Chronicles of the Qin Dynasty

Chapter 312, Section 311: The Rustling Pear Blossoms (Romance Scene)

The queen spoke her mind frankly and showed genuine love, which did not surprise Ji Heng.

He was just a little surprised.

The queen was kind and compassionate, showing pity for the poor and weak. Even when she was insulted to her face on her way to Guanzhong, she did not have the heart to order his execution... Such a gentle and pitiful character, yet she was able to place him so firmly above all others.

Ji Heng gripped her hand slightly, his long eyes lowered as he quietly looked at her, while Qin Shi returned his gaze with sparkling eyes.

The candlelight in Ganquan Palace was dim, and the pepper walls exuded a warm fragrance. Ji Heng's profile seemed to be shrouded in a soft glow in the light and shadow.

But he tightened his grip even more, and in the end said nothing. He simply reached out with his other hand and pulled off the jade-embroidered, milky-white tassel ribbon that was hanging by the bed.

Then, grasping the brocade ribbon, he summoned Zhou Ju:
"Summon the palace attendants of Lishan Palace and convey my decree: In Lishan Palace, after a hundred years, I shall sleep with the Queen."

Zhou Ju's body tensed, and suppressing his surprise, he raised his head and replied heavily, "Your subject will give the order immediately!"

With the king's words, the internal layout of the Lishan Palace will undergo a major change, and the path into the palace will also be readjusted from a one-way route.

Furthermore, the mercury river that corresponds to the Nine Heavens Star River and encircles the entire tomb will only be fully filled and transformed into the moat of this earthly monarch entering the kingdom of the dead after several years.

The adjustment and modification of several of the mechanisms and passageways in this tomb is also a huge undertaking.

Because the King and Queen likely cannot die at the same time, a separate tomb passage needs to be reserved. To be continued...

Compared to this news, the gifts the king had previously bestowed upon us seem utterly insignificant.

Qin Shi was also somewhat surprised.

Although she had said something similar before, it was mostly because she didn't care much about what would happen after her death and wanted to please Ji Heng.

All she cares about is living.

But now, as Ji Heng carries out this matter with such solemnity, for some reason, she is also filled with excitement.

An inexplicable emotion dominated her, to the point that she could now naturally and instinctively grasp Ji Heng's hand in return.
"I am overjoyed to receive your promise."

It turns out that she has also kept up with the times.

No longer believing in vows of eternal love, she is instead moved by the thought of sharing life and death with Ji Heng at this moment.

Ji Heng stared intently at her, his gaze unwavering: "Step back."

Outside the curtain, the attendants retreated silently, and the palace door was gently closed, emitting a faint rustling sound.

The young emperor's broad and powerful back, like a drawn sword, suddenly tensed after a brief pause in breathing, and then, without hesitation, he leaned down and pressed down.

The queen, as delicate and soft as a flower petal, was draped in a white skirt within the quilt, her supple yet resilient waist tightly bound together, like a wet pear blossom beaten to the ground by a sudden spring night rain.

The slender brocade ribbons stretched to the ground, and the milky white tassels lay scattered around the couch, unable to curl up.

A faint rumble of thunder could be heard outside the window, and the winter night rain pattered down, cutting off the murmurs and soft sobs from inside the Ganquan Palace.

……

The next morning.

The Red Maiden, accompanied by two newly promoted physicians, waited outside the palace. It wasn't until a full half hour later than the Queen's usual rising time that the sound of golden bells rang out.

With a smile in her eyes, she pushed open the door and entered, followed by servants and maids who quickly drew back the curtains and opened the window to change the fragrance.

Qin Shi was helped up from under the covers by Chi Nu—she wasn't fully awake yet, but it was getting late, so she relied on Chi Nu to urge her on.

When she raised her arm, the milky white sleeve slipped down, revealing two faint red marks on her wrist.

