The Perilous Palace Dream - Chapter 35
(T/N: Haha..someone was asking if my potato (tablet) was still alive in the comment section… surprisingly, it is! …Sadly, I can’t say the same for my brain for the last 2 days. That nasty headache and fever really knocked me out –seriously felt like my brain was a potato soup! ..huhu…Thankfully, I’m feeling more alive now and trying to get back into the swing of things with the translation..hehe..)
Chapter 35
Just now, she had been rubbed and pinched by the Grand Tutor until it hurt like hell.
Now that she had a chance to breathe, before she could even blink, tears started spilling from her eyes like a broken string of pearls sliding down her cheeks.
“These past few days have been nothing but fear and dread. We couldn’t even set the heart down. But the moment We saw the Grand Tutor just now, the heart finally eased—We knew you’d come save me. We was so happy…”
The Grand Tutor flung off the robe he had taken off with a vicious snap.
“So His Majesty was so happy, she climbed a tree?”
Nie Qinglin felt embarrassed to her core.
Honestly, climbing that tree had been a last-ditch move, no wonder it wasn’t included in the Six Arts.
Still, she could only brace herself and continue rambling nonsense.
“We was scared to death! We never thought the Grand Tutor would keep pushing like this. If the Grand Tutor really hate Me so much, then give Me a clean death—don’t torture Me slowly with a dull knife…”
The Grand Tutor looked at this little Dragon Pearl putting on a pitiful act, crying and wiping tears like some aggrieved porcelain doll.
His chest felt stuffed full of blocked-up air, like a stone jammed in his throat—couldn’t swallow it down, couldn’t spit it out.
His grin twisted into something fierce.
“So, not afraid of death, huh? But does Your Majesty know which dull ‘knife’ I plan to use on you?”
As he spoke, he pinned the dainty little figure down.
Before long, that porcelain face turned red like fire.
She squirmed in panic, trying to push him away.
The Grand Tutor sneered.
“Push what! Didn’t you just ask for the dull ‘knife’?”
Nie Qinglin wasn’t about to trade dirty jokes with him.
Flustered to the point of panic, she shouted, “Grand Tutor… Just be quick and grant me a cup of poisoned wine!”
Wei Lenghou laughed coldly, more furious than ever.
“Fine…”
Then he turned toward the door and shouted, “Bring it in!”
The door immediately opened.
Eunuch Ruan came in carrying a tray.
On it sat a solitary wine cup filled with a black liquid, ominous and inky.
No matter how you looked at it, it didn’t seem like anything good!
Nie Qinglin hadn’t expected the Grand Tutor to be this straightforward—say “poison” and he actually brings it out piping hot.
So, he really had made up his mind to kill her.
If that were the case, why bother going through so much drama? Why not just declare her dethroned outright? Her mind spun, but before she could make sense of it, that black wine was set before her.
The Grand Tutor reclined lazily on the soft couch, watching the Emperor’s pale little face fixate on the poisoned wine.
Then, ever so slowly, his gaze slid over.
That mouth, still reddened from kissing, trembled faintly before finally spilling a weak whisper: “Since… since the ascension, We have always had the Grand Tutor’s aid. We haven’t made any disastrous mistakes that ruined the country or the people. For that, We thank you. But before We go… We have one last request…”
The Grand Tutor stared at that pale, lovely little face.
His tall figure didn’t move a hair, but the murderous intent in his eyes was thickening fast.
All he thought was: If she dares beg me to spare that dog physician, I’ll skin that bastard alive, one cut at a time!
“If you have any last words, Your Majesty may speak freely. This humble servant will ‘absolutely’ see it done.”
The little Dragon Pearl finally gathered her courage, reached for the small table beside the couch, and picked up a honey-glazed, glistening jujube.
“May I… drop a jujube in?”
“…”
The Grand Tutor really felt this heartless creature’s death would bring him peace.
His phoenix eyes twitched, and he snapped, voice laced with venom, “If the flavor’s to your liking, then don’t waste time—be on your way!”
The Dragon Pearl remained calm, tossed the jujube into the cup, took the wine, drew a deep breath, then tilted her head back and drank it all.
The jujube was for nothing.
Heaven knows what quack brewed this poison, but it tasted vile.
Like fire down her throat, it scorched its way to her belly.
Before she could even clutch her stomach, her whole body went limp.
Iron arms caught her just in time, and it seemed someone was already tearing at her clothes.
Kill first, then ravish?! The most treacherous court official in Great Wei, indeed! To deceive the emperor like this—outrageous beyond words…
In the end, Nie Qinglin didn’t even manage to scream before she shut her eyes tight and lost consciousness.
Only once the little one in his arms finally closed those expressive eyes did the Grand Tutor straighten her rumpled clothes.
