The Empress Wants It All: The Empire and Me - Chapter 6

Chapter 6

She sat down forthrightly, looking straight at her, and said, “I actually have something to say to you. Please, sit down.”

Youqin Mingyue gave her a heavy look, then moved with graceful steps to the table and slowly took a seat. Despite the injury to her ankle, there was no hint of a limp in her gait, and her posture at the table was the epitome of elegance and dignity.

Lin Yanran was dazed for a moment. She slightly averted her gaze, reached out to serve her some porridge, and picked out a steamed bun and some side dishes.

The market in Phoenix Town didn’t just have various steamed buns, rice porridge, fried dough sticks, and fried cakes; there were even jellied tofu, “hulu” soup, and noodle soup. Knowing Youqin Mingyue was still taking medicine, she had selected nutritious yet light foods, buying a little bit of everything.

“Eat.”

She picked up her bowl and began eating first. After a while, she sensed Youqin Mingyue pick up her chopsticks as well. Her heart settled, and she began to eat more cheerfully. She had endured a grueling night; upon waking, her body was sore, and her clothes were soaked with sweat as if she’d been fished out of a river. She was so hungry her stomach was practically touching her spine.

Thus, she ate with great focus.

Youqin Mingyue drank only a small half-bowl of plain porridge before setting down her utensils. This piece of scum was utterly devoid of conscience and had committed every evil deed imaginable, yet here she was, sitting across from her, eating with such peace of mind and satisfaction. Looking at her was repulsive, and Youqin Mingyue lost what little appetite she had.

Lin Yanran had actually been observing her through her peripheral vision and immediately noticed the change in her expression. She also put down her chopsticks, looking at the half-finished porridge and the untouched vegetable bun with a trace of bitterness in her heart.

From the first day she held Youqin Mingyue, she realized the woman was terribly thin and extremely weak. If she only ate two or three bites a meal, how could her injuries ever heal?

“Is the food not to your taste?”

Youqin Mingyue did not answer. Instead, she asked, “What do you want to say?”

Lin Yanran perked up and asked, “Now that your pheromones are suppressed, does that mean your body’s extraordinary fragrance won’t spread out?”

Youqin Mingyue looked at her without speaking, but in her heart, she had already sentenced her to death. This scum had finally revealed her true colors, wanting to use her fragrance for some scheme.

Lin Yanran continued, “Then, can you take out the medicinal pills you carry and let me see them?”

Youqin Mingyue’s gaze suddenly became sharp enough to kill. She had endured everything before, but now she could not suppress her rage: “Get out!”

Her mother was still in the Cold Palace, and as a daughter, she could not rush back to save her. These pills and the dagger were personal items her mother had left her. Even if she died, she would never let this scum take them!

Lin Yanran hadn’t expected such a violent reaction. She was stunned for a moment, then softened her voice to explain.

“Don’t be angry yet. Let me finish.” “I actually have some knowledge of pharmacology. I might be able to formulate a pill to suppress your pheromones that is more effective and stable than the ones you have now.” She added solemnly, “I have a high degree of confidence.”

Last night, she had searched through Liu Zhenzhen’s pharmacy for a long time, examining medical notes. Combining that with Youqin Mingyue’s pills and Liu Zhenzhen’s Cooling Pills, she felt she truly might be able to develop an inhibitor. Initially, she just wanted to alleviate the pain of pheromone explosions for herself and Youqin Mingyue. But after a night of reflection, that original intent had merged with an ultimate academic desire. It was this tireless curiosity that had always driven her to achieve great things in agriculture and pharmacy in her past life. Now, she was thirsty for knowledge, desperate to find the formula for the inhibitor.

Youqin Mingyue’s somber eyes were fixed on her face, as if trying to pierce through her. “Do you think I’ll believe your tricks?” Her tone was saturated with deep, bone-deep hatred and thick disdain; there was no room for negotiation.

Lin Yanran sighed inwardly. As expected, Youqin Mingyue didn’t trust her at all. She looked at her earnestly, her tone extremely grave: “Youqin Mingyue, I know you hate me. Rather than letting that hatred gnaw at your heart, why not set it aside temporarily and let me help you?”

“I am not playing tricks, nor am I lying to coax you. I sincerely want to formulate an inhibitory pill to spare you from all future troubles. But I need the formula of the pills you carry. Please, consider my proposal.”

After speaking, she stood up and walked out. She had guessed she would meet a wall with Youqin Mingyue, but time waited for no one, so she decided to look for other opportunities.

