Chapter 115: Snakes and Scorpions: The Beauty's Poison
“My child, my child!”
Imperial Consort Xi’s cheeks streamed with tears. Choked with emotion, she let out miserable sobs. Her entire body trembled, and she felt as though her heart had been cut into pieces. This pain was much more excruciating than that of the poison.
The child that she had wished for had been in her womb, and yet she had not realized it. Her child had disappeared from this world without a sound. He had not been given a name or a memorial tablet, and nobody had cried or grieved for him. Worst of all, she’d only learned of the matter after sixteen years had passed. What right did she have to meet her baby in the Netherworld?
At her side, Elderly Lady Zhou sobbed too hard to speak. Mournful and sorrowful emotions filled the bathroom. Ye Jiuge sighed. She did not know how to comfort Imperial Consort Xi and her servant. Her gaze swept the bathroom and observed a mirror, which Elderly Lady Zhou had prepared, in the corner. She must have wanted her mistress to see her reflection after the poison was cured.
It was an exquisite mirror. The back of it was made from rosewood, and it was engraved with the folding pattern of a lotus. The mirror was made of polished crystals, and it was brilliant enough to clearly reflect a person’s image. Ye Jiuge took the mirror to Imperial Consort Xi and said softly, “Imperial Consort, the things of the past cannot be remedied; we can only look forward. No matter what you wish to do, now, you can do it.” Having said so, she set the mirror upright in front of Imperial Consort Xi.
Imperial Consort Xi lifted her eyes and saw the reflection of a beautiful woman. Her skin was spotlessly white, like a piece of jade. Her eyes, bright like autumn waters, brimmed with painful tears, but they were undeniably gentle and touching. Not only had her looks been restored, but she was even more beautiful than she had been sixteen years ago.
“Fantasy Beauty’s poison has an enormous effect. If one can overcome the pain of Lingering Death, one is reborn.” Ye Jiuge believed that the Empress would kick herself if she could see Imperial Consort Xi now.
“Reborn?” Imperial Consort Xi mumbled to herself.
The beauty’s gaze in the mirror firmed. Her eyes burned with hatred, and a bitter expression covered her beautiful face. She was like a scorpion with a venomous sting, ready to attack. Ye Jiuge was startled by this; she feared that Imperial Consort Xi would not be able to hold her emotions in check and that she would enter the palace to fight the Empress to the death.