Once the real cause of Empress Mu’s headaches and body chills was identified, the solution beca much simpler. Qin Liuxi first helped her dispel the evil energy within her body, and then drew an Exorcism Calming Talisman for her to wear close to her body.
"Once this Yin Evil Needle is removed, you won’t suffer from headaches anymore. However, the long needle penetrating your brain, along with the yin energy, has certainly caused damage. Returning to how you were before is unlikely; from now on, you must take care of yourself with mindfulness." Qin Liuxi paused and said to Empress Mu: "Moreover, you have already aged, and your foundation wasn’t strong to begin with. After such suffering, to live longer, you must broaden your heart and cultivate a peaceful, calm spirit."
This was a subtle reminder of her limited lifespan.
Madam Mu trembled slightly.
Empress Mu was montarily taken aback but quickly smiled and said, "Alright."
Qin Liuxi continued, "The yin energy has also caused so damage to your body. If the sun appears outside, it’s good to expose yourself to more sunlight. As the Empress, your Life Chart is naturally precious, and residing in a place abundant with Dragon Qi provides its protection. Wearing Dragon and Phoenix Jade can also shield you. Follow the prescription I’ve given you, take the dicine regularly to restore the Primordial Qi and essence you’ve lost recently."
Cuizhu handed over a box, hesitantly saying, "Master, the Five Stone Powder is all here. Although the needle has been removed from the Lady’s head, it won’t cause headaches, but the Five Stone Powder has beco an addiction. If not taken, then..."
Empress Mu stiffened.
Now that the culprit was identified and removed, there was no need to take that substance. However, she knew her body was addicted to the Five Stone Powder. If she couldn’t break the addiction, even without the Yin Evil Needle in her head, the powder alone could tornt her to death.
"You must abstain." Qin Liuxi said, "Judging by your frenzied state earlier, there’s already a certain level of addiction, but it’s still controllable. My suggestion is that you either close the palace gate and claim illness to outsiders or go to a temple or Daoist Temple for recuperation, and listen to more scriptures to keep calm. I’ll also prescribe you a bottle of Elixir Pills; take one daily. Additionally, combine it with a dicine bath to enhance your physique. With strong enough willpower, it’s possible to quit."
Empress Mu breathed a sigh of relief and focused her gaze on the Yin Evil Needle on the white silk handkerchief, asking, "Then how exactly did this needle end up in my head?"
"Indeed, you always had people around you, especially after falling ill. There was never a lack of people, even during acupuncture, we all served by your side." Cuizhu said, "Besides , there’s Cuizhi, who is well-versed in Qi Huang; when the Imperial Physician applied acupuncture, she watched from start to finish. How could anything have been done under our noses, this..."
"Where is this Cuizhi?" Qin Liuxi did not see her.
Cuizhu replied, "Cuizhi broke her leg in the past couple of days, so she hasn’t been serving in front."
Empress Mu said, "Both Cuizhi and Cuizhu have been with since childhood, they are trustworthy."
"Madam Empress, as long as you deem them trustworthy, it’s fine. However, examining this matter is ultimately up to you. Still, since a Yin Evil Needle is used, clearly soone with knowledge in Daoist Skills was involved. Getting it in wouldn’t be difficult, just requiring a Zhangyan Technique." Qin Liuxi said: "To insert the needle into the head without arousing suspicion, and to avoid vital points, the person must be skilled in dical skills, and to evade people’s notice, either proficient in Magic or assisted by others using a Magic Artifact to conceal it."
Empress Mu frowned, "If that’s the case, investigating will be difficult. Since I fell ill, the Imperial Hospital has been taking my pulse, but it has always been Doctor Lin who handled my pulse case. Besides the Imperial Hospital, my father also sought renowned folk doctors from outside, and needles were indeed used then."
Several people had given her acupuncture, and if they knew sothing about the Zhangyan Technique, it’s not sothing she could easily resolve.
Empress Mu looked at Qin Liuxi and asked, "Does the temple master know how to foretell?"
Qin Liuxi smiled, placed the Yin Evil Needle in front, retrieved three tongi from the Qiankun Bag, conjoined them in her palm, and muttered a spell, casting them six tis in succession. Once the divination erged, she glanced at it, her fingers quickly calculating.
After a mont, Qin Liuxi said, "Near the West City Chongyang Gate, by the canal, find the residence with a century-old willow tree."
"A century-old willow tree, isn’t that Doctor Lin’s ho?" Madam Mu exclaid.
Empress Mu’s face turned ashen, looking at Cuizhi, "Take my token and have Li Kui bring the person."
"Yes."
Madam Mu asked, "Could there be a mistake? Doctor Lin, towards you, my lady..."
"Mother!" Empress Mu stopped her, "No one remains unchanging; over ti, even the strongest loyalty can’t withstand. Lin Ming is the sa, not because of betrayal, but because the temptation wasn’t great enough."
Madam Mu opened her mouth, resentfully saying, "Scoundrel, he should rember who cleared the Lin Family’s na and who helped him attain the position of Imperial Physician. Even the Lin ancestral acupuncture technique was retrieved by you for him, yet he dares to repay kindness with betrayal!"
"Enough." Empress Mu rubbed her temple, "It only ans he values sothing more than gratitude."
"Indeed, rather than questioning why he betrayed, better to investigate who his true master is." Qin Liuxi said, "With intentions to harm you, if one plan fails, there will be a second. Madam Empress, you must stay vigilant in the future."
Empress Mu bitterly smiled, "I entered the palace at sixteen. It’s been decades; I’ve fought for decades. It hasn’t always been easy, but I’ve sat steadily on the phoenix throne. Yet now, in my later years, it feels unsteady."
Madam Mu gritted her teeth, "If it weren’t for the machinations against you, causing you to have only a legitimate princess as a daughter, if there were a prince, the situation wouldn’t be like this. Back then, we advised you to adopt a son, or send soone into the palace, but your Bodhisattva heart wouldn’t allow separating a mother and son, nor subject another girl to languish in the palace like you. But your kindness, what did it bring? Just more deception and harm. From my perspective, it’s obvious who’s behind this. If sothing happens to you... the biggest beneficiary would be Noble Princess Consort Xian. Just look at how she strutted earlier, eager to beco the master of Phoenix Hall!"
"Mother’s words are too rash; what’s most obvious is often not the case. She’s always been ambitious but not foolish. If fingers point clearly at her, soone might be framing her," Empress Mu narrowed her eyes, "Prince Crown, as long as the Saint is alive, he’ll only ever remain Crown Prince, much like , always with soone coveting this position. So, it’s better to muddy the waters and let these monsters fight it out. In confusion, I’m safer."
Empress Mu turned to Qin Liuxi, "Temple master, what do you think?"
Qin Liuxi smiled faintly, "Madam Empress, I’m rely a humble female crown, not skilled in courtly battles!"
I’m only good at throwing straight punches!
Empress Mu: If you hadn’t coaxed my father into rebellion, I might have believed your nonsense, but, haha!
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