Stepping onto the porch, the black dog ran out of the woodshed, resting its front paws together and crouching before her, wagging its tail piteously. It was starving. Lin Yanran knelt and patted its head, suddenly remembering how the original owner, after drinking, would first beat Youqin Mingyue and then beat this dog. Truly monstrous.

She stroked the dog’s head and said softly, “Don’t worry, I’ll never hit you again. You’re starving, aren’t you? I left the food with your mistress. Go to her in a bit; she will surely feed you.”

The black dog seemed to understand her. It wagged its tail, and its dark eyes were moist as if it were crying, filled with deep awe and gratitude.

When she entered the kitchen, the window of the main bedroom opened quietly. Youqin Mingyue stared fixedly at the black dog in the courtyard, a flicker of doubt appearing on her face. She had heard everything Lin Yanran said to the dog. Naturally, she didn’t believe it, but Lin Yanran’s mannerisms and actions made her feel a sense of sincerity.

Could it be that what she said about being possessed by a ghost is true?

But she immediately dismissed the thought. No, this scum was most likely reborn just like her. She knew Youqin Mingyue’s identity and knew she wanted to kill her for revenge, so she was changing her ways to confuse her and save her own life. If that were the case, everything made sense.

Youqin Mingyue felt a sudden surge of unease. If her identity was exposed, staying here would only be more dangerous. She couldn’t wait any longer. Once Liu Zhenzhen’s letter was delivered, she had to find a way to leave!

The kitchen door suddenly opened. Lin Yanran came out carrying a tray. Youqin Mingyue hurriedly closed the window.

A moment later, Lin Yanran walked in and set a bowl of porridge and a plate of vegetables on the table. “You’re not feeling well, so you might not have much of an appetite. I made something new: lean meat and winter melon porridge, and vinegar-glazed lotus root. Why don’t you try some?”

Her face was full of concern, but in Youqin Mingyue’s eyes, this only confirmed her earlier suspicion. She said coldly, “I know.”

Lin Yanran heard the perfunctory tone and couldn’t help saying, “Even if you harbor hatred, you shouldn’t mistreat your own body. Eat some, so your injuries heal faster.”

After she left, Youqin Mingyue stared at the porridge and vegetables for a long time without moving. Suddenly, her vision went black, and the world began to spin. She hurriedly braced herself against the table and sat down shakily.

Has my body already become this weak?

She clenched her fingertips, the hatred in her eyes surging again, unaware that her nails were digging into her palms.

Lin Yanran brought freshly boiled water to the woodshed and took a quick bath. The sticky, uncomfortable feeling of sweat was finally gone. Putting on clean clothes, she felt greatly refreshed. However, looking at the damp woodshed, she felt troubled.

The original owner really didn’t know how to live; there wasn’t even a dedicated bathroom. She looked around the woodshed—it was a full room, with one-third filled with dry wood and the rest empty. Suddenly, she caught sight of the chain she had discarded there. It reminded her of the book’s description: when Youqin Mingyue was imprisoned, she could only hide in the woodshed in the middle of the night to bathe because the chain was short, and she had to use freezing well water. She was an incomparable princess who had lived in luxury since childhood; she couldn’t stand being dirty, so even in the early spring chill, she would sneak well water to bathe.

This time, she had been beaten by the original owner and had lain on the ground for half a day; her clothes and hair were dirty, and she had sweated after the marking last night. She must desperately want a bath.

Sigh.

Lin Yanran sighed. Stepping out, she saw the black dog eating in the courtyard. The Youqin Mingyue described in the book was bloodthirsty and cruel, killing relatives and guards alike, but now she was showing a soft heart toward a dog, feeding it herself. Lin Yanran was pensive as she went back to the main house to look for money.

“Only this much silver left?!”

She stared at the empty bottom of the chest, dumbfounded. The original owner’s clothes had been tossed aside, and in a red-lacquered wooden box at the bottom, there were only six small pieces of broken silver and dozens of copper coins. By this world’s measurements, this added up to no more than four taels of silver.

“No way, I just got here and she gambled all the money away?” Lin Yanran lamented. “So poor!”

Luckily, she had found five taels in the original owner’s pocket yesterday and bought plenty of supplies. Now, three taels and three mace remained, bringing her total assets to seven taels and three mace.

She pocketed a bit of money and headed out, crossing paths with Liu Zhenzhen, who was just returning from a house call.

“Lin Yanran, I have something to say to you.”

