoped that her son would have more offspring. So, in order to get her first grand - child, she readily agreed.
At night, Su Wan'er waited for a long time but Si Junlin didn't come. So she started to deal with the memorials on her own.
She had only been dealing with them for a short while when Fang Xi came.
"Your Majesty," Fang Xi bowed respectfully.
"What is it?" Su Wan'er's tone was a bit impatient. Usually at this time, Si Junlin would come on time, but now...
Fang Xi, who was often by Si Junlin's side, could clearly feel the anger emanating from Su Wan'er. However, this was an order from the Empress Dowager. He was just a poor servant. Even though he felt Su Wan'er's anger, he had to pluck up his courage.
"Your Majesty, the Empress Dowager asked me to inquire when you will summon a concubine for the night?"
Su Wan'er looked up coldly at Fang Xi, which made Fang Xi shiver.
"Your, Your Majesty, this is the Empress Dowager's intention," Fang Xi said timidly.
Su Wan'er sighed helplessly. She finally understood what the Empress Dowager meant. Was she trying to take advantage of the situation?
"Bring up the name tags," Su Wan'er knew she couldn't escape this time. Fortunately, she had some powder in her sleeve, which could come in handy now.
Fang Xi was relieved when he saw that Su Wan'er didn't blame him. He quickly asked someone to bring up the name tags.
Su Wan'er flipped through the tags casually and landed on Concubine Xi's tag. She flipped through a few more and finally said to Fang Xi, "Go to Concubine Yi's palace."
"This..." Fang Xi hesitated.
Su Wan'er glanced at his hesitant face and then asked, "What? Is there something else?"
"Yes," Fang Xi said respectfully to Su Wan'er, "The Empress Dowager hopes that you will choose Concubine Xi's tag tonight."
"Really?" Su Wan'er raised her eyebrows. She didn't expect that the Empress Dowager would favor Concubine Xi so much.
However, it didn't matter to her. After all, she just needed someone to play a part in a show.
"Then arrange it like this," Su Wan'er thought that Si Junlin probably wouldn't show up in front of her. It was better to go. Otherwise, two - thirds of the memorials wouldn't be finished.
After she left with Fang Xi, not long after, the bookshelf was opened from behind. Si Junlin slowly walked out from behind the bookshelf.
Looking at the memorials neatly arranged on the table, a thoughtful look flashed in his eyes. Finally, he lit the candlestick and started to deal with the memorials.
Since Su Wan'er had informed the Empress Dowager in advance, everything was already arranged when she arrived.
"Your humble servant welcomes Your Majesty," as soon as Su Wan'er stepped into the "Fu Xi Palace", Concubine Xi rushed over with a group of servants and bowed to her.
"Rise," Su Wan'er really had no interest in accompanying this woman. She just wanted to go back to her palace and rest earlier.
"Your Majesty, you've finally come. I've been waiting for you for a long time..." Concubine Xi kept chattering in Su Wan'er's ear, which made Su Wan'er feel annoyed.
"Concubine Xi," Su Wan'er interrupted her.
Concubine Xi stared at her blankly. "Wh... What's wrong?"
Su Wan'er took a deep breath secretly and then said to her, "It's nothing. It's already time for dinner. Let's have something to eat first." If Concubine Xi didn't eat, she couldn't drug her.
"Yes, Your Majesty," it was a very satisfying thing for Concubine Xi that the emperor had come.
In fact, both of them were scheming against each other. Su Wan'er drugged Concubine Xi with a hallucinogenic drug, while Concubine Xi had someone put an aphrodisiac in the bowls and chopsticks in order to sleep with the emperor.
"Your Majesty, come and taste the Immortal Condensed Dew. I brewed it with Shaoxing wine and some medicinal herbs. It's very beneficial to Your Majesty's health," Concubine Xi poured a glass herself and presented it to Su Wan'er.
Su Wan'er never thought that she would dare to scheme against the emperor. Thinking it was just a show, she drank it. After having a little food, Su Wan'er also poured a glass for Concubine Xi. "Come, you should also taste the wine you brewed."
Concubine Xi didn't expect the emperor to pour wine for her personally. A look of joy immediately appeared on her face, and she naturally didn't notice Su Wan'er's little move.
When pouring the wine, Su Wan'er, under the cover of the wine pot, put the hallucinogenic drug into her glass. As long as she drank it, the drug would take effect.
Seeing Concubine Xi drink it, she said to her, "Well, I'm full. Do you want to continue eating?"
"I'm full too," even if Concubine Xi wasn't full, in order to become the emperor's woman as soon as possible, she naturally said she was full.
Su Wan'er nodded and said to her, "Since you're full, let's go take a bath together."
Concubine Xi didn't expect the emperor to be so direct. However, this was what she had been longing for the most. Without even thinking, she directly agreed.
Su Wan'er took her to the bathroom. Concubine Xi, in order to have a good time with the emperor, dismissed the waiting maids.
Su Wan'er helped her into the water.
"Your Majesty—" she was a bit excited but more shy. It was her first time, and would it be too intense to do it in the bathtub?
Su Wan'er of course didn't know what she was thinking. She did this just to speed up the effect of the drug.
To make the drug take effect, she also walked over and put her hand on Concubine Xi's body. "Come, let me massage you."
Concubine Xi's face instantly turned red, but she still nodded obediently. "Okay." She just sat quietly in the bathtub.
Su Wan'er massaged her acupoints to speed up the blood circulation in her body.
"Are you comfortable, Lady Concubine Xi?" Su Wan'er asked softly.
Concubine Xi seemed to be in some kind of hallucination at this time. After hearing her words, she nodded vaguely. "Yes, Xi'er, press harder."
"Then, my love, shall we go to the bed?" Su Wan'er said to her.
Concubine Xi nodded, and her face turned red again. "Yes, okay."
Su Wan'er then thought that this drug was really useful.
Looking at the woman who had fallen into the illusion, a satisfied look appeared in Su Wan'er's eyes.