He gently lifted her and placed her on the imperial bed, drew the curtains, and waved a hand.
“Summon Divine Physician Wei.”
Eunuch Ruan, who had kept his head lowered the whole time, quickly withdrew…
In the blur of confusion, who knew how many levels of the Yellow Springs she’d fallen through? Her whole body felt soggy and weak—maybe she was soaking in the River of Forgetfulness.
She forced her eyes open.
Why did the boatman steering her ferry look just like the Grand Tutor, King of Hell himself?
Maybe punting the boat had tired him out, because he wore a towel on his head, eyes shut like he was deep asleep.
Nie Qinglin blinked again and realized she was sitting in a wooden tub.
The water was pitch-black, thick like ink.
Smoke wafted around the edges—it looked like the tub was set right over fire.
As her senses returned, she felt the bottom of her body scalding hot, like she was sitting on a brazier.
It burned so bad she tried to stand up—
But before the water could even ripple, a large hand pushed her back down.
“It’s not time yet. Endure a bit longer.”
Nie Qinglin finally understood she wasn’t dead and let out a breath of relief.
Only then did she realize—she and the Grand Tutor were soaking in the same tub.
Completely bare.
She reached down in panic, only calming slightly once she felt her undergarments still in place.
“Grand Tutor, why are you soaking with Me too?” she asked, half teasing now that the tension had eased.
His anger seemed to have faded.
Wei Lenghou looked quite content, soaking comfortably.
He had even managed a short nap.
The irritability of these past few days had mostly sweated out through his pores.
The mischievous little one beside him was acting up again, but he didn’t even open his eyes.
“Your Majesty is quite capable—hiding under a cold stone for three days and nights just to avoid me. But I must consider Your Majesty’s health. This decoction in the tub and the wine you drank earlier are both for warming the body and soothing the nerves… and have other effects as well.”
He had been afraid she’d pass out and drown in the tub, so he had joined her.
But now, holding this sweet, delicate little body, feeling every perfect curve pressed against him… the temptation was worse than the fire beneath the tub.
Ever since discovering the little Emperor’s secret—and her deliberate escape—his heart had been battered by waves of turmoil.
Now, it was both ice and fire.
If he weren’t made of steel, this alternating torment would’ve broken him.
The letter from Zhang Shiyu had quickly matched up.
Before the Justice Department’s torture devices even came out, old Physician Liu had spilled everything about Zhang Shiyu’s fake death.
As for that An Qiao’er, she was a tough nut—didn’t spill a single word, even under torture.
But it didn’t matter.
With Zhang Shiyu’s lead, it was enough for the Grand Tutor to piece together a full-on lovers’ elopement under moonlight drama.
When he personally led men to sneak into Huaxi Village, he saw the cottage’s smoke curling upward.
The beauty wore her hair up with a pin, smiled sweetly, and dabbed the sweat off her wood-chopping lover’s brow with a handkerchief.
Even from afar, he swore he could smell the scent of honeyed jujubes on her…
That moment, he had already drawn his sword, ready to storm the house and chop up that bastard, then press that vexing little thing down on the bed and rip off her skirts, unleashing himself however he pleased.
But just as he moved, he noticed a few Xiongnu lurking around the village.
After weighing the risks, he chose to stay put—for now.
Thankfully, those lovers had some sense of shame and slept in separate rooms that night.
If they’d actually shared a bed, he couldn’t guarantee the Dragon Pearl would’ve seen the sun rise again.
But what followed from her far exceeded his expectations.
Only then did he realize the silly little act she’d kept up around him concealed the mind of someone bold and cunning—she had run rings around the Xiongnu prince!
That moment, his fury flared up again.
He even wondered if he had been just as idiotic as Xiu Tulie.
In the end, he decided to play along.
When Dragon Pearl lured Xiu Tulie into the forest, he had his men lie in ambush.
The past few days’ effort had not been wasted.
Now, the sweetest fruit lay right in his arms—though frustratingly unripe…
Physician Wei’s diagnosis still rang in his ears: “Grand Tutor, this girl’s pulse is cold and weak. She’s suffered from heavy chills recently. That bowl of tonic might not be enough. With her poor constitution, her development’s been delayed. If not treated properly, future pregnancy will be very difficult…”
That made the Grand Tutor angry all over again—how could she treat her body so carelessly? Now that she was awake, he decided not to torture himself further.
Rising to his feet, he ignored her shocked squeal when her eyes landed on the lower part of his body.
He stepped out of the tub, threw on his robes, and left the bath chamber.
Outside, he saw Physician Wei still mixing herbs in another wooden tub.
“Physician Wei,” he asked, “after soaking in this medicine bath, can that girl begin her cycle and share a bed?”
Physician Wei, the white-haired elder who once owed the Grand Tutor his life, had long since promised to come whenever summoned.