The two female physicians remained expressionless, only asking in low voices, "When His Majesty went to Zhangtai Palace, he specifically instructed us to prepare a medicinal bath for the Queen today to help her recuperate." The Red Maiden frowned, "The Queen's wrist..."

Qin Shi cleared her throat, recalling how Ji Heng had gripped both her wrists with one hand and pressed them down heavily, his body covering her like a mountain, but actually...

"nothing."

She forced a smile: "My skin has always been like this."

The Red Maiden knew, but the King was wary, and she had never served anyone like this before. She only half-understood, and whispered her sympathy for the Queen:
"Your Majesty knows perfectly well that the Queen's skin is as smooth as jade and that she is not suitable for sexual intercourse, yet you still refuse to show her any tenderness..."

The poor queen always seems to suffer... The king is so strong, I wonder how he managed to make the queen cry in pain at night, it's really true!
As for whether the bedroom matters were harmonious, which I inquired about yesterday, the Queen refused to say... but since she often has a slightly flushed appearance, it must be that things are still far from harmonious!

He complained half-jokingly, but his eyes were also scanning the two female doctors who were also listening to his arrogant words.

The other party didn't even look up, remaining quietly waiting to the side, displaying a perfectly acceptable attitude.

Looking at her youthful yet composed expression, Qin Shi was at a loss for words and could only sigh.
"Help me to soak in the medicinal soup first."

He paused, then asked, "What kind of medicine was used?"

She touched her belly.

It's now the end of October, and there are still six months until the Fengshan ceremony at Mount Tai.

The female physicians replied, "Your Majesty, please rest assured. The medicinal soup is mainly for relaxing muscles and bones, and you will not soak for long—half a quarter of an hour is enough. It is beneficial to the body and the uterus of women, and will not cause any harm."

Qin has no crown prince yet, so even if they were stupid, they would never dare to add any medicine that shouldn't be used.

Upon hearing this, Chi Nu stared intently at Qin Shi's stomach without blinking.

This matter of the bedchamber seems both arduous and aggrieved. If the Queen gives birth to a prince sooner, she can find an excuse to arrange for another wife when she no longer wishes to serve the King.

She could tell that the King also loved and respected the Queen, and that he would cherish her health.

When the king summons other women to his bedchamber, and the queen bestows more gifts upon them—wouldn't it be better to simply enjoy the songs, dances, and swordplay than it is now?

She didn't dare to think about having the Queen summon beautiful women to accompany her, but just looking at them wouldn't hurt, would it?

Qin Shi had no idea what Chi Nu was thinking—she had previously thought that although they were young, they knew everything in the palace.

Later I learned that, apart from Yiming, the others...

In short, now that she's been helped into the hot spring, her mind has returned to the important matter at hand:
"Have all the people we brought back yesterday been settled in?"

Chi Nu hurriedly replied, "Yes. Everything has been arranged—the recruited talents have been separated into men and women and settled in the West Garden of Xianyang Palace. It is a bit remote there, but the courtyard is spacious, the accommodations are adequate, and it is convenient for teaching and practicing literature and martial arts during the day."

"That young gentleman was settled next to Mr. Wen's villa..."

"Lord Xin requested an audience this morning, saying that he has been away from Xianyang for too long and should hurry to the cement workshop, so he took his leave..."

　There really is a long river of mercury around the tomb of the First Emperor of Qin at Mount Li. This has been verified by scientists who tested the mercury content in the soil many years ago, as shown in a CCTV documentary.

　　But I hope I never learn that this tomb has been excavated and explored...

　　Historically, the tombs of emperors who were buried together as husband and wife include those of Li Shimin and Empress Zhangsun, Li Zhi and Wu Zetian, and Zhu Yuanzhang and Empress Ma.

　　Emperor Wu of Han and Empress Wei Zifu were buried in a mausoleum in remembrance of their deceased parents.

　　I've written 720,000 words now, and the romance should be at least 10,000 words by now! I've improved!

　　(End of this chapter)