The wicked imperial concubine is courting death again; the comments section teaches her how to win w

Although she was quickly rescued, Liu Ruyan's mental state became abnormal after that.

She was acting erratically at home, and frantically searching for Xie Jingyu's whereabouts, what he did each day, who he met, what he ate outside...

She also appeared and disappeared mysteriously, often staking out places Xie Jingyu frequented, just to catch a glimpse of him.

In short, do whatever is as perverse as possible.

Marquis Anyang felt sorry for his daughter. If the late emperor hadn't been bedridden at the time, and the imperial physician had said that his days were numbered, he would have risked his reputation to beg the late emperor to grant his poor daughter's wish.

Being a concubine is fine; at least I won't go crazy.

Now that she has heard that His Majesty intends to bestow a marriage upon Prince Gong, Liu Ruyan, who has been silent for a long time, has fallen ill again.

She would grab any pretty maid she saw and strangle her, saying that she was the real Princess Gong and that these sluts who seduced her husband deserved to die.

Lady Anyang was at her wit's end and wept constantly. She had no choice but to take her daughter to the palace to beg for an audience with the Imperial Concubine.

Even though Liu Ruyan had once disliked her, Qi Yitang was kind-hearted and soft-hearted, and immediately decided to grant this devoted lover's wish.

It would be a good deed to tell others.

Xie Jingyu was recuperating at home and was unaware of what had happened in the palace. When the imperial edict was finally issued, his face turned ashen.

"Your Highness, please accept the imperial decree quickly." Li Degui smiled very respectfully. "His Majesty and the Imperial Concubine are most worried that Your Highness's harem will be empty and that no one will manage the inner quarters, so they have gone to great lengths to make arrangements for you."

Xie Jingyu's face was completely black, but he finally gritted his teeth and said, "Your subject accepts the decree."

Li Degui completed his task and turned to leave, unaware that Xie Jingyu was staring at his retreating figure with a sinister look, his knuckles cracking as he clenched his fists.

Zhao Yan followed suit with a worried expression, "Your Highness, do you really intend to marry these...strange-looking women?"

According to the rules, a prince can have a maximum of one principal wife and two secondary wives. If the quota is filled, Ning Nishang cannot enter the family.

As a cousin of the Imperial Concubine, she would at least be a concubine, not a maidservant.

Xie Jingyu sneered, "What can we do then, defy the imperial decree?"

That would give Xie Ling a perfect excuse to target him.

"It's just marrying a few women, right? Make proper preparations to welcome the princess into the manor!"

He's so naive to think that giving him a few women will make him unhappy.

……

Whether it's naive or not doesn't matter; as long as Xie Jingyu feels uncomfortable, Qi Yitang will feel comfortable.

Isn't it said that the room is empty?

Marry three at once, and see if he still has room for them.

Although she knew that the "husband-killing" theory was nonsense, Qi Yitang really hoped that Xie Jingyu would be killed, so that she would be spared from getting her hands dirty with blood.

After the news of the arranged marriage spread, it sparked much discussion in the capital.

There's no other reason than that bestowing a marriage upon someone is a good thing in itself, but what kind of people were given to Prince Gong? A madwoman, a woman who brings misfortune to her husband, and a violent and irritable woman—all of them entered the inner quarters of the Prince's mansion. You can imagine how lively that was.

One can't help but speculate about the emperor's attitude towards Prince Gong. "The imperial family is the most ruthless; it's normal for brothers to have weak feelings for each other, since they weren't born of the same mother."

Before long, the discussions gradually subsided.

In two days it will be the fifteenth of the seventh lunar month, the Ghost Festival, the day when the gates of hell open wide.

Throughout history, countless innocent souls have died unjustly in the palace. As the victor in the palace intrigue, it was impossible for the Empress Dowager not to have taken lives on her hands. Therefore, she would go to Baohua Temple every year to participate in the Dharma assembly and fast for several days in order to find peace of mind.

The same this year.

Needless to say, Qi Yitang and Qin Lianyue will definitely accompany them.

However, Cui Zhiyin has an eye ailment, Tan Yuanshuang has a heart condition, and Yue Mingzhu only loves braised pork knuckle and can't stomach vegetarian food, so Qi Yitang guesses they probably won't go.

To be fair, she still asked for their opinions.

Cui Zhiyin and Yue Mingzhu declined, but Tan Yuanshuang said that she was bored staying in the palace for a long time and was willing to accompany the Empress Dowager to the Buddhist temple to pray for blessings.

Qi Yitang then added her name to the list of accompanying persons.

The Empress Dowager was going to stay for many days. Xie Ling was busy with pre-war preparations and could not accompany her, so he could only bite Qi Yitang a few times before reluctantly letting her go.