When he was called out of retirement days ago, he thought he’d be treating some grave illness—not tending to a young girl’s womb.
Now, the Grand Tutor’s blunt question made him sweat.
Originally, he planned to answer: wait a year for best results.
But upon seeing the Grand Tutor’s… ahem… very urgent condition, he revised: “If this old man’s treatment is effective, results can be seen in seven months… But if she’s rushed into bed before her body is fully healed, she may suffer lasting damage.”
The Grand Tutor narrowed his eyes, saying nothing for a long while.
Physician Wei had just wiped the sweat from his brow when he was nearly startled into stumbling backward by the Grand Tutor’s sharp stare.
“Didn’t you say just now that if treatment is effective, the results would show in seven months?”
“Indeed, indeed!” Physician Wei quickly nodded, adjusting his words again.
“Of course, that is assuming that the nourishment and warmth are sufficient and the patient does not suffer another chill. If well taken care of, the healing will naturally be faster… as long as you don’t rush things—”
Before he could finish, the Grand Tutor had already turned and walked off, tossing back, “Three months. If her body hasn’t improved by then, you’ll answer for it.”
Physician Wei stood there stunned.
Three months? Is that even humanly possible?
But seeing that terrifying back disappearing into the steam, he could only sigh deeply and go back to stirring his medicine.
After all, this wasn’t the first time he had been dragged into the madness of the palace.
Back in the bath, Nie Qinglin had already curled up in the tub like a boiled shrimp.
Her whole body was red and weak, her limbs limp as wet cotton.
This whole time, she couldn’t understand—was the Grand Tutor crazy?
He’d fed her poison, stripped her, thrown her into a steaming hot tub, then got in with her.
And now he was gone again? Was this some new method of torment?
Just as her mind drifted in and out of confusion, the door creaked open again.
She snapped her eyes open, her whole body tense with vigilance.
It was Eunuch Ruan, carefully stepping in with a thick robe in his arms.
“Your Majesty, the bath is done. Allow this old slave to help you out.”
Even though he had the utmost respect in his eyes and had turned away while speaking, Nie Qinglin still didn’t dare move.
After a long pause, she asked weakly, “Eunuch Ruan… was the Grand Tutor serious earlier?”
Ruan Sheng’s face didn’t change, but his tone was solemn.
“The Grand Tutor said it himself—if Your Majesty doesn’t recover in three months, this old slave will be sent to kneel in the ancestral temple.”
Nie Qinglin was stunned speechless.
This villain! He’s really planning to “nourish her body” just to use her as a—baby maker?
She wanted to cry, but she had no tears left.
Eunuch Ruan came closer with the robe and wrapped her up gently, helping her out of the water.
As her feet touched the floor, she felt dizzy and nearly collapsed.
“Easy now, Your Majesty, steady…”
Back in her chambers, she was tucked into the imperial bed, surrounded by soft pillows and thick blankets.
The faint scent of medicine still clung to her skin.
The Grand Tutor sat beside the bed, eyes closed, seemingly deep in thought.
The moment she stirred, he opened his eyes.
She didn’t dare meet his gaze, but mumbled into her pillow, “That wine… wasn’t poison?”
His voice was calm.
“A special tonic. I added a jujube in advance, just to suit Your Majesty’s tastes.”
Nie Qinglin blushed furiously.
So he’d noticed even that? Then her dramatic plea earlier—“drop a date in”—must’ve sounded completely ridiculous.
She turned away and wrapped the blanket tighter.
The Grand Tutor suddenly spoke again, his voice low but intense, like smoldering embers.
“If Your Majesty has truly had enough of playing cat-and-mouse… then stay.”
Nie Qinglin’s body tensed.
“From now on, I won’t let you go.”
She couldn’t answer, couldn’t even breathe.
Her heart pounded in her chest like a war drum.
But then, the Grand Tutor stood up.
He gently brushed a strand of hair away from her forehead, the tip of his finger lingering for a second longer than it should.
“Rest well.”
Then he turned and left, his tall figure swallowed by the shadows beyond the curtain.
Nie Qinglin remained curled up under the blankets, dazed, her thoughts a chaotic storm.
The man had schemed against her from the start, forced her hand again and again.
But in the end, he had still come for her.
Risked the wrath of Xiu Tulie.
Risked being wrong about her.
He came.
And just like that… she wasn’t so sure what she wanted anymore.
Was it truly escape?
Or was it to be remembered, cherished, protected—even if the hand that held her also bound her tight?
Outside, the spring wind rustled the plum blossoms.
Inside the palace walls, the scent of herbs lingered softly in the air.
Under the quiet hush of night, a storm had passed.
But another had only just begun.
H
The potato lives!! I am sorry to hear you were sick. I hope that you and the potato feel better.