Chapter 9 The Switched Tonics
Yet the records official told me that last night Li Yuancheng had not favored Xu Liuyi.
When I asked why, the official did not know either.
This was not the result I wanted.
It seemed Li Yuancheng was still cautious. Before I gave birth to a son, he would not let Xu Liuyi take any risk.
Then I would have to think of another way.
On Xu Liuyi's birthday, I used medicine on Li Yuancheng.
The next day Li Yuancheng did not return to his bedchamber until nearly noon, and I knew I had succeeded.
Soon his other two consorts came to my place to watch the show.
I had received too much favor in the past two years. Even though they seemed to know the real reason Li Yuancheng favored me, they still looked at me with hostility.
They played off each other. One said my poor color was because I had not slept well. The other said Xu Liuyi had cried out like a cat all night.
I showed nothing and invited them to tea. "Since Lady Xu Liuyi has already begun to serve in bed, both of you, Elder Sister, should be summoned by the Crown Prince, Your Highness, very soon. Younger Sister congratulates you first."
I knew how to sow discord too.
Hate indeed showed on their faces.
Xu Liuyi's rank was far below theirs, and she was a lowly Tribute Woman, yet she had received favor before them.
Then Xu Liuyi came. Only she did not look as happy as I had expected.
She was smiling, but the look she gave me seemed steeped in poison.
She said, "Elder Sister, your belly has grown so much. In another five or six months the child will be born, and Elder Sister will enjoy endless honor."
She seemed to think I could not hear the curse in her words.
In the eyes of the living, that honor meant being buried in a bottomless underground palace with the dignity of an Empress.
I stroked my belly and answered as if I were happy. "Then I will take Younger Sister's auspicious words."
The three of them echoed me, each seeming to keep their own thoughts.
After they left, Suyue came to tell me that Li Yuancheng had given Xu Liuyi Contraceptive Tonic without her knowing.
Suyue said in a low voice, "But this servant already switched it for Conception Tonic ahead of time, as you ordered."
I told her to keep doing so from then on. Then I drained the bowl of slow Abortion Tonic in one swallow.