His wife had left, and outside the city walls, the army was fully prepared and ready to set off.

Xie Ling appointed Qin Zhenxiong as commander-in-chief, with Zhang Zhuo and Song Xinghe as deputy commanders, and ordered the expedition against the Northern Rong. He also personally saw the army off.

The emperor, dressed in a black dragon robe, had a cold and stern expression. "Uncle is getting on in years and his leg ailment has not yet healed. I am extremely worried about your journey to the Northwest. I hope you will take good care of yourself."

"With Your Majesty's concern, I will certainly do my utmost." Qin Zhenxiong, dressed in full armor, with graying temples, was still in good spirits. "I am only worried about Yue'er. She is young and impetuous and does not know how to restrain herself. I hope Your Majesty will be more tolerant."

"I will certainly treat Consort Li well, so that my uncle will have no worries."

Xie Ling raised his hand slightly, "Then I will use this wine to wish my uncle a successful start and an early triumphant return."

Li Degui placed another cup from the tray in front of Qin Zhenxiong.

"General, please."

Qin Zhenxiong stared at the glass of wine, but instead of taking it immediately, he glanced at Xie Ling.

The latter drank the wine in his glass in one gulp right in front of him.

Qin Zhenxiong then raised his wine cup, saying, "Your subject will certainly not fail in your trust!"

With the banners fluttering, Qin Zhenxiong's figure gradually disappeared into the distance.

In the procession, Qin Jiangli lifted the curtain of the carriage, and the sand and dust outside swept across her pale face.

As the commander-in-chief, Qin Zhenxiong personally rode his horse to protect the carriage. Noticing his beloved daughter's actions, he turned slightly to the side and said, "Li'er, you are not feeling well. If you are tired, tell your father as soon as possible."

Qin Jiangli smiled gently, "Father, if you are tired, you can also rest in the carriage."

"Don't be shy, after all, no matter how strong you are, you're not a twenty-year-old young man anymore."

Qin Zhenxiong laughed heartily and gave a few more instructions, which Qin Jiangli obediently replied to.

However, after the carriage curtain was lowered, Qin Jiangli sat upright with her hands folded on her knees, her face completely devoid of a smile.

At the city gate, the wind whipped at the corners of his clothes. Xie Ling toyed with the non-poisoned wine cup, his eyes holding an unreadable expression.

Qin Zhenxiong will never return from this journey.

……

The carriage swayed and rocked until it finally arrived at the mountainside of Baohua Temple.

Baohua Temple is a national temple of the Great Qian Kingdom. To show piety, the second half of the journey requires climbing stairs on foot.

This is also why Qi Yitang doesn't like to come; she's lazy and doesn't know anything about farming, so how could she possibly travel this far?

Looking at the long, long, long staircase that seemed to stretch endlessly, Qi Yitang sighed deeply.

Yunying whispered, "Your Highness, please lean on these servants."

Ahead, Qin Lianyue attentively supported the Empress Dowager, even showing concern for her well-being by fanning her and wiping her sweat.

Qi Yitang was not cut out for flattery, so he could only lean on Yun Ying and slowly move up the stairs.

By the time I arrived at Baohua Temple, my legs were completely giving way.

The abbot and monks were already waiting outside the mountain gate, hands clasped together, saying, "Welcome the Empress Dowager, Amitabha."

When the Empress Dowager visited Baohua Temple, the temple closed early and did not receive ordinary worshippers. However, many noblewomen and high-ranking officials from the capital were allowed to accompany her, and the emperor specially assigned elite guards.

Qi Yitang only felt regret.

We should have kept Chizheng and given Yuanshu to Fourth Brother instead. That way, if he got tired from walking, Chizheng could carry him.

The Empress Dowager and the abbot went to the front hall to talk, while Qi Yitang followed the young novice monk to the side room.

Baohua Temple covers a vast area, shaded by green pines and cypresses, where the morning bell and evening drum resonate far and wide.

There is also a clear spring on the back mountain, seeping out from the cracks in the rocks, its water clear and sweet.

The spring originally had no name, but because it was located on the back mountain of Baohua Temple, it was called "Baohua Spring". At first, it was just a thin stream, but later, in some unknown dynasty, a wandering monk passed by, drank the water, and said, "This spring has the essence of metal and stone."

From then on, rumors began to circulate—

It is said that this spring water can strengthen muscles and bones and enhance male virility. If a man drinks from this spring, he will become strong and healthy and his virility will be greatly enhanced.

Such a mere spring of water has such effects, comparable to miraculous elixirs; it should have tempted everyone to try it.

However, opinions among the public are mixed. If you are already strong, why would you need to soak in it?

Since you went there, isn't it because you were feeling down?