Lin Yanran also happened to have business with her, so she followed her into the courtyard. Unexpectedly, Liu Zhenzhen bolted the gate, set her medicine box on the ground, put her hands on her hips, and said, “Lin Yanran, your crimes have been exposed!”

Lin Yanran was stunned. “What crimes?” She muttered to herself, Did the original owner do something else I don’t know about?

Liu Zhenzhen’s eyes swept over her face, and she suddenly raised her voice. “Your poisoning of Zhang Zhen, Li Qing, and Zhu Shiyu has come to light! I advise you to confess immediately, or I’ll hand you over to the bailiff. You’ll suffer plenty then!”

Lin Yanran let out a huge sigh of relief. So it was that. She wasn’t afraid of that at all. She looked at Liu Zhenzhen—hands on hips, brows raised, a faint blush on her cheeks—she looked like a paper tiger putting on a brave face.

Interesting.

If she really wanted to hand her over to the bailiff, she wouldn’t have locked the gate to question her privately. Moreover, based on her behavior, she clearly detested the actions of those three “friends.”

Lin Yanran felt completely at ease. She put on a look of shock, surprise, confusion, and utter bewilderment, asking urgently, “What? You’re saying my friends were poisoned? Who did it? Tell me quickly, I want to report it to the authorities!”

Liu Zhenzhen looked at her suspiciously. “If not you, then who? I asked their Omegas; they all said that after returning from drinking at your house, they fell into a coma.” She turned fierce again: “Tell the truth! Did you drug them, or did they take some pills you brought from some disreputable place? If you hand the medicine over to me for safekeeping, I won’t pursue it. Otherwise, I’m telling the bailiff.”

Eh?

Lin Yanran immediately understood the subtext. Liu Zhenzhen’s threats were because she wanted the formula for the knock-out drug Lin had made. This woman was also a fanatic for pharmacology. Lin knew exactly how much a formula appealed to someone thirsty for knowledge. An idea formed in her mind.

She pretended to think for a moment, then gave an “Aha!” of realization. “Oh, Physician Liu, you want that powder?”

Liu Zhenzhen fell for it instantly, taking an eager step forward. “What kind of powder is it? Is it on you? Hand it over.”

Lin Yanran looked at her with a smile. Only then did Liu realize her impropriety; she stepped back, her face reddening as she gave a light cough. “This kind of medicine can cause hallucinations. You’d better give it to me to keep, otherwise the bailiff will surely convict you of poisoning others!”

Lin Yanran estimated the timing was right and said nonchalantly, “What hallucinogen? It was just a bit of aphrodisiac. Even if you report me, I’m not afraid. It wasn’t me who made it; someone gave it to me.”

At the word “aphrodisiac,” Liu Zhenzhen’s face turned even redder. She gave her a sharp glare, but her heart was hooked with curiosity. She couldn’t help but say, “But it’s a fact you caused Zhang Zhen and the others to fall unconscious. If the bailiff finds out…”

“So what? They ate it willingly, and they brought the medicine themselves,” Lin Yanran interrupted.

Liu Zhenzhen was stunned. “The medicine was with Zhang Zhen and the others?”

Lin Yanran said, “They drank it all. But if Physician Liu is interested, I can help ask around; people in the streets are always selling it. However—”

“However what?”

“I need Physician Liu’s Cooling Pills.”

“In your dreams!”

“Just one will do. I can pay. If you sell me one, I’ll immediately go help you find out about that pill.”

Liu Zhenzhen stared at her for a while, then picked up her medicine box with a cold face. Lin Yanran waited in the courtyard. Sure enough, a short while later, Liu Zhenzhen came out with a white porcelain bottle and handed it over with a look of resentment.

Just as Lin was about to take it, she pulled it back. “I only have one left. I can give it to you, but you must find that hallucinogen as soon as possible.”

“Deal.”

Lin Yanran took the bottle, her heart settled. Thinking of her next plan, she couldn’t help but say, “Physician Liu, I’m currently short on funds. Can I defer payment for the medicine fee I owe you?”

“Fine, but you must write an IOU.”

“Then, can Physician Liu lend me some silver? I’ll write an IOU for that too.”

Liu Zhenzhen’s expression turned sour. “How much do you want to borrow?”

Lin Yanran thought for a moment and said, “Fifty taels, or a hundred taels would work.”

This wasn’t just taking an inch and wanting a mile; this was taking an inch and wanting a league! All the anger in Liu Zhenzhen’s stomach exploded instantly: “GET OUT!”